Publishing Design - Task 1 Exercises

Publishing Design - Exercises

Week 1 - Week 7
Hong Ze Yee / 0335678
Bachelor of Design in Creative Multimedia

Exercises - mock up

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INSTRUCTION

MIB : 

Fig 1.1, MIB

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LECTURE NOTES

3/31/2021 | Week 1

The different historical formats used across time in different civilizations :

Iraq-Iraq - Mesopotamia

1. pictographic writing on clay tablets

India - Indus Valley River civilization

1. had a complex system

2. one of the earliest systems of writing (using Cuneiform)

3. written on soft clay tablets

Palm Leaves Manuscripts

1. the oldest civilization

2. only people in ancient Egypt can write and read the Hieroglyphics.

Han Chinese 

1. using thin of strip bamboos is ideal for single column

2. written in vertical column 

3. The first printed book : Diamond Sutra 868CE (in a scroll format)

European 
1. made from animal hide (Parchment)

Formats :

The book is a medium to document and transmit ideas, knowledge, records, history and so on. Designing a book requires us to have a comprehensive understanding of typography, a good sense of space and eye for details and a good understanding of publishing software. There are content, targeted audience, size, binding, material and many other aspects that could be considered influenced and determine the format of a book. 

4/07/2021 | Week 2

History of prints

AD750 -780 : large scale woodblock printing (earliest recorded uses of woodblock printing in Japan)

The first printed book is in Chinese AD 868, from the end of the T'ang dynasty. (It is a scroll, 16 ft long)

Movable type from the 11th century in China

AD c.1400 

Technique of woodblock printing is introduced in Europe.

A1439 - 1457 

Gutenberg and western printing 

Gutenberg bible (42-line bible)

4/14/2021 | Week 3

Typography Redux

Legibility 

- to choose text typefaces that are open and well-proportioned. E.g. classical serif typefaces such as Bodoni, Garamond,  Minion Pro and so on.

Small caps - good for subheads or the first line of the paragraph.

All caps - used in shortlines or subheads, should never be used in long sentences and for emphasis.

Don't use pseudo-condense or pseudo-entend font by horizontally or vertically or stretching the font, it will distort the original  design of the font and make the massaging appear cheap.

Outline and shadow - this happened when deluded individuals through a flick of a mouse and the aid of a software, they think they can do magic things. It takes many years of practice and experience before one can format text beautifully and effectively. Please avoid outline and shadow as far as possible.

Type size, type length and spacing

- a column of type is usually about 50 - 65 characters.

- type that is too small will "cram" too many letters per line and make the copy hard to read.

4/32/2021 | Week 4

The grid

The use of grid can help a designer to align and balance their design as well as to determine how elements should be positioned within a layout. The grid is used by typographers, graphic designers, photographers and exhibition designers for solving visual problems in two or three dimensions. By arranging the surface and spaces in the form of a grid designer is favorably placed to arrange his texts, photographs and diagrams in a coherent and functional manner. This creates a sense of compact planning, intelligibility and clarity and suggest orderliness in design. Information that i s presented in clear and logically set out titles, subtitles, texts, illustrations and captions will not only be read more quickly and easily but the information will also be better understood and retained in the memory. The grids are allow for flexibility but it has a limit when using it within "a" book in order to maintain certain amount of continuity or coherence in it outlook and navigation.  

4/28/2021 | Week 5

Elements 

The three major elements for publications :

1. Type

2. Colour

3. Image 

Variation 

Try to create variation within the layout but at the same time maintaining consistency across the book.  The creative use of elements will allow a designer to shuffle the content in a consistency but yet varied manner. The end result, it would be a sequence of layouts that delivers a surprise at every turn of the page. But do take note that it does not mean that every spread must be different in a 32 pages book. You are expected to reuse and rotate the formulas in the book.

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TASK 1 - EXERCISES

Mockup and Content Generating

3/31/2021 | Week 1

Today is the first day of lecture class. After briefing, we have to kick start with task 1 and 2. So, we were asked to prepare an A4 or A3 paper (16 sheets), large rubber band, sellotapes, cutter, pencil and ruler. For task 2, we need to think a title and come out with draft idea.

I have come out with three sizes(highlighted is the chosen size) :

240 x 185 mm

231 x 168 mm

221 x 163 mm

Fig 1.1, book sized exploration

After I finalize the size I want, I cut out the A4 paper and bind it by using sellotapes and needles.

