CONTENTS

Foundation Portfolio Brief
Magazine Key Features
Inspirational Text (Mood Board)
Music Magazine Front Cover Deconstruction
Music Magazine Double Page Spread Deconstruction
Photoshop Testing
Preliminary Task Flat Plans
Preliminary Cover and Contents

Coursework Stage 1 Planning
Institutional Research
Contents Research
Analyzing Previous Students Work
Flat Plan for Music Magazine
SurveyMonkey Results
Photo-Shoot Planning

Coursework Stage 2 Planning
Conventions Essay

• Contents Page Progress
• Cover Page Progress
• Double Page Spread Progress

• Final Front Cover
• Final Contents Page
• Final Double Page Spread

• Evaluation Question 1
• Evaluation Question 2
• Evaluation Question 3
• Evaluation Question 4
• Evaluation Question 5
• Evaluation Question 6
• Evaluation Question 7

EVALUATION QUESTION 7

EVALUATION QUESTION 6

I made this image in Photoshop, with each logo representing the equipment I have used both digitally/on computers and physically. The equipment I used includes Slideshare, Canon cameras, Blogger, Photoshop, Apple computers and Prezi. Some other forms I used that aren't shown are printers, youtube, the snipping tool, paint, bighugelabs, dafont and powerpoint. I feel that my magazine has been influced by the technologies I have used as I was able to edit my magazine on photohshop, research my audience on google and SurveyMonkey, post all of my work and keep track of it on Blogger while also linking my work from other websites via hyperlink. I have used a good portion of these before so I already knew how to work them roughly, however with cases such as Photoshop, I have learnt a lot more than I originally knew so it has been a learning experience.


Slideshare
Slideshare allows me to put powerpoints online and then onto my blog- this has been helpful as some of my work has been powerpoints and so it stops me from having to print screen and paste slides onto my blog.

Canon CamerasThe canon camera has allowed me to take professional photos, making me able to control the light, aperture, ISO, white balance, etc. This made my photos much better than using a standard camera and so makes my magazine look more professional.

Blogger
Blogger is a website where you create a blog and post updates about what you want. This has been useful to me as I have been able to keep a record of my progress on my magazine, research, etc.

Photoshop
Photoshop is an editing software where you can edit photos to make them look drastically different or just touch them up. I used this to actually make my magazines (using layers)
 and improve my photos.

Apple ComputersCreated by Apple, these computers have Photoshop programmed into them as well as other software. I used these to be able to access the resources I needed.

PreziPrezi designs and creates presentations, making them almost look like powerpoints. I used Prezi as I feel it flows better than powerpoints, making it seem more professional and well laid out/

EVALUATION QUESTION 5

EVALUATION QUESTION 4

EVALUATION QUESTION 3

 

EVALUATION QUESTION 2

 

My main photo is very similar to one of David Bailey's cover photos of Vogue. The postures of the women is different due to be posed differently, but their arms are very visible and being used. Their facial expressions are also similar as their expressions show a almost relaxed face, almost at calm, however my model, Rachael, is looking down. However, they are wearing drastically different clothing, with Rachael wearing a vest top with studs on and wrist bands while the model is wearing a shirt and presumably a skirt, which I chose not to have Rachael wear this as I wanted more modern clothing and realistic for the age group my magazine is aimed at.
The background setting is  alsovery similar as they are taken in a studio setting against a black back-drop. However, the lighting used in the photos is different due to mine being darker and smoother whereas the model's is bright with harsh contrasting shadows. despite having a similar hairstyle, it is shown different as very little wind was used on Rachael compared to the model as I didn't want any sort of motion blur to be possible. Overall I think that these elements of my photo represents a modern, socially normal social group as they represent maturity without sexuality, dressing in normal clothes while having the class of a model.

EVALUATION QUESTION 1

 

Final Double-Page Spread

This is my final double-page spread.

Final Contents Page

This is my final contents page.

Final Front Cover

This is my final front cover for my music magazine.

Double-Page Spread Progress

 

I started by simply adding the main image of my model onto the right-side of the page, which sort of defies some conventions as a double-page spread often has an image spreading across both pages. I also added texture to the background so it wasn't plain white.

I then added two text boxes- one with the introduction and one that is the first part of the article. I made the introduction larger due to the fact that it should stand out more to catch the reader's eye.

I then added another text box for the rest of the article, keeping it the same ize as the first half's text size. I added a large L to symbolize the story of the article (Leane), added a drop shadow to keep it interesting but also added a red outline so it became distinct and stayed with the house-style.

