The acclaimed Introduction to Aviation from the University of Waterloo's course is a beginner's aviation textbook that has been distributed worldwide and translated in many different languages as a first of its kind. With the success of the 1st edition, there is a growing demand for the 2nd edition to have more graphics, clearer information architecture and take advantage of more color ink options.
Text can enforce engagement of material and serve a functional ease of finding information when careful consideration is put into its appearance.
During the duration of this project, I am responsible for designing a coherent visual style that serves a functional, yet appealing purpose in navigating a densely written textbook and guiding readers from enthusiasts to experts in the course material.
The 2nd Edition textbook will focus on 2 major improvements:
Skills: Content Organization, Navigation Design
There are 4 different types of searching methods used in researching and studying academic material:
Heavier = More Visibility = More Important
1️⃣ Font styling should match the 1st Edition’s styling guideline.
2️⃣ Font weights have more variation to imply order of organization.
3️⃣ Links emulate web links with different colour and underline.
Navigating main topics covered in textbook in chronological order.
1️⃣ Chapter subsections are added to find specialized topics within chapters easier to find.
2️⃣ Font Hierarchy is also implemented in TOC chapters.
Organization of information in a matrix that includes the property, its description and other miscellaneous data.
1️⃣ Defined text should be bolded with their counterpart un-bolded definitions. Refer to text hierarchy.
2️⃣ A matrix allows information of a common topic to be organized horizontally and common topic properties to be organized in the same column.
3️⃣ Definitions with a corresponding graphic has a simpler icon highlighting the topic addressed.
Graphics provide a spatial, visual understanding of systems, concepts and abstraction of ideas when paired with main textual information.
Skills: Navigation Design, Graphic Design, Illustration
There are 4 main types of design elements to communicate to the viewer before using words:
1️⃣ Repeating information is moved into a legend.
2️⃣ Subtitle is larger to mitigate ink saturation, printing flaws and ink bleeding.
1️⃣ Color coding between hot section and cold section differentiate from cross section of engine parts.
2️⃣ Turbines are serrated diagonally representing blades which distinguish from other engine parts.
3️⃣ Photograph of a jet engine cross section is contrasted with a model to demonstrate application.
