Publishing Design Task 3A (Book)

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21.9.2021 - 2.11.2021/ Week 5 - Week 11
Lee Sean / 0337001
Publishing Design / Bachelor of Design(Hons) in Creative Media

Task 3A - Book


Instruction





Lecture

For lectures, please refer to the link below.


28-9-2021/ Week 6

Consultation of project 3A

5-10-2021/ Week 7

Consultation of project 3A

12-10-2021/ Week 8

It's independent learning week but we had a 1 hour session for Consultation on project 3B

19-10-2021/ Week 9

Public holiday but we had a 1 hour session for Consultation on project 3B

26-10-2021/ Week 10

Consultation on project 3B

2-11-2021/ Week 11

Consultation on project 3B


Task 3

Project 3A - Book

After developing the content (text and visuals), the next stage is to determine the format (size and binding method), and an appropriate & attractive layout based on suitable grid system, choice of font and use of colour.

Content


Determining margin


Determining grid


Text filling


After working the margin, grid, I started working on the type specimen sheet.

Fig 1
Type Specimen 1

Fig 2
Type Specimen 2

I started working on the first chapter. I wasn't sure which grid to choose yet so I worked on 2 instead, after testing it out I had a more clearer direction on which to proceed with. Initially I was going to go with Times New Roman, but after the consultation I was advised to change it to another font as it was too common, the font isn't really that unique.


The lecturer recommended the font Bitter for me to use and after researching on it I did really like it so in the end I went with it.


Layout 1

2 column


Layout 2

3 column



In the end I decided to go with concept 1, 2 column concept. I liked the 3 column layout but I feel like it would look too repetitive and plain when the subtext and title is already in a single column. The 2 column concept feels more dynamic as there's a small 1 column text and 2 column text presenting more perspective to the overall layout.




Fig 1
Book thumbnail

Rough book draft

Front cover

Fig 2
Draft Front cover

Front & back cover

Fig 3
Draft Front and back cover

I wanted to keep the overall cover as clean and minimal as possible because the book talks about imperfection but the overall cover is white, clean and seem perfect. I really like that contrast but after having a consultation I realized even though I like the concept, the overall design isn't really that interesting, it doesn't get people curious and it's not strong enough to be able to capture people's attention.

Spread

Fig 4
Draft Spread

Draft book video





Fig 5
Front & back cover v1

The overall book was done, but there were a lot of issues with the cover. The main problem is that it wasn't really able to capture readers attention. It's too quiet, the main title is also very subtle. So I went back to work on both the front cover and back cover. Below on Fig 6 is the new version of the book cover.




Fig 6
Front & back cover v2


Final printed book 

Front cover

Fig 7
Final front cover

Back cover

Fig 8
Final back cover

Front & back cover

Fig 9
Final front & back cover

Final book video


I went for a more glossy covered paper because the book is only in black and white so I want to keep it clean and not get dirty. Even though I like the texture feel, I realize the artwork in the book is a little more yellow comparing it to the normal version that I had. The overall color is also more heavy now especially the black part.

old and new book comparison


Fig 10
Front cover comparison


Fig 11
Artwork comparison


Final Submission

Fig 12
Final thumbnail 01 (JPG)

Fig 13
Final thumbnail 02 (JPG)
Fig 14
Final thumbnail 03 (JPG)

Fig 15
Final thumbnail (PDF)

Fig 16
Final thumbnail with grid (PDF)

Fig 17
Final Front & back cover (JPG)

Fig 18
Final Front & back cover (PDF)

Fig 19
Final spread 01 (JPG)

Fig 21
Final spread 02 (JPG)

Fig 21
Final spread 03 (JPG)

Fig 22
Final spread 04 (JPG)

Fig 23
Final spread 05 (JPG)


Fig 24
Final spread 06 (JPG)

Fig 25
Final spread 07 (JPG)

Fig 26
Final spread 08 (JPG)

Fig 27
Final spread 09 (JPG)

Fig 28
Final spread 10 (JPG)

Fig 29
Final spread 11 (JPG)

Fig 30
Final spread 12 (JPG)

Fig 31
Final spread 13 (JPG)

Fig 32
Final spread 14 (JPG)

Fig 33
Final spread 15 (JPG)

Fig 34
Final spread 16 (JPG)

Fig 35
Final spread 17 (JPG)

Fig 36
Final spread 18 (JPG)

Fig 37
Final spread 19 (JPG)

Fig 38
Final spread 20 (JPG)

Fig 39
Final spread 21 (JPG)

Fig 40
Final spread 22 (JPG)

Fig 41
Final book (PDF)

Final printed book 



FEEDBACK

Week 5

General Feedback
  • Make sure you finish working on the visuals this week so you can start the next task soon

Specific Feedback
  • The way you uses the images are still very repetitive, try to find ways to present them in a different, interesting ways.

