Nowadays, magazines for reading are freaking hard to find. I stop reading magazines for years, and I totally don't feel a damn lost.
Those editors and art directors think that they have taste. I don't give a shit.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Magazine layout: focus on the number of columns
Discussion of magazine column
It is very hard to find a magazine that is for reading nowadays. The articles are long and do not get to the point; there are more and more advertisements placed all around the articles that destroy the appetite of the reader. The type becomes much more condense, so that more ads can be put in the magazine. When I look at these magazines, I don’t see why they exist. I feel so bad for the people who do the writing and artwork; their hard work is overwhelming by all these particle, economical factors. I want to be able to read comfortably, and I am sure that I am not the only one.
It would be very hard to talk about the present without discussing the past. What determines a good magazine layout that motivates people to read? In the reader’s point of view, all that matters is the content and a comfortable sense of the layout: the composition of type and image, the number of columns, the length of sentences, the point size, and the space between all these elements. I find that the number of columns is one of the crucial factors to providing that comfortable feeling for reader.
The earliest magazines do not differ much from books. The only difference is that magazines have thin covers. They used a single column or double columns; text occupies almost the whole page and the image is often on the other page or take up a big portion of a page. These characteristics are still present in most of the technical and literary journals. Even though it is pretty hard to find one-column layouts in magazines now, due to the mass production of the magazine industry.
The three-column system is the main form of layout in most magazines now. It carries the idea of asymmetry, and also enables for more text to be put on one page. However, there are problems with this system. First, it is against the people’s native reading habit, which is from left to right, not from the center and to the side. Second, the overly short lines create endless back and forth eye movement. Also, the narrow space between columns lead people across the white space to jump to the next column. The first and second problems seem hopeless. The most common way that a type designer deals with the third problem is to set thin lines to avoid the misread. These problems are clearly present in the page that is without images and has a lot of white space in between columns and around the text. When the point size is too small and the leading between lines is too narrow, the whole chunk of text looks like a monster. How can reading be more enjoyable? From the readers’ point of view, the one-column and two-column structure is much easier and more comfortable to read than the three-column layout. A nice portion of white space and proper line length have to apply to the system. Also, heading, introduction, body text, sub-heads and captions should line up to the left. It saves the readers’ time from jumping back and forth.
There are even four-column layouts used in main articles, which is totally unnecessary and unreasonable. I found some of them in art magazines. Some of them don’t even line up; the text and image are placed on the page without a clear structure. The art and design magazine sometimes is too stylish, and contradicts the basic rules of reading. The three- or four-column system should only be used for sub-information, such as the index or advertisements. In other situations, four columns should be avoided.
I am more impressed by the way that older magazines deal with sub-information than the modern magazines. I don’t know whether people in the past care more about the readers’ acceptance or there is too much information to convey in the modern day; magazines just keep forcing more information onto pages without considering the readers’ desire.
As an editor, you are trying to present the best quality of your magazine and to increase the number of readers. The way to achieve this goal is to choose succinct, high quality writings, well-suited images and simple layouts. Prolix articles occupy too much space and bore the audience. The truth is that the one- or two-column structure is much more cordial to readers, It is not possible for people to look at information without balanced white space and a clean layout; it’s a torture. All the text put on paper is meant to communicate, not decorate. There are more and more magazines that deal too much with images and advertisements, so it becomes hard to realize the purpose of the magazine. There is either no meaningful content, or it’s too hard for people to read the content. The text placed on the pages hurts people’s eyes and does not enrich the reading experience. Dear editors, please take out whatever is unnecessary in your magazines. Less is more, and leave space for readers to breathe and reflect; thought is a virtue. Have you become overwhelmed by the work you have and forgotten what your work actually is? Do you actually have time to read your magazine and feel what the reader feels? Do you miss the joy of reading? I really do.
It is very hard to find a magazine that is for reading nowadays. The articles are long and do not get to the point; there are more and more advertisements placed all around the articles that destroy the appetite of the reader. The type becomes much more condense, so that more ads can be put in the magazine. When I look at these magazines, I don’t see why they exist. I feel so bad for the people who do the writing and artwork; their hard work is overwhelming by all these particle, economical factors. I want to be able to read comfortably, and I am sure that I am not the only one.
It would be very hard to talk about the present without discussing the past. What determines a good magazine layout that motivates people to read? In the reader’s point of view, all that matters is the content and a comfortable sense of the layout: the composition of type and image, the number of columns, the length of sentences, the point size, and the space between all these elements. I find that the number of columns is one of the crucial factors to providing that comfortable feeling for reader.
