Publishing Design - Task 3A
Publishing Design
Week 6-8
Chan Meiling// 0337771// BDCM
Task 3A
INSTRUCTIONS
MIB
Task 3A
Week 1
Content Generation PDF
Week 6
Upon finishing our task 1 after completing all the visuals, we are required to find some layout reference and come up with a layout design for our book.
Layout Reference 1
Layout Reference 2
Grid Systems
After determining my grid system, I tested out a few typefaces for my book. The typeface that I want to go for would be a san serif typeface that looks more elegant yet not to serious. I've tested out and picked 3 typefaces I like the most which is Bodoni, ITC Garamond Std and Constantia.
Type Specimen Sheet
I've decided to use ITC Garamond Std because it look elegant but the letter 'e' brings out a personality that feels quite child-like which I think fit the concept of my book.
Heading - ITC Garamond Std Bold (30 pt)
Pull quote - ITC Garamond Std Book Italic (14 pt)
Body Text - ITC Garamond Std Book (11 pt)
Subtext - ITC Garamond Std Book Italic (9 pt)
After determining both my grid system and the typeface I like, I moved on to try attempting doing the layouts.
2nd Layout Attempt 01
2nd Layout Attempt 02
Week 7
Since last week I couldn't attend class, I watched the recorded the video and tried to pick up and learn some of the mistakes that I have made while watching the feedbacks my classmates are receiving.
3rd Layout Attempt 01
3rd Layout Attempt 02
Week 8
After receiving feedback by Mr Vinod, I removed the unnecessary elements and designed a book cover this week.
Final Layout Thumbnail 01 (Jpg)
Final Layout Thumbnail 02 (Jpg)
Final Layout Thumbnail 03 (Jpg)
Final Layout Thumbnail (PDF)
Final Book (PDF)
#Book Cover Design
#Spread 1
#Spread 2
#Spread 3
#Spread 4
#Spread 5
#Spread 6
#Spread 7
#Spread 8
#Spread 9
#Spread 10
#Spread 11
#Spread 12
#Spread 13
#Spread 14
#Spread 15
#Spread 16
#Spread 17
#Spread 18
#Spread 19
#Book Cover (Back)
Flip book
After completing the layout, I went a printing shop to print my book, however, it is very hard to find a shop that only offer book printing services for 1 book only, most of the shops have a minimum require of 100 books of order.
Since I had no choice, I went to a printing shop that allows book printing for only 1 book. I had no choice but to choose saddle stitch which not what I was planning to go for initially. Due to the limited time, I still went for it and printed out my book. The printing service was terrible, they even mixed up the pages and I had to reprint a few times, there are still some problems with book and I have requested to reprint my book.
Printed Book Cover
After I got my book reprinted, I retook the printed book pictures. Here's the final printed book images:
Final Printed Book Cover
Final Printed Book Cover
Final Printed Book Img1
Final Printed Book Img2
Final Printed Book Img3
Final Printed Book Img4
Final Printed Book Img5
Final Printed Book Img6
Final Printed Book Img7
Printed Book Flip Video
FEEDBACK
Week 6
Sir said that I should not start introduce colours first to my layout as it will be a distraction. The layouts need to be worked on.
Week 7
Mr Vinod said that placement of title lacks consistency in place and size. Body text starts at different points - need a hang line and should use the entire text field. Visuals are good, the layout could be a lot better.
Week 8
Sir said that the layouts look slightly better than before but he does not see the purpose of some of the elements. He reminded me to flow the text fully from the top to bottom. He said that it is okay if the spreads are only filled with illustrations.
REFLECTIONS
Experience
Throughout the entire process, I feel like I've learnt a lot from the mistakes I've made since my first attempt. Even though I feel like the layout could be better but I was feeling really drained and couldn't come up with something different somehow. Besides, it was a struggle to find a place to print my book since most of the shops have a minimum order. I wanted my book to be a hard cover perfect bound book but I ended up going for saddle stitch since the only shop that allows single book printing only offers that which is a little disappointing for me as it would have been a lot nicer otherwise.
Observation
I observed that for every book that has a good layout design, it gives off a different and better reading experience. While looking back the layout year books back in my high school, I noticed the difference from two of the years which one was designed by students and the other was designed professionally. I noticed the lack of knowledge about layout design could really make a book look cramped and unpleasant. I also noticed that the images that are used in a book is really important to set the entire mood of the book as well.
Findings
I realised that publishing a book is not an easy task to do. From the starting process of generating content, coming up with relevant visuals, doing layout design of the book till the finishing which is printing the book was quite a complicated process for me. I find doing the layout design the hardest as I couldn't get a sense and was feeling really unmotivated. But throughout this entire book design, I realised that I enjoy illustrating a lot more and I think the visuals that I spent so much time on was really worth it.
FURTHER READING
On this website, it highlights some of the key points in designing a page layout. Many of the points that are mentioned in this website was also constantly emphasized by Mr Vinod while giving feedback to us in class. The importance of the book cover to give an impact for readers to feel attracted to pick up and read was also mentioned once again in this website.
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