I remember watching the audio commentary for Little Women a few years ago and someone, probably director Gillian Armstrong, said that she didn't understand how directors could start making a movie without knowing what the opening credits would look like. She said something about how it implied that they didn't know the core meanings of whatever movies that were making. It's been awhile since I heard her commentary, so I am probably paraphrasing with a bias that serves my own purposes, but whatever. I'm getting to a point, I promise.
Lately, I have been fascinated with DVD menus. Not only do I think that they are visually inspiring, but I think that, when deployed properly, they can do a great deal to communicate the message of the enclosed video(s) within seconds.
Take the menu for the Gavin and Stacey DVD menu, for example.
It's a very simple, but charming set up, just like the show. The focus is on the images of the characters, just like the show is focused on the characters. The black background, simple title font, and clean menu format are like the set, costumes, and any other "extra" in the show. They are there to serve a purpose, not to show off and detract from the core of the show.
I like to take this "design supports story" approach to my scrapbook albums. I get it from my mother. And Ali Edwards.
Wouldn't it be great to make a sort of "table of contents" page for a scrapbook album with this kind of design in mind? And let it's design help communicate the story(ies) coming in the next pages?
I've decided to make a table of contents page for my Ashley and Me Album. It will be modeled after the Gavin and Stacey Special Features menu (pictured above). Each bullet point will be titled after the periods in our relationship, and there will be coordinating divider tabs through out the album.
And, sorry, but I have to point out how pretty I think this menu is too:
But maybe that's just me and my guiltiest pleasure. : )
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