Photoshoot Plans

I have drawn up the plans for the photoshoot in the studio but not other locations because I am just using natural lighting so therefore it would be unable to say the positives of the lighting, positioning etc. I am using location shots such as construction sites, fields, bridges, and streets. I have decided to do this because it adds realism to the magazine, I think that the natural lighting means that it will benefit the images as it wouldn't pick up and bright lighting and it won't be too dark.

Studio Plan :)

The photoshoot plan shows that I have used two sources of lighting in which I could use together or seperately. On the right hand side I have used the source of High-Key Lighting because it doesn't need adjusting between shots and can be used on any scene, or background and also it would be the main source of lighting in my photography. It means that the shadows won't be over bearing. I decided to use this in unison with the other lighting so it's not too light and depending on the camera angle, depends on lighting used. Low-Key Lighting is on the left hand side and it is part of 3 point lighting, it is easier amd quicker to set up with good shots that's an advantage. Also in some shots I may want some shadows depending on the pose and scene so this lighting alone would provide it. I have put the camera with arrows because I plan on using different angle shots throughout my magazine with the model standing in the center of the screen so all light reflects on their skin so that the model glows and stands out more.

Practice Photoshoot

This is my practice photoshoot of possible locations, and poses for the models to be shot using. I have analysed each image careful to say whether I will use the location and pose and maybe how I could improve them. I feel I could improve the photography by using three point lighting so they are not dark. However, I am intending on having some dark images to connote how dark the artists life was before she discovered music.

I was testing out this pose because it shows a high amount of attitude in which the artists in the genre I am basing the magazine on has. I am unsure on whether I will use this in my magazine because it's not a clear shot and the pose may seem inappropriate but I could use a similar pose to show the attitude, but use a different location and lighting to improve it. I think that it may suit the age range of my target audience because it is a popular pose amongst teenagers or young adults.

I was testing out the lighting in the art centre to see if I could take some pictures here but I don't think I will use it as a location as I have already chosen my main locations. I think I will use this pose in my magazine, perhaps on the double page spread as a small image with a few images overlapping each other slightly. However, when I use this in my magazine I will have done the make-up and the model will be wearing headphones to show her enjoyment in music and her passion for it. 

These two images would maybe be used on the double page spread as little images to show that she got through it with the help from maybe a best friend, or sister. This shows the difference of what she used to be and it could have some interviews from the other person who took her in, to show her opinion. I think these poses could be changed slightly by putting in props and maybe changing location.

I like this pose because it shows the natural behavior behind the scenes of the artist and I think this is effective because it would make the reader just see how much alike they are and just feel like they can understand the artist and maybe could follow in the footsteps. They could form a band with the artist so I might use this image on the contents page.

I think I will use this pose for an image on the contents page because the model on the left shows clear attitude and I think it is a relevant pose for the magazine genre. I like the shadows in the image so I am planning on maybe using this area for more photography ideas.

These two images of my models show the attitude in which the models have, and I think I may use these on the double page spread because they are good poses. I think the right image may be a good pose for the front cover because it shows her tough personality, which may signify her tough upbringing but it shows you can get anywhere of you try. I think the first image could be the main image on the DPS because it shows how she has changed and bettered herself no matter what her background, or issues she faced. I think this would show the hood coming down connotating that she has changed a huge amount and doesn't want to be associated with the way she used to live.

DPS Flat Plan Analysis

Firstly the colours on my double page spread are once again continued from the previous pages so that it looks like part of a house style, like in Kerrang! Once again I have used the four main colours; red, yellow, black and white for the same reasons as previously. However, the layout of the contents page is a lot different to that of the other pages as it includes more images, with the text on the right hand page but with a large image above, because I think this looks professional. I intend on using a basic font for the article so that it is easy to read, and it will just be a normal plain black text because it would stand up off the yellow text boxes. I intend on using font size 14 but if this is too small then I ill improve it but not go above the size 16. I will use one main image on each page, but on the left page add a banner with other little pictures across so that its less plain and looks more busy and stands out. I haven't used a masthead on the DPS but because it follows the colour scheme, with some of the same fonts it is obviously still part of the same magazine. There is also subscription information on the top of the page to show more information on the topic so it would interest them further.

My photography choice was most difficult for the double page spread because there was a limited choice, and I didn’t know what type of clothing or make-up or overall poses would attract people. I didn’t know whether to use extreme shots or just normal ones, this was the toughest decision because I didn’t know whether to make it look rock chick or more natural alternative rock. I am thinking of overlaying images on the left page because it would look more effective and professional in my opinion. I will make sure with the pictures it shows professional angles and lighting, and also interesting poses so that it is appealing for them to want to subscribe to further issues of the product. I did it like this to follow the magazine or textual research I did previous, but not be copied exactly, just used as an influence.


To improve my DPS I am intending on maybe using a grey background so it doesn't look so plain and maybe it will all stand out more if I do this. Or I could do black background but this might mean it is too dark and wouldn't catch people's attention as much. I intend on using quotes as well on the double page spread to add realism to the article overall with introductory lines at the top of the right hand page to say 'only in RIOT!' so that it is eye catching and would be attractive to readers.

Contents Cover Flatplan Analysis

Firstly the colours on the contents page are continued from my front cover so that it shows the housestyle and looks more realistic, like kerrang in which I had originally based my product around. I have used the four main colours; red, yellow, black and white because it is then showing colours from the previous page. I have used these colours as red and yellow are warm colours which may signify that the music industry is welcoming, and a warm environment to be involved in. However, the layout of the contents page is a lot different to that of the front cover as it includes more images, with the text on the right hand side. I have done it like this so it is split but also relevant to the layout of the magazine. I have used headings above each article/page number in order to show the catergories in which each article comes under. The catergory headings I have used are in 'WIREDsaji' and of a font size between 18-20 so that it is attention grabbing and also so people realise the basic content of what is included, but when I put page numbers, and actual articles to the pages I have used font size between 16-18 with the font 'FragmentCore'. I had used this so it is easy to read, but this is a change that I had made from my flatplans because the original 'WIREDsaji' size 16 was impossible to read and I think this text is more effective. I have included 5 images, one large image of the main article (with page numbers underneath) and then four other images which shows further content. I did it like this so the contents page looks more like those I researched and looks more professional, so that people purchase the product.



