Question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task (college magazine), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from that to your full product?

These are a few videos of me describing what I have learnt from the progression from my preliminary task to my final product and what I have made sure I changed and improved upon.
I edited these videos on movie maker.

Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

YouTube: YouTube helped me to research different artists and bands that matched the genre of my magazine. I uploaded two youtube videos onto my blog for furthur inspiration for my magazine.
This gave me the opportunity to search a wide variety of music and music videos when looking for inspiration for my magazine. It also allowed me to look at youtube comments from the public, their likes and dislikes.
Youtube helped with my initial inspiration and also with the development with my target audience and what genres of music they liked and artists.

This is a photograph of me using blogger to upload all my research and planning for my magazine. I used Blogger for my research and planning and my evaluation. Here I could upload videos, Images, Photographs, Hyperlinks to other softwares (Prezi) and screen shots. Blogger is a good software to clearly set out all posts and information.

This is a photograph of me using Photoshop. I used Photoshop to create the three pages of my magazine: Front cover, Contents page and Double page spread. I am now much more confident when using Photoshop after I completed these tasks. I experimented with many tools to create my page, enhance my images, select the correct colours and to layout everything in a suitable presentation.

On Photoshop I found the Eyedropper tool very effective when choosing font colours for my text. This tool helped me to select a colour found on my photograph of my model. Selecting this exact colour made the font colour choice unique and match with the connotations of the model.

The layers tool was good for layouring each part on the magazine page.

The magnetic lasso is ideal for edges set against high contrast backgrounds. Cutting around my images with this tool was also effective as it created straight edges.

To soften my edges furthur I used either the blur, soften or eraser tools, depending on the image outline I wanted to smooth down. This helped with the 'flawless' look of the model and it helped with making my magazine look professional and sophisticated.

This is the camera I used to take the photographs of my model for my front cover and double page spread and my music artist for my contents page. This camera takes photos in high definition and gives a better quality image compared to a regular digital camera or an iphone. This is essential for making my magazine photographs look professional and appealing to the reader.

I used the website dafont.com to select the fonts for my magazine. This allowed me to find unique fonts that were not your standard fonts on word and photoshop. I selected the category "retro" to find certain fonts for titles, this style reflects the genre of my magazine. I also selected "handwriting" to find a different style of font. A handwriting style font gives a personal tone to the page.



Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience?

This is a video I recorded of my friend via FaceTime when answering the question... Why are you attracted to the magazine? I edited this movie on movie maker.

I then asked more of my target audience what attracted them to my magazine and what they would be most interested in.

Question 4: Who would be the audience for your media product?



Taken at Leeds Festival 2012

Taken in Camden, London.

Personal tastes and interests:

What do you like to do in your spare time? Read music magazines, go to gigs and concerts, go shopping, go to clubs and bars with friends, day trips to London.

What do you spend your money on? Gig and festival tickets, food, clothes, transport.

Where do you like to shop? Topshop, Urban Outfitters, Vintage stores.

What is your favourite genre of music? Indie Pop/Indie Rock

Who are your favourite bands? Foals, The Vaccines, Kings of Leon.

What are your favourite films? Nowhere Boy, This is England, 500 Days of Summer, School of Rock.

What are your favourite TV Programmes? Misfits, Made in Chelsea, New Girl.

In this video I interviewed my friend who is a representative of my target audience for my magazine. I asked the three questions: why would you buy this magazine? what appeals to you most in this magazine? and would you buy this magazine frequently and why? I edited this movie on movie maker.

Overall the magazine is appealing to the target audience because of the latest fashions, the new artists, the freebies, the information about the bands related to the magazine genre and the attractive colours drawing in the audience. I asked many females of the age 17 about my magazine and they all said they would be attracted to the magazine if it was placed on the shelf. They also said that this is their favourite type of genre and enjoy music and fashion like this, especially as they are all interested in going to festivals like Leeds. I also know that my product best suits an audience of females aged between 16-25 because this is the age range of people who go to festivals (mainly).

Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Q Magazine is similar to my magazine based on the fact it is a music magazine released monthly and contains music from a pop/indie rock/indie pop genre.
Q, the UK’s biggest selling music monthly magazine, sits at the heart of a cross-platform brand that celebrates the biggest stars in rock and roll and brings you the most exciting new artists.
It is published by Bauer Media Group 
Bauer Media is a division of the Bauer Media Group, Europe’s largest privately owned publishing Group. The Group is a worldwide media empire offering over 300 magazines in 15 countries, as well as online, TV and radio stations. Bauer Media's publishes many music related brands such as Kerrang, MOJO and Q and many local radio such as Q and KISS. Among the brands also are men and women lifestyle magazines such as FHM, Heat and Closer. They offer a wide audience base including magazine which will be suited to both men and women although they do predominately focus their magazines on men.They also have a range of ages covered as gardening, golf and transport will be mainly based on a older audience whereas lifestyle, football and national broadcast categories will be mainly for a younger audience.



This is the list of categorised brands they publish


Because my magazine's target audience is people aged around 16-25 I will use a publisher that has an online community and advertising platform. This is because the internet is a vital part in young peoples lives especially and will be a platform that will reach many of the target audience easily and nearly everyday. iPhone apps will be very useful as audiences can download the app for the magazine and receive updates regularly if they choose.

Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The first photograph is taken from my double page spread and the second photograph is taken from Vogue magazine. In both photographs the models hair blends into the background colour this allows most of the emphasis to be on the make-up and the facial expression. I have edited my image in black and white whereas the Vogue picture is in colour. Both models have an eye line match which engages the reader. In the second image her body is facing to the side with her hair turned directly facing the camera. In my photo the photo is taken front on. She is using her hand to prop underneath her face in the second photograph, whereas in the first no other body parts are featured. Both images have a ‘chocolate box’ type pose as both have strong emphasis on ‘flawless beauty.’ The eyes on both models are a key aspect to both pictures as they are both darkened with makeup, big and emphasised. This makes it a beauty shot and is very attention-grabbing to the reader. The lighting on both images is probably high key lighting and the brightness add to the ‘flawless’ look of the image. In the second image her facial expression is rather soft and neutral with a relaxed and content tone. In my image the facial expression is similar but is happier as her lips are slightly parted. Both models are wearing simple clothes consisting of only one or two colours this again keeps the attention on the makeup and the facial expressions.

The models in both photographs are the same age and same race. The social group they represent are young, white working to middle class girls. This is shown through the well-presented, neat and attractive image. In both images the two girls are the only people in the picture therefore this presents them as independent and is empowering to young girls. The target audience readers (female) will aspire to these models as they are very attractive and perceive to have a perfect, faultless face.

 

Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

PREZI

http://prezi.com/s3n_jimhcr9y/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

This is my prezi on conventions I followed and challenged.

Evaluation and Time Management

EVALUATION

I will have my evaluation completed by the 26th April.

My Final Magazine

The conventions, the producer and target audience of my text

After receiving my feedback on my essay I realised that Bauer Media would not necessarily be a suitable producer for my text. This is because they would be competing against themselves as they already sell similar magazines to myself. Therefore I will choose Conde Nast, this was my other option prior when completing the institutions task. Conde Nast is a 'lifestyle magazine' and focusses on a certain group of people usually of a higher working class and above. They also do not sell a magazine like mine, this will bring in a new readership and this will benefit both me and Conde Nast.

Double Page Spread first draft and feedback

I made these changes my teacher pointed out on my final double page spread. I also added a couple more questions and answers and a catchy article title. This can be seen on my final double page spread.

Photoshop tools and impact

I created all three texts on Photoshop, this allowed me to edit, crop, cut, colour and type. This is one of the most versatile software to use when creating a magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread.

Front Cover

I used the blur tool to smooth out any imperfections my model may have. This gives a 'flawless' finish and is a tool that all magazines use on their cover models. This is similar to air brushing and gives my model a perfect skin and look which is attractive to the audience and reader buying the magazine.

I also used this tool to smooth the edges of my cutting out to improve the quality and the professional look of my magazine.

