Publishing Print Media, Exercise 5: Masthead Design
December 01, 2017Lectures:
Week 11:
We had a group discussion where we showed our sketches and digitization of our mastheads that we were asked to complete at home the week before. After showing our mastheads, we were given feedback by Ms Lilian and our classmates on how we could refine it further. After this we had our individual consultation to discuss the concept of our magazines.
We had a group discussion where we showed our sketches and digitization of our mastheads that we were asked to complete at home the week before. After showing our mastheads, we were given feedback by Ms Lilian and our classmates on how we could refine it further. After this we had our individual consultation to discuss the concept of our magazines.
Instructions:
The Brief
Exercises.
Duration of Assignment
Continuous, throughout the semester
Description
To develop your understanding of the practical employment of typography, a series of exercises will be implemented. Students will apply what they have learnt from lectures and discussions in these exercises, which will be assessed and contribute to the overall mark of the module. It is important that students work on these exercises with commitment in order to fully understand the design principles involved. The knowledge and skills developed will be applied to the accompanying projects.
All exercises prescribed are to be completed and documented (labelled, clean, clear & concise) in
your e portfolio and hardcopy portfolio respectively.
1) Text formatting
2) Grid system variation
3) Brochure folds (8pg)
4) Magazine publishing online
5) Masthead design
Requirements
To complete and to showcase mastery in the exercises prescribed in its various forms. The work
is compiled chronologically in an A3 Folio and documented on the students’ e portfolio.
Submission
1. Exercises to be documented chronologically in an A3 Folio. The works must be labelled and dated.
2. E portfolio posts for every exercise labelled and dated.
Objectives
1. To develop students theoretical understanding via practical means.
2. To develop students grasps to the components of the module.
3. To develop students explorative and innovative spirit.
4. To develop students practical application of the design process.
Research:
I did some research on various magazines to see what kind of headers I would like to design and could fit with my theme of a beach lifestyle magazine. Please find my pinterest board here:
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| Pinterest research |
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| Pinterest research |
Design Process:
First, I had to brainstorm ideas for names for my magazine which can be seen here in my mindmap:
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| Brainstorming |
After deciding on "SALT", I started by sketching out ideas for my masthead. Ms Lilian asked me to digitalise the top one of the first page:
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| First page sketches |
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| Second page sketches |
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| Scan of header |
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| Exploration |
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| Digitalised version, version with shadow, version with colour (final) |
Feedback:
Week 6:
The brushstrokes look carefree and suitable for my theme, very hand done feeling. However when I digitalised them initially it is too perfect as I tried to adjust the kerning/position of the letters, I should just stick with the original placement of the letters (how it is in my sketchbook originally).
Reflections:
Experience:
It was fun to design my own masthead, it was something I haven't done before. It didn't occur to me before how much thought and effort has to go into designing a masthead. Doing this exercise really made me appreciate how even something small like a masthead requires a lot of effort in the design world.
Observations:
The six hour classes are very exhausting. At the beginning of the class, I can get quite a lot of work done but after a couple of hours I get too tired and hungry so I'm no longer able to do my work well and I notice myself working even slower and making silly mistakes or forgetting how to do simple things. I noticed based on feedback as well as my own opinion, the original sketch of my masthead worked well but when I digitalised it I made it too perfect by adjusting the spacing when the original was fine- I guess this is a lesson to not overthink things!
Findings:
I found this exercise to be pretty fun and it was a good way to start designing our magazine because I feel how my masthead turned out influenced the rest of my magazine in terms of the design and feel. The experience of digitalising brushstrokes came into handy as I used a similar technique for the section headers of my magazine.
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