Studio Brief 02 - Initial mockups and folding ideas

Based on the research made on VHS cover sleeve designs, these are some rough cover designs made to get some idea of content placement. These first two are done in a more typical style of leaflet design, with a Z fold and a half fold. 

These two were done in the actual size of VHS tapes, adding to the realism of the publication. With these designs however, the publication is done in a simple single fold construction. This is due to the design of VHS sleeves, which lends itself to this half fold technique. The front and back cover are on the front and back pages while the inside spread is left for the information. Even though this construction is easier for its intended audience to access the information, it does not make it very engaging tactile wise and thus may not communicate the message effectively.

Taking the VHS theme further, the publication could take on the form of an actual VHS sleeve where the reader has to unfold it to get at the information. This type of construction would require a relatively thick stock in order for it to hold its own weight. It would potentially be more engaging to the reader due to the form factor this holds. However the distribution of this type of folding would pose a problem if the construction has nothing inside. There would be a danger for the fold to crumple in on itself, ruining the experience. 

Another possibility for the final folding technique is a tri-fold. With this the front and back VHS graphic is retained whilst the inside pages open up to the useful information. Because of the nature of this fold, the placement of the information is versatile as well. As shown above.

Another possibility is for a french fold which allows for a poster to be included within the leaflet design on the inside pages. This in turn increases its engagement with the younger audience as they can hang the poster as a piece of 80s artwork in their homes or in schools where it will be distributed. However due to the sizing constraints of the Brief, the folded publication may be smaller than the size of an actual VHS tape, this is because the centre page view as shown above is larger than 35.3cm x 25cm.