What effect and impact has the development of digital technologies have on the design process for editorial designers and the editorial industries? Louise Gadd Graphic Design
Editorial media is one of the most scrutinized forms of media. The role of the designer is very important when creating editorial media. Whilst the journalists and photographers create the voice and brand of a piece of media; it is the designers job to project that voice in the right manner. People in today’s society expect constantly innovative and fresh ideas to be fed to them in design form and to keep up with the mentality of the public and the constant developments in technology is an exciting yet challenging experience for designers within the industry. The following pages will show my research in regards to how technology developments have affected editorial designing processes of today.
Is the design process for this...
The same as this?...
I have sent emails to the following people:... Matt Setchell Creative
Emma Warren- (Live Magazine)
Celeste Houlker-( Live Magazine)
Duncan Edwards- (ASOS magazine)
Jessica Squires- (Ravensbourne: Graphic Design)
Unfortunately, I had no email responses apart from those from ‘Live Magazine’-where I now work part time as a contributor to the design team -where I have persued an interview from the art director.
‘Live Magazine’
Henry Houdini, 24, the art director of ‘Live Magazine’ gives me his thoughts on digital technology and how it effects the present and future editorial industry...
How long has the company been producing an online readable version of ‘Live Magazine’? The current website has been up and running since summer 2011. How has technology affected editorial design in general? I feel that designers need to be more open minded and they have more freedom than they did in the past, in a sense that they have the opportunity to drop different elements into their designs; for example in e-magazines etc. they can add video, and links to a website when they feel necessary. I feel it is good in a way as it extends the creative fields you can experiment When designing layouts for the magazine do you with. take any certain design elements into considerDo you feel that in the future, all print media will ation for your online readers? I don’t really to be honest, but in terms of the way be digitalized? I hope not! It would be sad to see all print media that type reads it should pretty much be the same, but the only thing I should consider is the go, but I feel that even though they may not become as mainstream as a digitalized standard way it looks on different screens because there format, they will still be around to be consumed may be different resolutions. by certain people. For example, most people download music but there are people out there Do you feel that the entry requirements and that still buy and use vinyls. In terms of books I skillsets are of a higher standard to get into the feel that they will still continue to publish them industry, because of developed technology? because I don’t see libraries disappearing any (From a designer’s point of view) time soon. I feel like its useful; if you’re a graphic designer that knows how to code etc. it is always a plus, Do you feel that the introduction of online magabut at the same time I still feel like there is zines and books are a good technological develalways a place for a designer, but if you can do both well then it is a plus but if you have different opment? skills and carry them through half heartedly then Yes I do feel that it is a good development, life becomes alot more convenient when you can it’s not as effective. store multiple editorial media on one device rather than carrying around a load of books and magazines. It also means that things don’t get sold out; for example I have the ‘METRO’ app on my iPad and it automatically downloads each newspaper onto my device every morning instead of fighting for the last issue at the station. Due to the developments in today’s technology (e.g. e-books) do you feel there is a pressure to be online? Yes, I feel that magazines first and foremost need to have a website, it is essential, unless their selling point is strictly print, but I do not feel that would work in this day in age. Secondly to have an app publication is quite essential, I think it is nice to have it.
How do you like your
I conducted an online survey to investigate public’ preferences when viewing editorial media. This was distributed amongst my peers and family. Here are my results...
HOW OFTEN DO YOU READ MAGAZINES? VERY OFTEN MODERATELY OFTEN NOT AT ALL
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO READ MAGAZINES? PRINTED ONLINE APP
CAN YOU ACCESS DIGITAL EDITORIAL MEDIA ON A PORTABLE MEDIA DEVICE?
HAVE YOU EVER DOWNLOADED A PORTABLE VERSION OF A MAGAZINE BEFORE??
YES NO
YES NO
E
HAVE YOU EVER DOWNLOADED A PORTABLE VERSION OF A NEWSPAPER BEFORE?? YES NO
DO YOU READ SPECIFIC ONLINE MEDIA DEPENDING ON WHAT IT IS?? YES NO
WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS EASIER TO READ/ OR VIEW?? PRINTED MEDIA DOWNLOADED ISSUE INTERNET VERSION
GAMING MUSIC
NEWS
CYPHER
GRAPHICS
DAILY MAIL
FILM SCIENCE
ENTERTAINMENT
LIFESTYLE BBC NEWS FASHION
ART AND DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
In conclusion, I feel as if the pressure on a designer is not as high as I expected in regards to whether great extents of processes go into designing for digital editorial media compared to print media. The main things that get taken into consideration are colour and screen resolutions and whether all elements of design can be seen on many types of media as well as print. On the other hand, when designing for an app version of a magazine or newspaper, simplified but yet just as effective designs need to be created, easily navigated and read.
It also suprises me how many people do actually read online media (because I rarely do, as I prefer printed media), and it is very reassuring that there is a chance that some companies will still be pursuing the traditional editorial printing process; and not conforming to technology - no matter how rare they are, but this would probably in turn make that type of media seem more appreciated in the future to people who are passionate about editorial media and it’s design.
