| dc.description.abstract | The initial idea for this thesis project stems from an interest in artists'
books. Of particular interest is the way in which the physical format
of the book can be an integral part of the artistic concept.
Artists'
books are books as art rather than books about artists or their work.
As such, they exceed the boundaries of conventional expectations.
They are about themselves, not simply passive vehicles for carrying
information. The "reader"
experiences an artist's book in much the
same way the viewer experiences a painting, a sculpture, or a
ceramic vase. The format for carrying information is as important
in conveying the information as the text or images.
This thesis project deals with the significance of format in a design
investigation. Its primary goal is to understand how a change in
format may influence the accessibility of information. In this project
format is defined as the physical vehicle in which information is
carried, page size and configuration, as opposed to composition.
The following hypothesis states the assumption underlying this
thesis project
A format in conventional print media is as important in
successfully conveying a message as are the text or images.
The original intent of the project was to compile and synthesize
existing research related to the thesis topic. The expected outcome
was a reference guide for designers to aid in the understanding of the
influence of format on the accessibility of information. It became clear
as the literature search progressed that very little research exists in
support of the above hypothesis. Consequently, the direction of the
project changed, and it became necessary to conduct primary
research in orderto support and extend this study.
The investigation focused on the comparison of four different
formats. The four formats were: a poster, a sequence of single pages,
a barrel fold, and a mufti-directional fold. A series of exercises were
selected to explore a range of visual variables, including size, weight,
and orientation, as applied to each of the four formats. The sections
that follow describe and present the results of this research. | en_US |
