Publishing Design - Exercises

Publishing Design - Exercises

15/04/20 - 27/05/20 (Week 1 - Week 7)

Sia Man Sheng

0333877

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LECTURE NOTES

Lecture 01: Module Briefing and Formats

15/04/20 - week 01

This week Mr.Vinod gave a brief introduction to the module and showed us examples of works and gave details on what we have to complete week by week. We then give our first task. Our Project 1 task one was to present 3000 words as the content for the book we would be designing throughout the semester. We were to complete the content by next class. 

During the lecture, Mr Vinod has introduced and explained the evaluation of format applied in different civilisation such as Mesopotamian civilisation, Ancient civilisation, Indus valley civilisation, Han Chinese civilisation and European civilisation. From the evaluation, realized that every innovation of formatting is due to the technology invented and paper has been widely used all around the world after the discovered the used of wood pulp.

Lecture 1: Formats

Lecture 02: History of Print

22/04/20 - week 02

Today's lecture taught us about the history of print. Starting from the most important ingredient - the paper was invented in China. From that, the technique of rubbing has achieved and mass production became possible. The earliest printed documents were found in Korea, which text was carved into woodblocks. Next, movable type was innovated in China but achieved it's successful in Korea. FOllowing by the Guttenberg and western printing technique using alloy to carved letters has achieved in Europe that the concept has established initially in Korea using bronze.

Lecture 2: History of Print

Lecture 03: 

29/04/20 - week 03

Today's lecture has recap most of the information of what we learnt in Typography and Advanced Typography modules. All adjustment and settings to be made are due to the legibility and readability of the content. If the content is not reading friendly, readers would feel uncomfortable when reading and hence, affecting the understanding towards the content. In this class, we touched on what is the appropriate settings for line spacing, the typeface was chosen, sizing, line length, kerning, leading, ligature, paragraph spacing, alignment and sidebar. 

Mr Vinod also mentioned on somethings that we should avoid. For example, We should never squeeze or compress the existing typeface, that is horrible. And we should avoid outline or add a shadow effect to the typeface. If we really want to outline it, the most we can go is lesser than 1pt size for the stroke. The reason not to do so is these settings interpreting the shape of the typeface that we normally recognised, hence lower the efficiency of understanding and readability.

Lecture 3: Typo' Redux

Lecture 04: The Grid

06/05/20 - week 04

Today's lecture introduced us the basic information about the grid. A grid system consists of margin, text field, gutter, handling (where the heading or body text starts with), guideline, row and column. A grid does create a sense of compact planning, intelligibility and clarity. It suggests orderliness and hence the content (title, heading, subheading, body text, etc.) is able to be presented logically and clearly.

A Grid system is modular, which has flexibility for different combinations and variations with a fixed grid. But at the same time should avoid too many variations as it causes confusion. We should limit the complexity while keeping a continuity to it. If there is too less variation, then the reader will get bored.

In the end, a grid system is to achieve readability and legibility while reading it. It is about the reader experience whether they get more engagement, retention and understanding. The key is to let the pages do the talking, reader able to digest the mass amount of information visually. At the same time, beaut and elegance are also achieved.

Lecture 4: The Grid

Lecture 05: Elements

13/05/20 - week 05

Today's lecture introduced us about the elements should be taken in consideration while designing a book, which is visual elements(picture/ imagery/ illustrations), texture elements (heading, subheading, body text, pullquote) and colour. Colour here refers to both basic shapes and as a background colour. It is because basic shapes in colour also provide the functionality to the overall design, and this consider as the function of colour.

Next when coming to the process of designing a book, first would create a grid, which able elements to shuffle around with variation created but a certain level of consistency also should be maintained. Second is select a typeface, selecting a well-functioning type family would be useful. The third is then started to creatively arrange all the elements. The exercises done before is to help with the process of this. In the end, we need to ensure that the outcome would be visually impactful, it should be strong, aggressive, unique, cannot be predictable and the engagement of reader experience.

