Newsletter
Hello all, I am in a new class called Electronic Design. In this class we use a program called InDesign it is an adobe product. The program creates page layouts. I created a newletter for my first project. The whole class work is designed around a prop company that we made up, so every assignment here on out will deal with the same company, but different projects in design regarding the company.
My company is one I want to have one day, called Aquatic Steve's Its a fish store in santa monica.
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Cool idea for a project (and love your company name)
What feedback/grade did you get on this?
B: The teachers feedback wasn't to positive, this is what she said:
" Chris This is looking more like a newsletter. I like the colors and image but we need to work on the structure a bit. First as a rule never put text on the vertical, one letter above another. It is hard to read. It rarely works in a design.
Next you need a clear title banner for the newsletter, this should include the name of the newsletter, sometimes the organization issuing it and the date and volume. This should be something very clear and is a focal point on the page. You could maybe ad a cut out fish to it.
The contact info shouldn't be pushed into a corner, it takes up unnecessary space there. I would run it along the bottom or incorporate it into the title banner.
I would put the title of the article with the article and give an author name.
Maybe the image and article can be worked in together a bit better. The structure is feeling very boxy right now. The green border, white area around the image, the blue article box w/ border and blue banner are making the design too choppy. Try opening up. Use colored boxes to define focal areas like the banner and maybe highlighted bits of info. But right now there is too much boxing off. Open it up a bit. Use bold sub heads and article titles to separate items, Maybe even a simple rule line.
See how this example uses subtle color for highlight info but it feels very open and airy, it flows well
http://www.centropr.org/documents/newsletters/SP08Newsletter-WEB_Page_01.jpg
Date Modified: 21 May 09 7:25 AM MST
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Actually I think your instructor makes some positive/constructive points that will help your design. That's a good sign, that you have a teacher who takes the time to suggest improvements. My guess is after the class is over you'll be really glad you had a teacher who helped shape skills.
Will be interested in seeing your next version.
B: actually that was it has passed for the design project on that assignment, so there will be no more resubmissions.
Feedback this detailed seems particularly helpful.
The linked example from your teacher DOES look open and airy.
I still like your colors, though. And, your advice seems wise. Cool name, too.
How much does spelling count? Your spell checker seems to let some unwanted stuff get through: often it is a word that exists but just is not the correct one (e.g. "when you come in you are welcomeS", "buy the water from ouT store"). These can be tough to screen out (and look like they may be one key away from the one you wanted). Maybe a computer grammar check step on your text before you move it into your graphics program could help?
This is a good first layout. Even if the project is finished, it could still be useful to push the assignment further and address your teachers point to see if you agree/disagree with the final product.
Here's a handy tool I use - a lot - for selecting a color palette:
http://colorschemedesigner.com/