GCD61404 Publishing Design 30.3.22 - 2.5.22 (Week 1 - Week 6)
Wendy Seto / 0348805
GCD61404 Publishing Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
GCD61404 Publishing Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 1: Exercises
LECTURES
Week 1: The first lecture is talking about formats. Mr. Vinod stated that having a comprehensive understanding towards typography, a good sense towards space, an eye that is sensitive of little details and a well understanding towards publishing software are required when it comes to designing a book. He also took us around the historical formats used in different civilizations around the globe with a thorough explanation for each. The 5 historical formats are:
Iran - Iraq = Mesopotamian civilization
Egypt = Ancient Egyptian civilization
India - Pakistan - Afghanistan = Indus Valley civilization
China = Han Chinese civilization
Europe (Turkey & beyond) = European civilization
Week 2: In week 2, we are still learning about history but this time it is about print.
Here is the timeline of print history according to the lecture:
2nd - 8th century AD
Korea & Japan: AD 750 - 768
The first printed book: AD 868
Chinese Publishing: 10th - 11th centuryMovable type: from the 11th century
Type Foundry in Korea: c.1380
Saints and playing cards: AD c.1400
Gutenberg & Western printing: AD 1439 - 1457
In conclusion, paper was invented in China 179-41 BCE but the first ever document was printed in Korea in around 750-768 CE. The innovation of moveable type was also pioneered in China but achieved in Korea.
According to Mr. Vinod, the industrial revolution brought in precision engineering and the printing press was one that benefited tremendously. Moreover, he also introduced us to the world's largest book that is set in stone in the grounds of the Kuthodaw pagoda at the foot of Mandalay Hill in Mandalay, Burma, Myanmar.
Week 3: This week, Mr. Vinod is covering about the typo redux, it is basically recaping everything we have learned from the typography classes in the previous semesters. He begins by explaining to us why the sense and knowledge we have received from those classes will play a crucial role when it comes to designing a book. To a graphic designer, typography is like an oxygen, it is the most important element to master on acquiting a good standard. It is the art of arranging and composing text which is also a medium for expression and communication. According to Mr. Vinod, these are the common characters in a typeface:
Small Caps
Numerals
Fractions
Ligatures
Punctuations
Mathematical Signs
Symbols
Non-aligning figures
Moreover, we learn that the different thickness of typeface in one type family is called as the weights of typeface. The 4 common weights of typeface are as following:
1. Light
2. Regular
3. Semibold
4. Bold
The readable level of text is known as legibility. The first step in achieving a legible text is to choose typefaces that are open and well proportioned like the classical serif and sans serif typefaces.
Using Underlines can also affect the readability of text, the two types of Underlines are one that affects the entire sentences and the other that affects only the words.
According to the lecture, Small Capitals are good for subheads or for the first line of a paragraph where text set in All Caps should only be used in short headlines or subheads, never in long sentences or for emphasis.
Furthermore, there are still some more other special styles in type formatting such as Superscript, Subscript: H2O, Baseline Shift, Negative & Positive Skew, Strike-Through and Double Strike-Through.
Next, the distortion in font is known as text scaling. When the font is squeezed, we call it a condensed font and when it is stretched, we call it an extended font.
Outline and shadow are used a lot in typography as well, however it is best to avoid applying them.
The harmonious relationship between type size, line length and leading also affect how the text is flowing. A column of type usually contains about 50-65 characters, this is to avoid the letters cramping each other.
Week 4: Today's topic is the grid. According to Brockmann (2010), the use of grid as an ordering system is the expression of a certain mental attitude in as much as it shows that the designer conceives his work in terms that are constructive. This is the expression of a professional ethos: the designer's work should have clearly intelligible, objective, functional and aesthetic quality of mathematical thinking.
The grid is basically dividing a two-dimensional plane into smaller fields or a three-dimensional space into smaller compartments with same or different size. Arranging the surface and spaces in the form of a grid help to create a sense of compact planning, intelligibility and clarity and suggests orderliness in design. To give a better understanding, Mr. Vinod also showed us some existing layouts with their grid system as examples
Week 5: The last lecture is talking about the elements that make up a book. The 3 major elements consisted in all publications are as following:
1. Type
2. Colour
3. Image
It is important to not fall into the trap of predictability when using these 3 elements on a page within a grid system. Hence, creating a variation within the layout while still maintaining the consistency is necessary.
