Publishing Design - Task 4


Week 1 -Week 13
Publishing Design / Bachelor of  Design (Hon) in Creative Design 
Task 4: Final Compilation & Reflection
Tai Tong En / 0363164

INSTRUCTION

Task 1 - Exercises

Task 2 - Content Generation

Task 3A - Book

Task 3B - E-Book

SUBMISSIONS

Task 1 - Exercises

Task 1 - Exercise 1 - Text Formatting 

1. Final Task 1 - Exercise 1 - Text Formatting - PDF


2.  Task 1 - Exercise 2 - Mock-up making

2.1 Mockup - Book Size

We must make three distinct book sizes for this exercise that are smaller than A4 but larger than A5. We must measure the desired book sizes and fold the A3 paper in half.

2.2 Book Sizes

I created three different sizes of books.
  • 16.5cm*21.5cm
  • 17cm*23cm
  • 17.6cm*25.6cm



2.3 Progression of Book

Since this is the most appropriate size for my book, I choose to make it 17 cm by 23 cm. I think it's the perfect size for my book—neither too big nor too small.




2.4 Final Book Mock-up making

Week 3

3. Task 1 - Exercise 3 - Signature Folding Systems & Zine Printing

3.1  Signature Folding Systems






WEEK 4

4. Task 1 - Exercise 4 - Classical Grid Structure








Week 5 

5. Task 1 - Exercise 5 - Determining grids





Week 6

6. Task 1- Exercise 6-Form & Movement








Task 2 - Content Generation

Task 2 - Content Generation - Text Formatting

1. Final Task 2 - Content Generation - Text Formatting - PDF



Week 3 - Week 7

2. Task 2 - Content Generation - Visual

2.1 Visual References











 Final Task 2 - Content Generation - Visual - PDF




Task 3A - Book

1. Book - Instructions
  • The binding method shall be predetermined to be staple binding (saddle binding). The book is of 32 pages, which is smaller than A4 and bigger than A5. 
  • 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.
  • Need to adapt a suitable grid system, choose a fitting font and create an attractive layout in InDesign.
  • Choice of colour must compliment your visuals and play a role that is supportive but also create
  • dynamism where needed. 
  • Advised to limit the use of colour, as it could be distracting.
  • Need to determine paper type, for cover as well as inside pages. A visit to the paper factory Hiap
  • Moh or Conqueror or a print shop is advised.
  • The end result will be an actual size mock-up of the book with finishing that is of good standard.

1.1 Book Size

I decided to create a book with dimensions of 17cm*23cm because this size is the most suitable for my book. It's neither too small nor too big, and I feel it's just the right size for my book.




1.2 Book Layout - References





1.3 Chosen Grid 



1.4 Typesetting

Heading: Cambria Bold (size 22pt)
Subtext:  Cambria Math Regular (size 16pt, leading 19.2pt)
Body text: Minion Pro Regular (size 12pt, leading 14.4pt)


1.5 Progression of Book - Content Layout



Final Book Design



WEEK 11

Final Submission - Task 3A - Book

Final Submission - Book - Spread - JPEG




























Final Submission - Book - Spread - PDF



Final Submission - Book - Thumbnail - JPEG



Final Submission - Book - Thumbnail - PDF, Weeek 11


Final Submission - Book - Print Out - JPEG

















Final Submission - Book - E-Book - Link



Task 3B - E-Book - Brand Guideline

1. Brand Guideline - Instruction
  • In this task will be required to adapt the printed book have designed for the purpose of on-screen reading or the like. 
  • The design of the digital publication will be dependent on the device it will be read from or the type of format used - ePub/PDF/HTML. 
  • Presently most digital books are in the ePub/eBook format (How To Create a Fixed Layout Ebook with
  • Adobe InDesign CC) or a PDF interactive. 
  • To explore and decide on an appropriate format subject to the task type or hardware used.
  • Focus on is navigation between pages; this has to be well thought through, as the user interface must not be an obstacle to seamless reading. 
  • Innovative use of the relevant features to increase engagement through interaction of the content is encouraged.

1.1 Brand Guideline - Contents

The content of this task is the same as that completed in another subject, that is - Brand Corporate Identity.

