OUGD404: Studio Brief 02 - Binding Process

Bookbinding Techniques

Through the module I have become quite sufficient with my bookbinding options being particularly fond of saddle stitching the spines of smaller publications. I will definitely be tempted to experiment with the use of that technique with this project again but it will depend on my stock decisions. 

Upon searching for inspiration for the project I came across this example of a spiral bound publication on instagram. Initially I was very attracted to it and I feel it works very well especially alongside the simplistic layout of the pages..

I did have my doubts, thinking no-one would ever use spiral binding or ring-binding for an editorial magazine but I was proved wrong with this post by 'Editorial Mag'. They produced a one-off issue which did feature a spiral bound spine and it did receive mixed reviews. I do feel lie this could be something I look into as it is quite a bold design decision to make. I was scared it could appear too much like a lookbook but then did some more research..

I could be very experimental with how I use the binding allowing it to give off this luxurious feel without being too high-end. I feel like this binding technique with a bit of experimentation could achieve that sentiment. By experimenting with the different rings in different stitch points on the page it does reflect more of a professional publication than it did formerly - like a bound dissertation or work document. By experimenting with the process I want to see if I can change this viewpoint of spiral binding, but I do need to find this out sooner rather than later, as it may affect the inner margins I use within the publication. 

Two separate coils

This also starting pushing my initial specification of wanting to include a separate scaled lookbook or guide type book within the editorial. Acting as an extra feature to the issue...

Within my Lagom Issue

Three separate coils feat. extra page

To test my concept of changing the view of this binding process and it being accepted and aesthetically pleasing enough to be used in a high-end magazine, I went around asking people a series of questions supported by the pictures shown above..

I started by asking what would you associate spiral/coil binding with?

All responses suggested the use of them for notebooks, binding essays and dissertations and other boring documents.

I then asked, do you think I could adapt the technique for use in a high-end magazine?

Some people were very unsure at first suggesting tacky-ness, etc. But upon showing them the above images of how it can be adapted into quite a professional, aesthetically pleasing process, why can't it be used to bind an editorial?! Every person I asked, be it fellow designer/creative or non-creative agreed saying it did now show potential and it could work in the right context. I believe this process would make my publication stand more than the averagely bound one!

- And if not, I could fall back on a stitch following the same concept..