A Dip Into Magazine Design

Hi all!

In my class, Magazine Design, I’ve come to really enjoy and appreciate the amount of time and effort it takes to create a professional yet personalized magazine. Learning the techniques to make a magazine that’s eye catching and up to snuff is exciting!

Being that magazine design is, for the most part, solely based on computer technology, being familiar with the software is key. My professor was well aware that many of us have barley touched programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign; and has mentored us to be able to use it to our best ability. I’ll be honest, at first it’s quite difficult to grasp those few basic steps due to the numerous ways there are to executing one task, though surprisingly I started to catch on in no time!

Magazine Progress

Magazine Progress @ FIT

Thankfully, my skills have improved and even though at times I have to do tasks multiple times to finally achieve the exact design I’m going for, it’s all simply a process of trial and error. I feel I need to work on learning more techniques and tools within these programs that way it’ll allow me to create exactly what I picture in my head instead of having to move around my initial idea due to not knowing what tools to use.

Weeks are cutting close, now that classes are counting down one by one I’m finally starting to get a hang of the programs. This is great because I can finally start placing ideas onto papers, but also a little stressful because times running out and I’d love to finish a strong final whole magazine without weak ends.

Magazine Progress

Magazine Progress @ FIT

Overall I’ve genuinely learned a lot about the programs we use and I’ve also been inspired by the pieces my professor shows us in class. Initially, I hadn’t planned on taking this class but I’m glad I did because not only does it give you an introduction to color and design but it can also tie in fashion and its aesthetics which is always a plus!

Now of course everything is still a work in progress but I think it’s coming out nice and hopefully my final product will be great!

Thank you for reading and have a wonderful week! Also, have a happy turkey day!

-Emily Kelly

 

My Goals

Hey lovely readers,

Ever since I’ve started the precollege program at FIT, it really makes you look at your future in all aspects. It could be extremely stressful but also extremely enjoyable and satisfying. When you finally know what you want and how to get there. For myself, I have quite the grasp on what I want to do but also I am prepared for anything to come…I hope. My first choice college would have to be FIT, but if unfortunately I did not get accepted. I would like to go to SUNY Oneonta, and major in Fashion Merchandising and minor in Business Communications. Thinking about where I am going to be in 5 or 10 years makes me feel all kinds of nervous. But, I would like to have an internship or a job at a luxury brand like Marc Jacobs, Burberry, or Givenchy. I am so interested in how they start the new trends and how other brands follow. I would even love to work at a fashion magazine, working with the featured clothes and styles.

Even though my goals are broad and time consuming, anyone who is determined can get anywhere they want in life. I know, so cliche. But starting a little bit smaller: My FIT precollege goals. I am starting my 5th week and obviously, I am loving it. I find the city very motivating and every person so interesting. I have my next project due this upcoming week for Fashion Forecasting and I am very nervous! We had to take an era in time and research about its fashion trends. We have to do an oral presentation, a mood board or a PowerPoint, and an essay. I really hope I do well, I worked harder on this than my actual homework. My goals in the class is to obviously do well and absorb every possible thing out of the lessons. Also, to really enjoy the city and my new friends.

I feel as though I grow every week. It is such an experience…from the commute to the class. I really need these next weeks to slow down! 

It Isn’t the End, It’s the Beginning

So Saturday, May 17th, was the last day of FIT’s Precollege classes. It was so sad saying goodbye to my classmates and my professors, and I’m really going to miss being at FIT. I sadly won’t be able to attend the summer courses.

However, this isn’t really the end, because I’m coming to FIT in the fall. It’s so exciting to know that this isn’t “goodbye”, it’s just “I’ll see you soon”. I told my professors I’ll be visiting them next fall (more like harassing them non-stop), and my friends, although they are not coming to FIT next fall, will be taking more Precollege classes, so they can always stop by.

These Precollege classes were so amazing. I learned so much in such a short amount of time, and I had so much fun. I cannot fully express how much I enjoyed classes this semester. To anyone who wants to learn about the fashion industry or is considering going to FIT: take Precollege classes! You won’t regret it.

I really do believe that FIT is the best fashion school out there. August 18th (orientation) cannot come quickly enough. I’m counting down the days (literally, I have an app that counts down the days) until I move in.

So this isn’t the end of my time at FIT; it is just the beginning.

This is, however, the end of my time blogging for FIT’s Precollege blog. Thank you all for reading. This won’t be the last you hear of me though. ;)

Love,

Arielle McManus

My Fashion Merchandising Project

So after reading about all the fun things we do in the city in the Precollege programs, like shopping trips and walks on the High Line and whatnot, you’re probably wondering if we actually do any serious work. Yes. We do.

For example, for my fashion merchandising class we were assigned to head to Meatpacking (check out the post I wrote about Meatpacking) and shop around the stores, not for clothes, for trends. We went to over 10 different stores for the assignment, and I think I speak for everyone in my class when I say it was an amazing day.

However, when the day was over, it was time to get serious and prepare a presentation on a few of the stores we visited. We had to analyze the fabrics used (whether natural or synthetic), the prints and colors of the clothes, as well as the sizing, the silhouette, and any details on the clothes (such as buttons, zippers, ruffles, asymmetrical hems, etc.). Lastly, we had to summarize the overall trends of each store to come to a conclusion as to what we believe are the most prevalent trends of this spring for womenswear.

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If you’d like to go through my project, here it is.

http://prezi.com/evq0u-bqi7pk/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Just copy and paste it into your web browser to take a look.

What do you think are the most prevalent trends this spring?

TTYL,

Arielle

Shopping Guide: Part Deux

So a few weeks ago, for my fashion merchandising class, we went to Meatpacking. I was inspired to write a little shopping guide centered around it. This past Saturday, for the same class, we went to the Flatiron District. I had such a great time, and went to so many great stores, I’m writing another shopping guide – a shopping guide for the Flatiron District!

flatiron-building-3

Peck, Harrison. Must-see Flatiron. 2010. Manhattan, NY. Nycgo. Web. 12 Apr. 2014.

Here is a list of some of the amazing stores in the area:

  • 7 for all Mankind
  • Madewell
  • A/X Armani Exchange
  • Kate Spade
  • Cole Haan
  • LF
  • Club Monaco
  • Eileen Fisher
  • DKNY
  • Lucky Brand Jeans
  • Lord & Taylor
  • BCBG Max Azria
  • Zara
  • H&M
  • Sephora

Here is a map to show you exactly where everything is located in relation to one another.

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/u/0/edit?mid=zvFiJtcSDXY4.kBLhbW5Wh-kU

Jus copy and paste the link into your internet browser to see.

As you can see, we only stayed on 5th avenue. There are so many more stores, but these are the only ones I can personally say were amazing.

Club Monaco was recently redone, and it was so beautiful! I really recommend you drop by and see for yourself (and obviously do some shopping)!

After you are done shopping, head to Eataly on 200 5th Ave for something to eat. It is so amazing! I had never been before, but I went with my friends Betsy, Emma, and Catherine (another one of the Precollege bloggers) and I’m so happy I got to. I didn’t get a chance to try it, but I’ve heard there is amazing gelato! I can’t wait to go back so that I can try it. If you’re in the area, stop by and try some – do it for me!

Until next time,

Arielle