make, production, prepare, build
作 centers on bringing something into being through deliberate action: making, producing, preparing, or building. The meanings all share the idea of active creation or construction.
to make; to produce; to manufacture; to build; to construct
work (e.g. book, film, painting, composition); piece; production; opus
making; producing; manufacturing; building; construction; make; structure
work (e.g. of art); piece; production
work; operation; task
work (film, book)
tactics; strategy
operation; management; handling
making (a report, plan, contract, etc.); drawing up; writing out; preparing; creating (a file, website, account, etc.)
original work
new work; new production; new composition; new creation; new title
author; writer; novelist; artist
writing (a book); book; (literary) work; writings
manufacture; production
creation; production; creative work (novel, film, etc.); original work; (creative) writing
creator (of a work); author; writer; artist; composer; playwright; dramatist
action; operation; process; agency; effect; function
movement (of the body); action; motion; gesture
handicraft
composition (of music); setting; writing music
one's own work; making by oneself
masterpiece; masterwork
side effect; adverse reaction
masterpiece; masterwork; chef d'oeuvre; fine piece of work
作 combines 亻 (person) with 乍, which likely contributes the sound and carries an early sense of making or doing. The modern form keeps this person-acting structure.
A person 亻 beside 乍, which looks like a saw or tool, suggests a person making something with their hands.
For サク, imagine a person making a sack to carry their tools: sack -> サク, and the person 亻 is busy building it.