Research and planning: Contents page analysis

* Editorials note
*Subheading
*Main image
*House style - Colour scheme

The contents page has an editorials note which allows the audience to know a brief of which celebrities are being used. There is a conventional colour scheme used which consists of black, pink, yellow and blue. You have a pull quote situated near the main image which creates a synergy between the two. This allows the audience to know this is a quotation from an iconic celebrity. All the pull quotes are layed out next to the coverlines. This making them more valuable to the intended target audience. 

The layout is conventionally busy. For the young teenage girl audience, you have featured posters which increases the magazines value. The layout has consistent gutters which blocks of each section of the magazine. This helps with navigation. Whatever's on the front covers main image, is shown on the contents page so that the audience know were to find the featured article. The language used holds an informal register which would appeal to young teenage girls aged 11-16. This shows that the intended target audience will be reached because the magazine considers their use of language and interests. All the coverline images, use facial expressions which are conventional to the magazines genre. This is because the facial expressions and posture have connotations to a light hearted tone.  This also represents considered demographics appropriately, considering the age of the intended target audience. The coverlines consist of multiple shots which creates good variation. The use of props also makes each coverline individual and shows that all the articles will be interesting. The intended target audience are a younger audience so their is less typography in one area. The section titled, "Inside this month" highlight coverlines which hold colloquial language. 

Research and planning: Mastheads

Rising star, will be my masthead, to create brand awareness for my pop genre magazine. I have used Dafont website and powerpoint software so that I can have fancy typography whilst being able to change the colour of the typography. I have considered conventional colours of purple, blue, pink and yellow because to a connotational level, people associate these colours to pop. You want the audience to feel familiarity with the genre so that it appeals to them. This makes adhering to conventional aspects a positive marketing technique. The typography used, isn't just alerting down to the large font used but it's alerting because it's legible and the colours will attract the audience eye. This is why the bright colours will benefit my house style colour scheme.  The fourth masthead uses a template of a star instead of an A. This shows a visual dennotation to the word star whilst allowing me to place a close up of a featured article artist. 

The colours used for the first, second and forth masthead are all to a connotational level feminine. The pop genre music magazines are conventionally aimed at teenage girls ages 11-16 so my intended target audience will fit this age bracket conventionally.




Audience view-
Tanya's view- The second masthead was too "amateur" which shows that this masthead wouldn't be professional and appeal to my intended target audience. The 3rd masthead is dull and plain so it wouldn't make Tanya want to act in purchasing my magazine. The first masthead, Tanya says is "elegant in it's simplicity." This shows that the masthead doesn't need to be complicated but has set a house style for my magazine.


 Rabeya view- The first masthead is her favourite because the typography is alerting and synergises to pop conventional house styles. "I like the second one because the colour has connotations to pop. I like the idea for the fourth one because of the star over A."


Syeda's view- "I don't like the third one because it's too busy. The third masthead's colour isn't practical for my visual eye stress. "
Syeda likes the bottom one because the colour and typography is conventional to pop music.

Research and planning: Collage

These artists are all from the pop genre of music. Most are bands because I want to create a band article. This is because I believe that the intended target audience would be interested in a more gossip side of  a band or as I like to call it, the band dynamics. I am contemplating whether I should focus mainly on the bands singer or on more than one member of the band. My band will be closest to cover drive considering gender. This is because I wanted to show female empowerment in the band by also including males who are not the lead role. That is why I have used, in this collage, female solo artists (discluding Ed Sheeren and Justin Bieber) because they have a distinct voice and they are part of the pop genre. The way they are represented through "mise on scene costume"  demonstrates an individual style which synergises to their pop style of music. This idea of creating a mixed gender band will synergise to my masthead which is Rising st*r. This * symbol will be replaced with a star template.
Bands such as the Vamps and 5 seconds of summer are often compared to the Busted and Mcfly style. My intended target audience will have similar interests so that's why I will use the same instruments presented in The Vamps image.The bands used, has the conventional mise on scene facial expression which is the happy smile. This creates the pop genre vibe which is expected from my intended target audience.
The intended target audience age demographics are teenagers who have an interest in pop music. This shows that other demographics are varied for the target audience because it's mainly for people who the pop music appeals too.

