Magazine front cover Recreation

This activity has allowed me to develop my skills in Photoshop in accordance to a front cover design. I also now have experience in creating the different conventions of a front cover including a masthead, page number, dominant image, main sell line and sub sell lines. To create the dominant image I chose a picture from Tumblr and also Used dafont.com, I got a range of typography which I thought was relevant and the closest to the original design. I altered the background using the drop tool feature and then added a gradient to make to fade out into a darker shade of blue. This will help in my own production as gradient backgrounds make the page look a lot more professional and less like a Photoshop background. I have also learnt that the background needs to be pretty simple and straight to the point so that it can contrast well with the dominant image which leads the front cover. This activity will help my own construction process as I can adapt these conventions to my own front cover as I have now already had practice at building one.

Billboard Recreation

This activity has allowed me to develop my skills in Photoshop in accordance to a billboard which I have never attempted to construct before. I have an average idea about the canvas size now and also about different conventions that make a billboard successful. The conventions I have recreated are a masthead, essential information, images and strapline. I have learnt that the background of a billboard needs to be pretty simple and the images need to lead and direct the page. This will help my own construction process as I can adapt these conventions to my own billboard as I have now already had practice at building one. The images I gathered from google however to successfully complete my own brief I will need to use images that I have taken myself for my own magazine. I used Photoshop to edit the strap - line behind the lead characters which was a really useful skill I have learnt which can be adapted to my own production. I also learnt about using grids to align the text in the middle of the billboard which will be useful when trying to align my own text specifically on my contents page.

Location Scout

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tvX2Vz4xp4rIJODLM7Hsrttn3TW9QvwKeW-7c623fTM/edit?usp=sharing

Creating a location scout has helped me to choose 6 locations that will be the most effective at creating a successful magazine. I have learnt how to manage my time well and to prepare things in advance in order to achieve a better outcome. When carrying out my Photoshoot I will save a lot of time without having to find locations and finding places to park. It has also helped me to see what locations will be suitable to shoot images of models in oppose to locations that are suitable to shoot objects and landscapes. Finally this task has helped me figure out what connotations my images will have for my target audience and what they will associate with the images.

Reader Profiles Research

Before creating my own audience profiles, I have researched into how they should look like and what they should include.

Looking at two different companies reader profiles has allowed me to see what i should be doing for my own companies reader profile. For my reader profile, I will include images of what my target audience wears, listens to and does for fun etc. I will also include useful facts about my target audience that I have gathered from my survey.  

Audience Surveys

I have created a survey for my target audience using survey monkey, Doing this task will help me when creating my reader profile and also when it comes to designing my final product I will know what my readers would prefer to read about. I will be adding my results to my blog and be finally deciding what i wish to add on my magazine and website as sub genres. 

Competition

In order to make sure my magazine will be as successful as possible, I will look into the facts and statistics behind leading magazines that are currently on the market. These magazines are also of the regional culture genre which I have decided to base my own magazine on therefore it is important that I establish if they will be of any threat to my product. The magazines I have chosen to look into are The CRACK, Luxe and SPARK. All 3 magazines are extremely popular in the industry and the most well known of the region. By identifying what makes them successful, I will be able to compete in the market by making sure my magazine offers even better features. I will also be looking at the stereotypical features and trying to make my magazine stand out from the rest so that I can advertise it as being  an original, innovative and unique approach to a regional magazine.

The Crack magazine is a free culture and listings magazine. The magazine was started in 1985 and is published monthly in print and online, it covers entertainment and culture for the North East region of England such as comprehensive listings and previews on music, art, film, theatre, dance, comedy, gay-interest concerns and clubs, as well as articles relating to local fashion and local issues. The Crack is available in the foyers of public spaces such as pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops and also in those of cultural venues such as galleries, libraries and cinemas.

Luxe magazine is a cultural magazine launched in 2009 that is based in Houghton - le - spring in the area of Sunderland. It its launch year it was delivered to 1800 peoples homes but has since risen. It costs £5 monthly subscription and is delivered to peoples homes. It covers topics such as food recipes from some of the region’s most celebrated chefs, inside interviews with influential and interesting people from throughout the North East, hottest travel destinations, local events, as well as the latest news and trends from the world of fashion, beauty, interiors and motoring.  

spark magazine is one of the UK’s most successful community media projects, From its centre at the University of Sunderland, its run by volunteers from both the student and local communities. Spark operate a full-time FM community radio station, a monthly Emagazine, and TV Channel online at SparkSunderland.com.