Fig 1.2, final outcome

Fig 1.3, final outcome

Fig 1.4, final outcome

Content generation :

While doing the first task, we were asked to start with the content generation which is to write 1500 words on any subject that we are familiar with.

Fig 1.1, content generation

Signature Folding System :

04/01/2021 | Week 3

This week, we will be doing this exercise together during the class. After briefing and clear explanation has given, we watch a YouTube video and finish this exercise. This exercise is to let us understand a signature(16 pages) comprises of several pages that have been folded together as a single unit. 

Fig 1.1, open folded A4 paper (front)

Fig 1.2, open folded A4 paper (back)

Fig 1.3, top view

Fig 1.4, folded A4 with 16 pages

Determining Grid System :
04/21/2021 | Week 4
We proceed to the next exercise which is form and movement. This is to determine what type of grid system and margins is being used in a layout. A demo will be shown and we were require to complete it during the class.

Determining the grid system :

Fig 1.1, determining grid system

Fig 1.2, determining grid system

Form and Movement :
04/21/21 | Week 4
First attempt during class :

Fig 1.1, first attempt GIF

Fig 1.2, first attempt thumbnail

Second attempt :

Fig 1.1, second attempt GIF

Fig 1.2, second attempt thumbnail

Third attempt :

Fig 1.1, third attempt GIF

Fig 1.2, third attempt thumbnail

Form & movement (colour) :

Fig 1.1, thumbnail with colour

Form & movement (images) :

Fig 1.1 thumbnail with image

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FEEDBACK

4/07/2021 | Week 2

General feedback :

1. get it done with the 3000 words and proceed with the next step

2. look for visual references and come out with few sketches

Specific feedback :

1. we ca use Taylors Press as our Publisher

2. make sure all the spacing are correct

4/14/2021 | Week 3

General feedback :

1. the canvas size has to be double of page size

2. the print resolution must be 300dpi

Specific feedback :

1. the line has to be more define

2. think more creatively, don't focus only in one object

4/32/2021 | Week 4

General feedback : -

Specific feedback :

1. a lot of white space

4/28/2021 | Week 5

General feedback :

1. Keep the layers so it is easy to make changes and also some movement.

Specific feedback :

1. work on a better color scheme

2. add some elements instead of just one trophies and align the stepladder and the wall.

3. Add color for the blanket.

5/05/2021 | Week 6

General feedback :

1. Start to do title, sub-title and text. Make sure there are no paragraph spacing, line length, point size are all correct. Start with chapter 1.

2. Add text and images in F&M 5, complete it by this week.

Specific feedback :

1.  F&M exercise use brighter colour since it has to be contrast with black colour

2. All the spreads must have different details of the image, same details should not be appear again.

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REFLECTION

Experience :

Basically, we did one exercise for each week. Besides the exercises, we actually start doing our task two which is content generation, to write a 3000 words of story in order to complete our work faster within the deadline. In the 3000 words, most of use did it nicely and we can proceed to our next task. Book size determination, determining grid system, signature folding system are all good and we all understand why and how it works. However, most of us found it difficult to understand the form and movement exercise and this exercise actually took 2-3 weeks for consultation and we are receiving a lot of feedback from Mr Vinod and make a lot of changes.

Observation :

Among all the exercise, the most difficult for me is the form and movement exercise. It took me very long time to understand and also, most of my classmate also don't really understand how to do it. Mr Vinod keep explain it again and again and giving many feedback and suggestion but we are still not on the track and don't get it. After several attempts and many changes have been made, we finally get to know about it.

Findings :

I've get to know about the knowledge of printing a book from the exercises such as the signature folding system, the book must be printed in 8/16/20/24/28/32 pages otherwise there will be blank pages. Therefore, self discipline and time management are always important even though some exercises are difficult that affect my desire to learn but we must overcome it and learn new things. Its tough but when comes to the end, I understand the importance of the exercises and get to know the logic behind the form and movement exercise and it is important when it comes to designing the flow of a book layout.

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FURTHER READING

A book that is discovering inspiration on how to create meaningful design. It provides the fundamental of design layout, design function, process, structure, visual elements and a lot of great examples and it is good for those who are seeking inspiration and understanding inspiration.