Research and analysis: on voice thread

https://voicethread.com/myvoice/#create/6085713

I have no idea if this recording link will actually work but if it does, this is a short analysis of a music magazine. This is a very difficult task using voice thread. This is because it receives interference and I don't believe my voice is consistently clear. Post your views and that includes if the link doesn't work. The information in this link will help you with the theoretical side of media. 

Research and planning: Music magazine analysis

The audience would be people who are interested in main stream chart music. The age demographic would be pre-teens and younger teens because of the language used. The main image would appeal to a certain target audience who are fans of one direction. The puff also supports the main image (which is a wide shot) and this would appeal to the one direction target audience. "Real," is in yellow which creates a connotation to summer. The summer connotation with the denotation of the word real makes me create a synergy between the two techniques. This is because a thought connotation would be that the "Real" truth is practically the entertainment, fun side of the iconic band; One direction.

The main image also shows happy expressions which is conventional to pop magazines. Facial expressions convey the tone of the magazine. By the artists having all happy faces or by pulling silly faces has connotations to a fun light heart tone. The house style consists of the color scheme pink, yellow and white.  There are connotations to femininity, yellow being summer and happiness and white being innocence. These are conventional to music magazines which appeals to the intended target audience. The colors also synergise to this fun style/tone. To a conventional level, the Top of the Pops magazine has a busy layout. The coverlines consist of an informal register but the typography adheres to the house style. The coverlines attract the target audience because of the use of iconic celebrities. Entertainment magazines appeal to people because it explores factors of your favorite celebrities.  The pug is positions below a cover line strip. The coverline strip presents featured articles which are all associated with the top of the pops. This creates a synergy between the award T.V show and the featured articles. This also increases it's value. 

The representation adheres to conventions because the main image males are smiling and they are wearing conventional colours. This being purple which connotates to royalty, blue which connotates to calmness etc... Considering mise en scene their facial expressions are adhering to conventions because with an aggressive expression they would be stereotypical associated with rock.  

Research and planning: Front cover edited slightly

The only change here is the pull quote's spelling has been corrected.

Research and planning: Front cover for college magazine complete

Evaluation
To create this magazine cover, I have used Photoshop software. Considering the video logged interviews, I have subverted the audience suggestion of using a male. This is because I couldn't find a male student that wanted to be on the cover of a college magazine. My model Syeda was also beneficial to my house style because her dress fits the color scheme which consists of the colors pink, black and yellow. The color pink also has connotations to femininity so by having a female as my main image creates a synergy. The coverlines also has a consistency with yellow enlarged typography followed by pink or black smaller typography. The yellow typography is to attract my intended target audience and the smaller typography provides additional information. I have also included a header which has featured articles. I believe the header is relevant because they help progress sales. This is because if my intended target audience is in a rush, they would be able to know what type of articles my magazine offers. This would help improve purchase. What also helps improve purchase is the magazines pug feature. This is because they allow the intended target audience to act because of the valid information e.g price. I have also added a pull quote near the main image. My interviewers told me that the main image is what first attracts them. This is why I have enforced the main image by adding a pull quote. Unfortunately, I didn't realise, during my limited production period, that I miss typed the word enrichment. If I had more time, I would have proof read the pull quote but the pull quotes color adheres to my house style. The main image also was a problematic situation because I had to switch from magic wand tool to the background selection tool to the lasso tool and finally the rubber. This is because I had to delete the background and also smooth the edges. This was to give my main image a more professional outcome.
I have also included a strap line so that this helps sell my magazine. This would be the only language that will be a formal register. By saying it's a limited edition increases the value of the magazine and makes the intended target audience intrigued in it's cover line context. The coverlines adheres to the house style but if I had more time, I would change the typography. This being so that it was more target audience friendly. This is because of the informal register. The coverline context language is also conventional to the teenager target audience. Finally, you have my puff. The puff adheres to the Hyde Clarendon conventional colors and my magazines chosen house style. The puff has also been enlarged and is conventionally used in magazines as a selling line to win prizes. This is commonly used instead of a freebie attached to the magazine due to magazine's like mine being targeted at an older audience.
The reason why I overlapped layors was to present the puffs but I didn't want it to overwhelm my main image. I placed it over the masthead because the masthead is still legible. If I had more time, I would have used the drop down option of edit, step back on the rubber tool because it wasn't completed neat enough.

