Publishing Design - Task 1 Exercises

03 / 05 / 2025 — 19 / 03 / 2025 (Week 01 — Week 07)

Jing Keyao / 0370732
GCD 61404 / Publishing Design / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Task 1 / Exercises

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures

2. Instructions

3. Exercises

    · Text Formatting

    · Mock-up Making

    · Signature Folding Systems (8 + 8 = 16)

    · Classical Grid Structure

    · Determining Grids

    · Form & Movement Exercises

4. Reflection

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LECTURES

Format

Key elements of the format:

1. Type of binding

2. Type of paper

3. Size

Iran - Iraq = Mesopotamian civilization

    · First writing systems evolved from accounting tools.

    · Used clay tokens and tablets (~8000–2400 BCE).

    · Early examples show organization and spatial divisions.

Egypt = Ancient Egyptian civilization

    · Scribes used hieroglyphics written on walls, papyrus (layered paper from papyrus plant)

    · Due to the dry climate, some papyrus documents survived.

    · Two writing styles: Hieroglyphics (slow, pictorial), Hieratic script (faster, cursive resembles early Arabic)

India - Paskitan - Afghanistan = Indus Valley civilization

    · Used cuneiform on clay tablets (~2600–1500 BCE).

    · Later formats included palm leaf manuscripts:

        - Scratched text into leaf, then rubbed with soot for visibility.

        - Degradation due to humid climate = poor preservation.

        - Relied heavily on oral traditions due to ephemeral formats.

China = Han Chinese civilization

    · Material used: Early use of bamboo strips tied with strings to form books; later     development of paper from mulberry bark and other plant fibers by Cai Lun around 105 CE.

    · Writing system: Chinese script was well established and often used in official records and scholarly works.

    · Format innovation: Scrolls were common before books.

    · The invention of paper revolutionized record-keeping and book-making.

    · Technological impact: Chinese invention of woodblock printing led to mass production of texts long before Europe.

Europe (Turkey & beyond) = European civilization

    Early writing materials:

        - Parchment and vellum (animal skins) used widely before paper.

        - Scrolls, then codices (book format) became the norm.

    Medieval period:

        - Monks in monasteries responsible for copying texts by hand.

        - Books were rare, labor-intensive to make.

        - Decorative elements: Illuminated manuscripts with gold, colored inks.

    Printing revolution:

        - Gutenberg press (1440 CE) introduced movable type printing in Germany.

        - Allowed for mass production of books – major turning point in publishing history.

        - Led to increased literacy, spread of scientific and religious texts (e.g., Bible, Martin Luther’s writings).

Content & Format:

    - Standardized layouts emerged.

    - Format adapted to include indexes, chapters, margins, page numbers.

    - Emphasis on legibility, organization.

Innovation follow technology

    · New technology opens doors to new formats and creativity.

    · Example: Apple Macintosh led to the development of digital typefaces.

    · Staying updated with tech = more opportunities for innovation in design.

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INSTRUCTION

Module Information Booklet

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EXERCISES

Ex.1: Text Formatting

For the first exercise, Ms.Vitiyaa taught us how to set up a document for text formatting. We were also instructed to format the texts from the 3,000-word write-ups generated by the content.

Fig 3.1 Exercise 1 (PDF)

Ex.2: Mock-up Making

For exercise 2, I watched the tutorial video from Mr Vinod about testing three different book sizes for our book. After deciding on the size, we cut out the paper into the chosen size in class.

Fig 3.2 Exercise 2-  Testing sizes

Fig 3.2.2 Exercise 2- Final Book Sizing (245*180mm) 

Ex.3: Signature Folding Systems (8 + 8 = 16)

Fig 3.3 Exercise 3- Placing Page Numbers (Both Sides)

Fig 3.3.2 Exercise 3- Cut edges with stapled binding

Ex.4: Classical Grid Structure

In Exercise 4, we were instructed to watch another tutorial video from Mr. Vinod on how to draw a Van de Graaff generator on paper and how to set a manual grid from this grid structure.

Fig 3.4 Exercise 4- Van De Graff (Paper)

After the first try on paper, we moved to Adobe InDesign to create a digital grid using the same method. 

Fig 3.4.2 Exercise 4- Van De Graff (PDF)

Ex.5: Determining Grids

Ex.6: Form & Movement Exercises

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REFELCTION