Peer Reviews

The feed back I received from my Prelim Task is that the content was appropriate to the task, however the layout wasn't too appealing. People commented on the fact that the stories included were well varied, and therefore suited different personalities of students. Feedback suggested the image I used was appropriate, as it wasn't gender specific, suited the age gap, and had a positive tone to it. However, people didn't like how it restricted the text to the bottom of the page, as it meant there were less cover lines. They suggested this would mean less people would be attracted, as there isn't as much to draw people in to reading the magazine. For my main task, I will consider the image I used and ensure I can place text either side of the image and include more. 

The content was said to be specific to the type of magazine I created, which is something I need to maintain for my main task. People also commented on the layout of the photo's, and said there was a sufficient amount, however they could be more spread out across the page. As for the background, peer's agreed with me that the white was too plain, and colour was needed. 

Prelim Task Evaluation

Progress!

So, I've finished my evaluation! Definitely got some better ideas for my main task now, as the Prelim has made me realise that some of my original ideas won't work, for example, the white background looks simple, but perhaps a little bit too simple... Now all I need to do is get some constructive feedback from my peer assessments to help me more with my main task, and thats all my research and planning done! YAY! 

Double Page Spread Textual Analysis Five

Double Page Spread Textual Analysis Four

Double Page Spread Textual Analysis Three

Double Page Spread Textual Analysis Two

Double Page Spread Textual Analysis One

Final Contents Page!

I decided to add extra information to certain stories, as this is another idea I picked up from other magazines. The target audience is college students, therefore I think they would be more willing to read a bit more information. I may incorporate a similar idea into my magazine cover, but maybe not as much information. I also think this idea fills up the right hand side of the page more. 

The typography I used is the same one I used for my front cover. This adds a more formal feel. I also used a tool in Photoshop, which allowed me to present the headlines on the cover and contents page in all capital letters. I think this is effective as it makes it more bold. It also creates a clear distinction between the headings and the other text. This is an effect I am considering using for my magazine, as it can be applied to all types of typography. 

I like how my Prelim contents page has turned out, as it meets the demographic of simplistic, which is what I want to achieve with my magazine. However, I am considering using a background colour and maybe more pictures. 

Contents Page Progress!

I started off by listing the stories in a column briefly, by simply giving the name of the headline on the double page spread. However, I thought this was too vague and so decided to add more information, to fill up the entire column so the page didn't look too bare. 

Contents Page Progress!

I next decided to add text to go over the images. I got this idea from one the the contents page textual analysis' I did. I think this is effective as rather than having to look through all the text, readers can be directed to pages by simply looking at the pictures. The stories added to the pictures are also those I featured on the cover, therefore more people will be eager to find these stories. 

Contents Page Progress!

My first idea for my contents page was to use three pictures, to avoid overcrowding. I started by trying to position them in different areas of the page, so I could position text in different places to break it up. However, I realized I wanted to follow the conventional column layout, and so had to position all pictures down one side in the end.

All the photo's are of different sizes, so the page doesn't look too formal and will therefore appeal to the target audience of young people more. 

Photoshop Tools - Text!

I used this feature for my front cover too. I selected the text I wanted to edit, and used combination of the 'Apple' and 'T' buttons to bring up a box, containing features for editing my text. By highlighting the text and selecting the colour box, I could change the colour of my text. I decided to go for the same colour used on my front cover, Blue, as it stands out well. 


NOT FINISHED

Photoshop Tools - Cropping!

I wanted to crop an image for my contents page as the other person in the shot had their eyes closed. So, I opened the photo I wanted to crop into a separate tab on Photoshop and used the 'Image' button to crop. I selected the part of the photo I wanted to use and then inserted it onto my Contents Page. 

Graphs and Analysis of Questionnaire

Blank copy of Questionnaire

Contents Page Analysis Five

Contents Page Analysis Four

Contents Page Analysis Three

Contents Page Analysis Two

Contents Page Analysis One

Final Prelim Cover!