Lecture 5: Elements

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INSTRUCTIONS

Week 1: Mock-up making

15/04/20

We conducted the tutorial session through Facebook live. We were given a task to do a book mock-up, which larger than A5 and smaller than A4.

In order to get explore on the size that is larger than A5 and smaller than A4, we were advised to draw 3 options for different dimension on an A4 paper. Sizes I drew out are as below:

• 240 x 180 mm (Chosen option)
• 250 x 200 mm
• 270 x 170 mm

Figure 1. Size options

 Figure 2. Single sheet

Figure 3. Front Cover

Figure 4. Inside View

After cutting out 1 sheet and have a rough feel on the size of the book, then proceed with cutting out16sheets. Hence, making a mock-up book that consists of 32 pages.

Figure 5. Outside and Pages

Week 01-Content Formatting
15/04/20

Figure 6. The first attempt of content formatting

Week 02- Classical Grid Structure
22/04/20

Figure 6. Van de graf grid on paper

Figure 7. Van de graf grid on the screen

Figure 8. Van de graf grid with text

Week 02- Signature Folding System

22/04/20

Figure 9. Signature page 1

Figure 10. Signature opened up (front)

Figure 11. Signature opened up (back)

Figure 12. Signature page (Trimmed)

Week 02- Margins and Layout

22/04/20

Figure 13. Margin analyzation I

Figure 14. Margins analyzation II

Week 03- Form & Movement (B&W)

29/04/20

In this exercise, we needed to explore the form and movement in the grid system using Adobe Indesign. The key for this exercise is neatness, make it simple and avoid complicated decorative elements, which causes visual noise.

Figure 3.1: Progression and Grid

Figure 3.2: Spread 1

Figure 3.3: Spread 2

Figure 3.4: Spread 3

Figure 3.5: Spread 4

Figure 3.6: Spread 5

Figure 3.7: Spread 6

Figure 3.8: Spread 7

Figure 3.9: Spread 8

Figure 3.10: Form and Movement (GIF)

Figure 3.11: Form and Movement (Thumbnail)

Figure 3.12: Form and Movement (PDF)

Figure 3.13: Form and Movement with guideline (PDF)

Week 04- Form & Movement (one colour)

06/05/20

In this exercise, we needed to explore the form and movement in the grid system using Adobe Indesign. We need to add one colour into its base on the previous exercise. The purpose of adding colour to it is to add dynamism and clarity.

Figure 4.1: Spread 1 (one colour)

Figure 4.2: Spread 2 (one colour)

Figure 4.3: Spread 3 (one colour)

Figure 4.4: Spread 4 (one colour)

Figure 4.5: Spread 5 (one colour)

Figure 4.6: Spread 6 (one colour)

Figure 4.7: Spread 7 (one colour)

Figure 4.8: Spread 8 (one colour)

Figure 4.9: Form and Movement GIF (one colour)

Figure 4.10: Form and Movement/ PDF (one colour)

Figure 4.11: Form and Movement/ PDF with the guideline (one colour)

Figure 4.12: Form and Movement/ Thumbnail (one colour)

Week 05- Form & Movement (image)

13/05/20

In this exercise, we needed to explore the form and movement in the grid system using Adobe Indesign. We need to add one image into it and make improvements base on the previous exercise. 

Figure 5.1: Spread 1 (image)

Figure 5.2: Spread 2 (image)

Figure 5.3: Spread 3 (image)

Figure 5.4: Spread 4 (image)

Figure 5.5: Spread 5 (image)

Figure 5.6: Spread 6 (image)

Figure 5.7: Spread 7 (image)

Figure 5.8: Spread 8 (image)

Figure 5.9: Form and Movement GIF (image)

Figure 5.10: Form and Movement/ PDF (image)

Figure 5.11: Form and Movement/ thumbnail (image)

Figure 5.12: Form and Movement/ PDF with the guideline (image)

Week 06- Form & Movement (text)

20/05/20

Figure 6.1: Spread 1 (text)

Figure 6.2: Spread 2 (text)

Figure 6.3: Spread 3 (text)

Figure 6.4: Spread 4 (text)

