Have you heard? Blurb has a book design contest with a $2,500 prize. And not just 1 $2,500 prize – but $2,500 for each of the 7 categories. Plus awards for runners up.
The theme for the contest is: My Favorite Person Photo Book. (use this link for all of the contest details)
Totally doable. Will you do it with me?
This contest is due in less than 30 days so I want to make sure I cater my book design into something small, unique, and manageable. (April 28, 2014 is the due date.)
I’m opening up my 30 Day Photo Book Challenge ebook specifically to help you with this contest!
Here’s how I’m approaching the contest.
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Let’s break this down a little more.
| 1 | Select a Person / Topic.
For this contest, it’s all about the people. So select your person, your category.
Now, let’s define them. Here are some questions to get you thinking.
Who are they? Why did you select them? What do they like?
What are quotes that they would say? Or quotes that describe who they are / their attitude in life?
How would you write a little to them / about them? Can you include this in your book?
|2| Define your story.
What your angle? Your take? It doesn’t have to be a beginning-middle-end type of story. But defining a concept will make it easier to execute. Since this is a contest, you want to develop a specific concept that will stand out beyond the entries and define your subject.
Can you document a day in the life to describe this person? Maybe each page is a “[Person] is ____” and then the photos on the opposite page describe the adjective.
For another example, instead of designing a generic book about my son, I could develop a photo book around his current obsession for legos. I could structure the ‘story’ (think book) around the legos all neatly put away in the morning, the mess created after 10 minutes of play, his creativity of characters, vehicles, and buildings, and the specific lego creation he chooses to sit next to his bed as he falls asleep.
|3| Create a design style.
Now that you have you story, you need to create a style that suits your person and story. Look for inspiration all around you. Maybe your favorite person has favorite colors or a graphic style that you can incorporate into your book.
For this portion of your book, you should consider the colors, fonts, margins, amount of text and/or white space you want on the page. Keep this consistent throughout your book.
|4| Take + Select your photos.
Use a shot list (list of photos that fit your theme) to take (or select) photos that will match your story and style. The more specific the concept for the book, the easier it will be to develop your must-have shots! Plus this will save you time as you take or look for photos that are going to satisfy your vision.
|5| Design – Submit – Share
Time to design, submit and share! The Blurb contest ends on April 28, 2014 – so start designing now!!! I would love to see your finished book. Make sure you tag #bookthisproject when you share your photo book.
Want to see how I’m using these tips to design my book? Sign up for my 30 Day Photo Book Challenge ebook to watch my process. With this ebook, you’ll join my Facebook group where I’ll be sharing what I’m going to submit. Plus you’ll discover my 30 tips for designing an ebook!
Creating the first book is always the hardest. Once you get this book under your belt, I’d love you to join my Intro to Photo Book Design Workshop. To find out when the next workshop runs, sign up here.
Good Luck!!!
My 30 Day Photo Book ebook!
To enter this content, you must use Blurb’s software. My 30 Day Challenge ebook will show you exactly what you need to use their BookSmart program.
