GOOD AND BAD MAGAZINE PAGE LAYOUTS

QUESTIONS:
What do you find interesting about the layout? (not interesting)
How does the layout help/not help communicate ideas, text and images to the viewer?
How is font used?
What is it about the layout that catches your eye?

GOOD LAYOUT SCANS

ONE

·         It is a clear, structured and simple layout

·         The clothing being advertised is simple and sophisticated everyday wear, and the layout helps communicate this idea

·         3 different types of fonts are used, mainly for locating purposes (the website and brand name)

·         The simplicity yet sophistication of the layout is what caught my eye – also the fact that there is more pictures, and limited text

TWO

·         The layout interests me as it is a collage which is not overcrowded, and although the pictures are layered on top of eachother, it still appears to be uncluttered and neat.

·         The negative space in the background allows the responder to focus on the clothing and the pictures presented, which helps communicate the product

·         “Under $50” is written in a large bold font to attract the customers, whilst other information about the clothing is in a smaller font

·         The uncluttered and simple nature of this collage caught my eye

THREE

·         The use of text as well as images is what I found interesting about this layout

·         The balanced use of text and images helps communicate the ideas and images presented because not only is there an image, the image is further explained in the text, which helps attract readers and customers

·         Large bold font is used for the titles, however a clear and smaller font is used for the paragraphs

·         This layout caught my eye due its ability to effectively balance the amount of images and text used.

BAD LAYOUT SCANS

ONE

·         This layout appears messy and cluttered and I immediately felt the need to simply turn the page

·         Although the aim of this magazine page is to portray ’50 fashion tricks to try now’, I believe they should have used more pages, rather than squeezing so many images and ideas onto one page

·         The title is large and bold in an italic font, however the rest of the text appears small

TWO

·         I found that this page layout has too much writing and not enough images

·         Due to the large amount of writing, the responders tend to skip this page and continue looking through the rest of the magazine – images speak louder than words, and there is clearly not enough images

·         The font used is small and I believe people with bad eyesight will not be able to read this text

THREE

·         I found that this layout is too cluttered and there is too many images layered on top of eachother, without a focal point.

·         It is hard to communicate ideas with this layout because the eye of not drawn to any specific place and I do not know where to look

·         There is minimal font used in this layout. The font used for the heading is also small and does not appear eyecatching.

How To Create A Brush

HOW TO CREATE OWN BRUSHES IN PHOTOSHOP

• Can scan image and create a brush to use digitally (e.g. beads and sequins)
• Can be done with anything

1. Open image
2. Extract sequin (or part of image  to be used for brush) à cut out with selection
3. Command X (cut it out)
4. File à new
5. Command V (paste)
6. Image à adjustments à brightness and contrast à levels (to adjust image colours so it looks its best)
7. Lense flare to make sequin sparkle, it is a camera effect/glare. Don’t want it to be too bright, just enough to look like its sparkling
8. Filter à render à lense flare
9. Turn background off
10. Delete excess background on sequin
11. Add a tiny drop shadow
12. Double click on layer à drop shadow à and adjust to suit
13. Now we are ready to make brush
14. Select all à edit à define brush preset à change name (sequin)
15. Should be in brush set
16. Open new file à new layer à name it
17. Whatever colour you want, select it from swatches at top, or at colour picker
18. Write text
19. Put text layer underneath brush
20. Reduce opacity
21. Use circle in brush palette to flip or move sequin around
22. Start stamping around your name
23. Have to add stitching
24. Rectangle tool at bottom à line tool (can change thickness etc)
25. At top make sure shape layer is on

HOW TO SAVE BRUSH

1. To save brush palette have to save it into your brush library on your usb
2. Brushes à brush presets à down bottom à save set à name it whatever à then can save onto desktop or usb

Brush Design Of My Name

Beads were used to create a brush, and I used this brush to create my name.

Spray Technique Using Photoshop

Although I did not use my name, here is my example of a spray technique using the word "white".

Finding Repeats Patterns In Photos

This image (sourced from Flickr) has a repeated shoe pattern.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24393557@N00/5484525947/

Using the skills we have been taught in class, we were asked to find the actual pattern which is being repeated. I used the brush tool in photoshop to outline where each pattern repeats.

 

It can be seen that the shoe pattern is a half drop repeat pattern :)

Using Flickr Images

BRICK

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarinsmith/3433609632/

SPOTS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilikegraphics/3670950613/

DIAMONDS

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kbean/1341702910/

SCALES

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/planter/3228684335/

MIRROR

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotofun4me/5481326381/

3 Repeats Created on Photoshop

STRIPE REPEAT

 

How this was created:

1.       Open new canvas

2.       Rectangular marquee tool > select area > paintbucket tool > choose colour > click inside selected area

3.       Continue selecting areas using rectangular marquee tool, and fill this rectangle with colours

4.       In this case I have created a stripe pattern using the colours from my flower montage, which I created using a section of a costume from my ballet russe sketch.

