PUBLISHING DESIGN | EXERCISES

08/04/19 - 22/04/19 | Week 2 - Week 4
Yeoh Xiao Shi (0331577)
Publishing Design
Exercises

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LECTURE

Lecture 1 : Formats 
08/04/19 (Week 2)

This week, we were given a lecture about the book formats since this module will be centered around the book. Through the lecture, we got to look into few different formats used across time in different civilizations around the world which includes Mesopotamian civilization, Ancient Egyptian civilization, Indus Valley civilization, Han Chinese civilization and European civilization.

01. Mesopotamian Civilization
•  first writing system developed from a counting technology
•  the progression from simple and complex tokens to bullae set
•  pictographic writing on clay tablets

02. Indus Valley Civilization
•  their writing, cuneiform was one of the earliest systems of writing
•  writing on soft clay tablets by using sharp pointed tools

03. Ancient Egyptian Civilization
•  scribes were the only people in ancient Egypt that could read and write Hieroglyphics
•  write on papyrus and tomb wall

04. Han Chinese Civilization
•  Chinese characters in the early period are written in vertical columns on a thin strip of bamboo
•  earliest known printed book is Chinese, from the end of Tang dynasty
•  use scroll format for their book
•  pioneer of movable type but has been achieved in Korea

05. European Civilization
•  invented parchment with animal hide
•  started to make parchment book around 50 AD

Embedded PDF of week 2 lecture slides.

Lecture 2 : History of Print 
15/04/19 (Week 3)

This week, Mr Vinod started off the class by giving us a lecture about the history of print. Throughout the lecture given, we are able to learn different printing methods used in the past and the discovery of the printing across different countries back in the day till now. Also, we got to know that paper was first invented in China during 179-41 BCE and the earliest known printed book is Chinese, from the end of the T'ang dynasty.

Embedded PDF of week 3 lecture slides.

Lecture 3 : The Grid 
22/04/19 (Week 4)

In this class, we were given a lecture about the grid which is one of the important system used by designers for solving visual problems in two or three-dimensions. It is said to be important for the designer to arrange the elements like texts, photographs and diagrams in the form of a grid in resulting the coherent and functional visual. This creates a sense of compact planning, intelligibility and clarity as well as suggests orderliness in design.

There is a scientifically proved fact about the information that is presented in clear and logically set out titles, subtitles, texts, illustrations and captions will be retained and understood better. Thereore, our responsibilty as designers are towards those who are going to experience and use or interact with our works. We have to put ourselves in the reader's perspective in order to come up a design that can make the user experience seamless and engage them when reading our book.

Embedded PDF of week 4 lecture slides.

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INSTRUCTIONS

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EXERCISES
Mock-Up Making (Week 2)

Week 2 (08/04/19)
For the first exercise, we were instructed to explore three possible sizes for the book that we are going to create in project 1. The size requirement for the book is that it should be bigger than A5 but smaller than A4. Once we figured out the sizes, we were told to outline the one that we prefer more with a different color pen. For me, I decided to go with the size of 180mm x 220mm.

Fig.1.1: Size Exploration.

After finalizing the size, we were then tasked to create a mock-up book with 8 pieces of A3 paper. To start off, we were told to fold the papers into half and staple binding them. Then, we proceeded to cut the book to size. Throughout the process, I manage to learn the right way to bind the booklet as well as cutting the huge amount of paper at the same time.

Fig.1.2: Completed mock-up.

Fig.1.3: Staple binding.

Fig.1.4: Spread.

Classical Grid Structure(Week 3)

Week 3 (15/04/19)
In today's class, we were required to construct the grid which known as the Van de Graaf grid on the book size format that we came up for our project 1. Then, we were told to outline the margin with a different color pen.

As I drew some angles of the lines wrongly, the height of the text area were not proportional in both sides.

Fig.2.1: Van de Graaf grid.

After constructing the grid on paper, we were tasked to do it digitally in Adobe InDesign. The process of digitizing is considered much easier for me since I could create a better straight line in Adobe InDesign.

