This post is for my Communication 315 class. It is a demonstration of work that I have completed in my major. All pictures are from works I have created. 

How to Create a Magazine Page
The basic layout of a magazine page looks similar to this.

In this exercise we will be creating a simple layout just consisting of the first two pages of a magazine article. The idea behind my design is to create a grungy but feel for a skateboarding article. 

1.     Select your article and images you would like to use.

2.     Decide on a look or feel you would like the magazine to have. This could include ‘grungy’, ‘simplistic’, ‘retro’, etc. and choosing an appropriate color scheme.

3.     Draw sketches to help you get an idea of what the layout will look like using your selected color scheme and images. Include design elements throughout the sketches.

4.     Create any vector images you need to complete the look or design. This could include shapes you will be using throughout the magazine to exemplify the design and look you are trying to get across.

5.     Open your InDesign file. Create two (48p x 60p) facing pages with a bleed of 0p9 and 3p margin.

6.     Insert your images using FILE/PLACE and select your images. Use the same process when inserting your text. 

7.     Place images appropriately. For this example, place the large image first on the page so that the skater is in the top left corner of the margins on the left page. Place the provided side border images on the left side of the left page and the right side of the right page.

8.     Select the left side border. Click on the EFFECTS bar. Change the blending mode to DIFFERENCE.

9.     Cut the title and byline of the article from the text. Paste the title in a new text box and the byline in another text box.

10.    Format the title to the appropriate size and color. Place each word in a separate text box and put it in the appropriate place like the example. (Franklin Gothic Demi Condensed, A: 168 pt, G: 315pt, UIDE: 300pt, TO YOUR: 72pt, RIDE: 180pt)

11.     Select ‘UIDE’, ‘TO YOUR’, and ‘RIDE’. Go to the EFFECTS bar and select the gradient feather effect with a 100% black opacity to a 0% white opacity.

12.     Place the arm and skateboard images above the text.

13.     Place your text on the right page and change the font color to white. Shrink the text box to the appropriate size. Click on the plus button on the right edge of the text box. Click again next to the original text box to create a continuous text box. Resize this text box to the appropriate size.

14.     Select the S in the first paragraph and go to the PARAGRAPH bar and select 2 rows from the DROPPED CAP button.

15.     Add the deck and page numbers in the appropriate places. Change the text color of the page numbers to and the deck to appropriate design. (Magazine title/article title and page numbers: Bodini MT 12pt, Deck: Gabriola 36pt, Byline: Century Gothic 14pt)

16.     The final design will look like this.