5.       Save pattern

FULL DROP REPEAT

How this was created:

1. Firstly, create your pattern
2. Edit > define pattern > name it
3. Select all > edit > fill > select pattern you just created
1. File> save as> repeat
2. Combine all layers: select all layers > menu > merge layers
3. Select all > edit >  define pattern

HALF DROP REPEAT

(image cannot be uploaded for some reason)

·           Image > merge

·           Select all > edit > copy (command C)

·           Image > image size (write width, height in pixels)

·           Filter > other > offset > make sure wrap around is selected

·           (F4 – calculator)

·           Split the pixels that you recorded before

·           Option to half pixels horizontally or vertically > ok

·           Image > canvas size (to make canvas bigger)

·           We want to double the size: percent > width 200 > change squares/grid

·           Paste image and move half way

·           Merge layers

·           Save pattern

·           To test: new layer > edit > fill > pattern

To make pattern bigger and bigger

• Make image smaller > edit > transform
• Shortcut Command T also to make it smaller
• Move image
• Copy and paste layer: select layer> command C > command V
• Hover move tool over particular image > right arrow > background copy
• Hold alt key > arrow is white > click and drag to copy and paste (now have two layers).
• Alt > shift > click and drag for more precise copy and make sure they’re repeating
• Merge layers



SCANNING

How To Scan:

1.    Place image on the scanning screen

2.    Choose appropriate settings, according to the purpose of the image to be scanned

3.    Scan the image

4.     Scan is complete

Descreen

Descreening is a process used to reduce the moire patterns often associated with scanning. A moire pattern is when two identical patterns of lines, circles, or dots, are overlapped with imperfect alignment creating an interference pattern (resembles an optical illusion). This essentially destroys the scanned image. Descreen was then introduced to scanners to eliminate the moire pattern and also the colour shifting patterns. It allows the image to be restored to its original sharpness post scanning. The scanner I use at home automatically descreens the images.

Resolutions

·       For the web: 72-96dpi should be used

·       For printing: 150-200dpi should be used (however a test print should be used to clarify the best resolution for your printer as each one is different)

·       For presentations: 300dpi should be used

o   It should be kept in mind that the larger the dpi, the better the quality of the shot.

SAME PICTURE, DIFFERENT RESOLUTIONS

75dpi

100dpi

300dpi

PRACTISING SCANNING

To practise our scanning skills, we were asked to scan some sketches from Ballet Russe, 1 fabric and 1 magazine image. The scanner I use at home has a default setting of 200dpi, therefore the sketches, fabric and magazine image were scanned at this setting.  My scanner also has the descreen selection built in which effectively minimisesd the moire effect. 

FANTASTIC BALLET RUSSE EXPERIENCE

On the 10^th of March 2011, Fashion Design students were taken on an excursion to visit the Ballet Russe in Canberra. The Ballet Russe was a sensational ballet performance company, which first showed in Paris in 1909. The dancing, choreography, music, stage and costume design, and publicity, were all of equal excellence, drawing large crowds. The Ballet Russe costumes are persuasive works of art in their own right, and continue to be admired long after they ceased to be worn on stage. We were asked to focus on three particular garments from the exhibition that drew our attention.

Le Dieu Bleu (The Blue God)

The sensational embellishment and decoration on this costume was the first thing that caught my eye. The background silk and satin fabrics are overlaid with techniques such as embroidery, applique, and printing, creating delicate shapes and designs. The intricate patterns symbolise the jewellery seen in Hindi sculpture and the stiff formality symbolises the sculptural poses (rather than active dancing). The blue lining of the costume gives a particular connection to Nijinsky – Nijinsky wore bright blue makeup to represent the god’s skin being turned blue as a result of being bitten by a poisonous serpent.

The story behind the costume also caught my attention. A young neophyte was soon to become a priest and they were gathered around waiting for the ceremony to commence. However, his lover attempts to rescue him from priesthood and is instead captured and imprisoned in the shrine, threatened by the monsters inside. While trying to escape the monsters escape too and she appeals to the shrine’s deity for help. The Blue God and Goddess both rise from the lotus pond, they subdue the monsters and the lovers are reunited.

L’Oseau de feu (The Firebird)

Again, the story behind this remarkable costume caught my attention. The enchanted firebird, half woman half bird, is caught near the ancient castle of the evil wizard by Prince Ivan. In exchange for her freedom she gives Ivan one of her magical feathers and promises to protect him. In the castle there are twelve young princesses enslaved by the sorcerer, and the prince falls in love with one of them: Tsarevna. Prince Ivan attempts to follow Tsarevna into the evil castle but is attacked by the entourage of monster guards. The prince pulls out his magical feather and calls forth the Firebird and together they destroy the wizard and his brigade, freeing the princess. Prince Ivan and Tsarevna then have an extravagant wedding to end the play.

The costume was influenced by traditional Slavic festival costumes, consisting of rich brocades and braids, extravagant beading, applique and stencilling.

What Makes A Good Blogspot

·      Good, snappy title: Provocative or intriguing titles often invite and attract the readers. Examples include: “Another nail in the coffin” or “Two fingered salute”.

·      Good content: Topical, well written, easy to read and informative content often attracts readers to your blogspot. Getting your readers to think and be engaged by your information is vital.

·      Controversial content: Always draws a crowd. Controversial statements, backed up by evidence, usually gets readers involved as their opinion can be stated and explored. It allows the blogger as well as readers to speak their mind.

·      Good, colourful images: Usually attract readers. Images can also be useful in illustrating and informing your readers of what the blog is about.

·      Use of hyperlinks: This allows the reader to become more deeply involved in the topic or discussion. They also allow the topic to be extended and allows the blogger to further elaborate.

·      Use of humour: Humour, wordplay and satire can be used to strengthen your blog post, as well as entertain readers. However there are also times where seriousness is required to deal with a topic.

·      Be brief: blogging is not essay writing, it should be kept simple and sophisticated.

Source: http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com/2010/05/what-makes-good-blogpost.html

monique