Talking about a spread
In this post I want to talk about a spread from The Magazine. And show you how I went on about making it. I use Affinity V2 – for this one I started in Affinty Photo then moved over to Affinity Publisher. Let’s jump in.
I opened up Affinity Photo, a new A4 document and set up a grid.
I tested 3 rows and 9 columns first, but it did not give me the flexibility I wanted. So I set up a 6 rows, 12 column one instead. 6 rows can be split in two, and 12 columns can be split into three which fit the first idea I had. Gutter 2 and margins sides and top were set to 12 and bottom to 15. The slightly larger margin at the bottom comes from what I’ve learned about mounting a photo or a piece of art. In that case you have slightly more air at the bottom.
With this grid set up, I tested a few different layouts with the help of rectangles. I have always liked these older photo prints where you have a slight rounded corner, and so I decided to incorporate that detail into this design. I landed on 12% curve at the corners. When it comes to the change of colour on the squares while I work, that is just a part of what I do.
Somewhere while playing around with placemenet, I thought to myself how about we make it a 2 page spread? One large image behind, and two smaller in front. I moved over to Affinity Publisher to be able to move more freely with the images. I set up an A3 document, laying down so it replicates two A4 pages next to eachother and set up a new grid based on the previous one. 12 columns, 12 rows, 2 gutter, margins 10 on top and sides and 15 on bottom.
Now that I had the basic set up, it was time to play around with images. I liked the idea of having the larger one to be more from a distant, and the smaller ones to be more close up. In my image folder I had a few different ones I could choose from and still keep the same insect / flower combo. At first I tested a butterfly, but it felt a bit to chaotic and meh. Then I tested a bee and a borage. I have a sequence of five images to choose from, one from a distance and the other four a bit closer with the bee moving into different positions. I knew these would give me the option to zoom in, and also find the variety that was needed. Then it was all about playing around the different images, and the layout and finding out the missing piece. The result is the spread below.
For me one of the things that makes this a good spread is that it contains elements I can take and make into something else. The main image in the background, the two small frames on the side – which can be used together or apart – and the strip of colour to the left. A poster, a postcard, a promotional flyer. There is endless possibilites.
For questions or just to chat, write me an email and send to idamariej@pm.me.