Publishing Design

 2th April 2026 (Week 1)  -  April 2026 (Week 4)

Publishing Design - Section 02

Insha Thahirah Rajab - 0360671

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

Task 2 - Exercises

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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 1 

Formats (1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yIKjsMPfjs&list=PLZk01iRkmnlVoh5JiLUcvAl4bitcW4xB2&index=1

This semester, the main publication that is focused on is the Book, due to its historical significance. Other forms of publishing include: Magazine, Newspaper, Catalogues etc.

The Book

- Medium to record documents transmit ideas, knowledge, records, history and so much more.

Requires knowledge in: 

• Typography
• Layouts
• Sense of Space
• Eye for Details
• Good Publishing Software

Factors that influence and determine the format of a book:

• Size (of reader, ie: Child, Adult etc)/ Age Group
• Type of Binding
• Type of Paper (ie: Thickness)
• Type/ Amount of Content

Historical Formats

• Iran-Iraq = Mesopotamian civilization

Figure 1.0 Mesopotamian civilization, Week 1(15/04/26)

• India-Pakistan-Afghanistan = Indus Valley civilization

Figure 1.1 Indus Valley civilization, Week 1(15/04/2026)

• Egypt = Ancient Egyptian civilization

Figure 1.2 Ancient Egypt civilization, Week 1(15/04/2026)

• China = Han Chinese civilization

Figure 1.3 Han Chinese civilization, Week 1(15/04/2026)

• Europe (Turkey & beyond ) = European civilization

Figure 1.4 European civilization, Week 1(15/04/2026)

Week 2

History of Print (2)*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfbaIbhUHJM&list=PLZk01iRkmnlVoh5JiLUcvAl4bitcW4xB2&index=2

This lecture focuses on the history of print, mainly because of the evolution we have withstood to come this far.

History of Print

The emperor of China commanded in AD 175 that thesix mainx classics of Confucianism be carved in stone. Confucianism scholars eager to own these texts laid sheets of paper on the slabs andrubbedb charcoal all over them, taking away a text in white letters on a black background.

Figure 1.5 Brass Rubbing, Week 2(24/04/2026)

Korea & Japan

Printing was invented by Buddhiststs in East Asia. The earliest known printed document is a sutra printed on a single sheet of paper in Korea in AD 750. Closely followed by Japan by a bold experiment in mass circulation in which many have survived. 

First Printed book

(AD 868): Diamond Sutra; 16 feet long and a foot high.

Chinese Publishing

(10th to 11th century): Printing from wooden blocks.

Movable Type

(from the 11th century): Separate ready-made characters with pottery, which can be arranged in the correct order for a text and then reused.

Type Foundry in Korea

(c. 1830): The Koreans establish a foundry to make movable type in bronze, which is strong for repeated printing, dismantling, and resetting for a new text.

Saints and Playing Cards

(Ad c.1400): The Main market is holy images for sale to pilgrims.

Gutenberg & Western Printing 

(AD 1439-1457): The name first appears in a law case in Strasbourg in 1439. One of his developments is a printing press.

The world's largest book

Stands upright, set in stone on the grounds of the Kuthodaw Pagoda at the foot of Mandalay Hilll in Mandalay, Myanmar.

Figure 1.5 World's Largest Book, Week 2(24/04/2026)

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INSTRUCTIONS

Figure 1.6 Module Information Booklet (PDF), Week 1(15/04/2026)

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EXERCISES 

Timeframe: Week 01 – Week 07 

Deadline: Week 08 

Description: Throughout the beginning and the middle of the semester, exercises will be prescribed at various phases of the module. These exercises will aid and benefit you in your quest to gain theoretical and practical knowledge in book design that will inform you whilst completing various phases of the module’s tasks. 

All exercises prescribed are to be completed and documented (labelled, clean, clear & concise) in your e-portfolio. Please note that Task 1 will run concurrently with Task 2.

The exercises are as follows:

1) Text formatting* 

2) Mock-up making 

3) Signature folding systems (8+8=16) 

4) Classical Grid structure

 *For text formatting, use the 3000 words in Task 2 and format it as shown in the example pdf provided.