Week 6

General Feedback
  • Include individual jpg of your visual work in the blog
  • Title should be consistent in placement, typeface, size
Specific Feedback
  • When you export the thumbnail, make sure you don't include the baseline because it makes it harder to see the text
  • You don't have to keep the image/illustration same with your content. As long as it does not go over 2 page it's fine. Try to find ways to link it, for example add "refer to fig. 1"
  • Maybe you want to put the text on justify, the ragging now is very uneven and weird
  • Overall on the right direction, just a few minor issues

Week 7

General Feedback
  • Your pages should be dividable by 16 or 4
  • Start thinking about the color you want to add to your book
  • Start thinking about what do you want to do for your final project

Week 8

Specific Feedback
  • The cover design needs more work, currently it isn't really strong enough to capture people's attention or interest
  • The book is white color so you might want to have a sticker or anything that can help protect the cover and keep it clean.
  • Start reworking on the brand guide starting from Chapter 1 to brand identity. Start with the same process again by working out a few margin and grid system, test it out and see where it goes from there. 

Week 9

Specific Feedback
  • The font size is too small for the e-book. The font size and leading of the e-book will be different comparing to the usual book. Try to go for 16pt or higher.
  • The layout it too predictable now, when you overuse the same layout the impact starts to fade away. So forget all of this and try to redo everything. Focus on the text before adding additional content such as images etc.
  • The heading and subheading have to be consistent and clearly separated. It should not confuse the reader.
  • One of the thing about the e-book is that reader can't feel the texture and feel. To solve this you can add texture such as paper, fabric or any texture that is relevant to your brand.

Week 10

Specific Feedback
  • The overall layout and concept is consistent, the only thing you have to focus now is the little details on the design, make it more exciting and allow the reader to really feel the brand.
  • The cover looks better than before but still needs work
  • Brand purpose page does not feel that impactful, make sure the overall design look and feel reflects the brand

Week 11

Specific Feedback
  • Some of the design of the visual identity and merchandise needs to be improved
  • Reader does not know which main chapter are they reading, so make sure to include that as well
  • The use of the logo should not be use separately on a page. Either you just use both symbol and wordmark or just the symbol itself.
  • The main cover looks too different from the first page of the brand guide
  • Include a last page to end the brand guide, it can be with a picture or a logo.


REFLECTION

Experience

24/8/2021

We had a small brief on the upcoming exercises/ Projects, we also learned about some of the historic format of books.

31/8/2021

It's a holiday but we had a small 1 hour consultation

7/9/2021

We started the next few exercises and also had a consultation on our project 2 visuals

14/9/2021

I was struggling a lot with the creating visuals project, it's just not working out so while working on this, I went on and developed a whole new art design style as a backup just in case if I have to give up on this typography work

21/9/2021

We finished the last exercises which is the form and movement exercise, and also were briefed on the next task.

28/9/2021

We started working on the first chapter on the book and showed it to our lecturer

5/10/2021

We showed our progress of our project 3a to our lecturer

12/10/2021

It's independent learning week but we had a small 1 hour consultation

19/10/2021

It's public holiday but we had a small 1 hour consultation

26/10/2021

We showed our progress of our project 3b to our lecturer

2/11/2021

We showed our progress of our project 3b to our lecturer


Observation


24/8/2021

I was quite worried with the book design because it's not something that I am good at.

31/8/2021

I think I'm doing fine on the project so I'm not that worried

7/9/2021

I wasn't progressing as fast as I wanted to, I'm still stuck on the exact same things.

14/9/2021

Through the typography visuals I have done, I realized that there's actually a lot of very interesting things happening when I zoom in to look at the little textures. I feel like I can further expand from there.

21/9/2021

I feel like I'm not doing well for the exercises. I'm starting to feel worried about the upcoming task, whether if I'm able to do it well or not.