Week 1: The first lecture is talking about formats. Mr. Vinod stated that having a comprehensive understanding towards typography, a good sense towards space, an eye that is sensitive of little details and a well understanding towards publishing software are required when it comes to designing a book. He also took us around the historical formats used in different civilizations around the globe with a thorough explanation for each. The 5 historical formats are:
Iran - Iraq = Mesopotamian civilization
Egypt = Ancient Egyptian civilization
India - Pakistan - Afghanistan = Indus Valley civilization
China = Han Chinese civilization
Europe (Turkey & beyond) = European civilization
Week 2: In week 2, we are still learning about history but this time it is about print.
Here is the timeline of print history according to the lecture:
2nd - 8th century AD
Korea & Japan: AD 750 - 768
The first printed book: AD 868
Chinese Publishing: 10th - 11th century
Type Foundry in Korea: c.1380
Saints and playing cards: AD c.1400
Gutenberg & Western printing: AD 1439 - 1457
In conclusion, paper was invented in China 179-41 BCE but the first ever document was printed in Korea in around 750-768 CE. The innovation of moveable type was also pioneered in China but achieved in Korea.
According to Mr. Vinod, the industrial revolution brought in precision engineering and the printing press was one that benefited tremendously. Moreover, he also introduced us to the world's largest book that is set in stone in the grounds of the Kuthodaw pagoda at the foot of Mandalay Hill in Mandalay, Burma, Myanmar.
Week 3: This week, Mr. Vinod is covering about the typo redux, it is basically recaping everything we have learned from the typography classes in the previous semesters. He begins by explaining to us why the sense and knowledge we have received from those classes will play a crucial role when it comes to designing a book. To a graphic designer, typography is like an oxygen, it is the most important element to master on acquiting a good standard. It is the art of arranging and composing text which is also a medium for expression and communication. According to Mr. Vinod, these are the common characters in a typeface:
Small Caps
Numerals
Fractions
Ligatures
Punctuations
Mathematical Signs
Symbols
Non-aligning figures
Moreover, we learn that the different thickness of typeface in one type family is called as the weights of typeface. The 4 common weights of typeface are as following:
1. Light
2. Regular
3. Semibold
4. Bold
The readable level of text is known as legibility. The first step in achieving a legible text is to choose typefaces that are open and well proportioned like the classical serif and sans serif typefaces.
Using Underlines can also affect the readability of text, the two types of Underlines are one that affects the entire sentences and the other that affects only the words.
According to the lecture, Small Capitals are good for subheads or for the first line of a paragraph where text set in All Caps should only be used in short headlines or subheads, never in long sentences or for emphasis.
Furthermore, there are still some more other special styles in type formatting such as Superscript, Subscript: H2O, Baseline Shift, Negative & Positive Skew, Strike-Through and Double Strike-Through.
Next, the distortion in font is known as text scaling. When the font is squeezed, we call it a condensed font and when it is stretched, we call it an extended font.
Outline and shadow are used a lot in typography as well, however it is best to avoid applying them.
The harmonious relationship between type size, line length and leading also affect how the text is flowing. A column of type usually contains about 50-65 characters, this is to avoid the letters cramping each other.
Week 4: Today's topic is the grid. According to Brockmann (2010), the use of grid as an ordering system is the expression of a certain mental attitude in as much as it shows that the designer conceives his work in terms that are constructive. This is the expression of a professional ethos: the designer's work should have clearly intelligible, objective, functional and aesthetic quality of mathematical thinking.
The grid is basically dividing a two-dimensional plane into smaller fields or a three-dimensional space into smaller compartments with same or different size. Arranging the surface and spaces in the form of a grid help to create a sense of compact planning, intelligibility and clarity and suggests orderliness in design. To give a better understanding, Mr. Vinod also showed us some existing layouts with their grid system as examples
Week 5: The last lecture is talking about the elements that make up a book. The 3 major elements consisted in all publications are as following:
1. Type
2. Colour
3. Image
It is important to not fall into the trap of predictability when using these 3 elements on a page within a grid system. Hence, creating a variation within the layout while still maintaining the consistency is necessary.
