Magazine article- Turkish star

Article: Turkish star

Magazine: Men’s folio (Singapore)

Issue: May June, 2008

Here is another article from a well known stylish magazine called Men’s folio. Men’s folio has high standard on page design and high quality on the printing. But this particular article ‘Turkish star’ disappointed me.

In 2nd and 3rd page, author seems that trying hard to squeeze as many pictures as possible. The pictures are overlapped, especially 3rd page, the image of chair is very large and covered the main picture below. The small blown up ceiling light image is sudden appears on top of the main image. Therefore, readers are not be able to know which image is focus point and what message the author wants to be delivered. Graphic should be judged on its ability to help the reader quickly and easily understand your message. (Parker, 1990)

There is a paragraph of text on the left corner of the main image on 3rd page which is failed to be presented with contrast. Contrast provides dynamic interest. (Parker, 1990)

In overall, author fails to design a document in a pleasant layout to attract the readers to focus on the contents provided in the article.

Reference

Parker, RC, 1990, ‘ Being observations’, Looking good in print: a guide to basic design for desktop publishing, 2nd edn, Ventara Press, Chspel Hill NC, Chapter 1, pp.7 & 12

Magazine article- The colourful life

Article: The colourful life

Magazine: Home Concepts (Singapore)

Issue: June, 2007

I was flipping through one of my collected magazines, there is an article about my project which is not well designed.

Cover page of the article layout is un-balance, as the image takes most space of the page. Page balance refers to having comparable visual ‘weight’ on both sides of a page. (Reep, 2006) Half of the title of the article is placed on the image and the colour is blended into the image. Thus, the tile is not eye-catching enough. Choose colours that reinforce your message and appeal specifically to your intended audience. (Reep, 2006) The short description next to images on 2nd page uses script typeface. It appears very difficult to read and easy to miss out the information. Typeface should be appropriate to readers and purpose. (Reep, 2006) The small column of text on every image is too small to notice. Some are not clear as they are blended in with the background image. Layout is not consistent as well, as there is no white space below the image on 4th page.

In overall, the 1st impression of the articles in this magazine is not attractive and appearing.

Reference

Reep, DC 2006, ‘Document design’, Technical writing: principles, strategies and readings, 6th edn, Person/ Longman, New York, Chapter, pp.135-160