I moved the text to the bottom of the page. This means people are paying more attention to the photo, and the cover doesn't look too busy. I think this makes it look much neater. 

My title uses all capital letters, but the first letters of each word are larger. This is an effect I chose to use on Photoshop, as it makes the two separate words look more prominent. In my tagline, I put the word 'you' in capital letters, as it gives a more personal and direct feel when reading it. I kept this tagline short and brief, as again, I didn't want to make the cover look too busy. It also adds an idea of suspicion as to what's inside. 

As for the separate text for the bottom, I also kept them brief and to a minimum (only used 3) to avoid overcrowding. For the first, I used a rhetorical question, again to entice my audience. The text underneath is in italic to emphasise the information, as it is much smaller and maybe people wouldn't want to read it as much. 

Prelim Cover Progress!

I decided to use the colour blue, as it matches the colours that Kate and Jack are wearing. It is also a lot bolder and contrasting, so stands out more. I decided to keep the same colour scheme throughout, as I didn't want my cover to be too busy. This is a similar idea to what I want to create with my magazine, as I don't want it to be too over powering. 

I discovered a problem with the photograph I had planned to use. Kate and Jack were at either side of the cover, and not central on the cover. This means I couldn't follow the typical magazine front cover layout, with writing at the sides. So, I tried to think of new ways of positioning my text. This is my first attempt. I put the text down the middle of the tree as it was somewhere it would stand out. But I don't like how crowded this makes it look, and how it takes the attention away from the photo, as it is right in the middle. 

Prelim Cover Progress!

This is where I started to experiment with a bolder, easier to follow font. I kept it in green to begin with, to see if it was easier to read, but I realised it didn't make much difference, so had to change to a different colour. 

Prelim Cover Progress!

After inserting my picture to photoshop, by opening it as a file and then dragging it to my document, I started to play with the type of typography and colours I wanted to use. Initially, I went with green and this typography for my heading. I thought this linked quite well with the idea of 'survival' and was a good connotation. However, I realised the green didn't quite stand out enough, as my photograph uses a lot of green. The typography was also not simple enough, so I went for something more bold, which is easier to interpret. 

For my magazine, I shouldn't have this problem, as I hope to choose a font and colour schemes before I start constructing my pages. 

First Prelim lesson using Photoshop!

After being taught to use Photoshop, we were left to our own devices to create a Prelim front cover. And yes, I found it stressful - it's a hard programme to use! But once I had figured out how everything works for myself (sort of) I managed to create a front cover! 

I also had the problem that I took the photo's in landscape in the first photo shoot, when they had to be taken portrait. This is something I need to remember when it comes to doing my photo shoots for my music magazine! Once we had taken new photo's, we were able to create a cover! 

Mood Board Two: Layout Ideas

I have focused this mood board on the idea of layouts, to give me inspiration. All these magazines are fairly simple, with not too much text on the cover. This is the same kind of thing I want to achieve. The poses are all quite natural, with few being posed, which is the same thing I want to achieve. I have also used some covers where the photo's have been taken in a natural environment, for example, 'Vogue.' This is what I want my image to be like, to maintain the idea of natural. As for typography, I want to use something similar to that on the cover of 'Fabulous,' as this slightly resembles handwriting and looks natural. The colours are all very similar and natural, which is what I want to use. 

Mood Board One: Photo Shoot Inspiration

This is my first mood board, looking at ideas for my photo shoot. I have focussed on the type of shots I am considering, the location, and the style of my model. I have featured pictures of pop artists, such as Ellie Goulding, Ed Sheeran and Adele, as they are also part of my inspiration and fit my genre (Pop). I want my entire photo shoot to have a natural feel, so it is more relaxed and relates to the idea of the artists being real life people. This would definately inspire me more, and this is the effect I want to have on my audience.  

Development...

