So stylistically my three feature layouts have a similar feel. I wanted to do large images for the first pages of the features and then toy with the grid structure with more body copy in the latter pages of the article. For the two column layout I think i have to figure out a different picture so that the seam isn't on his eye, but I chose a young white male to pair with the "new face" of hunger because people tend to think of starving africans on PSAs when they think of hungry children. Also does the headline look too much like the North Face logo? For the last layout, is the line measure too long? Do you think it's hard to read? I definitely want to play around with the headline typefaces too. Let me know what you think.
Hi Jehan!
ReplyDeleteI would have to say I like all of them to be honest. And in a way I could picture them all in the same magazine! I would have to say my top favorite ones would be the 1st and 2nd one. I like how black and white, and serious the first one is. Suggestion, maybe make Hunger bold to add more emphasis, since it is such a serious spread.
For the second one, I don't know if your trying to keep it just black and white with the type? But I think you should add color here. Maybe pull some color straight from the photo?
But overall, good job!
As someone who finds it hard to sit down and read a book, I found your layouts with large imagery and large typography very engaging. Without seeing a huge amount of verbiage, I found myself wanting to learn more about what these articles had to say. Very nice work.
ReplyDeleteHey Jehan,
ReplyDeleteYou have some really strong imagery here. I really like the first two layouts best, and like Naidin said I could see these two in the same magazine. I don't think the third spread is as strong as the other two going forward.
On spread to I love the typography treatment over the photo, but I would be aware of where the magazine will fold you don't want to lose any important information.
Nice Work
Jehan – Lovely design work, all successful to some extent. Some thoughts:
ReplyDeleteLayout #1 – yes, you can’t have his eye on the gutter… or maybe even his face, so you can find another photo (good concept behind this choice) or find an additional photo to “pair” with this one, which will move his face to the left off the gutter. Can you pair 2 photos, and make one strong image? (of course you can). Please be aware that you have tracked the word “FACE” wider than the rest of the words… which weakens it (the letters actually look visually thinner than the others… which I know is not the case.) If you want to emphasize this word, please find another way (color or font contrast?).
Layout #2 – This is a particularly interesting design, with its sunken 1st paragraph at left, and bold photo/text combo in middle. However, you may have a production problem with some letters directly on the gutter… so play around with the size and placement of your heading so no letters actually sit on that line between your pages. I think you may need to center your block quote within the neg space… and I wonder if those top and bottom rules make this look like a column quote (this is a common treatment for repeated text from the body copy) instead of a block quote (a quote that sits in the correct spot for readability – within the body copy)? It’s important that your readers don’t skip this text while reading the content… try it without the rules that are separating it currently from the rest of the copy and see what you think.
Layout #3 – I do think that at its present size, the line width is a bit long. Rule of thumb is a good line length holds 6-12 words. Have you considered enlarging the 1st paragraph pt size and leading, so we have a few less words on the line? Then divide the following text into 2 equal columns, leaving it smaller – at its present size. I think that could be a solution to the line width issue, as well as setting you up to use a 2 even column grid for the following spread. Next thought… would you consider adding a line of smaller photos along the top of the page(s)? To add a bit more interest, color, and shapes to the spread? How will our eating habits change? Can you show us this visually?
You have 2-3 features almost ready to use – nice work.