Notepad and QR Code Assignment:

   Our next project for our Digital File Preparation class was our first actual assignment outside the safe zone. The specifics of the project consisted of a black and white 5"x7" self-promoting notepad.The specifics were to use only black ink, 50 sheets per pad, and have a chipboard back. The first step I took towards this job was to create thumbnails of ideas that represented me, and artwork that I could design with the many skills I already have. Below are just some of the thumbnails I had sketched out to begin the process.

   After deciding a thumbnail to design, I went into InDesign to set up a .25" margin with a .125" bleed. The Design calls for a bleed on the bottom and the right size of the page.

Document set up for Adobe Illustrator

   Next, I created a greyscale vector of the arrow design in Adobe Illustrator using the rectangle tool, polygon tool and pathfinder tool to create the arrows. I exported the design to a .tiff file and placed it into the Indesign file.



creating my greyscale vector in Illustrator

The project also required a call to action, which in this case is a QR code. QR codes are pixilated squares that can be read by a mobile device (with a software or app reader) that can directly take my audience to an indended destination, in this case I'm going to send my audience to my personal blog, because the purpose of the project was to market myself. I created this QR code using qrcode.kaywa.com and downloaded the larger size to get a better chance at a higher dpi to put on my notepad. I saved the file as a JPEG and placed it into my Indesign file.

QR code to my blog site

I tweeked some of the elements on my page while adding font in Indesign. I used Cantoria MT for a sophisticated yet lively look to display my information.  Afterwards, I packaged my file and saved it as a pdf to take to Printing Services and get proofs printed before I got a final copy of the project.

placed my Illustrator file and QR code into InDesign