25/09/17 - 30/10/17 (Week 5 - Week 9)
Vinessa Lucia (0328421)
Publishing II : Mass Communication
Project 2 : The Book (Layout & Final Mockup)
Vinessa Lucia (0328421)
Publishing II : Mass Communication
Project 2 : The Book (Layout & Final Mockup)
Lecture 3 (Week 5)
Typography Redux
Typography is the basis understanding for graphic designers, typography is the art of arranging and composing text, it is a medium for expression and communication.In book design, the understanding and sense developed will play a crucial role. Small capitals examples includes : Georgia, Adobe Caslon
Numerals :
- Lowercase numerals : small numerals (georgia, adobe calson pro, minion pro)
- Uppercase numerals : big numerals
Hyphen : Up-To-Date
Em Dash : (the distance of a long dash is as long as the m, but the distance of a short dash is half of m)
Ligature : ff fl is where the top curve of a letter hits another letter
Weights in a typefaces
- Light
- Light italic
- Regular
- Regular italic
- Etc
Legibility
It needs to be able to be readable, making sure everything is insync, the first step in making type legible, is to choose the correct typeface, choose a typeface also know the history, also to choose it to look at the x-height, also opened and proportionate.
2 types of underline : underline that goes across the whole sentence and underline under every word. A good underline is an underline that is under the word, not fully going across it.
Typography No's :
- Stretching
- Outline text (1pt, never exceed 1 pt)
- Shadow
Text that is well read is achieved by a harmonious relationship exist between type size, line length, and spaces between lines of types. In one paragraph 50-60 characters, when you read across if it exceeds more than that, it will be very long. After choosing point size we will know the leading and spacing of it, subtext and body text, the leading must be the same. Normal size (general size): : 8-12/8-11 pt
Reading documents needs to be handheld, the maximum length is your hand, so it must be readable by that long.
Point size 9, the leading should be 12, paragraph space 24. You indicate a paragraph spacing by having an indent. Don’t use widows and orphans ( one liners in the next or previous columns)
Drop caps : never exceed 3 lines, make sure that the line length is too short.
The side bar must have the same leading and spacing as the body text
Lecture 4 (Week 6)
The Grid
El lissitzky, Jan Tschichold, Paul Renner, etc. That wrote down their thoughts and articulated based on your experiments. The designers work should have a mathematically way of thinking, towards using the grid system. It is not necessary that the grids have to be in a certain way, the grid is used by most designers to arrange a visual, to be a coherent and functional manner, in an effective way, yet also visually pleasing also in a very intellectual way. As a designer you have to also put yourself in the reader's perspective, to be able to understand the reader's perspective, if it doesn’t engage the readers it is no use.The grid is modular in nature, you have to forget that the grid is a jail, the grid is actually full of flexibility. The variation must have a limit.A content page is the nerve center for your navigation, because it's very important for the book. The grid is a constructive artwork, just like a hidden structure behind a beautiful architectural building. Behind every good design is a good grid system.
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
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.
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Due to time constraints 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.
However should you wish to try a different binding method you may do so with the
permission of your lecturer.
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You will need to adapt a suitable grid system, choose a fitting font and create an attractive
layout in InDesign.
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Your choice of colour must compliment 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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Final book mock-up in actual size and on the selected paper along with a complete
thumbnail print out of all the pages.
Objectives
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To develop students ability to arrange various elements attractively in a book.
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To develop students ability to create a suitable grid system that allows them flexibility.
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To develop students ability to integrate text and visuals attractively.
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To develop students ability to maintain a consistent identity with acceptable variation.
- To develop students ability to use colour appropriately; supportive or dynamic.
Progress
First we were task to come out with a few layouts for our book, according to the book size that we've chosen.
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| fig 1. Grid 1 |
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| fig 2. Grid 2 (My chosen Grid system) |
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| fig 3. Grid 3 |
Then we were asked to pick a few typeface combinations for the text in our book. I decided on a combination of Adobe Caslon pro for the body text, and Franklin Gothic Std for the title.
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| fig 4. Euphemia UCAS and Gill Sans |
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| fig 5. Orator Std and Avenir Next Condensed |
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| fig 6. Letter Gothic Std and Bell Gothic Std |
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| fig 7. Franklin Gothic Std and Adobe Caslon Pro (My choice of font) |
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| fig 8. body text layout ideas |
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| fig 9. 4 columns spacing ideas |
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| fig 10. mixture of visual and layout ideas |
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| fig 11. sub text ideas |
Then after a few trials, here are the thumbnails and layout ideas that i came up with, within these layouts the visuals have changes, but the layout overall remains the same concept from the first visuals.