Figure 6.5: Spread 5 (text)

Figure 6.6: Spread 6 (text)

Figure 6.7: Spread 7 (text)

Figure 6.8: Spread 8 (text)

Figure 6.9: Form and Movement GIF (text)

Figure 6.10: Form and Movement Thumbnail (text)

Figure 6.11: Form and Movement PDF (text)

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FEEDBACK

Week 01
15/04/20

General Feedback: 

Keep updating your blog. Be aware when taking pictures of your work, pictures to be placed on the blog have to be presentable, professional finished work. For project 1, please focus on completing the 3k words write up, done before next class and record all the links from now on to build your references. Besides, introduction just like the normal chapter, which including pullquote, subtext as usual.

Individual feedback: 

Mr.Vinod advised me to add a cover page to the mock-up book, a thicker paper will do and make sure that I have all the 3 components updated on my blog.

Week 02

22/04/20

General Feedback: 
Make sure the photos shown in the e-portfolio is presentable and professional. Find either a window light or sunlight as the shooting light source. Avoid using indoor white light. Avoid shoot on the marble or any reflective material as the light spot can be seen in the picture.

Individual Feedback: 
The nice picture took but make sure the picture is flat and no perspective.

Week 03

29/04/20

General Feedback: 
For exercise form and movement, the key s neatness. Try to avoid complicated decorative elements as it will create visual noise. Make it simple.

Week 04

06/05/20

General Feedback: 
Next task is to add colour to the existing form and movement exercise done this week, be precise when adding the colour. The purpose of this is to add dynamism and clarity to it. The suggested ratio could be 2:8 or 3:7 or lesser. The guide and grid, as well as the size of the book, should maintain throughout the exercises as this is to explore possibilities on the following projects. Finalize your first attempt then add colour then do the second form and movement exercise. Do the only thumbnail in InDesign.

Week 05
13/05/20
In the form and movement exercise, second attempt, the transition from 1st to 4th spreads are predictable, but the transition from 4th to 5th spreads is too sudden. 2nd and 4th spreads seem like too much visual noise. However, 5th to 8th spreads does have visual noise, but in a pleasant manner.

Week 06
20/05/20
Good, well done, a bit different from others. Interesting. He also hopes that we can keep at this level in our project.

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REFLECTIONS

Experiences:

This semester has a totally experience compare to previous semesters, which is all classes conducted through an online platform. There are some benefits for me, which is able to wake up just 10 minutes before the class starts, eating outside the screen and etc. This is a really challenging semester as more and more things are going on, very heavy workload and a very compact schedule with efficient time management is important.

Observations:

What I observe from this module is that there is actually a procedure and proper system to figure out and explore on the grid system for a book. Not just Van De Graf Grid System but also analysing grid system by dissecting every element from the references. It is quite fun actually, I found myself enjoying the exercises for his module, get to hands-on and draw something as well as analysing grid system like playing lego are the two things that I like the most.

Findings:

What I found in the exercises is I noticed that we need to prepare ourselves as a designer, not just design skills, but communication skills. Communication skills including ensuring my work are presentable, it is very crucial as the client will judge the work by looking at the picture shown. This is something extra from this module but it is very useful and helpful for me.

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FURTHER READINGS

Figure 16 Book Cover of What is Publication Design? 

What is Publication Design? by Lakshmi Bhaskaran

This chapter talks about book publication. Book publication comes in different forms. From eye-catching, large - format coffee table books that reply on heavily on both beautiful photography and strong typography, to regular fiction and non-fiction paperbacks, which are designed with a straight forward grid, and with readability a priority. There are several ways to construct a book and endless variations to be made, but whatever the type, multiple sheets of paper bound together comprises the blank space.

Figure 16 Book Cover of What is Publication Design? 

How to Understand and Use Design and Layout by Alan Swan

This chapter talks about the beginning of the publication, its meaning and how important publication design is. Publication means the publishing if something, especially printed material for sale, The communication of information to the public. Wherever we go, whatever we do, publication surrounds us and in today's world, communication is important and the power of print has never been stronger