“Magazine Spread InDesign Project”

Process: In creating my magazine spread, I began by writing an article on a topic that has deep meaning for me.  I chose the topic of “The Power of Gathering.”  My children are grown and two of my children are inactive which saddens me greatly.  However, we continue to love and encourage them to participate in family gatherings, including a monthly FHE without the whole family.  If nothing else my children know and feel loved as we gather as a family.  My hope and prayer is that those feelings will bring them back to the church when times are difficult for them.  I know I am not alone in having inactive children, so my target audience would include parents who are looking for ways to help a wayward child.  When they will no longer listen to your counsel, all you can do is love them, and gathering as a family as often as you can demonstrates this love.  After completing my article I found a font for my title. This may seem to be out of order, that maybe I should have found my pictures first, but I had noticed on Pinterest a beautiful script of the word “Gathering” and knew it is what I wanted to use.  Interestingly enough, I had to change the font slightly to work in the space allotted in the spread.  I chose a picture of a family on the beach because that is where we gather as an entire family every summer.  To make the picture work for my magazine spread, I had to resize, and edit the picture in Photoshop to fit in the space correctly. It was difficult to adjust the picture to work across two pages.  When working in InDesign I had to figure out how to use the connecting frame text boxes.  It was a life saver, but took a while to figure out.

Critique Process: I critiqued Josef Carstens and Elissa Turpin’s projects.  Critiques were received from Sandra Zulema Mancilla and Constanza E. Dennis. Suggestions were made to watch my orphans and widows and to align the end of my columns.  After many changes in the text area no orphans or widows were left.  As far as the alignment on the right side goes, I verified that the Ensign does not align both sides of the columns to fill the space.  I received a general critique from Brother Shurtliff along with the rest of the class, giving common mistakes being made.  Further, I received an individual critique from Brother Shurtliff suggesting I bleed my images, add page numbers, and change my fonts.  After making those changes I submitted another draft to Brother Shurtliff to critique again.  I received an additional critique and changed the formatting of the big first letter of my text, removed the outline of the different boxes, and made some other font changes.

Fonts:  Body – Serif – Minion Pro, Title – Decorative – Lucinda Calligraphy and Sans Serif -Segoe UI, Side bar text body – Sans Serif -Segoe UI, Side bar text title -Serif- Minion Pro, Page numbers and text Sans Serif Segoe

Picture Sources: Family on the beach,  Elder Hales

 

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Draft: Magazine Spread InDesign Project

Draft: Magazine Spread InDesign Project

Process: In creating my magazine spread, I began by writing an article on a topic that has deep meaning for me.  I chose the topic of “The Power of Gathering.”  My children are grown and two of my children are inactive which saddens me greatly.  However, we continue to love and encourage them to participate in family gatherings, including a monthly FHE without the whole family.  If nothing else my children know and feel loved as we gather as a family.  My hope and prayer is that those feelings will bring them back to the church when times are difficult for them.  I know I am not alone in having inactive children, so my target audience would include parents who are looking for ways to help a wayward child.  When they will no longer listen to your counsel, all you can do is love them, and gathering as a family as often as you can demonstrates this love.  After completing my article I found a font for my title. This may seem to be out of order, that maybe I should have found my pictures first, but I had noticed on Pinterest a beautiful script of the word “Gathering” and knew it is what I wanted to use.  Interestingly enough, I had to change the font slightly to work in the space allotted in the spread.  I chose a picture of a family on the beach because that is where we gather as an entire family every summer.  To make the picture work for my magazine spread, I had to resize, and edit the picture in Photoshop to fit in the space correctly. It was difficult to adjust the picture to work across two pages.  When working in InDesign I had to figure out how to use the connecting frame text boxes.  It was a life saver, but took a while to figure out.

Fonts:  Body – Serif – Minion Pro, Title – Decorative – Lucinda Calligraphy

Picture Source: Family on a beach, Elder Hales

 

 

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Web Page Design

Process: I started by viewing a lot of different web pages on line to see what I visually liked.  I sketched what I thought was ecstatically pleasing configuration, however, my final version ended up being a little different. The company I choose to represent was a quilting fabric and design company.  I quilt and love learning about new designs, but the reason I love quilting so much is how they save a memory in fabric form.  Meaningful quilts are what I like to give. The message I want to send to my audience is that quilts do more than keep you warm, they comfort you in the memories in which they can be made of, or the person who made the quilt.  I chose pastel color scheme because they are more a comforting colors, like quilts are comforting.  I found pictures of women working on their own projects, to be featured in a “My story” window, where visitors to the website could see what other quilters are doing. The other two pictures I chose where pictures of quilt labels and fabric types to give a clue to what was in this window if a visitor decided to select it. My audience would be quilters who are looking for ideas to create a special meaningful quilt to be given as a gift.  There site is simple and easy to use, not clutter by flashy bells and whistles like some website designs have.  My final version is different from my draft as it is much more simplified.