I added a box at the bottom and gave it the same texture as the background so they seemed the same layer. I added a small text at the bottom of the article to say who wrote it, and text onto the picture as a pullquote in red to capture attention while maintaining the house-style. Finally I added a email at the bottom, page numbers in a box (so they stood out) and two S's so symbolise the magazine- I gave the S's a red glow to follow the house-style.

Cover Progress

I started off with uploading the photo of my model, already in black and white, and simply put text over her on a new layer. I added a Texture and drop shadow to the text so it stood out.

I duplicated the layer of the model, erased a certain area above her head/hands on one layer and placed that layer on top of the rest. This caused the title to be placed behind her head and arm, which follows conventions of standard music magazines.

I then added multiple texts in the font I downloaded, keeping the house stule with black and red. I gave the black fonts a red otuline so they were clear to read. I placed two circles behind one of the texts so it was clear that it was a main story- one of the circles was red and placed slightly off-centre to the other so it appeared 3d almost.

I then added multiple texts for the price, date, issue number and website. I placed all of these up the top so they were clear but out of the way. I added two other texts- one with the person's name and the other with the tag line which was slightly larger. I added a black drop-shadows to the red font so it stood out and was easier to read. Finally, I added a barcode to the top left corner which defies conventions of it being in the bottom right corner as there was no room and it would fill space without being drastically eye-catching.

Contents Progress

I added a red border to follow the house style of my magazine so it was familiar to the audience. I added the S to follow the conventions used on my double page spread as it is used there to represent the logo- this again will bring a sense of familiarity to the reader.

I added the photos of the models to follow generic conventions of magazines to show an example/preview of what is inside the magazine, while it also represents the most important articles featured on the front cover and contents index. I tilted some so they didn't feel straight forward and copied & pasted.

I added multiple boxes behind the images on the bottom to make them stand out against the background, which would give them a sense of personalisation as they look almost like polaroid photos. I then added red boxes to indicate where the headlines for the articles will start and end, again making them follow conventions of the house style by making them red.-

I used the same font as the front cover on this page to follow the house style, making the main body of text black to stand out against the texturised background. I had the page numbers included on the left so they are the first thing the reader sees, while also having the headlines larger to grab attention, I also made the title white to contrast with the red header and black S. Similarly, I added numbers to the photos to indicate which page the articles are on (making it easier to navigate), also making them red to stand out.

Conventions Essay

The conventions, the producer and target audience of my text:

Following conventions, I plan to keep my main image across the entirety of the double-page spread (making it more obvious that this is a double-page spread and the main article), with the cover image being a close-up of the artist featuring in the double-page spread, as in real life it would be able to draw a set audience in, usually those who are fans of and follow that singer. The sub-images, like in the contents, will be in little boxes spread around to show that they are not the main focus of the magazine and article. The cover-line on the double-page spread will be the largest and most eye-catching, as it will grab the attention of the reader, with the pull-quote and strap-lines being in a smaller font as their attention is now caught and it will now attempt to make them interested in the article. My masthead will be large but go slightly behind the singer’s head as it is a recognisable title and clear that this is what the magazine called. The house-style will be red, black and white as they are all bold and stand out against each other without making too much of a statement. Some pictures, such as the sub-images, will be in black and white to make them seem more personal and private, however the main images won’t be and will at most be toned down except for one colour (the red). This will appeal to them as it will seem sophisticated and moody, but will still seem youthful.
 
I believe EMAP would produce and distribute the magazine as they have shown an interest in many magazine genres, including Retail, Health, Construction, Architecture, and Fashion, so it’s only logical for them to start distributing music magazines. Because it’s aimed at a popular target audience (teens and young adults), it would be sure to bring in a profit and will fit in the market perfectly, especially their own. I’m sure of this as they have magazines focused mainly on females (such as fashion) and magazines focus mainly on males (such as gaming), and with both of them coming together to buy this magazine it will surely become a success. The fact that the magazine is also varied with the music is includes will appeal to a larger audience as nearly everyone’s taste will be met in some shape or form, whether that be articles, posters or gifts.

The magazine will be aimed towards both genders, publishing what is usually considered more male and more female artists, but there is a chance it may appeal more to female readers due to the fact that they on whole purchase magazines more often than males. Aiming for a teenage-to-young adult audience, it will appear as sophisticated while remaining up to date with the music industry in many differing genres, but mainly ‘pop’/what is popular a the time. In terms of their general social/entertainment habits, it is likely they will socialise with their friends and peers often, going to the cinema and partying with them. The more male side of the audience will likely be interested in video games and what is currently the new releases with them, whereas the female side of the audience will enjoy shopping, whether that be for clothes, books, dvds, accessories, etc. Celebrities they look up to/admire will be those who are often reported on, such as Jennifer Lawrence, Emma stone, Ian Somerhalder and Jake Gyllenhaal. Likewise, they will enjoy television shows which are popular including ones such as the Voice, Vampire Diaries, Big Brother and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Again, their music will be what is popular at the time and maybe some slightly older artists, as they will still enjoy what once was popular.

