Learning Design Skills

 One of the main skills I had to develop for my project was learning how to use Adobe InDesign to create my final product. I had never used this software before beginning my EPQ and had to learn how to use the tools involved to create a well-rounded piece. 

I was very lucky in this aspect because I have a sibling who uses Adobe InDesign as part of her university course. When I couldn't figure out how to put my ideas into action, having someone to help me who already knew what I was attempting to achieve and how to create them was especially valuable. The skills I needed to learn in order to make my designs a reality were often very quick and I benefitted from saving the time I would have otherwise spent trying to find tutorials online for my design.

Drop Shadows:

One of the key features of my magazine's final production was adding drop shadows to some elements. This allowed my fairly simple design to look a lot more professional when the entire page was completed. It helped to add a contrast between the elements of the page (for example: text or images) and the background. The simple colour scheme of my magazine was enhanced massively by adding these drop shadows as they reduced how flat the spreads of the magazine appeared to be.

Text on a Path:

This technique was used on the Record Label spread to create the shape-wrapping title around the centre graphic. It help to incorporate the title into the rest of the page design and make it look at lot smoother. Once again, with such a simple design basis, adding interesting detail like wrapped text makes the spread stand out from just being a plain graphic with a title that doesn't blend. The title improves the overall look of the page and helps it to not blend in with the main body of the text as well.

Aligning Objects:

Whilst this skill is one of the most simple, using the arrow keys and alignment tools on InDesign was very effective in improving the look of my final product. Despite being such a small detail, making sure each element of my design was in place and aligned with others on the page was vital to the professional look of a magazine. I made sure that each element was in line with both other elements and the page that it sits on. Even if this skill seems unimportant, it refined my ability to create a well-rounded and professional level product.