Final Spread Evaluation
Research:
During looking at page spreads online, and evaluating them in Task 4, I learned that most spreads have a header, lead-in text, images and a background, body text and usually a folio, I also learnt that most spreads are based off of an underlying base grid, magazines use this to keep layouts organised and consistent, the layout grid acts as a foundation for the elements you wish to place onto a layout as well, and that most layouts are split into columns, the layout grid that I used for this spread revolved around and was based upon the size of my body text. I have followed all of these conventions within this final design, although my first mock-up layout didn't have a folio or a drop-cap. I discovered when researching page spreads that most spreads have a prominent header, and use very legible fonts (such as sans-serif fonts) for the body text, I have also followed this convention as my body text is in a sans-serfi font I downloaded from DaFont.com. Most spreads also put some emphasis on the lead-in, I have also followed this convention as my lead-in has been changed to a different colour, this meant that my lead-in stands out. Magazines usually use sub-headers in their spreads too, I have also followed this convention. I have also added a drop cap to my final design, sometimes drop caps are used in spreads, they are especially used in Vogue Magazine spreads. A drop cap draws the eye into the design and makes the viewer intrigued. A drop cap also helps the viewer to find where the body text starts, as sometimes because of the body text size this can be difficult.
My Opinion:
I am really pleased with the work I have done on this layout, although I did have quite a bit of help from my tutors, who reminded me to add finishing touches, such as a folio and a drop cap, it's amazing how these little adjustments can make your work that much more professional. I really like the bold gold colour I chose for this layouts sub-headers, drop cap and lead-in text. At the start of creating this I had my mind set on having the images contained within a circle, bur I had to quickly scrap that idea as it just wasn't possible with the images I wanted to use - and I actually think it looks better with a rectangular shape instead! I am quite happy with the way it turned out - although there are a couple of things I do need to improve on.
Pros:
The pros of this layout are that it's professional, visually stimulating, well laid-out and easy on the eyes, there isn't too much contrast between any of the elements, which makes it legible and easy to read, another pro is that it is very easy to read, as all the body text is in a sans-serif font I downloaded from DaFont.com. I also think that the way I have utilized typographic hierarchy on the header is also a pro, as it has impact and is stylish. The way the colour contrasts with the header is also a pro in my opinion, as it doesn't clash, and the gold actually compliments and brightens the typography and the whole page.
Cons:
The cons of this layout would have to be the gold colour, even though I personally love it and it looks good on the computer screen, when it came to printing it out the gold colour barely showed up on the printed spread, this really annoyed me as the colour is lovely, it just doesn't print very well at all. It's a little bit difficult to find any cons with this outcome as this is actually (in my opinion) one of the best outcomes I have produced so far. Another con would have to be that the fur typography I used, doesn't print very well either and looks a little blurry when printed. This is probably due to the fact that they were imported into InDesign, not created in it. Apart from that this spread (in my opinion) is very professional and creative. Another con is that I deviated quite a bit from the original digital sketch, and it's difficult to tell that it is even based upon that specific sketch.
ImProvements:
The only thing on this layout that I need to improve on would have to be the planning, especially when it comes to printing, because sometimes a colour or font might need adjusting if the colour or font doesn't print very well or is pixelated. I also need to make sure to always add a folio to my mock ups, as this makes them look much more professional and "real". I also need to improve on planning my images on my layouts too. I also need to remember to make alternative documents for each design look I try, instead of just taking screenshots. Apart from those things I really don't think there's anything on this layout particularly that I need to work on.