I have noticed the size of the magazines I am analysing vary. The more adult ones, such as 'Notion,' 'Rollacoaster,' and 'Total Guitar,' are all quite thick. The younger ones, such as 'Just Pop!' and 'The Super fans guide to Rihanna,' are thinner. This shows a difference in how much information is included in each. I need to get a balance of the amount of information I am including on my cover, contents page and double page spread if I want to try and be able to achieve an audience of both young adults and older teenagers. I will have to adapt ideas, such as using bubbles of information as well normal text. 

Front Cover Textual Analysis Five

This magazine is controversial compared to my genre, but I wanted to use is as it includes some features I think would be quite effective on my own magazine. 

The text on the left hand side of this magazine is in a white font. It is written out in a column style, away from the pictures, which is means it is easy to read. There isn't a lot of it either, another reason it is easy to read. I want to incorporate an idea like this to my magazine, as I think people would be more inclined to read this, as well as pay attention to the photography. 

I think the use of white on a black background is contrasting. The black connotes as being more dark and scary, where as the white connotes the idea of purity and innocence. The title is also in white. I think this idea has been used as the magazine is meant to come across as scary, however the content isn't at all. The cartoon pictures also support this idea of scary, yet can also connote as being more innocent. The cartoons are all of more innocent objects, tuning equipment, however they have been personified to come across as frightening. For example, one has been given teeth and is drooling, connoting the idea of a scary monster. Another image has been made to look like a rat, with red eyes and baring its teeth, which could come across as threatening. The rat image is also biting part of the page, which already looks like it has been bitten in half. This supports the connotation of threatening, but also could be seen as dangerous. The tail is also entwined in the heading, which could make it seem like the content does involve subtle aspects of these scary connotations. These scary images can be supported by the use of the subheading 'Monster Guide to Effects.' 

The typography used on the heading is very bold and formal. It looks as though it has been scratched, as does some of the cover itself. This also connotes as being quite threatening, as well as coming across as unpolished and 'rough.' The bright green used stands out more, and could be seen as glowing on the dark background. This could suggest the black is representing the night time, and the green is glowing in the dark. This makes the original connotation come across as even more frightening. 

The smaller picture of Adele playing the guitar in the corner is more innocent, and counters the scary side of the magazine. It could be subtle message, which links with the white text, to suggest the content isn't as frightening. The realistic image also counters the fictional cartoons, suggesting there are more realistic stories in this magazine. Adele playing a guitar could also be seen as inspirational. The idea of inspiration is key factor for my magazine, and I want to be able to capture this kind of idea. 

Front Cover Textual Analysis Four

This magazine is based on just one artist, Rihanna. This idea is made obvious through the use of a very large font, which covers the entire header of the magazine, as the title. 

The main colours used on this cover are yellow, pink, white and black. This is fairly similar to the colours used on 'Just Pop!' I think this connotes a more girly idea in this magazine, as it isn't just some text of these colours. Pink is used in the background too, automatically making this cover look more busy and feminine. At the top and bottom of the cover, there is a slightly darker shade of pink with sparkles. This connotes also as being feminine, but could also be seen as emphasising the idea of Rihanna's fame/fortune.

The title uses bright yellow with a  pink outline, on a pink background. I think this is used to help the title stand out more, so it is obvious what the magazine is about. The fact the 'The Superfan's guide to,' is in white means it doesn't stand out as much, and is only obvious when you pick the magazine up. I think this has been done to attract anyone interested in Rihanna to pick up the magazine, as it isn't obvious what the actual content is until you have had a closer look. I also think white may have been used to suggest that either gender can be a 'super fan.' The pink does come across as feminine, but another reason the pink could have been used is because Rihanna is a female artist. This idea could also be argued in 'Notion,' as a front cover concerning Conor Maynard is blue, which is more masculine. 

The background uses circle shapes in different shades of pink. I think this makes the picture look fake, compared to the more natural shots I have looked at in the previous three magazines, as it is obvious Rihanna's picture wasn't taken on this background. However, the two smaller photographs look much more natural, and could be seen as being there to give an insight into her lifestyle. It shows the performing side and the more relaxed side, which suggests there is many different stories about Rihanna's life in this magazine. 

