Dadalectic
Book Design & Publishing
Trip to Italy
Book design and publishing turned disparate stories and award-winning photography into an immersive travel experience, without losing the high quality of a photographic print.
Project
Overview
Internal Client
Geena Photography
A Geena Media brand, Geena Photography hosts the photographic work of Geena Matuson sharing stories of everyday life around the world. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and shows internationally, and her consumer offerings include fine art prints and limited-edition print runs, digital downloads, stock photos—and now, photography books.
Challenge
Share Stories Behind the Photos
Geena's photography had been awarded and exhibited in several shows, including a juried exhibition at PH21 Gallery in Budapest. And while the photos could "speak for themselves," Geena wanted to provide written accounts of the trip alongside her favorite images to further immerse the viewers into her experience. Additionally, she wanted to maintain the high quality of, and focus on, the physical photographic prints.
Solution
Photography Book Design & Publication
A photography book and publication package was a cohesive way to turn this content into a singular product, showcasing Geena's favorite images alongside written accounts of her trip—all without losing the quality of a photographic print.
Research was conducted to find a printer that could ensure a high-quality photography print: Blurb Books. Defining book format specifications, editorial design and written content followed; written stories appear at the start of each section without encroaching on the following photographs, providing space to each component within the singular book product. The book was printed, published with an original imprint, and entered into the GRN ("Global Retail Network") for distribution.
Product
Photography Book Listed on Amazon
The final product titled Trip to Italy is a 100-page photography book featuring Geena's images and stories together in one cohesive product, printed on archival photography paper for a fine art feel. The book was entered into the GRN, and is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Trip to Italy
Take a tour of Rome and Venice through the lens and travel story of street photographer Geena Matuson, sharing a trip to Italy just after the Carnevale Romano. Geena's written stories pair with her street photography to bring the reader along for this two-week trip, with a surprising celebrity discovery as to one of her travel mates...
Specifications
Book Design & Publishing
Photography
Original travel and street photography was captured using the Canon 5D Mark II with natural lighting and no additional equipment.
Product Development
Strategy and research for product, print, publishing and distribution; defined book product specifications for use with Blurb Books hardcover, full-color printing on archival 110# premium photo paper.
Editorial Design
100-page book designed with Adobe InDesign for use with defined product specifications, with respect to both photography and written text.
Writing
Original written content for this 100-page book, organized chronologically to tell cohesive travel story.
Post-Processing
Photography post-processing using Adobe products; formatting for book printing according to binding, paper and printer specifications.
Publishing & Distribution
Registered publishing imprint; purchased ISBNs with agency Bowker; generated distribution through GRN; listed for sale on Amazon.com.
Portfolio
Visual Samples
Development & Design
Research, development and design of 100-page hardcover book featuring original street photography and written stories printed on premium, archival paper.
Publishing & Distribution
Registered publishing imprint; purchased ISBNs with agency Bowker; generated distribution through GRN; listed for sale on Amazon.com.
Storytelling
Original written content for this 100-page book is organized chronologically to tell a cohesive travel story.
Excerpt
Vatican City
Before we ventured to Venice, our class spent a day in and around Vatican City. We spent several hours at St. Peter’s Basilica in Piazza San Pietro, where we took a tour that ended in a gift shop. Many of us crowded around the postcards and magnets. We were told mail sent to the US from Vatican City would take exactly two weeks to arrive at their destinations; therefore, postcards sent that day would arrive to the US three days after our return to Boston.
I had an idea: I wrote on a postcard “forever,” and put that in the mail addressed to my boyfriend at the time. On another postcard I wrote “I love you,” which I kept with me and brought back home. When I returned home, I gave my boyfriend the postcard I had in-hand. Three days later, the postcard from Vatican City arrived, adding to those three little words the sentiment “Forever.” While our love was not forever, I still give myself a pat on the back for this clever gift.
Archival Quality
Printed on archival 110# premium matte photo paper ensures consistent longterm-quality while giving images a “gallery feel.”
Trip to Italy
Take a tour of Rome and Venice through the lens and travel story of street photographer Geena Matuson, sharing a trip to Italy just after the Carnevale Romano.
Project
Brands
Geena Photography
A Geena Media brand, Geena Photography hosts the photographic work of Geena Matuson sharing stories of everyday life around the world.
The Content Consultant
A Geena Media brand, The Content Consultant is Geena Matuson as strategic management, marketing and creative consultant for your content, your brand—you.
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