Spark is Sunderland’s local radio station. Based in the Media Centre of the University of Sunderland’s St Peter’s Campus, Spark make use of  the industry standard equipped studios and extensive experience to produce and deliver great radio. It provides a platform for local people to inform the community of news and events which are of interest to our target audience and offer an accessible medium where people can talk to others; from their neighbourhood, about issues which concern them. Having the ability to focus on Sunderland allows them to provide localised programming; local music, events and developing issues.

Generic Conventions of a Magazine Double Page Spread

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TmDFRGW6BorAYJdJss1dLmC7_LBXiARn718ecBoX0_s/edit?usp=sharing
Doing this activity has helped me evaluate which generic conventions I will be including in my magazine in relation to what is normally on a double page spread. I have considered my findings from my magazine deconstructions also to decide that I will include the following on my DPS: a masthead, pull quote, by-lines, bottom banner, drop caps, columned text and a stand first. Even though I am including the majority of the generic conventions, I will arrange them in a way that is unique to my own magazine and therefore not generic.

Generic Conventions of a Magazine Contents Page

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1TmDFRGW6BorAYJdJss1dLmC7_LBXiARn718ecBoX0_s/edit?usp=sharing
Doing this activity has helped me evaluate which generic conventions I will be including in my magazine in relation to what is normally on a contents page. I have considered my findings from my magazine deconstructions also to decide that I will include the following: a masthead,images, text, web address, issue number, contact details, publishers logo, page numbers, topical and sarcastic humor, regional dialect, advertisements and acknowledgements. I also feel smaller influences deserve a lot more recognition than the editor as it is a community magazine therefore I want everyone to be considered as equals.

Generic Conventions of a Magazine Front Cover

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gs_PlEGhMwSLbT1ZZgtUXkyMnhl7XZXVIZrAQWXA4m8/edit?usp=sharing
After deconstructing three magazines, I have been able to identify the generic codes and conventions that make a successful magazine. To illustrate these, I have refined my findings to the front cover, contents and double page spread as all 3 pages have different conventions in order to make them successful. The ones I have deemed as generic were the most frequent and most  successful in my previous research. Doing this activity has helped me evaluate which generic conventions I will be including in my magazine in relation to what is normally on a front cover. I have considered my findings from my magazine deconstructions also to decide that I will include the following on my front cover: a masthead, dominant image, streamline, colour scheme, sell lines and essential information.

Generic conventions of a Website

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uFd5_ad8COcrxG8PTTzPxxWfmIkCugQpboElrskYMpA/edit?usp=sharing
After deconstructing my websites, I have been able to identify generic codes and conventions that make a successful site. the ones I have deemed as generic are the ones that I found in the majority of examples and were most frequently used throughout my research, I will be looking back to this research during the production of my website to allow me to include the correct conventions in order to make it successful. I have realised there is a lot more of a creative opportunity when designing a website therefore I will take this into account in order to make my website as modern and contemporary as possible.

Generic conventions of a Billboard

After deconstructing my billboards, I have been able to identify the generic codes and conventions that make a successful magazine. The ones I have deemed as generic are the ones that I found in the majority of examples and were most frequently used throughout my research. Doing this activity has helped me to understand what makes a billboard successful. I know what the generic conventions are that are used most frequently in the industry today.The research has suggested to me that conventions on billboards vary and are a lot more flexible than a magazine therefore I have a lot more space for creativity on my billboard.

