Proximity

Proximity: Respond

Proximity means closeness in space. In a visual text, it refers to how close elements, or groupings of elements, are placed to each other and what relationships are built as a result of that spacing. The relationships created by the spacing between elements help readers understand the text, in part because readers might already be familiar with similar designs of other texts (this audience recognition of similar texts is called genre knowledge).

Proximity can apply to any kind of visual element in a text, including words and images. The wide spaces between the lines in this example signal that these are unrelated elements and should be read separately. Proximity can also apply to audio elements in a text, such as voiceovers, sound effects, and lyrics.

In the analysis, we discussed a book cover and table of contents for a book that would only exist online. In this assignment, let's examine a more traditional print book cover design.

Use the principles of proximity to place title, subtitle, author name, and image on the blank book cover, using only one of each element. After putting together a cover you're happy with, work through the following questions. Then “submit” your responses.

Tip: Click and drag an element from the dock on the left to build your cover.

  1. Question 1

    Did you group certain categories of information together? How did you group them—typographically, by placing them closer together, or in some other way?

  1. Question 2

    What do you think is the most important piece of information on your cover? What choices did you make about typeface or size to convey that sense of importance? How does the layout of your book cover reflect your sense of how the information should be organized?

  1. Question 3

    What are some limitations you've encountered in laying out visual elements in a traditional way? What are some other ways you might want to organize the information on a book cover that might work better in a non-traditional format?