Evaluation:

My DTP project was to localize a flyer by a web service provider from English into Simplified Chinese. The client only provided me with a high-quality jpeg file, so the project inevitably involves recreation of the text layers in Photoshop. The client would like the localized file to match the original version as much as possible in fonts, layout and style.

Recreation of the text layers should not be complex given that there are 3 solid colors used in the flyer, as is show in the screen capture.

Translation Prep:

To prepare the file for translation, I created a picture list and recreate the original text by retyping them onto the left column of the Word document.

After proofreading the recreated text, I translated them into Simplified Chinese accordingly onto the right column of the picture list.

I then created a list of glossary from the terminologies from the original file in SDL Trados Multiterm.

Lastly, I created a project with a new translation memory component, “webwizard_TM” in SDL Trados Studio, and

included the termbase “webwizard_TB.sdltb” before initializing the translation process.

Localization:

With the original text and target text ready, it was the time to create masks to set up for localization. To make sure that necessary text editing tools are handy, I switched the
workplace mode in Photoshop to “Typography”.

I started by renaming the original file to “Background”. And since multiple masks were needed, I created a layer folder “Masks” to store recreated layers. The “Masks” layer should be on top of the “Background” layer to ensure that all the recreated layers would cover up all the original texts in visible mode.

I then created another layer group called “Chinese” to store text layers created for the translated text. During this course, a number of adjustments in the font size, tracking and leading to make sure that the content fit perfectly as was the original text, for the icons next to the text layers were static and were very difficult to tamper with.

It is also crucial to identify fonts and font types used in different sections of the file. The main texts in the main section of the flyer were of the “light” type, so I matched it with the “Yuanti SC Light” font that is built-in in Photoshop. The headings above the main texts section looked like the regular type of the same font group as the main texts, so I applied “Yuanti SC Regular” for the corresponding sections. The big title text next to the computer image belonged to sans-sarif group of fonts. After testing out several fonts, I decided that Apple’s newly released Chinese font, “Pingfang SC” was the ideal option. And while the font weight of Bold type of “Pingfang SC” was too heavy compared with the original one, “Semibold” turned out to be perfect in such context.

After the localization process was finished, I carried out final Q&A check to ensure that no errors were introduced to my localized file before exporting the localized file web_wizard_CN.

Best Practices:

Carrying out best practices is vital to a success of a project. Below is the outline of what I have learned during the completion of this project.

1. Communicate with the client to familiarize with their needs and expectations.
2. Duplicate the original file before making any changes to avoid any errors or possible failure to reacquire the original file.
3. Have an idea of how the original project was created. Be sure to evaluate the complexity of the project against your level before starting.
4. Rename the multiple filles according to their languages such as “XXXX_CN.psd” to avoid confusion.
5. When creating multiple new text layers upon the original file, it is always good to create masks and group the text layers and mask layers accordingly.
6. Although it is not realistic to apply the same set of fonts in English to Chinese, taking into account different variables and types of fonts used the original file and look for fonts with the same features for the target text is ideal. Unless the client specify otherwise.
7. When localizing, one should adjust the tracking and leading of the target text to fit the original layouts.
8. When creating masks, one should be careful not to cover original image.
9. Be sure to deliver to the client the right format of the localized file as he/she requires.

Project Assets: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0xevajbk1f4r6sm/AABav-lJOFja_5mkXEjhvDBMa?dl=0