The earliest magazines do not differ much from books. The only difference is that magazines have thin covers. They used a single column or double columns; text occupies almost the whole page and the image is often on the other page or take up a big portion of a page. These characteristics are still present in most of the technical and literary journals. Even though it is pretty hard to find one-column layouts in magazines now, due to the mass production of the magazine industry.
The three-column system is the main form of layout in most magazines now. It carries the idea of asymmetry, and also enables for more text to be put on one page. However, there are problems with this system. First, it is against the people’s native reading habit, which is from left to right, not from the center and to the side. Second, the overly short lines create endless back and forth eye movement. Also, the narrow space between columns lead people across the white space to jump to the next column. The first and second problems seem hopeless. The most common way that a type designer deals with the third problem is to set thin lines to avoid the misread. These problems are clearly present in the page that is without images and has a lot of white space in between columns and around the text. When the point size is too small and the leading between lines is too narrow, the whole chunk of text looks like a monster. How can reading be more enjoyable? From the readers’ point of view, the one-column and two-column structure is much easier and more comfortable to read than the three-column layout. A nice portion of white space and proper line length have to apply to the system. Also, heading, introduction, body text, sub-heads and captions should line up to the left. It saves the readers’ time from jumping back and forth.
There are even four-column layouts used in main articles, which is totally unnecessary and unreasonable. I found some of them in art magazines. Some of them don’t even line up; the text and image are placed on the page without a clear structure. The art and design magazine sometimes is too stylish, and contradicts the basic rules of reading. The three- or four-column system should only be used for sub-information, such as the index or advertisements. In other situations, four columns should be avoided.
I am more impressed by the way that older magazines deal with sub-information than the modern magazines. I don’t know whether people in the past care more about the readers’ acceptance or there is too much information to convey in the modern day; magazines just keep forcing more information onto pages without considering the readers’ desire.
As an editor, you are trying to present the best quality of your magazine and to increase the number of readers. The way to achieve this goal is to choose succinct, high quality writings, well-suited images and simple layouts. Prolix articles occupy too much space and bore the audience. The truth is that the one- or two-column structure is much more cordial to readers, It is not possible for people to look at information without balanced white space and a clean layout; it’s a torture. All the text put on paper is meant to communicate, not decorate. There are more and more magazines that deal too much with images and advertisements, so it becomes hard to realize the purpose of the magazine. There is either no meaningful content, or it’s too hard for people to read the content. The text placed on the pages hurts people’s eyes and does not enrich the reading experience. Dear editors, please take out whatever is unnecessary in your magazines. Less is more, and leave space for readers to breathe and reflect; thought is a virtue. Have you become overwhelmed by the work you have and forgotten what your work actually is? Do you actually have time to read your magazine and feel what the reader feels? Do you miss the joy of reading? I really do.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
south america
i happened to watch the motor cycle diaries tonite and feel that if you get a chance its worth seeing. it shows the outstanding beauty of the land and is filmed gorgeously. it also has some insight into the revolutionary thoughts of che guevera during the early 50's.
see you all sooner or later.
see you all sooner or later.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Beijing Olympic Opening.
The Beijing Olympic opening on last night was amazing. It represents the Chinese traditional culture, and also conveys the idea of one world. I am very proud to be a Chinese.
I also want to recommend a book : Sounds of the River, by Da chen.
It's a memoir of the writer, from his farm life to his student life in Beijing. The writer has good sense of humor, reading his life journey is full of excitement. Anyone who interested in recent Chinese history, might find this book lovely. Hope everyone has a great summer.
I also want to recommend a book : Sounds of the River, by Da chen.
It's a memoir of the writer, from his farm life to his student life in Beijing. The writer has good sense of humor, reading his life journey is full of excitement. Anyone who interested in recent Chinese history, might find this book lovely. Hope everyone has a great summer.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Resources
I'd like to recommend a book. Although it doesn't focus specifically on global perspectives, it does address issues which is we all must be concerned of as citizens in this world. I picked up a copy via the library's inter-library loan system. View it on Amazon.com.
Good: Ethics of Graphic Design
Also, for those of you who have been following the BBC news, I'd like to note that they provide a convenient email service, delivered by the days of the week which you select. You also choose which topic areas you wish to receive news about:
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/email/news
News feeds are helpful too. Basically, you install these drop-down links into your web browser. Everytime you click on the drop-down, you see only the most recent headlines. Click one of the orange icons on the left of the following website add them to your browser.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/help/3223484.stm
See all of you soon.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
update!
Hope everyone's having a terrific summer ... this is the one-month-to-first-class countdown:
• thanks to Lauren for calling Nigel Dower to our attention. He's an excellent resource for us and so ...