Institution Research

Bauer group media are an institution famous for dominating the magazine industry within the UK. They produce magazines (over 300 in 15 countries) and digital products as well as having radio and TV stations in local markets worldwide. The company began in 1953 with the launch of Angling Times which suggests it is highly developed and therefore professional. The media platforms they

produce include print, online, radio, TV and mobile applications demonstrating the diverse opportunities the institution can provide which can be beneficial especially for a regional magazine with a smaller audience base. One thing I really like about Bauer is that there are no boundaries to what type of magazine they produce. The magazines they produce can range from rock music through KERRANG to sport through Golf World. I do however feel that most of the magazines they produce are very mainstream and hyped for a national audience therefore my contemporary and quirky style may not fit in. From the Bauer website, I get the assumption they place great emphasize on relevant target audiences with modern and popular common interests. Although Bauer make a really big revenue and are basically dominating the magazine institution industry, I feel they are more appropriate for a big branded national magazine which will appeal to their worldwide audience.

Future PLC is the 6th largest media corporation in the UK. The company was founded as Future Publishing in Somerset in 1985. This shows that PLC isn't as old and therefore maybe not as established as Bauer which could be the reason why it is slightly behind in terms of success. PLC also has many award winning digital businesses which have a total of 52 million audience consumers

showing that it does in fact attract readers to the magazines it publishes. I feel this is important for a regional magazine as the smaller area of audience members calls for a greater need of attention and publicity. The genres of magazine they produce are almost fully digital for example 3D World, Xbox Official and TechRadar. These tie in well with the name future and all fall under the technology genre which is featured as a sub-genre of my culture magazine. They do also produce magazines such as EDGE, Total Film and Total Guitar. I feel as it already produces magazines without the same content to mine then it will not be a very good institution for me to work with.

The Crack is a self publishing magazine institution and is a free culture and listings magazine. The magazine was started in 1985.  Published monthly in print and online, it covers entertainment and culture for the North East region of England. It provides comprehensive listings and previews on music, art, film, theatre, dance, comedy, gay-interest concerns and clubs, as well as articles relating to local fashion and local issues.The Crack is available in the foyers of public spaces such as pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops and also in those of cultural venues such as galleries, libraries and cinemas.

National and Regional magazines

http://www.emaze.com/@AORICFZFC/business-journal?hidebuttons
I have researched what differs between regional and national magazines so that I know what I should include in my own magazine. This is important because the audience is a lot more specific therefore there are many production adaptations in order to make the magazine more personal and community orientated.By doing this activity I have been able to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between national and regional magazines. I have found that it is a lot harder for regional magazines to get recognition in the market as they have a smaller audience, are restricted to stories within the region, may find it hard to appeal to people already attached to a national magazine and have much smaller funding for big celebrities. This however has inspired me to make my magazine unique, quirky and individual as this is what will set it apart from a national magazine and make people more likely to buy it. It must also stay focused specifically on the region otherwise it loses its purpose.

North East inspirations

This moodboard consists of regional entertainment and musical industries that would relate to my genre of magazine. I have included stars that were raised or brought to fame in the north east such as Ant and Dec, Cheryl Cole, Rowan Atkinson and even Jimmy Hendrix who was brought over from New York. During my research I found that the north east has been in the top ten partying town for multiple years running, which was how the Geordie shore show came around. Throughout my research, In terms of music I have found independent institutions such as Pop Recs LTD, The Cluny and Think Tank which are growing in popularity and help to boost local artists. I have also included the evolution festival that takes place in Newcastle. It was hard to find specific locations that I would be able to use for photography but if I take pictures of popular landmark attractions with in the area such as the Angel of The North or the Tyne bridge, this may help my audience establish locations.

Wix Template Research

I looked at a range of templates on WIX website as this will be where I am creating my ancillary product of a website. The templates already have headers, footers and image spaces filled in. This means that production would be more efficient as certain conventions were already there to simply just be edited.

The urban Photography was the template I took the most inspiration . I liked the simplistic style and how it looks more image led than text based, which remind me slightly of the WHAT YOUTH website. I like the use of a photo gallery which has inspired me to use a pin-board effect on my home page. I also like the size of the images as the wideness of them makes it stand out to the viewers and directs the read straight to the image they like best where they can find out more information. I think it looks good to have social media links on the page as it allows people to keep up with updates on things they regularly use rather than constantly having to visit the website. I definitely will be having my masthead at the top of the website and when viewers scroll down the page it stays in the same position.