Research and planning: mockup contents page

Evaluation
Due to time constraints, I didn't put a background color of black. I also would have thoroughly picked out a different masthead typography. I have included a main image of the college building. This is a wide shot so that it can establish the building. If the shot was taken wider, showing more of the setting, it would be an establishing shot. I have included the current month because if it was a real magazine, there would be monthly releases so I have included a release date. I have categorized my covelines so that the intended target audience knows what type of coverlines to expect e.g experience would focus more on the enrichment side of college. The vault's coverlines are stereotypicaly used in college magazines so the audience will have standards of association. This will make the magazine more likely to sell. The language used, in the coverlines, hold and informal register. This will make it appeal to my intended target audience. To improve this contents page, I would have an image to support each coveline and for the audience to understand the topic, I would use all aspects of mise on scene.

Research and planning: Indesign software contents page

Research and planning: document process main image for front cover

The main image so far has been photo shopped by using the following tools, magic wand tool, background eraser etc… The problems I am currently encountering are how to blend the image around so that the image looks more solid. I also need to take out the following lines that shouldn't be there.

Research and planning: Document process potential main images

 I will use this image for my contents page because it's a medium close up.

This photograph I will not use because the girl on the right should have not been on it.

Research and planning: Document progression- Front cover

For the real magazine, I have used photoshop software. Considering the video log interviews, I have created a background colour consisting of 2 colours which are orange and pink. I also used the gradient tool, to apply both colours. The colour scheme suggested for my house style was orange, pink, yellow and black.
This attempt has made me decide that I do not want the colour pink and orange together. If you believe that orange should be part of my colour scheme, do say. Or if you believe that there should be a different colour scheme which you would associate with Hyde Clarendon college, your thoughts will be most appreciated!
Relating to my flat plan, I have used a top header which demonstrates featured articles. These articles are exactly the same as before but has been worded differently. I have also changed special edition to limited edition because it makes my magazine sound more professional. Considering conventions and my intended target audience, the language used must synergise with the connotational approach to the typography. This means that the language must be as entertaining, for the intended target audience to display interest. There must also be a professional connotational approach because the intended target audience are young adults so it can't have a patronising feel.
I have also changed the puff's context so that it is entertaining but also needs the intended target audience to act. The puff suggests that there is an article in which they can engage and reap rewards. I have also changed the puffs style to pink because the colour is more alerting.

Research and planning: document process- potential settings

This image did not appreciate photo boming

Research and planning: "Mise on scene" list

“Mise en scene”

Props: books- to create synergy between the main image and the House style

Setting: College settings: e.g the canteen, the college entrance, inside a classroom.

Costume: Everyday clothes because it will appeal to the intended target audience because it shows everyday college life. 

Research and planning: College interviews

The interviews helped me decide on factors such as the magazine house style. The interview also allowed me to approach the intended target audience. What I concluded was that the Clarendon school colours will become the house style. That the masthead I made was good enough. The section of the magazine that attracts my intended target audience is the main image and coverlines. This means that I will need to create interesting cover lines.

Research and planning: Masthead task

Using photoshop software, I have looked at conventional typography, to each genre. The first masthead clearly has connotations to a rock magazine. I have used the conventional red which connotates to danger. For the second masthead, I have looked at typography with a bubbly effect. This has connotations to the word pop. I have also used conventional colours but has the conventions to the intended target audience of teenagers.

Research and planning: Flat plan of contents page

I have created a contents page flat plan. The main image presents the type of image I will use in the actual magazine. This also presents a medium close up shot. I have also considered the house style  because of the typography used and the Clarendon college conventional colours. I have categorised the featured articles because the Vault features are monthly expectations and they also show different aspects to college life.

Research and planning: Word software Flat plan of front cover

I created a flat plan on word software. This is my front cover. Using terminology and coverlines associated with college topics, I have created a mock up of a college magazine front cover. This was considering the results from my video log questionnaire. Considering my intended target audience, I have adhered to the request of the masthead title. I have also considered the coverlines which would make my audience want to read my magazine.The main image also concerns a topic that would interest most students. I used the colors pink, black and yellow because they synergise to the Hyde Clarendon colors. This will enforce an original house style, towards my magazine. What would also enforce the house style is the 3 typography used. This will need to be consistent through out the magazine contents. The strapline suggests that this magazine is a "special edition," so that's why I used contemporary coverlines that is currently occurring e.g the ALS bucket challenge.

