Critical Creative Reflections

Here will be all my answers for the CCR questions:

1) How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

2) How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?
3) How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
4) How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?

#1 CCR QUESTION

(PowerPoint Presentation)

#2 CCR QUESTION

(Podcast)

#3 CCR QUESTION

https://youtu.be/LDusjx9Woig

(Screencast)

(unfortunately I was having issues with the screencast clip uploading so I eventually had to make it a YouTube link) 

#4 CCR QUESTION

(PowerPoint Presentation)

Final Brief Submission

INNOVATION Magazine Issue

After tons of effort being put into this brief, I have finally completed my portfolio. I ended up converting it to 'PNG.' Unfortunately, I wasn't able to export them as spreads despite specifically the settings as such.

Here it is...

(Front page)

(Table of Contents)

(Feature Article)

Accomplishment(s)

#1 ACCOMPLISHMENT

I was able to export my file, and despite not appearing as how I wanted it to, I ended up keeping my optimism. 

This is how the exported file ended up up appearing:

Struggle(s)

Struggle(s) (and how they got fixed)

#1 ISSUE

One of the issues I had when exporting the magazine brief was the 'overset texts.' Using the YouTube video linked below, I immediately fixed the issue by scaling the placement of the cover-lines on the front cover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clR-XAw-FPo

#2 ISSUE

Afterwards, I kept receiving this pop up as pictured below when trying to export the file again. 

To fix this, I had to export the file in a different PDF format. 

#3 ISSUE

When I had exported the file into different PDF versions, I kept getting this same quality as pictured below,

The black puffs are all in a different shade of black, a more gray one. And everything featured in the front cover of my magazine was completely off compared to how it appears in InDesign.

To at least fix the way the second original picture appeared on the first page of the 2-page table of contents spread, I had to change the 'Transparency' effect to 'Screen' and I left the opacity at 60%. 

It then appeared as below:

Editing the Feature Article

Magazine Feature Article Process

Introduction

The feature article of a magazine, from my perspective, looks to be the most difficult to do. It is important because it is similar to journalism, in the sense that you are telling a story while also being informative of the topic.

Writing has always been easy for me, so I am confident in my abilities of writing and graphic design to make the 2-page feature article appear amazing in my magazine. I will try my hardest to put all my effort into these pages, because I want the writing to be read properly.

I want my writing on (traditional) goth culture, and how society views/portrays this beautiful alternative culture, to show that it is so much more than just 'black outfits and white makeup.' The politics and the fashion gives a lot of material to dive in about.

I want the target audience to look at this magazine with zero expectations of what they're about to read, and then be completely shocked by the revelation that has hit them. 

Process

Using the 'Notes' app on my MacBook, I am preparing what points to speak about in the feature article's text. The heading of the note reads: 'Goth Culture Discussion' in all capital letters. 

The subheading reads: 'Topics Discussed (in order),' and below is a numbered list of the points I will be bringing up. Each point will be backed up by the usage of the ELA technique, PEEL.

PEEL stands for: Point (topic sentence), Evidence (quotes/facts), Explanation (analysis), and Link (connection). 

I will try to fit in my usual writing format to be more appealing for the readers, so PEEL will be used as a way to help me make the text in this feature article seem as professional as possible.

Above is a screenshot of the same Q&A provided in my 'Magazine Text Planning' blog.

The first paragraph discusses what the goth subculture is, and how they contribute to the alternative community as a whole.

The second paragraph discusses the hypocrisy society has when it comes to see goth people on the screen and in real life.

The third paragraph discusses traditional goth women's fashion style, including the late 1970s goth bands which sparked this revolutionary style.

This is the fourth, and last, paragraph which discusses the Q&A I had with my model.

Realizing it a bit further, there might be too much text to include. However, I believe I can take advantage of the 2-page spread which allows me to have more space to add everything. 

This is the beginning base for the 2-page feature article. 

This is what both pages of the 2-page spread looks like: the same dark blue background as the rest of the pages.

I added one of the main images featured on the feature article on the first page, with the other two on the second page. I am first starting with setting up the way the pictures are going to be.

I added the heading of the feature article at the top center of the first page. 

