Feedback on the art and design of issue #1

[Shottglazz]

First issue looks great! I really enjoyed the quality of the presentation and the artwork...I look forward to seeing the next issue...

[Aeolius]

Oh I didn't mean that.  A shame but perfectly understandable considering even in a compressed format the bitmap for that is over 4x the size of the entire medium resolution issue #1.

Perhaps phoenixlore.com could establish a download section, for standalone maps, etc. . Maps that had to be reduced in size could be presented at full resolution, for those who wish.

[Phoenix]

Oh I didn't mean that.  A shame but perfectly understandable considering even in a compressed format the bitmap for that is over 4x the size of the entire medium resolution issue #1.

Perhaps phoenixlore.com could establish a download section, for standalone maps, etc. . Maps that had to be reduced in size could be presented at full resolution, for those who wish.

Already thought about that actually.  If someone does want the full map I can make it available.

[Charke]

I assume the layout was done with Indesign? I'm working on my White Ghost submission for Issue #2 and it has text and art, I thought I would send it as an Indesign file with art.

I thought the magazine layout was clean and efficient. I don't like split pictures but there was only one, as I recall. I like the parchment.

How about a back page. I just expected one more page after the liscense, even if it's an add!

Mark Charke

[Penny_Williams]

I assume the layout was done with Indesign? I'm working on my White Ghost submission for Issue #2 and it has text and art, I thought I would send it as an Indesign file with art.

I thought the magazine layout was clean and efficient. I don't like split pictures but there was only one, as I recall. I like the parchment.

How about a back page. I just expected one more page after the liscense, even if it's an add!

Mark Charke

We could do a back page. And yes, it was done with InDesign. However, any text you send will have to go through editing, so getting it too far toward a final form is probably not productive. So if you want to make a suggested layout, that's fine, but please send it as a Word doc also, so we can work on it.

Thanks!

Penny

[Paradox]

I admit, I also expected something after the OGL.

Perhaps a preview of the next issue? Or an ad for how to help with submissions.

[Penny_Williams]

We did a preview of the next issue--it just wasn't on the back page. But we'll do one next issue.

Penny

[Ascendant]

I like the parchment layout and the positioning of the images (except those that splash pages of course; it's distracting). Overall great job. It definitely needs higher quality images. Also, it may be a little more effort, but in Photoshop there's an ability, I forgot what it is, to imprint an image onto a textured background (dumping a certain tolerance of white). I think it necessary for pencil and ink images with the parchment background.

Great work. I don't see a whole lot of activity on the site. What is being done to pimp the magazine? Is Pollina still around?

I'm practicing my digital art. The image below is a reduced size gif of the image I'm working on currently. It's not done yet, but you can clearly see where it's headed. It's from scratch (no pencil outline to follow) It's going to be a 2 inch portion of an 8 x 11 collage of images. It's slower going because I'm using a mouse instead of a WACOM.

So if you need the art, I'll be glad to do one painted image for the next issue if you want one from me. I'm on the mailing list if you need my email.

[Carnifex]

I like the parchment layout and the positioning of the images (except those that splash pages of course; it's distracting). Overall great job. It definitely needs higher quality images. Also, it may be a little more effort, but in Photoshop there's an ability, I forgot what it is, to imprint an image onto a textured background (dumping a certain tolerance of white). I think it necessary for pencil and ink images with the parchment background.

Great work. I don't see a whole lot of activity on the site. What is being done to pimp the magazine? Is Pollina still around?

I'm practicing my digital art. The image below is a reduced size gif of the image I'm working on currently. It's not done yet, but you can clearly see where it's headed. It's from scratch (no pencil outline to follow) It's going to be a 2 inch portion of an 8 x 11 collage of images. It's slower going because I'm using a mouse instead of a WACOM.

So if you need the art, I'll be glad to do one painted image for the next issue if you want one from me. I'm on the mailing list if you need my email.

Thanks for your input!

The layout for the first issue is done to look good in spreads. I will most probably adjust this for issue number 2.

Quite nice idea with art "imprinted" into the background but the parchment background on the pages don't really have any texture. Besides we are aiming for color only art in the future.

Altough it might appear as the activity is low we are in the midst of producing the next issue (which is alot of work).

[Ascendant]

By "textured", I mean graphic. In other words, onto the parchment image itself. That's what would make it more difficult, because you would have to customize it for every page that such an image is included. That's also how color images could be added without pixelated edges.

[Carnifex]

By "textured", I mean graphic. In other words, onto the parchment image itself. That's what would make it more difficult, because you would have to customize it for every page that such an image is included. That's also how color images could be added without pixelated edges.

I guess you mean working with blending mode - this could also be done in Indesign (on a similar way - there are some illustrations in issue #1 that are "blended" with the background).

[Binkhoick]

i heard simple scrapbooks magazine was going to start their calls for the digital issue this and next week  so if you submitted layouts, be ready  good luck to all of you