Completion of Contents Page

Time Management -Contents Page

Today I am going to finish my contents page; do be able to do this I am going to evaluate my page so far and make criticized judgements and adjustments to improve and better my contents.

Changes on Contents Page

 This is a screenshot of my contents page before I made additional changes. When looking at my contents page I noticed there was a lot of unnecessary white space along the top of the page, it made me contents look unprofessional and empty. I played about with my images and my title to try adjust my positioning and decrease the white space that was present.

Here is a screenshot from after adjusting my positioning of my images and titles. I decided to add another image that related to my contents and move my titles to the left side of the page. I decided that my magazine title is of more importance so I increased the size of that and decreased the size of the 'contents'. I feel my contents page now looks more professional and there is limited white space.

Progress on Contents

So far with my contents page, I have added my features down the left hand side, along with my magazine title. I have colour co-ordinated each article into sections so that it is easier for the viewers to read and understand. They can find a certain article by looking under a specific title and finding it quickly and unbelievably easy.
Doing my features this way, helps me keep a sophisticated and organised vibe to my magazine and relates to my target audience.

Time Management - Targets to complete by 2016.

My targets to be complete by 2016;

1. Completing my DPS
2. Starting my contents page and front cover
3. Starting my website and billboard 

Feedback on Reader Profiles

I found the reader profiles extremely helpful when looking to start my product, this is because I am able to see what my primary audience specifically like within magazines. If I hadn't researched fully into my target audience I may have ben adding specific music genres or event to my magazine that would not interest my audience. Whereas, by asking my main audience I am able to get accurate responses on what should and shouldn't be involved within my magazine.

Reader Profile - Male 18

This is my second  reader profile for my primary audience, this time I selected a male audience member in order to apply both genders likes to my product to enable to engage both genders.

Reader Profile - Female 17.

To find out what my target audience's personalities are like, I got two primary audience members and asked them simple questions that I needed to know about them, to help benefit and engage my target audience to my product.

My main questions were; Favourite shopping places, music, hobbies and why they look for in magazines! I felt this benefited my greatly as I am able to make my product as relatable to my audience as possible, ensuring I get as many views as I can from my main target audience.

Time Management -Contents Page

I have started my contents page and for this session have focused on the positioning of my text and images; I want my contents page to differ from others and catch my readers attention through the obscure positioning of my conventions.

Completion of DPS

This my completion of my Double Page Spread, I feel I have represented Autumn well within the page using my colour scheme and mise-en-scene to create that vibe. My DPS is quite simple, yet effective and I feel it draws in the reader with it being so simplistic; it has a certain mysterious element to it. This is increased through the model having a non-direct mode of address.

Time Management - DPS

Today I am going to complete my Double Page Spread, I am going to make my last adjustments with my text and make sure it looks professional.

Audience Research - Facebook update

When creating my front page, I want to know what my target audience specifically look for when browsing for magazines. Therefore, i asked this question upon my Facebook page and received this feedback. This was extremely helpful as I am able to see the the main image and sell line are the main  interest point!

Writing Placement

Background colour -DPS

Created with Padlet

Time Management - Starting my DPS

I have decided to start my DPS first as it is the most simplistic page and I have all the ideas for the page fresh in my mind. Furthermore, I have the final image set for this page, whereas my contents and front cover pages I have yet to decide for images.

Looking back at facial expressions

Looking back on my research on facial expressions, I felt like it helped with deciding on how I would like my models to look within my magazine. I feel like exploring facial expressions is ideal as I am able to see what would benefit my product more and what would be best to use when engaging my audience.

Targets Update - November

I exceeded myself in the past month and was able to complete all my targets I set to complete as well as completing other pieces of work. I managed to sort out all my model preparation, photoshoot preparation as well as finally starting on my final product.

Font Ideas

Going onto a website called 'Dafont.com' I had a look at categories of fonts; typewriter and retro. I looked at these specific categories as I feel they would link the best to my regional, cultural magazine. The image above shows the nine different fonts that stood out the most to me out of all the other fonts I had seen on the website.
I feel each one has their own difference but are similar in the sense they are quite open and bold - matching my cultural magazine which holds all sort of information. I didn't want to pick a really  swirly, italic font as this would mostly relate to girls and exclude male readers, furthermore it wouldn't imply to the audience that the magazine has everything involved inside.

