If you’re reading this, grab yourself a cup of coffee because you’re going to need it! This class is a lot of work, but I promise it’s worth it. Below, I’ve listed three pieces of advice as well as the top three most important things I learned this semester.
Everything on the page must have a purpose. Nothing is random when it comes to publication design. Think about every element and how it relates to your editorial content, target audience, and overall mission. If Professor Strong asks you about an element on the page, such as a caption or a logo, be ready with an explanation.
Don’t settle for your first idea. It might be tempting to wait until the last minute to complete an assignment, but if you can, try not to. When you’re rushing, you’re most likely to go with your first idea, which is probably not your best. Give yourself time to plan and play with multiple ideas. Create and save different versions of the same spread or poster page. Then, compare them side by side. If you have the money in your account, print them out!
Print your magazine multiple times. As I mentioned in the previous blurb, if you have the money, print your magazine multiple times throughout the semester. This will really help you in the long run. You don’t want any surprises when you print out your final portfolio. Soon enough, you’ll learn that the colors on your screen do not always look as well in print. So, do yourself a favor and print out multiple versions to test color combinations.
This semester I learned…
Publication design involves a lot of planning.
Typefaces can help to convey a certain mood or tone.
There are multiple elements that help to create hierarchy, such as size, color, and weight.
