Publishing 2 : Mass Communication - Exercises

Week 1 - Week 9
Jason Ong Ngie Min (0324104)
Publishing 2 : Mass Communication 
Exercises

Instructions:

Exercises Individual Work (20%) 

The Brief

Exercises.

Duration of Assignment

8 Weeks (Briefing on Week 1)

DEADLINE

Week 9 (22 May 2017)

Description

Throughout the beginning and the middle of the semester, exercises will be prescribed at various phases of the module. These exercises will aid and benefit you in your quest to gain theoretical and practical knowledge in book design that will inform you whilst completing various phases of the modules projects.

All exercises prescribed are to be completed and documented (labelled, clean, clear & concise) in your ePortfolio and Hardcopy portfolio respectively.

The exercises are as follows:

1. 1)  Text formatting 
2. 2)  Mock-up making 
3. 3)  Signature folding systems (8+8=16) 
4. 4)  Classical Grid structure 
5. 5)  Form & Movement Exercises (Thumbnail) • 1 Colour 
   • 2 Colour
   • 2 Colours + Image
   • Colour + Image + Text

Requirements

To complete and to showcase mastery in the exercises prescribed in its various forms over the 13-week period. This process is repeated for all 8 weeks. The work is compiled logically and chronologically in an A3 clear sheet folder and documented on the students’ eportfolio.

Submission

1. Exercises to be documented in an A4 Clear Sheet folder, logically and chronologically. The works must be labelled and dated. 
2. Eportfolio posts at the end of the assessment task labelled and dated, with images captured well and in good light in so that the works are pleasing to the eye and legible. 

Objectives

1. To develop students theoretical understanding via practical means. 
2. To develop students practical skills. 
3. To develop students sense in the use of space. 
4. To develop students ability to arrange different elements attractively within a grid system. 

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Exercises

In-Class Exercise 1: Format
We were to bring A3 papers, 1m ruler and a stationery set to determine the size of our books. We were then later to identify 3 different sizes and choose one from it. I then came out with these three sizes of the book which is 20cm x 20cm, 18cm x 22cm and 15cm x 24cm. 

Figure 1 : Selected book size; 18cmx22cm

Figure 2: Book sizes; 20cmx20cm, 18cmx22cm, 15cmx24cm

Figure 3: Staple binding 

Figure 4: Staple binding 

I then chose 18cmx 22cm as the size of the book because it is an ideal size to carry, read and hold it as the other different sizes are a little off. We also did a binding of our book from the size of the book that we determined and to be honest it was a calming exercise for me and not to mention enjoyable! 

In-Class Exercise 2: Van der Graaf Grids
We were tasked by the lecturer to construct a Van der Graaf grid on a A3 paper by hand. Then later we were asked to do it digitally based on the size of our determined book size and a standard fitted size. 

Figure 5: Van der Graaf grid on A3, book size; 18cm x 22cm

Figure 6: Van der Graaf on A3, book size; standard a4 in size

The class seems okay and fun because doing the grid is very new to me and fascinating too! 

In-Class Exercise 3: Grid Identification, Typo Tryouts, Margin Identifications
The lecturer asked us to find 3 books from the library that has a good layout a week before this exercise is conducted. We then found the books and photocopied 2 pages for each book and identified the underlying grid structure the best that we can.

Figure 7: Book Spread 

Figure 8:  Book Spread 

Figure 9: Book Spread 

Figure 10: Book Spread 

Figure 11: Book Spread 

Later on, we also experimented three different layouts, containing our work from P1 which is the text in three different choices of typeface. The activity was beneficial in a way that we can see which typeface, point size and leading works best for ourselves. 

Figure 12: Tryout 1, typeface used; Futura, Century and Helvetica

Figure 13: Tryout 2, typeface used; Verdana, Baskerville and Georgia 

Figure 14: Tryout 3, typeface used; Verdana, Palatino, Century Gothic and Baskerville

After completing, we were asked by the lecturer to identify three different margins that will be used in the book that we are working on. 

