Magazine Layouts

 

I find this layout very unique, but i dont like it because it is too all over the place so it is very hard to read.

I think this layout does not help communicate the information because you don't know where to start as there is too much text everywhere.

Handwriting is used to give it a rough draft effect and small text is accompanied beneath it as it is written in French.

Because this type of layout is not very common, it caught my eye.

 

I HATE this ad/layout.. no offence. Firstly, the colours are yuck and no offence, but the model isn't that great either.

The layout does help communicate ideas about the product as it shows how the one garment can be worn many ways.

A large font is used to attract the viewers attention.

The unappealing colours and non-professional-looking model caught my attention.

 I didnt find this layout that interesting because all the products were all on top of each other and the contents underneath just makes the page so messy.

The arrows pointing towards the products indicates to the viewer of which product is what, but because the product contents are underneath, it does not help communicate the idea as it looks very confusing.

Large font is used for the heading and smaller font is used for the product descriptions.

This layout caught my attention because it was so chaotic and confusing.

I love this layout firstly because the collection of the nude colours are beautiful and the ongoing theme of pleats is clearly visible throughout the page.

The layout helps communicate the idea of 'nude pleats' as the garments/accessories are layed out on the page so that they dont majorly overlap each other; thus we get a complete view of the piece.

A large font is used for the heading and small font is used for the details of the garments.

The subtle and neutral colour combination and my favourite feature of the season - pleats!- caught my attention.

I love this layout because it is kind of a mixture between a template and a collage. 

The layout clearly helps communicate the theme of "Pop Art" through the selection of bright and blocking colours.

A medium font is used in the heading and small font is used to accompany the image with information/details.

This layout caught my eye mainly because of the bold, bright and beautiful colours. It also caught my attention because colour blocking is one of the major trends this season.

I found this layout interesting because it is so simple yet eye catching.

This template layout helps communicate the idea of 'neutral' and shows garments/accessories on different parts of the body.

Small font is used so that the images are the main focus for the viewers.

This layout immediately caught my eye because of its' simplicity and it stood out from all the other elaborate layouts.

Spray Technique

Brush Design

How to Create a Brush
1. Choose any image (can be drawn, photo, internet, scans; anything that can be opened in Photoshop)
2. Open this image in Photoshop
3. Select around the part of the image you want, and then press 'Control/Command+C'
4. File -> New -> OK
5. Paste (Control/Command+V)
6. Use 'Magic Wand' to select and delete excess unwanted areas
7. Edit the image by clicking on Image -> Adjustment -> Levels
8. For shiny objects, add Lens flare: Filter -> Render -> Lens Flare -> OK
9. Select all -> Edit -> Define Brush Preset -> Name the Brush -> OK
10. Open a new file: File -> New -> A4
11. Window -> Brush -> then look for the brush you created
12. Click on any colour you desire and you can also stretch, squash or flip it
13. Choose a font you desire and write what you want. This will be a guide for where the stamps are to be placed.
14. Click on your brush and then click away! If you want a darker colour (less opaque stamp), double click.
15. Turn off your Text layer by clicking off the eye.
16. If your image is something like a bead, sequin etc, you need a stitch line: Square Box -> Line Tool
17. Choose desired colour and then create lines where needed. Click space bar and drag page.
18. Merge layers together: Right click -> Merge Layers
19. Fx at bottom of layer palette -> Drop shadow -> Choose light source and figure out angle
20. To save brush: Brush Palette -> 2nd button at bottom of palette -> Preset manager -> Click on desired brush(es) -> Save set -> Name file -> Save!!:)

Repeats Examples

Brick Repeat


572 - Red Brick Paver - Texture by Patrick Hoesly


Spot Repeat

Pink and green polka dot background by annnie

Diamond Repeat


Diamond shaped fabric texture by thedesignmag



Tossed Repeat



278 - Safari Hunt Texture by Patrick Hoesly



Ogee Repeat




ogee calico by RubyLemons


Scale Repeat


371 - Dragon Scales Texture by Patrick Hoesly





Mirror Repeat

summer flowers (restricted palette) by uzumakijo



Turnover Repeat

Old Primrose Inn by Blackbird Designs for Moda Fabrics 2641-15

by jojosgiftshoppe

Partner Work

(full drop)

Repeats

Stripe Repeat

1. In photoshop, 'Open' a 'New File' (A4)
2. 'Duplicate Layer'
3. Use the Marquee Tool to create rectangles down the page(these will be the stripes)
4. Click 'Edit' -> 'Fill' -> Select your desired 'Colour'
5. Create a few more coloured stripes by repeating Step4
6. Use the Marquee Tool and select a small area with all the stripes you have created just then
7. Click 'Edit' -> 'Define Pattern' -> Name your pattern & Save
8. Turn the current layer off and create a new layer
9. Press 'Ctrl'(or Command on Macs) + 'A' to select the whole page
10. Click 'Edit' -> 'Fill' -> 'Pattern' and choose the pattern you have saved
11. The page should be filled with the striped pattern you have created!:)