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| fig 12. black and white thumbnail (old visuals) |
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| fig 13. black and white thumbnails (revised visuals) |
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| fig 14. colour thumbnails (final visuals) pt 1 |
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| fig 15. colour thumbnails (final visuals) pt 2 |
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| fig 16. black and white mockup (cover) |
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| fig 17. black and white mockup (contents page revisions) |
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| fig 18. black and white mockup (first chapter revision) |
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| fig 19. black and white mockup (chapter 2 revision) |
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| fig 20. black and white mockup (back cover) |
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| fig 21. coloured mock up (cover page) |
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| fig 22. coloured mock up (contents page) |
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| fig 23. coloured mock up (introduction page) |
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| fig 24. coloured mock up (chapter 1 page) |
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| fig 25. coloured mock up (back cover) |
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| fig 26. Black and White Thumbnails pt 1 |
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| fig 27. Black and White Thumbnails pt 2 |
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| fig 28. Coloured Thumbnails (final) pt1 |
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| fig 29. Coloured Thumbnails (final) pt 2 |
Then i went on to explore the book covers, and the possibility of the covers, using graphics and different colours
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| fig 30. Book Cover (trial 1) |
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| fig 31. Book Cover (trial 2) |
So this is my final book cover spread, its similar to the second trial, but with a different colour tone, and a bit, more simplistic.
Final Submission
This submission is online, and consist of 9 spreads (excluding the cover) that i think are my best spreads, with a pdf file for the actual online version of this printed book, and pictures of the printed book itself.
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| fig 32. Final book cover |
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| fig 33. introduction page |
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| fig 34. chapter 1 page |
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| fig 35. chapter 1 (middle section) |
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| fig 36. chapter 1 (end section) |
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| fig 37. chapter 2 page |
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| fig 38. chapter 2 (middle section) |
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| fig 39. chapter 2 (end section) |
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| fig 40. chapter 3 page |
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| fig 41. chapter 3 (end page) |
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| fig 42. cover (book pictures) |
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| fig 43. chapter 1 page (book pictures) |
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| fig 44. chapter 2 page (book picture) |
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| fig 45. chapter 3 (book picture) |
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| fig 46. back cover (book picture) |
Feedback
(Week 5)
Specific feedback
Visuals : are not pleasing, it lacks in impact and is not eye catching, it would seems like just a bunch of photos threw together and mix into one, instead of utilising elements to make a visual. Also its not abstract enough and would be better to redo. Typefaces & fonts : need to work on it, don't use similar typefaces, but use a mix of serif and san serif would more likely work.
General feedback
"The visuals must have a sense of impact, its there not to represent your book in a direct manner, the project was catered to be personal to you, and thats why its your choice to make a visual as creative as it can be." -Mr.Vinod
"The visuals must have a sense of impact, its there not to represent your book in a direct manner, the project was catered to be personal to you, and thats why its your choice to make a visual as creative as it can be." -Mr.Vinod
(Week 6)
Specific feedback
Visuals : need to change colour and also not make it to simetrical, pay attention to the usage of the colors, to also compliment the text, not to make it look unpleasing. Layout : keep the consistancy and also arrange the text so that it compliments nicely with the visuals
General feedback
"you all must work quick, to get all of this done by week 7, because the E-book is going to need a lot of time to experiment on, work fast and work hard, so you don't make it more difficult for yourself during the e-book process"-Mr Vinod
(Week 7)
Specific feedback
Visuals : much better, good usage of colours. But it still needs improvements on the graphics, also layout wise its good (he told me to let him see the bookmockup before mid break) and his comments was that the cover needed some work.
General feedback
the exercise : remember that the movement of the shapes must have a story to it, and it must have a dynamic when we see it, there must be a constant movement, with readership in mind, treat that shape as a layout for your book. Book : you all have to start the e-book, remember that for the e-book you have to pay attention to how the readers can read it.
(Week 8)
Specific feedback
Visuals : visually this book, eventhough the visuals have been improving, but the visual are not strong enough, although the layout overall has a flow and has a journey about where the layout starts and where it ends, also the play of colours with the layout matches. mockup : inverse the colour of the visuals, maybe it will work better, don't use white as a cover colour, the book could get dirty easy, also get very yellow. e-book : try to make some animations and also the animation doesn't have to be very suttle, but it could be a bit more experimentive.
