You are probably asking what the title of this message has to do with JSHAP and graphic design? It is a funny, but shocking experience for me that I will never forget. After starting as publications manager with the AASV in 2000, one of my first missions was to change the JSHAP cover from graphs and figures from manuscripts to photos of swine and swine facilities. I was always looking for a swine barn full of pigs that I could photograph, and Dr Burkgren always had great ideas and knew several producers in Iowa. After moving to Missouri with my farmer husband in 2005, I continued searching for more photo shoot opportunities. It was suggested that I contact the University of Missouri. I did so and was put in touch with Dr Safranski. I typically photographed grower-finisher barns, but Dr Safranski asked if I had ever gone into a shower-in/shower-out swine barn. This city girl had no idea what that even meant. Then came the question about underwear. Most people reading this story will understand the shower-in process where you undress on one side of the shower stall, shower, then step out on the other side where there are clean clothes to dress into. But for a first-timer, who knows whose clothes they were (yikes!). I did not know what to think, but it was not as bad as I had anticipated and makes a great story!
Even as technology continues to evolve, the formatting process has generally remained the same over my 23 years with JSHAP. Manuscripts are run through a rigorous peer-review and editing process (described by Terri and Sherrie in previous issues) before they are formatted into the journal. Once the edited material is received, the sometimes-tedious process of design begins. This may include tables, figures, and photos. Text is carefully formatted onto the pages watching closely for symbols, superscripts, and italic words that typically will not convert from the Word document into the InDesign formatting software we use. The flow of the article is important to provide the reader an easy comprehension of the information. For example, we make sure the figures and tables appear after they are first mentioned in the text and balance the page with the use of white space. Other variables in the text such as measurements splitting between two lines and hyperlinks are just a few things that formatters and editors will check as proofs go back and forth until the paper is marked done and the author proof is created. Other sections of JSHAP, such as ancillary messages and news, the meetings page, and cover art, are formatted similarly.
After all the pages are ready and Sherrie gives me the thumbs up, we put together a “booklist” to determine how many pages will be in that issue. The booklist serves as a blueprint of the journal issue. More times than not, there is a juggle in pagination to account for many variables, including advertisement placement only on left-hand page positions among ancillary messages and news. Most importantly, the total page count for an issue must be a multiple of four for the journal to be printed.
Once the booklist has been approved, the “book” (journal) is created. This is the process of gathering all the pages or documents and linking them to build the publication. Page numbers are automatically applied, and a PDF is made to display how the final journal will appear. Sherrie and Emily are the main proofreaders of this PDF, although Abbey, Rhea, and Sue also look through their sections. A couple of versions will go back and forth until all needed corrections are made and Sherrie calls it done.
We then preflight the journal. This is a process to confirm that the digital files will output into the printer files successfully. Examples of problems that may arise are missing links or fonts, low-resolution images, or overset text. Once the journal passes the preflight stage, we upload the files to the printing company (Walsworth Publishing, Marceline, MO). They use online proofing so the editors can review the pages one last time before it is printed. The journal is printed using state-of-the-art perfecting 4-color presses, after which it is folded and moved through the bindery process where the completed journal will be assembled. Multiple quality-control steps are in place to ensure high-quality printing and binding. The formatting and printing process has changed over the years to include new fonts and design elements and the ability to use more color with new printing press abilities.
I also prepare and send our completed journal files to Dave Brown, the AASV webmaster, who works his magic to convert the journal to html for online publication. I started working with Dave in 2000 when he was the JSHAP publications manager. His vast knowledge was truly incredible, and I learned so much from working with him. He taught me everything that I would need to know about formatting the journal and preparing the files for print, and later online publication.
Soon after learning the journal formatting, I was also asked to format the AASV’s 600-page proceedings book. This was a huge project, taking up to 40 hours a week for 2.5 months to finish. As the years passed, the AASV graphic designer job became bigger and more time demanding. Other projects include fliers, pamphlets, auction and program books, table displays, posters, virtual meeting art, and website and mobile app art.
I am contracted labor for the AASV and I run my own graphic and web design business, working with a multitude of businesses and organizations including the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, hospitals, banks, and real estate and auction companies. I started out as a one-person shop and have grown into a 6-person business. My AASV work team grew by three: Natalie Conard is the main formatter, Karie Kjos is the technical formatter, and Barbara Molnár-Smith is graphic design, and I work in all categories managing the team. Some of my team members have been with me for over 12 years, so everyone is very skilled at what they do, and they do a fabulous job! It takes a team to build a book, or in this case … a journal.
The AASV has given me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world at the AASV Annual Meetings. The JSHAP staff is an outstanding group of people to work with and all have become my good friends over the years including the late Dr Judi Bell and retired Karen Richardson.
Tina Smith
AASV Graphic Designer