Indesign: Part 2

In the most recent workshop, we learnt how to manage image quality and how to set up three variations of book layout.

It is important when inserting an image in Indesign, the dimensions and resolution must be correct beforehand. It cannot be altered within the programme or the image quality will decrease.

Adding/Adjusting image quality

There are two techniques for this method.

Method 1- using frames
To do this, it is advisable to make a note of the width and height of the frame(for example W:138.667mm H: 130.667mm). The next step is to go into photoshop, select image size, and then select Resample Image, which adds and removes information from the image. The box needs to be ticked if the resolution is 300dpi.

Select file-save in Photoshop, and file-place in Indesign, then check the Links pallet to check the image size and the effective ppi.

Method 2- not using frames
If we are wanting a full bleed image, select file-place. We can enlarge the image within Indesign by firstly selecting the circle within the image.

Select Frame-Object-Fitting.

Fill content adheres to the width of the image to fit the page.
Fit content adhere to the height of the image to fit the page.

In the links section the resolution should have dropped from 300, for example 172%.

To amend this, we go to Photoshop, image- image size- PERCENT and change the number, file and save.
This should then be up to date in the links pallet in Indesign.

Setting up book documents

Saddle-Stitch setup

Saddle stitch uses the Printers Spread layout.

Readers Spread- where the layout is set up as if it were being viewed by a reader
Printers Spread- where the layout is arranged in order of printing (four pages back to back on each sheet of paper) to slot together in the correct order.

The number of pages in a saddle stitch book has to be a multiple of four. The page numbers on each side always add up to ONE MORE of the the number of pages in total within the book.

L   R

                                8   1

                                2   7

                                6   3

                                4   5

Print Settings:

Select File-Print booklet- Two up saddle stitch booklet

Setup-A3 Landscape- Centre Content

Marks and bleed- any bleed will be printed. Have that box ticked, and add crop marks.

Don't use two sided printing. Use short edge binding, and don't trim before you bind.

Consatina setup

A5 12/16 pages

Firstly, create a new document with NO FACING PAGES.

Then create guides (layout). The gutter wants to be 0 with a guideline of 1; it is sometimes easier to double the value of the gutter to the double of the margin to achieve even spacing.

When printing, select marks and bleed. Click on the guide and extend off the page for accurate folding lines, ITS VERY TRICKY!

Hotdog setup

Again, set up a new document. A3, no columns or margins in a landscape format.

When creating the guides it wants to be 4 columns and 2 rows

For the hotdog format to work correctly, rotate the top row of images.

Visual Journalist Project Proposal

In groups of ten, we participated in a critique with another illustrator (Kristyna) who took viewing to our research projects and provided us with fresh ideas.

Problem Analysis

Kristyna gave me a lot of options and ideas to explore. I mentioned my both my ideas about the Willow Pattern story and my initial trip to Whitby and she suggested that I revisit and research some different places there, for example the Whitby Museum. This would relate further to my interest in antique objects and their story, and would tie in with the place- although I am not entirely sure that this would be a feasible option due to the season and organising a re-visit.
However, I am quite keen on putting my own spin on the story of the Willow Pattern, or bringing some other visual elements into the finished product; the last thing I want is my finished book to look identical to the original plate.
Drawing from observation is an interesting point. This is something I could find time to do over the Christmas break- photographing suitable objects and locations and using them in my work, which would also enable me to have a wider interpretation of the original story.

Problem Solving

In my project proposal I have mentioned the strengths and weaknesses of my research process, and my current ideas for the finished book. Evaluating all of my findings, influences and suggestions I have been able to devise a list of things to do over the Christmas break to gain a better structure to my project and help develop my ideas surrounding the story of the Willow Pattern.

Visual Journalist: Visit to Swiss Cottage

Problem Analysis

On evaluation of my recent visits and potential areas to focus on, I continued the theme of antiques/old objects and visited an antique shack called 'Swiss Cottage'.

