Changing Illustrations

Way back when in the Movable Books post, I came across changing illustrations. I figured out how to do this on my foundation course; it is essentially just 2 sets of overlapping tabs. The application is obvious: People will interact with the illustration in order to make it change into the next one.

Puncturing

Puncturing the paper (in this instance with a sewing needle) creates a surprisingly noticeable effect. It looks great when then placed over a dark background, but looks amazing when held up to a light. It is possible to create a sort of "shading", using different sized holes at different spacing.

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Layers and Paper Cuts

 

1. Pull-out peep show - The viewer can look through the peep hole to reveal many layers of a scene, almost making it 3D. It can be squashed down flat.

2. Paper cuts - Can be very intricate and detailed. Layered papercuts work very well, as in the peacock piece.

3. Layers and light - obviously, the more layers there are the less the light shines through.

Embossing

 

I was surprised at how much detail it is possible to achieve with a simple cheap embossing tool. Lettering is no problem for it, I even tried embossing from an old piece of letterpress (the letter E, bottom of the top picture). I think my favourite result has got to be the pocket watch (second from bottom).

The thicker the paper, the harder it is to get the detail showing through. For the bottom picture, I was using 300gsm. I found that the side pressed to the surface gets a better result than the other side, if you press really hard with the tool. Like, reverse embossing.

I also tried it on handmade paper, which did not work at all.

This method could be great for adding textures, or little hidden elements in illustrations.

Paper Toy

A quick paper toy I made of a zombie using a very simple net - essentially just a cube, with an opening mouth. I definitely want to make some paper toys in this project. This particular one was originally created as a self promotion idea, which I still think is a good idea. Any that I make for this project could have a double agenda, and also be used for self promotion with my details written on the underside, as they are on this one.

An illustration becoming 3D from 2D changes the way people think about it, especially if it is a process they went through themselves, as with paper toys. The nets are handed out or printed on paper, and the recipient, not the illustrator/designer, makes the final product.

All Shapes and Sizes

Different sizes and proportions of a book can change the illustrations within or the function or audience of the book itself.
Could have tall and thin books or short and fat books. Each would change the shape of the illustrations and what you could show in them. For example if the story was about a giant, a tall and thin book would easily show the whole giant, while a short and fat (landscape, basically) book might only show the giant's feet.

Children's books are often over-sized. However, Beatrix Potter's books were often tiny - for tiny hands.
An earlier post inspired me to make a series of matchbox-sized books.
If I was to make a very tiny book, I could make tiny illustrations that the viewer would need a magnifying glass to see properly. Would be fun!

Also consider shaped books - different constraints to the regular 4 sided shape.