Whether you are an experienced designer or a novice, you can expect to receive fresh insights, creative ideas, and new energy and enthusiasm for the task of magazine design.
Since 2001, hundreds of Christian magazine editors and designers from dozens of countries have taken this course live in conferences in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Romania, Croatia, and the Czech Republic.
The DVD course
This course will be available soon as a six-DVD course on Design for Magazines. Recorded in Prague, Czech Republic, in 2008 before a multi-cultural
audience, it is taught by Greg Breeding, creative director, Journey Communications,
Gary Gnidovic, art director at Christianity Today International, and Adele Mulford, art director, Discipleship Journal. All three award-winning designers have taught the course internationally. Breeding has taught MTI design courses in the Ukraine
and Malaysia; Gnidovic has taught MTI design and photography courses in Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Croatia; and Mulford taught design in Bulgaria and Malaysia.
The course is enriched by interaction between participants at the course in Prague and the trainers as participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America ask questions and make comments.
Gary Gnidovic, art director at Christianity Today International, and Adele Mulford, art director, Discipleship Journal. All three award-winning designers have taught the course internationally. Breeding has taught MTI design courses in the Ukraine
and Malaysia; Gnidovic has taught MTI design and photography courses in Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Croatia; and Mulford taught design in Bulgaria and Malaysia.
The course is enriched by interaction between participants at the course in Prague and the trainers as participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America ask questions and make comments.
How to take the course
The 11-hour course may be offered in the context of a regional or local
conference. Or, it may be viewed by individuals or staff members of an
individual publishing enterprise. It may be viewed over the course of
several days; or individual sessions may be viewed on a weekly or monthly
basis. A 95-page participant manual is available for use in conjunction
with the course.
The course is meant to be participatory. That means there are opportunities for both individual work and group interaction as participants complete in-class assignments. Although it is possible for those viewing the DVD to skip the assignments, the trainers have found they help participants make application to principles under discussion.
The DVD course is a self-study course and it is not necessary to complete and send assignments to trainers. Any organization which wishes to organize a formal course may offer certificates of completion in their own name to those who complete the course. MTI will not offer official certificates of completion for the DVD course.
The course is meant to be participatory. That means there are opportunities for both individual work and group interaction as participants complete in-class assignments. Although it is possible for those viewing the DVD to skip the assignments, the trainers have found they help participants make application to principles under discussion.
The DVD course is a self-study course and it is not necessary to complete and send assignments to trainers. Any organization which wishes to organize a formal course may offer certificates of completion in their own name to those who complete the course. MTI will not offer official certificates of completion for the DVD course.
Course languages
The course is taught in English and is offered with subtitles in two Chinese scripts, Russian, and Spanish. Participant manuals are available in
English, Bulgarian, Chinese, Croatian, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish.
Topics
The magazine’s visual identity
Learn how to create a distinctive identity for your magazine—a strong “brand” which will help nurture and sustain a relationship with readers. Discover how to determine a design strategy to convey the appropriate tone and personality of the magazine.
Learn how to create a distinctive identity for your magazine—a strong “brand” which will help nurture and sustain a relationship with readers. Discover how to determine a design strategy to convey the appropriate tone and personality of the magazine.
Words and images
This session explores the editorial elements from a design perspective and shows how design can visually translate editorial content. You’ll see how strategic and tactical composition can help create a sense of purpose in each magazine spread.
This session explores the editorial elements from a design perspective and shows how design can visually translate editorial content. You’ll see how strategic and tactical composition can help create a sense of purpose in each magazine spread.
The design elements
See how format, paper, and binding impact design and how to combine photography, illustration, and typography to produce color, texture, and patterns to create surprising and meaningful experiences for readers.
See how format, paper, and binding impact design and how to combine photography, illustration, and typography to produce color, texture, and patterns to create surprising and meaningful experiences for readers.
Typography for publications
Learn how to select and arrange text fonts and titles, bylines, decks, captions, and pull quotes. Discover the secret of sensitive letterspacing and how legibility, hierarchy, contrast, consistency, and appropriateness to audience and content impact typographical decisions.
Learn how to select and arrange text fonts and titles, bylines, decks, captions, and pull quotes. Discover the secret of sensitive letterspacing and how legibility, hierarchy, contrast, consistency, and appropriateness to audience and content impact typographical decisions.
Magazine architecture
Learn how to use templates to create features that are distinctive, cohesive, and consistent. Discover how to develop flexible templates for departments, create a design system, and identify usage standards. Learn the considerations in creating the table of contents, the magazine’s nameplate and cover design, and how to explore possibilities, test ideas, and decide on a system and parameters.
Learn how to use templates to create features that are distinctive, cohesive, and consistent. Discover how to develop flexible templates for departments, create a design system, and identify usage standards. Learn the considerations in creating the table of contents, the magazine’s nameplate and cover design, and how to explore possibilities, test ideas, and decide on a system and parameters.
Magazine covers
Here's how to develop a cover style, select a primary image, and combine the various cover elements to make an effective design. This session also deals with factors impacting the design of the various cover elements, and how to measure the success of a cover.
Here's how to develop a cover style, select a primary image, and combine the various cover elements to make an effective design. This session also deals with factors impacting the design of the various cover elements, and how to measure the success of a cover.
Design on a modest budget
You’ll learn how to use typography, texture, backgrounds, screens and tints, scale, and contrast to enhance design possibilities. Common sense solutions involving production and readily available illustrations and photographs are also discussed.
You’ll learn how to use typography, texture, backgrounds, screens and tints, scale, and contrast to enhance design possibilities. Common sense solutions involving production and readily available illustrations and photographs are also discussed.
The redesign process
You’ll hear about trends in modern redesign, and learn the purpose of redesign, how to re-evaluate the magazine’s voice, and develop a redesign strategy.
You’ll hear about trends in modern redesign, and learn the purpose of redesign, how to re-evaluate the magazine’s voice, and develop a redesign strategy.
Photography
The pros and cons of various cameras and film are discussed, as well as human vision versus photographic vision, and how to “see” photographically. You’ll learn the art of photographing people and practical tips on making portraits.
The pros and cons of various cameras and film are discussed, as well as human vision versus photographic vision, and how to “see” photographically. You’ll learn the art of photographing people and practical tips on making portraits.
Training manual
A 95-page manual outlining the course and including valuable samples,
charts, and other resources is available. The manual, titled Design for Magazines,
includes teaching suggestions, exercises, and other resources which may
be used as a basis for training staff members and consulting with other
publishers. The manual is available in English, Bulgarian, Chinese, Croatian, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish.
Availability and cost
Work is underway now on the DVD course and we expect it will be
available for purchase by 2009. If you are interested in receiving
information when the course is available, contact MTI. The price will be announced after completion of the project.
