Production Log

I have been working on making the finishing touches to my magazine double page spreads. These included adding more text for the article as I originally did not write enough, adding in pull quotes, the correct page numbers and moving around bits of the overall layout so everything is clear, easy to read and look presentable which would attract readers.

Overall I am very happy with my double page spreads as they are all very different but follow the same style so they don't look odd. In my target audience research, they said they didn't want a lot of text to read as it would put them off reading it. Bearing this in mind, there is around about an equal split between the amount of text and images.



Production Log

I began creating my third and final double page spread for my magazine. For this double page spread, I wanted to create one that's purely just one big photo however, I did not have any images that would work and be 100% beneficial for this. So, I chose a photo that would take up the majority of the page and then I could have one column of text which would round off my article and would be a good way to end the feature so it worked out overall. As with all the other images, I cut out the background on Photoshop to allow the text to closely wrap around the model and I also played around the the brightness/exposure etc. As in the photo she is wearing the t-shirt that I made, I wanted to enhance the colours from this t-shirt so the brightness is quite high so it really stands out.

Overall, I think all of my double page spread's are very different but they all link in to eachother and work really well together. They follow the same sort of style and are all eye-catching pages.

Production Log

Today I was working purely on my front cover and I'm going to try and get this completely finished this week. I moved around some of the spacing of the text: '+FOUR FREE PULLOUT POSTERS' and added four images that would be the posters inside. They all have a black border around them to ensure they stand out.

Production Log

 Whilst creating this double page spread, I decided that it looked too text based and although I did have images in the top corner and a pull quote, I thought it needed something else.
In magazines they tend to have a little box which is still based upon that artist but not solely related to the article.

 I put the box in the bottom left hand corner in the grey colour that sticks throughout. I split the box into three sections being:
1- zoe on...FAVOURITE ARTIST
2- zoe on...FAVOURITE SONG
3- zoe on...FAVOURITE ALBUM

This would allow audience's to get to know Zoe a bit better and find out her opinion of music which would be interesting to read.

Production Log

Production Log

In today's lesson we focussed solely on our double page spreads; I had already created one so went on to make a second that would be purely text with a few images. I used Q magazine to help think of a layout for this double page spread also so it looks realistic. Whilst creating my second one, I decided that it should be the 1st out of all of them as it introduces Zoe to the reader. In order to do this, I had to move the text from my original double page spread onto this one as it contained the first part of the article.

To split up the article rather than it just looking like one big block of text, I will use some images that the text will then wrap around and also pull quotes. These pull quotes would stand out from the rest of the article and it tends to be something that a reader would first read. If the pull quote is interesting enough, then they would continue reading which is what you want.



These are my two double page spreads so far. The top one got lots of good feedback and said it was a very good page; I won't be changing this one much as I am very happy with it.

The second double page spread is currently being made and I will make changes along the way to give the page the best look as possible and to fit with any feedback I get.

Production Log

In today's lesson, I decided to get some audience data that I could use whilst creating my magazine. In order to do this, I thought up 8 questions which would cover most things in my magazine and things that would be helpful for me to work on.

These included:
1- Do you use social networking sites?
2- Online or print magazine?
3- Would you download an app?
4- Monthly or weekly magazine?
5- What sort of competitions would you want to enter? 
6- Would you subscribe to a magazine?
7- What freebies would you want to receive?
8- Overall, what do you want from a magazine?

I used a camera from the media department and went into one of the classrooms that was free and set up a white background. I got some classmates- a variety of boys, girls and from different social groups- to answer my questions of what they would like to see in a magazine; I can then incoporate these into my own.

Production Log

Whilst creating my contents page, I began with a single page however, it becomes too difficult to get everything you need onto one page. I then extended this onto a double page spread.

To begin, I put in boxes around the page where each section of text and images would go- creating easy navigation. This also would make my contents page look much neater and tidier. Once the boxes were in place, it made the process much easier and as I had already written my contents ideas, it was simply the task of copy and pasting them in.

As I had created half of my front cover and one of my double page spreads previous to this, it ensured that I was used to using InDesign which again, sped up the process.

The images I used for my contents page varied. I have 2 images from the photoshoots I held, both of which showing different artists. I also got permission to use an image from a fellow class mates photoshoot who was a male so it gave the images variation. Lastly, I had taken some photos at concerts I had been too which made the magazine look very professional and also informs the reader what would be inside. (Jessie J, LBC, Rizzle Kicks and You Me At Six)

My contents page also allowed me to experiment with my house colours a bit more and see if they do look effective and right for the magazine. I orginally started off with just red and black, however, my contents allowed me to realise that I needed another colour- silvery/grey. Again, this gave the colours more variation and was more effective and attractive to look at. This colour scheme is now final and will stick throughout all of my pages.

Production Log

After completing my photo shoot, I began creating  my magazine.
I started off with the page I was 'most excited' about creating which was one of my double page spread. In Cosmopolitan Magazine they did a feature with Tulisa, the well known artist, in which there was multiple images on the left side of the page. They were all close up shots and in black and white- I thought this page was very eye catching and I wanted to recreate it. In order to do this, Zoe and I both brought various props that are based around the face e.g. hats/minnie mouse ears etc.

Production Log

I have recently created contact sheets of all the images I took during my photoshoot. By creating a contact sheet it allows me to look through all my images easily and it shows the range of images I took. I then published these images as a PDF which allows me to easily upload it to my blog which I can always refer back to.

For Amy's photoshoot, my PDF is 6 pages long which shows the amount of photos I actually took. By taking so many photos, it gives me a wider range of what I can use so I can get the best possible end result.

