Construction Diary for Double Page Spread

Before I created the page, I edited the image I chose for the double page spread. As I am having an image take up most of the first page, it had to be portrait. I chose this image as it is natural and different than the rest of the images in the magazine, with the artist acting natural and playing the guitar. When editing, I used levels and curves and then I enhanced the green colours to make the image brighter and not so dull. To do this I used selective colour.

Once this was done I created the double page spread. To mark the centre and separate the two sides, I got up rulers, and then added a straight line down the centre using the shape tool.

Once I had the image the correct size and position and the centre marked out, I added the boxes for the text. As I already knew the layout that I wanted for the double page spread, it was easier for my to layout the boxes. To create these, I used the shape tool. I then changed the size

using the free transform tool. To make sure they were all the same size, I used the duplicate option. Once I had the shapes all equal, I could change them to fit images. After positioning all the columns in the right place, I decided that the column on top of the image looked too harsh, so I turned down the opacity slightly so that you could see the image behind slightly.

I then added an image to the gap I left on the right side. I decided to

put the image here to separate the text a bit and so that it looks exciting for the reader. I chose this image as it links in with the feature, which talks about the artist taking a break for a cigarette. When editing this image I kept it natural and just edited it with levels and curves.

I then added the body copy. To do this I added three separate text boxes, and copied the text into them from a word document. Although I want the text style to keep consistent throughout, I chose to use the font style “Times New Roman” so that the text is easier to read and not as harsh. To add the drop cap, I added another text layer. I chose to do it in red as it is the colour I have used through the magazine to highlight information and make things stand out more.

I also had to delete the centre text box. This was due to the fact I thought I

had enough text to fill all of the columns. I already plan to put a pull quote in the centre, but I am also now going to put another image there as well as I do not want blank space.

Once I added the body copy, I needed to add some information at the end of the feature and an end blob to indicate that

the feature was finished. To make the end information stand out, I did not want to make the text larger or a different font or colour, so I made it bolder. This makes it stand out more, but not in a drastic and harsh way so it is still clear that the information is part of the body copy. For the end blob, I used the shape tool and experimented with different colours and shapes, but decided that a black circle was best as it did not stand out, but clearly indicated the end of the feature.

I then added the pull quote, standfirst, page number and another image.

For the pull quote I decided on using a quote from the artist, as it will catch peoples attention and they will want to read it and find out more about what he is saying. I kept it the same font as the body copy to keep it consistent. I made it red as it makes it stand out against the black and white.

When I was adding the standfirst, I firstly made the text black and put it over the top of the image, but it made the page look too busy and the writing was not clear. To prevent this, I cropped the sky off the image and made the text white which made it clearer.

Because there was a gap left from where there was meant to be text, I added another image. Originally, it was going to be the landscape image but once I edited it and put it in place, it did not fit right and the columns did not look right all at different lengths. So instead of keeping this image, I added another portrait image underneath the pull quote and extend the column on the right and added more text which looks a lot better and professional.

I chose to include this image as it is different to the image above it – which is a close up. It also fits in with the feature and gives good visual aid to it. When editing, as with the others I did not over edit it to much, just using levels, curves and selective colour to intensify the

blue in the sky to brighten the image and make it stand out more. Once I had added the image, I used the ruler tool to make sure that the two central images and pull quote were in line and that they were the same width as the two text columns.

Once I was happy with the layout, I added the title, logo and image captions.

For the title I used the “Capitals” font so that the consistent text style used on the cover and contents would also continue onto the double page spread. Also, this text is quite bold and stands out so then the feature would then stand out. I chose to do the title in red as it stands out better than white text would, and I did not want to add any other colours so I could stick to the colour scheme of red, black and white.

The title looked a bit plain and did not stand out much originally when it was just red, so I decided to experiment with different effects on the blending options selection. After trying out different effects, I decided on using “Outer Glow” and “Bevel and Emboss”. These effects gave it a 3D look, and made it stand out more, and therefore would catch the reader’s attention more. I also made sure to position the title so that the crease in the centre would not distort it or make

it unclear to read.

For the captions, I chose to them in the “Times New Roman” font as it is clear to read and fits in with the text used for the standfirst, byline and body copy. I decided to make them quite small so they don’t cover up the image too much or make the page look too full. For the main image on the left page, I put it on the top left corner as it showed up best there in black with the white behind it.

For the other two images, I decided to put them both in the same place in the image so that the layout stayed consistent. I also done this as the text was clearer in white with the black area of the image behind it.