Areas of Focus/ideas:

• One object with a particular history- tell the untold story of its life-cycle
• Typology of antiques in categories
• The way that people use these objects

I asked the man that worked in the shop if he knew a brief history of any of the objects but he replied with 'no', which was disappointing. I then decided to focus on the objects that were most visually appealing to me, make some observational drawings and then go away and research them.

Willow Pattern Plates and Chinese Pottery

Research facts:

• The willow pattern was popular in 18th Century England designed 
• Designed by Thomas Minton
• Based upon a fable
• Turned into a comic opera in 1901
• Made into a 1914 silent film
• 1992 Barry Paves made a short film
• There is a story within the plate

Problem Solving 

I have decided that the story behind the Willow Pattern holds great potential for a starting point in creating a picture book. It also responds well to the brief, informing the audience of a story that they probably wont be familiar with in such a highly recognised object.

Visual Journalist Crit

We each took it in turns to present our days worth of research to our group; it was interesting/ co incidental to find out that one of my group members is actually from Whitby! It was informative for him to see my perspective as a visitor on his hometown.

Problem Analysis

Upon reflection of the day I'm still feeling like it was more of a personal nostalgic journey for me, and my research was so broad that it was hard to pinpoint it to something specific that would eventually tell an untold story. My first thoughts as to what I would do if I were to make the book tomorrow would be an illustrated tour guide of Whitby, but I feel like that is too generic and too much of an easy option for me.

The people in my group also thought my research was very thorough but not specific enough, they too found it difficult to pinpoint something in particular to take forward and express further.

Problem Solving/Critical Incident

I came away from the crit feeling extremely deflated. I am absolutely clueless on what I could base my book on and I can't help feeling like I've had two wasted journeys which is such a shame. I'm going to go and clear my head for a day and come back with fresh eyes and review what I have done, maybe choose my favourite thing of the day and elaborate on that. I'll do some more secondary research into the things that I found most interesting and hopefully find a tale to tell within the extra things that I find out.

Collage and Emphera

Task and Aims
Create a poster for a imaginary event based within a world within our chosen theme working predominantly collage.

Collage is a method of image making that relies on re-appropriation of found image, often in combination of additional drawn elements.

Within illustration, collage can be a highly effective way of generating images that are universally recognisable whilst still maintaining the characteristics and tone of voice of the maker.

Designers that are well known for creating collage:

Jamie Reid
Reid really broke the barrier of 'taboo' with his explicit use of words and imagery in the late 80's/early 90's.

Eda AkaktunGreat use of surrealist ideas and compositions.

Kate Gibb Renowned for her music sleeve artwork and long standing relationship with the chemical brothers.

Work Produced

'The Great Egg Race'

Intentions
I wanted to do a sort of play on the idea of 'the great egg race', by creating an imaginary olympic game scenario of a range of chickens (no pun intended) participating in an egg and spoon race chasing the 'runaway egg'. 

Reflection I am pleased with the results of my poster, although again admittedly I left it until the last minute to complete it. If I would have managed my time more wisely I would have been more experimental in terms of creating textures myself by scanning in various emphera rather than just relying on the internet and on magazine type.

Also from the group critique, it was mentioned that the type I used didn't really relate to my subject matter, which I had to agree with. Reviewing it not it is very obscure and looks like it has just been cut out of various magazines and thrown together in an attempt to look quirky. In order to improve this next time I will possibly research further into text used by the olympic games for example, or text used on chicken packaging etc, just something that looks more professional and is more easily relatable to. 

Speculative Thinking I personally think collage is a really interesting way to work, especially within illustration as a means of effective communication of an idea or message. The combination of various sourced images tied together portrays a more emphasised and often obscure perspective on a theme, which can open more doors to personal interpretation.

Evaluation

Visual Research- My research for this task isn't at all broad as I just literally went with an idea I had in my mind at the time. I could have done more research into obscure and alternative events within the olympic games or the area of sport in general.

