Reflection

Problems encountered
a. In view that everyone can have their very own designing style, we had taken much time to adjust the colors and frames to make it coherent throughout the book.

b. Our team decided to use Adobe Illustrator due to the need for large number of vector drawings involved. While we often use Adobe Indesign for the designing of publications, this is the first time we use Adobe Illustrator for the design of a book.

Hence, we do not exactly know the requirements or guides required in our story frames for the printer. Our team had to check the different requirements from various printers and worked accordingly.

c. In the search for printers for our storybook, we realized that a good number of printers do not work on hard-cover or perfect binding. Some indicated that the number of pages for the storybook is too insignificant for perfect binding.

d. Our first printing effort was not successful. The printer failed to cut the paper along our specified guides. Hence, there are pages showing incomplete frames or come with white spaces at the bottom of the page. Fortunately, we had sent the book for printing early, thus allowing us to print another book on time for submission.

However, due to the time constraint, the second book comes without a hard cover, which would otherwise requires longer printing time.

Lesson Gained
a. We learnt the importance of time planning and having contingency plan. Fortunately, we had planned for time to allow checking and possible re-print in case of any misprint.

Hence, we were able to find time to work on our second printing after the first attempt which we were not satisfied with.

b. We learnt that when working as a team for design process, it is important for all members to be well-informed of the concept and design decisions in order to ensure the coherence of the storybook.

c. We also now appreciate that the production a storybook takes more than a storyline and a series of illustrations – it requires the synergy of both. Layout, framing, text organization, colors are all part of considerations in order to effectively deliver the story and its message