Well, I have completed my first week as a department designer. All in all, the process was quite frustrating. But I’m taking the experience with a grain of salt and chalking it up to first week chaos and miscommunication.
The first frustration I experienced was with my editing team on the whole. They were confused on deadlines as well as what was needed on their part to fill an entire page, so this made my job incredibly difficult. I was happy that I was able to take the initiative and get the art in for the “Take Twos” by the Tuesday deadline. But then I was also thrown another page element (the What’s Hot, What’s Not sidebar) on Friday, so finding the art for that was a little bit last minute. Also, I wasn’t told by my team that I wouldn’t have the text in for my story or the info for the box (so there was no way of getting art) by Saturday when I came in to design, so I came back in early Sunday to get it all done then. Okay. I’m now finished with my rant about working with the editors. But I think we got the confusion out of our systems and I think my next time around will go much more smoothly.
The second frustration I had was with the requirements of the design itself. Because the editorial content of the page consisted of two “Take Twos” and a sidebar, my opportunities to get really creative were somewhat limited. I was given some conflicting information about the packaging of the Take Twos (and whether they needed to be in one box or could fit into two). In my very first layout of the page, I included a headline and deck (which later had to be removed) and packaged the Take Twos as two separate stories, with the small info box as the only linking element. Once I got into the lab, I found out that the entire review needed to be in the boxes, so I kept the basic layout and just packaged everything in two separate pieces with the “What’s Hot” sidebar as the third element.
Here’s the initial page I designed at home before coming into the lab:
After some conversations in the VOX office on Sunday, I made some tweaks with how everything was packaged, and I was fairly happy with the way I left it Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately though, I didn’t save an early copy on my jump drive, but it was basically my original layout with each story in a “Take Two” Box and the “What’s Hot” sidebar in an opaque blue with the Jennifer Hudson and Simon Cowell images on either side with faint circles surrounding the photos.
Due to some unforeseen changes that had to be made because of VOX style and restrictions, the design had to undergo even more of a makeover (and unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the changes myself because I was in class all day and without email…ugh). So here’s the final look for the page:
This design around wasn’t ideal, but I think I have a better idea now of what needs to be done both on my part and the part of the editors and art directors, so I think my next try at department design will be a more positive experience.
1.30.2007
You Can't Miss This: Prince Beckham & Chalkboard Paint
I found this a few days ago on one of my favorite guilty pleasures - trent.blogspot.com (aka: Pink is the New Blog). Scarlett Johansen, David Beckham, Beyonce, Lyle Lovitt and Oliver Platt dressed up as famous Disney characters for photo shoots with the famous Annie Lebovitz for a new Disney Theme Parks campaign. I absolutely LOVE this pictures and the idea for the campaign. If only one day I could work on a photo shoot for a magazine with Ms. Lebovitz...
Enjoy the photos...
And in sticking with our crafty/homey/Meredith Corp. theme, I found this idea on the blog that I'm following, designverb.com. It came out of Martha Stewart Living (one of my faves). Not only do I think this is a cool project for a home or office, I love the checkerboard pattern it makes with the different shades of grey. I think it's definitely something cool that could be encorporated into the right magazine design.
Enjoy the photos...
And in sticking with our crafty/homey/Meredith Corp. theme, I found this idea on the blog that I'm following, designverb.com. It came out of Martha Stewart Living (one of my faves). Not only do I think this is a cool project for a home or office, I love the checkerboard pattern it makes with the different shades of grey. I think it's definitely something cool that could be encorporated into the right magazine design.
Response: A Day at Meredith
My trip back to Meredith Corporation on Friday was an interesting one. After spending the summer there as an editorial intern in the food department at Better Homes and Gardens, being back there for the day made me want to go back for good all the more. My experience over the summer was amazing...the people, the opportunities, the city (surprisingly enought), the food, the events, everything...I got so much more out of the experience than I ever could have imagined.
And even though I was working in editorial, I was lucky enough to dabble in quite a bit of design work. The girl who was the magazine's food/garden graphic designer was two years older than me and was a graduate of Drake. She really helped mentor me, and it was encouraging to see someone who was just two years older than me doing exactly what I eventually wanted to be doing as an entry level job. Along with my work at Meredith, I was able to spend a week as an assistant to the creative director on a shoot for a holiday baking story. When I went upstairs to say hi to some people at Better Homes on Friday, my editor Nancy gave me a couple copies of the new recipe annual (a compilation of all the recipes that appear in BHG over the year), which featured the cake from the shoot that I'd been on over the summer.