I like this website template because as I am having it more image led than text led. I also like how the images are linked too an Instagram account so when you move the mouse over the image it shows how many likes and comments it got on Instagram. The only downfall to this website template is that it is a little too plain and boring for my target audience and appears to be more appealing to and older generation due to how simple it is too navigate

I like the colour scheme and the style of writing that this website template uses, the pink background makes the black writing stand out, whereas the style of writing would appeal to a younger audience cause it is creative . I also like how the dominant image of the website takes up most of the website page but I don't like how it is just one dominant image and how it just focuses on one particular artist

Facial Expressions Research

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AuJGejxp2Xz4Uy0zodkqWmgRG6P-qmOudP869kfC9_A/edit?usp=sharing
In order to help me with my own magazine images, I did some research on facial expressions. I discovered that the two main theorists (Trevor Millum and Marjorie Ferguson) had created various groups in which both male and female models facial expressions could be categorized into. I think this information will be very useful when creating my own magazine as I need to decide which category will be most effective for my Target Audience. Once I have decided on an appropriate facial expression I will need to reproduce the features within it. To give me a more visual idea of this I have created a Google slide share to show example images of the different theorists categories:
Overall, this piece of research has shown me the different ways in which magazines attract and appeal to an audience through the conventions of their dominant Image. This will help me to create my magazine as I can inform my model on what facial expressions I would like them to do so that I can draw my audience in more effectively. The expression I am most likely to use throughout my magazine are practical or seductive if I chose to have a man has my main dominant image or If it is a women, I will use invitational.

Website Inspirations and Deconstruction

In creating this Slides I have learnt the basics of how to make a professional website including what features are vital for success. It has influence my creative choices in many ways for example I have now decided I want to have a simplistic and aesthetic website that is automatically appealing to the eye. Before exploring existing websites, I decided to read up a bit on websites in general; why they are important, how they function and what makes them successful. From this I learnt my website needs to be straight to the point, have a good first impression and stand out from existing magazines with a unique twist. My main inspirations from this research are the WHAT YOUTH and INDIE websites as I think they are innovative, quirky and modern and I like the look of the images they have taken. I like how both are designed and definitely want to incorporate the user-friendly use of hyperlinks and images in my own website. I have also taken some inspiration from The Crack website however I feel their website is a bit too boring for my audience therefore personally will be following a more creative route. In regards to this research, I created a bullet pointed list of features I must include in my website and how I will ensure that it is suitable for my target audience. I will be referring back to this during the production stage of my website and using my research to add more successful features if they are needed.

Billboard Inspirations and Deconstruction

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IChUG3jperNiYGEE1u-SuPKbCLMreAcWbMZS6ZAWXt8/edit?usp=sharing
In creating this google slides, I have learnt the basics of what makes a billboard successful and what features are needed in order for it to be successful. It has influenced my creative choices in many ways for instance, I have decided I want a very simplistic but creative billboard that isn't too overcrowded but persuades the audience into wanting to research the brand and find out more. Before exploring regional billboards, I decided to read up a bit on billboards in general as it is very hard to pinpoint specific features due to each billboard having its own variation design. I think the creativity and difference between the products are what makes them successful in this case. I have learnt my billboard needs to be creative and simplistic in order to appeal to my audience. In regards to my research, I will be referring back to this useful research during the production stage of my billboard and using my research to add successful features.

Magazine Inspirations and Deconstruction

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1AbA1dMqgkMrzaykKGYXw7zgF27nQaa7E4jYAGZZHUGQ/edit?usp=sharing
I have created a google slide of two magazines that I like and deconstructed them so I could see what I had to do to get my final product as good as theirs. It was difficult to deconstruct these magazines as they do not follow the normal terms that popular magazines use such as they tend not to use sub sell lines and main sell lines. I also done an analysis on both their mastheads/company names and evaluated the impact they leave on the audience and impression that they offer. I now realize that the name of my magazine is a make or break factor in its successful therefore a lot of consideration will have to go into my final decision. Before deciding on my final name, I will have to look into the definitions, synonyms and audience appeal in order to ensure the name is successful and represents my magazine in the best way possible. Factors I will look for include: positive synonyms, regional links, short and snappy words, straight to the point meaning and something the youth/modern generation will understand.

