PUBLISHING DESIGN - Final Compilation and Reflection

FANN WONG JING EN｜0382237

Design Principles | Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media

GCD61404 Publishing design

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TABLE OF CONTENT

MIB      Instruction      Final Submission      Reflection

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MODULE INFORMATION BRIEF (MIB)

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INSTRUCTIONS

Task 01: Exercises

Task 02: Content Generation

Task 03: Book

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FINAL SUBMISSION

Task 01: Exercises

Exercise 01: Text Formatting

fig 1.1.1 Text Formatting, PDF

Exercise 02: Mock-up Making

Final Book Size: 175mmx225mm

fig 1.2.1 Book Size Explorations

 

   

fig1.2.2 Mock-up Size Testing

fig 1.2.3 Book Size Explorations + Closed Book Mockup

fig 1.2.4 Book Binding

fig 1.2.5 Signature Folding System

 

  

fig 1.2.6 Signature Folding System (Open)

Exercise 04: Classical Grid Structure

fig1.3.1 Classical Grid Structure 

fig 1.3.2 Classical Grid Structure 

fig1.3.3 Classical Grid Structure without picture

fig1.3.4 Classical Grid Structure with picture

Task 02: Content Generation

fig 2.1.1 Visual Compilation, JPEG

Task 03: Book

fig 3.1.1 Thumbnail Layout 

fig 3.1.2 First Thumbnail Layout

fig 3.1.4 Final Thumbnail Layout, JPEG

fig 3.1.5 Final Thumbnail Layout, JPEG

Mockup Printout

fig 4.1.1 Final Printed Book Cover

 

fig 4.1.2 Colour and Black-and-White Print Comparison page 9-10

 

fig 4.1.3 Colour and Black-and-White Print Comparison page 15-16

 

fig 4.1.4 Colour and Black-and-White Print Comparison page 23-24

fig 4.2.1 Flip-Through Video of Final Printed Book

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Final Spreads

fig5.1.8-5.1.28 Final Spreads, JPEG

fig 5.1.29 Final Spreads, PDF

FlipHTML

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Task 03 (B) 

fig 6.1.1 Photo Editing and Picture-in Picture Effects 

fig 6.1.2 Adding Text and Animation Effects in Video Editing

fig 6.1.3 Adding Transition Effects

fig 6.1.3 first video without page

fig 6.1.4 Adding Page-Turning Effect to Book

Final Video

fig 6.1.4 Final Video for "Drifting While Awake"

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REFLECTION

Experience

Throughout this publishing design project, I experienced the full process of developing a book from early technical planning to final printed outcome and promotion. Each task helped me understand a different stage of the publication design process. Task 1 focused on the foundation of book design, including mock-up making, signature folding, page sequencing, and grid construction. Task 2 focused more on content generation, visual storytelling, photography selection, colour palette, and emotional flow. Task 3 allowed me to produce the final printed book and promotional video.

At the beginning, I mainly focused on understanding the technical structure of a book. Making physical mock-ups and constructing grids helped me realise that publication design is not only about arranging visuals on a page. It also involves size, margins, page order, readability, and how the reader physically interacts with the book. As the project developed, I became more focused on how my photographs could communicate emotions and create a meaningful visual journey.

The final stage was the most satisfying because I could finally see the book as a physical object. Printing the black-and-white and colour versions helped me compare how the design worked in different formats. Creating the promotional video also gave me the chance to present the book in a more dynamic way through music, transitions, text animation, and selected visuals.

Observations

From the whole project, I observed that publication design requires both technical control and creative sensitivity. Technical elements such as grid systems, margins, page sequencing, printing format, and image resolution are important because they affect the clarity and structure of the book. At the same time, creative elements such as photography, colour, typography, pacing, and chapter transitions are needed to build emotion and meaning.

I also observed that the design process changes when moving from screen to print. Some layouts that looked balanced digitally appeared slightly different when printed. Colours, contrast, image darkness, and spacing became more noticeable in the physical version. This showed me that printing and testing are necessary steps before finalising a publication.

Another observation is that visual storytelling depends strongly on sequence. The same photograph can feel different depending on where it is placed and what image appears before or after it. Through this project, I became more aware of how layout, rhythm, and image arrangement can guide the reader’s emotional experience.

Findings

Overall, I found that successful publication design is a combination of planning, experimentation, refinement, and presentation. The mock-up and grid exercises helped me build a stronger technical foundation, while the content generation stage helped me develop a clearer visual concept. The final printing stage helped me evaluate whether the design worked as a real book.

I also found that my colour printed version suited the mood of the book better because the blue and warm tones helped express the emotional atmosphere more clearly. However, the black-and-white version was still important because it allowed me to check contrast, readability, and page structure without relying on colour.

This project helped me understand that a book is not only a collection of pages, but a complete reading experience. Every decision, from format and grid to image sequence and final presentation, affects how the audience understands and feels the work. In the future, I would like to experiment more with image treatment, chapter transitions, and the relationship between text and photography. Overall, this project strengthened my understanding of publishing design and helped me become more confident in creating a complete visual narrative.