Hey guys, here are my first few takes on creating a magazine spread for the featured article. Once again, this was meant for older teens so I tried to keep it appropriate for that demographic. I think I'm heading in the right direction, but feel free to let me know if anything needs to be improved so the design can later make more sense to the viewer... Thanks!
Tyler – I see a wide variety of approaches here, good! I think it will be up to you to choose which one you move forward with. Some thoughts:
ReplyDeleteLayout #1 – appears to be speaking to a much older audience than high school students. The image of the professionally dressed women sets us up for that. I appreciate the unusual shaped text frames that hold your body copy but question the size and leading of the type that sits within them. I don’t think you need the text frame below the women’s face – instead allowing us to see her hands might be good. The text to her right is also quite nice, sitting in a similarly shaped text frame but white text on black. Nice. So, although the photo doesn’t say “teenager” I wonder if there would be something you could add to the page, another type of element, that would make it appear younger. BTW – your folio is bigger than it needs to be.
Layout #2 – Has promise, but needs some additional elements while at the same time eliminating some. Eliminate the little fruits that crowd the body copy on the right-hand page. They are simply in the way, and we see a much more successful use of “falling fruit” on the left-hand page already. No reason to repeat this element. Add a photo of your audience to the negative space at top left of left-hand page. Can you find some photos of teenagers eating? There are hundreds of them on ThinkStock – so choose ones that accompany your color palette – and add some light heartedness and/or humor. That goes a long way with this crowd. Maybe a silhouette of a kid that sits behind the text frame and falling fruit? The blue background on right-hand page could easily bleed at top and into the gutter on left also – maybe it could be lighter, a brighter more pure blue? A change of color will allow this to look more appealing and younger. Look carefully at the block quote (Food that’s good…) so make sure it sits in the middle of the negative space you have left for it.
Layout #3 – The boldness of the heading and the repetition of photos (in terms of shape and color) make this a lively layout. I think 4 columns is a problem for the size of type – so consider using 2 columns AND reduce this overly large font. The heading position needs to take into account the gutter – letters cannot sit directly on the gutter. So – consider NOT centering this heading in here, but instead be a more creative typographer, using visual balance to create an arrangement that will work in the space and with the gutter. I wonder if the word CHANGE should be in color… otherwise it appears weak compared to the rest of the title. But… isn’t it the word that should be emphasized?
Tyler- I like how you took 3 different approaches to this assignment
ReplyDeleteLayout 1-At a first glance I can't tell that the copy in the black opaque box is a quote, it looks it is just from a part of the body copy. I would maybe just make the type in the box. Also, the leading is a little too big and the point size is too big in my opinion for body copy. I like how you chose to do an image as a spread in the background, but maybe find one that you can really tel what the lady is eat or holding in her hands. The tittle concept i like just maybe with a different type choice, but i would have to say this is probably the least successful one out of the three.
Layout 2- i like the choice in imagery for the left handed page. It's strong and works well, I also like that it creates a line for your eye to follow, maybe play with it flip it around horizontally and vertically and see what it looks like, Your title for this one again works, I would play with different options maybe see if you can make the type really big and the whole page on top of the image? On this one i would most definatley shrink down the "Habitat Magazine" footer you have and the folio it's way too large and typeface point size a hair too big in my opinion ( maybe printed we will see better).
Layout 3-I like the repeating images, it creates a strong design element. But Again maybe play with the type so that you don't have these boxes as like filled in text-frames on the page. I like the typography, it's bold and in your face and makes someone stop and look. The point size is much too large on this one and needs to be shrunk down and the type in my opinion has no flow line so try moving elements around.
Definatley check out magazine layouts on google, it's a really cool way to get inspiration when you hit a road block and remember like Coni mentioned in class Helvetica point size you can use as small as 8, it looks tiny on InDesign but it will make your pieces look better because the type will be more on a page and it won't look so jumbo.
good Work these have great potential, I really like number 2 and 3 maybe try combining them somehow, or the hanging fruitline from #2 is a cool concept maybe incorporate that into something somehow!!
Overall I'd have to say what a awesome use of color, imagery, and typography. I'm really looking forward to seeing your final magazine layout for this project. Your efforts on these layouts are completely inviting to me.
ReplyDeleteLayout 1 - Love the way you've used imagery here to fill the spread. The type is large, easy to read and follow. Love it.
Layout 2 - Clean and simple. These are two factors I think that really help this design work well. My only visual draw back would be the green background on the right side of the spread. For me at least, it makes it a little harder to read. I might consider going a little softer on the background color.
Layout 3 - Bold, bold and more bold. I like it. The typography and imagery is eye-catching. It quickly grabs my attention and draws me in. I'm not sure about the typography of the article though. For me I feel "put off," for some reason. I would enjoy the layout look-and-feel, but would most likely not ready these two pages.