Publishing Design - Task 2 Content Generation

2th April 2026 (Week 1)  -  10th June 2026 (Week 8)

Publishing Design - Section 02

Insha Thahirah Rajab - 0360671

Bachelor's Degree  in Creative Media (Honors) - Taylors University

Task 2 - Content Generation

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CONTENTS

Lectures

Instructions

Exercises

References

Feedback

Reflection

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LECTURES

Lecture playlist: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZk01iRkmnlVoh5JiLUcvAl4bitcW4xB2

Week 4

The Grid

Raster System: The grid divides a two-dimensional plane into smaller fields or a three dimensional space into smaller compartments. The fields of compartments may be same or different in size.

Figure 1.0 Example of a Grid

Purpose of a grid

Used for solving visual problems in two or three dimensions. By arranging the surface and spaces in the form of a grid ,the designer is placed to arrange his texts, photographs and diagrams.

Modular: The grid is modular by nature, allowing flexibility.

Readability & Legibility: It helps make the user experience seamless and is like a hidden framework behind a beautifully constructed architecture.

Week 5

A publication consists of 3 major elements: 

1. Type 

2. Colour 

3. Image

Try not to fall into the trap of predictability. 

Variation: Creative use of elements to shuffle content while also being consistent. In the end will be a sequence of layouts that delivers a surprise at every turn of the page.

Try not to be predictable and surprise the reader at every turn.

Figure 1.1 Example of Variation with consistency

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INSTRUCTIONS

Figure 1.2 Module Information Booklet (PDF), Week 1(15/04/2026)

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TASK

Timeframe: Week 01 – Week 04

Deadline: Week 05

Description: In this project you will be asked to create and design a book of 32 pages that is smaller than A4 but bigger than A5. Your task will be to:

• 1. (1 week) Write 3000 words (English/Malay) on any subject that you are familiar with, for example: yourself, your family, someone who inspires you, your hometown, or an experience or an idea/belief that you feel strongly about, etc. The text content must be divided into 3 chapters minimum, it must also have 3/4/5 subtexts (sidebars) and one caption per chapter. You have 1 week for this. You can also choose to obtain the text from a source, which you will credit or solicit a real job from a client that falls roughly within the parameters mentioned above.
• 2. (3 Weeks) Identify 16 areas in your written text for visualization, you may use any medium that is suitable for your topic/direction, for example: illustration, photography or mix-media. You have 3 weeks for this (after completing your 3000 words).
  

As you proceed through the stages of the project you will be given exercises (Task 1) that will help prepare you for the following or the current stages of the project. Task 2 must be finished within 4–5 weeks.

Requirements:

Laptop, Adobe Creative Suite, E-portfolio (Blogspot), Gmail Ac, Facebook Ac, etc.

Submission:

• E-portfolio: All gathered information (failures, successes, epiphanies, sketches, visual research, printouts, websites, images, charts, etc.) must be documented logically and chronologically in the eportfolio for the duration of the task in one post.
• E-portfolio: All images/sketches/diagrams/scans must be captured/photographed/scanned well with good, even, natural light, without shado

1. Content Generation

This was my final text formatting for "The Voices That Speak Most".

Figure 1.3 Text Formatting (PDF), Week 3(06/05/2026)

Afterwards, I highlighted parts of the document that I was focusing on visualizing into images. This was the result:

Figure 1.4 Text Formatting with highlighted text (PDF), Week 3(06/05/2026)

2. Moodboard

It was then time to start planning for the visual aesthetic I want to achieve in my book. I compiled my reference images and inspiration on canva.

Figure 1.5 Moodboard on Canva (PDF), Week 4(14/05/2026)

2. 16 Visuals

I used photoshop to create my visuals. I used a combination of editing and image layering to create the desired outcomes. 

There were a few designs that didn't make the cut:

Figure 1.6 Rejected Visuals, Week 5(22/05/2026)

I made sure to save images that convey the message of each highlighted text, then heavily manipulate these images. 

These were my final chosen images:

Figure 1.7 Visual 1, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 1.8 Visual 2, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 1.9 Visual 3, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.0 Visual 4, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.1 Visual 5, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.2 Visual 6, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.3 Visual 7, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.4 Visual 8, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.5 Visual 9, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.6 Visual 10, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.7 Visual 11, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.8 Visual 12, Week 6(27/05/2026)

Figure 2.9 Thumbnail Visuals 20 pages, Week 6(27/05/2026

This was my PDF combination of my visuals:

Figure 3.0 Final 16 Visuals (PDF), Week 6(30/05/2026)

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FEEDBACK

Week 1

General Feedback: Come up with mood boards for visuals, typography, layout, colour palette etc. Think about what you want your 16 visuals to look like, they need to be stunning, and keep readers hooked to your work. Do not use literal artworks/ illustrations, go for a more observational approach.  

