In response to challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Political Science (POLS) department at Cal Poly halted the distribution of its annual publication, Alumni Connections. Recognizing the need for a more captivating and accessible platform, the POLS department initiated a project to revive the publication. For my senior project, I will be leading design efforts for this new publication entitled Spotlight. Through this project, I plan to revitalize the magazine into a dynamic quarterly newsletter, balancing brevity and frequency to effectively connect with the target audience

Brunsman, Avery

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Spotlight MagazineAvery BrunsmanDepartment of Graphic Communication, California Polytechnic State University - SLOGrC 462: Senior ProjectProfessor Hocheol YangMarch 18, 2024Introduction: Proposal AbstractIn response to challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Political Science(POLS) department at Cal Poly halted the distribution of its annual publication, AlumniConnections, resulting in declining alumni engagement. Recognizing the need for a morecaptivating and accessible platform, POLS department chair Ning Zhang initiated a projectaimed at revitalizing the publication. For my senior project, I will be leading design efforts forthis new publication entitled Spotlight Magazine.The aim of this project is to utilize Adobe InDesign and page design principleseffectively to create an engaging quarterly departmental magazine for the POLS department. Themagazine showcases highlights of faculty, students, department events, and other updates. I willbuild on skills acquired from design projects in Graphic Communication, while learning toself-direct my creative process as the sole designer on this project. I will adhere to Cal Polybranding guidelines while crafting a unique and effective design.The technology that enables the communication of ideas shapes both design language andthe practice of design itself (Carpenter & Honeywill, 2000). Thus, research and familiarity withdesign technology terminology, especially relating to Adobe InDesign, is vital to theimplementation of this project. While InDesign is a relatively new technology, its foundationsare deeply rooted in a rich historical tradition. InDesign represents a continuation oftechnological progress dating back to the fifteenth century, beginning with the invention ofmovable type, and making significant strides with the development of the PostScriptpage-description software language in the mid-1980s. The terminology and typographicconventions integral to InDesign have evolved over numerous generations (French, 2014).Carpenter and Honeywell contrast page design with engineering design. The field ofengineering serves as an example wherein a design has linear criteria for success, evaluatingwhether it is structurally sound. In page design, the rules and criteria are not as straightforward(2000). This raises the question of how to judge the success of a page layout design. Carpenterand Honeywell suggest that when it comes to page design, success is measured throughsomething much more subjective: how the design is perceived by others (2000). For this reason,my success criterion hinges on feedback from varied perspectives. A successful final design willinclude a positive user experience, implementation of design principles, proper file managementand workflow practices, and consistency with Cal Poly branding guidelines.I plan to spend the first few weeks of the quarter conducting research and gatheringsources related to magazine design technology. Additionally, I will begin work on my proposalpresentation. Next, I will begin the design process. My goal is to have a first draft ready by theend of Week 7. Additionally, I will prepare my literature review and progress presentation duringWeek 7. I will allocate Week 8 for feedback and revisions on my first draft, and intend to submita complete draft for Cal Poly branding approval by the end of Week 8. During Weeks 9 and 10, Iwill focus on preparing the document for print, preparing for presentations, and reflection.Literature Review: Understanding User Experience in Magazine DesignElements of User Experience in Magazine DesignThe foundation of the user experience in a magazine page layout is the grid (Caldwell &Zappaterra, 2014). Grids help in pre-planning the sizes and shapes of various elements like type,graphics, and white space, streamlining the layout creation process. However, the key to creatingexceptional designs lies in the designer's ability to confidently manipulate and personalize thelayout within the defined grid framework. A grid should be treated as a point of referencewithout overly constraining creativity (Caldwell & Zappaterra, 2014).Visual hierarchy is another critical aspect of user experience in magazine layout design.Hierarchy in design acts as a visual guide, directing users to the most important information andleading them through the layout as intended by the designer (Poulin, 2018). It serves as asystematic method of organizing content and ensuring visual consistency, thereby facilitatingefficient user navigation (Graver & Jura, 2012). Designers employ various techniques such astypography, color, contrast, and scale to establish hierarchy and emphasize key elements such asheadlines, subheadings, pull quotes, and images (French, 2014). Through strategic use ofhierarchy, designers can create focal points, establish flow, and enhance the overall readabilityand impact of the layout (Carpenter & Honeywill, 2000).User-Centric Approaches to Page Layout DesignUser-centric approaches to page layout design put the needs and preferences of theaudience at the forefront of the design process (Martin & Muncie, 2017). Rather than imposingrigid structures or aesthetic preferences, designers prioritize creating layouts that are intuitive,user-friendly, and seamlessly cater to the audience's expectations. This approach involvesemploying principles of user experience design, such as clear navigation, logical informationhierarchy, and responsive design, to ensure that users can easily find and interact with the contentthey seek (Blair-Early & Zender, 2008). By adopting a user-centric mindset, designers can createlayouts that not only captivate users visually but also enhance their overall experience, leading toincreased engagement and retention.Understanding and analyzing reader expectations and preferences is the cornerstone ofeffective design. This involves conducting research to gain insights into the target audience'sdemographics, interests, habits, and content consumption patterns (Stull, 2018). By delving intothese factors, designers can tailor their layouts to meet the specific needs and desires of theirusers. For instance, if the target audience prefers visual content over text-heavy articles,designers can prioritize incorporating more images, infographics, and videos into the layout toenhance engagement and readability (Martin & Muncie, 2017).Challenges and ConsiderationsIn the world of design, balancing creativity with usability is a perpetual challenge. Whiledesigners strive to push creative boundaries and create visually captivating layouts, they mustalso ensure that usability is not