A Project Brief
When you start any design, even if it is part of an already existing larger project, you will want to orient yourself to the specific design task by creating a Project Brief for it.
Here is a worksheet you can use to create a Project Brief for your Print Portfolio:
A Content Outline
A publication designer, usually in conjunction with an editor, often creates a Content Outline.
You will want to create a Content Outline for your Print Portfolio:
Here is a worksheet you can use:
A Flat Plan
The next step in a book or publication design process is to create a Flat Plan.
A Flat Plan is a quick publication block-in that shows where the contents might appear in the book. The flat plan shows the
organization and layout of the entire book/publication page by page and is often followed by tight thumbnail layouts.
Here is an a Flat Plan worksheet for you to use for your your Print Portfolio:
Here is an a Comprehensive Design Project Board worksheet that combines both all three, a Brif, a Content Outline, a Flat Plan, as well as a Concept Thumbnail or two. You might want to use it, in conjunction with your branding, to help develop a design concept/theme for your your Print Portfolio:. (Yes, publication designs have concepts too).
A Publication Grid
All publication or book designs use strict grid systems. It helps
organize content and keep a consistent layout and look through the
book.
This is the Grid I used for my design revamp of the 2012 Utah Travel Guide. It includes margins, gutters, as well as eight columns per page that allow a great deal of layout variation including the following page column relationships: 1 col; 1col x 7 col ; 2 x 6 ; 3 x 5 ; and/or 4 x 4.
