Database Publishing
Situation | Rattlesnake Publishing is the publisher of the MOTOHOUSE monthly motoring magazine and the MOTOHOUSE catalogues of cars and motorcycles. Published once a year, the catalogues include complete model lines of all automotive and motorcycle manufacturers. The editors, graphic editors and subsequently the graphic department have to process hundreds and hundreds of pictures, texts, legends, technical specification charts etc.Assignment | To implement a database tool to the catalogue production which would comprise all graphic and text materials in a well-arranged manner, with a status attribute assigned to every single entry and with a web interface for remote access.
Solution| Creation of a database system comprising all graphic and text information in a defined structure, followed by development of a script which opens the database entries directly in InDesign in pre-specified positions. The entire realization team (editors, external editors, graphic editors, proofreaders, retouchers and graphic artists) work exclusively with the database, assigning processing status attributes to “their” entries. Once approved by all competent participants, the database record is transported to a graphic programme. The only task of the graphic artist is to modify the positions/crops of the images, check the typographical correctness and generate an output pdf file. At the same time, the databases work as an information system, briefing on the processing statuses of the respective brands/models.