Fig.2.2: Process of constructing the grid in Adobe InDesign.

Fig.2.3: Digitized grid based on the chosen size of the book.

Signature Folding Systems (Week 3)

Week 3 (15/04/19)
In the same class, we were given another exercise which we need to fold an A3 paper into 8 equal pages and then number each page accordingly from 1-16 as there are 16 pages in one signature.

Fig.2.4: Signature fold.

Fig.2.5: Signatured fold.

Fig.2.6: Signatured fold.

Grid System (Week 4)

Week 4 (22/04/19)
In the previous class, we were instructed to photocopy 5 spreads from a book with nice layout and bring in to this class. To start off, we were told to exhange 3 spreads with our friends and then determine the margin and column of the spreads by using grid system.

Fig.3.1: Grid structure.

Fig.3.2: Grid structure.

Fig.3.3: Grid structure.

Fig.3.4: Grid structure.

Fig.3.5: Grid structure.

Fig.3.6: Grid structure.

Form & Movement (Week 4)

Week 4 (22/04/19)
Moving on from that, we proceed to form and movement exercise. For this exercise, we were asked to explore the form in different spreads as to form a movement of the layout. It is said to be helpful for us in creating the layout of our book in the next project.

Fig.3.7: Process of exploring the form in Adobe InDesign.

Fig.3.8: Process of exploring the form in Adobe InDesign.

Fig.3.9: Form and movement. (B&Wstatic)

Fig.3.10: Form and movement. (B&W animated)

Fig.3.11: Form and movement. (Colour static)

Fig.3.12: Form and movement. (Colour animated)

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FEEDBACK

Week 2
General Feedback : While cutting the papers, we were told to put more pressure on the ruler than the blade. Also, we were told to find the midpoint of the papers before stapling them. As for the project 1, we were told that we could start finding some visual references before working on the illustration.
Specific Feedback : For the 3000 words, I faced difficulties to complete it so Mr Vinod told me to find an article and use it as the contents. While for the exercise, I was told that one of my measurement is not larger than A5 so I would need to draw one more for it.

Week 3
General Feedback : For project 1, we were told to keep on exploring and experimenting with the visuals. It might not look good at first, but we will be able to see improvement in each of our explorations. Moreover, we were told to zoom in while taking pictures of our work so that it doesn't look distorted.
Specific Feedback : Overall, the format of my 3000 words was okay, but it would be better if I could add in more subtexts. As for the 16 visualizations, Mr Vinod suggested me to do something abstract with the shapes and form illustration or either photographs since I couldn't draw fast.

Week 4
General Feedback : When exporting the form and movement exercise as JPEG, we were told to export it in 72 dpi so that the file won't crash.
Specific Feedback : For the exercise, I was told that some of my attempts are interesting but some look like there is too much shapes in one page so I would need to make some changes. While for my project 1, the illustrations were great so I just need to move on for what I'm doing.

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REFLECTION

Experiences :

Week 2 : This week, I got to experience with different manual works like exploring different book sizes, staple binding and create a book mock-up which I think is fun and interesting. However, I'm not a skillful person when it comes to measuring and cutting. Therefore, it took me more time to complete the exercise compared to others.
Week 3 : In this class, I manage to learn something new which is to find the margin of the book by constructing the Van de Graaf grid. In addition, I also got to learn and understand about the signature book binding through the exercise given.
Week 4 : This week, I got to learn about how the grid system build and identify the margin and column through the exercise given. Also, I got to explore with the movement of the layout by playing around with the form.

Observations :

Week 2 : I realized cutting a huge amount of paper at the same time isn't that hard if I do it in a right way. Also, I noticed it is important for us to pay full concentration while cutting the papers so that accidents could be avoided.
Week 3 : I observed it is important to make sure all the diagonal lines drawn is at the same angle.
Week 4 : I realised it is hard for me figure out the margin and column of some spreads as I get confused with the layout.

