I wanted to allow the design to be amazing for the LFB – I wanted them to really connect with the magazine. I did not just want the audience to be pleased with this design I also wanted LFB and a fire fighter to give their opinion on the design.
I asked my uncle and I told him to be as honest as he could – here is his response:
” I though it was really good Katie and very professional. Lots of accurate info and well researched. “
This is the final page for this DPS. This one is slightly different in comparison to other pages as I feel like there is a lot more information. I tried my hardest to make sure I was making it interesting and adding colour so people wouldn’t skip pass this page. Yes I could of made a better design for it or not even used this page – but I felt like it was important for people to understand the life of a fire fighter. I think a lot of people who arrest related to fire fighters or learn about it think all they do is put out fires and that is not all they do. they help the communities in a greater way, they have to sacrifice a lot of time and by show casing different avenues within this design I really am educating kids if they are cut out to be a fire fighter and what fire fighters do.
Just like the previous page – I start of with a bold headline indicating what this page is going to be about – sitting the exact style and format as the page prior. I then thought of ways in which I could break this down – I could add an image but I have used so much already and also didn’t have one that I felt would fit the design message. Therefore I went to my best source of colour to fit the page together. Now as your notice the next few pages do not display the red page on the right instead displays white and has elements of red across the DPS. I didn’t feel like it was needed on every single page – the thing with a magazine not every page is the same otherwise it gets quite repetitive therefore where there was more information or not a lot of imagery I decided against the red but the theme does continue.
On the left hand page we have at the start the day shift and the timing that involves that – and then below we have the night shift with the timings on that. I wanted to showcase this purely because I didn’t even know this myself and thought it would be a good idea for the younger audience to visualise what a day in the life of a fire fighter is and understand the long hours they do. We then start of the paragraphs with where I got this information from and it was quoted from my uncle but because we already used him as the interviewee I didn’t want to showcase his name again, therefore it looks like I gathered my information of a bunch of people not just my uncle. I then used red quote marks again and began wiring his day via a night shift and a day shift. AGAIN I wish I could change the awful type as I cannot stand the way its placed and it has to be edited but I just don’t have time – after doing more magazines since this I have developed so much more and I am picking out a lot of issues right now. I would off loved the type to be thinner in and ave the paragraph edit where the enlinements was clearers. On the right hand page I added some photographs at the top – the photos are of equipment as this is part of the daily life of a fire fighter. and then the information continues over the page.
to keep the consistency and the audience entertained I added another did you know fact – but the time it linked to part of their day. Having this little fact really enables the audience to feel attached to the design and actually walk away with something no matter what part they choose to read.
mock up:
This is the final mock up for this page. I think this page works well there are a few things I would change like I said the paragraph settings. I feel though considering there is a lot of information here I have broke it up well to allow the audience to learn something and understand what it’s like to be a fire fighter. I could off put it in bullet points but I always want my designs to tell a story and I think this page achieves that.
The page numbers for this magazine is slightly different to other designs I have achieved due to the fact it being so small. So the next DPS counts as page 2 as it follows on.
This page is dedicated to the person who inspired me through this design and the person I interview. My uncle has been a fire fighter my entire life its all I have known him to do, when I was little he was a hero to me and my brother looked up at him so much. I wanted to get inside his head – understand what its like to be a fire fighter and even if some of the things he didn’t tell me aren’t on here I did learn so much for him and made me realise a lot. I do have his permission also for this therefore i was able to use his photo and his name.
So the left hand page is dedicated to his interview. I wanted to now start making it a bit easier for the audience to understand the design. Now this a magazine but it acts like a leaflet almost as there is no context page and thats purely because its so small and I did not think it was needed. I started the page with a red square with a white type of interview – to allow the audience to have some indication of the design. I then decided. to add a small photo of the back of my uncle working and showcasing different elements of the fire equipment. I felt like this picture spoke a lot of words as it was able to show all different equipments and see a fire fighter in action without going into fire – preparation is key. Like the first about us page, I made his name in this space out type and this then became a running theme throughout the magazine for titles. Now that I am looking at this design over developing my magazine skills the writing angers me so much – but its too late to chance. I made the writing sit in red speech marks to fit in with the theme – and have two columns of information and this is word by word what my uncle said. I now wish I had edited the paragraph style as I think its so annoying as my skills have developed a lot and there is a lot I would change about this DPS. Underneath I wanted to add the location of his fire station because it deserved credit, I am taking photos of their station and without them this magazine would not have happened – also to make awareness as my uncle said a bunch of fire stations were cut due to the government and making awareness of them is important.
