Publishing Design // Task 3B: Ebook

 

06/09/21 - 16/11/21 (Week 9 - Week 13)

Caitlyn Aurelia Tjandra (0339381)/BDCM

Publishing Design

Task 3B - Ebook

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Instruction

Task 3B

Brand Guideline 

Since this task was a joined project with Brand Corporate Identity module, we were told to create brand guideline based on the brand we did on BCI. My brand was a jewellery brand that sells hypoallergenic jewelleries in which people with sensitive ears could use. My brand conveys an elegance, clean, and high-class brand identity.

Content

The content that would be presented in my brand guideline are taken from a previous project of BCI modules that could be found here:

BCI Project 2 ( Logo)

BCI Project 3 ( Positioning & Identity)

Reference (Week 9)

Before starting, I research on several examples for brand guideline and starting my research on what is brand guideline as I had no prior knowledge on this topic beforehand. 

Fig 1.0 Ref 1

Fig 1.1 Ref 2

After choosing the reference, I take a screenshot of one page each to analyse how they layout their pages. From this,this, I could see their margin and grids used in the reference guidelines that may help me in determining my margin and grid brand guideline.

Fig 1.2 Reference Analysis

Layout

After looking around for reference, I went ahead and tried out several margins that I wanted to do. At first I thought the margin was also something used for pictures. However, Mr Vinod made it clear during tutorial that margin should only be use for text placement. 

Fig 1.3 Margin Layout Trial

Type Specimen (Week 10)

After figuring out the margin, I did a type specimen of font that will be used in my guideline book. At first, I wanted to use my logo's typeface. However, Mr Vinod did not recommend us doing that. Therefore, I used my secondary typeface that was use as a typeface for my logo's strapline.

Fig 1.4 Specimen Sheet

Final Typeset:

Sub-heading: Oxygen Light / 12pt

Heading: Oxygen Bold / 25pt
Sub-Subheading: Oxygen Bold / 16pt
Body Text: Oxygen Regular / 16pt

Drafts

This was my first draft, and I was still trying out the layout. My theme for my brand guideline was elegance and clean. Therefore, I kept in mind the white space used in my brand guide so that there's plenty of room to breathe, but not too much. 

Fig 1.5 First Attempts

After feedback from Mr Vinod, I redesign some of the layout, especially the landing page. I made my landing page much cleaner and impactful that reader wanted to read. I also added a second break page to showcase my whole logo towards reader before inputting them with information.

 

Fig 1.6 Second Attempts 

After feedback, I cleanup the layout a little more and correcting all formatting mistakes. I also added the logo in every page in order to remind reader of the brand every time they turn the page. Furthermore, I added a minor headline in grey on top to showcase which section of the page you are in. The button of the page was also changed based on Ms Lilian's feedback as she told me to use the provided full stars.

Fig 1.7 Third Attempt

This time I added interactivity towards my brand guideline. I did the buttons and table of content that allows you to jump into certain pages. I admit it was hectic at first, however, after I overcome the struggle, I could do everything more smoothly. The only problem I had encountered was the button won't allow me to jump to other pages, but I figured it was because I had two copies of the button. 

Fig 1.8 Fourth Attempts

This is the eventual outcome of my brand guideline. From Ms Lilian's feedback ( Our Brand Corporate Identity teacher), we were told to remove the navigation on the landing page as it act as a cover. Then, she also mentioned to me to add a contact us as an ending page rather than leaving it hanging with a picture.

Final Outcome ( Week 13 )

Fig 1.9  Final Grids

Fig 2.0 Final Layout Thumbnail 1

Fig 2.1 Final Layout Thumbnail 2

Fig 2.2 Final Layout Thumbnail 3

Fig 2.3 Final Layout Thumbnail 4

Fig 2.4 Final Layout Thumbnail 5

Fig 2.5 Final Outcome Interactive PDF

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Feedback

Week 10

Specific Feedback:

Mr Vinod suggested perhaps combining all the buttons to one side for easier access. I also need to have an impactful landing page to attract the reader to see my book. Instead of using brand guideline as the title, I need to use my brand name instead. Mr Vinod also reminds me to incorporate more page breaks. I could include quotes and images.

Week 11

General Feedback:

- We need to make sure we have enough finger room in the table of content. - We need to be sensitive of the spacing between each button and make sure it could be interact. - Maintain the same consistent of layout throughout the book - Make sure the text is well formatted

Specific Feedback:

I need to add title above headline for people to know which chapter they are in. Mr Vinod also said I shouldn’t show my logo typeface as my logo should be distinct. I also need to maintain the same layout throughout the book. I did a good job in choosing the picture.

Week 12

General Feedback:

- Very careful in creating button ( if we edit the button several times it could confuse the software) - You need to ask yourself “Have you provided specific tools?” - You ned to provide the details for stationeries - You need to engage reader to see your work

Specific Feedback:

- Perhaps for the landing page uses full logo instead of icon on the bottom. - Needs more leading tracking and kerning spaces it’s too tight - I need to add Ctrl + Shift+ tab on the content page when there are numbers and extra words.

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Reflection

Experience

This was a really new topic for me. Even though we did a book in several past task, this was a little bit different. This brand book, we needed to focus on how other would perceive our brand and how this will act as a guide for other to use our brand when we are not there. It was fun and challenging at the same time. 

Observation

I observe there are a lot of opportunities to experiment with just using a pdf. I was amazed that we could do an interactive with pdf and doesn't require ebook. I also observe how different brand could evoke unique brand identity for our brand guideline.

Findings

I find myself thinking critically how to do a layout for an existing content. Since the content was already put in different categories and section in BCI I needed to make a layout that could present my content cleanly while still evoking the brand identity. I also find it hard to find a neutral line between consistency and repetition. However, thanks to Mr Vinod I was able to figure out how to break monotonous layout by using other elements such as images or page breaks.

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Further Reading

Fig 1.9

This article by iconic digital helps me understand the importance of brand guidelines and why we should priotized them. In this article they also talked about the things that should be presented in a brand guideline which really helps in my projects.

Fig 2.0

This article by oberlo gave several great examples of brand guidelines. This act as my foundation in staring my own. I was able to observe and analyse what makes them stand out than other brand guideline and they also provide tips and tricks to create my own.

Fig 2.1

This article by 99design compiles all the above article into one. This helps generate a better understanding as to how we could convey our brand identity into a brand guide. They provide key components as well as steps in creating our own brand while evoking our brand style that helps our brand guideline stand out from others.