Small Caps
Numerals
Fractions
Ligatures
Punctuations
Mathematical Signs
Symbols
Non-aligning figures
Moreover, we learn that the different thickness of typeface in one type family is called as the weights of typeface. The 4 common weights of typeface are as following:
1. Light
2. Regular
3. Semibold
4. Bold
The readable level of text is known as legibility. The first step in achieving a legible text is to choose typefaces that are open and well proportioned like the classical serif and sans serif typefaces.
Using Underlines can also affect the readability of text, the two types of Underlines are one that affects the entire sentences and the other that affects only the words.
According to the lecture, Small Capitals are good for subheads or for the first line of a paragraph where text set in All Caps should only be used in short headlines or subheads, never in long sentences or for emphasis.
Furthermore, there are still some more other special styles in type formatting such as Superscript, Subscript: H2O, Baseline Shift, Negative & Positive Skew, Strike-Through and Double Strike-Through.
Next, the distortion in font is known as text scaling. When the font is squeezed, we call it a condensed font and when it is stretched, we call it an extended font.
Outline and shadow are used a lot in typography as well, however it is best to avoid applying them.
The harmonious relationship between type size, line length and leading also affect how the text is flowing. A column of type usually contains about 50-65 characters, this is to avoid the letters cramping each other.
Week 4: Today's topic is the grid. According to Brockmann (2010), the use of grid as an ordering system is the expression of a certain mental attitude in as much as it shows that the designer conceives his work in terms that are constructive. This is the expression of a professional ethos: the designer's work should have clearly intelligible, objective, functional and aesthetic quality of mathematical thinking.
The grid is basically dividing a two-dimensional plane into smaller fields or a three-dimensional space into smaller compartments with same or different size. Arranging the surface and spaces in the form of a grid help to create a sense of compact planning, intelligibility and clarity and suggests orderliness in design. To give a better understanding, Mr. Vinod also showed us some existing layouts with their grid system as examples
Week 5: The last lecture is talking about the elements that make up a book. The 3 major elements consisted in all publications are as following:
1. Type
2. Colour
3. Image
It is important to not fall into the trap of predictability when using these 3 elements on a page within a grid system. Hence, creating a variation within the layout while still maintaining the consistency is necessary.
INSTRUCTIONS
PRACTICAL
Exercise 1: Text Formatting
Mr. Vinod already threw us a bomb on our first exercise, we are assigned to prepare 3000 words for the next class which is only in the second week of the semester. I thought we have to write our own words so it stressed me out (turns out we can just use other peoples writing with credits). Developing a writing habit is one of my resolution for this year so this task somehow excites me. I simply wrote down some of my random thoughts and experiences about growth, and just had a discussion with myself. I titled the book as "Metamorphosis" and divided the writings into three chapters; Caterpillar, Chrysalis & Butterfly. The reason why I use butterfly as the metaphor is explained at the end of chapter 3.
fig 1.1 3000 words.pdf 13/4/22
Exercise 2: Mock-Up Making
We are assigned to create a mock up for our book. First and foremost, we have to decide on the size that we want to work on. It cannot be smaller than A5 nor bigger than A4. I created 3 sizes in between and pick one that I think work best.
The 3 proposed measurement:
Exercise 1: Text Formatting
Mr. Vinod already threw us a bomb on our first exercise, we are assigned to prepare 3000 words for the next class which is only in the second week of the semester. I thought we have to write our own words so it stressed me out (turns out we can just use other peoples writing with credits). Developing a writing habit is one of my resolution for this year so this task somehow excites me. I simply wrote down some of my random thoughts and experiences about growth, and just had a discussion with myself. I titled the book as "Metamorphosis" and divided the writings into three chapters; Caterpillar, Chrysalis & Butterfly. The reason why I use butterfly as the metaphor is explained at the end of chapter 3.
fig 1.1 3000 words.pdf 13/4/22
We are assigned to create a mock up for our book. First and foremost, we have to decide on the size that we want to work on. It cannot be smaller than A5 nor bigger than A4. I created 3 sizes in between and pick one that I think work best.
