Category: Changing Faces Editorial

I received feedback on my changing faces editorial project after the formative assessment point. Overall I was very happy with the feedback and agree with the few areas that could be pushed further. As these editorials are going to form part of our end of year show, we are given time to make some adjustments prior to printing.

In the feedback it stated that my pull out quotations could be more evocative of their content. They seem to long and make the user disengage. This is something that I needed to address further. I decided in many cases to shorten the quotes that I had, taking out any information that was needed. As an example using “I know bits and pieces” rather than “I know bits and pies of stuff that’s happened”.

The feedback also stated about my typesetting and how things such as my rag needed more work. In order to try an create a more natural rag I decided to change the point size from 11 to 9. This created a more natural following Rag, to further this I also tried to move certain words to the next line. Moving words to the next line also help frame the type better around the imagery, for instance the title page.

I wanted to push the concept of the project more, the idea of missing/broken connections, alongside the content of the article which talks about fading memories. The visual language would still include characters missing from words but maybe as the editorial moves forward the more and more character start to fade. I used this in the pull out quotations mainly. Furthermore, previously the pull out quotations where black but I felt they would compliment the imagery more if they were coloured to match. I feel that this both compliments the images but also allows the quotes to stand out more and don’t seem placed unnaturally.

Also, with idea of the pushing the concept/content further I thought about fading the running heads as the article/editorial progresses. Starting off being 100%, moving to 50% then to 10% I think that this really adds to overall story and starts to strongly communicate the message of the article.

Overall I think that with these improvements I have really been able to enhance my work and showcase the message of the article/ the concept of spreads better.

This is the final draft of my editorial for In a Perpetual Present. View PDF below.

Changing Faces Final Editorial

 

Following on from the previous post, throughout the course of the project I have worked using a grid system on my indesign files, however, in this last development I decided to use a 4 column with a gutter of 8mm and the margins were set to 12.7mm along all sides of the document. Using this grid system I found was the best way to get the imagery and type displayed together.

In the InDesign file I decided to use a 3mm bleed which would allow for there there not to be any edges missing when trimmed. This was important to my spreads as in some cases I required the imagery to be spread right to the corners of the document.

Another type setting detail that I thought needed looking at was the rag of the type. As all the body copy was set flush left/ ragged right, I needed to ensure that my rag wasn’t to poor. I wanted to ensure that the rag had almost a fluid movement to it, moving in and out on each line (where possible).  I did the best that I could with trying to ensure that there weren’t any sudden indents that could cause the eye to create images that aren’t intended. I have also tried to eliminate any rivers that were running throughout the type, as this is something that I wouldn’t want the eye to be distracted by too.

As I had decided to move forward with my third development I evaluated it and there were a few areas that needed improving including my type detailing and body copy size. I also felt that something was missing from the editorial but I wasn’t sure what it was to start off with.

During a sign up tutorial that I have it was further confirmed to me that this was the case there were elements of the layouts that weren’t working. One of the major thing was the starting imagery, as I had used the train track then the rest of the imagery was chains it felt that I was trying to use to many visual metaphors within the editorial so it was suggested that I change the starting image to match the rest of the imagery in the article. This also lead onto the idea of having a complete chain at the beginning of the 3 spreads and then the final image would be a missing/broken link. Furthermore, it was felt that maybe through adding colour to the article would make it feel more contemporary and fresh, this was something that could be done through changing the image colours. Also, the boarder that I had added didn’t seem to be working as well and started to make the design feel to enclosed, the page numbers were detracting away from the article/ imagery due to size and some of the pull out quotations weren’t as strong as they could have been.

From this feedback it confirmed to me all the things that I had pulled out in my analyse of the design. I started off by looking at my imagery and how I could develop these, and add the colour. It was suggested that maybe I fade from one colour to another (for example starting in blue ending in pink). This was something that I was interested to look at some taking the original images I changed the mode to grayscale before adapting the brightness & contrast to make the image sharper. I then experimented with adding Duotone to the images, this created the vivid colour that was needed. I felt that this would bring that contemporary feeling that was missing from the editorial. Through adding the colour to them makes the images look like a series rather than just individual.

