Dan-Air Diaries: Publication Proposal

Format, Shape & Size

The ‘Dan-Air Diaries’ will be an A5, hard-back, perfect bound publication (148 x 210 mm flat, 296 x 210 mm open). 

This size is a standard print format, and is also the most common of personal diary sizes, and is therefore relevant to the content/context of the publication. 

A hard-back will supply the book with a more durable, protective cover that will ensure the longevity of the book as a keepsake item - which of course this is due to the overtly personal nature of the project to Julia. It will wrap around the perfect bound text block, which will be made up of 32 double-sided (print to both sides) A5 sheets -making a 64 page publication. 

Layout

The book will use the following margins:

Top: 20mm

Bottom:25mm

Inside:20mm

Outside: 15mm

These margins allow for a running footer to feature throughout the publication, citing the name of the book and page numbers.

The book will feature photographic content alongside the written copy, set 35mm down from the top edge, in line with the typical starting point for body type, achieving a well-balanced visual hierarchy/compositional harmony.

Typography

The publication will feature one typeface throughout - Clarendon.

This choice of typeface is informed by Dan-Air’s ‘Flightline’ staff newsletter as printed collateral from the time during which Julia worked for the airline. Additionally, this bold, slab-serif and notably British typeface represents the airline as a British operation, the largest independent airline of its time. 

Putting into practice the modernist principles of Massimo Vignelli, the ‘Dan-Air Diaries’ features just two pt. sizes on its pages: headings set at a pt. size of 22 and body copy at half of this, a pt. size of 11 - a standard practice in book design. This aids the ordering of information.

Colour

The ‘Dan-Air Diaries’ will use a consistent blue, red and white colour scheme, informed by the airline’s visual identity (logo, printed collateral etc.). This also represents the airline as a British operation.

Paper/Finishing

The publication’s hard-back cover will be matt, finished with a soft touch lamination for added protection and tactility, as well as to enhance the diary aesthetic of the book in its honest and personal delivery of content (nothing ‘glossed’ over).

The inner covers of the book will be red, while the book content itself will be printed on matt white stock at 160gsm.