Week 6 - Week 9
Jason Ong Ngie Min (0324104)
Publishing 2 : Mass Communication
Project 2 : The Book. (Part 2 Layout & Final Mock up)
Lecture 4 : Grids
The lecturer begins the class by asking us our point of view towards grids, can we design a published book without grids? The lecturer then mentioned that the answer actually reflects to the designer's point of view itself. If it a "No", it shows that this particular designer is more mathematical and reliable to grids only whereas is it is a "Yes", then this designer is more a less loves breaking the rules.
Outcomes of the lecture:
- Functionality of a book
- Grid allows flexibility as well
- Be attentive towards the eye movement and hierarchy informations
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Instructions
Project 2 (20%)
The Brief
The Book. (Part 2: Layout & Final Mock-up)
Duration of Assignment
4 Weeks (Briefing on week 5)
Deadline
Week 9 (22 May, 2017)
Description
After developing content (text and visuals) the next stage is to determine the format (size and binding method), and an appropriate & attractive layout based on a suitable grid system, choice of font/s and use of colour.
- Due to time constraints, the binding method shall be predetermined to be staple binding (saddle binding). The book is 32 pages, which is smaller than A4 and bigger than A5. However should you wish to try a different binding method you may do so with the permission of your lecturer.
- You will need to adapt a suitable grid system, choose a fitting font and create an attractive layout in InDesign.
- Your choice of colour must complement your visuals and play a role that is supportive but also create dynamism where needed. It is advised to limit the use of colour, as it could be distracting.
- You need to determine your paper type, for cover as well as inside pages. A visit to the paper factory Hiap Moh or Conqueror is advised.
The end result will be an actual size mock-up of the book with finishing that is of good standard.
Requirements
The student must utilise the accumulated knowledge from the exercises, lectures and from their own reading (library books and online sources) to guide them and inform them in their decisions.
The student must document the process (sketches, layouts, trial and errors) in their eporfolio and hardcopy portfolio. The student will be expected to submit the final mock-up in the hardcopy portfolio and the softcopy PDF uploaded or embedded unto the eportfolio. Create a separate folder in your Google Drive and store all files, artefacts, project submissions, etc. here.
Ensure all items are logically and chronologically ordered, labelled and dated.
Submission
- All gathered information (failures, successes, epiphanies, sketches, visual research, printouts, websites, images, charts, etc.) documented logically and chronologically in the A4 Clear Sheet hardcopy portfolio. The works labelled and dated.
- All gathered information (failures, successes, epiphanies, sketches, visual research, printouts, websites, images, charts, etc.) documented logically and chronologically in the eportfolio for the duration of the project in one post.
- Pictures of the final book mock-up, softcopy PDF uploaded or embedded unto the eportfolio. Label it as final so that it is clear that this is the final version.
- Final book mock-up in actual size and on the selected paper along with a complete thumbnail print out of all the pages.
Objectives
- To develop students ability to arrange various elements attractively in a book.
- To develop students ability to create a suitable grid system that allows them flexibility.
- To develop students ability to integrate text and visuals attractively.
- To develop students ability to maintain a consistent identity with acceptable variation.
- To develop students ability to use colour appropriately; supportive or dynamic.
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Project 2
Layout Inspiration
I started out with researching layouts online that suits my visuals that I have done
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| Figure 1 : Layout inspiration from Pinterest |
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| Figure 2 : Layout inspiration from Pinterest |
Grid Systems
For the backbone of the book, I was thinking over the time to choose between 4 columns or 6 columns. Also, the reason I chose even numbered columns is because the size of the book and in the means of complimentary which is 18cm by 22 cm.
In the mean time, I did several tryouts of the grids as we all know that without the help of grid system, it is impossible for us as amatures to design a proper layout.
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| Figure 3 : 4 column grid |
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| Figure 4 : 6 column grid |
Initial Layouts
I tried several layouts, based from the references I have made with and without the visuals to have the rough idea towards the mood and feel of the book itself. I started with the layout experimentations in chapter 1 of the book and the first page until the end of the chapter 1.
After trying again, I faced several problems in the process of designing the book as my visuals somehow dis not compliment well with the mood and feel I am aiming for, I tried it in several styles, arrangement and found out that I am about to change my visuals in a way that has more freedom and flow, not structured because I find it to be too structured in terms of the layouts and visuals as well. I then changed the visuals and start designing it into my layouts and the book as well.
New Visuals
Complete Layout
Upon finishing this project, I then finished the design process of the book, based on the chosen layouts and visuals and started fixing minor adjustments. After finishing the thumbnails, I started off with the printing of the book in a black and white mock up and make adjustments, based from the lecturer's feedback. Not long after, I fixed several issues then printed it out in the colour mock up.
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| Figure 40 : Black and white mock up |
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| Figure 41 : Black and white mock up |
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| Figure 42 : Coloured mock up |
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| Figure 43 : Coloured mock up |
The book
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Feedback
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
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
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
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.
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Books of the week
Week 6
Draw Your Own Fonts by Tony Seddon
This book is trying to prove the beauty of hand written fonts as it is considered customised and unique and it offers a variety designs that come from different inspirations and also provided tips on designing your own typeface.
Week 7
A, I Love Futura by Victiona:ry
This book talks about the charisma of each typeface and mood of the typeface as well. This book is trying to tell that each typeface has its own taste, personality and attitude behind every design.
Week 8
Text on Type, Critical Writings on Typography by Steven Heller and Philip B Meggs
This book has a compilation of more than fifty texts, familiar and rare, about the history, aesthetics, and practice of type design and typography as well.
Complete Layout
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