Using the settings shown above in the second screenshot, I managed to make the text appear as the first screenshot above shows.

The font used is 'Krungthep.'

Using the 'Athelas' font for the text, the feature article's beginning paragraph has been placed to the left of the main image for the first page.

Adding the second paragraph causes me to worry a little. The two paragraphs look completely squished together. I am currently contemplating if I remove a paragraph to make all of the text fit normally in each page.

In order to fit all the text, I had to put the text size as 8.5. This gives me more of a reason to delete two unnecessary paragraphs.

Erasing all of the beginning paragraph, I took the quote I used for the evidence (PEEL) and made it into a subheading. 

A feature article's subheading's purpose is to inform readers what it will be about. I am hoping to grab the target audience's attention with this even further.

I changed the placement of the first page's main image by placing it in the center below the subheading quote.

On the right side of the screen, I clicked the second icon under the 'Text Wrap' feature. It allows for text to wrap around the bounding box.

This will allow for more space to add the rest of the text in.

To create the shape of the main image as shown above in the first screenshot, I played around with the settings on the right. 

I put the stroke to 11 pt., as well as I increased the amount of the corners being taken up to 5p0. The main image now gives the subtle illusion of the cross, which is often used irreligiously in goth fashion.

After some adjustments, I was finally able to fit the (new) beginning paragraph on the first page. 

I was able to then fit the (new) second paragraph onto the first page as well. As for now, I have completed the main image and text placement of the first page.

Using the 'Gradient Feather' settings for the fx (effect), I will try to combine/blend the two main images of the second page of the feature article together.

 These are the 'Gradient Feather' settings for the fx (effect) used for the second main image.

As of a result, this is how the blend of the two main images appears.

I added a black rectangle background behind the combined main images to remove the noticeable dark blue background. 

This is how the last paragraphs appear on the second page of the 2-page feature article. I am planning on cutting out one of the questions which isn't as relevant, and rewriting one of the paragraphs.

Using the 'PCMyungjo' font, I made the beginning sentence of the first paragraph become a simple caption for the two main images.

I then fixed the structure and grammar of the caption, to make it seem more professional.

With the rest of the paragraphs in the text, I made sure to include indentations to show the start of each new paragraph. As well as I fixed the grammar of the responses, and I fixed the overall fitting of the text onto the page.

Reflection

The 2-page feature article ended up being the most difficult part of the brief that I've worked on. I struggled with how I'd fit in the text into the two pages, but I somewhat managed to do so. I really hope the second page of the feature article doesn't ruin the overall layout and aesthetic of the magazine. 

Throughout this journey, I've had a lot to learn. This is extremely well for me, because the practice has been done and I think I've skilled in it.

 

Editing the Table of Contents

Magazine Contents Page Process

Introduction

Working on the table of contents of my magazine will probably not be the easiest. I'm expecting a lot of work to be done.

I am confident the process will come to a good result, as I am basing off my table of contents page to the reference I had created in my 'Layout Design for Magazine' blog:

To assist me with the creation of the table of contents, I will also be utilizing my other blog, 'Magazine Table of Contents Conventions.'

Hopefully, I can incorporate the new things I've learned to do on InDesign to have a similar look on my final product of the contents page.

Process

This is the starting base of the second page, not edited yet. 

I began by adding the dark blue background to the contents page as on the reference layout design. It is not the exact same color, but it is quite close and it very well for how the magazine is fitting.

I added the issue number on the top left corner, as the reference image has it. I will fix the quality/appearance of the graphic later after I am done setting up.

The font used is Athelas, which is going to begin being the main reoccurring font.

I placed the issue's date ('March 2026') below the issue number, as I felt the place was most fitting. Numbers go with numbers,  text goes with text.

The font used is PCMyungjo, which is going to begin being the second reoccurring font.

Using the PCMyungjo font again for the content's page title ('Contents') as shown in the reference, it is bold and striking. It grabs the attention of the readers and makes them know easier what the page is about.

After ~5-10 minutes of trying to fit in the main image onto the page. I discovered the easier way of doing so. I clicked on InDesign's 'Rectangle Frame Tool,' and then I 'placed' the image I wanted onto the 'Rectangle Frame.' 