Full Drop

1. 'Open' the image you want to work on
2. 'Duplicate Layer' of the image you want to repeat then hide the original layer
3. Click 'Edit' -> 'Transform' -> 'Scale' -> Press 'Shift' while adjusting the size of the image
4. Use the Marquee Tool to select around the image you have adjusted
5. Click 'Edit' -> 'Define Pattern' -> Name & Save your image
6. Create a 'New File' -> Select All ('Ctrl+A' or 'Command+A')
7. Click 'Edit' -> 'Fill' -> 'Pattern' and choose your image
8. Your page should be filled with your montage/image!:)

Half Drop

1. 'Open' the image you want to work on on an A3 page
2. 'Duplicate Layer' of the image you want to repeat then hide the original layer
3. Click 'Edit' -> 'Copy'
4. Click 'Image' -> 'Image Size' -> Record the height and width then divide these measurements by 2
5. Click 'Filter' -> 'Other' -> 'Offset'
6. Enter the new divided height into 'Vertical' and make sure 'Preview' and 'Wrap around' is selected
7. Click 'Image' -> 'Canvas Size' -> Change to 'Percent' -> Change the width to 200% -> Press the middle left button anchor
8. Go to the A3 page you created earlier and click 'Edit' -> 'Paste' (Or simply 'Ctrl/Command+V')
9. Click on both layers -> Right Click -> 'Merge Layers'
10. Select All by pressing 'Ctrl+A' or 'Command+A' -> Click 'Edit' -> 'Transform' -> 'Scale' -> Press down the 'Shift' button while adjusting the size of the image
11. Select around the image using the Marquee Tool
12. Click 'Edit' -> 'Define Pattern' -> Name and Save the image
13. Create a 'New File' -> 'Ctrl+A' or 'Command+A' -> Click 'Edit' -> 'Fill' -> 'Pattern' and choose your pattern
14. You should now have a page filled with your half drops!:)

NOTE: Copy & Paste shortcut!
Click the Move Tool and hold down ALT then drag the image
Hold 'Shift+ALT' then drag the mouse down
Merge Layers. DONE!:)

Scanning

1. How to scan

Before scanning, you must take into consideration of what you are going to use the scanned image for. Depending on what you are going to do with it, the resolution and dpi(dots per inch) on the scanner may need to be adjusted.

2. Descreen
Descreening has a blurring effect and is important as it is the filter to remove a moiré effect. My scanner does not automatically descreen, but it does have a selection button where you can choose to use it or not. The Descreen filters have selectable parameters to match the screen frequency of the original image halftone. Do NOT use the Descreen filter when scanning real photographs. Descreen is used only for images in printed matter, and not for real photo images. Also it is NOT used for scanning regular printed TEXT.(http://www.scantips.com/basics6b.html)

3. Resolutions
300 dpi is for commercial printing of books, glossy magazines and brochures.
150-200 dpi would be for laser printers (home/office printers).
72-96 is for e-mail attachments, the web, PowerPoint and multimedia.

# Scan at 72 dpi

72 dpi

# Scan at 100-150 dpi

125 dpi

# Scan at 300-365 dpi

160 dpi

Remember, the larger the dpi, the better the quality of the image!!!

Descreening & The Moire Effect

My scanner does have a descreen selection built in, but to be honest, after i scanned the images, at first i couldn't tell apart any differences between the descreened image and the original one...


Original Scan

With Descreen Selection


BUT, i tried zoooming into these images, and realised there was a BIG difference!! 

Original Scan (Zoomed)

Descreened Scan (Zoomed)


The Descreened Image was not as clear as the original, but it definately had less of the moire effect!!

Here are samples of a denim fabric swatch:

 

Original Scan

 

Descreened Scan

 Here are the zoomed images:


Original Scan (Zoomed)



Descreened Scan (Zoomed)

So when scanning fabrics, I think it would be a better idea to leave the original settings and dont descreen it because we won't be able to see the details of it.

Lastly here are samples of a magazine cover:  

Original Scan

Descreened Scan


Here are the zoomed versions:

Original Scan (Zoomed)

Descreened Scan (Zoomed)

For the magazine, descreening should be used to reduce the moire effect!!

Through these examples, we can clearly see that descreening can reduce the moire effect and can both improve or disimprove(?) our images!

Ballet Russes

The trip started at 7:30AM(I had to get out of the house at 6AM coz i live far away :( it was not the best morning of my life.) and the bus ride took 4hours to Canberra and 4hours back to Sydney. However, the excursion to see the Ballet Russes exhibition was amaaaazing!!!
The costumes were so intriguing and the details/techniques used on the garments were exquisite.
Each garment told a different story and even by simply looking at the costume, we were able to sense what character it was because the representation was so well done.
From the exhibition, the three garments i chose to focus on were Costume for the Countess, Costume for an Oriental Dancer to the Queen of Shemakhan and Costume for a male guest.