The 3 proposed measurement:
193,5 x 251mm
198 x 242 mm
171 x 234 mm
198 x 242 mm
171 x 234 mm
fig 2.1 determining the book size 30/3/22
Previously, I made the mock up with A4 paper. However, I moved to
Malaysia in the middle of the semester without taking any pictures of
the book mock up that I left in Indonesia, instead I slipped some A3
copy paper inside my luggage so I can redo it. This time, I used a
chopping board as my alternative cutting mat hahahah (I bought a
cutting mat after).
fig 2.2 redoing the exercise 19/4/22
fig 2.3 front mock up 19/4/22
fig 2.5 outside mock up 19/4/22
fig 2.6 binding 19/4/22
fig 2.7 book mock-up DEMO.mp4 19/4/22
The next exercise is similar to the previous one, however this time we are making a small book only by folding an A3 paper in a specific system guided by Mr. Vinod. I forgot to take picture of the large paper before being cut off but here is the result:
fig 3.1 front mock up (page 1) 19/4/22
fig 3.2 inside mock up 19/4/22
fig 3.3 back mock up (page 14) 19/4/22
fig 3.4 close up 19/4/22
fig 3.5 binding 19/4/22
fig 3.6 signature folding system DEMO.mp4 19/4/22
fig 3.6 signature folding system DEMO.mp4 19/4/22
For the fourth exercise, we are required to create the Van De Graff grid structure on both physical paper and digital InDesign document. I was using 5H pencil since it was the only pencil I own, hence the lines don't look too visible.
fig 4.1 van de graff 19/4/22
fig 4.2 van de graff indesign 12/4/22
fig 4.3 van de graff.pdf 12/4/22
fig 4.3 van de graff.pdf 12/4/22
Exercise 5: Determining Grids
Next on is determining the grid system of an existing layout. Below is the layout I found on Pinterest:
fig 5.1 layout from pinterest
fig 5.2 determining grids indesign 19/4/22
fig 5.3 determining grids.pdf 19/4/22
Exercise 6: Form & Movement
The last exercise is pretty fun, I got to play around and experiment with the layouts, colours and images.
#1 1 Colour
First and foremost, we have to start making the layouts in only one colour which is black. I did a lot of attempt for this one but mistakenly exported the first and second not in spread. I don't have a copy for it since I already proceed with my final layout so here are them in pages instead:
fig 6.1 1st attempt pages.pdf 20/4/22
fig 6.2 2nd attempt pages.pdf 20/4/22
I showed my 2nd attempt to Mr. Vinod but he said it was too decorative.
fig 6.3 3rd attempt spreads.pdf 20/4/22
I wasn't really happy with my 3rd try either so I again attempted to do another one.
fig 6.4 final 1 colour spreads.pdf 20/4/22
fig 6.5 final 1 colour thumbnails.pdf 20/4/22
fig 6.6 final 1 colour thumbnails with guides.pdf 20/4/22
#2 2 Colours
After deciding on the 1 colour layout, we need to add another colour into it. At first, I thought we can replace the black as well so here is my first attempt:
After deciding on the 1 colour layout, we need to add another colour into it. At first, I thought we can replace the black as well so here is my first attempt:
fig 6.7 1st attempt spreads.pdf 26/4/22
Mr. Vinod said the 2 colours should be black and any colour I'd like.
fig 6.8 final 2 colours spreads.pdf 28/4/22
fig 6.8 final 2 colours thumbnails.pdf 28/4/22
fig 6.9 final 2 colours thumbnails with guides.pdf 28/4/22
#3 Colours + Image
After finalizing the 2 colours layout, we gotta add an image to it. The first 2 attempts were done before I received the feedback from Mr. Vinod so I was still using the two colours that I have chosen. I did 2 attempts where one was using different images and another was using the same image for all spreads.
