Write it out.
Collaborating with casting director Stuart Stone on The Actor’s Journal was both personally and professionally rewarding. Professionally, it provided lots of creative freedom in a genre that I adore. Personally, it popped up exactly when I needed a little reminder of how much fun design can be.
Start with the heart.
My starting point for The Actor’s Journal was designing the journal pages, since they’re the heart of the content. Many journals are filled with background illustrations and cute graphics, but that wasn’t right for the target audience. Instead, there are subtle lines for words to flow freely, with minimal copy spaciously typeset. The design elements that do exist have reasons to be there beyond decoration.
Each journal entry is given a full-page spread. Since it is easier to write on the right-hand side of an open book, that page has the most space for writing.
The daily content for each spread is set in the top half of the left-hand side.
Journalers indicate month and date by marking in the grid at each page's top. They begin the day's entry by listing what they're grateful for. I named this the "daily dose of gratitude," since it is intended to habitualize optimism.
Each daily prompt is spaciously typeset in the section I named, "Question for Reflection."
I added built-in dog-ears to the upper righthand corners of each journal spread, so that journalers can easily mark their place. The instructions and arrow only occur on the first spread, to keep the corners non-intrusive.
An added bonus of the built-in dog-ears? Viewed from the side, they mark the journal section of the book.
Each journal entry is given a full-page spread. Since it is easier to write on the right-hand side of an open book, that page has the most space for writing.
The daily content for each spread is set in the top half of the left-hand side.
Journalers indicate month and date by marking in the grid at each page's top. They begin the day's entry by listing what they're grateful for. I named this the "daily dose of gratitude," since it is intended to habitualize optimism.
Each daily prompt is spaciously typeset in the section I named, "Question for Reflection."
I added built-in dog-ears to the upper righthand corners of each journal spread, so that journalers can easily mark their place. The instructions and arrow only occur on the first spread, to keep the corners non-intrusive.
An added bonus of the built-in dog-ears? Viewed from the side, they mark the journal section of the book.
The opening content continues the look and feel of the journal pages. Spacious typesetting, thoughtful type styles, and subtle horizontal rules keep the reader relaxed and welcomed into the content.
Move on to the head.
Chapter spreads are spacious and inviting.
Bulleted lists also have lots of room.
Chapter spreads are spacious and inviting.
Bulleted lists also have lots of room.
The cover art is simple but striking. The white tear in the middle is in the shape of the Hollywood hills, with the pen in place of the radio towers.
