Preliminary Tasks
PRELIMINARY TASK 1
Drawing Inspiration
Inspirations for the Cover Page
Infused with the essence of the vibrant "Guitar Girl" magazine, my cover page captures a moment of musical immersion, surrounded by guitar and instruments. Drawing inspiration from the lively vibe of this magazine, I've incorporated a similar spirit into the design.
Using the professional fonts, vibrant text colors, and engaging composition I have tried to enhance the visual appeal. Also following "Guitar Girl" I've integrated text over the main image, creating a sense of depth and intrigue.
The typography on my cover page takes cues from the creative variations seen in "Guitar Girl," utilizing changes in size, character spaces, and fonts to craft a visually appealing and cohesive design.
Inspirations for the Feature Articles
Additionally, my feature articles drawn inspiration from the layout and visual storytelling elements found in "pursuits" and "Vibes" creating a connection between my magazine and the spirited essence of an inspiring music themed publication.
Magazine Cover
Content Page
Feature Article1
Feature Article 2
Feature Article3
Creative Image Page Layout
PRELIMINARY TASK 2
Pre-Production Phase
PRIMARY MAGAZINE IDEA
ROUGH SKETCH AND MOCKUP OF EACH PAGE
Magazine Cover
Feature Article 1
Table of Content
Feature Article 2
PRELIMINARY TASK 3
PRODUCTION:
PPHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGNING
In my preliminary magazine, I follow some cool tricks to make the pictures stand out. I use the "rule of thirds" to place the main stuff in just the right spots, making the photos look balanced and interesting. Finding the best angles for shots helps capture the energy of the moment, and playing with depth adds a 3D feel. It's like bringing the subject to life on the pages! Every picture is carefully chosen, making sure it follows these tricks to make the magazine visually exciting and fun to flip through. Also, in creating my magazine, I ensure to use captivating images that adhere to copyright regulations.
Behind the Scene
PRELIMINARY TASK 4
Evaluation of Design
In crafting my magazine design, I carefully considered each element to ensure a cohesive and professional appearance. Starting with the cover, I chose a captivating image I captured myself, emphasizing composition and allowing space for text. The fonts, including "PT Sans" for the masthead and "Poppins" for other text elements, were chosen for readability and formality, with colors derived from the main image for relevance and visual appeal. Adding a touch of flair, I used "Freestyle script" for certain words, creating a balanced and engaging cover.
Moving to the table of contents, I maintained a consistent color scheme, using the contrast of a light blue sky background with a skin/light orange color for numbers. The design elements were thoughtfully selected from my own photographs, creating a harmonious flow throughout the magazine. Utilizing guide lines, the subsequent double spread maintained a formal and professional look, with carefully positioned photographs and fonts. The last double spread mirrored this approach, maintaining consistency in design elements and highlighting key text through font styles and background colors. Overall, my design reflects a thoughtful and intentional process, where every choice contributes to the overall aesthetic and readability of the magazine.
PRELIMINARY TASK 5
Learning Outcome
Designing this magazine has been an enlightening experience for me, marking my first venture into creating a complete magazine independently, both in terms of design and content. One crucial lesson I learned early on was the significance of thorough research before embarking on the initial sketch. Feeling somewhat unfamiliar with composition and creative layout, I sought guidance from online resources, such as the YouTube video "How to Get Better at Composition and Creative Layouts?"
During the design process, I encountered the drop cap feature in InDesign, which I found intriguing. Unfortunately, as I was working with Photoshop CS6, I couldn't locate a similar setting. Undeterred, I adapted by adjusting text sizes and placements to mimic the effect, showcasing my problem-solving skills.
A key takeaway from a tutorial was the importance of contrast in design. I applied this by strategically leaving spaces in pictures to prevent overwhelming frames with dense items. This newfound knowledge significantly influenced the visual balance of my magazine. Navigating the complexities of InDesign proved to be a challenge, especially since I was more comfortable with Photoshop. Despite the initial struggle, I recognized the potential benefits of mastering InDesign and considered it a valuable investment for future projects.
Consistency emerged as a crucial aspect of magazine design. Experimenting with various fonts and colors, I concluded that simplicity is key. Opting for two fonts and a consistent color scheme contributed to the overall fluency of the magazine. In my font and color experimentation, I initially considered orange masthead but ultimately chose white to complement the warm tone on the magazine cover page. This decision-making process highlighted the importance of cohesion in design. I came to appreciate the significance of fluency in magazine design – ensuring a seamless reading experience for the audience. The lessons learned during this project will undoubtedly guide me in my next and final magazine endeavor. In reflection, this experience not only enhanced my technical skills with graphic editors but also deepened my understanding of design principles, layout techniques, and user experience, marking a significant milestone in my design journey.