In the main photo of Rihanna, we see she is looking very plain, with the exception of her gold necklaces. I think the effect of Rihanna wearing gold necklaces is that it links to the idea of fame. The gold could also link to the feminine idea expressed through the bright colours, such as pink, and the sparkles. Other than wearing a gold necklace, Rihanna is looking quite plain, and I think this is because this picture is trying to capture all aspects of the content. Not only does the story cover her career, with all the awards, fashion, tours and films that come with this. It also talks about her story, from when she was first discovered, until now. I think the plain look is used to symbolise this. 

This cover also uses a bubble for information, much like in 'Just Pop!' However, this one is in white, which stands out more on a pink background and with a pink outline. Inside the bubble, the word Rihanna is in capital letters, where the rest of the wording is not. I think this is another way of reminding the audience that this magazine is about Rihanna. 

The 'Plus' on the right hand is the only wording on the cover in a floaty, girly typography. I think this is to help to draw attention to the other stories being previewed on the front cover.  The fact it is in black also helps it to stand out more on a pink background, and suggests the extra information is for both genders.  

Front Cover Textual Analysis Three

The entire front cover of this magazine is quite dark, with Conor Maynard wearing dark clothing, the background being dark blue, and there not being much lighting. I think this connotes an idea of mystery and tension, as you can't see where he is staring and the entire scene is quite barren. 

The smaller title at the bottom of the page, 'Portrait of the Popstar as a Young Man,' could link to the idea of darkness, and connotes as Maynard coming out of the dark, and into fame. The picture of Maynard is shot with poor lighting, however, we can see some light reflecting off of his forehead and jacket. Also, he is staring, looking mesmerised, at this vague light, and not towards the camera. These ideas could support the connotation of Maynard's starting a new lifestyle as a popstar. The light could symbolise the idea of stage lighting, or lights coming off of cameras from a crowd in front of him, not visible to us. This could be what he is staring at. The fact his forehead looks moist supports the idea he is in the middle of a set. 

The title of the magazine is written in a typography which is more serious and formal. This shows the more adult side to this magazine. A similar font is used for the smaller text at the bottom of the page. The entire cover is a lot less busy than other magazines such as 'Just Pop!' It also only focusses on the one story. This is much more brief and to the point, meaning you have to look inside to find out more. 

At the bottom of the front cover, there are several mentions of different artists. It alternates between one name being in a block font, and another being in a slanted, thinner font. Forward slashes are also used to separate the names. The writing is very small and all in one place, which is much more subtle and not too in your face. However, you have to concentrate to read this writing, as it is much smaller and the slanted typography is harder to understand. This could be a method of enticing  the reader to pick up the magazine to read it. 

Front Cover Textual Analysis Two

The use of colourful bubbles for the heading and some other text on the front cover is effective, as it condenses a lot of the information. This means that for people just scanning the cover, they can get a brief idea of the contents of the magazine. The use of bright colours connotes as being more fun and quirky, which could be more appealing to a younger audience. The use of a white background contrasts this, as it connotes as being quite plain and simple. It means the front cover isn't too busy, and your attention is drawn more to the text and subheadings on the brighter backgrounds. The use of colours that stand out inside the bubbles causes them to be even more obvious. I want to adapt this sort of idea into my own magazine, as I want it to be appealing to teenagers and those perhaps in a rush, who don't have time to read lots of font. It is also an idea I'd like to use on my double page spread.

One of the bubbles says, '13 fabulous posters!' The number 13 is much larger than the words, suggesting this is what is wanted to stand out more. It is in an italic font, which emphasises it a lot more. The word fabulous is written in pink, as it could connote as being a more girly word to use. The colour pink is also associated with being more girly. This could also suggest these posters would only appeal to females, suggesting this magazine is gender specific. I would adapt this and use only colours that come across as neutral to both genders, as I want it to be able to inspire both sexes. 