We then move onto the right hand side – this is the exact same as the page before in the meaning of the red background. I wanted to make sure there was a consistency throughout as it was dedicated towards the exact same topic and if they were different it would be awfully designed. When we had the first criticism I got told to change the type as as if you look below the image I explain why*
I made the type sit in quote marks – this was a quote I felt represented what being a fireman was like. This was the best way to describe it. I asked my uncle why he did it and this was his answer. I made this sit a lot larger because I felt it was important for the reader to visualise. I then made all the images sit down the right hand side. Like the first red page I left gaps a there is a lot of information in this magazine and sometimes leaving negative space allows the design to breathe. Having the type large also allows the page to not be as boring – not a lot of kids would read the paragraph but I feel like if they had a focus which is the quote they would actually want to read what its like being a fire fighter.
*
so this was how the type was at first – but someone said at the first crit that when printed they wouldn’t be able to read that. its not always true as depending if the size is large and its a small amount of text it can be read over the gutter but I did understand that it could be hard to read as its a few words. Also that the black wasn’t really fitting in which I knew. Therefore I changed that complexly.
At the bottom of the pages. Then began adding a did you know section. When researching into magazines for school kids (secondary) thy usually displayed a did you know factor. I added this because I think even if someone who hates reading only looks at the pictures and reads the big quote they come away leaning something. If they then read that small did you know fact they are being educated which links to design for good.
first mock up:
This is the final mock up for this design. I did do one like I said previously but I felt like throughout I want to show the finals I would off printed and this is the mock up I would off printed. Doing this also allowed me to see if the DPS actually linked with the front cover and if I was using all similar colours throughout.
For my project the magazine is the focal point and therefore I wanted to make sure the design was easy for adults and secondary school kid to read. I did look at some reference layout imagery but personally I found it easier to create from my own I looked at a few from previous but sort of made up my own style which I was quite proud off.
This is the first double page spread. I wanted to have a page that introduced people to the topic I was aiming for with the design and entice them into the design. On the left hand page I have decided to make this was an about page; This is a small magazine therefore it has to be structured well. As the years have gone on I have thought a lot about a reproduction and the way in which a magazine needs to form and structure.
The left hand page starts off with a group photo of them all together and placed in their LFB surroundings – having them in their uniforms when they would go out makes it eye catching the audience. I feel like school kids automatically associate fire fighters in this uniform and therefore acts as an indicator for the design outcome. I decided to make the image sit at the very top of the left hand page leaving no gaps. I didn’t want to over crowd this magazine with information wanted to make it quite simple. I then decided to start of the colour theme within the design – below we have in a spaced out type BEBAS type face. I started this with a red type and then below adding this type. Now I am looking at the finals I realise that the type could be a lot more paragraphed and edited better and I think thats due to the fact that I have developed since creating this. I used the information from the lFB and to showcase that it was from that website and this is the income of information. I think that I wanted to make this design quite simple and not over powering. I think that this page set up the rest of the magazine design. I made the paragraph sit slightly of centre and then below I added the LFB logo which could allow the audience to associate where the information came from and what this entire magazine is focused on. In the corner sits the page number which is underlined with red and yellow as I felt like it was needed to make it seem a less randomly placed.
Right hand page: *
This page sets up the colour theme throughout and works well against the left hand page. I decided to make the page this light red colour and it would then would relate to the inspiration of the Pinterest picture. I made the right hand side was the same colour as the title of the title displayed on the ‘about us’ title. If you look at these pages next together you can see they are opposite – so the right hand page starts with a red background and our mission sits slightly bigger in white and then the type sitting underneath is again sitting in white. Below sits the image – but due to not making exactly the same I thought of adding the photo in the middle slightly and with a white boarder – without the white boarder the image didn’t really stand out due to the fact of the colours and thats the issue if both the pages were colourful.