After finalizing the 2 colours layout, we gotta add an image to it. The first 2 attempts were done before I received the feedback from Mr. Vinod so I was still using the two colours that I have chosen. I did 2 attempts where one was using different images and another was using the same image for all spreads.
fig 6.10 1st attempt spreads.pdf 26/4/22
fig 6.11 2nd attempt spreads.pdf 26/4/22
And here are the layouts after revision:
fig 6.12 final colours + image spreads.pdf 28/4/22
fig 6.13 final colours + image thumbnails.pdf 28/4/22
fig 6.14 final colours + image thumbnails with guides.pdf 28/4/22
#4 Colours + Image + Text
Last but not least, adding text. Again, my first attempt was done before receiving Mr. Vinod's feedback. I inserted the lyrics of Bloom by Surfaces since the image I used is actually the single's cover.
Last but not least, adding text. Again, my first attempt was done before receiving Mr. Vinod's feedback. I inserted the lyrics of Bloom by Surfaces since the image I used is actually the single's cover.
fig 6.15 1st attempt spreads.pdf 26/4/22
Back to my revised layout, here is my final submission for the form and movement exercise. This time I am using the Clueless movie poster along with text from an article about the movie itself written by Adam Rathe in 2020.
Link to the original article:
Clueless Turns 25: How Amy Heckerling Made the Ultimate Teen Movie
Link to the original article:
Clueless Turns 25: How Amy Heckerling Made the Ultimate Teen Movie
fig 6.16 final colours + image + text spreads.pdf 28/4/22
fig 6.17 final colours + image + text thumbnails.pdf 28/4/22
fig 6.18 final colours + image + text thumbnails with guides.pdf 28/4/22
FEEDBACK
Week 2: Your words have to be at least 3000 words because it will be divided to at least 3 chapters. Create 3 subtexts for each chapter.
Week 3: All the exercises must be done in class, if you can't manage to complete it within the time given you won't be able to catch up with the rest.
Week 4: I can see variations and somehow see connenctions between the spreads but they are too decorative you have re-do it again.
Week 5: You are supposed to remain the black colour and just add one other colour. Only one image is allowed to be used but make sure to apply different variation so it won't appear repetitive.
Week 2: Your words have to be at least 3000 words because it will be divided to at least 3 chapters. Create 3 subtexts for each chapter.
Week 3: All the exercises must be done in class, if you can't manage to complete it within the time given you won't be able to catch up with the rest.
Week 4: I can see variations and somehow see connenctions between the spreads but they are too decorative you have re-do it again.
Week 5: You are supposed to remain the black colour and just add one other colour. Only one image is allowed to be used but make sure to apply different variation so it won't appear repetitive.
REFLECTION
To be brutally honest, i felt so unmotivated to do these exercises. not until I actually started that I find it kind of fun. maybe it was because the exercises were supposed to be done in class and I wasn't in malaysia during the first weeks. I saw my classmates making the book mock up together with Mr. Vinod and I wish I was there too lol. Moreover, I haven't touched InDesign for I don't know how long so these exercises basically helped me to remember things because we are using the software a lot this semester. The most frustrating part is probably exporting all these excercises in different file type, I end up naming everything very randomly until I can't find it anymore hahaha.
FURTHER READING
To be brutally honest, i felt so unmotivated to do these exercises. not until I actually started that I find it kind of fun. maybe it was because the exercises were supposed to be done in class and I wasn't in malaysia during the first weeks. I saw my classmates making the book mock up together with Mr. Vinod and I wish I was there too lol. Moreover, I haven't touched InDesign for I don't know how long so these exercises basically helped me to remember things because we are using the software a lot this semester. The most frustrating part is probably exporting all these excercises in different file type, I end up naming everything very randomly until I can't find it anymore hahaha.
FURTHER READING
fig 7.1 Guide to Book Layout: What Makes a Book More Readable (2020) https://blog.reedsy.com/book-layout/
fig 7.1 Guide to Book Layout: What Makes a Book More Readable (2020)
This article covers about the major 3 key elements that affect a book layout legibility from alignment, margins to trim size. It is also showing some examples of good layouts along with credit to the designers. I visited this article because I want to know more about book layouting, however I don't think it teaches me anything since Mr. Vinod lectures already cover it all.
This article covers about the major 3 key elements that affect a book layout legibility from alignment, margins to trim size. It is also showing some examples of good layouts along with credit to the designers. I visited this article because I want to know more about book layouting, however I don't think it teaches me anything since Mr. Vinod lectures already cover it all.
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