Contents Page

I used 2 coloured shapes on my page and placed them on top of the two images. These are important pages within my magazine so I have made them stand out to the reader by giving them colour and placing them with an image. This is a convention that many magazines use and I have decided to follow this convention to create impact and to make sure the reader does not skip these pages.

Double Page Spread

I used the alignment tool to ensure my text was well aligned. This makes it easier for the reader to read and also makes the spread look more professional. 

I used the blur tool again to create a 'flawless' finish to the model's skin. I also used this to smooth and soften the edges of my cutting out.

I edited this image to black and white. This is a contrast to the other images in the magazine.

Flat Plan #3 - Double Page Spread and Rationale Questions

Rationale Questions

Colour Usage: I will have my main image of my new upcoming artist, that has featured on my front cover and contents page, edited in black and white. This will be a nice contrast between the other images I have used in my magazine and will make the double page spread article stand out. I will use a colour scheme of black, white and pink which is similar to my front cover and contents page. Again this adds to the professional and consistent look of my magazine.

Image Usage: I will only use one image and this will be my main image. It will be of my artist in a close up shot, with eye contact. This image will be in black and white.

Text Usage: My article will be set out in an interview style with the reporter’s questions and the artist’s answers. The pull quote will be a quote from the artist featured in the article as one of the answers. I will have an article title and a strap line which will be eye catching and thought-provoking in order for the reader to stop and read the article.

Layout and Font: I will use a standard font for the article text itself and this will be in a very small size. For the article title and strap line I will use a retro font, one used on the contents page or the front cover. For the pull quote I will use a handwriting style font as this will add to the realism that these are her direct words. The layout will be the first half of the page is an image and the second half of the page is the article. The drop cap will indicate to the reader where to start reading. This will be in a larger, bolder and fancier style font to the article. I will have the pull quote layered on top of the main image. I will have three columns and the article title and strap line will be above these columns. The reporter’s questions will be in bold to separate from the artist’s answers to avoid confusion.

Flat Plan #2 - Contents Page and Rationale Questions

Rationale Questions

Colour Usage: I will use a colour scheme of three main colours: black, red and green. The red will be used for the page numbers, this is because it will stand out the most over the two other colours and this is important as the page number is vital. The page numbers and the title of the page it directs to should be in different colours in order for the presentation to be clear and easy to read. The colours are the same as the front cover and this consistency will help set a steady and professional tone to the magazine.

Image Usage: I will use a couple of small and medium size images on my contents page. I will have pictures of artists that will be featured in my magazine on various pages. I will use two or three images so that the page is still text led, as this is what contents pages usually are. I will use the same model on my front cover on my contents page, but she will be wearing something similar but different and I will also use a photograph I took at Ed Sheeran’s recent gig. I may also use an image to accompany the ‘Subscribe’ section which would be small images of past issues of my magazine.

Text Usage: I will have my page numbers set in category order split into fashion and music but there will be more music pages. Beside each page number will be the title of that page. I will have page number anchorage layered on top of each image I use. I will include necessary information like the date, website and telephone number. I will also include information on how to subscribe to the magazine. This will also gain loyal, regular customers which increases sales.

Layout and Font: I will use some fonts that have appeared on my front cover but I may also use some new ones. I will only use a variety of three or four fonts to keep the magazine looking professional and consistent. I will keep my font fairly small but increase the page number’s font size in order for it to stand out. I will have the layout easy, navigable and clear to read by not overcrowding the text and images and having different colour fonts to distinguish between information.

Flat Plan #1 - Front Cover and Rationale Questions

Rationale Questions

Colour Usage: I will use a three or four shade colour scheme, the colours will compliment each other in order for the reader to be attracted to the front cover. I will use a mixture of uni-sex colours in order for the magazine to appeal to both male and females but predominately female colours in this instance to match my double page spread story which is about a girl. The colours I will use are black, green, pink and white. This is because the black and the white are appealing to both sexes while the pink will be more attractive for girls. The colours of the text will match different elements on my main image. Colours will contrast when talking about a different topic or to make the presentation more clear for the reader. For example, I will make my main sell line a shade of pink but my sell lines will be a shade of black.