Shot List

Before doing any of my photo shoots, I made sure to jot down what kind of images I am wanting for each part of my magazine/website. This again helps keep my organised and so that I know exactly what I am doing. 

Images; Rejection or Selection

Call sheet

Here is the call sheet for my photo shoot, doing this helped me stay organised and remember who was supposed to be where and at what time. 

Time Management - Photo shoot Work

Today I am going to focus on my photo shoot work. I am going to try and complete my call sheet, shot list and gather my images together. I will analyze my images and show which photos I am going to use and why, and why I have decided to not use some. By doing this I have shown reasons for and against using certain images and I am making sure I am using the perfect images that totally relate to my magazine.

Model preparation

I messaged my model the details for the photo shoot, I made sure to include time, location and what I would like the model to wear. I ensured to tell her that she could ask any questions if she was concerned about anything.

When chatting to my model, we discussed the type of makeup to wear for the photo shoot; browsing pintrest we found natural autumnal looks that would go well and would be easy for my model to do on her own. I thought this look would go perfectly with the outfit my model will be wearing. I also had her take a look at my pintrest blog for ideas on the kind of outfit I am wanting.

Photography studio permission

To be able to use the professional studio within college, I was told by the photography lecturer that  I had to ask my own lecturer to email him, for him then to email her the availability times of the photography studio.

Lecture feedback on pitch

 When looking at the feedback from my lecturer, I realised that I lacked information and didn't properly put my point across; thus me re-doing and analysing my pitch in more detail with a more advanced technology app (prezi). I feel this has helped me get more of an idea on my magazine and has made me look further in depth and my ideas and reasons behind them. 

Recce (studio photo shoot)

1. Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place?

My front cover image will be taken in a professional studio, therefore there shouldn't be any potential hazards as the room will be clean and health and safety risks will have been checked already by the college before people use the room. 

2. What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised?

Before using the room, I will take a quick look at potential health and safety risks in the way of the photo shoot to make sure that my models and I are safe during the shoot. 

3. Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed for this?

The time of day nor the weather will affect the outcome of my photos. This is because I will be indoors, so the weather won't be something I have to consider.

4. Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want?

I am wanting the background of my images to have a professional white set. To ensure I get the background I want for my image, I have checked the venue in which I am taking the photos in, and made sure that the studio has a white background for the photos.

5. Have you considered lighting? What about the 'problems' of natural lighting, either outside, or streaming through a window?  Will you need to use a flash? Have you considered reflective objects that might spoil the effect?

I am not using natural lighting, therefore that won't be an issue. I am using artificial lighting, so I will have to get the right amount of brightness etc to make sure that my model doesn't look washed out. I will make sure to check the room beforehand for any reflective objects and remove them from the studio if they are at risk at making my images unprofessional. 

6. Do you need permission to take photos in the place/venue you have in mind?

I am using the photography room within the college I go to, therefore I will need permission to use the room as other students use it quite regularly. 

7. Do you need to book time in a photography studio?

With the photography studio being used by other students and teachers from the college, I have asked for a timetable of the studio to make sure I don't use it the same time as other students, and so that I get a fair amount of time to get the perfect images for my magazine.

8.  Are you reliant on lifts/props/friends’ equipment/models? How have you planned that these things will come together at the appointed time? Plan B?

I am reliant on props such as lighting equipment, as if there is no extra lighting, my model may look washed out. I will make sure to check the room beforehand for all the needed equipment. Furthermore, I am reliant on my model attending the shoot and wearing the correct outfit to fit the theme of the magazine. 

9. Are other people/crowds likely to be an issue for you? What have you done to ensure that it will not spoil the effect?   

Other people won't be an issue of my location, especially with my getting my own time to take my images. If there is a fault with the timetable, there may be a problem with a clash of booking times. If this does happen, I will ensure to rebook to another time. 

Recce (Outdoor photo shoot)

1. Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place?

My article images are being shot in the middle of a forest/woods, therefore there may be many potentential hazards that could take place. We will have to be aware of trip hazards; rocks, tree stumps etc. slippery floor if raining/had been raining previously and rubbish left behind by others; cans, wrappers etc. 

2. What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised?

Health and safety will be looked upon thoroughly when arriving at the specific area for the photo shoot to ensure that myself and my models are in a safe environment. I will check that the area used has no trip hazards etc, or that the natural hazards are made aware of. 

3. Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed for this?

We will be going to the wood/forest during midday, therefore lighting shouldn't be a problem and I will use the natural sunlight to support my images. I will check the weather report before hand but hopefully the weather will be mildly dry and some sunlight to make sure the images are visible. I want the weather to be somewhat foggy/rainy as it will help with the autumnal weather theme throughout my magazine. Therefore if it is a sunny, warm day it will affect the outcome of the photos as it will look more summery than autumnal.  I have made my models aware of the weather needed, so they are willing to work in such weather conditions of needs be. 

4. Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want?

To make sure I get the background I want, I will observe the forest and find the perfect miss-en-scene for my images. I am wanting the forest floor to be covered in leaves and have almost bare-leafed trees in the background. I think this will look very autumnal and go well with my models clothing. If I am unable to get the forest floor in leaves, I will try get my models to stand in between trees that are almost about to shed their leaves.

5. Have you considered lighting? What about the 'problems' of natural lighting, either outside, or streaming through a window?  Will you need to use a flash? Have you considered reflective objects that might spoil the effect?

Yes, I have considered lighting and I may have a problem with using the natural lighting outside. This is because of the weather is too cloudy etc it will block the sun and I will be unable to take images that will be seen. I already have a problem with the trees blocking the lighting but if there is anything else blocking the sunlight then this will affect my images greatly. If this happens I will have to see if using the flash will be better for my images or consider other lighting such as a torch etc. With being in a forest, there will be no objects that might spoil my images. 

6. Do you need permission to take photos in the place/venue you have in mind?

With my article images being taken outside, I will not need to get permission to take photos. 

7. Do you need to book time in a photography studio?

For my article images I don't want any of them to be shot in a studio so I don't need to book a time within a photography studio. 

8.  Are you reliant on lifts/props/friends’ equipment/models? How have you planned that these things will come together at the appointed time? Plan B?

I am reliant on my models as I need them to have specific look for my magazine and I need a model of either gender. We will be travelling by bus so have to make sure we check times and travel cost to enable we get to the location at the right time of day for there still to be natural light. One of my models are bringing the camera and tripod, therefore I need to ensure that he brings that otherwise I will have to result in using my own mobile; Causing my images to have poor quality. 

9. Are other people/crowds likely to be an issue for you? What have you done to ensure that it will not spoil the effect?   

Crowds probably won't be an issue as not many people use the woods during the day as many will be at work/in education. If there are any people in the woods, we will simply wait for them to move or we will move location in the woods. 

Time Management - Recce

Today I am going to complete my Recce form for both my indoor and outdoor photo shoot. This will help me greatly when doing my photo shoot as it will make me aware of hazards as well as making sure I have a plan B in case things don't go to plan.

Research on location for my photoshoot - Pintrest Board

Follow Rhiain's board A2 Location on Pinterest. 

Although I am wanting to use a professional studio for my front cover image, I am wanting to go somewhere outdoors for my article images. Therefore I will be going to Penshaw Forest as I love the look of autumn forests and with my fashion being autumnal based, I want the background and mise-en-scene of my images to correlate. I have browsed Pintrest to have a look at the type of forest background I would like and the angles in which I will take the photos with my models in it.

Research on makeup for photoshoot - Pintrest Board

Follow Rhiain's board A2 Makeup on Pinterest.

My make up idea for my female model is, again autumnal based. I want a dark lips (more maroon than red) and smokey eyes. I feel this will go nicely with the costume and the autumnal theme within my magazine. Looking through Pintrest has really helped me get a more focused idea of how I want my models make-up to be, and how it will engage the audience and relate to my genre.

Research on costume for photo shoot - Pintrest Board

Follow Rhiain's board A2 Media Outfit on Pinterest.

When looking at my Pintrest board, you can tell that my costume ideas represent the season in which my magazine will be set; Autumn. The autumnal colours and layering of clothes shows the type of weather that is introduced when Autumn arrives. I want to convey this theory through my magazine and just by looking at my models clothing,  I want the audience to immediately know that the magazine is based during the autumn months. They will know this through the use of colours, style and layers on the models outfit. My main idea for my model's outfit is to have boots, lots of layers and contrasting autumnal colours.

