PLEASE NOTE: All CMIT modules have now been withdrawn,
and are unavailable for the 2010/11 academic year
These web pages and lecture notes are left as reference for those students
requiring CMIT modules to complete their programme only, and are not an
indication of modules currently offered.
Computer Aided Publishing I
Book Design
MIT3103 - 15 credits
MIT3203 - 20 credits
and part one of MIT3302 - 30 credits
During the module you will learn how to design and prepare books for publication. Most aspects of book printing and publishing are covered, from the author's manuscript through to the published book. This includes the choice of book size and shape, style of lettering and how illustrations are incorporated.
To place modern publishing practice in context, the history of printing, typesetting, production and design are looked at.
The practical side of the course involves learning an industry-standard typesetting program (Adobe InDesign or PageMaker - the choice is yours) running on IBM compatible computers. You will produce a number of pieces of design work using the typesetting software.
You must have basic computing skills before starting the module; this means knowing at least Windows, word processing and the Internet.
No previous art or design skills are required, but you are expected to have an interest in the design and history of printed material.
First meeting - Semester One
Wednesday October 4th, 1-2, Queen's Building, LT4.1
Brief Syllabus Plan and Content
Semester One
- Book design, including book size, margin layout, preliminary material and chapter layout
- History of printing and typesetting
- Learning the typesetting program InDesign or PageMaker
- Introduction to typography
- Introduction to using illustrations
- A little of the avant garde - book design in new directions
Teaching/Learning Methods
The module has both the traditional academic elements of undergraduate modules (lectures, discussion and essay-writing) as well as training in practical skills (learning how to use InDesign or PageMaker and related hardware).
Timetable
There are two hours of classes per week:
- Lecture on Wednesdays from 1 - 2 pm, in Queen's Building - LT4.1.
- Optional supervised practical, one hour - Wednesdays 10-11 and 11-12 - come to either or both. Queen's computer room Latis room N.
Assessed by:
MIT3103 (15 credits)
- A 2000 word essay
- A book design task, with 2000 word critique
Both are submitted as a portfolio at the end of the first semester, i.e. week 3 of term two. There are also optional submission dates during the semester when feedback on provisional versions of work can be obtained. See deadlines for more details.
MIT3203 (20 credits)
- A 2000 word essay
- A book design task, with 2000 word critique
- A second 2000 word essay or a second book design with critique
All are submitted as a portfolio at the end of the first semester, i.e. week 3 of term two. There are also optional submission dates during the semester when feedback on provisional versions of work can be obtained. See deadlines for more details.
Treatment of Personal Transferable Skills
The module will encourage students to develop many of the skills associated with self-management, communication, problem-solving and learning in general. In particular students will learn a wide range of publishing-related computing skills, usable in a wide range of other areas.
What you will get from this Module
The experience provided by the module has been shown to add to employment prospects generally and specifically in publishing, for it has provided openings for several students into publishing houses both in England and abroad and has given others places on postgraduate design and publishing courses elsewhere.