Critique: I critiqued Kyle-Kathy McKinnon and Kaylon Christian Burns’ projects.  I did not receive any feedback on my post from class mates.  I did receive the following suggestions from Brother Shurtliff: make your quotes smaller, turn off the guide layer (FYI, I only left them on because the example blog, has the guide left on) move the text to line up with the edge, change the size of text in the bottom bar, change the text color as it is hard to read, the color scheme needs some help.  I made all those corrections.

Color Scheme: Pastels, blue, pink, purple

Fonts: Header- Century School book – Sans Serif,  Body – Calibri – serif, Quote – Curlz MT – Decorative

Image resources: Heart design, Sewing machine, Stacks of quilts, Quilt label, Rolls of fabric, My Story Pic

 

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Practically Perfect

MOVIE POSTER PROJECT

 

 

 

Message/Audience: I wanted my movie poster to be whimsical and light in its content.  The movie is to portray the journey of a  mother doing her best to raise her children in a fun and loving way.   My title of “Practically Perfect” plays off the popular Disney movie Mary Poppins.  The title is purposely skewed to indicate that I am not quite perfect but will always do my best.  Incorporated in the movie credits at the bottom of the poster, I included the names of family members, because they certainly are the people who support me in my life.  The audience for this movie would be families, especially moms.

Critique Report: I critiqued Zeb R. Dye and Matthew Richardson’s movie poster projects.  I received a critique from Julie Nelson suggesting I put a few of the main characters under the title, which I have done and a comment, not really a critique from Molly Ann Richardson agreeing with my title font choice.  Brother Shurtliff gave the following suggestions in his critique: lighten the main characters face, reduce the space between the two-word title, remove the Mary Poppins silhouette and just have the main character’s silhouette, prominently feature the main character’s name, rework the movie credits at the bottom of the poster. I have followed all the suggested corrections.

Fonts: Title – Lakesight (decorative) Characters –Broadway (Sans Serif)                       Movie Credits – SF Movie Poster (decorative)

Image Source:  Umbrella, Self-portrait- Laura Kidd

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With the Sound of a Trumpet

Photographic Study Project

The Sound of a Trump

I found this project to be extremely challenging.  Taking pictures has never been a skill I possessed and when combined with learning new software, it doubled my frustration level.  The object I chose to photograph was my son’s trumpet.  I really hoped that at least one of the pictures would be good enough to frame and give him as a gift.  I included a picture of my son blowing his trumpet in my collage, which made it more personable to me. My audience would be specific to trumpet players.  The pictures or collage could be used as a concert invitation or a specific student’s graduation announcement.

This might be my favorite photo, it is the hardest working part of the trumpet.

I like how long this shot makes the trumpet look, almost as long as a trombone.

To me this shot looks like it belongs to some weird invention

I like how bright and shiny this photo is, it reminds me of the gears on a ten-speed bike.

Doesn’t this remind you of the Ricola horn?

Wides shots are not as easy as they look

I am pleased with the final collage.  Having my son blowing his trumpet makes it even better.

Process: Taking the photos was difficult for two reasons.  The first reason was because of the constant glare and reflection in any lighting and the second reason was positioning the trumpet without seeing the person holding the trumpet.  Editing the photos was a long process of trial and error, which I would not have minded it I had more time to dedicate to the project.  I viewed many tutorials and received an enormous amount of help from my daughter in the editing process.  Creating the collage in photoshop was not as simple as the tutorials indicate.  I finally used Collage Maker to get the format I wanted for my collage.  This project made me wonder what the ratio is of how many pictures it takes to get one good one.

Critiques: I critiqued Josef Carsten and Melanie Hoke Lewis’s projects and received a critique from Zeb R. Dye. He suggested I take the image of Moroni out and replace a picture that looked blurry.  After following his critique I received from Brother Shurtliff.  He suggested I lighten up the backgrounds in most of my pictures, meaning I needed to retake most of my pictures.  He offered the suggestion to brighten the picture by lightening the exposure.  I retook several pictures and believe they are better.

Picture source: Laura Kidd

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6 Photos

Indoor

Foreground

Background

Rule of Thirds

Leading Room

My outdoor shot is of the clouds in our neighborhood.  I like how the light differs in the sky and how the sun rays are blocked by the clouds

The indoor shot is of one of my sweet young women who was practicing for a Sacrament program. It is off center, but that is what I like about it.

