For this assignment, you are asked to create and submit a proposal regarding the design and visual identity of a brand new (though fictional) literary and cultural magazine called ___________________________ , which is only available in tablet format. You will be designing with the iPad in mind.

About ________________________:

_______ is an arts and culture magazine. ________ seeks to attract a younger adult readership (late 20s to 40s) while not alienating older readers. Content of the magazine consists of a variety of intelligent articles about the arts, food, culture, technology, and current events. _______ will also feature book, film and music reviews, fiction, poetry, photography, and arts listings.

A. Design of a logo (masthead) to appear on the cover of __________ and throughout the publication. This is the magazine masthead quick project, due 4/2/14.

The rest of the items will be completed and critiqued during the last weeks of the semester:

B. Design and layout of three covers.C. Article layout (3 or 4 pages)D. Article layout (1 page)E. Department: One page of book reviews

F. Style/Spec sheet The Spec Sheet is meant to be a reference outlining guidelines regarding:Typeface specifications for each situation Font, Weight, Point Size, Leading, etc.Titles, Bylines, Body Text, Pull Quotes, Captions, Section Headings, Page Numbers, Month & Year, etc. Grid & Margin GuidelinesColorsThink consistency.

Text for articles and reviews can be found in the class folder under my name on the ArtX server. You may also use your own found articles with permission.

assignment continues on next page....

Magazine design demonstrates

a designer’s ability to lay out a

page, organize information, and

combine written and visual material

intelligently. A good magazine has a

strong identity, so that readers always

know where they are, page after page,

even when wading through a large

number of ad pages. A magazine relies

on pacing for its impact, and laying

out a magazine is a little like making

a movie, complete with a beginning,

middle, climax, and conclusion.

Paula Scher

Magazine DesignStudio Problems in Typography

Cutler-Lake

Adapted from The Graphic Design Portfolio: How to Make a Good One (Watson-Guptill, 1992) by Paula Scher.

*

Shinder’s Newsstand, 1946. Minneapolis, MN.

General Information/Guidelines

Illustrations/PhotographyIllustration and photography must be original and local. This means that you may use the work of yourself, your fellow students, or your friends.

The CoverMuch like the New Yorker, the cover of ________ will consist of a unique illustration that may or may not respond to the contents of the issue. Besides the ________ logo/letterhead, the cover should include issue date (Spring 2014 Summer 2014, Fall 2014) and a listing of three items (usually in the form of titles) to be found within. You can use the same text on all three covers.

Magazine/Page SizeThe iPad screen measures 768 pixels by 1024 pixels. InDesign has a template for you to use: when setting up your new document, change the “intent” from “print” to “digital publishing” and choose “iPad” as your page size.

Bells and WhistlesAs this is a typography project, don’t worry about making all of interactive content (links, video files, etc.) work right now, though you can certainly design for its eventual presence. But it is imperative that you have a feel for what it’s like to read content at this page size.

A magazine’s logo gives the publication its immediate identity. Paula Scher

Steps

1. Look at other publications. Try to go beyond your own subscriptions. Good selections of magazines may be found at local public libraries, Polk Library at UWO (both first floor and second floor “browsing” area), Paper Tiger in Oshkosh, Book World in Neenah, and Barnes & Noble in Appleton. Consider what makes a publication stand out when displayed next to many other titles. Look inside publications to get a feel of design systems at work. Note what works and what doesn’t.

1a. Look at other publications on an iPad or tablet. I’ll be sure to bring mine to class on a few occasions.

2. Work on masthead design. I expect to see at least 50 thumbnails in your process materials. After you have settled on identity graphics, start to work on color. The color of the logo may change with each new color or it may not. Turn this element in on 4/2/14 via the digital dropbox on the server. PDFs only.

3. Begin work on the covers by mid-April. Locate or create artwork.

Important: Don’t forget to work on the Style/Spec Sheet throughout the entire process. It may shift and grow as you complete the assignment.

4. Design the layout of departments within the publication, along with the department heading to appear at the top of the page. In our case, the book review department (Heading: “Books”), which will take up one page. Pay attention to the same requirements as before: consistency and hierarchy. You may choose to include book cover thumbnail photos in this section, if you wish. You should also include a photograph or an illustration on this page.

5. Lay out the articles. You must have at illustrations or photos. Make thumbnails and prelim sketches. (Note: Do not attempt to “force” all of the text in if it doesn’t fit your layout concept. Often, magazines “continue” text in the back of the publication.)

As this project is meant to be experienced digitally, there is no need to print the final project: just place a PDF into my dropbox. (Printouts will be needed for our critiques, however.) Don’t forget a detailed process book, which must show evidence of research of current magazine design.

This is actually an iPad mini. But you get my drift.