To typeface or not to typeface

Typeface: Adobe Garamond Pro/Sabon(lareger size)
Size: 12 as of now/ 12.5?
Justification/Ranged left: Justify(?)
Word spacing:
Leading:

TEXT PANEL:
Measure:
no of lines/page:
Symmetrical/asymmetrical position: Symmetrical - familiar - easy to read
Margins: (clockwise) 23-17-23-15


Extent: 221
Binding: Perfect?
Running heads/folios/footnotes: Footnotes, no running heads, Size - half page horizontal

Size:           1/2 Page Horizontal

Trim:W 215mm x H 144mm

Bleed:W 221mm x H 150mm

Type:W 197mm x H 135mm

With justified text, 'windowing' is too much letter spacing

(Have a section on measure to be taken if org asks to reduce price of book)


"Oh, and serifs are the things that make fonts easier to read; without them, especially in long documents, our eyes have a tendency to blend the letters together."


http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/finetypography/ht/headline_fonts.htm

Translation Theory

I've been referring a few books by Peter Newmark, who is an expert on translations. (I have to say, for a translator, his writing could be more student-friendly.) This particular one, 'A textbook of translation' is quite useful. It was interesting to read things about translation in print that had been playing in my head like mini-clouds of thoughts for so many days.

I'm running behind schedule and stress-eating a lot of chocolate. But I suppose, this particular piece of information will not help me write my research report. [Note to self: Do not work in Tonge. Avoid classmates complaining about their work loudly.]

First thing:

SL: Source Language
TL: Target language

He spoke about considering the culture, settings and traditions, norms and backgrounds of SL & TL readers while translating.

A thing that troubles my mind: Reading up on translation is a second step, I mean, for me, the first part is transcription, which is not as easy as I though it would be. I'm worried about the six-chapter limit I set, and how achievable that is, along with developing the design. Maybe I will be able to accomplish it in time. If not, I'll be doing it anyway, post-Sept.

Coming back to Newmark, he spoke of the Stylistic Scale:

• Scale of formality: Ranging from Officialese, formal, neutral to informal, colloquial and taboo.

• Scale of generality/difficulty: Ranging from Simple, popular, neutral to educated, techincal and opaquely technical.

• Scale of emotional one: Ranging from  Intense, Warm, factual to understatement.

Apart from these, the attitude (of the writer, in this case, speaker), setting (format), text style classification and readership are factors to consider.


For this project I have the following in mind:

•  Formality range to be between formal to neutral,
•  generality range to be educated and 
• emotional tone to be warm. 

I've already written about

• Readership/TL audience in the first post: Educated, middle-class Indian.
• Format: Book
• Attitude: Umm...Babaji's talks in general tend to be jovial, light-hearted and the feel that I get from them is of a parent patiently explaining something to his child. Very informal, kind and patient. 

Having written this down, I suppose I should tone down the formality from formal to neutral, but I'll take that into account while writing it. 

Meeting with Babaji

I was lucky enough to meet with Babaji on the 14th of June, in Goa, that is, the last day of Sri Vidya 3 shivir.

Maa & Baba were both welcoming and Babaji happily approved of my university project. It was a short conversation, but personally, a memorable one for me.

I asked Babaji, shall I do my university project on Shivyog?

'Karo' He said.

Shall I design a book cover for a Shivyog book?

'Karo'

Shall I translate your talks and videos into chapters of book and publish?

'That I will make you do!' He said. (Karoon kya? Woh toh main tumse karwaoonga! *laughing*)

Wow.

I spoke with Kavita di and she asked for more information about my project and if I'd share my proposal with her. She also agreed to run past all the material I prepare with Ishan bhaiya and Maa.

I'll be emailing them details about my project soon enough.

I feel encouraged. Yay!

Babaji's Book - The basics

What I plan to accomplish at the end of August:

• Have six chapters of babaji's teachings, based on his Shivirs/course names compiled
• Design a book cover and the pages
• Publish

Right, so there are definitely more details in here. Here I quote my MP proposal,

"The essence of this project is, as a publisher, to help an existing non-profit organization develop its content and knowledge into a trade, illustrated, non-fiction print book."

When I discussed the idea with my supervisor, Clare, she suggested I draw up a detailed marketing plan for the product complete with marketing research and printing details for the book.

I had considered that particular idea earlier on, but knowing the Shivyog Foundation, I decided to not go ahead with the plan.

Understanding Babaji's desire to spread the knowledge of Shivyog to the world and Ishan bhaiya's desire to keep Shivyog out of the media spotlight (considering the prevailing media-view of spiritual leaders and organisations) I realized that Shivyog books would, best reach its customers through the Foundation's own outlets (Divine Shops). I do however hope that these books will find their way into commercial outlets as well (I will be designing this book for a mass market)

My aim, however, is to provide a framework to the content in a way which will make it easier for an average Indian unfamiliar with Shivyog, to pick up His book in a bookstore and understand what He teaches. To, in a completely non-partisan way, present Babaji's teachings in the English language, in a manner best suited the content keeping in mind trends in current trade publishing.

I have to, however, reconsider the 'illustrated' bit perhaps. Or, for the purpose of this project I could use the images developed by the Foundation.

I had also stated in my proposal that I'll be designing the book for an international audience. I believe it is best to reconsider this and target only one audience at a time i.e. The Urban Indian.

And now the design bit, I stated that I will plan to provide a design framework for future Shivyog books. I believe now that based on the time I have, that is stretching it a bit. As for the design bit, I think I will primarily be working with just on colour - vermillion - the Shivyog colour. 

Babaji also mentioned that he wants a motto for the organisation to sum up the teachings. That is one more thing to think about.

(My god! So much work! Lol, but looking forward to it!)