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.