Learning:
From this project I learned about all the different conventions of a magazine as well as how to use the program InDesign. I learned about different conventions including the banners, PUFFS, coverlines etc. I also learned about their meanings and the specific formats of each element, like where they go on the page and how big or small they usually are.
The InDesgin program is very similar to another one I use called "hjedesgin" which made my learning process a lot easier and a lot faster. A lot of the tools used were similar including the dragging tools, shaping tools, and even the selection tool. There were some things that I was new too, but it wasn't anything I couldn't pick up on. The main thing I learned about the program that was different from what I use was getting the cover image on the page. When getting the image on the page I had to click some settings for higher quality and I had to shape the image to fit the page.
High quality selection I did:
Genre Choice:
The genre I chose was a travel magazine. I chose this genre because it is something I am passionate about. I have grown up traveling a lot and have been to quite a few places around the world. I also chose this genre because I thought that I had some pictures that would work well as the cover image and would give off the vibe of a travel magazine.
My magazine cover conveys my genre using the cover picture, the gentle font which makes the magazine cover feel serene, and the light colored font (that I got using the dropper tool over the ocean)
Color selection from dropping tool and me choosing different colors for the fonts:
Conventions:
Conventions I used that contributed to my cover where my masthead, banner, PUFF, boxout, and coverlines. My masthead is the biggest text on the cover and its the title of my magazine, the title I chose as well as the font gives you an idea of what the magazine is going to be about. I chose "The Getaway" which indicates a form of travel.
The banner, PUFF, PLUG, and the coverlines all contributed to my cover with their text. The PUFF and boxout were both made with the shaping tool since they have a set shape they always follow. All of the conventions I used had text that related to vacation or traveling. These conventions really tie the magazine cover together because it gives you a sneak peak into what will be written inside the magazine, that is why I was very intentional in picking what to use as my text.
Shaping tool and PUFF picture:
Challenges:
Something I struggled with was just making the magazine look cohesive. I was trying to pick different fonts that worked well together and that is what took me the longest. There were a lot of options for fonts and I had to click on them and see how it looked with the rest of my cover. I also struggled a little on where to put all my magazine elements (coverlines, puffs etc.), I changed the location of my elements quite a few times before finally deciding on the final product.
Font options:
Successes:
I succeeded on using the program InDesign. I navigated the program really well and was able to make my ideas come to life. I added all the conventions I needed to complete my magazine while following my genre and keeping it from looking too messy.
Important takeaways/How it is helpful:
I believe everything I learned from this project is an important takeaway. Knowing the different elements and what they mean helps me understand and interpret the meaning a magazine is trying to convey. Knowing how to use the InDesign program taught me more about what goes into design and that everything is intentional. Doing it myself showed me that I have to take every element into account including positioning and sizing. Learning this was very helpful because I will have to use the information I've learned throughout the year. This could be helpful for my final project because I learned about color schemes that go into themes as well as how to establish the audience I'm looking for.
Final Product:
