Development from Preliminary Task

I found that I had progressed quite a lot since the preliminary project. I had a lot more confidence in setting out my proper magazine and using software. I believe that in the preliminary project I was not as organised as I had hoped to be and in doing that it slowed me down and my construction was not as professional. I also hadn't used the Adobe InDesign software before and in using it made my layout look a lot neater and more professional. I had not used Photoshop to a wide degree either, I believe I have progressed a lot since my first attempt at Photoshop. The tutorials of both Photoshop and Adobe InDesign CS5.5 aided me in my development and sped up my process of construction.

Preliminary Task Cover:

 

Final Magazine Cover:

Rough Design

In seeing both of my covers in comparison and the progression stages, you can see that my photography has improved as well as my knowledge for magazine conventions and their layout. Overall I feel I have improved immensely and I am very happy with the way my magazine pages have come out and how they have been constructed. In my very final design I decided to make the colour scheme more simple and not use so many of the colours that didn't really work so I limited myself to just red, black and white for the cover and used the blue in some parts for banners within the feature article and contents page as I felt the cover had too much going on otherwise as well as the writing occasionally fading into the background so my decision in changing the layout of colour was more aesthetically pleasing.

 

Development from Using Different Software

 

 I found using blogger alot more easy after having used it perviously in the preliminary project. I felt a lot more confident in using all the features and instead of continually using powerpoint to convert slides. I found using blogger to upload some of my work a lot less time consuming as it was eay to save drafts for later editing. I also found my way around the layout of my blog a lot more creatively and my presentation of my blog looks a lot more neater im my recent magazine project then in the preliminary.  

 

The colour scheme in my preliminary project was very basic and uninteresting and the colour backgrounds were very similar to the blog background colour. Whereas in my final project the blog background was alot more artistic and creative and I could tie the colours of the posts with the blog colours. I also made the most use of space as I could.

Technologic Process of Construction/Production ( What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?)

Software and Equipment:

I used a Canon 500D SLR camera to take my photos of my artists. I also used the Canon digital photo professional editing software, for my photo manipulations. I also used Photo shop to edit the final photos for small touch ups. I also used Adobe InDesign CS5.5 to create the margins and columns for the layout of my magazine as well as using it to construct the pages. Other software's I used to create my blog were, Blogger and PowerPoint.

Using Canon digital photo professional editing software:

 

1. I found use this software quite easy to use for my photo manipulations. I started off by messing around with saturation to make it black and white. I then continued to experiment with the contrast to find the correct lighting to highlight the creases in his shirt to define them.

 

2. I then decided I was happy with the highlights and shadowing of my cover photo.

 

I enjoyed using this editing software as it was professional yet easy to use. I found that it was a lot better quality at editing the photos professionally. It also proved to be really easy to convert my manipulations to Jpegs easy to import into Adobe InDesign.

Before and After Photos

Skylar Matthews

 

 Supporting Artist Before and After Photos

Jazmin Star

 

 Jason Ripley

The Krugers

 

Using Photoshop and Adobe InDesign

 

 

I used Photo shop to touch up some of my photos as my artists had a few blemishes on their face. For Jazmin Star's photo I had decided to cut out background of her picture and I felt it gave the contents page more edge and in doing this I used Photoshop to edit the background out and had a smooth finish to the curves of the image.

 

I used the "patch tool" to fix their blemishes and make the skin look smooth and perfect. I found this quite hard as I was not very good with using Photoshop but during the process of making the magazine I began to work more fluidly and I learnt a lot from tutorials on YouTube.  

 

 Example: 

 Using Adobe InDesign

Whilst constructing my pages I found it very tricky to create my margins and text boxes for the feature article and as I was ill during the demo from our teacher on the software. I was very dependant on tutorials on YouTube for using Adobe InDesign.

 

Stage 1 Tutorial - Page composition

 

Stage 2 Tutorial- importing pictures 

 

Stage 3 Tutorial- creating text boxes

 

Stage 4 Tutorial- inserting drop caps

 

Stage 5 Tutorial- using guidelines and columns 

 

Stage 6 Tutorial - wrapping text around objects (final stage of basic tutorial)

 

 Using PowerPoint to convert slides to My Blog

I have been using PowerPoint since primary school and I am very experienced in using this software and in   this experience I have developed my work to it's full potential. I found it a lot easier than using the blogging system all the time as you could upload them easily and quickly. 

 

 

Attraction and Adress to Audience

My cover appeals to the dark and grungy side of my audience and links to the city life aspects of the older ages within my range. I manipulated the photo to black a white to increase the intensity of the light against the artist's skin and defines the creases and folds within the fabric in his denim shirt. The use of the urban background draws in connotations of the wall being a boundary and the connection with the artists defining the boundaries and possibly over coming it. The use of patterning within the masthead reflects cracked and broken similar to some graffiti, again linking towards the wall background and grudge edge to the indie genre.

Old Design

The use of the black, red and white reflects the symbolic style of rebelliousness and gives you a sense that it's not trying to hard to stand out but ironically it does as it's got a very dimmed and monotone image and the vibrancy from the red and white illustrations around the dominant image. The cover then is attracting the female and male based audience through the attractiveness of the model by providing the female audience with aesthetic enticement into the artist and the sexual attraction of the artist. On the other hand the attractiveness and fashion element within the artist acting as a role model for the male audience as well as the connotations of the colour scheme consisting of red which is stereotypically associated with males. The use of the triangle symbol in the "A" letter also links towards the attraction of the indie fan bases within my target audience. The triangle symbol represented within the masthead not only shows the brand but is dedicated to the specific genre of indie rock.

Rough design

Improved Design

The use of the "Z" symbol at the top of each page resembles a more modern style which would be addressing a modern generation. The use of the red also plays as quite eye catching and therefore is noticeable and recognised as one of the repeating magazine conventions. My supporting artists were also quite young drawing in the younger but mature audience range of 16-25 year olds. The manipulations of the photos also proved to give a more vintage and striking look so it capture more attention from the reader as well as appealing to the indie style, so you can tell that the genre is indie rock not just rock itself. The layout of the page in the improved version is a lot more easy to navigate and has less crowding around areas and really shows off the use of colour scheme reflecting conventions.

Rough design

Improved Design

In the improves design I think that the use of the colour scheme also attracts my target audience and it gives off the influence of being very professional and tidy from the layout. The content within the article also attracts the audience as it relates to them in a humane way and really illustrates the artist's emotion and surreal personality through the use of outdoor images and open morality within the context of the feature article itself. Where as in the rough design the layout looked too mechanical and had no consistency in the colour scheme and didn't achieve the image of the artist that I was trying to convey. So by changing and tweaking parts of the article it really brought life to it and illustrated the artist the way I wanted him to be perceived.

Target audience: Has is changed?

Mood Board of Target Audience (Male 16-25)

This shows the image I had imagined my male audience to be picture as. I wanted my audience to have some sort of fashion sense and indie style. I used these images to produce my artist to accommodate the style shown in the mood board. The images reflected independence, fashion sense, musicians, city life and the contrast of outdoors life and activities outside of the workplace. I reflected the subject of city life within the magazine cover with the urban brick wall behind the artist. I also used the jean shirt style heavy noted by indie rock style for my model which relates to the younger 16-18 year olds of my target audience range 16-25 as the fashion will be followed more by the younger ages. The older ages 20-25 years will probably relate the feature article more easily due to the adult and mature content and language used. I believe I have kept to my target audience originally (16-25 year olds) as the layout is modern but easy to follow and the content is very much to do with a mature and older audience.

Mood Board of Target Audience (Female 16-25)

This shows the picture I had of my consumer market of women reading my magazine. I imagined my audience to have I high standard of fashion and ability financial to fund it. I also imagined that they would have some level of creativity relating to indie style so they could relate to the construction of my masthead and the cracked design I had chosen. These images reflect the origins in which my magazine would have a heavy market in, the age rang of women buying the magazine and the style in which I had composed my own cover and feature article based on real life situations and inspiration form the indie genre to influence my judgement of construction. I was constantly looking back towards these sort of images to make sure I was including precisely the right content that would be recognised and enjoyed by my female target audience( and male). I believe that the target audience has not changed from 16-25 year olds as the style and mature content is appropriate towards the audience.

Distribution of Media Product: Bauer or IPC (Time Inc.)

In conclusion I believe that IPC( Time Inc.) would be the best media distributer as they target a more specific sector of alternative and un mainstream magazines. where as Bauer would however make the magazine very popular, it may be taken into a different perspective and not be classed as an indie magazine due to it's availability and audience. The indie genre tends to be quite originally and alternative so using a well known publishing company could widen the audience of the magazine instead of my set target audience and they way they should see the magazine as a culture.

Social Group Representation

I wanted to represent the following social groups: indie rock fans, women & men, 16-25 year olds and fashion concious people.

Social Group Representation Survey:

George Coombes (male, age 16)
1) What do you like about the layout of  the magazine cover? the image is clear, so is the title and the cover lines which makes them really stand out and grab your attention.

2) Do you think it justifies indie style and how? Yes. The clothing and colouring is heavily reflected in indie style

3) What mood does the artist express and how does this relate to the indie genre? The stance is quite confident but at the same the clothing is quite relaxed and chilled reflecting a surreal image of the artist.

4) What do you like about the layout of the contents page and what would you change? I like the use of the images being quite big because you can see the artists better and I like the use of the neatness so you can clearly see the composition of how to read the layout.

5) Does the representation of the feature article change your view of the artist from the cover and what made your view change? Yes. From the front cover the artist appears to be quite serious and determined and through the images and answers of the artist it shows a more humble and comforting side to the artist. 

Aly Pugh (female, age 17)

1) What do you like about the layout of  the magazine cover? I like the positioning of the title and image layout.

2) Do you think it justifies indie style and how? The black and white imaging reflecting the indie genre. I also believe the use of the brick wall created a soft grunge look which is heavily associated with the indie genre.

3) What mood does the artist express and how does this relate to the indie genre?  He expresses a very relaxed yet hidden image from his body language being to look to the side rather than addressing the audience head on, indicating there is more to Skylar than meets the eye.