Here's a photo of the cake (although a different version appears on the cover of the annual:
P.S. The cake is HEAVENLY, so if you need a yummy go-go chocolate cake, here's the recipe. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
/recipes.bhg.com/recipes/recipedetail.jsp?recipeId=R092051
So it was really great to catch up with everyone I'd worked with over the summer, and I even had the chance to chat with the BHG Art Director about possible jobs. I'd absolutely love to go back there, so although I don't have an official offer or anything close to that, I have quite a few people pulling for me and some great connections from the summer. It's true what they say...it's all about making connections.
I wanted to briefly comment on two other things from our trip. First the cover meeting with the home group. I really enjoyed this, especially because I'd never been to one of these meetings, and it was especially interesting to see this from SIM. I agree with what some other people have commented on, and I found it true over the summer. Meredith doesn't take as many risks as a lot of other magazines out there. But it's also important to look at their audience. Better Homes and Gardens, for instance has an average readership of 50+, so it's important that the images relate to them. Like many people, I loved the image of the castle-esque kitchen for the "Dream Kitchens" cover, but I knew the second that flashed on the screen that it just wouldn't happen. It's just not Meredith. I think it's good that Meredith has these "formulas" but I would also like to see the company branch out in the future...which I think they are starting to do. After observing the re-design at BHG over the summer, having lunch with CEO Steve Lacy, and hearing John Riha speak, I think this company knows that they have an aging readership and they are going to need a more youthful component to keep the company thriving. That's encouraging to me (especially since I'd love to work there).
I was also really excited after our meeting with the Balance editor about the possibilities for this magazine, although I worry that the audience the pub class is looking at right now might be too broad. My other concern is that it's looking to be a Real Simple clone. Nonetheless, I'm excited about the amount of freedom we have for this project. I have some ideas...I'll probably be posting about those in the next week or so.
And even though I was working in editorial, I was lucky enough to dabble in quite a bit of design work. The girl who was the magazine's food/garden graphic designer was two years older than me and was a graduate of Drake. She really helped mentor me, and it was encouraging to see someone who was just two years older than me doing exactly what I eventually wanted to be doing as an entry level job. Along with my work at Meredith, I was able to spend a week as an assistant to the creative director on a shoot for a holiday baking story. When I went upstairs to say hi to some people at Better Homes on Friday, my editor Nancy gave me a couple copies of the new recipe annual (a compilation of all the recipes that appear in BHG over the year), which featured the cake from the shoot that I'd been on over the summer.
Here's a photo of the cake (although a different version appears on the cover of the annual:
P.S. The cake is HEAVENLY, so if you need a yummy go-go chocolate cake, here's the recipe. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
/recipes.bhg.com/recipes/recipedetail.jsp?recipeId=R092051
So it was really great to catch up with everyone I'd worked with over the summer, and I even had the chance to chat with the BHG Art Director about possible jobs. I'd absolutely love to go back there, so although I don't have an official offer or anything close to that, I have quite a few people pulling for me and some great connections from the summer. It's true what they say...it's all about making connections.
I wanted to briefly comment on two other things from our trip. First the cover meeting with the home group. I really enjoyed this, especially because I'd never been to one of these meetings, and it was especially interesting to see this from SIM. I agree with what some other people have commented on, and I found it true over the summer. Meredith doesn't take as many risks as a lot of other magazines out there. But it's also important to look at their audience. Better Homes and Gardens, for instance has an average readership of 50+, so it's important that the images relate to them. Like many people, I loved the image of the castle-esque kitchen for the "Dream Kitchens" cover, but I knew the second that flashed on the screen that it just wouldn't happen. It's just not Meredith. I think it's good that Meredith has these "formulas" but I would also like to see the company branch out in the future...which I think they are starting to do. After observing the re-design at BHG over the summer, having lunch with CEO Steve Lacy, and hearing John Riha speak, I think this company knows that they have an aging readership and they are going to need a more youthful component to keep the company thriving. That's encouraging to me (especially since I'd love to work there).
I was also really excited after our meeting with the Balance editor about the possibilities for this magazine, although I worry that the audience the pub class is looking at right now might be too broad. My other concern is that it's looking to be a Real Simple clone. Nonetheless, I'm excited about the amount of freedom we have for this project. I have some ideas...I'll probably be posting about those in the next week or so.
1.23.2007
You Can't Miss: Bossa Acai Juice and CB2
I'm following designverb.com, and today there was an interesting post regarding Bossa Nova Acai Juice. It wasn't the juice I was interested in so much as I was the design the company is using to package their products. I've often found that when I'm in the grocery store or picking up something at Target, I'll often splurge on a product simply because it has really great packaging and design.
