Publishing Design

October 01, 2025

Publishing Design

22/09/25 - (Week 1 - Week )

Publishing Design GCD61404 / Bachelor in Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Anggia Tsani Rachmadiyanti, (0368487)

Publishing Design - All compiled works

CONTENT LIST

Instructions & Brief
Lecture notes
Task 1

Exercise 1 - Book size mockup
Exercise 2 - Signature Folding Systems (8+8=16)
Exercise 3 - Van de Graff

Feedback
Overall Reflection
Further Reading

Module Brief:

Lecture Notes:

Lecture 1: Formats (1)

Publishing design entails the use of typography layout design & visuals.
Publishing is for communicating to others and preserve it.
Always keep in mind that whenever you publish, you are publishing for a mass audience.
The focus in this module is solely on book format, because it is the oldest formate of publishing and most important and influential formats.
The book is a medium to document and transmit ideas, knowledge, records and more.
To design a book, we must have a good understanding of typography, good sense of space, eye for details and understanding of publishing softwares.

What factors influence & determine the format of a book?

Content & Genre
Target Audience, eg: kids, adults
Purpose & Use

Historical Formats of the book:

Iran-Iraq = Mesopotamian civilization

Early forms of pictographic writing on clay tablets.

(Fig. 1) - Week 1, example of mesopotamian civilization writings

Egypt = Ancient Egyptian Civilization

Wrote Hieroglyphics
Wrote on a special paper called "Papyrus". They wrote on the tomb walls too.

(Fig. 1.2) - Week 1, example of Egyptian papyrus writings

India-Pakisatan-Afghan = Indus Valley civilization

Not much about record keeping but they had compex writing system.
Wrote records of government, religion & trade.
Cuneiform was written on soft clay tablets with sharp pointed tools.

(Fig. 1.3) - Week 1, example of Indus Valley civilization writings

China = Han Chinese Civilization

Characters were written in vertical columns = thin strip of bamboo for a single column.
For longer document = two lines of thread link bamboo strips together.
They then moved on with wood blocks & scrolls.

(Fig. 1.4) - Week 1, example of Chinese civilization bamboo writings

Europe = European Civilization

Parchment was invented in Turkey 197-159 BC, which then spread to Europe.
Parchment is made from animal hide. >> Parchment books was then made.

(Fig. 1.5) - Week 1, example of Parchment paper writings

Lecture 2: History of Print (2)

2nd - 8th century AD

Chinese emperor commands the 6 main Confucianism carved in stone
Simply layed sheets of paper on engraved slabs and rub it over with charcoal, taking away a text in white letters on black ground.

(Fig. 2.1) - Week 2, example of Stone carved writings

Korea & Japan: 750-768 AD

Earliest known printed document is sutra printed on a single sheet of paper in Korea.
Earliest recorded use of woodblock printing was in japan.

The first printed book: 868 AD

Earliest printed book is Chinese at the end of Tang dynasty.
It was a scroll, 16 feet.

(Fig. 2.2) - Week 2, Diamond Sutra

Saints & playing cards: AD c. 1400

Technique of woodblock printing introduced to Europe.
Playing cards were an early part of the western trade.

Gutenberg & western printing: AD 1439 - 1457

Introduced printing press concept.
Gutenberg has skills with metal and ink.

(Fig. 2.3) - Week 2, Gutenberg press

Lecture 3: Typo Redux (3)

Typography is the most important graphic design area to master. It's the art of arranging and composing text, very important for communication.

Characters in a typeface:

Small Caps
Numerals
Fractions
Ligatures
Punctuations
Mathematical signs
Symbols
Non aligning figures

(Fig. 3.1) - Week 3, Characters in typeface from lecture video

Legibility

First thing in making type legible is to choose text typefaces that are open and well proportioned eg:
classic serif: Garamond, Bodoni, Bembo, Minion Pro, Baskerville, Jenson, Caslon
sans-serif: Frutiger, Gill Sans, Helvetica, Myriad Pro, etc..

(Fig. 3.2) - Week 3, Typography guidelines chart

Legibility - Special Styles

1. Underline - should be lowered so they don't touch the characters.

(Fig. 3.3) - Week 3, Underline legibility example

2. Small Caps & All Caps - Small caps are good for subheads / first line of paragraph.

text set in All Caps should be used in short headlines or subheads.
all caps should never be used for long sentences / for emphasis.

(Fig. 3.4) - Week 3, examples of caps

3. Special-Purpose Style

(Fig. 3.5) - Week 3, examples of special-purpose styles

4. Text Scaling: - Never stretch the font horizontally or vertically, squeeze or stretch it as it distorts the original design of the font. It makes the messaging appear cheap.

