Flat Plan DPS

And finally we have a screenshot of the Double Page Spread.

Colour Usage: I will have very neutral coloured text because I don't want there to be too much colour on the text as I feel it will be hard for the audience to read and they may become too distracted by it. So like I said I will be using a neutral like black, to make it more readable. The masthead however will more than likely be in a bright colour. I would like to make it match the colour of the season, for example if the magazine were to be realeased around christmas time then I would probably use a colour like berry, to accentuate the season. 

Text Usage: The left page will contain a lot of information on the specific subject that I have chosen. Unfortunately as I am still unsure on what this pages main focus will be I am unable to mention anymore.

Image Usage: The image will have been professionally shot so it will be of good quality. And it will be placed on the right page and will take up a lot of space as I believe that the image really pulls fashion magazines together and isn't necessarily about the text, in my opinion it is all about the image, model and what they are wearing and how they have been styled. 

Layout and Font: The masthead will be at the top of the left page and will include, possibly, a quote taken from a model or designer. Most of the text will be on the first page and the image will be not he second. I also want to include a footer of some key information that the audience may find useful. And I am still undecided on what font I want to use. 

Flat plan Contents

Here is a screenshot of how I would like my contents page to be set out. 

Colour Usage: I would like to use the same kind of colours I have on my cover page because I want and like it when magazines have a continued colour theme, it gives it a sense of structure and really ties the magazine together in my opinion. I think that by using colours like black and white just add a bit of simplicity to the magazine, I will mainly be using these colours for the date and page numbers, however I would like to use a bold and bright colour on the title, subheading and footer, to really ensure that they stand out and that the TA notice them more than the other pieces of information that are really more irrelevant. 

Text Usage: There will be a lot more information on this page than there is on the cover page because this is when the audience really get to know what the magazine is fully about and what kinds of things it will contain. Like i said previously for the date and page numbers I would like to have them monochrome, but they will also be bold, as TA have to be able to see them to help direct them to page they wish to go to. 

Image Usage: There will be three small images on the right hand side of the page. I haven't yet decided what I wish for these images to be of but I do know that they will, obviously, be fashion related. The first image may be of the front cover model and the second/ third could be of a specific piece of clothing or makeup etc. etc.

Layout and Font: You can quiet clearly see from the screenshot above how I would like to set my contents page out. The title, which will be at the top of the page, it will be just like the front cover and include the title of the magazine, which I have not yet decided on. And there will be numerous different subheadings along the left hand side of the page, the images will sit opposite them. And finally I will include my footer along the bottom, I hope that this will be useful to my TA as I hope to include information about subscriptions and good deals on there. The font will be simple and something that the audience will be easily be able to understand. 

Flat Plan Front Cover

Here is a screenshot of my flat plan, of my front cover. 

Colour Usage: For my front cover the colours I would like to use are very neutral, or monochrome, with one bold colour, to help pull everything together. I have decided that I will use these kind of colours because they are obviously subtle but stand out and will make my magazine look rather professional. I want the main focus though of the magazines front cover to be on the image/ model. As my product is aimed at those who like fashion, just by looking at the model and what they are wearing will help sell the magazine.

Text Usage: I would like to include a fair amount of information on the front cover, however I would don't want to give too much away, I will add more into the contents page, so people really fully understand what the magazine will contain. There will be four sub headings which will be placed slightly over the top of the image, not tot take over. There will be a footer at the bottom of the page with some form of a sell line inside. And the initial sell line will be underneath the masthead which is situated at the top of the page.

Image Usage: I have decided that I will use a female as my model, basically because i did a survey and asked if they would prefer a male or female model on the front cover and most people said Female. I will dress the model in what I think will be suitable. I want her to be very modern and to really stand out to the target audience, I want the image to really grab their attention and for it to really help sell it. The models makeup will be very much alike the clothing- modern. I want it to similar to international magazine models that pose for the likes of Vouge and Elle. They must look as though they have just walked off of a catwalk. And finally the hair. It should be interesting and really attract people to buy the magazine.

