Chaos to Connection - Project 3
Introduction   
The butterfly effect is one of the terms related to Chaos theory. The phrase is derived from the understanding that each and every tiny change (a flap of a butterfly’s wings) affects the entire system. Its underlying idea is that everything is connected in some way. Here we’re going to test your ability to connect seemingly unconnected things while learning and applying some basic typesetting rules.
Learning  Outcomes
A student who successfully completes this project will be able to:   
Synthesize a design concept from external prompts
Typeset a headline, an intro (aka a deck or kicker), and body text using InDesign
Lay out a two page spread that includes a headline, an intro, body text, and a full bleed image using InDesign
Find and use stock imagery in a manner consistent with licensing restrictions of the image
Create meaning through the use of type, images and the relationship between them
Assignment
Based on a random process you will be given one emotion and one object that you must synthesize into an essay of roughly 500 words. You will typeset: a headline using your two words, a sentence (or two) by summarizing the basic premise of your essay, and the essay itself. You will take the results of these three exercises, combine them with a relevant photograph from an online stock photography site, and lay out the entire essay in the manner of a magazine feature spread.
Process   
- Draw one emotion and one object from their respective grab bags.
- Create a mind-map by placing your words on either side of the page. Use word association to tap into your unconscious and fill the page with your thoughts.
- Look through your thoughts and extract a meaningful topic from your map that makes sense of your two words. Get beyond the literal or most obvious meaning of the two words
- Write an essay of roughly 500 words (about two pages double-spaced)
- Write a title/headline for your essay using the two words. Your headline should be between two and five words long.
- Typeset your headline using a font from the approved list of typefaces. Use what your learned from the “Kern Me” demo to kern the headline.
- Write an intro of a least one but not more than two sentences, and typeset it using a complimentary typeface from the approved list.
- Typeset your entire essay using a font from the approved list. Your type should be between 8 and 10 points. Remember to adjust the leading to match the column width to enhance readability.
- Find an appropriate high quality image from a royalty free stock image site (like pexels.com). Take a screen shot of the license info.
- Arrange all of the elements into an eye-catching two-page spread that alludes to and strengthens the meaning of your essay.
Constraints
- Overall dimensions are 16” x 10.5” for the spread (folded in the center) and 8” x 10.5” for the exercise pages.
- Your image should extend beyond the page by 1/8” on all sides (i.e., 1/8” bleed)
- You may only use these typefaces: Baskerville, Garamond, Bodoni 72, Adobe Caslon Pro, Times New Roman, Franklin Gothic, Futura, Gill Sans, Helvetica Neue, and Myriad Pro
- Your type must be white or black
- Your body text must be arranged in two or three columns (the entire essay probably won’t fit on the feature spread)
Craft   
As always craft counts and you will be graded on it. Make your cuts square, straight, crisp and clean, and make sure that any typography is aligned exactly to the page/grid as you intend.
Deliverables   
1) Your two-page essay written in Microsoft Word double-spaced with 12pt type.
2) Perfectly kerned headline placed on a white sheet of paper trimmed to 8” x 10.5”
3) Perfectly kerned, leaded, and ragged intro on a white sheet of paper trimmed to 8” x 10.5”
4) At least four paragraphs of your essay perfectly typeset on a white sheet of paper trimmed to 8” x 10.5”. Make sure to check that you have used an appropriate font size, leading amount, and column width. Also make sure to balance the rag with no widows or orphans.
5) A feature spread on a white sheet of paper trimmed to 16” x 10.5”. Your spread should include your heading, your intro, a byline (your name), and the essay text plus the image (full bleed) in the background.
6) A screen shot of the licensing info for your image (see example)
Value - 100pts
- Process work (30%)
- Craft on the final (20%)
- Composition (30%)
- Professionalism (20%)
Download the Rubric
Specification Details
Student Examples