 

I then added these into my spreads before taking my typography to work alongside them. Through adding this pop of colour gave me yet another colour that I could use for the type which allowed me the opportunity to experiment maybe adding the pinks and reds into the type.

On the first spread as I had changed the image I needed to make the type fit around the image. I kept the same idea of some characters being faded out almost unreadable. I also added a subheading in here as I had space to do so and it adds yet another level of hierarchy to the spread. On the right hand side I flipped the original layout moving the body copy and stand first to the right and placing the call out between the text and image. I think that this visually works better and theres more balance in the spread. Also as the body copy point size was too large I scaled it down to 10 this when printed out seems to be the correct size. I took advantage of now having a third colour in the mix and made the stand first red to match the colour of the image beside it.

In terms of type detailing it was clear that there were some issues on this first spread. On the spread there were some orphans that I needed to get rid of in order to ensure that my type detailing was correct. To do this I needed to adjusted the tracking which enabled me to make sure I had no orphans at the end of the paragraphs. Also I added a ligature to the callout as I had a double ‘ff’ which meant that it was appropriate to do so.

In the second spread I kept relatively similar to the development 3 in terms of layout however, I changed the call out that I used because in the end I felt that it didn’t link to that area of the article and that what it was saying had already been expressed by the first call out. I also added a second call out on the spread over in the image, I did this as I felt that there was a quite a bit of empty space here and that it would be interesting to add the call out. I really like the idea of the chains being in line with each other looks like it goes behind a white block of type which is interesting. Furthermore, this spread also contains the transition from red to pink which the first image being more reddish in tone and the second having a pinker shade. Again in the callout there was another double ‘ff’ so I used a ligature here.

 

The last spread I kept the same however, I added in a smaller call out quote in the middle of the body copy to add a sense of hierarchy to the spread. Again using the colour pink to make it stand out as well as using a larger point size. On this spread in particular I think that the use of colour makes the image pop and draws the attention to the visual metaphor. The way that the body copy has been placed gives the impression that it sits around the chain at the bottom which visually I think works. In this spread there were also some widows and orphans that I needed to change, to do this I also changed the tracking. Through doing this I feel that I have eliminated all of the widows and orphans.

 

Overall, I think that this development and progression has given me a more contemporary editorial that has a clear visual metaphor. I think that the imagery and layouts compliment the concept well and draw the audience in. The variety of layouts also means that there is a vary in the pace which is something that I needed to consider at the beginning of the project and reflecting looking at it now I think that I have achieved this. Reflectively looking back on the decision to add vibrant colour to the imagery I think has really helped to bring all three spreads together, previously there was a sense being unconnected and they didn’t flow however, I feel as though I have achieved this flow through the colour.

 

After the one to one I decided to complete another photoshoot where I broke a necklace chain to show a more feminine approach. I think that the photos that I end up with were okay however, for future reference I should use a lenses that allows me to get up close to the detail as I have had to use a wider shot to capture the chain.

I think that these do show a famine side to the article through imagery and used in combination to the previous chain I think will lift the editorial so that it isn’t just purely mechanical items.  I have tried to keep them landscape again as I felt that this would suit the editorial best however, I have experimented with portrait images too.

 

Once these were taken into photoshop and edited I started to create layouts including them. I wanted to include some of the stronger imagery I had used in the initial layouts but I was more cautious about over powering images being including on each spread.

Development 1

I started by completing a very basic layout adding my new images into an older layout I had experimented with. I used Zeitung Mirco Pro Light as my typeface for the body copy and using variations of weights (semi-bold/ regular) of this typeface for the titles and pull out quotations. Again I really thought that the text and image combination of the first page works and this was something that I decided to keep throughout the course of the developments. However, as noted previously my type setting wasn’t the best so I tried using a different grid system to make the spacing between the sections of type more equal and less squished. Furthermore, I wanted to make more use of the fading lettering I had used in the title so I decided to add this to the call outs too, which I had selected better to try and accommodate the concept of the article. I didn’t like the layout of the 3rd spread in this development I felt that it didn’t make much sense and that the type wasn’t working alongside the imagery now.

