modular design advantages of using mods

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1 advantages of using mods Modular design prevents visual redundancy. Instead of creating one or two layouts per section and then flipping them, modular design gives the designer a more powerful visual voice to create variety within a spread. The yearbook staff can now modify the content of the spread according to the subject matter. This expands coverage options that relate to the spread s topic. In student life, a spread on food might include a chart or graph that depicts survey results of students favorite fast foods. A homecoming spread might include a module that gives a timeline for the homecoming queen and how she spent her day getting ready. With mods, more students can be featured on a single spread. Instead of five to seven s per spread, a modular spread can have a dominant photo as well as several quotes with headshots, photo packages with captions, and a personal profile with a. Mods help a staff include 10 to 15 students on every spread, making it easier to cover every student in the yearbook. modular design With schools producing their books on the computer, students had an increased desire for flexible design patterns that gave lots of options. Once grids were adapted by staffs seeking out journalistic excellence, visual variety became a huge priority, and many staffs wanted to avoid simply flipping the layout. Content driven design, again adapted from magazines and other professional publications, became the newest trend. Basically, modular design makes it easy to incorporate alternative coverage, such as quote boxes and personal profiles into grid design. The alternative coverage is referred to as a module or mod. Now staffs can vary the coverage from spread to spread within the section. One spread might include a first-person story, another a series of student photos and quotes, another a top-10 list. Once you create a great grid layout, you can easily adapt it and expand it to avoid giving your yearbook a redundant look from spread to spread. To incorporate mods into your design, simply substitute a module where you would normally place a photo. Magazines, like the one to the right, can give you great MOD ideas. VARIETY & COVERAGE: Keep the module size and proportion of the elements the same within each section. Let other devices such as white space, close registration, type and graphics provide variation to the modules. Visually link your modules to the rest of the spread by repeating graphics, type treatments, color, etc. 84 ooking our esign

2 STEP 1: To design a layout with pop-in modules, start with a basic grid design. STEP 2: Designate a consistent size for pop-in modules. To achieve a maximum amount of visual variety, design both a horizontal and vertical MOD by changing the orientation of the box. STEP 3: Whether you use a rule line and a one-pica internal margin or a full rail of white space isolating the mod, make sure that there is some distinction between the module and the rest of the spread. STEP 4: Keep the module size and proportion of the elements the same within each section. Let other devices such as white space, close registration, type and graphics provide variation to the modules. STEP 5: Let the content dictate your design. Use the flexibility of the module to help you decide which type of coverage is most appropriate once the materials come in. STEP 6: Use the Library Palette in InDesign to store the module designs for each section of your yearbook. The designer can then pop each mod onto the layout quickly. Now you have a contemporary looking spread with tons of potential variations. ooking our esign 85

3 multi-mod design step-by-step step one: Rethink the design from the bottom up Set up your layout template using a 2-pica grid, with 1/2-pica (or 1/4 pica if you prefer) internal margins both vertically and horizontally. 2-picahorizontal grid 2-pica vertical grid gutter external margins step two: Layer your coverage and modules. The largest area will include your dominant photo and other related s. The second largest area will include your main copy and headline package. The remaining areas will be devoted to different coverage modules. secondary coverage module secondary coverage module dominant photo package main headline/ copy package secondary coverage module step three: Turning your focus on the dominant photo package, design several variations within the module, following the basic rules of design. Vary the size and shape of the photos and make sure to leave space for captions, preferably next to the photo. vertical dominant photo photo 2 photo 3 photo 4 86 ooking our esign

4 horizontal dominant photo photo 4 photo 2 photo 3 photo 5 photo 6 step four: Vary the elements within the dominant mod shape for variety from spread to spread. Be sure to include designs for horizontal and vertical dominant shapes. Allow some spreads to have fewer photos for those coverage topics (like junior varsity sports or non-active clubs) where you have few good photos to choose from. step five: Create a variety of space layouts, considering the elements that are required within a specific section of the yearbook. Keep in mind that when designing your dominant photo package, you should plan for both vertical and horizontal dominant photos. THE INCH was a consistent element used throughout every section in the book featured here. It contained facts and trivia related to the spread. step six: Within each space, create a variety of photo packages. Keep in mind the basic rules of design within each mod: make sure there is a dominant element. touch all external margins with at least one element to define the design area. keep captions to the outside of the design area. with appreciation to Lynn Strause and the Ceniad staff of East Lansing High School ooking our esign 87

5 FAST FACT BOX Additional information that gives the reader a quick grasp of who, what, when, where, why and how: statistics, history, definitions, schedules, trivia or other facts. EXAMPLE: what it takes to build a homecoming float in terms of money, hours, people. BIO BOX Brief profiles of people, places, products or organizations itemized by key characteristics or information. EX- AMPLE: profile of homecoming queen with questions about favorites, proudest moment, personal motto, etc. QUOTE COLLECTION A series of entertaining and informative comments on a topic from students, teachers, coaches, etc. EXAMPLE: how important is homecoming and get a variety of answers. Design headline/copy blocks for all possible mod sizes. Using the same design elements, design the caption treatment (see bottom right corner). Q & A Verbatim dialogue of a conversation. Give each voice a distinct identity. For example, bold questions and italicize answers. EXAMPLE: an alum who s never missed a homecoming. HE SAID/SHE SAID Viewpoints from both genders on some aspects of the topic being covered or a point/counterpoint. EXAMPLE: is spirit week disruptive to classes? NARRATIVE A short, engaging piece written in first person by someone involved in the topic being covered. EXAMPLE: senior football player s account of final homecoming. Choose the various mods you will use in a specific section. Then design the mod for each space. Keep your design elements consistent. LIST A series of names, tips, components, events anything that add context to a story or topic. EXAMPLE: top ten reasons to get involved (or not) in spirit week. CHECKLIST An interactive list of tips, questions, etc. that encourage responses. EXAMPLE: tips on how to win float competition. Not every mod idea will work in any space (see 2nd mod from the left on top row). Once these templates are made, staffers can quickly pick and choose. 88 ooking our esign

6 mods by the pros STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE A brief user-friendly how-to that explains a process. EXAMPLE: how to build a winning float. GLOSSARY A list of specialized terms with definitions (and perhaps pronunciations) to help clarify topics and add to coverage. EX- AMPLE: slang used by the football team. QUIZ A list of questions that lets readers interact with the topic by testing their knowledge/understanding. Be sure to provide answers or score keys. EX- AMPLE: how spirited are you? SURVEY/POLL A survey that samples opinions on a current or related topic to the coverage. Survey a wide variety, avoid bias and keep data accurate. Also tell the reader how many people you sampled. EXAMPLE: what s your favorite spirit week day/activity? TIMELINE A chronological list of events. EX- AMPLE: minute-by-minute schedule of events on homecoming night. CHART OR TABLE Presents math-heavy information in a simple, visual way. EXAMPLE: comparison of costs at area restaurants or pre-homecoming dance dinners. RATINGS List of people, sports teams, movies, etc. with values or arranged in order of popularity. EXAMPLE: rating the classes homecoming floats. DIAGRAM Explains key parts of an object or process by labeling them on a plan, a drawing or a photo. EXAMPLE: label parts that make up a successful spirit week outfit. MAP Showing the locations of events relevant to the topic. EXAMPLE: the homecoming parade route. ooking our esign 89