A foundation course in typography

Tag: video

Class 19 – Anatomy of a Magazine Page

There are 2 basic categories of elements in a magazine layout: architecture which stay consistent from issue to issue (grid, margins, standing heads, folios, typographical style sheet, etc) and content which changes with each page and each article.

The crucial elements of a magazine page that you should know:

  • headline – also known as the “hed.”
  • art – photo, graphic or an illustration.
  • deck – not all articles or features have one, but when they do, it is usually longer and provides more information than the “hed.”
  • byline – the name of the person who wrote the article or feature.
  • lead – the opening paragraph to the article that is written and designed to engage the reader.
  • caption – a description used to identify the photograph or art element. Usually small in size.
  • spread – the 2 facing pages of magazine article. The spread needs to be designed as a unit.
  • folio – not only a page number, but may contain the magazine’s name and issue date.
  • bleed – all elements that are to print off the page should “bleed” off the edge of the page.
  • pull quote – used to explain photo or used to pull important information from the story. Usually larger in point size than captions. AKA call-out text that invites the reader into the story.
  • subhead – used to break up large chunks of text and help the reader understand what will follow.
  • credit – photo credit or credit for other art element; names the photographer or person who created the art element.
  • sidebar – a small story related to the main story. Sometimes set off by a colored box.
  • infographic – presents additional information in a graphical format, usually in the form of table, chart or graph.
  • margin – the white space at the top and sides of your page helps to make the layout feel open and inviting. Keeps everything organized.
  • gutter – AKA the alley; space between columns.
  • grid – helps to keep the page layouts consistent throughout the magazine.

Read Elements of a Magazine Page for more explanations and definitions.

The crucial elements of a magazine cover that you should know:

  • masthead – the name of the magazine. Sometime referred to as the logo of the magazine.
  • main image – large image or photograph that relates to the content or subject matter of the magazine.
  • main coverline – the largest most visible coverline; relates to the main image.
  • coverlines – titles of highlighted stories that appear in the magazine. The main coverline is usually larger along with smaller ones. They appear around the main image.
  • barcode – used by retailers, contains the price and other information about the publication.
  • tagline – AKA the “selling line.”
  • dateline –  the publication date, which is usually the month and year.

Review this marked up cover for clarity.

View the following video, Understanding the Parts of a Magazine Cover.

 

As a resource to this lesson, download the PDF file, Anatomy of a Magazine Layout.

Homework – Due Monday, 11/21

  • Your Chap Book should be ready for in-class critique. It should be at least 90% finished since it is due on Wednesday the 23rd.
  • Prepare for Quiz #2 which will be on Mon, 11/21/16. It will cover information we’ve covered since the mid-term, including anatomy of a magazine.

Class 17 and 18 – Working with Paragraph and Character Styles

When working on large documents, knowing how to use  paragraph and character styles will be very important and come in handy.

One of the best ways to format text in a long document or a document that has repeating formats is to use paragraph or character styles. When we use styles we’re creating a style sheet that will be used to format text whenever that format has to be repeated. For example, to make sure body text and/or subheads are consistent throughout a document, we would style sheet. Using a style sheet will make it quick and easy to make universal changes formatting if you need to change some aspect of the formatting, like point size, font or font color.

To help refresh and clarify the demo we did in class, use the videos below.

Paragraph Styles in InDesign CC (includes drop caps also)

Character Styles in InDesign CC

How to Draw Thumbnail Sketches

When it’s time to begin a new project, before you sit at the computer and open InDesign, Photoshop or Illustrator, the first thing you should do is a series of thumbnail sketches. Thumbnails are a way of brainstorming and getting your ideas out of your head onto paper. Thumbnails are not perfect, detailed drawings, but instead they are very rough, quick sketches. Watch the video below, then get your pencil and paper and begin sketching out the ideas for your next project. Do as many sketches as you can, then you’re ready to select the idea you like the best.

Watch the documentary before class on Monday, Oct 17, 2016. You should take notes of the key points that you learn and be prepared to answer questions and discuss in class.

InDesign Help

During the last class we explored several different things in InDesign—using paragraph and character styles, creating drop caps, and type on a path. I’ve added a collection of videos to help you if you need a refresher with any of these features and topics.

How to Create InDesign Paragraph Styles

 

How to Make InDesign Drop Caps

 

Setting Text Vertically in InDesign

 

Type on a Path Tool Adobe InDesign

Class 4 – Introduction to Adobe InDesign CC

During class we reviewed letterspacing/tracking and kerning. We also began to explore the working environment of Adobe InDesign.

Areas covered:

  • Creating a new document
  • The InDesign workspace
  • Working with text boxes, fonts, point sizes, leading alignment
  • Leading, measurements, kerning

We also discussed increments of measurements:

  • type is measured in points (pts)
  • 12 pts = 1 pica
  • 6 picas = 1 inch
  • 72 pts = 1 inch

 

If you missed the class, or need a review, here is a video that might help you with getting started in InDesign. It is a bit long but pretty thorough in helping your get started:

 

Others Videos Viewed in Class:

Homework — Due Wed, 9/14/16

  • Reading Assignment in textbook: Grid System pgs 177 -221 (be prepared to answer one quiz question on this topic)
  • Spend a some time reviewing the articles posted by your classmates and leave comments.
  • Watch the video: Typography & Design – How Typography Impacts Design below, and be ready to discuss during class.