P1: Process (due October 7/8)
Introduction
You are designing a layout for a new digital magazine that is focused on a specific topic area of your choosing.
Your first two projects explore digital magazine layout design. This first project focuses on generating ideas and directions for your next project in which you will design the layout itself.
You will not be writing the article, just designing the layout for it.
P1: Process is worth 10% of your final grade.
Weekly instructions
This project spans multiple weeks. Please read the weekly instructions carefully.
From September 16/17 to September 23/24
The first week is for exploring a topic area and generating some visual direction.
- Brainstorm possible topic areas for your magazine — Graphic Design Thinking (Lupton, 2011) provides a good, brief introduction to brainstorming.
- Select two topic areas for your magazine from your brainstorming session.
- Create a new account with Figma using your SFU email address. You can then sign up for a free educational plan.
- Working in a new design file in Figma, generate a moodboard that captures visual directions you are interested in exploring for each of your two topic areas. Each moodboard should include:
- A label indicating the topic for your magazine.
- A collection of illustrations, photos, typography and colour swatches. Minimum 20 individual 'elements' in the collection.
- A brief (1-2 sentence) description of the 'mood' you believe this collection of elements captures.
Bring to your September 23/24 lab
A series of sketchbook pages and/or Figma link containing:
- A brainstorm of possible magazine topic areas.
- Two selected topic areas.
- Two moodboards — one for each topic area selected — including the requested materials.
We will chat about your deliverables in lab.
From September 23/24 to October 7/8
This week is about solidifying your visual direction for the magazine.
- Based on the feedback from lab select one topic area to pursue.
- Create a revised moodboard. Integrate feedback you have received to ideally improve and clarify your visual intention.
- Come up with an article concept. This will need to include:
- A title for your article .
- Three sub-headings that will appear in your article.
- Six high-resolution images (minimum 2200 x 1700 pixels) with citations.
- Write a short rationale (max 200 words) for how and why your chosen direction will be appealing to those who are interested in your magazine's topic area.
Assemble your process (from both weeks) into a 1280 pixel wide scrolling display in Figma. Use headings and layout to effectively provide an overview of your process. Ensure the PDF:
- Shows process clearly — if taking a photo of sketches, make sure there is good lighting.
- Uses the headings to help guide us through the process.
- Makes it possible for us to understand your rationale using supporting materials as appropriate.
Please also bring these materials to your next lab.
Grading rubric
Grading for this project focuses on process and the presentation of process. Please email Andrew with any questions about the rubric.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Included the requested pieces (3 pt) | All requested materials have been completed and included and additional (relevant) exploration has been included. | All requested materials have been completed and included. | One requested material — i.e. brainstorm, moodboards, concept, rationale — has not been completed and/or is not included. | Two requested materials — i.e. brainstorm, moodboards, concept, rationale — have not been completed and/or is not included. |
| Effective rationale (2 points): 'Does it show and tell effectively?' | The rationale uses supporting artifacts effectively — i.e. images, quotes, process material, etc. — to present an easy-to-understand argument without extra, un-related materials. | The rationale uses supporting artifacts — i.e. images, quotes, process material, etc. — to present an easy-to-understand argument with some extra, un-related materials. | The rationale uses some supporting artifacts — i.e. images, quotes, process material, etc. — to present an understandable argument with some extra, un-related materials. | The rationale uses few supporting artifacts — i.e. images, quotes, process material, etc. — to present a confusing argument with materials that are not clearly related. |
| Polish (3 pts) | Headings and structure in the submission are used effectively to provide a clear overview of the process. | Headings and structure in the submission are used somewhat effectively to provide an understandable overview of the process. | Headings and structure are in the submission are used ineffectively, and provide a difficult to understand overview of the process. | |
| Formatted document (1 pt) | Document is formatted as a 1280 pixel wide, scrolling page. | Document is formatted as a scrolling page. | ||
| Citations (1 pt) | Citations are provided in a consistent, standard (APA, MLA, or otherwise) format. | Citations are provided in a consistent, non-standard format. | Citations are provided in an in-consistent format. | |
Final submission requirements (October 7/8)
The final submission for P1 is all of your process as a 1280 pixel wide scrolling Figma document.
Your project submission is due to Canvas before your October 7/8 lab.
Please make sure double-check all your submitted files and URLs to ensure they can be opened. We want to avoid late or problematic submission penalties whenever possible.