Time Management -Research

Today I am going to collect my research on make-up, costume and location and make sure to upload it onto my blogger. I am using the application 'Pintrest' to collect images that relate to what I want my model/photo shoot to look like.

Article Research

Audience Research; Facebook Update

I have started slowly asking my target audience questions that I would like to know to get an insight into what they would like to be involved within my magazine. To know what sort of fashion they liked, I asked where they shop the most. I was pleased with the amount of replies I got, it has really helped me decide what sort of fashion I will involve within my article. 

Time Management - Flat Plans and Rationale

Today I have completed Flat Plans and Rationale for my Front Cover, Contents Page and Double Page Spread. As I completed these quicker than expected, I decided to do some audience research and create a rationale to justify my reasons for /doing making my research.

Double Page Spread Flat Plan/ Rationale

Colour Usage: The colour again, will be the same as my front cover and contents page. I may consider a splash of colour within my double page spread to make the fashion elements more fun to the audience. I don't want my article to come across as dull, as I want the article to inspire the audience.
Image Usage: I will have two images for my double page spread; one of a female model, one of a male. This is so that the article will relate to both sexes. I want the poses of the models to be somewhat over-posed to grab the readers attention, maybe a indirect mode of address to add a sense of mystery; which will contrast with the text as the price of clothing will be displayed.
Text Usage: There will be limited text as I am wanting the main focus to be on the clothing, price and store names. This is because the article is somewhat advertising the new/trending fashion. There will be a brief description of 'style steals/inspirations' to keep the audience engaged.
Layout and Font: The layout will be simplistic with an image on either page and the writing down one side of the image. This is because it will look neat and professional, alike to my other pages. I really want the font to be the same as the contents page so that there isn't a massive difference in the design/theme. I feel that sometimes articles change dramatically but I want to try keep it the same throughout to give it a unique yet stylish feel.

Contents Page Flat Plan/ Rationale

Colour Usage: The colour for my contents page will be the same as my front colour. I want the colour scheme to be the same throughout my whole magazine to keep it professional. Also with my magazine genre being cultural, it is common for the theme to be kept the same, as I feel having a different colour for each page can come across somewhat negligent.
Image Usage: My images will be varied within the contents page; I will have images of gigs, skating, cars and other images from my models. This is because I want to show the audience what is available/advertised within my magazine through images, so that they don't actually have to read any words to get an idea of what is displayed. The images will all be taken by me and with some being taken by my phone camera, the quality may not be as good as the ones of my model. Therefore, I will use Photoshop to better the quality.
Text Usage; I will use little descriptions for each page title; this is to engage the reader and give off the effect of them wanting to turn to that page to read more. I'll use cliff hangers, and the use of hyperbole adjectives in order to create a sense of excitement for each topic. Again, engaging and making the reader want to find out more. The tag line will be on this page as I feel repetition will keep my magazine fresh in the readers mind and word of mouth will help advertise.
Layout and Font: The layout I am going for is sophisticated, likewise to the front cover. With it being a contents page it wont be as simple, but with my font style and organisation of conventions, I will avoid making it look overcrowded with information. I am hoping that by using varied images, it will help take the focus of the abundance of text underneath, making the reader still want to browse through my magazine.

Front Cover Flat Plan/Rationale

Colour Scheme; I am going to be using black, white and autumnal colours within my magazine. This is because I feel this will link with the genre of the magazine and it will make it look sophisticated and relate to the target audience/season it is for. I feel if I added bright colours, it'd give it a childish feel and not relate to my audience.
Image Usage: My dominant image will be of a model in either a professional studio or somewhere outdoors to give it more of a cultural vibe to it. I want the body language to be relaxed yet somewhat posed, but invites the reader in and doesn't intimidate them. I want a full body image of my model, and the costume to be autumnal; scarfs and layers.
Text Usage: I'm using an alliteration as my tag line, this is because it will be memorable to the readers. My sell lines will be short and easy to understand, so that the reader knows exactly what is advertised. The text will be limited so that the front cover looks somewhat bare, but is appealing to the reader.
Layout and Font: My layout is simple but effective; there will be little writing on the front cover, so that the main focus is on the model. The bar code/additional information will be displayed at the bottom so that it doesn't take focus away from the sell lines/dominant image.