I think this page really engages the audience and allows you to have an insight into the LFB – when asking my uncle he said that everything displayed on here portrays LFB in their best lights and thats a good reaction. On the left you get an insight into them as a collective and all working together so save their city. I think having the red against the white page makes it become less repetitive and boring to the audience. I think it makes I have a bit more character.
*The right hand page was inspired by this image below; that I found on Pinterest- I thought due to the audience being kids and secondary school kids. I was going to use the entire page filled with colour background but because a lot of the photography had colours and different shapes etc I felt like this would make it a little bit tacky.
I actually did two mock ups and develop them further due to the length of time I had been given I felt like it was needed to make a bit more of a development with the mock ups. An issue had occurred to one of the a5 papers and therefore this is why I decided to mock up a little bit different.
this is the first mock up:
This mock up shows what it looks like as a magazine and it works well and allowed me to understand the design when printing. I actually used this as sort of a test print. As I printed this off at college and started analysing it but I felt like it could be developed a lot more. I actually did all the pages as mock ups and then I developed the mock up and I will show that on each blog.
final mock up:
Due to losing one piece of work I had to add more. So this mock up shows not only the magazine but the front cover and also how that would look on a website. I want to make this magazine able to view on the lFB website – say for example when your on their website its a link that takes you to a PDF magazine. the years are progressing and making things feature on phones etc allows the target audience grow and reach down to the younger generation levels.
This mock up therefore displays a front cover – and what that would potentially look like as a on screen magazine. I then have the right hand side the magazine. The issue is it cuts of some but I think the fact that I have the old mock up allows you to visualise what it is like. This entire mock up allows the audience to visualise the entire magazine even if they advent purchased it your viewing the outside and the inside the only thing your not is the back cover but thats a seperate mock up as it wouldn’t be shown on a phone.
1) Visual Communication:
In what ways does the visual communication/message of the piece meet the needs of the brief?
Within the app project we got advice to create our own proposal therefore within the project, as well as the original brief that comes along side of it. With the main brief, I looked into the word appetite which led onto poverty. Within the brief given to us it allowed us to create work that would fit into our portfolio design aspects. To allow us to open interpretation within the given theme and allow flexibility within chosen pathways. Therefore, we created our own proposals.
Within my proposal I discussed that I was going to create an advertising campaign within poverty, therefore not discuss what I would create just anything to link with an advertising campaign. Within my campaign, I created posters, and editorial pages that connected with a poverty campaign. As well as the actual finals, the main visual communication that portrays my design as an advertisement campaign is the logo that features within the design.
In what ways does the visual communication/message of the piece fail to meet the needs of the brief?
Personally speaking, because I had the chance to write my own brief it was easier for me to meet needs of the brief. In the past sometimes it has been harder because you have to follow a certain brief which sometimes limits you. However, this time round just like FMP, I had a clear visualisation in my head what the outcome was going to be therefore I feel as in comparisons to other projects it had a higher level of achievement towards reaching visual communication because I knew exactly what I wanted to achieve. *****
What are the strengths of the visual communication? Why?
Within the designs, and from the feedback from the crits, the strong point within the visual communication was the sensitivity that came along with the process; each design portrays a black and white photograph which portrays a sense of depression and loneliest that comes along with living in poverty. I research black and white photography and the effect it has on the eye, and it enables the audience to focus on the subject with each individual photo. I wanted to use a colour against the dull black and white to portray a sense of hope, and this in case was orange. The colours made these designs work so well and really enhance the images.
What are the weaknesses of the visual communication? Why?
explained here ****
In what ways could the piece be mis-read or mis-understood by the audience? Be specific about who the audience is.W
When I was printing my designs. There was one poster that could off been mid read and understood due to the type and this was the case in a few posters. Changing words, highlighting different words and using certain punctuation made the finals posters not be misread and make sense to the reader when looking at the posters.