compromised. This involves finding the right balance betweeninnovative design elements and user-friendly navigation, readability, and accessibility (Stull,2018). Conducting user testing stands out as a primary approach to ensuring the usability of adesign (Ritter, 2017).Addressing accessibility and inclusivity in design is an increasingly importantconsideration in today's digital landscape. Designers must ensure that their layouts are accessibleto all users, including those with disabilities or impairments. For digital designers, this involvesadhering to accessibility standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)and incorporating features such as alternative text for images, proper contrast ratios for textreadability, keyboard navigation support, and compatibility with screen readers (Gilbert, 2019).By prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity in design, designers can ensure that their layouts areusable and enjoyable for all users, regardless of their abilities or limitations.SynthesisWhen considering user experience in the design of Spotlight Magazine, my processinvolves understanding the reader profile and extracting reader preferences and expectations.Spotlight Magazine readers can be defined by their connection and interest in Cal Poly’s PoliticalScience department. As they engage with the publication, they likely seek information about newadvances in the department, events and initiatives, and opportunities for involvement. Toeffectively cater to these preferences, it is crucial to craft layouts that are visually engaging andeasy to navigate, while also delivering relevant and informative content.Incorporating accessibility and usability while balancing creativity and aesthetic for themagazine involves a multifaceted approach. Part of my role as the designer involves ensuringthat the magazine is accessible to all readers, regardless of any potential physical or cognitivelimitations. This includes considerations such as legible typography, sufficient color contrast, andclear navigation pathways. At the same time, creativity and aesthetic appeal should not becompromised. Visual elements should be thoughtfully integrated to enhance the overall designwithout sacrificing usability.In applying grid systems, hierarchy, type, and visuals, the design must advocate for userwants and needs. This involves structuring the layout in a way that guides readers seamlesslythrough the content, prioritizing important information such as department updates and eventlistings. Utilizing visually appealing typography and imagery can further enhance the readerexperience, capturing attention and conveying the magazine's content effectively. Aligningdesign elements with reader preferences and expectations will enable me to create layouts thatresonate with the magazine’s audience and foster engagement.ResultsI successfully completed a logo and engaging layout concepts for Spotlight. I designedthe magazine on Adobe InDesign. This magazine plays a crucial role as it is distributed to donorsand alumni, thereby bolstering their support for the Political Science department. The edition Iproduced over the quarter holds particular significance as it will be distributed at an opportunemoment: during PolyGives. I anticipate notable increases in support across various metrics,including social media following, Alumni Board membership, and most significantly, monetarydonations.ConclusionThe successful completion of the layout for the winter quarter edition of Spotlight hassignificant implications for my synthesis. Understanding the user experience and reader profile isessential in crafting layouts that cater to the preferences and expectations of Spotlight's audience,primarily consisting of individuals connected to Cal Poly’s Political Science department. Byincorporating accessibility and usability features while maintaining creativity and aestheticappeal, the magazine can effectively engage readers across various metrics, including socialmedia following, Alumni Board membership, and monetary donations during events likePolyGives. Through careful application of grid systems, hierarchy, typography, and visuals, thedesign advocates for user wants and needs, ensuring that the magazine's content is delivered in avisually engaging and easily navigable manner. This alignment with reader preferences andexpectations will ultimately enhance the overall reader experience and foster increasedengagement with the publication.Reflection & LimitationI have accomplished most everything I wanted to, though my schedule shiftedconsiderably from my expectations. Initially, I planned to finish the winter quarter edition earlier,but had to adjust according to the availability and development of content. Despite thechallenges, I am proud to say that I am planning to finalize it this week so it can be printed andsent out by the first week of April, just in time for PolyGive to encourage greater alumnidonations.Moving forward, I am excited to build on my project by creating a spring quarter issuenext quarter. Additionally, I aim to leave the department with established branding and assets thatcan be utilized in the future to sustain this publication's momentum and impact.Reflecting on my process, I recognize that there are areas where I could improve. Onesuch area is being more proactive in drafting and collecting feedback. Incorporating feedbackearly on can lead to a more refined and polished final product, ultimately enhancing itseffectiveness and reception. Therefore, in my future endeavors, I plan to prioritize soliciting andintegrating feedback throughout the project lifecycle to ensure continuous improvement andsuccess.ReferencesBlair-Early, A., & Zender, M. (2008). User Interface Design Principles for Interaction Design.Design Issues, 24(3), 85–107. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25224185Caldwell, C., & Zappaterra, Y. (2014). Editorial Design (1st edition). Laurence King.Carpenter, D., & Honeywill, P. (2000). Digital magazine design: With case studies. Intellect,Limited.French, Nigel. (2014). InDesign type professional typography with Adobe InDesign (3rd ed.).Adobe Press.Gilbert, R. M. (2019). Inclusive Design for a Digital World Designing with Accessibility in Mind(1st ed. 2019.). Apress. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-5016-7Graver, Amy., & Jura, Ben. (2012). Best Practices For Graphic Designers: Grids And PageLayouts, An Essential Guide For Understanding And Applying Page Design Principles(1st edition). Rockport Publishers.Martin, S., Carrington, N., & Muncie, N. (2017). Promoting User Advocacy to Shift TechnicalCommunication Identity and Value. Technical Communication, 64(4), 328–344.https://www.jstor.org/stable/26464507Poulin, Richard. (2018). Design school : layout : a practical guide for students and designers.The Quarto Publishing Group USA, Inc.Ritter, M., & Winterbottom, C. (2017). UX for the web : build websites for user experience andusability (1st edition). Packt.Stull, Edward. (2018). UX Fundamentals For Non-Ux Professionals: User Experience PrinciplesFor Managers, Writers, Designers, And Developers (1st edition. 2018.). Apress.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4842-3811-0

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