The foreground and background focus is of my daughter doing her calculus homework.  I was lucky to get a picture of her not pulling her hair out.

My rule of thirds picture is of my cutie niece Lennon.  I love how she is pondering as she looks out at the ocean.  It would not have been as powerful if the picture had been centered and there was less ocean to view.  I found this principle valuable.

The final picture is of the boarder of boarder of California and Mexico.  The Leading line is the border line.  I like how the type of picture also describes the picture itself.

I had to play around a little to really understand how to put the watermark on my photo, but did figure it out.  I resizing the photos was simple.

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Never Have I Ever- For Joann’s Etc.

My Company– Joann Fabric and Craft Store

Objective – Create a Pinterest Board with the title  “Never have I ever….” and include hobbies or crafts supported by Jo-Ann’s.

Strategy – Increase the number of people actively following and repinning Jo-Ann’s pins on Pinterest, not just following in order to persuade them to try new crafts or engage in a new hobby.

  Pinterest Screenshot

Process and Reasoning: I used Jo-Ann’s green in my design element trying to keep Jo-Ann’s branding in mind. It also was a nice contrast to all the different picture colors.  I used a phrase from the game “Never have I ever” to peak followers curiosity to try a new hobby or craft.  The Pinterest Board name will use the same catch phrase but will ask the followers to hashtag to Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter “Never have I ever, well now I have.” This will allow followers to show the new crafts or hobbies they have tried out.  The audiences are current Jo-Ann customers who may be in a rut and are looking for a new outlet or adventurous crafters who are always looking for something new to try.  The message in the campaign is to allow yourself room to grow in a new hobby; you may have more talent than you realized.

Critique: I critiqued Sandra Zulema Mancill and Matthew Richardson’s projects.  I received critiques from Kyle-Katy McKinnon and Kelli Seely who both mentioned that the sewing photo did not highlight the curtains, and suggested a different picture.  I also received critique from Brother Shurtliff who suggested moving up the design element on the doormat and sheep pictures. He liked the use of contrasting fonts, with one font taking on the characteristics of the pictures.  I changed the sewing picture and adjusted the design element on the above-mentioned pictures.

Share this: Shared on Facebook

Facebook Link to Post

Photo Sources: Cake,     Sheep, Paint, Curtains, Beads, Wreath, Flowers, Garland, Caligraphy, Doormat

Fonts Used:

Title/Catchphrase- Decorative font-Delicious

Contrasting Text: Decorative fonts- Sofia, Janda Stylish, Gigi, Chalk-hand Lettering, Colonna MT, Arabella, Freestyle Script, Valadmir Script, Pristina,

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Gathering

Magazine Content and Sketches

This magazine project was a challenge for me.  It is one thing to match someone else’s words with a picture, but to write your own uplifting story to be worthy of being in the Ensign or the New Era was difficult. I will be creating a two-page spread for the LDS, New Era magazine.  The spread will include and eye-catching title, a color scheme, pictures and a story personally written by myself. I chose to write about the importance of families gathering together.  The reason I chose to publish in the New Era, was because I think sometimes teenagers mistakenly believe family gatherings to be a punishment, rather than an opportunity to learn and grow with each other. Time together as a family is important, the bonds created could be the difference in children following away from the gospel or not. Family bonds are strong.

Favorite Sketch

Story: The Power of Gathering

Gathering as a family is powerful.  Nearly, every treasured memory I have taken place while surrounded by family.  A surprise 50th birthday party, children’s baptisms, weddings, family reunions, family vacations and mission farewells are all events which invoke strong emotions.  We are empowered as we gather together with one another.  We can strengthen an individual in need, provide a safe place for a heart to soften, and bind generations to each other when we gather as a family.

All families need strengthening, from the ideal to the most troubled.  That strengthening can come from any family member.  In fact, in some families, the source of spiritual strength may come from extended family.  As families gather together it may be an aunt, uncle or cousin to make a connection with a particular child, which a parent has been unable to help. Our daughter, Shelbi has a special relationship with her Aunt Natalie. She has accepted counsel and encouragement from her aunt during critical moments in her life when she was uncomfortable talking with us, her parents.  Now Shelbi leaves for an internship in London as a strong young woman. As we gather together, we strengthen those individual family members in need.

In the parable of the prodigal son, we learn about the poor choices that a young man makes.  The son asks his father for his inheritance which he quickly uses up in immoral activities. After losing all that he had, the son “came to himself,” and decided to go home (Luke 15:17).  How did this young man know his family especially his father wouldn’t reject him? Because he knew his family loved him.  The son knew from experiences growing up in his home, he would be safe with his family.