Production Log

I am currently working on bits and bobs from my photoshoot. I decided to create a video for my photoshoot; whilst doing my photoshoot I set up a seperate camera to the side which filmed me taking the photos. I also got Alfie to take some photos of me taking the photos. I then compiled all of this along with some of the final photos and made a video on Adobe Premiere. This allowed me to add effects, slow up and down the action and import the files really easily. Moreover, I could then easily export this so I could post it onto my blog.

As well as the video, I have made a PowerPoint Presentation on the costumes and props used. This is an essential element to not only my photoshoot, but my magazine aswell and it all had to be taken in careful consideration. After completing my powerpoint, I uploaded it to Scribd which is a document hosting website which allows me to convert it so I can easily blog it.

Production Log

Production Log

This week I have been working on the small but important details of my magazine such as the colour scheme. Every magazine should have at least 3 colours that are classed as the 'house colours'. These are the colours that stick throughout. If you begin using many different colours then it starts too look quite tacky and unprofessional. To keep with the theme of quirky-ness, I am looking at colours that are abstract and different that you would not be expect to see in a magazine; this would ensure it stands out and would attract more readers.

I've also been considering image ideas. In order to do this, I read many magazines both music magazines and other genres. I like the layout of both Q magazine (music) and also Cosmopolitan. The layouts of all the double page spreads are really interesting yet quite basic and I think this would be effective within my magazine.

Production Log

After deciding on the magazine name, I then had to consider the design and colour of it. I looked at the website 'dafont' in which you can actually download any font that is on the website and use it. I chose the font called 'bebas nueue' which is very big and bold and stands out. This would work effectively for my magazine and highlight the title. I then decided to continue using this font throughout the whole magazine. I believe that this font would also be easily recognisable so despite the fact the images would change per issue, the name would stay the same so readers can easily see it rather than searching through it.

As I wasn't entirely sure of my colour scheme whilst creating my magazine name, I left it in black as this would be one colour i'd use throughout. When putting the font in black on my magazine, I found it actually looked quite good so I left it as it is. However, dependant on the picture, this could change issue to issue as you can see in other magazines.

Production Log

I have recently been working on my name ideas for my magazine. The name of the magazine is one of the most important elements of the magazine and it needs to be something that will stick in a readers head. If a reader is unable to remember the name of the magazine then it is too complicated. In order to do this, I created a mind map. From this, I added stems which described the genre, style, artists, what it would include etc. As I want my magazine to cover artists and elements which are very unique and indivdual, I branched this off and began thinking of synonyms for Unique. From this, I got the word Idiosyncratic but thought this could be quite long-winded for a magazine so I shortened it to Idiosync.

I asked around for feedback on this name and most people agreed and said it was an effective name as it's not just a random word but in fact has meaning to it. I think this will be a good magazine name as it's short and snappy and would be easy to remember as its not a word that's solely linked to music and tends not to be used in every day life such as Kerrang.

Production Log

The past few lessons I have been working my way through the list of tasks we have to complete and trying to get through them all as quickly as possible. 
As spent part a of a double going through the Key Concepts of magazines and how we would incorporate these into our own magazines. I decided to present this in a power point and have separate slides for: Codes and conventions, Audience, Representation and Institution. 
I briefly described each one and how they are presented within magazines, I think linked it to my magazine and stated how I will use each one to make my magazine seem as realistic as possible. I will post this power point as and when it is complete.

Production Log

This week I have been working on various different things. For the tasks that I can complete at home, I am because it allows me a lot more time at school to complete tasks that I need various different software for. So, I created my mood board. This comprises of many different images all put into one that cover areas of my magazine such as artists, features, the style etc.

I used images such as a BRIT award, festival images, festival line ups, musical notes, amps, instruments etc. I tried to cover as many different aspects as possible which made it look very full and interesting to look at. This would hopefully help people to get a feel of my magazine and what it will be like.

In one of my double periods this week, Me, Alfie, Amy and Faye decided to do some analysis'. We took a camera and printed off 4 different styles/genres of magazine front covers and went down into the hall. We set up a stand that we would put each front cover on and Faye filmed as we discussed them. As well as discussing each individual front cover, we also compared some to highlight the  differences in each magazine genre. We then chose our favourites and explained the reasoning for this.

After all the filming was complete, we were able to upload this to Adobe Premiere and edit it together so it was ready to post to our blog.

Production Log

 

I particularly like these three Q magazine front covers as they are all very plain and are close ups. I plan to do a close up for the front of my magazine as I feel it makes you feel connected and feel like you're actually stood directly in front of them looking at them. I would like to try and recreate either the Florence or Adele front cover as I think the way they are both gently touching their face and looking directly into the camera looks very effective and mysterious making you want to read inside. 

Also, how the colours used come from what they are wearing and their makeup. E.g. Florence's blue eye shadow is the blue used for sections of text and shapes on the front cover.

Production Log

Production Log

Last lesson I continued working through the list of everything I need to do. We are encouraged to use a variety of multi-media for each of our posts. So a group of us decided to do a video analysing various types of music magazine front covers that we printed on A3 paper which we then held up and spoke about. I will post this video shortly!

Also, I continued to analyse front covers on powerpoint so I had a copy to post on my blog. To do this, I had to look at the colours, images, text, title etc and think about why its used and what's it effect was. This will make it much easier when it comes to creating my own magazine as I now know, in more depth, how normal magazines are created and what makes an effective front cover, and what not so much.

I found that the colours and the main image on the front cover are the most important element because that is what catches your eye first. My personal preference was definitely the close up images so you can purely just see the head and neck, this allowed me to feel instantly connected with the music artist and if it was someone I liked/enjoyed listening to, this would ensure I'd buy the magazine.

Next lesson, I plan to keep working through my list of what I need to do and keep up to date with everything so I am not behind.