Extended Practice Brief #7: Irrational Fears [Final Publication Outcome]

After all the extensive development done on the publication this is the final outcome. Firstly, the front cover was amended as the previous cover felt too common and does not particularly set with the rest of the publication. The title now wraps around the bottom of the front and back of the book, reflecting how we ‘cover up’ with a mask and with the subheading “An Exploration of the Racialisation of Face Masks” having wide kerning, emphasising the distance we have to be apart of in this pandemic. The preface of the publication states the intentions of the publication, explains the topics explored in it. As it’s a sensitive topic it highlights how the book is an exploration of these themes and topics in order to give more understanding and knowledge about the reasons for the increased racial crimes towards Asians worldwide in the midst of the pandemic through all the research done. It is emphasised that it is not necessarily imposing a certain view on the readers but exploring sides in order to see where both are coming from.

Most of the design from the development stage made it easier to finalise the outcome quicker. Full bleed pages where added prior to start of chapters in order to keep a cohesive layout all throughout the publication as it was only done for certain pages but as colour is significant in the publication it was meaningful to add the pages too. Not only that, but it also gives a sense of anticipation and time, directing at the readers about the continuation of each chapter and theme. 

Each chapter title is also designed in literal ways according to the meaning of them such as “Splitting Cultures” having a slash in the middle and “Facing the Mask” having reflected text as titles. It gives an extra foundation of meaning to what each chapter is, emphasising each topic through subtle yet literal  visual interpretations of each title. Some pages have been amended with more images to accommodate the extra pages that have been added in front but also to give more context to the text. Furthermore, the image layout was changed some pages too, to highlight the landscape  image more and also keeping a balance with the grid to text layout due to the placement of the text on the grid. 

An addition, to the survey chapter “The feelings behind the Mask” was also added. As they are a series of question and answers from a survey, at the end of all the questions a page questioning the readers was added with bland speech bubble, indicating to them to answer the same questions they just read answers to. From the content they just read they can create their own interpretations and opinions of an answer, but the question may also challenge their beliefs and opinions too. 

All in all the publication was developed, refined and finished to the best quality with carefully considered design elements as well as content which makes it both functional and visually engaging at the same time.