Skills Development

Coming into this project I was fairly proficient in most of the technology I've used to create my media product. However I have advanced greatly in the area of InDesign.

While using InDesign I had to use the program on several different computers. This often causes links in the document to go missing or become corrupt. The first time this happened I assumed the file had been deleted accidentally. However on investigation I realised the files I use in InDesign are not actually saved into the INDD document - unlike PhotoShop - as this would cause the file to take up large amounts of memory. Instead InDesign uses previews of the links, to keep the document size to a minimum. So through updating missing links, no files have to be remade or replaced.

Another element I had to transfer my previous knowledge from PhotoShop was the use of layers. InDesign and PhotoShop both use layers, however in very different ways. With InDesign multiple elements can be placed onto one layer, while still being able to edit and transform it independently from other elements on the same layer. Where as in PhotoShop, once an element has been merged with another onto one layer it is then locked into editing the elements as a singular element.

One of the most useful features I found using InDesign were gutters and rulers. Both of these tools greatly helped with ensuring the grid layout of my magazine was in perfect proportion.

Evaluation Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Focus Group

DPS First Draft

Second Draft of Contents

With my first draft I had problems with the readability and distinguishing between the two columns of text. To overcome this I used the images as a banner down the page to separate the columns. I think this layout works much better for the readability of the page and also makes it a bit more unique, fitting in with the experimental theme of the magazine

Second Draft of Cover

Contents First Draft

I wanted to keep my house style very minimal, continuing from my cover, and the magazines I looked at during research. I did this by using a fair amount of white space to separate my images, articles and title; making it easy to view. However I feel that because of this generous white space, this has caused the two columns to merge, as it isn't very clear where the columns finish and end. To amend this I'll look at changing the layout of the page, or alternatively using a line/box in between the columns. I used the images I have to give a good colour continuation, so the images work well together. Furthermore to continue with the house style I've used the same font for the articles as I have on the cover page, to give a cohesive feel to the magazine as a whole.