Problem Analysis- In terms of solving the problem, I think I raised attention of the event, but my use of text lets this area down. I didn't realise the full extent to how effective the use of text is and how informative it can be to specific audiences.

Visual Variation- I am pleased with the way that I have incorporated different chicken characters within my poster and I hoped that it has added a sense of humour. Maybe to improve I could have used those characters to mimic famous olympic stars of this day and age? Or just put more thought into it in general.

Professionalism and Presentation- Again due to the issue I have with the text I think this makes the overall effect of the poster look generally less professional. Also some of the images are a little pixelated due to adding them from the internet. However I am pleased with the composition of the poster, especially with the leading lines of the track drawing the eye into the centre of the poster where most of the information is situated.

Visual Journalist: Exploring Whitby and York

Whitby 05.12.14

I decided to visit the seaside town of Whitby as part of being a visual journalist, as it is full of character and interesting history. I used to visit Whitby every year with my family until the age of nine, so it was very interesting to re-visit ten years later.

Places to explore:

Knowledge and Understanding

I began by taking a walk around just go get my bearings, and doing a few quick sketches and taking some photographs.

Problem Analysis

Due to the season, I was a little limited as to what I could do. For example I couldn't walk along the beach to find fossils because the tide was high, the smokey kipper shed was closed, Arnold Palmer was closed and a lot of the museums were closed that I'd hoped to visit like the Royal Lifeboat Museum, the Dracula experience and the James Cook museum. However this setback encouraged me to go out of my comfort zone and discover places I hadn't been to before.

Problem Solving 

I went inside an Antique shop called 'Lavender's Bizzare' to be greeted by a very wrinkly dog among an array of obscure objects. I spent a long time in here doing some drawings of things that I found interesting, and chatting to the lady who owned the shop about her trade (which is something I wouldn't normally have the confidence to do). She said that she was born in North Yorkshire, she had owned the shop around 3 months and has collected everything herself by going to auctions and from people selling things to her.

I visited some other independent shops and made conversations with the shop owners about how long they had had their shops,where they get their stock from, how long they have lived in Whitby etc.

These included a music shop, where I spoke to the couple that owned it who put on an 'around the world' folk music festival every year at the pavilion, an antique shop where the owner was testing out old clarinets (we were speaking about clarinets and camera lenses for about 20 minutes!) and a little old accessory shop I used to visit when I was younger.

Further Exploration

Problem Analysis

At the end of my day I was still pretty clueless. Could I do a book about fossils without it mimicking a geography textbook? Is a picture book of Whitby too vague? I did think about comparing my family holiday experiences and memories with my experience today but I guess that is too personal and won't be appealing to a wide audience. I'm not sure yet, a little more secondary research will be required to fuel my thoughts.

York 06.12.14

As the second part of my research I chose to visit York. Similar to Whitby, I used to visit when I was younger (especially the Railway Museum) but I wanted to explore in more depth the places that I wasn't familiar with.

The railway museum was just as interesting as I had remembered it to be, displaying old train travel posters, carriages and engines. I took a particular interest in the 'spotters stories' section, where it showed and told peoples experiences with train travel between the early and mid 20th century.

Problem Analysis

I thought of some potential ideas to 'tell an untold story' within the National Railway museum. I could elaborate in greater deal with some of the spotters stories, as well as illustrating the history of trains through time? However I felt that this didn't have much scope, again for a wider audience. Only specific to those who have a great interest in trains. The only link York had to Whitby that I found was the fact that I was revisiting childhood places, which is interesting for me but not particularly from a viewers perspective.

Unfortunately I chose to visit York on one of the busiest Saturdays of the year for Christmas shoppers. I found myself walking like a sardine through the cobbled streets unable to take everything in, as well as being exhausted from the previous day and not to mention freezing! So I decided to call it a day there, take my primary research back with me and see what more I could find by reading further into interesting areas.