Development 2

I then moved on to develop more again keeping the same combination of imagery to highlight the concept of missing link/ broken connection. As I thought that the text was starting to overpower and at times make the balance unsteady, I used a version of the article where I have reduced the amount of words to just about 1500 words. However, in this development I feel that there is too much blank space at times and that the type layout doesn’t utilise the space in the best way that it could. At this point I looked back and the initial layouts that I had completed and I like the idea of the larger chain going across the two pages. I think that reason that it was felt to be too over powering was due to the fact that there was too much text surrounding it, this is something I felt that I could develop further again.

Development 3

Moving forward then I decided to including running headers and page numbers to the editorial, I felt that they were missing throughout the rest of development but they bring further elements of hierarchy to the piece. The page numbers being surrounded by blue also bring a sense of colour to the editorial as the images are very black and white. I also included a line to connect the running heads to the page number on the left hand page. However, the line has a slight break in it to again fit in with the concept which is missing link/ broken connection, I really like how this starts to frame the type and imagery. The grid system was slightly different in this development again using 4 column and an 8mm gutter, with point size 11. I think that through having this grid system it has allowed me to evenly distribute the text across all three spreads. Furthermore, I decided to include the larger imagery again in the spreads however, this time I haven’t place too much text around it. I think that this works better, even though the imagery is still bold I think that it communicates the concept that I have gone with for the article. I have also left the call outs in the same style that I had the title in as I felt that this worked well in previous development.

I think that development three is the strongest so far because I have various levels of hierarchy within the piece along with strong imagery that shows the concept in different ways. I also think that the combination of bold striking full page imagery works well alongside the images that has been scaled down.

In order to see what this would look like printed to scale I decided to print development 3 out each page on A3 as it would be when printed professionally. By doing this gave me a sense of the elements on the document for example, if the body copy point size was correct if the imagery was too small etc. I evaluated my work using post it notes to allow me to refer back to them when making changes. Reflecting on my design process so far I think that buy having everything pinned up on a wall for me to evaluate is really useful for me and I think that this is something that I will continue to do.

In the one to one tutorial it was an opportunity for me to go through my initial drafts and discuss what works well and what parts could be improved. This was really useful to me as I had a variety of spreads which I was unsure what elements worked well and what didn’t.

When we discussed the article then looked at the imagery there was some idea that the chain and the broken wires weren’t feminine enough as the article talks about a women. The objects are often links to manufacturing and labour which meant that they could communicate the incorrect message. To develop upon this feedback it was suggested that maybe I take the chain idea into something little more feminine for example using a necklace chain thats broken. Also the idea of sitting being missing from clothing. I also received feedback saying that the image of the train track was very strong in showing a missing link, it was clear that this was the best imagery to take forward, the idea of the broken link didn’t seem to have the greatest impact but could work.

Furthermore, I also was given feedback on the hierarchy within my work, at the moment my bold decision with the photography was making the imagery too overpowering and maybe it would be better if  I had a better balance between the type and image. There were also a few issues with my type setting that I need to consider further. In terms of the headings it was felt that the ones where characters were missing from the words was the best as it gave a sense of missing connections as well. It was almost like they were fading away, much like McKinnon knowns intellectually they things go together but her memories of those are fading away.

In order to ensure that my spreads are ready for next week I will need to consider all this feedback and take it further in development to ensure that I achieve the best possible outcome I can.

From the tutorial it was clear that I needed to be more metaphorical with my imagery so I thought about photographing items that link/connect things but with element of it either broken or missing. In my sketchbook I brainstormed various things that came to mind when thinking about connections, including chains, wires, electric circuits and pipes. However, I also thought about the idea of links as in getting to one place to another which made me think about trains and trams.

