A few days ago, I received the second version of the book for my project Arena. This time, I chose a different format, using a classic and well-established edition style that I know works very well, given that the project has a linear and chronological narrative.
I used MagCloud’s services, specifically their Digest format. What I appreciate about this option is the high-quality paper, and the images look great. The colors are quite faithful to what I had processed on the computer. In my humble opinion, the printing quality is excellent.
Another aspect that pleasantly surprised me this time is that, despite Digest being a small-format size, often used exclusively for promotional purposes, the project fit beautifully. In the previous version, I used a magazine format with a larger size, and while one might think “the bigger, the better,” this isn’t the case here. It’s an intimate and tough project, narrating the details of an illness and someone’s death. Thus, these smaller images create an aura of intimacy, whereas the larger magazine format generates anxiety and overwhelm. While that emotional impact is one of the project’s strengths, it’s not advisable to overwhelm the reader.
Of course, these are personal and subjective perceptions, but I feel I’ve achieved my goal.
These changes are almost mandatory, so to speak, as the process of editing and creating a book requires trial and error.
The satisfaction I’ve gained, at least in my case, has been immense.
