Reference Book Assignment
scenario / process / requirements / design script / schedule
Scenario
BIT, an international publisher of science and technology books, plans to publish a biographical reference book on major figures in the history of computing. They have the completed manuscript (MS) and now need a sensible and effective design. So the BIT editors commission four established information design teams (i.e., you guys) to create four to five sample designs each for one of the book's entries, on the mathematician John von Neumann.
Each team will brainstorm collectively, to review the design conventions for the reference article and reference book genres and to imagine different design strategies.
Then each team member will produce a distinct design for the von Neuman information.
The von Neumann text is available on-line at this address.
The deadline for the final designs is Monday, February 27.
Process
Analyze the rhetorical situation of the project: Who is the book's audience? What is its purpose? What is/are the context(s) in which it will be used?
Research the design and generic conventions of reference books. Explore design possibilities by examining instances of other genres. What features might you adapt to the task at hand? This will involve visiting the the Reference Sections of an RU library or a bookstore as well as actively keeping an eye out for design features in the documents your encounter daily (e.g., in magazine or on-line).
Locate illustrations and other graphic (extra-textual) elements you might use.
Produce a first "test" draft of the design for next week's class.
Review and the test the design with other members of your team and then revise.
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Requirements
You will need to fit the information in 6-10 pages (on 3-5 sheets of 8½ x 11 paper). But remember that conciseness is a design value in document design.
You will need to find and add visual material as needed (you are free to incorporate or disregard the material supplied by author).
You will need to add headings and/or use other devices to label and divide the text.
Remember that your design will be a sample or paradigm for all the entries in the book. Thus, you should make whatever supra-textual (book-wide) design decisions you think appropriate (page headers, footers, numbering, etc.).
For instance, the von Neumann text has five numbered notes: should these appear as footnotes? endnotes? sidenotes? Make a reasoned decision.
You may work in black, white, and gray or include color.
You may break up (or combine) existing paragraph divisions (as needed).
Follow the CRAP principles of design.
Finally, because your work needs to be accessible in both printed and electronic versions, create a folder called "refbook" inside your "415" folder on Eden for storing your work. Remember to set all permission properties to "755."
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Design Script
The editors request that each team member provide a design script detailing the decision-making process behind the design. As with the previous design script, you should draw on the readings to support and clarify your decisions. Quote at least three times each from at least two of the readings.
The design script should include a short MLA style works cited identifying the sources of any visual material used in the design. It should also include materials you drew on for design inspiration (models, etc.)
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