In a photoshoot I experimented with creating interesting compositions with items that show this idea of missing/broken link/connection. This allowed me the chance to be more creative for example, cutting an old wire and moving around all the copper inside to removed 3 of the links from an old chain and creating different compositions with the broken link.

Compared to this first imagery I had thought of this is definitely more metaphorical as it doesn’t directly show a missing link or connection. (based around the idea that McKinnon cannot make connections to things from her past). Using this imagery now I developed 3 spread digitally using InDesign.

In the brief it highlights that the minimum for each single page is 315mm x 225mm which meant that a double page spread would be 315mm x 450mm. I decided that I would work with these measurements to ensure that I was meeting the requirements of the brief. I set my documents to produce 3 spreads at this size, I then adding grid systems depending on each different spread layout.

The screenshot below shows the first set of spreads that I designed, I was very bold in my use of imagery with it either spanning a single page or the entire spread. I liked the typography of the title, the letters are light enough to almost being missing but that are also still able to be read if needed. When taking a closer look at the article itself it was clear that in developed spreads that I might need to cut some paragraphs down in order to make the spread less body copy heavy. Personally I like the idea of the of the chain across the double page spread, I think that it’s very dynamic and is powerful.

The second screenshot is the second spread that I designed, I used different type of layouts here including fading images over the top of type. I think that the colour of the wires is striking and has an impact on the reader. In this spread I experimented with the idea of using the textures from my concept 1 imagery within some of the type. However, I don’t think that it works with the rest of the spread and that you don’t really get the textures through from the image. I think that are elements of this spread which could be developed taken further when combined with spreads from the first idea could work well.

The third screenshot below is the final initial spread idea that I have put together. In this set of spreads I have experimented with the idea of part of the characters missing, I developed the type using illustrator, I was able to manipulate the anchor points of the characters to create the sense that they weren’t complete. Much like the idea that McKinnon’s ability to make links to thinks isn’t complete. In this spread I used only the broken chain and disconnected wires, I made the bold choice again to use the images to cover across the background of the spreads. reflecting on this I can see that the type over the image of the chain might be a little difficult to read.  In this I think that the type setting needs some

I will take these three initial layout ideas to my one to one tutorial where I will be able to chat through with a tutor which elements are best and how I can develop my spreads further.

For the tutorial I took the three initial concepts that I had developed, spoke about each of the concepts individually to the group.  Overall the feedback that I received was positive, peers who were doing the same article as me thought that the ideas were very unique and that they obviously weren’t cliche as none of them had even thought about them.

They felt that each of the concepts had potential to be developed further, however, concept 1 they felt had been done previously especially with the imagery of the ink clouds. It was a new concept by the imagery I was using seemed similar to that of previous ideas. Therefore, I felt that it was best to maybe consider using a different concept as I wanted the concept to be original.

As a group they thought that the second concept that I had developed was the strongest and offered a very different insight into the article itself. They felt that it had great potential with imagery and type but at the moment the imagery I had was to literal and I needed to think about using something that’s more metaphorical. To do this it was suggested that I looked at different connections and links, things that connect items in very day life to use to create metaphorical imagery for the article. The next stage of the process I needed to think about these and use creative thinking techniques to try come up with imagery thats new.

They thought that the third concept was interesting however, concept two only had the most potential. I received feedback on the typography experiment that I had done, they thought that the type from concept 1 and concept 2 had real potential and that I should consider experimenting with these further. Possible taking a few of the textures out of imagery from concept 1 and add it into the typography.

As part of our changing faces projects we took part in the editorial image workshop, an important part of the brief was to make sure there was a balance between image and type. The idea of the images is to make them more metaphorical, this is something that I have struggled with previously because my work is something very literal.

We were put into teams of three and each group had a different article which we had to interpret and create an image for. Our article was about the animals dying after having their photo taken, “the latest form of animal cruelty – death by camera phone.