Elder Hales states, “Through the inevitable misunderstandings, conflicts, and follies of the son’s youth, I can visualize his father being there with an understanding and compassionate heart, a soft answer, a listening ear, and a forgiving embrace. I can also imagine his son knowing he could come home because he knew the kind of home that was awaiting him” (Hales, 2004).

I think the prodigal son came from a family that gathered together often, expressing their love for one another.  The son knew he had a safe place to return to where his heart could be softened and changed.   When our children have made poor choices and need to feel comforted they will ask to have a family gathering in our home.  As they are being loved on by family members their hearts softened and repentance begins.

If my children were asked what kind of home they were raised in, their response could be “A home rich in gospel and family related traditions.”   Traditions gather our families together often, providing opportunities for bonding to occur between different generations.   The traditions we established as a family is directly linked to our family strength and family satisfaction. My children have bonded with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins during family gatherings big and small, planned and impromptu, festive or solemn.    My mother suffers from dementia, she may not always remember my children’s names; but she knows their faces and remembers her connection to them.  My children will forever remember their grandma in her old age and the stories she told them over and over again as we gathered each week to eat dinner with her.  Memories take time. Our best memories have been born out of extended time together.

If we know gathering as a family is powerful, the question to ask ourselves is, “How do we use this power?”  We share it.  As we gather those who need to be strengthened we are also strengthened.  When we provide a safe place for a heart to be softened our own hearts are softened.   The actual process of gathering is what binds the generations to each other.  The Savior said, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens?” (Matthew 25:37) The Savior sought to bless the lives of others. He wanted to teach and strengthen, comfort and encourage, and lovingly bind us to Him all through the simple act of gathering His children together. I also seek to bless the lives of my children and gathering my family together is a powerful blessing.

Images

Image Sources: Picnic, Fishing, Waterballons, Instruments, Ice Cream

Wonders Among You

Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders Among You, By Elder Jeffry R. Holland

Delivered April 3, 2016

General Conference, Temple Visits, Sacrament Meetings, Family Home Evenings

• Enjoy the spiritual and enlightening moments in your life
• Hold On to those moments when reality is beating at the door
• Remember how you felt during those moments to help you move forward

Improve yourself, to increase the possibilities of more spiritual enlightenment

• You do not have to be perfect in your efforts
• Credit is given for trying
• If you fall, summon His strength

Love

• We love the Lord, but He loved us first
• Heaven is cheering us on

Expect the Wonders the Lord Promised to Deliver.

Process

I had several talks in mind when I began the project, but finding the appropriate pictures limited my choices.  This Power Point Presentation could be used for a seminary lesson, Family Home Evening lesson, or a Fireside.  The topic reminds us all that we must build on spiritual moments for them to be the most effective in challenging times.  After pictures were chosen I sketch my slide presentation, figuring out what kind flow I wanted to follow the talk. I created full picture slides with simple design bars to carry the texts. The color scheme I chose for the slides was warm, neutral, earthy tones.

Critique Report

I critiqued Matthew Richardson and Melanie Hoke Lewis’s projects. I received only one critique from fellow students by Elsa Christina Sanft Mills. Elsa suggested I move the text over in some of my slides that were too close to the edge.  I also received a critique from Brother Shurtliff, our instructor.  He suggested I created a more consistent pattern in my design element and change up my text to show some contrast.  I took those suggestions and made adjustments to my Power Point Presentation.

Fonts: delicious and delicious heavy (sans serif)

Link to the talk: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/tomorrow-th

Links to pictures: remembering,  clouds, loaves and fishes,   fingers holding on,  tying shoes, the fall, Christ,  Clouds 2

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Books on Books on Books

Process:  My message was to encourage people to come and buy books to help fund the United through Reading Program.  I found a picture of books to help focus the topic of the flyer.  The banner I created helps draw attention to the event.  It took a while to get the colors and positions of the separate items to look correctly.  Once I did I submitted my draft to Facebook.

Critique Process: I critiqued Allison Marin and Matthew Richardson’s projects.  I received only one critique from fellow student Kyle-Katy McKinnon suggesting I move the body of text over to align with the banner.  I also received a critique from Brother Shurtliff indicating his concern for the saturation of color in my banner, the location, and alignment of my text body and moved the text box with the cost of the books somewhere else.   I followed the advice and softened the color of the banner, moved and realigned the body of text and moved the logo to the top of the flyer, which actually balanced out the flyer nicely.

Color Scheme: Analogous: Navy Blue, dark Teal Green

Fonts: Title- Kraft nine (decorative), Body copy – Ariel Narrow (Sans Serif)

Links to image: http://www.innovativeed.org/blog/?p=61

 

 

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