Costume, Hair, Make-up and Props

http://pin.it/Yn8MwS_
I have created a collage of various things I would like within my product, these range from: Male and female hairstyles, makeup ideas, prop ideas and male and female clothing trends. I will not use these actual clothing and hairstyles but I intend to have it look similar to what is on these photos. Doing this task has allowed me to find out what I want to do with the models on my magazine and gives a brief idea of what I want them to look like in terms of what they are doing and what they are wearing. I have also included my Pinterest account where i have multiple boards which have clothing ideas on and others also include potential photos i can recreate and props i can use. 

Colour Scheme ideas

This Powtoon has allowed me to research and show different colours that are regularly seen and associated with the North east region of England. Using these colours on my product will show that it is a magazine based within the north east because the colours will be associated with towns such as Sunderland and Newcastle. Using these colours will also make people feel obligated to buy it because many of the colours are associated with football teams such as black and white for Newcastle F.C. which tends to be something that my target audience enjoy doing/watching.

Masthead Magazine ideas

I have created a mind-map for potential mastheads for my final magazine product, I will look at some of the names individually and come up with reasons why this is a good idea and also why it is not a good idea.
WrongGen - This masthead would give off connotations of being born into the wrong generation of the world, therefore I will not be using this idea because I want the magazine to show the current generation why their generation and the area they live in things to be positive about.
Conform - This masthead name would be seen as a command to my generation as it sounds as though I am telling them to "conform" to the way the world wants to see us, paradoxically it can be seen as an ironic name due to the content inside as the stuff inside is topics that older people would not read and the younger generation would because it relates to them.
Seen&Heard - I don't like the idea of this but because of the reasons behind it, it would be a suitable name for my magazine. A common phrase from parents and the older generation is "kids should be seen and not heard" this name is showing the target audience that they should be both seen and heard which gives the masthead positive connotations.
Lust&Addiction -  This masthead would appear to a younger generation because it is everything that is new to teenagers, they are in the age where love (lust) becomes inevitable and is when most of them begin to have sexual encounters and realise their sexuality, it is also the age when things such as smoking, drinking and drugs(addiction) becomes more tempting to try. I also like it because lust is one of the seven deadly sins which gives off negative connotations but too teenagers...its new
Sweet Youth - I like this one because it gives off positive connotations about being young by calling it 'sweet', it makes the idea of being youthful sound good whereas many teenagers suffer from depression in their teenage years. Paradoxically, it wouldn't work because of the content inside being about serious topics and not child like features that will be inside.
Undiscovered - This has connotations of being lost to the world but could also has personal meaning to people about being unseen and how they are yet for people to discover them/or discover themselves
Forgotten Youth - This has connotations of being forgotten to people, it could also be read as in a metaphorical meaning due to the fact people don't have faith in the young generation so its best that we are forgotten about and move on to the new generation.

I have decided I will either use "Lust&Addiction" or "Forgotten Youth" for my products masthead as they both have very good meanings behind them and they are easy to remember.

Font Ideas

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VBZVpZ6-Zxm5Dcqt_ll1X7SaItmGJR_6NMFTztfbaX8/edit?usp=sharing
I have looked at Dafont and chose several fonts that I would be able to use for either my masthead, sub - headings or just normal text. If I use one of these fonts for my masthead it must stand out too my target audience, easy to notice from other magazines and be clear enough to understand what the name of my product is; I must only use this font once as I want it to be special and show that it is an important feature on my product. The rest of text in my product can be used several times as long as it is easy to read and fits in with the tone of my article. I will probably chose a standard font design so that it is easy for people to read and I can use it various times without it clashing with any other form of font.

The Pitch

This Powtoon is my pitch work, it is designed to give people and idea for what my product will be and why I will do the things I do on it; Over time this will change as I will come up with new ideas for what to add on my product but this shows a basic outline for what I plan to do.

These are screenshots of what my peers have said can be improved about my Pitch. When I begin to start improving my work I will slow down my time-lapse between slides and I will also add my flat plan and rationales for my magazine, billboard and website on here too. Paradoxically, the good comments about my work show that I have a good understanding of what I am doing and have a good standard of information on each slide to let people know what my initial ideas are for my products.