Content Including 
  • Brand Profile
  • Visual Guidelines
  • Applications
1) Brand Profile 
  • Brand Story
  • Vision & Mission
  • Target Audience
  • Brand Value
  • Unique Selling Point
  • Brand Positioning Statement
2) Visual Guideline 
  • Logo in Black & White
  • Logo in Reverse
  • Logo in Color
  • Logo Space Rationalization
  • Logo Clear Space
  • Logo with Strapline
  • Logo with Rationale
  • Logo Min. Size
  • Primary color & Secondary Color
  • Brand's Typefaces
  • Pattern Derived from Logo
3) Applications
  • Application
  • Collateral
  • Digital Presence
  • Environmental Graphic

References - Layout





Brand Guideline Grid - Indesign



WEEK 10 - WEEK 13

1. Progression of Brand Guideline - Indesign

1.1 Progression - Version 1 - Draft

In crafting the initial version of my brand guideline, I collated all necessary content and commenced arranging their approximate positions. Subsequently, I iteratively adjusted these elements to enhance the overall layout, aiming for a more appealing and organized appearance.

The design process faced several challenges, including limited documentation of development and an over-reliance on initial sketches, which hindered the clarity and depth of the final concept. The brand positioning slides lacked refinement, and the use of color block backgrounds failed to present content effectively. Additionally, there was insufficient understanding of the targeted audience and missing visual references for environmental graphics. The final artwork was inconsistent, relying on poor-quality mockups that didn't accurately reflect the brand identity. The overuse of typefaces disrupted visual coherence, particularly in the typesetting of the brand name, leading to a weak and incoherent brand identity throughout the project.













Version 1 (Before Feedback)


1.2 Progression in  Indesign - Improvement


















Version 2 (After Feedback)


1.3 Interactive

I added a navigation bar in the upper right corner of almost every side, with buttons for contents table, Chapter 1-Brand Profile, Chapter 2-Visual Guideline and Chapter 3-Brand Applications. There is a small graphic below, which is extracted from my logo. It is also a button that can navigate to the first page, which is the homepage. Then on the table of contents page, the subtitles attached to each title can also be navigated to the corresponding page. Therefore, whenever you want to repeatedly view the previous corresponding page, you can press the Contents button in the upper right corner to return to the table of contents, and then directly click on the attached page you want to go to in the table of contents.




WEEK 13

Final Submission - Task 4 - Brand Guideline

1. Final Submission - Thumbnail - JPEG

2. Final Submission - Thumbnail - PDF



3. Final Submission - Brand Guideline - PDF (Interactive)



4. Final Submission - Brand Guideline - JPEG





































5. Final Submission - Published Online



Reflection

Experience
This semester has been a transformative period, introducing me to the complexities and rewards of book creation. At first, I struggled to align my illustrations with a coherent theme. However, I discovered a creative solution by focusing on plant growth as a metaphor for my story, which highlighted my strength in botanical illustration. The process of solving layout challenges and carefully selecting fonts taught me the value of structure and design harmony.

One of the most rewarding moments was holding the physical book in my hands—a tangible representation of my hard work. Crafting imagery and graphic elements that aligned with the brand's essence required patience and precision, but the result was a unified and polished final piece. Exploring interactive PDF capabilities was equally exciting, adding depth to my understanding of design possibilities. Despite limited feedback, I gained valuable insights and found motivation to keep improving.

Observation
Precision stood out as a cornerstone of the production process, with tasks like cutting and folding requiring attention to detail to avoid costly rework. I also observed the vital role of illustrations in enriching content—they don’t just complement the narrative but deepen understanding and imagination. Choosing the right font emerged as another crucial element, shaping the book's tone and maintaining readability.

I noticed that simplistic content can be deceptively challenging to design effectively. Uniformity in content risks creating monotonous layouts, but subtle design elements and thoughtful arrangements can make a big difference. The introduction of interactive features, such as navigation buttons in PDFs, demonstrated how simple techniques could transform the user experience, bridging the gap between traditional and digital mediums.

Findings
Participating in every stage of this project was an incredibly fulfilling experience. Unlike previous projects that remained in the digital realm, this one allowed me to see the physical impact of my design decisions. Holding the finished book validated the importance of considering every detail, from material choices to final touches.

Harmonizing different painting styles was a major challenge that pushed my creativity. The lack of cohesion in some illustrations underscored the need for consistency, prompting me to refine my approach. I also learned the importance of aligning text and visuals to create a seamless and engaging narrative.

Working with layouts was a journey of trial and discovery. I realized that incorporating full-page imagery before text not only enhances the brand’s essence but also creates an emotional connection that resonates with the content. This experience expanded my perspective on storytelling through design, showing me how small details can make a big impact.


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