The Spread

1. Spread Design
2. Learning Process

This exercise uses an excerpt from the eulogy Benjamin Mays gave at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. The exercise explores grid structure through page layout, hierarchical cues, and how contrast of elements leads to dynamic composition.

When creating the spread layout, I focused heavily on directionality of elements and utilizing an underlying grid system. The colored vertical bars lead the eye across the spread and upward. I felt this created a sense of optimism and implied the continuous journey of overcoming obstacles as we carry on Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream.

The eyeline of the two men in the photograph directly connect to the “I have a dream” focal point on the opposite spread. I used the stark contrast of black and white to not only communicate the subject matter of eulogy, but to create a striking visual pause for reflection.

Learning Process

This project was an excellent way for me to learn about the importance of directionality of eyelines in photography. Initially when I created the original spread layout, I utilized a different photograph that featured a prominent image of Martin Luther King Jr.’s image on a poster. I made sure to align the edges of the poster and other elements of the photograph to the underlying grid structure; however, the eyeline seen on the poster leads the viewer off the spread, not into it. The final design corrects this aspect and flows much more effectively.

Original Design:
Eyeline leads viewer off the spread