The Science of Saving Art: An Editorial Layout
Page Layout and Icons (Editorial Layout)
This assignment was an editorial design project focused on creating an article that successfully combines the scientific fields of microbiology and design. The strategic goal was to produce a piece that would resonate with a specific target audience: owners of fine art interested in modern, scientific methods for preserving their masterpieces. The article's core content, "The Science of Saving Art: Can Microbes Protect Masterpieces?" (Article Credit: By Katherine Harmon on February 9, 2009, discussing art conservationists and scientists meeting to discuss new preservation methods), provided the foundation for the visual and informational design.
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The icon set was a critical component of the visual storytelling, serving to illustrate the key causes of art deterioration over time.
Research & Development: The process began with research to determine the different elements responsible for damage to fine art.
Vector Creation: Once the causes were identified, simple vector shapes were created in Adobe Illustrator to resemble the damage-causing elements (e.g., environmental factors, pests).
Illustrative Pests: For biological agents like insects, photographs were used as a visual basis to design clean, recognizable vector versions.
Color Palette: The icons utilize a cool color palette combined with earthy tones, creating a balanced, sophisticated, and natural look that complements the theme of conservation.
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The design and content structure were informed by the development of target reader personas, ensuring the article's tone and focus were optimized for maximum engagement. The personas were built around three key groups that stand to benefit most from learning about art preservation:
Fine Artists
High-Income Earners (Collectors)
Professional Framers
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The Science of Saving Art: Can Microbes Protect Masterpieces?
Art conservationists and scientists meet to discuss new way to preserve art.
By Katherine Harmon on February 9, 2009
