During the final crit a number of strengths and weaknesses were suggested regarding the publication design. It was considered that overall the publication looked like a piece of engaging and inspirational material for the target audience of a travelling designer. The subjective nature of the publication's layout and structure of information was not seen as limiting the communication of content in any way, but instead was representative of the potential chaos caused by navigating your way around a foreign country, which continued to reflect an aesthetic similar to that of travel journals. Such considerations can still be applied to the final publication design, which was improved on since this feedback, in that the overall layout has been kept consistent with such initial ideas.
It was suggested that the publication design was understandable and easy to process. However, it was also considered that there were some contractions within this such as the initial use of a sans-serif typeface for the titles and a serif typeface for the body text. Initially this had been placed within specifically developed grid systems based on each place of interest highlighted within the publication. However, it was suggested that this also provides contradictions in the way content was set, since some had been placed within these grids and some had not, whilst also affecting the legibility of some pieces of information. Based on this feedback, the final publication design utilises Caslon 540, a traditional serif typeface, throughout the publication for both headings and body text. It can now therefore be considered that this use of type ensures consistency in the final design, which as a result, enhances the accurate communication of content and the messages behind it's overall design. The content no longer makes use of such obscure grid systems, but has been formatted using a traditional modular grid, reflective of the squared formats found in some elements of Barcelona's architecture as well as other design elements used within this final publication design. Again, this provides more consistency.
Despite this, the initial use of grids was considered an interesting element to the publication which made more sense to the audience after reading the concept rationale. However, if this were to be published, the general public would not have this rationale to hand and therefore the design and purpose of the publication may be misinterpreted. In the final publication design, the use of these grids were continued to be used, however instead as a group of papers which the audience can use for notes and sketches to inspire their travels, providing an additional elements based on the needs of the specified target audience of travelling designers. These grids therefore can be considered to continue to work well within the publication to provide interesting links between it's design and the subject matter itself, just with a different purpose.
Another suggestion through feedback was that the publication should use a matte or recycled paper stock in order to better reflect the rougher style and textures of a sketchbook or travel journal. Within the final publication, a matte paper stock has been used in order to reflect such aesthetics, also reflective of the rough texture found on buildings and the architecture around Barcelona which can be seen as effectively communicated certain design elements of the Spanish city. However, this may also continue to produce some contradictions in it's use with a glossier paper utilised for specific photographic images to enhance their communication.
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