Findings :

Week 2 : Through today's exercises, I'm able to learn about the cutting skills as well as the proper way to bind the book.
Week 3 :  To have the same proportions of margin, I found that it is important to make sure all the diagonal lines drawn is at the same angle. Other than that, I manage to learn about the signature book binding which the pages of the book are printed on large sheets of paper with multiple pages printed on each side and each signature will consist 16 pages.
Week 4 : I found this two exercise that we completed in today's class are useful for us to have a better understanding on grid system as well as layout. Moreover, I think it is helpful for me in preparing for the upcoming project which is to create the layout for my book.

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FURTHER READING (WEEK2-4)

Week 2

Publication Design
By: Poppy Evans 

From this book, I got to read about the ways to apply color in publication design and production effectively. According to the author, color is a language that is universally understood. We can somehow predict that people will respond in a consistent way when they see a certain color or color combination. However, some colors have unilateral meaning, other colors and color combinations have social or cultural connotation which means the emotional reaction of a viewer to a color or color combination can sometimes depend on the meaning of that particular color has within that individual's culture. Hence, as a designer, it is important for us to understand all these differences and to select the right color for a publication design that can communicate the mood or attitude to the audience. As to determine the colors for certain publication's mood, designers would choose a color palette. From here, a color palette for a design may include various single colors or hue which is known as a monochromatic color scheme. Although it is good in supporting a design communication goal, but sometimes a combination of colors are said to be more effective. Hence, to combine the colors well, it is necessary to know about the wheel and color theory as they will guide us to determine which combinations will work together in the design.

Week 3

The Layout Book
By: Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris 

This week, I have read about the vocabulary of layout design which is basically about the design principles that can be applied in book design. Through this, the designer can visually articulate ideas and concepts that can be extremely subtle or complex.

The vocabulary includes: proximity, unity, alignment, contrast, hierarchy, balance and tension, juxtaposition, consistency or repetition as well as white space.

Vocabulary of layout design.

01. Proximity
•  placement of elements that are close together so that relationships between them are created
•  example : placing the caption close to image to imply that caption refers to the image

02. Unity
•  join disparate elements together in an artwork as to form an undivided or unbroken completeness
•  the greater the fit of the elements, the more unified the artwork appears
•  proximity and the repetition can help to achieve this

03. Alignment
•  overarching need for the structure in a design
•  provides the structure and interpret the information that a design contains
•  use to guide the reader to read or view around the design

04. Contrast
•  placing the different elements of a design to create contrast between them
•  adds shape, form and dynamism to a design, perhaps to create a dramatic tension

05. Hierarchy
•  apparent order of importance of the design elements
•  can be determined by the size, spacing or color

06. Balance and tension
•  allow different levels of harmony or discord to be established
•  makes the images and text fix together

07. Juxtaposition
•  placement of images or text next to each other to create a relationship between them
•  can express different ideas or points of view

08. Consistency or repetition
•  used to reinforce the message being communicated and indicates it is important

09. White space
•  allows a design to breathe and has been described as the lungs of good design
•  spacing helps attract the eye to the element it surrounds
•  can indicate the relative importance of the elements around


Week 4 

Design th!nking
By: Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris

(Week 4)

This week, I have read about thinking in shapes from this book. According to the authors, design elements like text blocks form approximate shapes on a page. Thus, thinking in shapes would help the designer to address general spatial relationships between the elements and how they fill the page. In 1923, Wassily Kandinsky proposed a universal relationship between the three basic shapes (triangle, square and circle) and the three primary colours (yellow, red, blue). He believed that the yellow triangle to be the most active and dynamic as well as the cold and passive blue circle to be the least so. It is said that design can be infused with different shapes to produce different tension on the page (different active and passive areas). This will lead the eye to different areas of a layout and alter the positive and negative space. The layouts can be either symmetrical or asymetrical and this too will influence the shape placement. For symmetical spread, the folio structure is mirror to itself to produce a balanced layout. While for assymetrical, the folio structure repeat to produce a layout weighted to one side which is more dynamic.