11-22-10 Editorial page layout

This week you'll be working on laying out your mock articles in InDesign. As requested for homework last week, you should have 1) come up with an idea for your article, 2) made at least five rough sketches, 3) tightened up at least two of those sketches into reasonably developed page layouts and 4) gathered up all the text and images needed.

I'm not going to constrain you to a single page for this layout project. If you would like to make a spread (industry term for two pages together) then you are more than welcome to do so. I think you'll find that sometimes it helps to have two pages to work with rather than just one. Here's a word of advice: Don't try to over think your article. It doesn't have to fill every square inch of the page. Sometimes, negative space can be good.

Try to throw yourself some curve balls and see how you can challenge yourself. I don't want all of these projects to come out looking like the demonstration I walked you through last week. Be creative and try to come up with something a little different. Look around for inspiration is fine as long as you don't copy something directly.

You'll have all of tonight's class to work on these projects and you may even want to spend some homework time to finish them up. Remember, this isn't a race. The first one to finish doesn't win. Honestly, sometimes it's quite the opposite. Take your time, try to accomplish what you detailed in your sketches and then sit back and look it over. Think about what it may be missing. Figure it out and get back to work on it. The devil is in the details with page layout. I will be grading these based on the amount of time, thought and effort I feel you've put into them. Don't rush through this project or it will reflect badly on your grade.'

One last thing. There will be a QUIZ next Monday to test your know-how. Study your sheet of InDesign tools and make sure you know how to lay out a page in InDesign as this quiz will require you to turn in a sample layout made on-the-spot! Ask questions in class if you don't understand something!

HOMEWORK:

• Finish up your page layout(s)

• Be ready to turn them in at the BEGINNING of class next Monday.

• Be studying your InDesign tools and make sure you understand how to use them to lay out a page.

• Quiz next Monday (November 29th) on tools AND laying out a test page!