(Fig. 3.6) - Week 3, examples of stretching the text

5. Outline & Shadow: - Avoid Outlining and shadow on text as much as possible,

Legibility - Type size, line length & line spacing:

Text which flows naturally when read is achieved when there harmonious relationship between 3 of the elements.
A column of text is usually about 50 characters across, NOT MORE than 65 characters.
If the type is too small it will cram too many letters per line and hard to read.
Type that is hard to read may NOT be read at all.
Font size determines line length >> determine line spacing.

Leading/line spacing factors and rules:

The font used - some fonts need more line spacings as we need to keep the ascenders & descenders from touching.
Line length - longer lines need more leading for easier reading
Type size - the larger the type = more line spacing needed.
Headlines which are normally larger may be set tighter line spacing.

(Fig. 3.7) - Week 3, examples of line-spacing

Line length:

Overly long or short lines of type tire the reader and destroy reading rhythm.

(Fig. 3.8) - Week 3, examples of line-length

Legibility - Character & word space:

Larger type sizes need adjustments to the space between characters and paragraphs need to be adjusted to eliminate widows & orphans.
Kerning - Inter-character spacing create more pleasing look to the whole text. Some need manual adjustments.
Word spacing - consistent word spacing provides even typographic "colour", referring to overall lightness and darkness of the text.

(Fig. 3.9) - Week 3, examples of typographic "colour"

Italics - best suited to create emphasis within text rather to function as text.
Capitals - consumes more space. Capital letters lacks visual variety, meanwhile lowercase imbue text with visual cues created by many different letter shapes.

Legibility - Alignment:

Flush left - gives even letter & word spacing. Readers easily locate each new lines.
Flush right - difficult to find each new line. Not suitable for large amount of text.
Centered - very formal look and ok if used minimally. Dont use centered for large amount of text.
Justified - can be very readable if we makesure the spacing between words are consistent and gaps called rivers do not interrupt the flow of the text.

Legibility - Paragraph Spacing:

Paragraph spacing is a more elegant way to space out paragraphs than simply double spacing returns.

Legibility - Paragraph Indent:

First-line paragraph indents only should be used if there is no paragraphs space because the indents & the paragraph space exist to inform the reader when a paragraph stops and a new one begins. Using both the indent & paragraph space is overkill.
Standard amount of indent = type size.
Widow - single line of text at top of a new page separated from its paragraph.
Orphan - single line of text at bottom of a page separated from its paragraph on the next page.

Specific Formatting:

Hyphens - divide words/numbers but also to break words from one line to the next
2 types of hyphens - en-dash and em-dash

(Fig. 3.10) - Week 3, examples of 3 dashes

Drop caps - used to start off new chapters & special sections of a report. Can set this using Character style.

(Fig. 3.11) - Week 3, example of drop caps

(Fig. 3.12) - Week 3, use of quotes

Sidebar - text that accompanies the main body. It's usually an added description that is abit related to the main narrative but isn't important enough to be part of it. It is sometimes used to highlight alternate facts or describe an image used in the main body text.

(Fig. 3.13) - Week 3, sidebar example

Character styles vs Paragraph styles:

(Fig. 3.14) - Week 3, lecture video screenshot

Lecture 4: The Grid (4)

RASTER SYSTEMS - The grid dividing 2d plane into smaller fields or 3d space into smaller boxes. The fields of compartments maybe the same of different size.
The grid is a practical and historical tool in publishing design, essential for creating order, coherence, and clarity in visual communication. It functions as a modular, constructive framework that reflects the designer’s mental attitude, beliefs, and values.
Purpose of the grid - to place and arrange texts, photos and diagrams in a coherent and functional manner. Gives compact planning and clarity. Also so that information is presented clearly and logically set out titles, subtitles, texts, illustrations so it can be read quickly and easily and better understood and remembered in our memory.
Readability & Legibility - The Grid helps make the user experience seamless. It allows the work on the pages do the talking clearly, logically with elegance.
The grid is a hidden framework.
"The grid is modular in nature."

(Fig. 4.1) - Week 4, raster systems grid

(Fig. 4.2) - Week 4, example of grid's use

Lecture 5: Elements that make up a book (5)

3 MAJOR ELEMENTS OF ALL PUBLICATIONS:

Type
Colour
Image

Variation - when using all these 3 elements in a grid system, we must make variation within the layout but also maintain consistency across the whole book.

