Background
Having launched a Polly & Jago website to support the launch of the previous year's edition, BRANDAMMO were commissioned in 2008 to work with the authors and acclaimed illustrator Mark Beech in the design, artworking and production management of the latest in this annual series of children's activity books.

The brief
Following a successful first year with “Make, Bake & Celebrate” in 2007, the authors of the book turned to BRANDAMMO in 2008 to provide new and improved design support and artworking for the second book in the annual “Polly & Jago” series. Working closely with authors Jo Vestey and Sarah Rowden along with illustrator Mark Beech, BRANDAMMO were asked to design, artwork and produce print-ready files for the book, including high-end typography, image treatment and colour management.

Deliverables
Complete editorial design support and artworking resulting in the production of print-ready files.

Outcome
With new and improved design and production the second book in the series proved even more successful than the first and has seen greatly improved retail uptake and consumer sales than the previous year.

Concept Creation
Following on from the first edition in the series published in 2007 it was a requirement of the brief that we should take the existing style of design, which had worked well previously, and re-work it paying particular attention to typography and overall attention to detail. It was suggested by us, however, that we should approach the brief from a slightly different perspective. Through carefully considered design our aim was to maintain the overall focus of the page on the photography and illustration, which we believe are at the heart of the book’s appeal. Where more detailed artworking was required it was our intention to use design elements and illustrative techniques that would fit seamlessly with Mark Beech’s unique style of illustration used throughout the book.

Design Development
Paying particular attention to typography and page layout our Surrey-based print design team worked closely with the authors and illustrator throughout the entirety of the book’s design and development. From being supplied Raw photographic image files and scanned illustrations a large part of the project required preparation of the visual content, which involved image retouching and manipulation (to allow space for text), colour management and reworking of illustrations as required. Upon completion and approval our design team then worked closely with the printer to prepare and supply print-ready files as well as manage the entire print production process for the purposes of quality control.