After I completed my paper mock up I then started to develop the final digital prototype in Indesign. I want to create a few digital mock ups of my final leaflet to photograph in an environment where they would be distributed, handed out or picked up.
I opened a new document up to the size of my paper mock up (30cm x 30cm) and then took the exact measurements of the paper mock up that I made and drew these out using the measurement tool in Indesign. I then placed the images that I collected from the free resources on the Extinction Rebellion website into the spaces that I want them to go on my final prototype. I much prefer the blue design as I feel it contrasts more with the green, it looks brighter and it stand out more.
I also needed to put the logo onto my design. The original logo colour was yellow and I needed to make it green and black to match my design. I opened a new document in Photoshop and filled the background colour green, changed the colour of the text on the logo and then imported it into Indesign to place into my document.
The images above are the logo that I altered to match the design on my leaflet.
Creating the finals on Indesign.
The images above are the trial digital prototypes. I printed them out using the colour laser printer at work just to make sure that the measurements were exact etc… they were! 😀
I did worry that the images might look low res but actually because they have come straight off a PDF file they clear. I was pleased that my measurements and template worked! The printed colours obviously differ from the RGB screen colours but this is OK, I actually feel that the printed versions look better.
Once I realised that everything measured up I then continued to finish it all off in InDesign;
I used plain green on the back because I didn’t want to take the attention away from the information being shown; (The information shown is actually just Lorem Ipsum – 120 words in each section exactly!) The layout of the text is not perfect – if this was a proper design I would spend the time to adjust the text accordingly; making sure the justification, hyphenation, kerning, spacing etc was correct. The plain green is also cost effective as there is a lot of colour happening at the front of the leaflet. I have tried to restrict the colours the best I can to try and avoid printing cost implications for if it were to go to print in industry.
I then needed to decide what paper to print my final prototype on. I did not want to use card as it is more costly, but I needed something that would be more appropriate towards modelling because really that is what my leaflet is; a model. The best option was to use a 230gsm weight paper… it is borderline into the card category but still classed as a good quality thick paper. This allowed my prototype model to be strong and still look high quality. The cost however would be slightly more than inkjet/laser paper.
I then got to making the final thing! My paper straws were far too small for the windmills so I had to improvise and stick 2 together! – obviously if these were being made for real they would need the proper sized straws; however, I think it worked for my prototypes.
I am pleased with how they turned out! I think I have been quite playful and creative in my approach with these which is what the brief stated; however, I am not sure that they would be cost effective long term because of the colour printing; I have used a few colours on the front of the leaflet. The split pins that are needed to make them are also a cost factor and also because of the paper straws.. the straws could also become a costly factor but as much as they are paper and are environmentally friendlier for the environment, they are still an environmental factor to consider.
pinkangeleno.com 