Design
Yearbook Spread
For the 2021-2022 Marquee yearbook, “So Many Questions, Finding Our Answers,” the EICs reached out to the editors to see who would be willing to take on the task of designing a spread. I took the initiative to take on the project since I had a basic understanding of InDesign, and I wanted to further my familiarity with the program and design my first spread. When I turned in the spread design for the first draft, I received minimal edits, but the edits I did receive I applied proficiently and diligently. Since the creation of my first spread, I have learned so much and I am grateful for this first opportunity I had to break out of my comfort zone.
First Page Deadline
During the creation of print issues on The Muse, my Co-EIC and I brought back the first-page deadline stay-after that the publication hasn't done since my sophomore year on staff. This is the second stay-after of the issue and it is where we scroll through a pdf of the issue and do a class-wide critique of all elements on the page. We emphasize that critiques are not personal and that it is always about the work instead of the individual. We also stress the importance of providing constructive feedback and noting a specific suggestion for improvement following the critique given.
Graphic
During my junior year on The Muse, I volunteered to create a graphic for one of my staffer’s web stories. This was my first time creating a graphic and I wanted to take on the project to gain more knowledge within the InDesign program.
InDesign Training
I had the opportunity to work with a representative from Walsworth yearbooks who is highly trained in InDesign. She came to my school to teach those who attended the training different shortcuts and the capabilities within the InDesign program. I was able to further cultivate my skills within InDesign which I can apply to further journalistic pursuits. Additionally, both The Muse and Marquee publications have staffers participate in BrainBuffet Adobe certification. I am certified in Photoshop and I have completed all course materials for InDesign, and I am taking the InDesign certification test later this year.
Design Style Guide
Over the summer, my Co-EIC and I met with the design editor to discuss a vision for design next year among the print issues. We wanted to ensure that there was more consistency this year and that elements of certain spreads were carried throughout the issue. In order to do this, we worked with the design editor to craft a specific design style guide for staffers to resource throughout the year to ensure spreads were cohesive. To maintain style and ensure it is being enforced, my Co-EIC and I implemented a quality checklist that design staffers must fill out prior to submitting their first drafts. The checklist notes the different elements of the style guide so that staffers are reminded to follow those guidelines in order to receive credit for their first draft.
Proofing
Following proofing stay-afters on both The Muse and Marquee staff, I work on applying edits to the Master or to the individual spreads on InDesign. Consistent proofing has been influential in bolstering my knowledge of InDesign. Each time I proof a new page, I learn something new about the program. Additionally, I created a design proofing checklist for the Marquee for staffers to resource when they proof pages.