The heading uses two different types of typography. The word 'just' is written in a more floaty style, which isn't too serious, and is black. It is also much smaller than the word 'pop' beneath it. I think this font and colour connotes as being quite plain, and emphasises the idea that this magazine is purely based on the pop genre. The word 'pop' beneath this is bright yellow, and uses a splattered paint idea as the 'O.' I think the splattered paint idea connotes fun, free will and informality. The fact the word 'pop' is yellow on a pink background stands out from the rest of the cover. The white background causes this to be even more prominent. The fluorescent colours also suggest the idea of the magazine being fun. These are reoccurring colours on the cover, as they are also used for other text. This suggests a sort of theme of the magazine, maybe as a method of making it more memorable for when it comes to purchasing the next issue. I think the fact two different fonts are used is also quite informal and quirky. 

The text 'The Wanted' and 'JLS' is written in a slanted style. I think this is because they are artists, and this is a way of them being emphasised. Other text written in a slanted font is 'Inside!' This is to try and incise the reader to look inside, and a similar idea could have been in mind when the slanted idea was used on the artists names. 

The text underneath 'The Wanted,' which says, 'Not so bad boys...' is in pink. 'The Wanted,' is in yellow. These two colours match the title, which suggests they idea that this is the main story in 'Just Pop!' The use of an ellipse creates suspense, which could make the audience more inclined to buy the magazine. 

The main picture on the front cover is of The Wanted, a well known boy band. They are all dressed in dark colours, and this could be so they stand out on the cover, whilst not taking the attention away from the brighter text in front of them, the title and the information bubbles. They are also all smiling and messing around, which connotes the idea of fun. One of them isn't looking at the camera, and there mouths are open as if they are talking, which suggests that this is a natural shot. This could allow the audience to feel as though they can relate more to the magazine, as it is more real. This is what I would like to achieve with my photography, as I want the audience to be able to relate. 

In the bottom left hand corner, there is a picture of Victoria Justice. This is clearly a planned photo, suggesting this article was written about her, so is less relatable. The story beneath is written in a floaty typography, very similar to the one used in the title. I think in this instance, it is used to appeal more to girls, as it is more delicate. Also, the story is something that girls would be interested in more than boys. This text is positioned on top of a bright pink splattered effect. My connotation of this is that it is spilt blusher or some sort of make-up, as that is what the story is concerning. 

Front Cover Textual Analysis One

This front cover has a simplistic layout and is easy to follow. The use of the colour white in the heading and sunheading has the connotation of simple. This is supported by the simple typography which is used. There are no daring colours used in this text, as this would completely counter the tone of the cover. I think the white links to the subheading, 'Real Talk.' White is more serious, and so is emphasising the idea of truth in the article concerning Rita Ora. The image in the background backs up this idea; it denotes as her smiling into the distance. The connotation of the position of her eyes is this is a natural, unplanned shot; she could be talking to someone at the time and didn't know the photo was being taken. This links to the subheading 'Real Talk' and the use of a white, simple typography, as it adds to the idea of realism and supports the idea of a natural interview and article about Rita Ora. People would be more inclined to read this and would be more inspired, as it's more believable. This is what I want to achieve with my magazine. 

White could represent the idea of innocence. The fact Ora is wearing a white jumper brings us back down to earth, and connotes the idea that she is still a normal human being, who started off just like everybody else. The use of red lipstick and dark make-up then reminds us of her performing side, and contrasts the inferior view given of her by the white clothing. This represents the idea of the progression of Rita Ora - the same sort of idea I want to be able to display in my magazine. The way Rita Ora is written on the font of this magazine uses her logo. This again reminds us of the idea she is a Pop artist and performer, as well as having a more serious side.

The use of the '+' sign as oppose to using the word 'plus' suggests an idea of informality, which counters the general formal tone of the cover. It comes across as being more current, yet serious and realistic and the same time, with much more formal typography being used for the title of the magazine. This is again backed up by the way 'Rollacoaster' is spelt, as the deviant spelling also shows informality. This could then attract both an older and younger audience.