General feedback
By layout wise, everyone's layout looks very similar, there is no you, yourself within this layout, the only thing left about yourself is in the visualsny, but the layout doesn't say anything.
Reflections
(Week 5)
Experience
Since last week was tough, and my visuals weren't pleasing, i decided to change styles more to a messy crayon texture feel, hopefully it will pay of, because i really don't get abstract art, it is so far from how i normally design things.
Observation
I observed that i was trying to hard to design something that i maybe am not that familiar or even not that explorative enough of the style i was trying to use
Findings
I found that some of my friends choose illustration, some of them choose more abstract style, but basically most of them were also not that familiar with abstract.
(Week 6)
Experience
This week i was still changing my visuals, it wasn't really a good time to change it anymore, but still it really wasn't the best time to still be changing and also to do the layouting with the visuals still changing, so then it was very hard to manage.
Observation
I observed that i started working very quickly on the layouting part of this project, and it turns out that my layout are not to bad, even though its kinda hard for me to work within grids, but i manage, and yeay i guess i can say that the layouting process of this project wasn't as long as the visuals.
Findings
I found that my friends were starting to get tired going through all of this process, we are half way and we're basically almost done with the printed version of our book, but i guess we all just started falling sick and tired.
(Week 7)
Experience
Since this was the last week before i went for the London trip, i tried to finish my black and white mockup for consultation on Wednesday instead of Friday, but on the day i actually didn't get much feedback, also my cover was literally a mess, although i push through i'm still not proud of the book visuals.
Observation
I observed that i was basically giving up on the visuals, and i really don't have anymore time to fix it or even to change it again, i observed that i was so pissed on myself for not being able to do my works especially these visuals as the best as i can.
Findings
I found that some of my friends were also struggling on other parts, some of thee parts like layouts, the visuals too, even still on fonts, even though this semester seems to be less pressured, but it really is harder.
(Week 8)
Experience
This week, i came back from london already with a jetlag, and showing the class the final mockup before printing the actual one, and still i was super disappointed in my visuals, even though my layout was pretty okay.
Observation
I observed that i was just going to move on from the visuals, because i was already disappointed, but there is basically nothing else i can do and i just feel that i just have to do better on the e-book.
Findings
I found out that my friends were also tired and basically bored already about the work, and it was getting to a point where we're just all tired.
Book of the week
(Week 5)
Because during this week i was in a bit of a pickle when doing the layouts, so i actually went and got a more visual book instead of layouts and grids, but anyway this book is also very good, it tells about how much print making as evolve.
This book has a lot of information regarding "print terms" how the terms are used in publishing, it includes the terms, the naming, definition and also how it applies to the application that we use for developing the prints.
This book shows how different types of books uses different types of layouts, it shows how to incorporate the layouts with the visuals that surrounds it. The book also has a few design principles such as hierarchy, balance, proximity, rhythm, pattern, texture, scale and so much more.
This book gears more towards publication rather than layouts, but its okay, this book is very unique, the chapters in it are separated based on the process of the publication, starting from the graphics on the computer, up until the finishing and binding.
Book of the week
(Week 5)
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| fig 47. Printmaking (A Contemporary Perspective) |
From something that is more abstract into something that is still abstract, yet the visual impact that it has is so much more, i learn that back then the colour on print making, weren't that vibrant and were not as popping as they are today.
(Week 6)
This book doesn't really have much words, or text. in it, its more of a layout book, where the book shows examples of different types of layouts, it has so many interesting layouts, as to some of the principles of layouts.
(Week 6)
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| fig 48. Page Unlimited |
It also shows how you could differentiate layouts, not only by directions or alignments, but also by the colour, to give it a sense of hierarchy, this book also shows how different types of prints could effect the layouts, such as the difference between book layouts and magazine layouts, and so and so.
(Week 7)
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| fig 49. A Guide to Layout, Design & Publication |
Besides that, this book also includes a little background into the publishing world, like there is a part of the book that talks about the innovations in newspaper design, how digitally printed newspapers started in Australia and went along to Thailand.
(Week 8)
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| fig 50. Exploring Publication Design |
Each of these principles are defined and explained, also shown examples of how to use those principles into the practices, because i really like type, in the section of type, there is an example of how typography is used also as an imagery, and how it works with the layout.
(Week 9)
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| fig 51. A Guide to Graphic Print Production |
Picture References
Figure 1-7. Personal Documentation
Figure 8-11. www.pinterest.com
Figure 12-51. Personal Documentation