We decided to break down the main themes which were animals, death and social media. From these we developed ideas including the idea that we eventually choice. We used the idea of the camera on a iPhone and the focusing swear being changed a target to highlight the idea that social media is killing these animals. In the final image we used a penguin in the background because we felt that this would be better.

This workshop has helped me think about how deconstructing the main themes will help you create imagery which is new and does make the audience think about article and imagery. This will help me throughout the course of this project but I am sure it will benefit me in future projects too.

I wanted to make sure I thought about various avenues that I could take my project down so I came up with three initial concept ideas for the editorial. I arrived at these through my creative thinking techniques but they are all based around the main themes and tones that run throughout the article. I also think that they reflect what impression a reader gets from the article.

Concept One

The first concept idea was follows the thought of how McKinnon’s memory is cloudy, foggy and unclear. One of the quotes that I took inspiration from was “blurring away my own memories” this gave me the idea of cloudy and how they reveal part of the sky. another quote that inspired this concept was “I know bits and piece” which again made me think about how clouds can only reveal certain parts of the sky. As the concept would inspire both the imagery and type for the editorial I thought that through experimenting with photography and hand rendered type would give me chance to visualise this concept.

I wanted the imagery to be fairly metaphorical in this project, so I decided to experiment with ink in water. The ink cloud represent the memories of McKinnon and as some parts of more vivid in colour compared to others this represents the fact that she is only able to remember bits. Also, the colour of the cloud would be different to represent the emotion in memory. The imagery would be developed further if I was to take this concept further, possibly adding people behind the clouds.

The type in this concept I would experiment with blurred typography, parts of the heading being clouded over (maybe using ink clouds) and elements of the characters missing. This again would be to reiterate the idea that McKinnon’s memories are “clouded” and parts are missing.

Also as I thought that it would be relevant to come up with an initial layout idea for each concept. In my sketchbook I just sketched various layouts before thinking about which would work best with the imagery I have created. Below is the spread sheet that I have produced for concept one, I have included a variation of layouts within the set of spreads.

Concept Two

The second concept is around the idea that McKinnon is unable to make connections between objects and experiences. In the article there is a lot of talk about there being objects in McKinnon’s home that she cannot place next to a experience, for example souvenirs from her travels. Her wedding day was another one of these days that she cannot picture and her wedding photos she’s unable to connect with.

I wanted to experiment with the ideas of what I could use for imagery, which has helped me to visualise the concept. I used string to represent a connect between object and memory. The photographs represent the memory and I have used objects from my home which are important and have connection to certain events. In some of the images the string isn’t tied which represents the idea of making no connections. In one of the images I experimented through not using a photograph, and the gap where this should be highlights the missing connection.

For typography in this concept I experimented with missing characters, broken up characters and spaced out characters. The idea again to try show the missing connection that McKinnon feels from her past.

Concept Three

The third concept for the editorial was inspired by the quote ‘finding herself guessing a lot of what her experiences must have been like’.After using the creative thinking techniques it gave me the idea that McKinnon is attempted to decode her life, make sense of her parts of her memory that she has, trying to piece together her own life story. I thought that this was a very important message in the article.

Again to help me visualise the concept I decided to use my photography skills to create some visuals for the concept. As the idea is ‘decoding’ I thought about overlaying images then cutting away parts of them to highlight that idea that parts are missing again, I used some of my childhood photos to create the overlay. I then thought about the fact that these memories are very unclear to McKinnon so I took the same image repeated it twice more and overlaid them to create this blurred and interesting composition which I think really highlights to the audience that McKinnon is so unclear about her past.

As for the typography in this concept, I started by looking at coding typography to inspire me but I also experiment with reputation to try and create the blurred effect that I had achieved with the imagery. This style of typography would be used only for headings and subheadings.

I will take all three of these concepts to the next tutorial and from the feedback I gain I will make an informed decision on which concept is best to take forward into the project. I will also consider any feedback that I am given regarding visual ideas.