4) What do you like about the layout of the contents page and what would you change? I like the use of columns and banners and it makes it clear to read. I would possibly change the font of the advertisement at the bottom as it stands out and looks slightly odd.

5) Does the representation of feature article change your view of the artist and what made your view change? I believe it gives a more innocent affect against this strong and quite conserved image to then unfold his secrets gives you some satisfaction of being able to relate to the artist on a human level than as some celebrity that's so called "perfect".

Rachel Sanmogan (female, age 18)

1) What do you like about the layout of  the magazine cover?  I like the use of contrast with the image in black white and the cover lines being in colour.

2) Do you think it justifies indie style and how? yes, because it shows the patterned sections of the title reflect the indie style as well as the "A" looks like a triangle which is associated with the indie category. 

3) What mood does the artist express and how does this relate to the indie genre? He appears to be quite serious from his facial expressions but from his body language he seems to be very chilled and relaxed as he has his hands in his pockets and his legs spread apart in his stance.

4) What do you like about the layout of the contents page and what would you change? I like the use of columns and banners as it clearly shows the content in an organised way. But the use of pictures overlaying near the advertisement is very eye catching. I would make the text slightly bigger and bolder in some of the text boxes.

5) Does the representation of feature article change your view of the artist and what made your view change? Yes, the shot of the artist in the feature article has a more personal presence and address by looking towards the audience and represents a kindness within him.

George Flowers (male, age 20)

1) What do you like about the layout of  the magazine cover? I really like the use of colour against the black and white soft grunge background.

2) Do you think it justifies indie style and how? I think the clothing and the dominant image tone is very suited to the indie style and it is clear that it is indie rock not just rock as the clothes he his wearing are more chilled and doesn't look too serious or drastic in making a statement through clothing.

3) What mood does the artist express and how does this relate to the indie genre? He expresses a very mellow and chilled stance against the wall and this also reflects him as an average guy as he's not taken to some posh studio he's actually out in the world near some wall which makes it more personal. 

4) What do you like about the layout of the contents page and what would you change? I like the use of a colour scheme it really brings out the sections of the contents. I would change the use of section banners to divide each sub title category.

5) Does the representation of feature article change your view of the artist and what made your view change? I believe the cover photo presents the artist as quite and unapproachable person but after reading the article as well as seeing the second photo you start to connect with the artist on a human level and I find it easier to understand his background and style from how he acts and what he likes to do and comes off as.



Conclusion - The feedback I got back was very positive and was appropriate towards my target audience and genre. I also found that I had some places for improvement within my layout and style of magazine.

Social Group Representation - Mood board of potential qualities within my target audience. 

I used gender stereotypes by using the red and blue font colours to attract the male gender as well as using and atractive male to attract women.

Magazine Style Analysis of Coneventions and their adress/ attraction to the audience

 

 

 

 

Final Product Cover Analysis

Finished Magazine Feature Article

I changed my layout of my feature article from my draft. I decided to change the composition of the concert release dates to the right side underneath the main picture so fans can easily access the information without reading the article if they did not show an interest. I also decided to not post more pictures because I felt it would have crowded the layout too much and would have looked too informal. I also decided to put a banner at the bottom of the page for the magazine's website and page number.
I ended up changing my layout again as I felt it wasn't easy to navigate and the colour scheme and artist weren't conveyed as I wanted them to be so I rearranged the text within the article to make it look more neat and I decided to place some more images of the artist near the concert dates to illustrate to the reader the personality and fashion sense the artists has as well as showing the reader his versatility.

Final End Product Of My Feature Article

Finished Magazine Contents Page ( looking at magazine conneventions and how I have used them in my mgaazine)

I changed the composition of the layout from the draft. I changed the sides of the contents from originally being on the right side to the left, because the reader would then have to read from the left after reading the title from the centre and it seemed quite odd to then change the central position to then be off centre. I decided to replace the right side with the images of the supporting artists so you focus on the image and then look for surrounding text on the right or even the other way around because of this composition. I also decided to add in my house style colour scheme of black and red to exaggerate certain titles within the text. I also decided to change the picture of Jazmin Star to be outlined so it stands out against the advertisement at the bottom.

I decided to change my layout again from this composition as I found it was hard to navigate and was too bold with the colour scheme and didn't entice the reader's attention and interest into the supporting artists.

Finished Magazine Front Cover

 

This is my final product of my front cover. I  decided to change parts of the composition of the layout to suit a more indie style. I thought the use of the artist's signature on the magazine would resemble a more pop genre so I decided to discard the idea of the signature. I also decided to change the position of the cover lines as well as adding the magazine's website at the bottom of the cover. I also made the decision to have the dominant image overlapping the masthead, this was not according to my original draft. I changed this because I felt it gave the cover more depth and perception to it and created a more complex style which would be noticed within indie style and would appeal to the audience more. I also felt it gave a sense of confidence within the magazine as people would recognise it well from the abstract font imaging.
In the end I found this design too overpowering and confusing to navigate so I changed the colour scheme slightly and used the same font for the extras around the dominant image and this proved to compliment the cover a lot better and was a lot more ascetically pleasing to the reader.