28/9/2021

It's very helpful to understand how the general process look like. Where to start and how to proceed from there.

5/10/2021

Everything seem to be on the right track, only thing I have to focus now is the cover. 


12/10/2021

Everything seem to be on the right track, only thing I have to focus now is just finish the cover then I can proceed to project 3b

19/10/2021

I am not doing well at all, I did not really progress much at all these 2 weeks and I really need to get it done, there's not much time left.

26/10/2021

The project timeline seems a little tight, I have to work a little faster and start the interactive pdf as soon as possible

2/11/2021

Honestly I have been working on the cover for the past 2 weeks and it kind of frustrates me that it's still not working out. I have to get it done soon so I can focus on the interactivity of the brand guide.

Finding


24/8/2021

I was very happy with all the exercises and projects. These are the skillsets that I am really lacking so I was very excited to learn them and improve more.

31/8/2021

I'm on the right track now so I'm not very worried.

7/9/2021

Honestly I was quite disappointed with myself, I'm not really progressing much so I really have to step it up.

14/9/2021

The new design direction that I have went for is way better comparing to the one I had previously. So I'm happy that I finally have a new direction that would work better.

21/9/2021

I need to take some time to practice more, I'm still struggling quite a lot of things.

28/9/2021

It was a little difficult to start the work, trying to set a grid and margin. But as I start to work on it the process became a little more smoother.

5/10/2021

I still find it hard even after all those exercise that I have done for this module. Especially just creating the margin and grid. It's very hard to start sometimes.

12/10/2021

I'm starting to feel worried on how do I start the brand guide because previously all the layout and design are following the typesetting and design concept that has already been set for the brand. I'm struggling to find a way to keep the overall layout consistent and relevant to the brand while at the same time make it more interesting.

19/10/2021

I'm really struggling a lot now with the brand guideline, I think I'm still very stuck with trying to keep it too consistent to the layout I have set for the brand during last semester. Maybe it's better for me to just forget it because it's kind of pulling me down and it feels very restricting. I need to find a way to keep the design layout consistent to the brand but not over repeat things.

26/10/2021

I realized a lot of times the most hard thing was to determine the grids, margins and layout. But once you have finalized a layout it starts to become easier.

2/11/2021

Everything seems to be on the right track, most of the issues I have now with the brand guides are the little details and also the main cover.


Further Reading

A Type Primer - John Kane



The book, A type Primer introduces and analyzes some of the basic principles as well as applications of type. The book first started out by introducing basics such as the specific terms to describe letterforms, fonts. Then proceed to move on to the timeline and history of typography. There are a lot of very helpful technical knowledge that has been shared in the book, overall it is a very technical and practical book.

In the book, it mentioned "Paul Rand once wrote: "Typography is an art, Good typography is art," and therein lies the problem for both teacher and student. Craft can be taught, Art lies within the individual." Which in a way I kind of agree, to me art and design is quite different because art can be express in any shape and form however you want. But in typography it requires a ton of technical skills behind it. A lot of times I struggled to find that balance between artistic design while maintaining technical functions in design. A lot of time I find myself trying to be creative and artistic while ignoring the technical things and functionality. A lot of time I find myself trying to be creative and artistic while ignoring the technical things and functionality.

In the end of the book, instead of summing up the entire book, he gave 3 recommendations and suggestions to young designers that I think is very helpful for me.

1. Slow down
The book said that "how we get from idea to final, is a series of considered responses to direct observation." Slowing down and taking your time to observe your work, printing out your work as you are going through the process. Give yourself time to think about what you're doing, and how to proceed from there.

2. Be wary of "creativity"
"Inspiration is for amateurs."(Chuck Close) Professionals understand the principles and the process behind it and mastered the craft. Young designers, especially me sometimes waste a lot of time looking and waiting for inspiration, thinking that I just need some more time to wait for the inspiration to come to me. Professionals just get to work, they understand that real insight, real innovation come only from deliberate process.

3. Keep your eyes open
Read more books or articles to learn about what other people have to say and show about typography. Compare what you do with what other people do while at the same time learn to articulate the difference. Take every opportunity to learn, study, analyze typography. Pay more attention to your surrounding. Type is everywhere, and there is so many things you can learn about if you just observe.




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