Covering material | Catherine Moore

The Integrated Content project was a call to devise an initial series of three ‘special interest’ guides. The goals were to successfully use images and text for the purpose of clearly explaining a topic, making a high quality prototype, and creating an engaging piece of work that everyone from laymen to experts in the subject can enjoy.

My project, entitled Covering Material, is a series of books showcasing how type and image function across different paper stocks. Divided into Interior Paper Stocks, Coloured Paper Stocks, and Cover Paper Stocks, these initial instalments of the series work to help anyone from beginners trying to self-publish to industry experts make an informed paper decision. 

I also worked from an information design perspective explaining and simplifying elements of a traditional paper sample book, to make the project desirable for non-designers. The inclusion of a glossary and paper specifications section ensured information is easily accessible and digestible, meaning these guides are as much a learning tool as a resource for selecting a paper.

The structure of the guide needed to be considered first since there are several different types of information but also repetitive elements. I wanted to ensure the easy comparing of paper samples, which eventually led to the creation of five separate booklets housed in the cover. The three main booklets contain samples from different suppliers, while the other two booklets contain the contents, glossary, paper specifications, and a notes section respectively. 

The finished project is one that functions across all levels of experience and is a useful tool in the selection of paper stocks. Seeing first hand how type and imagery react to different papers is a crucial step in any print project, meaning these guides would be a must-have in any designer’s library.