• go ahead and buy Nigel Dower's An Intro to Global Citizenship. It's a superb primary text for our venture. A first read before class begins would be advantageous. Dower's other two books World Ethics: The New Agenda and Global Citizenship: A Critical Reader are recommended but not required.
For the first day:
• bring your 100 images (local | tourist | emigrant). We’ll cruise thru them on-screen; if you set them up as a multipage pdf we can view them as a slideshow in Preview.
• bring a typeset, succinct and easy to read list of 10 possible project ideas; for each also note 2 references. We’ll pass these sheets around for peer review. All the miniprojects we'll work on during the first semester will be customizable to your individual interests.
Some folks have still not signed on to the blog. If anyone is in touch with Stephanie Albinski, Modesto Laboye Eliza, Laura Pepitone, or Mariah Toscano, give them a nudge.
Y'all were also asked to make at least one contributiion to the blog over the summer (suggesting a resource); only a few people have done this, so the rest of you don't hold back. Thanks for Dower, Watts, film recommendations, etc.
Lots of interesting stuff shaping up for Fall and Spring.
• thanks to Lauren for calling Nigel Dower to our attention. He's an excellent resource for us and so ...
• go ahead and buy Nigel Dower's An Intro to Global Citizenship. It's a superb primary text for our venture. A first read before class begins would be advantageous. Dower's other two books World Ethics: The New Agenda and Global Citizenship: A Critical Reader are recommended but not required.
For the first day:
• bring your 100 images (local | tourist | emigrant). We’ll cruise thru them on-screen; if you set them up as a multipage pdf we can view them as a slideshow in Preview.
• bring a typeset, succinct and easy to read list of 10 possible project ideas; for each also note 2 references. We’ll pass these sheets around for peer review. All the miniprojects we'll work on during the first semester will be customizable to your individual interests.
Some folks have still not signed on to the blog. If anyone is in touch with Stephanie Albinski, Modesto Laboye Eliza, Laura Pepitone, or Mariah Toscano, give them a nudge.
Y'all were also asked to make at least one contributiion to the blog over the summer (suggesting a resource); only a few people have done this, so the rest of you don't hold back. Thanks for Dower, Watts, film recommendations, etc.
Lots of interesting stuff shaping up for Fall and Spring.
Friday, July 18, 2008
TED - Technology, Entertainment, Design.
another great web resource
TED
"The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). "
talks by stefan sagmeister here
and tons of lectures on global issues, but some big people that have lots of influence.
TED
"The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). "
talks by stefan sagmeister here
and tons of lectures on global issues, but some big people that have lots of influence.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
that cave sounds great
i know i will be down there this coming weekend and then a couple more coming up and i would love the recordings and a trip to this strange cave you speak of. best way to contact you? phone number?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
hello!
Check out this book:
Global Citizenship: a critical introduction, by Nigel Dower
from amazon's review: A central tenet of globalization is that we now have all become "citizens of the world." Whether or not we are global citizens is a topic of great dispute, however those who take part in the debate agree that a global citizen is a member of the wider community of humanity, the world or a similar whole which is wider than that of a nation-state. This collection seeks to introduce readers to some of the central issues of this debate. Through four main sections, the contributors discuss global challenges and attempt to define the ways in which globalization is changing the world in which we live. Offering a breadth of coverage to the core theme of the individual in a global world, Global Citizenship combines two factors-the idea of global responsibility and the development of institutional structures though which this responsibility can be exercised.
you can get it on amazon, used, for around $15. Also check out Nigel Dower's other books regarding global citizenship. look at half.com! extremely good deals.
also, those in New Paltz, let me know. I just got here last week and looking to kick it.
Stay up,
Lauren ::
Global Citizenship: a critical introduction, by Nigel Dower
from amazon's review: A central tenet of globalization is that we now have all become "citizens of the world." Whether or not we are global citizens is a topic of great dispute, however those who take part in the debate agree that a global citizen is a member of the wider community of humanity, the world or a similar whole which is wider than that of a nation-state. This collection seeks to introduce readers to some of the central issues of this debate. Through four main sections, the contributors discuss global challenges and attempt to define the ways in which globalization is changing the world in which we live. Offering a breadth of coverage to the core theme of the individual in a global world, Global Citizenship combines two factors-the idea of global responsibility and the development of institutional structures though which this responsibility can be exercised.
you can get it on amazon, used, for around $15. Also check out Nigel Dower's other books regarding global citizenship. look at half.com! extremely good deals.
also, those in New Paltz, let me know. I just got here last week and looking to kick it.
