Creating a flat-plan for a magazine or publication is probably one of the toughest tasks, that goes into its layout process.
The production director and advertisement director, who are tasked with this responsibility, often struggle to create a flat plan and waste a lot of time contemplating on useless details.
You can make use of the following tips to improve publication flat plan:
1. Use Templates
Templates are created to simplify the process of flat plan creation. Once you start using templates, you will find a number of options to disseminate information.
Suppose you want to use a previously successful Publication Flat-Plan design, you can simply refer to the old template and start creating.
Once you have the basic right, you can start being creative, and model the template to suit your current content needs. The planning stage also becomes simple as you do not have to start building the flat plan from scratch.
It is also easier to test various templates and choose the one that meets the requirements.
2. Color Code Your Way out of the Mess
Differentiating the main sections of your magazine from other sections can be tricky if the information is not demarcated properly. With color-coding, you can break down these sections into sub-sections, and make it easier for audiences to navigate coherently through the content.
Also Read:
3. Set up Deadlines
A magazine or publication has different types of contents that are written and edited by different people. To ensure the person responsible knows when to provide the content, a flat plan can come in handy.
Setting up different deadlines for different projects, and sending timely notifications to get the tasks done on time can make the process simple. This process can be further simplified by employing cutting-edge flat plan software.
4. Pay Attention to the Organization of Content
Content can be in the form of text, pictures or videos. If the content is scattered, it can be a long and hard grind to figure out which content goes where.
By creating a central repository, it is much easier to organize the content. The production director should provide content creators access to the central database, so that, they can add content to the correct location at the right time.
It is also applicable to employ flat-plan software, and automate the workflow, and eliminate the need for constant supervision.
5. Take Inspiration from Competitor Magazines
Sometimes best designs are conceptualized by amalgamating different ideas. Look at the flat plan of different magazines and take inspiration from them. Combine the best elements from different flat plan ideas and create your very own.
When you are using something tried and tested, it gives you an advantage right from the get-go.
Summary
Coming up with new flat plans can be a challenge for any media house as there are many components that need to click together for a magazine to be successful.
Therefore, starting off with a good flat plan can give you a leg up on the competition. More succinctly, to make the process of creating a flat plan easier, employ a good flat plan software.