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Introduction
Introduction
Two-dimensional designs, like drawings, maps, and collages are great methods to present visual information. Similar to a zine, but on a single page and with less text, you can use a variety of handmade or digital techniques.
For each of the project, consider what you are trying to represent and why. If you're making a map: does everything need to be to scale or are you trying to portray something else, like importance or proximity? How do you indicate elements that might not be clear on something like Google Maps? How do you indicate time? What would a sound or a heat map look like?
Two Techniques for Drawings, Maps, and Collages
Two Techniques for Drawings, Maps, and Collages
Feel free to mix and match, or use something else entirely! These are just a starting point.
Technique I: Hand Drawn
Technique I: Hand Drawn
You might want to start with a quick sketch to decide how to layout your design. Then, keep creating iterations until you land on something that is more clear. We recommend using drawings rather than photos: simplified drawings are more clear and easy to understand than complex photos. Not an artist? Don't worry: you don't have to draw from scratch. Try some of these techniques:
A
Tracing
Tracing
If you want to simplify a drawing, try tracing it. In the example below, we wanted to use an image of this house, which we found on Google Maps. But the tree is in the way and it's not a great photograph. Try printing the image, putting a plain sheet of paper on top, and tracing the outlines of the image with pencil or pen. Don't worry about being precise - part of the charm of a zine is the handdrawn style.
B
Diverted contour
Diverted contour
Another drawing technique is the diverted contour, where you draw the contour of the subject in a single line, without looking at the paper. Keep your eyes on the original photograph that you're trying to replicate. The result will likely be funny and unexpected!
C
Lettering
Lettering
If you don't want to draw objects, try creative ways to write either the headers or the bulk of the information in your zine. Can you make the text fit into shapes? Use colors? Use different styles? Play around with it.
Technique II: Digital
Technique II: Digital
You can also create drawings, maps, and collages on the computer, or combine digital designs with your hand-drawn images.
Starting with hand-drawn
Starting with hand-drawn
1
Scanning your designs
Scanning your designs
The easiest way to scan is using the Adobe Scan application on your phone, although you can also use other scanning options like the flatbed scanner in the Adobe Studio. If you don't scan in your image, you'll have to do a lot of work to make your image look clean on the computer! Just taking a photo of the drawing won't give you a pure black and white image. We recommend scanning! If you can't scan, you can learn how to adjust your images in Photoshop using this guide.
This is what it looks like when you just take a photo on your phone of your drawing, and don't scan it.
This drawing was scanned using Adobe Scan
To use Adobe Scan:
To use Adobe Scan:
Download the Adobe Scan app in your phone's app store
Log in using your Clemson ID without the .g. (ex: user@clemson.edu)
Open the application
Hover your camera over your drawing: make sure you have good lighting, either near a window or with a lamp overhead. Turn on flash if you need to.
Press the camera button
Adjust the bounding box to make sure there is a rectangle around the drawing that you want to scan
Select Save PDF. Your scan doesn't save until you click this button.
Now you can either email the scan to yourself or you can find it in your Adobe Document Cloud by logging into your Adobe account on your computer. Now download the file to your computer and you're ready to go.
Fully digital
Fully digital
1
Using Photoshop to draw and adjust images
Using Photoshop to draw and adjust images
Photoshop is a great tool for digital drawing and adjusting photographs. If you have an iPad or other tablet, we recommend Adobe Fresco for even more fluid digital drawing.
2
Creating in Google Slides
Creating in Google Slides
Google Slides is a web-based platform that is a more simple version of Powerpoint. You might be more familiar with using Slides for presentations, but you can also make posters and storyboards by using a single slide and adjusting the size.
Slides is the best option if you need to work collaboratively with a group. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Powerpoint but most of those extra features are not needed.
3
Creating in Adobe Illustrator
Creating in Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is one of Adobe's vector-based design programs, so it works well for any digital design project. You'll have more design flexibility in Illustrator than in Photoshop, Slides, or Adobe InDesign. It is a complicated program to learn but it is worthwhile!
3
ArcGIS Story Maps
ArcGIS Story Maps
Adobe Illustrator is one of Adobe's vector-based design programs, so it works well for any digital design project. You'll have more design flexibility in Illustrator than in Photoshop, Slides, or Adobe InDesign. It is a complicated program to learn but it is worthwhile!
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