Image Usage: I will use only one main image to focus the audience solely on this. It will be one female model taken in a medium shot. The makeup is dark, black eyes and pink lipstick. These connotations also match the colour scheme. It will be taken in a studio setting with a plain white backdrop. The image will not be edited in black and white so the colours are very important in making my magazine stand out.

Text Usage: I will use the text to capture the reader’s attention when the magazine is placed on the shelf. I will use buzz words like ‘FREE’ and punctuation ‘!’ to grab attention immediately. The text will let the reader know what magazine it is and what articles will be featured inside. These need to be exaggerated in order for the reader to pick up the magazine and buy it. My sell lines will show what can be found inside and I will use a pull quote from my main image to introduce my double page spread. I will not add too much text as I do not want this to detract away from my main image.

Layout and Font: I will use fonts that are in a retro style to match my magazine genre and to make my magazine look unique and interesting. I will use a variety of fonts on my front cover to separate my information and to make the cover look exciting. I will layer my sell lines and pull quote over the main image but I will make my font a suitable size to avoid overcrowding.

Institutions

My magazine could be published under two of these institutions: Bauer Media or Conde Nast. Bauer Media publishes many music magazines all around the world and the magazines they publish are similar in genre and style to my magazine. On the other hand Conde Nast is a 'lifestyle magazine' and focusses on a certain group of people usually of a higher working class and above. I could choose this publisher if my magazine was based on a more classier approach but this would shorten the target readership. Q magazine is published under Bauer Media and my magazine is that of a similar style so therefore I will publish under this Institution and this will also widen my target audience.

Time Management

I will have my final magazine completed for the 30th March.

Proposal Table

Type of Magazine (fashion, music, etc)	Music magazine with fashion elements. Indie pop/Indie rock genre.
Name of Magazine	“Soul”
Audience (male/female)	Male and female but predominantly female. Aged between 16 and 25.
Audience (attitudes and interests)	The audience is mainly for people with a love for music and fashion mostly based around an indie pop/rock genre, festival lovers and people with a free spirited and lively attitude.
Outlet (where it can be bought from?)	Newsagents and supermarkets. These are both easily accessible and receive many customers on a daily basis. You can also buy the issue online by updating the app, you can download, each month. The target audience is teenagers and young adults therefore the internet and smart phones are an essential part of their everyday lives.
Necessary Information	The necessary information will be on the front of the magazine. This will include; barcode, issue number, date and price.
Selling Point	My main selling point is the interview of the new singer and it is one of the first interviews she has done therefore the target audience will want to find out everything about her before anyone else.
Theme (article)	The double page spread will be an interview between a new, upcoming singer songwriter and a reporter. There will be questions and answers relating to her personal life and her climb to fame as a singer and songwriter.
Images Front Cover	One main, mid shot image of a female singer with eye contact to the camera. I am only using this one image as this is the main selling point therefore I want it to be the main focus.
Images Inside	A few more shots of the female singer (model) and a shot of Ed Sheeran which I took at his gig.

Potential Problem Table

Potential area where there might be a problem	How I will deal with this problem
Front cover images When reshaping the front cover image quality may become poorer and pixelated. Lighting of the image may be in the wrong contrast or brightness therefore portraying the wrong message of the magazine. Or it could not attract the reader’s eye when the magazine is placed on the shelf.	I will make sure that I use a high quality image and that the size does not have to be increased by much in order to prevent pixilation. On Photoshop I will make the lighting as realistic and perfect as possible to make the image attractive and eye catching to the reader.
Article Inside Magazine Text may be too small for the reader to read comfortably. Text may be too dominant compared with the image; this often is off putting to the reader.	I will set my font to an appropriate size, similar to the deconstructions I have been looking at. I will have half my double page spread as an article and the other half as an image.
Images to accompany article Images may be too large and take up too much room on the double page spread therefore not allowing enough space for text. The lighting and contrast of the image may be too bright or too dark therefore making it a distraction when reading the article.	I will have half of the spread text and half of the spread image. This therefore will give an equal balance making the double page spread attractive. I will probably have my main image in black and white to give a nice colour scheme to my article. The lighting and contrast will be in proportion to avoid any distractions.