Reflections on Introductions

This week we really started to learn about Photoshop and Indesign. We were asked to watch a lot of content on Lynda.com but the videos were very informative as well as entertaining. The instructors in the videos were clear on the directions, helped visualize how to work with the tools and made me feel comfortable working with the Adobe software.

After learning the basics of PS and ID, we were asked to dive right into creating a front page of a newsletter. At first I did not think I could take what I watch on Lynda and actually make a working document. However, with the videos still at my disposal and leaving plenty of time for trial and error I was able to complete the assignment.

We also were asked to get a newspaper and point out the different levels of text and visual cues. It was really great to learn what everything is and take an everyday item such as a newspaper and begin to dissect it for all the elements of writing design. I believe this exercise has changed me as a reader of a magazine and newspaper because now I look for design elements and how the creator wanted to express the story. Everything is placed and positioned for a reason and through this assignment we are learning how to do that ourselves so we can benefit our clients and our audience.

I feel like going into the programs and playing around with the various functions and tools really helps you learn what you are capable of. Just like the instructors said on the Lynda videos, if you don’t like what you see delete it or adjust it. Comparing creating a newspaper document with writing an essay I can see where just having something down is a perfect place to start. After having my headlines, body text and other information on the page everything looked a little out of place. Going back in and tweaking aspects of the layouts made everything fit and had my front page looking clean.

In the end I was surprise that I could do so much and have something very nice to look at. I now know that the programs really take a lot of the effort out of creating a layout and design. The tools are easy to learn, but above all the videos and tutorials are right there to help you when you get stuck.

I think I felt that creating a magazine, newspaper or newsletter would be difficult because when you do see one there is a lot of information, a lot of graphics and everything is perfectly placed.  However with the tools at our disposal, we are able to do more and be curators of content because it is made simple through the programs. I am looking forward to making more professional-level content and enjoy having real world experience with  Photoshop and Indesign.