Week 2

General Feedback: Identify visual references if you have not already done so. Create your visuals (3-5). To create good visuals you must have many trial runs before being able to achieve good quality visuals. It is not easy. Work early, do many, get a hang of it, then finalize and create. 

Week 3

Specific Feedback: For your visuals, look at your strongest piece and develop it further. Create a colour palette to help guide your visual direction. Narrow down your visual references based on the visual you already created, and stick to a more specific approach that makes sense to your topic.

 

Week 5

Specific Feedback: Finish up your visuals by this week MAXIMUM, and speed it up to work on your layouts. If your pictures feel low quality, try to include grain or noise to balance it out. If it still feels low, there is nothing else you can do for this.

General Feedback: Make sure all your visuals are done by this week. Confirm your chosen typefaces and present them in a digestible format, and explore grid layouts in our free time. You have to be done with your task 1 by now, and working on your Task 2. Show all 16 visuals in a thtumbnail format and present to me for approval. Afterwards, block out your layout styles for chapter one but dont include the visuals yet, just colour blocks. Focus on the text.

Week 6

Specific Feedback: Ok. Visuals are fine, continue. Your layout references are going to be very critical to what you’re doing here. They need to be compatible and or reflect the type of imagery you’re using. You can show me your layout references, so that I can understand your potential direction. References gives you cues on the typeface, margin and manner of organization.

General Feedback: Update W5's Google feedback sheet (if any). 2  Update your E-portfolio for Task 3A: Format size; Grid options; type specimen sheet. 1st pg. till the 1st chapter and the subsequent evolutions in JPEG, 300PPI. This must be approved before continuing to design the other chapters. Final layouts (32 pgs. + 4 cover) in thumbnail JPEG and PDF, and in full size PDF and selected spreads in JPEGs (jpeg=300ppi). Only after 1st pg till the end of 1st chapter has been approved. Task 3A: Print BW mock-up and then final colour with actual paper. Use 80-90gsm paper inside and 120gsm+ paper for cover. Only when all pages in your book have been approved.

Week 7

Specific Feedback: Ok, so for your design, you're making the chapter title known to your readers, but if you're taking this approach, you need to keep your titles in the footer, and make sure it aligns with your page numbering. Also ensuring all title fonts follow the same format, including your chapter titles and main titles. For the cover page, never design it alongside your facing pages, that is to be designed separately. Make sure your half title and full title are placed on the exact same location in each page. Paste in place. You also have a lot of white space you need to look into, however, I like how you've put your images down.

General Feedback: -

Week 8

Specific Feedback: -

General Feedback: 1. Take note that class will be online this week (10/6): Zoom as per the usual time (8-12). 2. Please ensure that all your thumbnails are ready for me to check so that we can move on to the next chapters. Right now, unless your 1st page to the end of 1st chapter has been approved you, you should only be showing me "1st page to the end of 1st chapter". If your 1st page to the end of 1st chapter has been approved I would have given you the green light to move on to the second chapter. 3. There is absolutely NO time to lose. All visual work must be completed before tomorrow's class. 4. Task 2 e-portfolio must be finished and updated so that we can determine the deadline for submission tomorrow. 5. For those who have completed their chapters, you can print your actual size BW mockup.

Week 9

Specific Feedback: Add your chapter titles, make sure they're noticeable. Pages 22-23 need better layout, the text is not aligned with one another. Finish up to chapter 3 and show me. 

General Feedback: W9 PLEASE SEE ME TOMORROW

I will be at E1.08 from 8-2pm General 

 

 

 

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REFLECTION

Experience: Task 2 was fun, experimental and helped me channel my inner creativity. Classes were crucial to gain feedback, as through work and creation, critique helped strengthen many creative choices. I found this extremely intuitive and fun, creating visuals was frustrating yet satisfying, it was nice to watch my words and visions come to love with each manipulation.

Observations: While observing past pupil's books, I was able to understand the structure of the book to follow, and apply this onto my own work. I also looked at various layout references on Pinterest, studied how many columns they had and the way to place text. I observed the ways in which books place their text and images, and found ways to feel more like my own work.

Findings: With my findings, I was able to make a mood board full of inspiration and this helped me capture a mental image of what I want my images to look like. This guided me on selecting the right images to manipulate. I found various YouTube videos on grids and guides, studying the basic grids and understanding how to implement them in my book.

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FURTHER READING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9Hoo322QD4

https://www.designspiration.com/save/3271531907308/

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