End result would be a sequence of layouts that gives a surprise to readers at every turn of page. Re-use or rotate formulas in the book.
Design principles stress balancing variation and consistency: variation keeps layouts engaging, while consistency ensures cohesiveness. The grid system organizes elements logically and attractively, allowing modular layouts that can be rotated for surprise without losing harmony. Variations may include large images with captions, side-by-side text and visuals, or full-page visuals with text.

(Fig. 5.1) - Week 5, example of variation of image, colour, texts with consistency

Week 1: Task 1 - Exercises

Timeframe: Week 01 – Week 07

Deadline: Week 08

Instructions: Complete a series of exercises to build both theoretical and practical knowledge in book design.

Exercises:

Text formatting
Mock-up making
Signature folding systems (8 + 8 = 16)
Classical Grid structure
Determining Grids
Form & Movement (Thumbnail)
Colour applications:
- 1 Colour
- 2 Colours
- 2 Colours + Image
- Colour + Image + Text

Learning Goals:

Develop knowledge/skill in book formats, binding, and formatting.
Enhance design sense in use of space.

Assessment Criteria (20%)

All exercises completed comprehensively.
Mastery of:
- Space usage
- Colour + space + image + text
- Neat/clean mock-ups
- Proper formatting (¬ & ¶)
- Flexible use of grids
- Technical execution (folding, grid, layout, paper creaseless)
Well-crafted, clean, neat outcomes.

Task 1 Progress:

Exercise 1 - Book size mockup

We watched the youtube tutorial by Mr.Vinod in class while doing it. All of us had to take an A3 paper and fold it into half (A4 size). And then we marked and traced the size of an A5 paper which is 148 × 210 mm. Our book size for the final project needs to be larger than A5 and less than A4 size, so we can custom our size depending on what book we want to do. I went to the library to check on some books which I would like as to be the size of my book later on since i'm planning to go to the direction of poetry and photography.

(Fig. 6.1) - Week 2, doing exercise 1 and finding the size of our book, 1/10/2025

Then, I marked out that I want my book to be somewhere bigger than A5 but B5 or lesser in size. I wanted to make a more squared shape since my direction later on is photography and poetry, so a more square would suit that genre better. We asked ms Vitiyaa about the book's spine and she said that spine is the last thing to work on when publishing a book because the thickness of the spine depends on the amount of pages we will have.

Extra Important notes from Ms Vitiyaa in class:

Spine size is determined by 2 things: Number of pages and Thickness of paper inside/outside.
Cover page is thicker than inside pages
The order of making a book is:

Content writing
Content page
Opening page
Cover (last part)
Spine design

(Fig. 6.2) - Week 2, exercise 1 book measurements experimenting sheet on A4, 1/10/2025

(Fig. 6.3) - Week 2, Exercise 1 - my final book measurement and size, 1/10/2025

Change of size: I found that the book is abit too big for a poetry book, so i reduced the size a little bit, but maintaining the same aspect ratio....

New final book size: 16.5 cm x 21.8 cm

Exercise 2 - Signature Folding Systems (8+8=16)

(Fig. 6.4) - Week 2, Exercise 2 - Folding A4 papers into 8 parts, 1/10/2025

(Fig. 6.5) - Week 2, Exercise 2 - Numbering the pages, 1/10/2025

After finishing the mockup size of our book, we proceeded to do the next exercise which is the signature foldings just to help us visualise how a book can be made.

I first folded one A4 paper into 8 parts and then numbered the pages till 16. After doing that we had to cut the closed edges so that all pages can be flipped like a mini book. Finally, we stapled twice on the center to finish it up.

(Fig. 6.6) - Week 2, Exercise 2 - Cutting the edges 16, 1/10/2025

(Fig. 6.7) - Week 2, Exercise 2 - Stapling the book in the middle, 1/10/2025

Exercise 3 - Van de Graff

The Van de Graaff canon, often called the "secret canon," is a historical method for dividing a page into pleasing proportions and establishing harmonious margins, primarily used in medieval manuscripts and incunabula. It provides a consistent grid for page layout that allows book designers to position text and content effectively, creating balance and readability across different page sizes.

(Fig. 6.8) - Week 2, Exercise 3 - helping each other to draw the line :), 1/10/2025

The third exercise was introducing us to this methods by drawing a line graph of Van de Graff using one A3 paper and a long ruler and pencil. This chart helps us with our grid system in our design layouts. The primary purpose is to achieve visual harmony and balance in book design, ensuring that the text area and page dimensions relate pleasingly to each other. This can help guide us when designing a book or publications.