In what practical ways could the piece be developed or improved?
I achieved what I wanted to within this design, and cerated an advertising campaign for a poverty charity. The only thing to mention is when I printed page 6 of the magazine, I noticed a repeated sentence on this blog and the post about the magazine pages, the updated one is now in the portfolio however in portfolio is the repeated word one. I am able to reprint it but just for examine purposes I wanted to highlight this.
2)Good Design? Evaluation
Please note you are asked to describe and make analysis of your thoughts and actions about the topics below. If you have been able to act upon your considerations of Good Design you should give reasons for your design decisions. If you have not been able to act upon your considerations, nevertheless give reasons for this and reflect upon your thoughts about the actions you would have liked to have taken further. Honest evaluations are required as this reflection is to help you move forward.
In what ways did you consider Designing Backwards or application of Systems Thinking to your project?
In what other ways have you considered the sustainability of your project process and outcomes?
Test prints was something I started doing. I noticed that printing on smaller paper allowed me to see hw the images would print. Previously I would waste so much paper and time as I did not test print them noticed how something was wrong; however this time round I did test prints and this allowed-me to develop ideas and be considered sustainable through my designs.
In what ways have you considered the ethical implications of your project process and outcomes?
With a sensitive topic like this thinking of the ethics was important and something that followed through each design aspect.
In sustainability and ethical terms in what ways was your work in this project an improvement or a backward step for you as a socially conscious designer?
As years go on I think I am becoming more aware of being a sustainable and ethical designer making it socially conscious. I am allowing myself to think more logically and if you compared this to Katie in first year its a massive difference. Graphics is not just about designing on a Mac, it is about the other elements that fall into it such as sustainability and ethics and this is what makes your design process excel more.
What targets can you make at this point for your work in the future as a socially conscious designer?
Develop more towards ethics within design as I think this would develop myself as designer for design for good.
3) Reflection of own working practices:
Be very honest with yourself in this section. Please feel free to approach a member of staff for help finding ways to develop skills.
How was my time keeping?
Considering I had a lot of work to do such as the dissertation etc, I think my time keeping was pretty good. Discussing poverty within my dissertation allowed me to actually analyse through my design. I was able to work through my dissertation then use the APP as a stress realise as I was able to design. I do think I could off achieved blogs better for time keeping as this was difficult when also writing a dissertation.
How was my analysis of the brief?
Like every design brief, we get I analyse it and highlight. This time was slightly different. We got given the brief, then had to pick a certain word/phrase and this allowed us to explore different meanings of these words which led us to a topic and a brief. I then wrote the proposal for my poverty design. Writing my own brief, allowed me to justify what To design and what to write and I found it so much easier but also allowed me to understand how to attack each and every brief given to us.
How was my research?
Through this project I did a lot more in depth research in comparison to other projects in the past. I analyse existing material related to the topic , also looked more into colour and black and white photography which had an impact on the design final. I think I could off researched a lot more at the beginning, I found it quite hard as I was researching for dissertation but sometimes the researched crossed over which helped a lot. An example of this being Dorothy langue Migrant mother design portraying poverty which I mention in dissertation but this also linked with the way poverty is displayed to the eye.
How did I draw conclusions from my research?
Researching allowed me to draw conclusions as it enabled me what a poster for poverty should entail and what information provided. Researching into poverty house hold in general, and facts about the UK was the first key set of information displayed and this then allowed me to understand what I was going to portray within designs. Knowing your topic well, and putting yourself in them persons shoes allows your designs to expand and become more personal.
How did I use research to generate and develop ideas?
researching into designs really helped generate ideas, and also looking into how posters and editorial designs in generalise portrayed. Research towards the design, allowed me To develop the way photos were portrayed, how type was portrayed and overall how the finals were portrayed. I wanted to portray a sensitive meaning through my posters, and without the general research of poverty, designs and anything else linked with the process, I would not achieved the outcome I have today.
How did I use evaluations to help with my ideas generation and development?
