So I planned on working in InDesign but there were formatting issues so I attempted to save the file in another format so I could work on my pages but this was unsuccessful. Since I was planning on editing my pages there wasn’t much for me to do so I had to work on the smaller things. I designed a logo for Drosselmeyer’s Toys to use on the order form/mailer as well as on other pages. This took the entire class period because I had to group the text with the image and I’m not tech-savvy at all.

‘The only dancer you should compare yourself to is the one you used to be.”

-Unknown

I finished creating the content for the customer testimonials. I will need to transfer this to InDesign to design the page further. I also collected photos for my assets and began creating my order form. These things take longer than expected which is why I am making slow progress on this project.

“Dancing is poetry with arms and legs.”

-Charles Baudelaire

In order to finish my project, I need to complete these pages and convert them to PDFs. I then need to upload them to my flip book for “publishing.”

Also, I need to determine the way I will present my project. I think it will be enough to open the flip book online and flip through the pages giving a brief description of each and my reasoning behind creating the individual aspects.

“Sometimes I hurt because I dance, other times I dance because I’m hurt. Either way, dancing fixes it all.”

-Unknown

I continued to collect images without copyright restrictions and file those away for later use. I also finalized the designs of my featured toy ad and owner bio pages. I will need to upload these as PDF files so that I can insert them onto my publication on FlipHTML5.

I also begin writing the information for the other toy pages. These will be the next pages I focus on.

One thing I am struggling with is finding music that is not copyrighted so I can incorporate it into my catalog. I think this would be a neat touch but I’m not sure if it is feasible.

“To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.”

-Hopi Proverb

For the online class today, I worked in InDesign to create my ad as well as an owner bio. I collected images and wrote the content. These are currently in the draft stage but they will be finished by this weekend.

Documentation

Like most magazines and catalogs do I will be citing the source directly under the image like this example from People Magazine. I am mimicking the style of real publishings because this is how readers would expect it to appear. Under the writings that I create, I will state “By: Maggie Hutzel.” This way, I am making myself as the author readily evident. Furthermore, the date of the publication will be listed at the bottom of the catalog so that readers ave a general understanding of the time frame when these were written and can use them as a reference.

(This picture makes me wish I was doing the same thing… or eating a donut)

Here are the mock-ups for two pages that I will be including in Drosselmeyer’s toy company catalogue. These are the two pieces that I will be working on in InDesign from now until Friday and according to my timeline I plan to have these done by Monday.  Since my last post, I have begun exploring InDesign and figuring out features that I can use to create the PDFs to go into my catalogue. I also began tracking my sources and collecting images to use for my project. I created a table to keep track of where I got them from to help me down the road. Everything is coming along…slowly but surely!

I explored the tool FlipHTML5 because I want to create a catalogue for Drosselmeyer’s toy company. I think that this is a great tool that will allow me to take risks with InDesign as well as learning how to use the tool itself.

I also brainstormed ideas to include in my catalogue. I want to create an ad for Drosselmeyer’s puppetry performances, create a featured toy of the month, include an about the owner section, as well as incorporate a page or two where readers can view/purchase the toys. I want a variety of writing and pictures as well as different styes of content to make the catalogue interesting.

I looked at a few examples of company catalogues to get inspiration for design and layout. I have never designed anything before, especially not of this length so I needed to do some research to see what is already out there.

Here is the timeline that I created to keep me on track for this project.

Work Schedule

4/13-4/15: Brainstorm content and create draft of storyboard

4/15-4/19: Design and complete content for ad and owner bio

4/20-4/22: Design and complete content for featured toy

4/23-4/26: Design and complete content for toy catalogue and mock article

4/27-5/29: Design front cover of catalogue

{In-class presentation sometime between 4/29-5/6}

4/30-5/3: Create visual/photo element for 2 page spread

5/4-5/6: Last minute additions of creative touches and writing reflection memo

Here are the list of sources that will guide me throughout this project:

• Bell, Anthea, Lisbeth Zwerger, and E T. A. Hoffmann. The Nutcracker and the Mouse-King. Boston, MA: Picture Book Studio USA, 1983. Print.
• https://youtu.be/clWKDT4TQIk
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nutcracker
• http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/arts/dance/14nutcracker.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasia_(1940_film)

I’m still not sold on this idea so I will be sure to update this as things progress. I know there is an awesome idea waiting out there to be found I just need to find it.

The projects that also put a modern twist on classic stories engaged myself as a reader more. Even though I have heard most of the classic fairytale and fiction stories as a child and can connect in that aspect, I still found the projects that maintained the basic plot of the story but added a modern twist such as referencing currents events or trends, more interesting.

I think the Hunger Games, Time Magazine Edition did the best job digitizing a story. It looks very professional and life-like. I could see that in printed form and being distributed. Having the ability to flip pages using the FlipHTML5 interface makes it seem as though I’m actually reading a magazine but provides that modern twist I was talking about since everything is online now a days.

Here is a list of stories I’m considering working with:

1. The Nutcracker
2. The Little Mermaid
3. Swan Lake
4. Peter Pan

I’m considering these because they are all some of the most popular and most famous ballets. I have performed a role in each of these and it all ties back to my online identity. I also think people know these stories so I wouldn’t have a problem in that aspect and I doubt a lot of other people have used these stories before so I can do something new and different.

“I feel like dance, by its nature, goes so easily to grand and beautiful.”

           -Ira Glass

“I come from a dancing background, and I know it’s stereotypical, but I would dance because I wasn’t comfortable speaking to people.”

           -Carrie Ann Inaba