Layout and Font: If you look at the screenshot above you will be able to get a clear and ill image of how I would like things to be presented. As you can see the Masthead will be at the top of the page. I want the image to in the centre because when I, personally, am browsing at fashion magazines the first thing that I notice is the image and the model. Also after discussing this with my peers they have notified me that this is what they first look for or at on a magazines front cover. The barcode and date will be traditionally at the bottom right hand corner of the front cover. The sell line will be at the top underneath the masthead and the footer will be placed at the bottom.

My Own Institution

Here you can see that I created my magazines own institution, as you can see it is called "Chase Corporation". There is no particular meaning behind this name. I chose to use alliteration in my logo because I thought that it sounded catchy and had a ring to it. The colours I decide on were black and a really light blue background. I think that these colours really work well together and are really subtle yet seem to stand out against one another. I believe my logo looks very professional and would catch the TA's eyes.

Deconstruction of a Contents Page

This is a contents page from Marie Claire. There is a basic colour scheme, black, white and red. These colours work very well together, however I wouldn't necessarily aim towards them, I would choose more neutral colours, such as black, white and grey and then I would integrate a brighter colour such as pinks or blues etc. The model is wearing clothing that matches the colour scheme, the black skirt and and blue and cream shirt. 

The layout is simple but effective, it is easy for the audience to follow and contains a lot of information in order for the TA to fully understand what the magazine will contain. The red texts to me connotes passion and power. The white background just helps the red text and black text stand out. 

Deconstruction of a Contents Page

Here is a contents page from Glamour magazine. This for me is too simple. The image is at the right had side of the page, with the masthead and date placed above. The left hand side contains information about what will be inside the magazine. Three main colours have been selected; orange, red and a lighter orange. These colours don't really reflect on the date at all. The magazine was released in February and the colours used would mainly been seen in summer time. However the model seems to match the colour scheme very well as she is wearing a red top with orangey accessories. 

Like I said previously I think that this is too plain and simple for a contents page and won't be incorporating any of it in my magazine. 

Deconstruction of a Front Cover

This cover page is taken from Vogue magazine. I like the colour scheme that has been used on this cover. The pink and grey really work well together. Pink connotes feminism and innocents. The grey connotes calm and is a neutral colour, which makes the pink really pop. The mast head is the colour black. I don't think that there is any particular reason behind this, it has just been used to make the title stand out. And finally there is the white text 'Summer Essential', this text is in white to make it stand out from the rest of the sell lines, which makes you believe that the main article will be focused around the summer.

The editor been very clever with the layout. I personally would like the set my magazine out like this. The mast head has been placed at the top of the page, with the sell lines below, this allows the audience to really focus on the model. The barcode is in the bottom right hand corner. 

The main image really appeals to me and I personally really like the clothing that the model is wearing, the stylist has incorporated modern style with a classic twist. The clothing obviously matches the colour scheme and really pulls the cover page together.

Feedback from my Pitch Presentation

During class time we were asked to create a powerpoint presentation all about my product. The powerpoint had to last around about 6 minutes and contain 5-6 slides which were; your brief, target audience, institutions, initial idea, summer work and inspirational texts. They had to write two positive comments and one negative one. I received fairly positive feedback, however the majority did mention that  I should have included a little bit more information. 

If you click on this link you will be able to view my pitch presentation which I presented to the rest of my class: 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/10lkLId1kJKxQNb2TtRnNOQMTxuYcrBC1q1drmlfRmuI/pub?start=true&loop=false&delayms=3000

Deconstruction of a Double Page Spread

This double page spread is from Grazia magazine. The title 'It's Trainer Mania' gives a clear understanding of what the article is about. Also the images give it away. The main image is of a woman surrounded by trainers. This article is obviously about her. And her trainer collection. The title, which is in a simple font, is the biggest text on the page which really makes it stand out and emphasises article.

The little use of colour really makes the images pop and we are really able to focus on the trainers but also the text stands out because it isn't highlighted by any specific colour it literally is just black and white. 