Margins
Top : 30mm, Bottom : 11mm 
Inside : 12 mm , Outside : 9mm 

Figure 15: Margin Identification 1/3

Margins 
Top : 20mm , Bottom : 15mm 
Inside : 12mm , Outside : 13mm  

Figure 16: Margin Identification 2/3

Margins 
Top : 22mm , Bottom : 14mm 
Inside 12.7mm, Outside : 24mm

Figure 17: Margin Identification 3/3

In-Class Exercise 4: Movement 

Figure 18: Movement exploration 

Figure 19: Movement exploration 

Figure 20: Movement exploration 

In-Class Exercise 5: Signature folding system 

Figure 21: Signature folding 1/4

Figure 22: Signature folding 2/4

Figure 23: Signature folding 3/4

Figure 24: Signature folding 4/4

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Feedback

Week 3
Text is okay but add references other more details that is required. Visual references is okay as well but start practicing to add more details and elements from the tryout visuals. 

Week 4
Visuals isn't really there yet as it look a bit 'foreign' (basically did not represent me). Also, start doodling visuals in the same geometric manner and keep in track of the three stages in the making of these visuals.

Week 5
Visuals on Monday : Isn't really impactful yet and most of them are in stage 1 work harder on arrangements and variety 
Visuals on Friday : Correct a few of the visuals as it feel like a "try hard" visual and play around with the overlay of certain visuals

Week 6 

Blog : Add head topic and adjust embedded alignment from google docs and add visuals from the past activity. Project 2: Fix the alignment, placements of visuals and layouts. Also, work as quick as possible and get things done. On top of that, adjust the selected typeface for head topic and body text since it is too traditional for the visuals. Also, adjust kernings for body text too. 

Week 7 

Changed visuals: The visuals seems okay and safe but at the same time, layouts are too rigid for the visuals, making the book did not look imaginative enough as a whole. Start printing it in mock up ( black and white version ) and start make minor adjustments from that. 

Week 8

Mock up book: The cover of the book need to be more interactive, as it may look rigid sometimes and be more expressive when designing the cover. Highlight the sub-text and relate it in the column of the book. Fix a little more layouts as it still looks rigid and be more expressive on that. E-book : explore more animations and make it more imaginative.

Week 9

Add more effort in perfecting the book as there is lack of effort in the process of the book. Change the choice of paper as the cover can go up to 250gsm.

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Reflection

Experience
Week 1 was enjoyable for me as we have a short lecture and I was able to got back home early and have my rest. In week 3 I practised a few water colour painting and doodling for the tryouts of my visual and I have to say it was a calming experience for me. Week 4 starts to be a little busy for me as I experienced the time wasn't really enough for me to finish the 16 visuals in time. As for week 5, I sensed that I was starting to be a little bit more procrastinative and I then started to pay more attention to this module. In week 6, I experienced a tonne amount of stress, so does week 7 the reason because I have to rush my work before leaving Malaysia for activity week that is held. Week 8 on the other hand is a bit harsh for me as I experienced printing problems, and at times, working really hard to get back the motivation that I used to have in the past. In week 9, I experienced an amount of stress, again because I do not think that I have done enough to satisfy myself as well. 

Observation
I observed that most of our classmates are still not ready for the workloads that is going to happen and so does me in week 1. On the other hand, I witnessed some of my classmates' book binding skills in week 3 and they were great! I also noted that week 4 seems a little funny because looking through tired faces from my classmates makes me feel entertained. During week 5, I saw several solid visuals from my classmates and I felt impressed from them!Week 6 is pretty hard because I observed that I started to sleep pretty late on most days as I made my decision to change my visuals for the book, so does week 7. In week 8, I observed that I started to avoid doing work and started slacking, as I felt that I am not responsible enough in completing my work. For week 9, I examined that I have to force myself and work extra hard in order to produce a better work. 

Findings

I found out that this module will be both interesting and a hell for me in week 1. Week 3 was a normal week for me because I found out that I spent a lot of time in finishing the visuals which seems inefficient. Also, I realised that I am back with a typical life again, which is lack of sleep and time for myself to relax in week 4. Nevertheless, week 5 was a bit scary too because I realised that I did not scan the visuals into PC and thus, making me a little panic. During week 6, I found out that I have a lot of work to rush and complete it in time. In week 7, I found out that I am stressing myself out at a point that is not necessary, the reason because I'm in a school trip and try taking this time to loosen myself a little bit. In week 8, I realised that I felt lost in a way, that I am leaving my responsibilities away which is my work and thus, motivating myself to work harder, so does week 9 as well.