When we had the critiques and the class and tutors would evaluate our work it allowed me to develop a lot of my designs. When I first started the critique, the designs are so rushed and not well thought through however compare to the final presentation the development has progressed and I do not think it would have so much if we did not evaluate as a class. I have noticed when analysing my work, when writing the design process this was at the time I noticed spelling errors or design issues as I had to physically sit down and write the way the page was design and how each element formed the design. Evaluation the work when I had time left, allowed me to test print and change things accurately to make sure the design work was up to professional standards.
How did I use experimentation during the project? How can I make this more effective?
I knew I wanted to do photography in comparison to illustration as Its more my strong point. However I sketch a lot, but never to the detail, this project I sketched a lot more design aspects which helped me develop my ideas and develop my techniques even if they were not used int the final outcomes. I also experimented with all different layout forms, all different angels of photography and the black and white theme was an experiment that turned out well. To make my experiment more effective, I will test a few more ideas before concluding to the first one. Sometimes I get an idea and run with it as I get too excited but that’s when things go wrong and a lot of design elements change along the way.. my target for the rest of the projects is to start small, start sketching etc and then start creating on the Mac as this would then not only advance my techniques but also allow me to really refine designs due to the experimentation used throughout the project.
In what ways did I show that I had achieved the Learning Outcomes? How can I improve this next time?
like every project I always read the learning outcomes and make sure I have a clear understanding of them. I made sure I kept referring back to them, however with this project and whenever we have our own brief I find it hard to focus on the learning outcomes as you focus on anything else. As years have gone it I almost know the outcomes of each brief quite well but do feel as if I should pay more attention to them as time goes and projects become harder.
What parts of the project did I enjoy most? Why was this the case?
writing my own brief. I think being able to finally design things that fit into my style and the things I want to link into my portfolio is the best thing. I was able to create magazine editorial designs, and poster designs which is what I have always wanted to achieve within graphic design, and by doing this my layout skills have developed so much. Being able to test myself, and ensure I was designing to bets of my ability was down o the fact I got to choose what I was designing. I loved being able to put my own spin on my designs and over all this was one of my favourite projects ever within graphics HND and BA as it was what I wanted and what I knew best making me so confident in the designs.
What parts of the project did I enjoy least? Why was this the case?
I found blogging this time round harder as said before due to dissertation also. However there was not any part of this project I didn’t enjoy. Overall a fab project to get my teeth into.
At what times did I work best? Why might this be the case? How can I ensure that I work well at al times?
I now live with Jack, and strangely we worked better together. We would work down stairs on the table and have to focus we helped one another but also had time to do it ourselves as we are different workers. I was able to complete my work at university and at home, and felt like thistle round I have more control where ever I was working because I knew what I was going to create at the end. I personally cannot work at university all the time, hearing what other people have done or not done detract me working at home alone or with jack helps me a lot more as no distractions occur.
What areas inspired me? Why was this the case? How could I follow these up?
I knew I always enjoyed design for good, but this project it really stood out so much more. I have a compassionate heart well I like to think and finding a love for design for good and layout designing and mixing them together personally made this project stronger. I was inspired by my parents. I recently moved out of my home, and with my boyfriends family who are more well off than my family, my mum always says do not forget where you come from. And I haven’t. my parents struggle when I was younger because they had me so young, but I always had a holiday and sat visited my house, and I never knew they struggled until this year when we spoke about for the first time. I regret being that horrid teenager bugging for money when I knew they did not have it and one day I can pay it back. I was inspired how far my parents have come and the life they have built as they are so stable and happy now but they did not use to be with money. I wanted to show case to my mum I do remember where I come from and those moments in my life have shaped me who I am today. Poverty is horrible, it breaks my heart. Some people do not realise how lucky they are, I want to be the person who makes a difference through my designs and thats is what inspired me. I also looked into what is so typical with poverty and went against that so weirdly that was a form of inspiration; going against the stereotypical designs.
What areas were challenging or difficult? Why was this the case?
The hardest areas, was making sure I was not being stero typical within the designs and photographs.There had to be a sensitivity that formed around this topic, which I hope does show now. But when taking photographs you have to be careful because you are describing some peoples lives therefore you do not want it to be a persona attack, I found the key is to act like you are in that situation and how would you feel if someone designed this about your life and then rom this you Ould alter things etc.
