Scamp copies

Objective

To further understand the part white space plays in a graphic artefact.

To become aware of how designers balance elements on a page.

Task
Gather a range of front pages from different types of magazines. This can be via Pinterest or your own examples.

In your sketchbook, draw a  front pages.

Look at your example and loosely sketch the page. Pay close attention to the light and dark tones—allow your brain to 'threshold' the greys in to either light or dark tones. See my measly example above.

Presentation
See my example above.

Checklist for assessment
24 covers.

Time needed
Two hours.

Deadline
Thursday the 12th of of November.

Type Contrast

Create an Magazine cover with InDesign

Objective

In order for you to fully grasp the potential of InDesign and the complexity / simplicity of page layout, you are to complete a very straight-forward task.

Task

Using InDesign, copy a magazine cover and double page spread as closely as you possibly can.

That means taking a photo that emulates the one on the original cover - to do this successfully you must consider the following: choice of models, clothes, make up, lighting, pose and location (as relevant).

Then you'll have to hunt for typefaces that are as close to the originals. Use FontDoc and Dafont.

If the cover includes handmade graphics then you'll have to draw them, scan them and use your recent Photoshop skills to get them into place.

Presentation

Annotated screenshots of progress

Final design.

Checklist for assessment

Within this task I would like you to evidence basic InDesign tasks, taking clear photography and attempting image editing in Photoshop.

Deadline

tbc

Either grab a camera and take your cover image now!!

or get stuck into the choice and layout and text straight away....

If you have a situation where the cover model is obscuring the masthead, then this tutorial will help you out.

Then get this InDesign Magazine Cover Tutorial paused and ready before you start.

Assessment Deadline

Deadline: 3.20 Thurs 12 Nov

Take a look again at The Perfect Blog to check that you are presenting your work the best you can.

Please ensure that the following work is posted to your course blog: 

• Magazine - Scamps of existing covers
• Magazine - Photograph / Illustration (contact sheet / skbk pages)
• Magazine - Cover lines
• Magazine - Name brainstorm 
• Magazine - Research 
• Corita Kent book - Final design (Photographs)
• Corita Kent  book - Work in progress (full screen shots of Photoshop)
• Corita Kent book - Drafting (photos of poem and sketchbook pages)
• Corita Kent  book - Research (screenshot of Pinboard)
• Render blenders
• Notes from reading homeworks x 2
• Limited palette drawing
• Badges  - Final design (Photographs)
• Badges  - Work in Progress (screenshots)
• Badges - Drafting (photos of sketchbook)
• Badges - Research (screenshot of Pinboard)

Writing Cover Lines (and Expanders)

Objective
To be organised so that design can happen without unnecessary interruption.

Task

Write the cover lines (and associated expanders) for your chosen magazine.

Presentation

You decide. Just be clear.

Checklist for assessment

Inventive cover lines.

Deadline

Thursday the 5th of December

Brainstorming list - ideas for a magazine name.

Pic 1


Pic 2

Objective
To begin forming ideas for your magazine.

Task

In your sketchbook, create a page of lists that evidence how you have arrived at the name of your magazine.
Start by using list titles like: Terms   Types  Tools  Classics   Adjective  Existing (see Pic 1)

Fill these lists by either using your knowledge of the subject or utilising the web to look on glossaries and terminology lists.
Then put the collected words into a thesaurus and see what you get.

Next, attempt to put these words together in different ways, maybe spell them differently. Fill a page.

This is the creative bit, don't feel restricted—the good ideas come when you let go a bit. (see Pic 2)

Presentation
Photograph and post to your blog.

Checklist for assessment
Plenty of relevant and irrelevant, creative ideas / clear photo / at least 2 full pages—lay it out the same as I have, but include more / clear written work.

Deadline
Start of Friday's lesson.

Magazine Research

Objective
To source and collect similar artefacts that will act as models and stimulus for your design.

Task
Using the web (Pinterest, google search etc), reference books and actual printed examples, collect together examples of covers and double page spreads (DPSs) that interest you in terms of design.

Tip: go into a town library and photograph the cover and DPSs. Failing that, try WHSmiths in Shrewsbury.

Presentation
You have to get all of this stuff on your blog somehow. Try these methods:
Screenshot all of the Pinterest boards that you have collected.
Place all of your research photos into a Google Presentation (online powerpoint) and embed on your blog.
Make a physical scrapbook—photograph the separate pages.
Embed youtube / Vimeo videos on the subject of magazine design.

Checklist for assessment
Screenshots of pinboard (100+ pins)
Evidence of physical examples that have been photographed
Basically the post needs to reflect that you have spent a lot of time and effort looking by yourself.

Deadline
Monday the 9th of November