Stay up,
Lauren ::
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Kris, (or anyone) If you are in the New Paltz area over the summer I can just give you some Alan Watts recordings. And if you are interested in City of God then you should Google Fernando Mereilles to see the other work that he has done (City of Men is badass). I think the best way to discover to information and resources is to just pick around. If you find something that interests you in the slightest way than research it, and from that, your thought process will break off in many different directions. That's how you'll find something that your brain will enjoy.
On an unrelated note, to anyone who is in New Paltz over the summer and is interested in adventures... I just found a cavern in the mountains that has an underground stream and lots of cave wildlife (animals with no pigment). If anyone is interested in exploring. Get in touch with me.
On an unrelated note, to anyone who is in New Paltz over the summer and is interested in adventures... I just found a cavern in the mountains that has an underground stream and lots of cave wildlife (animals with no pigment). If anyone is interested in exploring. Get in touch with me.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Alan Watts
I was amazed to see the authors name posted on the board. I have been holding on to the book, "Does it Matter?: Essays on Man's Relation to Materiality," Considering to show some things to the class next time we would meet. I was given the old (1970), worn, and falling paperback from a professor a few years ago. I have lent the book to friends and family since I received it, because I felt that they should all read it. It is funny how often i find myself thinking back on the book and even referencing it in papers because it touches on so many issues. I had no idea that Watts had such an extensive amount of publications and media. Thanks for the suggestion, I am excited to look into his other works. Your right about him having a lot to say and he can sure put it in an agreeable manner. Stefan and Shawn, do you have any favorites or suggested material?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
suggested listening
i have gotten into the habit of listening to podcasts by Alan Watts, he was a Buddhist philosopher in the 60's and 70's. his view of the world is just so different, and sometimes he is totally out there, but other times he is pretty dead on. more on him
it takes a while to understand the language he is speking, but its very enlightening afterward.
all you need is iTunes and this link and the free ones are just fine.
that's all for now, more coming soon.
it takes a while to understand the language he is speking, but its very enlightening afterward.
all you need is iTunes and this link and the free ones are just fine.
that's all for now, more coming soon.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
stuff to think about
Everyone should look into films/documentaries by Fernando Mareilles. He is from Brazil and has made the films City of God and City of Men. Both of which document the lives of children living in the favella (slum) of Rio de Janeiro. The way life is portrayed is very powerful and could provide the viewer with a valuable learning experience. His films generally leave people feeling ashamed for ever complaining about their own life.
Also, I posted something before somewhere that isn't easily accessible, so... There is this book called Emergence, by Steven Johnson. He studied Semiotics at Yale and has developed a really interesting way of understanding and decoding the world. The book is about emerging systems throughout our world. Large ones, small ones, artificial ones... It is definitely worth taking a look at.
For a slightly more humorous addition to the news we are all keeping up on...
check out fark.com
Also, I posted something before somewhere that isn't easily accessible, so... There is this book called Emergence, by Steven Johnson. He studied Semiotics at Yale and has developed a really interesting way of understanding and decoding the world. The book is about emerging systems throughout our world. Large ones, small ones, artificial ones... It is definitely worth taking a look at.
For a slightly more humorous addition to the news we are all keeping up on...
check out fark.com
Monday, June 23, 2008
Persepolis
I just finished reading Persepolis, and enjoyed it a lot. I didn't know what to expect, if it would be more about the daily life of the people, or more of a historical / political lecture. I found it to be well balanced with historical information and personal experience. Irans past and culture is presented in an understandable manner, which is a first for me. I learned a lot. The graphics and natural dialogue makes it entertaining and easy to read in a single sitting. I actually just saw a second of the preview for the movie the other day, it should be great in motion animation also.
Brett
Friday, June 20, 2008
Children Underground
Hello! Hope you all are having a wonderful summer so far.
I thought this film may be of interest: Children Underground. It's an award winning documentary by Edet Belzberg. It documents the life of street children in the subways in Bucharest, Romania over a years time. There are thousands of street children in the capitol of Romania. Their former communist leader forbid the use of contraceptive. Living in such harsh, impoverished conditions, street kids found a better life outside of their home.
You can watch it for free online here
If you can't get the video to load, try downloading the helper that appears above the video.
Let me know if you get a chance to see it!!
Stay Sunny,
Lauren
Saturday, June 7, 2008
everything on the table
Just to make sure we're all working from the same starting point, here's a recap of the Muddy Cup meetings of Thursday 15 May 2008. If memory serves, Mariah, Brett, Kris, Lauren, Jen, Shawn, Adam and Xueyi were able to attend; Stephanie, Stefan, Elaina, Modesto, Laura, Cody, Theresa, Lorelei were not.