Audience Research and rationale

https://youtu.be/Nul0K8_CFMM





By doing audience research and asking my target audience specific questions about my genre of magazine, it has helped me get a more detailed idea of how I want my magazine to be; from layout, and what to include. I was struggling on how to layout my article and what to include, by asking audience members I was able to see what would appeal to them more; image of model with the clothing price and store that its from. I like this idea and I have also decided to put an 'inspirations' part under the model, as this is something that would entice my audience.
Furthermore, I have gotten a better idea of what my target audience likes and dislikes when it comes to magazines, and what appeals to them and what doesn't; lots of images can make it seem overcrowded. There needs to be a balanced amount in contrast to the text.

Time Management - Flat Plan/Rationale

Today I am going to design and complete my flat plans for my Front Cover, Contents Page and Double Page Spread. I will also create a rationale for each of these to back up why I have positioned conventions in certain places and to explain my ideas for why I have done that.

Proposal; Part 2

Describe your idea for the brief: The genre of my magazine is going to be a cultural magazine but solely based on fashion. I will still advertise things such as festival, gigs, car meets etc on the contents page. I'll have 4 pages, including contents and front cover that will display my knowledge on the subjects of fashion, gigs, music etc.  I will be using Photoshop, which will be the main programme that I will use to create my product. My magazine needs to target the North East with it being a regional magazine, but I want it to juxtapose all other cultural magazines. I will apply the typical conventions that you see on magazines; a masthead and a colour scheme. I want the colours to be dull (black and white) to give a professional and glamorous feel to the magazine. I will make sure to use specific text and images that I know will attract my target audience.

Genre/ sub genre:  I would like my magazine to be based around fashion and upcoming cultural events. This will be shown through the style of my magazine, Therefore I will research into fashion, and popular regional culture magazines to get an idea on styles of text in order to create a layout and style that will fit in with my topic of magazine.

Target audience:  My primary audience will most likely be females for this issue being based on fashion, but I want to include males, from the ages 16+. I feel that this is a better audience with me being the same age, as I will already have knowledge on what this age of teenagers enjoy doing beyond their education.

Original images: My original images may vary; I have some images already from gigs, car events and skating outings so I will use these within my contents page. I want to use a male and female model for my DPS to show the latest fashion. I want the facial expressions and paralinguistic features to be different for each image and to see what will work best.

Potential difficulties: Potential difficulties I may come across is the quality of images being poor, to avoid this I will make sure to book in a time to use the professional cameras to get the highest quality photos as possible. Furthermore, I may be unable to get varied models, therefore may have to change my model images to suit the models at hand.

Proposal; Part 1

AS Coursework Proposal Table

Type of Magazine (fashion, music, etc)	My magazine genre is cultural but I am focusing on fashion for my double page spread article.
Name of Magazine	My magazine name is ‘Foxes’; this is because I am really against animal cruelty, therefore all of my advertisements and costume etc will be supporting anti-animal cruelty.
Audience (male/female)	My target audience is both genders as with it being a cultural magazine, the music, events and fashion will appeal to both males and females.
Audience (attitudes and interests)	My target audience will be mostly full time students that are interested in local gigs, events and new trending fashion within the area. They will most likely be into things such as skating, gaming, gigs and fashion.
Outlet (where it can be bought from?)	My magazine can be bought from all local colleges, Universities and libraries. This is so that it will be in the areas where my target audience will most likely be. I will also distribute it from reception areas in local shopping centres.
Necessary Information	My necessary information includes my issue number, barcode, date of issue and the season. My issue number will be number 19, this is so that it will be seen as already a sort of well-known magazine within the region. I am doing autumnal fashion/events, therefore the date of my magazine will be mid November.
Selling Point	My selling point is my abundance of varied content that will be displayed within the contents. Along with my unique layout and colour scheme.
Theme (article)	The theme for my article is fashion; I will be having both a male and female model with were each item of clothing is from with a price. The outfits will be inspired from local artists or celebrities; therefore I will have a small paragraph explaining the inspiration idea behind the outfit.
Images Front Cover	I will have only one image; a dominant image that will be of a fashion model. I am not 100% sure yet on whether I want the model to have direct mode address or not. I will experiment the different angles and facial expressions with my models, to see what works best for my magazine.
Images Inside	On the contents page I will have varied images from gigs, skating and car meets; along with fashion. This is so that it engages both males and females and shows what will be within the articles. For my DPS, I will have a male and female model, modelling the latest fashion.