Today, our third tutorial workshop was teaching us how to create a simple magazine layout using InDesign.
The aim was to only create one A4 page of a magazine spread, so really it was quite simple. I set up my page with three columns for the text we were given to place into our "articles". I used the Ruler tool to create some guidelines on the page to help me place my headings and the body of text in the correct places with an even space between each column.
When placing the text into InDesign, I learned that if you click and hold down the shift key, InDesign will autofill the body of text into the columns that have previously been laid out. This little trick is mainly used for larger amounts of text or any long publications.
Above, is the image of my final magazine spread. To create more of a professional layout on the page I separated each column of text with a line down the gap. I think this makes the text more legible with a clear understanding of there being three sections of text.
Also, no magazine is right without any imagery. Using the picture of the parrot that I was given, I managed to make the image bleed of the side of the page and make the text behind the parrot wrap around, following the shape of the bird.
The last thing that I did within this studio session was learn how to draw a shape using specific tools in the InDesign pallet and fill the shape with a body of text. As well as filling the shape, I also learned how to make the text trace the path of the outline. I'm not too sure in which scenario I would use this technique, but it was a fun and interesting thing that I can say I now know how to do.
I really enjoyed this weeks workshop and I think that my magazine page spread was quite successful. I think that now I know how to set up an InDesign document, I may try using this software to display my sketchbook in, in one of my projects.