Costume for the Countess
This costume was in Les Tentations de la Bergère (The temptations of the shepherdess) produced by Les Ballets Russes de Serge Diaghilev. The story: A shepherdess is courted by a lord. However, she prefers the attentions of the local shepherd to the nobleman. The ballet ends with the king, agreeing to the shepherdess and shepherd’s marriage union.
The deep navy colour of the velvet dress, and the elegant long cape that trailed at the back was what drew my attention to the garment. For the bodice, skirt and cape; silk, cotton, metallic braid and lamé were used. Applique was the technique used throughout this garment and there was a zipper down the centre back, allowing the wearer to easily fit into the clothing.


Costume for an Oriental Dancer to the Queen of Shemakhan
This costume was within Le Coq d’Or (The golden cockerel) produced by Les Ballets Russes de Serge Diaghilev. The story: An astrologer catches and enchants a golden cockerel which he presents to King Dodon, who in turn promises anything the astrologer desires. As the King sleeps, the cockerel watches over the city waking Dodon, to alert him of danger. The King then sends both his sons to war. The cockerel again wakes Dodon, this time the King himself goes to war, to find both his sons dead on the battlefield. This grief is short-lived as he falls in love with the Queen of Shemakhan, whom he marries. As the astrologer asks for the Queen as his promised gift, Dodon refuses and beats the astrologer to death for his impertinence. The cockerel then swoops down and strikes the King on the head, killing him, and magically the Queen and the cockerel disappear. The astrologer then comes back to life to explain the moral of his tale.
 The lined pattern on the fabric which was draped over really stood out to me. The light colour combinations of purple, pink and navy was an interesting mix.  Acetate taffeta, cotton, felt, paint, braid, and metal fasteners were used to create the garment. Layering and gathering is used to create a peasant-like look.


Costume for a male guest
This garment was within Le Bal also produced by Les Ballets Russes de Serge Diaghilev. The story: A young man, dressed as a military officer, attends a masked ball where he meets a beautiful masked lady accompanied by an old astrologer, and falls in love with her, even as she flirts with his rival, a young Italian man. While overseen by the ballroom’s giant classical statue, which is possessed of magical powers, the sylphides mischievously dresses to imitate the couple in order to confuse their suitors. The young man finally persuades the lady to remove her mask and is dismayed to see her as an old woman. He tries to leave but she pursues him, and as the ball ends the old woman leaves on the arm of the astrologer. As she passes the young officer she and the astrologer both remove further masks, revealing them as a beautiful young couple. Attempting to follow them, the dazed young officer is held back by the statue to contemplate his behavior.
The colour combination of an orangey-brown, light khaki green, black and ivory, was what grasped my attention, and the boldly painted patterns made it even more intriguing.
For the dickey, jacket and trousers; wool, cotton grosgrain, rayon ribbon, linen, Bakelite, and paint were used.

Fashion Blogs

Three of my favourite fashion blogs that I have been following for a while are FashionToast, FrmHeadToToe and The Sartorialist.
Fashion Toast is my favourite-est(..is that a word?) out of my favourites because I just love Rumi Neely's fashion style and also the photography.
FrmHeadToToe has makeup tutorials, product reviews, fashion images and so much more. I always love reading her blogs because she has great easy-to-follow tutorials and detailed links to where she bought her products.
The Sartorialist is mainly about the images rather than writing. He always posts up photographs of people with fashionable outfits on the street  from around the world. He also has images from recent fashion shows to give insights to the season's trends.

What Makes a Good Blog Post?

There were so many different websites about "What makes a good blog post", but overall they were all basically saying similar things. There were a few sites which I found the most helpful, with tips from successful professional bloggers.

Merlin Mann's nine tips are:
1. Good blogs have a voice
2. Good blogs reflect focused obsessions
3. Good blogs are the product of "attention times interest"
4. Good blog posts are made of paragraphs
5. Good "non-post" blogs have style and curation
6. Good blogs are weird
7. Good blogs make you want to start your own blog
8. Good blogs try
9. Good blogs know when to break their own rules

JA Konrath's twelve tips are:
1. Content is King
2. Lists, tests, bullet points
3. Stay focused
4. Ask questions
5. Be friendly
6. Be controversial
7. Link to other blogs
8. Free stuff
9. Keep yourself out of it
10. Strive for perfection
11. Limit self-promotion
12. No blog is an island
(From http://www.slideshare.net/johnwilpers/what-makes-a-good-blog-john-wilpers)

Findable blog's seven tips are:
1. Good blog posts are laser-focused
2. Good blog posts are relevant to the target audience
3. Good blog posts are personable
4. Good blog posts have original content
5. Good blog posts are readable
6. Good blog posts link to other relevant information
7. Good blog posts have accurate, intriguing titles
(From http://www.findableblogs.com/what-makes-a-good-blog-post/)