Deconstruction of a Double Page Spread

I really like the layout out of this double page spread. I like how it is mainly contains a collage of different images. It really highlights the fact that the magazines genre is fashion. Although it doesn't necessarily seem like it, it is however a very simple layout which is one of the main reasons as to why I like it. The important information has been placed in two white boxes, to ensure that it stands out against the collage.

 

The text is literally only black and white which again adds to the simplicity of it all. This has been done as there is a lot of colour going on in the different images, so to add colour to the text could make it all seem a little bit too much.

 

 



Deconstruction of a Front Cover

Here we have a cover page from i-D magazine. Personally I really like this as its so modern but yet has a twist to it. For example the models hair is cut into a 50's style fringe. Whilst on the topic of the model it brings me to talk about why using a well-known model on magazine covers is such an important thing. If you didn't know already this model is Jourdan Dunn. The reason that this model has been used is basically to sell the magazine. Fans of Jourdan will obviously want to buy the magazine, as it not only has images but also includes an interview with her.

The mid-shot image is the first thing we initially see. The barcode has been placed at the top right hand corner and the mast-head is on the left hand side. This makes you instantly only see the image. And the sell line is a quote, obviously taken from the inside interview. There are no other sell lines which makes you believe that the whole magazine will only focus on her.

And finally the colour scheme. I really like how there is only one colour used. Yellow. This stands out and connotes happiness which makes you think that this article will be very positive.

Deconstruction of a Front Cover

 

Here is front cover taken from ETC magazine, this magazine is only sold in the North East of England, therefore making it a regional magazine. I am deconstructing this magazine because I believe that it will be very helpful as my magazine will be regional.

 

First thing that I notice is the model- Cheryl Cole. Having her on the cover will help pull in the target audience and make people want to purchase a copy. Not only that but for the fact that she is from up North herself and I know that she has many fans up here which will also help attract an audience, as they will want to support her.

 

The colour scheme of the magazine works well with the model I think. The pink signifies youth and is playful. The background has tinges of pink and this matches the text. By highlighting 'Cheryl Cole' in a dark pink ensures that the words stand out to the audience and obviously people will instantly recognise the name.

Although I have mentioned above that the colour scheme works well with the model, I don't think that I would like to use these colours, I detest this shade of pink and I think that it makes the magazine look more un-professional rather than professional. So I will not be including a colour scheme like this on my magazine. I don't really think that there is anything that I would include from this magazine onto my own, as it really isn't my style.

Deconstruction of a Billboard

I have chosen to deconstruct this billboard. It is a advertisement of Calvin Klein (swimwear). I have chosen to deconstruct this particular advertisement because when its time for me to create my own billboard i would like to create something like this one. I like how the genre of it is fashion. 

I like the simplicity of it. How the image is on the right hand side and the writing is on the left. The white background connotes freshness and purity, which I believe actually contrasts with the image as the both the male and female models are stripped down the their underwear which doesn't particularly hint freshness or purity. I also like the way in which the models have been positioned; the black swimwear against the white bedding, this makes it stand out and its much more eye-catching. 

The font and color of the text is very plain, but somehow still manages to stand out, I think this is because there is nothing that really distracts the audience from looking at the text apart from the image and also because Calvin Klein is a well known brand and is recognized all over the world.

Deconstruction of a Front Cover

Here is a front cover from vogue. What I like most about this cover is the simplicity of it all. The model really stands out because it literally is all about the model. I love the colour scheme of this front cover. The pink really screams femininity and you know just by looking at this cover who this magazine is aimed at; women. Aged between 16-30. The white coloured font really works wall against the pink background and makes it seem even more 'girly'. I also like the fact that a well known model, Kate Moss, has been used on the front cover as she is well know within the fashion industry and will obviously help sell the magazine as she really is instantly recognizable. 

The word 'Dazzling' has been printed out at the bottom of the page and really stands out. It is in a bigger sized font compared to the rest of the cover for a reason, because the audience reading it will notice those words first (aside from the actual name of the magazine). Dazzling I think has been used purposely as it does in fact match with the models choice of 'dazzling' choice of clothing. Her outfit is really striking and emphasises that this magazine is mainly all about fashion, clothing and what is on trend. Having Kate Moss on the front cover not only helps sell the actual magazine it does of course sell the clothing.