(Fig. 6.9) - Week 2, Exercise 3 - My final Van de Graff line drawing on A3 paper, 1/10/2025

(Fig. 6.10) - Week 2, Exercise 3 - Extra researched from online pictures of Van de Graff, 1/10/2025

Exercise 3A - Van de Graff Digital InDesign Exercise

I watched the tutorial by Mr Vinod on youtube on how to apply this graph on InDesign and he taught us more on text formatting using the grids.

(Fig. 6.11) - Week 2, Exercise 3A - InDesign Grids exercise screenshot, 2/10/2025

(Fig. 6.12) - Week 2, Exercise 3A - PDF InDesign Van De Graff with Grids, 2/10/2025

(Fig. 6.13) - Week 2, Exercise 3A - PDF InDesign Van De Graff with NO Grids & Guides, 2/10/2025

Exercise 4 - Form & Movement

I watche

Task 2 Content Generation Writing:

For this we have to design and create a 32-page book, 3000 words, that is smaller than A4 but larger than A5. My size chosen was 17.8cm x 23.3cm.

Topics to choose:

Yourself
Your family
Someone who inspires you
Your hometown
A meaningful experience, belief, or idea

Structure Requirements:

At least 3 chapters
3 to 5 subtexts (sidebars or supporting content)
1 caption per chapter

For my book, I chose to write a 3000 words descriptive poem about the contrast between the countryside and city life. I want to write about how we should learn to appreciate nature more and not forget our roots even if we are living in the cities. For the first part i'm going to reuse a 1000 words poem i've written back in highschool and then writing and adding more chapter, stanzas and extra poems to reach 3000+ words. I have chosen to do a poem as I personally love and enjoy writing poems and it feels more personal writing it in first person as well.

Before writing it on docs I adjusted and edited and made some idea drafts of handwritten notes on paper to brainstorm some lines to put for the poem. I also realised some stanzas need to be rearranged:

(Fig. 8.1) - Week 3, picture of my draft writing idea for my poem on paper, 8/10/2025

Ms Vitiyaa said that we can go above 32 pages, and since I am doing poem it will be a bit thicker. We are also allowed to have more than 16 photographs if it's necessary. Afterwards, I started writing down the poem on google docs which dividing them into several chapters/sections for the book. I asked Ms Vitiyaa in week 3 class about my draft idea and she approved it and also showed me an inspiration from Rupi Kaur who is a poet and she is famous for her poem books....

(Fig. 8.2) - Week 3, Searching Rupi Kaur's book for insiration, 8/10/2025

(Fig. 8.3) - Week 3, Rupi Kaur's poem insiration, 8/10/2025

Final Poem Writing (3,225 words) :

Highlighted parts for visualisation/photographs:

✅ Task 2: Visualisation (3 Weeks)

After completing your writing:

Identify 16 areas in your text for visual interpretation
Use any medium that suits your topic:
- Illustration
- Photography
- Mixed media
- Other creative approaches

🗂️ Checklist

Task	Status
Topic Chosen	☐
3000 Words Written	☐
Divided into 3+ Chapters	☐
3–5 Subtexts Added	☐
1 Caption per Chapter	☐
16 Visual Areas Identified	☐
Visuals Created (Any Medium)	☐
Exercises Completed	☐
Project Completed in 4–5 Weeks	☐

Feedbacks:

Week 1

General Feedback: Ms Vitiyaa briefed us on the module brief and told us to finish watching all the lectures first while writing down the notes first so that in the following weeks we can focus on our tasks. She told us to bring a paper & ruler next week.

Specific Feedback: None

Week 2

General Feedback: We started doing the exercises in class while watching the tutorial video by Mr Vinod. We experiments on 2 a4 papers and decide the size of our final book later on. It must be more than a5 but less than a4. Ms Vitiyaa said that the spine is the last thing to do when doing a book. She said to start getting ideas on what to write for the book so we have more time later on.

Specific Feedback: Me and my friend asked more about printing the books and Ms told us to download the cheatcode template so that it can be our guide when we work on the book in InDesign. Ms Vitiyaa said since im going to photography and poetry direction, a more square shape for the book is good.

Week 3

General Feedback: Ms V lectured and breakdown the lecture notes abit for us and talking about the main element of a publishing. She told dus to start writing our original content for our book which is due week 5 and upload it on the drive folder.

Specific Feedback: I asked ms V if my book can be more than 32 pages, and she said yes as long it's even pages. Makesure the images are related to the topic. I also showed ms my draft idea for the content of my poem and she approved mine. Ms also showed me an inspiration from Rupi Kaur who is a poet and she is famous for her poem books. I should look at her works.

Reflection

1) Experience

2) Observations

3) Findings

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Anggia Tsani Rachmadiyanti (0368487)