How can I go about developing and improving the parts I found difficult?
I think for next time with a topic like this, interview questions would be amazing. I think with any project dedicated towards a personal, sensitive topic having people experience it makes it worst. Not making the stories up, actually experiencing them first hand. This would then enable me to not worry about sensitivity and if the design is stereotypical as I would get that personas opinion.
Do I need to develop certain skills? Do I need these now? Or later?
READ EVERYTHING 500 MORE TIMES THAN YOU ALREADY DO. Check grammar and spelling more within magazine designs.
Any other points?
No:) fab project, and had help when needed it 🙂 enjoyed it a lot.
If you look closely on the last page of the magazine, there is an indication of what benefits you the consumer when donating to the company and helping people within poverty. You should want to help anyway but some people do not want to see another ad not doing anything, and them not gaining anything… therefore the membership card.
I work in the co-op near my house, and the manager said to me the other day that the co op is expensive what brings people back is the membership cards as they gain points. Thats when a spark went off and I thought about using the co op member ship card as a template to then create one for poverty uk aid so people come back
I simply used the image of the co op member ship card, the one I have and the one thats online and remembered what is portrayed on them at work to then create my own.
The poverty uk aid member ship card
Below is the final member ship card. The left side is the front and the right is the back. The theme throughout is grey and black and white and orange and this is displayed within the member ship card so people know it’s us. You have poverty uk aid on the front of the member ship card in bold with the member underneath then the logo and the name for the member on the back. It relates to the company, the colours and the designs associating this card with this charity. They can collect points and this is explained in the magazine.
mock ups
I stupidly forgot to write how the design process for the presentation actually enhanced my designs therefore would discuss this at the end of my design process. I think that having the 3 presentations, total of 2 achieved at the moment allowed us to develop ideas. I have noticed in the pass I have achieved work without discussion of others and tutors then lost marks because I did not ask. This time round, the I got opinions at the start middle and end.
I thought I would analyse the designs displayed within the power points and discuss the development through them and how the power point has helped me achieve that.
First presentation:
The first presentation was simple, it was displaying the research we have looked in to so far and this then allowed us to undertake ideas and elopements for further investigations within design research. I displayed the research I had found, and the designs so far. The designs were not as good as the finals now and this really shows as development achieved through the designs.
At this point in the design process, this was these were the designs I had created. I HATE THEM. looking at them now. the type is off, the logo is off everything is off. This shocked me so much, as I had no idea the presentations had so much of an influence towards my final designs, but they have. The logo is absolutely massive, and sits so awkwardly almost like its floating. The type is kind of there and has no source from where it’s from. It just fills a bit rushed. When we had this critique, the suggestions was to take more photographs inside the house for the magazine because at this point no magazines had been developed or design. At this point there was a hashtag that I was going to develop, I think it looks so childish and makes it look unprofessional the way it has been positioned and designed just doesn’t work in comparison to my finals now.
Second critique.
The second critique was an entire month after therefore the designs developed a lot more and the magazine began happening. This powerpoint just featured the designs currently made at this point but this was only a week ago and the development is crazy. I have developed so much more professional and I am so proud of that.
I won’t discuss every poster but this one as they all follow the same techniques but this one changed the most. The type made absolutely no sense when I did the first design, it looked so cramped and oh my goodness its awful cannot deal with it. I clearly did that over night on lack of sleep. I then changed the entire sentence which was recommended by my tutor and this then allowed this design to come alive and become so much better. I would not of even noticed this if my tutor didn’t say it, ( I probably would have but at the time I didn’t)
HOW CLEAN DOES THIS LOOK IN COMPARISON TO THE FIRST DESIGN. I cannot get over it, how my designs and little tweaks made this poster come alive. Making the logo smaller, making the hashtag turn into an @ and smaller in the corner. Just by adding a source from where the information came from made this such a realistic poster and so iconic and reliable for the reader.
