Golden Ratios, Fibonacci and Gmund.
Grids and layouts for my thesis production are
now complete. I am using a formula by Bringhurst
using golden section ratios to determine page edges and
margins. Here Bringhurst uses dimensions of an
A, ISO paper size. This is equal to a diagonal
square of unit 1 (Bringhurst, 2005, p. 147). Inside this a
textblock fits golden ratio dimensions 1.62 “[Φ, the
golden section]” (p. 175). Bringhurst gives a simple
formula for working out these ratios. Spine and top
margins are equal, and equal to page width / 9.
Bottom and edge margins are 2 x spine or 2 x top. This
gives a complete symmetry to my book and project. I
am aligning page numbers to edges of my text blocks.
I do not have a symmetrical page layout because
of my thin writing columns and right ragged text.
I have used this basic structure to create an offset
version using a more complex grid where
a second internal right spine margin gives a
value for each text block. Images align
exactly to margins and reveal this grid. All text
including captions offsets on my subset text margin.
I have also discovered Bringhurst’s brilliant uses
of Fibonacci series. Bringhurst gives an offset example
to determine text sizes at 4, 7, 11, 18… My
body text is all set at 18. My captions are now at
7 point text, my sub-heads are also now at
11 with my body text to fit this Fibonacci
series. This gives a symmetry and musical rhythm
to my entire production. All my text,
images and captions now hang off this grid.
There is some brilliant analysis in Bringhurst’s
book about page and proportions of human body, a
musical symmetry and depth to layout which
invites humanity to any text. “If the book appears
to be only a paper machine, produced at their
own convenience by other machine, only machines
will want to read it.” (p. 143).
My final paper stocks are Gmund and Munken,
both from G. F. Smith. Gmund is a fantastic,
think, only 10 gsm thicker than tracing paper stock
at 80 gsm. This is almost opaque it is so dense
in its quality. Even my initial photocopy
postroom prints were beautiful in
this stock. My press room prints are gorgeous
and I am sold on this. This is my text for my
bibliographies and appendices section, and my
images throughout my whole book. I am using
SRA3 with bleeds throughout. My text is all
going to print on Munken. This is from
by Huddersfield print room and is also from
G. F. Smith. This is 100 gsm, thick, beautiful,
handable quality, pure white, it has an
academic and deep soul feel. My books go
into production next week and all prints go to
press on Tuesday and collation is on Thursday
and Friday.
Golden Section Layouts. Source: artist, information
from Bringhurst, 2005, p. 175).
Gmund and Munken Stock, Source: artist.
Grid, early tests, Source: Artist.
Images and grids, Source: Artist.
Final margins, Source: Artist.