As shown in the screenshot above, that is how the set up of the photo is looking like for now. I will absolutely change it to look better after putting and arranging around all the text onto the page.

I rearranged the issue number and the issue date, as well as I had to fix the placement of the 'Contents' page title so it would all fit evenly at the top. 

Using the settings as shown in the screenshot on the right, I created a background puff for the page numbers.

I copied and pasted the masthead from the front cover and adjusted it better so it would fit above the 'Contents' title on the table of contents page.

It now looks neat and compatible with the text below it.

On the background puff for the page numbers, I added a heading reading: 'On the Cover' with all capital letters. 

This is to show the page numbers of what was being discussed on the front cover.

In order to access the file of my portfolio on the school computer, I had to convert the latest version of InDesign my file was worked on with my MacBook to the version that will fit the school computer.

Hopefully it doesn't change my work too much.

Unfortunately, due to the amount of errors occurring on the file due to it had been worked on the latest version of InDesign, I won't be able to work on the portfolio at school as how I wanted to.

When exiting out of the file, I clicked 'Do Not Save' for the changes as I was afraid of it spreading the issues onto the actual file on my MacBook.

I added the page numbers below the 'On the Cover' puff. However, I asked my teacher Ms. Acosta on how many pages the magazine brief was supposed to be, and she had said 5 in total. The table of contents is a 2-page spread as well, similar to the feature article.

As of a result, I duplicated the first table of contents page and removed the 'Contents' title as well as the issue number. I will be renovating most of the contents page.

I adjusted for the main image, 'Contents' title, magazine name to all fit on the top right of the second page of the table of contents 2-page spread.

The issue number, issue date, and the 'On the Cover' stay where they were on the first page of the table of contents 2-page spread.

I placed the main image on the middle of the second page, however I am not so sure of how I like the positioning yet. I will experiment with more after I'm done working on the first page.

I added a black line at the top of both pages to create a 'border' kind of effect, as a way to show continuation of the pages.

I added the two images I had taken of the gothic props/accessories onto the first page of the table of contents. However, I am planning on making them smaller at the bottom. 

I have shortened the puff containing the pages, however I am not sure if that is exactly what I have to do for the magazine brief.

As I stated earlier, I made the two accessory images be at the bottom of the page. I also added a caption located in between of the two images explaining what they are.

I discovered these 2 fx (effects) to create the blended in image in the background: 'Transparency,' and 'Basic Feather.'

As shown in the last two screenshots above, I had toyed around with the settings until I finally achieved the mysterious gothic look I was looking for. 

Going onto the second page, I moved the main image to the right a little more.

I created the headline discussing the introduction of the feature article below the main image on the second page.

I wrote so it could captivate the audience's attention, using popular references of movies and shows (including one character) that will surely attract younger millennials, Gen Z, and regular people uninformed of goth culture.

I fixed the format of the middle sentence containing the rhetorical question to fit nicely onto the page.

Returning back to the first page of the table of contents, I fixed the '3,4' page numbers listed to '3-4'.

Fixed the cropping of the main image of the second page of the table of contents.

I grabbed an image from Pinterest and placed it onto the page. I then edited it with the fx (effects) settings as shown in the last three screenshots above. 

The end result of this process is shown on the first screenshot provided above.

As of now, I have concluded with the table of contents 2-page spread. It appears as shown on above in the two screenshots of both pages.

I'm now going to focus on adding more pages onto the page puff. I had not realized we were supposed to have it filled out as if it were a real magazine.

I had to ask Ms. Acosta, and in the end I got my answer.

I added the following pages: 'pg. 5-6' with 'The History of Goths' underneath, and 'pg. 6-7' with 'Different Types of Goths' underneath.

Finally, I finished working on the table of contents by fixing the title of the pages buff from 'On the Cover' to 'As On the Cover.' 

Reflection

This journey of doing the 2-page spread of the table of contents made me use more of my creative brain in the process. I definitely learned how to use even more features on InDesign throughout.

This editing process is probably my favorite, as I learned both what I did wrong and how to fix it without stressing out too much.