Brochure for Museum Exhibit (work in progress)

Good use of the hilt image! I'd just say that maybe the title can be larger and in more of a 'Constitutional' (ie. scripty) font: 'War in the Americas'.

For the body font you might try something more classic like Adobe Caslon rather than Frutiger.

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They specifically said no script fonts. I think I agree with you, though, it would look good in this case. If others think so, too, I might have to go back to the client with that suggestion. I am using Caslon as the serif font, though.

"Hilt" -- yes, that's the word I couldn't think of. Thanks.

trajan is a nice clean font that might help without going to a serif font. ithas just enough movement to it in my opinion.

worth a try..

Agree with Archmedia about Trajan.

Tighten up the leading in 'War in the Americas'.

It's

Really

Disjointed.

Also, try running the head on two lines. It will help break out of the space created by the serpent and the eagle. Right now it feels very trapped.

Any chance you could post just the cover panel? I can't get a good feel by glance of how this will be framed by the fold. I'm worried you're going to loose alot of the interesting parts of the (thank you nabotasso) hilt.

As far as the copy blocks go... drop the force justification or loosen the tracking... or possibly both. I know it's just greek for the time being but it's pretty awful.

Not crazy about the fading of the hilt at the lower left to allow for the address block. It feels a bit lazy and contrived.

I think you've got some interesting images happening and the subject matter could be kick ass. Liven it up a bit!

ps. interesting tidbit on the Caslon, but I'd take a look at other versions if you are committed to this. I can almost guarantee that your current Adobe version is a long way off from the original. Take a look at 'Founders Caslon'.

You've got a solid foundation here. I love the image, and it seems like a really great subject with plenty of content on its way.

I think that now that you have the basics set up, it's time to start tweaking and getting a little "artsy". Yeah, I hate the term too, but I can't think of a better one! What I mean is, it's kind of looking cold and static at the moment. Try changing the background colour - white seems a little too sterile behind that photo. Play around with the fonts a little more - especially on the front. Maybe try strengthening certain words to draw attention. "War" is a head turning word. ;)

In my experience designing, I have a really hard time coming up with a theme/feel before I get all of the content, and once I do, it all seems to come together. (I'll have space for 5 paragraphs of Lorem Ipsum, and the actual content given after that is only a few sentences . . .that's always fun.) I think that will definitely help in this situation.

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I've always loved Trajan. I'll give it a shot, and of course try others as well. Thanks for the "Founders Caslon" connection; I'm sure you're right about how it's changed over the centuries. Thanks for the Typographica link, NB; just my dish of tea. Is "pommel" for swords, too? I think of that word in connection with Western-style saddles. I've lived too peaceful a life, it seems! :-)

As for tweaking the tracking/kerning et al., I feel it's much too early to worry about that, Shawn, since I have virtually NO copy yet, and even the title is still in question. But proper finishing touches are a passion of mine, as I guess they are for you, too, so I'll be sure to pay attention to that. BTW, the fold on the first panel will be on the right side of the serpent at the point where he slinks off into the bottom bleed.

You know, Shawn, I thought the "War in the Americas" thing felt trapped, too, and I tried to tell myself that this very flaw made some sort of political statement. I should have allowed myself to have a more practical reaction! You're right. Maybe I can make WAR way bigger, and "in the Americas' in smaller sans caps below it or something.

And speaking of Stephanie, the white is cold, huh? Rats. I was thinking it would look nice and clean, with all the red-white-blue action that this brochure will contain. Hmm. I'll have to give that some thought. You're probably right. Something neutral, but warm, like a very pale gold, maybe? I'll play some more. The client for this job is off my radar screen all week, so I'm not under the gun (ha ha) right now.

Thanks a lot, ya'll! It's almost like being part of an agency :-)

but your body copy looks... for lack of a better word... trapped. i would start w/more white space on the margins. personally not a big fan of force justified text, unless there's a specific reason to use it. to me, it always looks so very govt and stiff.

i do like how the hilt works on the page, though. and i think the warmth of stephanie's version gives it more life.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6671/witarj6.jpg

the one that stephanie linked in her post.