Scientific publishing – print and online
The challenge
The Archäologische Anzeiger (AA) is one of the most important journals in the field of archaeology, published by the German Archaeological Institute since 1889. Nowadays, digital work is being done in many areas of archaeology and the worldwide networking of data plays an important role. Scientific publishing also means using different formats in order to reach a larger readership. Therefore, the AA should be rethought from the ground up.
The Archäologische Anzeiger (AA) is one of the most important journals in the field of archaeology, published by the German Archaeological Institute since 1889. Nowadays, digital work is being done in many areas of archaeology and the worldwide networking of data plays an important role. Scientific publishing also means using different formats in order to reach a larger readership. Therefore, the AA should be rethought from the ground up.
The solution
The contents of the AA are published simultaneously in two media. While the printed volume serves as a scientific reference work, the digital version forms the basis for further modern research. In order to illustrate the unity of the two publications, a cross-media, aesthetic design plays a major role in the design approach. Both publications visually follow their functionality and have an individual character. The book should be strengthened in its value, appear generous and accessible – still a must-have on the shelf of a growing target group. In contrast, the web application is appealing, intuitive and functional in order to assert itself in the research community with a high degree of usability.
The contents of the AA are published simultaneously in two media. While the printed volume serves as a scientific reference work, the digital version forms the basis for further modern research. In order to illustrate the unity of the two publications, a cross-media, aesthetic design plays a major role in the design approach. Both publications visually follow their functionality and have an individual character. The book should be strengthened in its value, appear generous and accessible – still a must-have on the shelf of a growing target group. In contrast, the web application is appealing, intuitive and functional in order to assert itself in the research community with a high degree of usability.
Corporate Design, book design, webdesign
Publishing in two formats simultaneously – how does this work?
For the first time in the DAI publishing history scientific publishing has been taken further by producing two formats out of one source: a printed book and a web-application. Each of these formats incorporate an extensive production process. Books are being written, edited, layouted and made ready for print. For web-applications content has to be written, layouts designed and programmed. In both formats there are limits for specific content. For example books cannot display films. And the visualization of exact colours on digital devices is limited. Therefore both formats compliment each other for an excellent communication in scientific research.
To combine both publishing processes the content was captured all together from the beginning. Authors needed to collect all content as text, pictures, videos, 3D renderings or links and mark (tag) these. The tagging automatically defined in which format the content was placed. At the same time the visualisation in InDesign and a so called “journal viewer” has been set up. A tuned conversion process made it possible to export the content for both formats. With the new “Archäologischen Anzeiger” a prototype has been developed where publishing and networking science makes sense.
View this short documentation of the digital Archäologischen Anzeigers on >> Youtube.
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