Project Statement: For this project, we were assigned to create a "Guide Book" on any topic we chose. I have always been curious about modeling, and all it takes to be a model, so I started to figure out how I could create some sort of guide to modeling. However, I didn't want to just create a generic book, I wanted to create something more meaningful and personal to me, because I believe artists create their best work when it means more to them. Therefore, it brought me to designing a book for and about my mother. My mother, Jill, was a fashion major in college, and was always interested in design and creating clothes from a young age. At one point in her fashion career she became discovered by an agency, and they had her doing a lot of modeling work. Since I wanted to a guide book to modeling, I figured why not center it around my mother, and her journey from working behind the scenes as a designer, to finally in front of the lense!
Target/Intended Audience: My target audience for this book is my mother, Jill. I created this book for her, so she could relive her achievements, and capture her journey in her words, and pictures from college and beyond.
Research: For the research portion of my project, I had to interview my mother about her college life, what she accomplished, and how she got to modeling towards the end of her fashion career. I spent a lot of time on the phone with her to get the script and pull quotes from the conversations we were having. I had her send me her modeling photos, and photos from before modeling to showcase some of the designs she created, and everything she accomplished during college, and after.
Design Process: I started this process by doing a lot of research on models in general, color schemes, and design layouts. I created a lot sketches to better picture the layouts I wanted to go for within my Guide Book. I got a lot of my inspiration from VOGUE magazines for layout, and fonts. I wanted to create a more sophisticated look, that also went along with the branding I have created for myself. So, I kept with the navy blue, that I use within my Monogram, and Resume. I used the VOGUE font to give it the modeling magazine feel. I also kept all of the images in black and white to insure a cohesive, and classy look.
Final Solution: I created a 21 page Guide Book about my mothers fashion design journey. I showcased all the work she put into fashion, and design, and how it led her to become recognized as a model. I used real images from her college years, and majority of her modeling photos. I created a cover, and splash page for the book, to make it feel more like a real book. The splash page is a repeated image of her crystal blue eyes, that was taken in a photoshoot when she was in college. I also added the touch of her signature to help the book feel more personal for her, and to help showcase how important she is to me, and how her work is truly inspiring. I created a table of contents with four chapters, starting with her Learning The Craft, to Jobs In The Field, too when she became Discovered, and finally to her Portfolio Work, during the times that she modeled. I also added some of the items that she actually designed and made, which I thought was a great touch to just see how talented she is on both ends of the fashion industry!