No worries, it's all here.
We talked about our
• theme : global citizenship, what this means for individuals and designers
• roles within that theme : local | tourist | emigrant
• 1st semester activities : ongoing projects | field trips | visitors | film series | reading | writing | a blog
2008-2009 plans
• to do both OMNI and the museum show (so there's a similar experience for everyone)
• to support both (really deal with what it means to show work in the museum and be prepared to do so)
• Our 1st semester goals are to (1) identify a globally-oriented issue that design can promote, solve, remediate and (2) have begun investigating a design response. The idea should be firmly enough situated that it can be presented at OMNI at the end of the semester
• The 2nd semester goals are to (1) have created the design solution | intervention, (2) have launched | tested it, and (3) to have shown it at the museum at the end of the 2nd semester
Summer 2008 plans
• summer reading : Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, a graphic novel about a young girl growing up in Iran ( just made into a film; we’ll screen it next semester ) by Marjane Satrapi. The film trailer can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PXHeKuBzPY And I haven’t checked it out but persepolis.com is supposed to be a rich web resource for Iranian culture and society.
• summer project 1 : choose to document through photography / video and / or a collection of artifacts your summer 2008 experience as a local OR a tourist OR an emigrant. You can take on a role and try to see through someone else's eyes, or be yourself. If you're in the position of enacting more than one role and can document this multiplicity, go ahead and do so. How many images and artifacts? Well, how many do you think makes for a rich description? Let’s say 100. Bring this stuff with you for our first meeting in a format that will make it easy for us to view.
• summer project 2 : do what you need to do in order to come to our first class with 10 possible project ideas reflecting your interests in possible ddesign pursuits along with a few supporting sources for each idea. This can be somewhat loose ("1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10") and list-like, but typeset neatly for me to collect. Sources in bibliographic style.
• summer project 3 : during the summer each person is expected to make a reading / resource suggestion for the group ( via this blog ); let's establish the habit of sharing resources
• every day : connect to reputable ( online or not ) news sources, particularly the BBC World News ( online ); their international coverage is stellar and includes hard and “soft” news items
• every week : check NP email and the blog
No worries, it's all here.
We talked about our
• theme : global citizenship, what this means for individuals and designers
• roles within that theme : local | tourist | emigrant
• 1st semester activities : ongoing projects | field trips | visitors | film series | reading | writing | a blog
2008-2009 plans
• to do both OMNI and the museum show (so there's a similar experience for everyone)
• to support both (really deal with what it means to show work in the museum and be prepared to do so)
• Our 1st semester goals are to (1) identify a globally-oriented issue that design can promote, solve, remediate and (2) have begun investigating a design response. The idea should be firmly enough situated that it can be presented at OMNI at the end of the semester
• The 2nd semester goals are to (1) have created the design solution | intervention, (2) have launched | tested it, and (3) to have shown it at the museum at the end of the 2nd semester
Summer 2008 plans
• summer reading : Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood, a graphic novel about a young girl growing up in Iran ( just made into a film; we’ll screen it next semester ) by Marjane Satrapi. The film trailer can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PXHeKuBzPY And I haven’t checked it out but persepolis.com is supposed to be a rich web resource for Iranian culture and society.
• summer project 1 : choose to document through photography / video and / or a collection of artifacts your summer 2008 experience as a local OR a tourist OR an emigrant. You can take on a role and try to see through someone else's eyes, or be yourself. If you're in the position of enacting more than one role and can document this multiplicity, go ahead and do so. How many images and artifacts? Well, how many do you think makes for a rich description? Let’s say 100. Bring this stuff with you for our first meeting in a format that will make it easy for us to view.
• summer project 2 : do what you need to do in order to come to our first class with 10 possible project ideas reflecting your interests in possible ddesign pursuits along with a few supporting sources for each idea. This can be somewhat loose ("1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10") and list-like, but typeset neatly for me to collect. Sources in bibliographic style.
• summer project 3 : during the summer each person is expected to make a reading / resource suggestion for the group ( via this blog ); let's establish the habit of sharing resources
• every day : connect to reputable ( online or not ) news sources, particularly the BBC World News ( online ); their international coverage is stellar and includes hard and “soft” news items
• every week : check NP email and the blog
Monday, June 2, 2008
new group | new blog
Here's to the SUNY New Paltz Graphic Design Thesis class 2008-09 ... our theme this round is global citizenship: what does it mean to be a world citizen and designer? We have all experienced at least one, if not all three, of these roles: local, tourist, emigrant. What can we learn from this in terms of communicating with and connecting with the world beyond our corner of upstate New York?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)