According to my storyboard, I plan to dedicate one page to the Editor's Note. However, this will leave the other page in the spread blank. To maintain balance and visual appeal, I will design an advertisement for Crafted magazine on the left page, while the Editor's Note will appear on the right.
Through this process, I have learned the importance of maintaining a balanced layout in magazine design. By adding an advertisement for Crafted Magazine, I can effectively utilize space while promoting the publication. Additionally, ensuring the Editor's Note has a dedicated page enhances reader engagement and strengthens the magazine's overall narrative.

This is the rough summery of the article that I am going to write after interviewing Migara Alupathage

1. Introduction
A compelling first sentence grab the reader’s attention.

2. Early Life
Her background: Where she grew up, education, or how she got into crafting. What inspired her to start making upcycled crafts. Any early influences (family, mentors, or cultural aspects).

3. Journey into Upcycling & DIY Crafting
How she transitioned from a hobbyist to a recognized designer. Challenges she faced in the beginning.
Any breakthrough moments or turning points in her career.

4. Signature Style & Craft Techniques
What makes her upcycled designs unique? What materials does she mostly use (e.g., beer cans, cardboard, fabric, etc.)?

5. Future Plans & Vision
What are her upcoming projects or aspirations?

6. Conclusion
Summarize her journey and why she is an inspiration.

A magazine storyboard is a crucial planning tool that helps editors organize content, ensuring a smooth flow and visually appealing layout. It acts as a blueprint, defining the location of articles, images, advertisements.

By mapping out the structure in advance, a storyboard helps maintain consistency in through out the magazine.

 

This is a sketch of the storyboard I did for my magazine. I will refer this image through out the production of the magazine to ensure consistency.

Overall, using a storyboard saves time during the layout process and helps me stay focused on the visual storytelling aspect of the magazine.

I researched the web and found out that editorial photographs are slightly different from other photographs of the article. It is used in magazines, newspapers, and online publications to support a story or article. It is creative, often artistic, and convey a message related to the editorial piece.Usually features models, objects, or scenes arranged to fit the theme of the article.

Some examples are :
A black-and-white portrait of a designer for a fashion feature.
A close-up of hands crafting jewelry in an article about handmade art.
A dramatic cityscape in a travel magazine.
Here are some samples I downloaded from https://issuu.com/

The images in this editorial article are well-chosen to complement the theme of handcrafted objects and their deeper meaning.This image of a handcrafted wooden bowl is visually striking, with its smooth polished interior.The visuals effectively showcase the craftsmanship, materials, and artistic vision behind handmade objects.

The necklaces are likely presented in a way that highlights their handmade nature, with close-up shots capturing intricate details. Flat lays or macro shots used to emphasize texture and material contrast, enhancing quality.

I read below article from Pinterest. Here’s an analysis of the feature article "The Rise of the Foodie Biker" by Richard Cornish.

This article uses image of a biker to draw the readers attention and to act as the first column. The title is spaced well above the body text and this isolates it and gives emphasis to the article.




What I have learned

After referring to my rough sketch, I created a simple double-spread page using Adobe InDesign. I haven’t added color to the pages yet and am still deciding whether to keep the background white .If I decide to add color, it has to be a soft, neutral tone to maintain a clean look. I plan to include one background images but then again If I use a background image it should not overpower the text. Also I can try adjusting the opacity.

I want to put another image with a text wrap effect, allowing the text to flow around it. I have to be careful because placing text around the wrapped image should be balanced to maintain readability.


What I have learned

Every craft magazine must include articles that showcase step-by-step DIY craft-making pages to engage and inspire readers. In my magazine, artisans not only showcase their unique handmade products but also provide detailed explanations on how to create specific crafts. This ensures that readers can learn, explore, and recreate these projects, making the magazine both educational and inspiring for craft making enthusiasts.

Given below are some sample pages I have researched.(from www.issu.com)

What I have learned

I have a magazine called Quick Quilts Crafts, and I took a photo of the contents page, which you can see below. I intend to use this design as a template for my own contents page because of its clarity and simplicity. After analyzing the layout, I will create my second draft using InDesign to refine the design further.

Magazines whether in print or digital format, mostly based on strong visuals. So a striking cover page is essential for capturing attention of readers in. As you can see most of the mainstream magazines often feature celebrities beneath the masthead to get the attention. For a DIY craft magazine its a quite challenging task to design the cover , this could mean showcasing a beautifully crafted product, or attractive fonts, headlines etc., The key is to design a cover that reflects the magazine’s theme and instantly sparks curiosity.

1st draft without images
To kick off the design process for my DIY craft magazine cover, I created a simple layout drawn manually to map out the placement of key elements such as masthead, headlines, and font text. Rather than focusing on visuals at this stage, I treated it as my first balanced arrangement of the cover. This template also served as a brainstorming space, allowing me to jot down notes and refine ideas before moving on to the first detailed drafts. By establishing a clear framework early on, I was able to experiment with creative elements while maintaining a cohesive and visually appealing layout.

Digital sketch

Draft with images
After creating the initial sketch, I moved on to designing my first draft of the magazine cover using Canva. To do this, I took a sample photograph with my camera, featuring some craft products I already had at home. Canva was my tool of choice for this step, as it is user-friendly and made the design process smooth. Attached below is the first magazine cover draft I created using Canva.

This magazine cover follows a minimalist theme, but the background image is too dark for a craft magazine. The masthead is bold black, set against a purple background. In this draft, I also forgot to include a barcode, which will need to be added in the next version.

Ape Gama in Battaramulla, Bearfoot Colombo and Good Market Colombo

Before heading to these three locations, I put together a small budget to estimate my costs. While planning, I also listed several miscellaneous expenses to ensure I gathered optimal information for my magazine.

When I write this blog article, I have already visited Location 1( Ape Gama) that is in Battaramulla and the location 2 in Bearfoot Colombo.

So I have included actuals for those two locations as well.