Within this powerpoint, I showcased some of my magazine finals. Considering this was a week before hand in, they are so different in comparison to the final mock ups I handed in. The development of my magazine was not shown as much in the presentations just because I made this after the posters, and from the posters kind of knew what to do and what not to do.
do you hate these mock ups as much as me? its ok yes me too. They are awful. They look so tacky and the colour why on earth have I put an orange in the background. Sometimes you do not realise until its on a big screen infant of everything. I remember this slide coming on to the page and thinking why Katie. I did not like how the angel of the mock up sat and if you compare it to the mock ups I have achieved now its completely different and 10000 x more professional. The colour background makes it to kid like.
The last thing that helped me through this critique was this photograph and this page of the magazine. I thought that this page was ok, and again until it was on a big screen and I had people analysing it; only then I realised it.
Now looking at this page, it makes me want to scream at past Katie. Why does that type sit over the image, and forgot sake get rid of that lamp post. Sometimes you get so lost in your own designs you do not pick up on these things as soon as my tutor said about the lamppost it was the only thing I could see. And if I had no shown this in the presentation I probably would of handed it in like this.
All these designs are a massive comparison to the final designs that I am going to display in the next blog posts. You can see for yourself, how much these presentations have helped me develop my skills, and professionalism. I have studied graphics for 5 years, and this is the first year I have actually learnt from my presentations, benefitted from doing them more than once and think we should do it more. Doing test prints is a big thing I need to continue. I have developed so much in my own work and finally found my style and found the process to achieve to that.
The final page for the editorial design was one in which enabled the audience to understand ways in which they could help the families and people who struggle with poverty in the UK. It is all good and we’ll designing to make people aware of poverty but what are you actually going to do to stop it. I make designs to benefit people and help communities and issues in the world. I hope these designs show that.
I made this page about how you can help, how to donate and how it benefits you. A lot of the time if a company says to you donate, you go ok yes but what do I get out of it. Not me personally I think its nice to donate without getting anything back. But when advertising big companies I feel as if you need to portray a benefit the consumer gets so they actually take action.
Within this page there was not really a certain photo I would use, just one that pretty much I haven’t used already and one that sort of summed out poverty as a hole. I decided to use a picture that was taken in the first set of photos. With the subject leaning against a rough area and him looking slightly sad. What I think makes this photo work, is the fact that it is not portraying living on the streets it portraying getting on with your day like everyone else but showing that glimpse of poverty that surrounds you, preventing you from doing certain things. At first this image had a lamp post in it however after the second critique I got advised to remove that and since I did that it made the page become more professional. I decided to make the image sit on the left hand side and continue over the gutter to be seen slightly on the right hand side. I lowered the opacity of this image just I felt as if it was way too bold when a 100% opacity was displayed – it gave the design a nice sensivtive vibe about it and did not clash with the other design elements that I later added.
I wanted to make sure this page involved all the important information that was needed to be displayed to the audience. The key aspects I wanted to display was ‘how can you help’ ‘donate’ and ‘benefits for you’ Each of them sit in the separate BEBAS type face ad feature colour usage of black and white. I wanted the key words that I thought would stick out toe the audience therefore the words ‘how’ ‘donate’ and ‘for you’ as then the eyes automatically see these words and can have a brief description of what they can do etc.
Within each one you can see quite clearly what each one is about therefore I am not going to over it however I am going to discuss what the benefits are for the audience as this is quite unique.
When you donate, you get a member ship card form us completely free. (as I have typed this I noticed a spelling mistake within the benefits for you section which I am now currently changing), this entitles you to become an active supporter. With this card you can collect points with certain activities through the company (e.g charity events) these points add up to events and vouchers for you. ( we also pass this on to our families / individuals who need support)
At work, we have member ship cards and this was something that then inspired me to create for this company in order for people to actually make a difference. (this will be discussed at the end of the blog)
The final design:
This design process was actually quite easy as I did not spend so long on it due to the fact I knew what theme I would be using knew what I wanted to portray therefore was quite a simple process. This is the final page… On the left sits the image which continues over top the right hand page to display that the two pages are connected and telling the same story. Then on the left sit the titles of ways to help and donate. I made sure each paragraph had the same amount of space between the designs and made sure everything was in line with one another. The audience want to quickly navigate ways they can help not read a long winded paragraph therefore the titles allow them to navigate it quickly and efficiently and help poverty Uk quickly.