There were several things that caught my eye. First was the font. It's modern and fresh, just like the pomegranite juice itself...it kind of looks like an updated Avant Guarde/Century Gothic, too of my favorite fonts. I also loved the variations of the colors with each flavor. The pastels really stick out against the dark drink. And then I also love the shape of hte bottle itself. It's sleek and organic. I wonder if the juices taste as good as they're packaged...
One more thing to check out...
I've lately become obsessed with Crate and Barrell and their more modern/loft-ish brand, CB2. I got an email from CB2 the other day and found some really cool things related to design. First, the email had a set of black and white products, all of which had a unique, fun design. I also checked out their online catalog, which is really well done. It works kind of like the Missourian's eMprint, in that you can turn the pages of the upcoming catalog. Not only does the catalog have some unique products, it has great design. I especially like their use of color to show off the brand's modern feel.
To flip through the catalog, go to their website:
http://www.cb2.com/catalog/viewonline.aspx?catalog_name=CB2Spring2007
Response: Typology
I've enjoyed getting into the Typology book. I'm the cool kid who screams out font names when I recognize them in the opening credits of movies, so this book is right up my alley.
What I like about this text is how they relate font styles to what is going on in the world and countries of origins at the time. I thought the section on Art Nouveau in Germany was particularly interesting. It talks about the magazine Jugend, which is responsible for the creation of the Jugendstil movement. In the examples in this section, you can see a distinct reflection of this younger, bohemian generation. The traditional and archaic Blackletter font is transformed into characters that are much more modern and organic. This is evident by the softer edges and less ornate serifs (if there are seffits at all).
Something I also found interesting while reading through the section was how so many of the examples incorporated so many different fonts in one piece. I don't know if this is because designers weren't concerned making their type look cohesive or what. One thought I had was that people felt like the more fonts the better (as well as the more variety in font size the better) because readers will think there is a lot of information there.
I'm excited to continue reading, especially once I get to the commercial modern era. I just think it's amazing how much of a difference a single font can make.
What I like about this text is how they relate font styles to what is going on in the world and countries of origins at the time. I thought the section on Art Nouveau in Germany was particularly interesting. It talks about the magazine Jugend, which is responsible for the creation of the Jugendstil movement. In the examples in this section, you can see a distinct reflection of this younger, bohemian generation. The traditional and archaic Blackletter font is transformed into characters that are much more modern and organic. This is evident by the softer edges and less ornate serifs (if there are seffits at all).
Something I also found interesting while reading through the section was how so many of the examples incorporated so many different fonts in one piece. I don't know if this is because designers weren't concerned making their type look cohesive or what. One thought I had was that people felt like the more fonts the better (as well as the more variety in font size the better) because readers will think there is a lot of information there.
I'm excited to continue reading, especially once I get to the commercial modern era. I just think it's amazing how much of a difference a single font can make.
Critique: Booby Prize
I found this first assignment both fun and challenging. Time was definitely a factor for me...I was out of town most of the weekend, so Sunday was more or less my only time to really sit down and design. I had enough time and didn't necessarily feel rushed to execute my ideas, but at the same time I wish I would have done a better job of brainstorming and coming up with thumbnails before I sat down to design.
I think doing some additional brainstorming could have helped with my cover especially. What I found most challenging about this assignment was coming up with a strong concept for the cover. I had the idea of a clown face with a pink ribbon on the nose and kind of got locked into that idea, and I don't think it was necessarily the strongest visual concept. Another problem I had with the cover was execution. I am far from proficient at Illustrator (something I hope to really learn more this semester), so I feel like my design ended up looking quite elementary. I also think I over did it on the pink. I think it ended up looking a little bit forced and cliché.
While I wasn't thrilled with the way my cover turned out, I was pretty pleased with my feature design. I wanted the page to look light-hearted visually to convey the nature of the story, so I used playful typography and the "HA" box element in both spreads to show that. I used pulled quotes to pull readers into the story and varied the size of the images to provide variety. I definitely found it challenging to fit all the text because the story was so long. I think my second spread gets a little bit text heavy, but like I said, I tried to use some pulled quotes to break up the big grey text boxes. If I could have done it over again, I might have tried to add more text to the opening spread, but at the same time, I like that the opening spread has some white space, which I think helps draw the reader in. I also might have tried to do something more conceptually and try a few "off the wall" ideas. My current design might be a little bit too orderly for the VOX style.
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