The lighting in the image is very light and the models face is highlighted alongside the clothing. I noticed that she is very covered up and the only part of her body on show is her face. This shows that the magazine is very chic and that they want us to focus on the outfit and sell lines.

After carefully analysing this front cover I have decided what I would like to take from this cover and how I would like to include it into my own product. As I am doing a regional magazine and would be on a budget I wouldn't use a celebrity, however I would like to imitate the way in which the model has been told to pose and I really like what Kate is wearing so, if it is possible I would like to use clothing similar to this, or something of similar quality. Also the layout, in my eyes, is very good, easy to follow and understand. So I would like to set it out a bit like this, as in the order of the sell-lines and the fonts that are used are so simple but make the magazine look very classy.



Deconstruction of a Contents Page

This contents page is from Elle magazine. I chose to include this because I actually really like this contents page and would like to use it as a kind of template for when I come to do my own contents page. The first thing that really pops out at me when I look at this is the background. Its a collage made up of images what will presumably be featured inside the magazine, it gives the target audience a small insight into what this magazine is about; fashion. The background is very unique and I haven't really seen any other magazine which has a background quite like this one. The image of the model in the top left hand corner really shouts out high end fashion, with its use of quirky makeup, which is very minimalistic yet bold at the same time.

 

Considering that the background of this page is very busy the key information is very understandable and can be seen very easily. The simple white boxes includes black text and font. The fact that the titles of each page are highlighted in a red colour makes it stand out. Also the colour red connotes passion- a passion for fashion, power- powerful and independent woman will read this as magazines such as Elle and vogue and aren't necessarily cheap.

Deconstruction of a Double Page Spread

Personally I really like this Double Page Spread its extremely simple and focuses on the most important factor; fashion. Although it may not seem as though there is a lot of information included in this, small, article, there is in fact a lot of key information such as name of the designer and we get a small insight on what the clothing will be like and the genre of it. The colour and style of the font is very simple but stands out against the dark image behind. Looking back at the text there is a lot persuasive words used, which will stand out to the audience 'Indulgent, elegant'. These words really help sell the magazine, makes it sound very classy and expensive.

 

I did mention previously that I did like this double page spread and the simplistic aspects however when I create my own magazine I will ensure that I include more information, more of an article.

Description of Target Audience

My magazine will be aimed at 16-30 year olds. I have chosen this age range mainly as I myself and I know others that read magazines of the fashion genre and I believe that it will make it easier for me to create my magazine as I know what kind of things people want to see and what I should include in my magazine.

 

As I have previously stated my magazine genre is fashion. Therefore this means that the target audience who would buy magazine and others like it, will be interested in fashion; clothing, make-up, models etc. Which makes it easier to plan out what I will include in my magazine and what my main focuses will be; fashion.

I know that my younger target audience will want my magazine to include fashion tips e.g. where to buy dupes for high end fashion pieces, where to buy dupes of makeup etc. etc. This is because many of them will be students and will not be able to afford high end fashion. So I have decided that my regional magazine will include fashion advice like this. However I also know that my older audience will be woman who have worked hard to get where they are and will want to treat themselves to higher end pieces so my magazine will offer advice on where to shop for high end brands (also at cheaper prices if necessary).

 

Research into conventions

I have chosen to look at three different fashion magazines to analyse and hopefully to give me an understanding of what makes a good fashion magazine. I like the images of these magazines because it makes the magazine look extremely professional and eye catching to the target audience, for example the Elle magazine, Keira Knightly has been used as the front cover model. Obviously you straight away are aware that this magazine will contain an article on Keira Knightly herself, but more onto the her clothing, pose and makeup. I like how she has been style, a simple black dress, with a plunging neckline, the black emphasises power and mysteriousness and the way in which the model is posing, her hand on her neck and staring deeply into the camera really does show mysteriousness. Her makeup matches the colour scheme perfectly and really helps make her eyes stand out. I also really like the colour scheme that has been used on the Elle magazine cover as it is very simple; grey, black and white (monochrome) and the fact that the model matches this colour, her makeup and clothing, its very modern and sophisticated and will attract the target audience. I would like to incorporate this into my magazine.