Companies who I believe would be interested in selling/showing my magazine would include Bauer Media and IPC Media. I am lead to believe this as I know that they have published music magazines in the past such as Q, Kerrang, NME and Mojo, so I believe my music magazine would fit in well with them. I feel that outlets such as Tesco, HMV, WHSmith and Asda would be interested in selling my magazine as it will compliment their other music magazines well, adding another hopefully well-selling magazine to their credit. Online, the stores named before would also sell these on their websites (those who have them), but digital copies would be sold from the magazine’s own website and also the production company who would produce is, such as Beauer and IPC.

Coursework Stage 2 Planning

Proposal Form

Describe your idea for the brief:   I am making a 'pop' magazine that focuses on whatever music is popular at the time- I'll be making a front page, contents and double page spread. I'll mainly aim for 14-21 year olds, but at both genders. I will follow the conventions usually found within a magazine.

Genre/ sub genre: list similar texts which have inspired your thoughts   The genre of the magazine will be a mixtre of pop, rock, alternative, country, etc, depending on what would currently be popular- I'm using Q and Kerrang!'s contents layout as inspiration, while also using Q as inspiration for my doublepage spread.

Target audience: gender/ age/ characteristics/ behaviour   The target audience for my magazine is teenagers to young adults (they are more likely to buy magazines, especially about music), but isn't extremely specific due to the 'pop' genre being so wide and varied. Due to this, the colouring will be both bright and dark purely depending on the article and the genre it covers.

Major conventions:   On my front cover, I plan to use a Masthead, a single main image, essential information (website, issue number, month, price) and a barcode. I will use these as they are on nearly every front cover and is a coming convention to follow. My double page spread will have one image on one side, following the example of the Q magazine to seem very modern, and it will stand out against the page beside it to grab attention. Pull-quotes will be used to get the attention of the reader and a strap-line to give more information.

Conventions: I came to the conclusion to follow most of the conventions to make it reader-friendly as they will be use to it. However, I will try and keep it simple as it will appear modern.

Original images: My models for my images will be friends and acquantaences as they will be easy to have access to. I will use studio lighting to catch the lighting I want and get the overall feel/vibe for my image.

Potential difficulties/ Plan B: Problems that may occour during the construction of my magazine may include those with computers, such as photoshop not working correctly or files going missing. A way to overcome this is saving after every major edit and backing it up on both  amemory stick and memory card. Problems may also occour when taking photos- the studo may be booked and it may be hard to arrange a time with friends to take photos- a way to overcome this is making sure I have other places to take photos and having other models in case one cancels.

Photo-Shoot Planning

What emotional impact do you want your photography to have upon the reader and how will you achieve this?
Depending on the article, it might be quite dark and moody- I’ll be able to do this by focusing the light on only one side of the subject’s face and therefore casting the other half in shadow.

What personnel do you need? Who are you going to photograph?
I will be using a professional camera, a black back-drop and multiple light resources with light reflectors

What props will you need?
None are required; however I may end up including a microphone

How are you going to emphasise colour?
I will have the subjects dress in the colours that reflect the magazine and make sure that they are clear in the light

Have you briefed your personnel/models?
I have asked each model/briefed them in advance

What lighting will you need? Any other equipment?
Artificial that includes a soft box and a light reflector, also using a tripod

Where will you shoot? Will you need a backdrop?
I will shot in the photography studio within Gateshead College where I will use a black backdrop

Mise-en-scene - Make-up? Costumes? Props?
Their costumes will reflect the music they make, with each model wearing different clothes as the magazine is focused on different music genres (whatever is popular at the time). The females will wear make-up that also reflects them- the dance/pop genre will have heavy make-up while some will be more natural. The males won’t wear make-up, however if needed they will be touched up on Photoshop

Double Page Spread Analaysis

Clicking the below images will send you to Flickr where I have made notes on different aspects of Double Page Spreads

SurveyMonkey Results

These are the results to my survey where I asked people what they look for in a magazine, whether that be price range, gifts, what articles are in, etc.
Due to my results, I have decided to follow the general conventions of a magazine as that is what my audience seem to be most use to (articles on gossip, news, posters, a reasonably low price range and a set colour scheme).