Prepare:

 

• A3 (16 sheets) Paper**

• Large rubber band & Stapler (large)

• Adhesive Tape (masking, sellotape, scotch)

• Steel Ruler (16" if you have)

• Cutter

• Pencil, Pens, markers

 

**For the A3 paper, recycle paper is also fine. 

EXERCISE 1 - Signature Folding systems

For this exercise, we used 1 A2 sheet of paper which we folded 3 times in half to create an signature structure to form a book.

Figure 1.7 A3 paper, folded 3 times, Week 1(22/04/2026)

Next, we folded them together to create a mini book, following an almost  similar layout style for a zine.

Figure 1.7 Signature Unfolded book format, Week 1(22/04/2026)

         

Afterwards, we had to number the pages, to understand how this signature folding looks like unfolded.

Figure 1.8 Numbered Folded book format, Week 1(22/04/2026)

This is what it looks like unfolded:

Figure 2.0 Numbered Unfolded book format #2, Week 1(22/04/2026)

The next move was binding. For this simple folding style, we decided to staple down and cut off all excess borders.

The sample book was complete and the signature folding style was used to do so:

Figure 2.1 Book format folding style, Week 1(22/04/2026)

Afterwards we trimmed the corners to create a fully functional book, with turning pages. 

Figure 2.2 Signature Folding System (GIF), Week 2(29/05/2026)

EXERCISE 2 - Text Formatting

For exercise 2, at home, we had to format 3000 words of text to be published in a book format. It should Include 3 chapters, text, subtext, pull-quotes, and other details as per example provided below:

Figure 2.2 Text Formatting Example (PDF), Week 1(15/04/2026)

This was my draft attempts for my writing and planning:

Figure 2.3 Text Formatting Draft(PDF), Week 1(15/04/2026)

This was my final text formatting for "The Voices That Speak Most". It included the cover page, Introduction, Chapters and References.

Figure 2.4 Text Formatting (PDF), Week 3(06/05/2026)

EXERCISE 3 - Van De Graff & Classical Grid Structure

For this exercise, we started off learning the Van De Graff structure: a combination of geometry and logic used to create margins for bookmaking back in the day. 

We decided to apply this mathematical concept onto our inDesign book format, following the measurements chosen by us for our final book:

Figure 2.5 Van De Graff structure, Week 1(22/04/2026)

Using this grid structure, we are able to get the margins for our border by looking at where the lines intersect:

Figure 2.6 Van De Graff structure for margins, Week 1(22/04/202

Columns can also be applied to this:

Figure 2.7 Van De Graff structure with Margins and Columns, Week 1(22/04/2026)

These were the measurements used for the final margins and columns:

Figure 2.8 Van De Graff structure with Margins and Columns (Settings), Week 1(22/04/2026)

Using the Van De Graff structure, we added our text from our publication. Here's the output:

Figure 2.9 Van De Graff Exercise using formatted text, Week 2(29/04/2026)

PDF of the Van De Graff Exercise:

Figure 3.0 Van De Graff Exercise (PDF), Week 2(29/04/2026)

Afterwards, we had to create more variations, include a quotation, an image, and some subtext. We were allowed to play around with a few fonts and colours. Here are a few layouts i made, each respectively following the Van De Graff system:

Figure 3.1 Van De Graff with Text Formatting #1, Week 2(29/04/2026)

Figure 3.2 Van De Graff with Text Formatting #2, Week 2(29/04/2026)

Figure 3.3 Van De Graff with Text Formatting #3, Week 2(29/04/2026)

Figure 3.4 Van De Graff with Text Formatting #4, Week 2(29/04/2026)

Figure 3.5 Van De Graff with Text Formatting #5, Week 2(29/04/2026)

Figure 3.6 Van De Graff with Text Formatting #6, Week 2(29/04/2026)

Here is a PDF version, without the guides:

Figure 3.7 Van De Graff Exercise with Text Formatting(PDF), Week 2(29/04/2026)

EXERCISE 4 - Mock-up Making

For the mock-up making, we had to start off by taking measurements. It had to be smaller than an A3 size, but bigger than A5 sizing. This was the measurements I decided to go for, after many revisions (162mm x 237mm):

Figure 3.8 Mock-up Measurements Week 2(29/04/2026)

Next we made a simple mock-up folding of this measurements, to feel how it would be as a book. Turning the pages, holding it, a physical copy helps envision the final book (also taking margins and cutting into consideration).

