L'Arc~en~Ciel: CHANSONS
Layout Design | Publication
This task had to focus on how we utilized
our grid systems into a large publication.
The subject matter was up to us. It could
be a lyric book, poem collection, story
book, scrapbook, or coffee table book. I
chose to make a translation lyric book
of one of the most recognized bands in
Japan, L’Arc~en~Ciel. It includes a list
of 24 songs that I compiled together
as the “best-of-the-best”. Because
they are a Japanese band there would
be the original Japanese lyrics then an
English translation after.
One thing I wanted to do was to play with
crossing the gutter in this publication,
you can see this heavily on the Bio pages
and the spreads that correspond with
each band member. There are also two
repeating motifs throughout the piece,
the “/” mark and the bundle of boxes at
various sizes and widths.
On each song page is the number the
song is on the list, the songs name, lyrics
- in English and Japanese, an illustration
that corresponds with the songs meaning,
a pull quote, my interpretation of the song,
and whether the song appears as a single
or in an album.
Part of the image jumps over the gutter giving both pages connectivity with imagery.
The “/” mark helps establish hierarchy in titles and acts as a separation line.
Lines break up the image to give it an edgy feel, the bands bio images also jump the gutter, making this a dynamic spread.
Multiple images of the band members give the viewer a better understanding of their personality.
The concept to add a darker and blurred version of the artwork behind the information is to immerse the viewer into the publication.
Sometimes we need a break, and these images are intermissions throughout the book to rest your eyes, it also plays with both motifs to create some interesting decorations.