The vogue magazine is very different to the Elle front cover because obviously there is a different model on the front and the colour scheme is very different. I believe that the colours used and the way that Emma Watson has been presented really makes the audience believe that Emma is grown up and has left Harry Potter behind, its kind of like a coming of age. The colours to me are very festive however it appears that the magazine was released in July. I would have really liked to have used a celebrity like Emma Watson for my own product, but unfortunately I am only creating a regional magazine and cannot have a real life celebrity appear in my own magazine.

And finally the Bazaar magazine. I really, really like the colour scheme. The red connotes, love and power. The model looks very sultry and is staring into the camera with her mouth slightly open, this will attract both men and woman- woman will want to be her and men will want to be with her. The photographer has been very clever and done this purposely as it will obviously help sell the magazine.

 

 

Review of my AS Coursework

For this task I am going to look back at my AS media coursework and create an overview of it. I will include things in which I did well and things that I will have to improve on throughout A2. 

For the AS media coursework I had to design a music magazine. It had to include a cover page, double page spread and contents page. 

Here is my finished magazine:

This is my final double page spread. Overall looking back at the DPS I can understand why it wasn't marked very highly. I believe that the colour scheme is very bland, for example there is really only one main colour, which is purple and the a
background is very plain- white. And I believe that images don't particularly look very professional. I think that my images really let me down because it wasn't something that I was used to doing; taking photographs of a high standard, but fortunately I have now learnt from mistakes I made and will be able to correct them for my A2 task.

This is the finished contents page. I like the colour scheme of this page because the colours all seem to work well together. I think my images were too miss-matched which let the contents page down a lot, for example all of the images are in colour and there is one that is in black and white which doesn't match at all, which in my eyes makes my magazine look very un-organised and unprofessional. I also could have included more information telling the audience what the magazine would include and finally make the layout more easier to follow.     

And this finally is the finished cover page. After carefully analysing this page I think that it was bad however it certainly wasn't good. I personally believe that the image I chose really let this page down because it doesn't really with the genre which was music. I think the white background is too plain and simple and more colours should have been used to help make it stand out more. I like the layout of the cover page as it is easy to follow and understand.

Inspirational Texts

Like I mentioned in previous posts my magazine genre is fashion, so to help give me some inspiration I decided to look at other magazines. I will be looking mainly at the layout of the magazine and looking at the different images used, this will hopefully help me decide what I should include on my magazine.

I will mainly be looking at magazines such as Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire. I believe that these will help me most because these are magazines that I read at home and I know the target audiences and what they would like the magazine to include. If you look at Elle magazine, the first thing that really stands out to me is the background colour. The colour pink is probably the most feminine colours ever, and I think that this really contrasts with the model as Lily Allen is a well-know notorious singers of the 21st century. I really like the way Lily has been styled its old but with a modern twist, as her is very 1950's. Similarly if you look at the Vogue front cover there is a pink background which is probably more suitable to the model, Lana Del Rey. I really like these pastel colours and would like to incorporate them into my own product. However one magazines colour scheme I am not too fond of is the Marie Claire one from above. Although the colours do work well together, they aren't personally my cup of tea, like I mentioned previously I would prefer to use more pastel toned colours rather than blue. I also don't like what the model is wearing as I believe it makes her look frumpy and doesn't really suit her. I personally would choose something that would really make the magazine stand out from the rest of the text, make it pop.

 

Action Plan

This is my action plan for A2 media coursework; this is here to help ensure that i complete the deadlines:

*September 20th- Research and Planning must be completed

*October 10th- Photography must be complete 

*October half term- Photographs must be taken

*End of October- Photographs must be edited

*December 7th- Magazine work finished

*Christmas Holidays- First ancillary task finished

*Start of January- The second ancillary must be complete

*February half term- The evaluation must be complete