Figure 3.9 Folded Paper Book Mock-up with measurements Week 2(29/04/2026)

Using these dimensions, we were told to create a bbook. I used rubber band for my binding and a different colour paper for the cover page:

Figure 4.0 Final Book Mock-up (Closed), Week 3(07/04/2026)

Figure 4.1 Final Book Mock-up (Open), Week 3(07/04/2026)

Figure 4.2 Final Book Mock-up, Single Page Mock-up, and Measurement Guide, Week 3(11/04/2026)

Here is a GIF of me flipping through the book mock-up:

Figure 4.3 Final Book Mock-up (GIF), Week 3(07/04/2026)

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FEEDBACK

Week 1

Specific Feedback: -

General Feedback: Make sure to write 3000 words by next class, you can use Ai or come up with a topic that is close to you. Try to make your book mockup at home. 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. Try to play around with different layouts, but make sure its consistent and makes sense. Also, brush up on what we learnt in typography and make sure to apply these concepts.

Week 2

Specific Feedback: The number of characters per line can vary from 45-65 depending on what is required. Use left justification instead of full justification, so your lines can feel clean and justified. 

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. Complete lecture 2. Go to your preferences and ensure your kerning is set at 5. Ensures your visuals are not literal but includes conceptualization in a broader way. Come up with mood boards for visuals, typography, layout, colour palette etc.

Week 3

Specific Feedback: You need to finish your mock-up, the sizing is good, just add the rest of the pages and gently cut with a blade for the edges. Afterwards, finalize a type and font pairings you wish to use, use a generator online if it helps. For your visuals, look at your strongest piece and develop it further. Create a colour palette to help guide your visual direction. Play around with grids. Try to finalize a direction for your book, and its layout/ grids. 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. I think you need to experiment more and decide on your draft. Look at European, German, Swiss style layouts if you're interested in something more experimental.

General Feedback: Figure out your layout references. Don't just look at them, study them, and play around with your own layouts and grid alongside deciding your type and visuals. This is key for task 3. Also, if you guys want to implement a more experimental typography, make sure to use it in balance with the body text, which shouldn't be too experimental, as your book needs to be readable. You can use these for pull-quotes, or for headings instead.

 

Week 4

Specific Feedback: U

General Feedback: Su

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REFLECTION

Experience: Task 1 exercises was a challenging task. I struggle with perfectionism, and was weak with handling paper and other physical crafts so I redid many mockups and many folding styles before the final product. Through classes, I was able to gather a lot of feedback when it came to my layouts and text formatting. I found this helpful in building my confidence in my work. The folding and Van De Graff exercises were the most enjoyable, as they were done in class with support and guidance, however, the text formatting, content generation, mock-up making and layout formatting (text, styles, etc.) proved to be the most tedious and time-consuming tasks, as I had to trust a lot of my own judgement and self-teach. These dragged on until the end of week 3, as revisions were constantly made.

Observations: While interacting with peers, I was able to get through the folding exercise, and understand the mechanics of book-making, as well as numbering pages. Looking through my classmate's mock-up book, I was able to understand the process of creating my own, measuring, folding and cutting. Going through past pupils e-portfolios also helped, and I observed the way in which not only to do my own work, but how to document this. 

Findings: Through YouTube, I discovered mockup making and paper handing, font selections, and ways in which layouts can be made. All these sharpened my skills and made me more introspective when doing each task. Further, reading many articles and researching font pairings, different grid systems and layouts additionally aided me as a rough guide on how to start, making the process much less overwhelming.

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FURTHER READING

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djn-bHQ_gLw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcBhP-2o7D0&t=25s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUzO7crWpgk

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