ahandrewh teaches IAT-102graphic design

P2: Layout (due Oct 25)

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Introduction

Continuing from P1: Process, this project has you laying out a series of magazine spreads to practice working with type and composition.

P2: Layout is done in teams of two, and is worth 25% of your final grade.

Weekly instructions

This project spans multiple weeks. Please read the weekly instructions carefully.

From Sept 20 to Sept 27

This week is about getting set up with git and practicing using it.

  1. As a group agree upon which of your first project directions you would like to pursue. Make sure that you agree on:
    • A title for your article.
    • 3 sub-headings that will appear in your article.
    • An initial collection of possible photos for use in the layouts.
  2. Individually choose 2-4 fonts for your article. Make sure to:
    • Identify what each font is meant for, such as headings, captions, bodytype.
    • Look at the combinations and consider how they balance (weight, scale, style); an example is provided in the image below.
    Three different typefaces shown at different scale to help demonstrate the intended hierarchy of type.

    An example of showing a hierarchy and combination of type.

  3. Individually sketch 30 possible spread layouts, ensuring the sketches are no wider than 5cm (2 inches) across. Make sure to start exploring:
    • Different hierarchies of type
    • Relationships between the image and the text
    • Approaches to composition for the spreads
    Two thumbnail layout sketches

    Two spread sketches demonstrating different compositions and relationships between text and image

Bring to your Sept 27 class

As a group:

  • A title for your article.
  • 3 sub-headings that will appear in your article.
  • An initial collection of possible photos for use in the layouts.

Individually:

  • A set of 2-4 fonts for your article
  • 30 possible spread layouts

We will chat about your deliverables in-class.

From Sept 27 to Oct 11

This week is about starting to work on your magazine layouts digitally. Starting this week you are expected:

  1. As a group, set up and share a common set of InDesign files. These files should include:
    • Pages and margins
    • Grid structures
    • Required text content
    • Article title and sub-headings
    • Magazine issue date and title
    • Images
    • Fonts
  2. Individually create one print layout option for the two spreads. Consider:
    • How can you keep the flow of content between pages consistent?
    • How can you clarify the relationship between the images and text?
    • How can you help the reader move through the text?
Bring to your Oct 11 lab

A print-out of your spreads. Please email Andrew or send a message over course chat if you have concerns with printing.

From Oct 11 to Oct 25

This week is about combining your ideas into one final layout. We will hold a large critique of your work so far to provide more direction for the final week. In the final week you are creating one final four-page (two spread) design as a group.

Grading rubric

Your project will be graded on the following criteria:

Grading rubric for P2: Layout.
A B C D

Typography (5 points):

  • Is the hierarchy clear?
  • Is the article designed to be readable?
  • Does the article's design guide the reader effectively?
  • The hierarchy of text is clear.
  • The article uses good line-lengths, leading, point-size and alignment to create readable type.
  • The article's design guides the reader effectively through the article content including text, images, and any additional items (such as pull-quotes).
  • There are some concerns with the clarity of text hierarchy.
  • There are concerns with one of good line-lengths, leading, point-size or alignment which make for somewhat less readable type.
  • The article's design guides the reader effectively through the article content including text and images.
  • There are multiple concerns with the clarity of the text hierarchy.
  • There are concerns with two of good line-lengths, leading, point-size or alignment which make for less readable type.
  • The article's design guides the reader somewhat effectively through the article text and images, with some areas confusing or misdirecting the reader.
  • There is a lack of text hierarchy.
  • There are concerns with three of good line-lengths, leading, point-size or alignment which make for hard-to-read type.
  • The article's design makes it hard for the reader to follow the flow of text and image content in the article.

Composition (5 points):

  • Is the structure consistent?
  • Is the composition repetitive?
  • Is whitespace used to direct the attention of the reader?
  • Is whitespace used to clarify relationships between pieces of content?
  • The design uses a consistent structure for the content of the article.
  • The composition of the content in the structure is not repetitive, but understandable by the reader.
  • Whitespace is used actively to direct the attention of the reader to key content.
  • Whitespace is used passively to help create clear separations between pieces of content.
  • The design uses a consistent structure for the content of the article.
  • The composition of the content in the structure is repetitive and understandable by the reader.
  • Whitespace is occassionally used actively to direct the attention of the reader.
  • Whitespace is used passively to help create clear separations between pieces of content.
  • The design uses a somewhat inconsistent structure for the content of the article, which somewhat hinders reader understanding.
  • The composition of the content in the structure is repetitive (or not), but mostly understandable by the reader.
  • Whitespace is rarely used actively to direct the attention of the reader.
  • Whitespace is used passively to help create clear separations between pieces of content.
  • The design uses a very inconsistent structure for the content of the article, which hinders reader understanding.
  • The composition of the content in the structure is repetitive (or not), and hinders reader's focus or attention.
  • Whitespace is rarely used actively to direct the attention of the reader.
  • Whitespace is used passively to help create clear separations between pieces of content.

Unity (5 points):

  • Do the elements used feel like a set?
  • Do the images complement one another?
  • Does the article's design help convey the content of the article?
  • The design uses a consistent visual language.
  • The images are a complementary set.
  • The article's design strongly conveys the content of the article.
  • One of the design's elements: fonts, ornamentation, and imagery feel inconsistent.
  • Most of the images in the article feel like a consistent set.
  • The article's design conveys the content of the article.
  • Two of the design's elements: fonts, ornamentation, and imagery feel inconsistent.
  • Most of the images in the article feel like a consistent set.
  • The article's design somewhat conveys the content of the article.
  • Two of the design's elements: fonts, ornamentation, and imagery feel inconsistent.
  • Some of the images in the article feel like a consistent set.
  • The article's design somewhat conveys the content of the article.

Fulfilled requirements (7 points):

  • Used all provided placeholder text without editing?
  • Includes one main title and three subtitles?
  • Created the appropriate number of spreads for the team size?
  • Used no colour in layouts?
  • Included a list of citations with final submission?
  • Submitted final design as PDF?
  • Brought a print copy to Oct 25 class?
  • Used all provided placeholder text without editing — 4-page placeholder text (for groups of two) or the 6-page placeholder text (for groups of three).
  • Included one main title and three subtitles.
  • Created two spreads (four pages) for a team of two or created three spreads (six pages) for a team of three.
  • Used no colour in the layouts.
  • Included a list of citations with the final submission.
  • Submitted the final design as a PDF (to Canvas).
  • Brought a print copy of the final design to Oct 25 class.

Polish (3 points):

  • Are the photos all high-resolution?
  • Is the print-out appropriately sized?
  • All photos are sufficiently high resolution for printing.
  • The layout has been designed for a set of 11x17" spreads.
  • Some of the photos are too low resolution for printing.
  • The layout has been designed for a set of 11x17" spreads.

Final submission requirements (Oct 25)

The final submission for P2 is:

All PDFs are submitted to Canvas. The printed version should be brought to class; please email Andrew or send a message over course chat if you have concerns with printing.

Your project submission is due to Canvas before your Oct 25 class.

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.