Since working for Live Magazine, I have realised that the importance of printed media and e-media are just as prioritised as each other during the design process and that most of the time both files are identical or almost identical. That may be a different case for a more up-market or widely spread piece of media due to the complexity and interactive features of an App or downloaded e-book. In the future I believe that some form of tecnhology will be developed to help designers create layouts with more ease and that graphic designers will eventually be trained to code in some ways to keep up with future developments in technology where all print media may possibly be digitalised. The overall research process was not as successful and in depth as I had expected, but basing all my research in England has helped me get an insight into the industry and environment I would like to get involved in. Also getting actively involved in the industry by designing for a magazine has almost confirmed my interest in the subject. Also, gathering information from my questionnaire helped me to understand people’s opinions on digital technology and whether it is a positive development for the creative industries. The only thing I would change about my research process is that I would be more persistent when emailing companies and designers.
RAW RESEARCH FILES Louise Gadd Graphic Design BA (Hons) Level 1 ‘What effect and impact that the development of digital technology has on the design process for Editorial Designers and the Editorial Industries.’ INTRO Editorial media is one of the most scrutinized forms of media. The role of the designer is very important when creating editorial media. Whist the journalists and photographers create the voice and brand of a piece of media; it is the designers job to project that voice in the right manner. People in today’s society expect constantly innovative and fresh ideas to be fed to them in design form and to keep up with the mentality of the public and the constant developments in technology is an exciting yet challenging experience for designers within the industry. PROFESSIONALS INTERVIEWED Henry Houdini (LIVE MAGAZINE) INTERVIEW How long has the company been producing an online readable version of ‘Live Magazine’? The current website has been up and running since summer 2011. Due to the developments in today’s technology (e.g. e-books) do you feel there is a pressure to be online? Yes, I feel that magazines first and foremost need to have a website, it is essential, unless their selling point is strictly print, but I do not feel that would work in this day in age. Secondly to have an app publication is quite essential, I think it is nice to have it. When designing layouts for the magazine do you take any certain design elements into consideration for your online readers? I don’t really to be honest, but in terms of the way that type reads it should pretty much be the same, but the only thing I should consider is the way it looks on different screens because there may be different resolutions. Do you feel that the entry requirements and skillsets are of a higher standard to get into the industry, because of developed technology? (From a designer’s point of view) I feel like its useful; if you’re a graphic designer that knows how to code etc. it is always a plus, but at the same time I still feel like there is always a place for a designer, but if you can do both well then it is a plus but if you have different skills and carry them through half heartedly then it’s not as effective. How has technology affected editorial design in general? I feel that designers need to be more open minded and they have more freedom than they did in the past, in a sense that they have the opportunity to drop different elements into their designs; for example in e-magazines etc. they can add video, and links to a website when they feel necessary. I feel it is good in a way as it extends the creative fields you can experiment with.
Do you feel that in the future, all print media will be digitalized? I hope not! It would be sad to see all print media go, but I feel that even though they may not become as mainstream as a digitalized standard format, they will still be around to be consumed by certain people. For example, most people download music but there are people out there that still buy and use vinyls. In terms of books I feel that they will still continue to publish them because I don’t see libraries disappearing any time soon. Do you feel that the introduction of online magazines and books are a good technological development? Yes I do feel that it is a good development, life becomes alot more convenient when you can store multiple editorial media on one device rather than carrying around a load of books and magazines. It also means that things don’t get sold out; for example I have the ‘METRO’ app on my iPad and it automatically downloads each newspaper onto my device every morning instead of fighting for the last issue at the station. CONCLUSION In conclusion, I feel as if the pressure on a designer is not as high as I expected in regards to whether great extents of processes go into designing for digital editorial media compared to print media. The main things that get taken into consideration are colour and screen resolutions and whether all elements of design can be seen on many types of media as well as print. On the other hand, when designing for an app version of a magazine or newspaper, simplified but yet just as effective designs need to be created, easily navigated and read. It also suprises me how many people do actually read online media (because I rarely do, as I prefer printed media), and it is very reassuring that there is a chance that some companies will still be pursuing the traditional editorial printing process; and not conforming to technology - no matter how rare they are, but this would probably in turn make that type of media seem more appreciated in the future to people who are passionate about editorial media and it’s design. Since working for Live Magazine, I have realised that the importance of printed media and e-media are just as prioritised as each other during the design process and that most of the time both files are identical or almost identical. That may be a different case for a more up-market or widely spread piece of media due to the complexity and interactive features of an App or downloaded e-book. In the future I believe that some form of tecnhology will be developed to help designers create layouts with more ease and that graphic designers will eventually be trained to code in some ways to keep up with future developments in technology where all print media may possibly be digitalised. The overall research process was not as successful and in depth as I had expected, but basing all my research in England has helped me get an insight into the industry and environment I would like to get involved in. Also getting actively involved in the industry by designing for a magazine has almost confirmed my interest in the subject. Also, gathering information from my questionnaire helped me to understand people’s opinions on digital technology and whether it is a positive development for the creative industries. The only thing I would change about my research process is that I would be more persistent when emailing companies and designers.