Research and planning: The questions

1. What's the first thing you look for in a magazine?
2. What image would make you want to read  a collage magazine?
3. What 3 colours would you associate with a Hyde Clarendon magazine?
4. What types of coverlines would interest you, that is associated with collage life?
5. What do you think of the name the Clarendon life? If you don't like it, what would you call it?

Research and planning: Medium close up

These are medium close ups which I will need to be able to use for making a college magazine.

Research and Planning: collage magazine 2

The masthead clearly shows that the magazine is a college magazine. The masthead uses clear typography which allows the masthead to stand out. The colour blue connotates to calmness so it also relates to a factor of successful collage life. This also presents the house style of the magazine because of the consistency of typography which will be presented in it's contents and the double page spread.

You also have a strap line which will be it's selling point. This strapline would be the B.C edition because it allows the magazine to be differentiated.

You also have the pug which is classed as the ears of the magazine. The pug consists of the url, price and barcode. The pug is essential because it allows the intended target audience to act. This is because it allows them information which is essential to sales.

You also have coverlines which are the additional featured stories. This is important because the intended target audience will need to be interested through the subjects. The typography is also bold and easy to read which allows the audience to be shocked by the cover lines. The coverlines are also topics that you would associate with college students.

The main image shows that he's a student but what allows us to know he's a collage student is because of the masthead synergy.

The language used is also conventionally associated with student life and has a tabloid style. I believe this is what attracts the intended target audience because of interest and relation.

Research and planning: Media terminology creating a magazine

Media Terminology for a Magazine

·       Pug- The ears of the magazine, this includes the barcode, the issue date and the price. This also having an associated URL.

·       Puff- A phrase that gives the magazine an identity by presenting an appealing aspect to the intended target audience

·       Pull quote- an enlarged quote which supports a section of the magazine e.g the main image

·       House style- The consistency which appeals to the intended target audience e.g colour scheme, typography.

·       Typography- The font used to appeal to a certain target audience. The typography influences the house style which needs to have a conventional aspect to the intended target audience.

·       Typography includes drop caps: To attract the intended target audiences, drop caps are eye catching and also highlights the importance of a coverline e.g The Vamps

·       Masthead- The title of the magazine which relevance is to Build brand awareness and has connotations/ codes and conventional relevance.

·       Main image- Shows the featured article and should always appeal to the target audience. It must also be relevant to its house style. 

·       Strapline- The selling point of the magazine which is an introductory line to the masthead.

·       Tag- A phrase to attract and engage intended target audience e.g “Exclusive!”

·       Coverlines- The other articles that feature in the magazine

·       Left third: Contains the main features e.g the main artists or bands

·       Top and Bottom strip: They give further information to what is classed as a featured article

·       Slug: A logo for a particular featured article

·       End Marker: An elaborate full stop which is placed at the end of an article.

Research and planning: College front cover analysis

What I learnt-

The intended target audience is people who are currently studying at collage and want to be involved with extra curriculum activities. It’s also a way of gaining information about collage associated tasks and helps students with future careers.  The conventions of the magazines on a connotation level are colours which you would associate with student life e.g Purple, it has connotations to royalty and if the article is on the past success of students, the purple will be appropriate here. The house style must be consistent and this is done through typography- no more than three fonts. The house style must also have conventional colours which are yellow, purple, white, black, red etc… most colours can be associated to a collage magazine as long as it has connotations to the article itself. This is to enforce brand awareness.  The main image is normally an image of a college student who has something which invokes the academical side to collage but this is only different, if the featured article is sport.

Ideas that we can use-

·       Pull quotes- from students, teachers and student services. This depends on the topic page.

·       There can be interviews with teachers, student service, tutors and students which can provide us with a range of topics.

·       Btec courses showing the practical side of their course and pull quotes with how the students are finding their experiences.

·       Cover lines: enrichment activities, drama department, science department and public services.

·       We can have an agony aunt double page spread which tackles student issues.

·       Trips from the past and trips that will be available.