Mock up of design
The final mock up turned out so well. The way the image continues over the gutter makes the page have a story and a meaning. Not only do you see the subject in the photograph but also the surrounding which portrays a lot of emotion. Removing the lamppost worked wonders and made it go from tacky to professional on minutes. I think the type is easily navigated for the reader and overall a simple clean effective way to end the magazine.
The next page featured an image that has already been displayed within the posters. I wanted to show a link between the magazine and the posters and I thought by using one iconic picture that feature on the poster as well as the imagine would show the link. creating this page also made the picture have more a story and a real personal meaning and that’s explained when you see the design process.
Within the magazine, I thought of the idea of presenting personal stories so people could get an understanding of what it’s really like and how it effects the norm. When I used this photo for the poster, I thought it presented a lot of emotion within Jack’s eye and symbolised a more personal approach towards poverty. I then decided to use this within the magazine as the photo to me displays life through poverty and relates well to personal stories and struggles. I made the photo go across the entire page as it gave it a bigger and deeper effect to the audience.
I used a personal story from my mum and dad this would then be featured over the entire page. Even tho the story is not related to the image, the image it self portrays what is said in the story.
At firs I wrote personal stories, but then I wanted a one story that I felt was personal and more heartening then random fake small ones. I made the type agains sit in the space BEBAS type face therefore would so consistency. I then decided to make the ‘person’ in white so it was easier tor reader and the ‘story’ in orange as this is what the type is like on other pages. I decided to make this type sit on the left hand side because this is where there was no image contrasting the type, and I wanted the left hand page to be vigilant to the eye at all times.
The person story:
People are affected by poverty in the UK every day, Sarah and Paul experienced this first-hand and kindly shared their story.
We had our children very young, but we always have worked hard to provide them with the best lives, they always had food on the table, presents from Father Christmas, and clothes and holidays. But obviously times were hard. When our oldest was first born in 98 that’s when it was tough – struggled with paying gas and electric and the basic essentials, borrowing money became a habit. Years went on and we had our youngest, they started school and we could barely afford school shoes, we had no help from any form of government, we worked harder and harder, struggling from time to time but had our family there for support. Some families aren’t as fortunate as us where they have a family to turn to for money. People do not realise other people struggle with money in the UK, it’s hard to buy school shoes, struggle with gas and electric but we never let our children know we were struggling they should not know. Poverty is right under your nose even when you do not expect it, it’s not about being homeless it’s about struggling with the smaller things in life.
my mum and dads story 🙂
The design aspect was actually quite simple for this type. I thought I would put it in a white lowered opacity square so you could still see the image in the background and read the information clearly. As you can see from the image below, there is a lot of type but it fitted nicely within the box and onto the left hand page well. The type sits in courier 10 like the other designs. Below the box sits another box, that indicates a link to the website (that would be made in near future and if we had longer on this project) I wanted to use this page as an advertising technique as well as an informative page. With the personal story it connects to the reader and the understand it more, then linking them to the website allows them to read the story in full and promote the brand more.
The final page:
This is the final page for my designs. This presents personal stories from my mum and dad but not the entire article as the idea is people go and visit the website to find out more. The image portrays emotion so well and indicates what life feels like to people in poverty just by the squinted look in his eye. I think this page goes against all the stereotypical aspects of poverty and really makes the reader engage with the issues the UK face today.
mock up of design:
Out of all the pages, I think this is my all time favourite. Obsiouly what I think is irrelevant but when I showed this page to my family and friends, they felt connected to the page and the story got told through the picture before even reading about it. my mum said she looked at this page and cried as the picture captured so many emotions and the story melted her heart and that’s why I design and do what I do. When compressed into this layout it makes the two pages come together and tell a story, and fills the entire page with emotion. its eye catching tot he audience and says for them to understand.
