Initial Design Process
In the initial stages of my photo book design I wanted to ensure I maintained simplicity while also representing a narrative of a dance journey which is to be presented clearly. I first started by experimenting with sequencing of imagery with also combining archival, costuming and still life images in order to represent a relation between the three, helping to show the series of dance elements included in performance. I decided to have two archival images together with the ballet shoes which were worn on the following page, this created a sequence adding to a sense of pace. Although I liked the way this looked I felt as if the sequencing was off as the intended narrative was not clear, therefore edging me to change the sequence. Carrying on from this, in this first section of the book, as well as throughout I will be using a lot of archival imagery allowing comparison between the beginning and the end of the book, showcasing lifestyle, change and development in both dance wear, accessories, costuming etc. I feel as if this is going to help my book have a sense of pace and clearly show that this is a documentation. However, I felt as if using two archival images at the beginning was too much and therefore decided to exclude one and move around the images to fit in with this edit.
Second Design
Taking from the first experimentation I took away the landscape archival image and instead added a costuming image which can be seen as the smallest of all the costumes photographed and the costume is there first one I ever wore for competition. As mentioned in my book specificiattion I wanted the book to start with an archival image as a sense of entering into my journey and creating the narrative. I then want a mixture of all three photoshoots in order to carry on the narrative in different ways which works in my initial design. I do want double page spreads displayed throughout the book to add a sense of contrast between all the images. These double page spreads will be still-life object images as I feel as If they are going to fit in better as a double however this is not included in the first section of my book as I feel as if it doesn’t fit in. Carrying on, with the next section of my book, I intend to carry on the narrative of my dance journey. This is where double page spreads and costumes images will be introduced as a development. These images are both sectioned together to reperesent a group of images around the same subject, ie archival, object and costume images are shown to again show development of the dance when it was first performed and now when the costume lays in my wardrobe. I believe this is a successful way of showing the development as it adds fluidity and showcases a new way of looking into the subject. Furthermore, the sequencing of the images is seen as being very simplistic, with plain white backgrounds as I intended to show cheese photographs and then on the following page a post relating to the subject. This adds to the aesthetic of the book and supports my book specification where I stated I wanted a simple book with no distractions away from images. In tis version, I have intended to layout my essay within the book and have a combination of text and images to show a visual aspect. I used a combination of block text, columns as well as break ups within text to adds to the aesthetic as it is visually easier to read. To evaluate, I believe this design has a good concept however could be manipulated on my final try to showcase my intended narrative more. I would each section to have more separation to allow for the different times in life to be seen more so, therefore I will be adding in blank pages.
Fine Tuning My Design
After creating my second design, I am happy with the overall narrative as well as some of the sequencing of the images which add tot her narrative. However, I will be changing some of the images and replacing them with others in order to add to the narrative. I am deciding to focus on fine tuning some of the spreads to make the images more effective in presenting my narrative as well as improving the aesthetic further. In order to show development I have displayed one of the edits below.
In the first fine tuning of my design I looked into the way I presented my double page spreads as I felt as if these could me manipulated slightly to allow for the narrative to run more smoothly. I first started my adding a white boarder so it did not touch the edges of the page. I feel as if this shows that nothing has been cut out, therefore making my images more truthful. I then went on to position this to the middle of the page instead of slightly to the left as I felt it added more of a impact. I decided to do this for most my other double page spreads as it meant they were all the same and added to the simplicity aesthetic, I did however leave the ones which looked good spread onto the full page as I didn’t want to ruin the image overall. Both the old and new designs are placed below.
Second Design 
New Design
Evaluation
To evaluate, I believe that I have been able to successfully sequence my images in order to show my intended narrative. This has been done through much experimentation and I think that this has helped me to create successful images, allowing intended impact and allowing it to have fluidity to the book. Adding on to this, I think I have been able to show my thought process and decision making as to why I have done my actions. Overall this development process have been a long one which has taken a lot of thought process and experimentation, I do now feel that I have made successful changes to each individual section. I aim to make minor changes to images and book from now to the final product and will discuss final element in my last layout plan.