16.04.10 Catching up on the Blog

Over Easter I continued to develop the text and image content for my leaflet. I also researched how Marks and Spencer lay out their reports and publications to give me ideas for mine. I didn't upload anything to the blog (limited internet access) so it will be updated now.

Marks and Spencer's corporate website provided me with an abundance of information, relevant to my role as Merchandiser at Marks and Spencer. I focused on researching Marks and Spencer's profits and commitments, with regards to its womens clothing ranges, however, I also included information on mens and childrens wear as well as Marks and Spencer's overall performance. The Marks and Spencer 'Plan A' was of particular relevance, as it included schemes involved with its clothes e.g. Wash at 30 and donating old clothes to charities.

From researching current Marks and Spencer publications, I chose to present my publication in the same clean, simple manner. The same, uncomplicated font was used throughout, which I tried to get as similar as possible to, via an online font creator.

Any images included in publications were large, clear and striking, with definite relevance to nearby text. Text tended to be in one column, off centre, to ensure the page didn't have too much writing on it. Facts and figures in varying sizes were placed around the main body of text, to avoid too much white space.

Fasion site theyenvy.us provided a useful array of images of a high quality of Marks and Spencer's current clothing ranges. To ensure my publication is similar to a true Marks and Spencer publication, I will also include non-clothing images which are still relevant.

08.03.10 Leaflet Development

Over the past week I have researched further range development from http://www.wgsn.com and http://www.mpdclick.com.

I will develop the range further, using Pantone colour charts to justify my colour palette. Using WGSN and MPD Click will also allow me to choose designs that are relevant to my project, yet are also fashionable.

I decided to design a footer to go at the bottom of every page and created this one (right), which I designed for my Study Skills presentation on M&S.

I have also decided to use a sheet given to me by Rowan for guidance on what a merchandiser should research. This will allow me to elaborate on the research already conducted for Project 1.

22.02.10 Continuing with Leaflet Development

Uploaded more rough information which can be easily cut back into a Word document and edited.

Played around with background colours and gradients.




































I have decided with another member on my team that we will share information that is relevant to both of us and try to ensure that our publications are in a similar style e.g. same colour panel or layout used. The sharing of our information will be invaluable in producing optimum publications. For example, in our Study Skills presentation, I created a footer bar that was used in each slide. I will attempt to insert this into the InDesign document to tie the pages together.

The effect (right) looks alot better than any of the previous experiments (above) so I think I will keep the colour palette to a plain white background with black text and possibly green e.g. for titles.

I also learnt how to text wrap:

Window > Text Wrap > Select object > Click on desired wrap shape.

I can then change whether I want to wrap the object on both sides, or just one. I can also change the width between the object and the text.

08.02.10 Continuing with Adobe InDesign

This lecture, we learned how to alter the document layout after setting it up:
• New > 2 columns
• To add new column > file > document set up
• Layout > Change margins, gutter etc

This is handy if I decide I want more columns or a smaller margin, for instance.

We were then shown how to place text into a document so that it flows between pages; If I place a picture amongst the text, it will simply shift downwards.

• Have text in Word document
• File > Place > select document > Place where you want it
• Red cross at bottom of text box- click it and then click where you want the rest of the text to go- the text that didn’t fit in first column.

I will now research for relevant text and images to be incorporated into the document.

26.01.10 Introduction to InDesign

In this lecture we were introduced to Adobe InDesign. We were shown how to setup the document and how to translate the desired overall layout of our book into the InDesign format:

· Edit > Preferences> Units and Increments > Picas to centimetres. (Every time)

· Window > Pages > Tick it

· Delete page by dragging into delete bin (at bottom)

· Double click to zoom on page

We then were shown how to import images:

· File > Place > My comp > USB/K drive (wherever) > Select > Open > Place wherever

· Ctrl + Shift and drag (from corner) to resize. Can also crop image. (Black selection tool-arrow- on left)

I practised importing images and rotating and resizing them.

12.12.09 M & S Merchandiser Information

I lost my memory stick with all of my work on it so had to redo everything- very annoyed :(

Once I had caught up with all of the previous work, I gathered the information needed for a Marks and Spencer's merchandiser, I started by looking at the Marks and Spencer's business web page: www.plana.marksandspencer.com
I took a lot of information off of the website and sifted through it to gain relevant and useful information.

I focused on information that revealed what the customer thought of Marks and Spencer and what the company was doing to improve/ change that.





I also researched imags of the Marks and Spencer store layout for visual merchandising.


















I created a bar chart showing Marks and Spencer's sales volume and sales value against it's competitors on Microsoft Excel.














I arranged my designs on my first board and put the M&S logo on, along with the above picture of a 70's inspired catsuit from the new M&S range by Zandra Rhodes.














I then described the range, justifying why some items were plain, whilst others bore the bolder pattern. I also explained the connection to fashions of the 1970's and described the example of Marks and Spencer's most recent throwback to the decade.

30.11.09 Creating Sample Range

I opened up the Kaledo styles sample designs and selected the ones I wanted. I then proceeded to edit them using my fabric swatch. My designs are reminiscent to the 70's but with a modern style twist. I played around with some ideas using my fabric swatch and navy blue, pale gold and pale blue/grey colours.