One of the pictures (top left) I am going to do of the band in which I am writing the article on, I think I will do a wide shot to also show the area around them slightly with a shallow depth of field, with the band being in standard depth of field in a pyramid like shape with the main member at the front; just like it has been done on the front cover of kerrang before. I have then done four other images, two of people and two of items which relate to the genre. I am going to do this as a collage I think so that it has a border and I will perhaps create this on picnick and then save as a JPEG. I will do a medium close up of a girl with a guitar to show the 'poster special' section (then I will put this on the left of the four images, with a close up next to it of another female to show 'get the rock style'. I think this would make the magazine more professional and suited to the genre. The other two images however will be of cd discs and Merchandise, all because this is contained within the magazine. There is no 'main image' from the four on the bottom left because they all show equal importance to the magazine, and will definately intrigue people who are reading the magazine. I have used borders on all images so it doesn't fully sink in with the rest of the page, but also doesn't stand out too much that it looks 'over-layered'



I have once again included the masthead but of a smaller font in the top left hand side of the contents page, this is showing that it belongs to the same magazine but is not still the most important feature of this specific page. All the sell lines from the front cover have been categorized in the contents page but are still showing each sell lines as content of the issue. The genre of the magazine is made clear because it is of a simple extent so that people don't lose interest and so that it is easy to read, and appealing to readers of ages 16-24. There is also subscription information on the bottom, and i think this is effective because it offers more detail to the magazine, and it would interest them further.



My photography choice was more difficult for the contents page because there was a limited choice, with many articles in which were in the magazine. I didn't know whether to use location shots, or just plain shots in the studio. This was the toughest decision due to the lighting, and also due to the background and how it will relate to the genre. I think that the light would be more effective in the studio so I am debating taking the picture in the studio, and then of the location and then layer them so that it is a location shot, with good lighting. However, I think that natural lighting may be just as good because it shows nature of the whole thing. So this is one thing I will need to think about before doing the photography. I set the pictures out so it resembled the research I had done on Kerrang and Rolling Stones.

Front Cover Flat Plan Analysis

First of all for my magazine I have used the title ‘Riot!!’ because then it clearly reveals the genre of the magazine, and about the rock scene. It is called riot because often ‘rockers’ are seen as violent and cause a riot by the way in which they dance, behave, etc. but not just that riot just is generally catchy and short for a magazine name. I have used a range of techniques to make the magazine cover but the colour scheme in my opinion would be the most important because it is continued throughout the magazine to an extend and also it sets the magazine off and it is the first thing someone would recognize and be attracted to. I have used a three-colour palette of red, black and white. I used this so the layout doesn’t look to busy and also that all of the features stand out in comparison to the background. My influence for the magazine was Kerrang! And I had tried to base my magazine around it but change it and use my own creativity to make it work. I have chosen to use a white background at the moment, mainly so it looks plain and it sets the rest of the colours off the page. I think that the colour white shows the purity of the artists but in a different light, more in the way that they make their own life and their own music- its purely from them; this is what the white background may connotate. The white background would allow all of the other features to be visible and draw in the reader by making all of the features stand out. I have also used black and red on the front cover for multiple reasons. I had used red for the masthead mainly because it connotates the passion and love the artists or readers have towards their music and it is showing clearly that music isn’t just a hobby, but it is a big part of their life and it could have changed them for the better, this interlinks with the article I had written because I had used how music had changed the life of a small town girl, and the red connotates that if you love something then never give up on it. However, I used the colour yellow for a very different reason. I used yellow because it is a warm colour and people normally compare it to happiness, and warmth so I used this to show that happiness of the people in the industry and that what makes you happy is important. The colours I used are all indications of what the audience should try to find, and also it contrasts slightly with the red so I used it to show that people may clash, and that the rock industry has clashing artists in. The black however was just basically to show sophistication of the artists and to add mystery to the magazine so people will want to continue reading, but the main reason is just because it is a bold colour and would be easy to read. The colours don’t exactly correspond well together but I think that it works because it is indicating the differences between certain areas and that you should never let other people stop you from doing what you want. I used the colours to try and inspire people to follow what they believe in like their favourite artists did; otherwise they wouldn’t get to where they are now. I think because the target audience was the age range of 16-24 there would be a lot of people interested in the music industry and reading about other artists and how they got into it could inspire them, and give them confidence to do the same; so I thought that the colour were well target but could be improved. I don’t think I could have used other colours because then it would be too busy on the page, with the reader not knowing where to read or look first, and I couldn’t use extremely bright colours because then it would be hard to read. So I used the colours that could represent both the reader and the artists therefore forming a bond between the two groups; artists and fans/readers.

The reason for the layout choice was used so that it looks professional, like it could actually be a magazine cover. I have used a picture of a female model, to represent a small town girl breaking into the music industry, and it is a medium long shot to some extent as it is a picture of her from the thighs upwards. I used this type of shot in order to show how original her fashion sense is and it shows the normality and reality of her attitude. It is a clear image and it is showing the expression and pose without getting up into the persons face. However, I feel as though I could of used a mid-shot from the waist upwards just to show the artist more clearly and show the true feelings by the look on her face and the pose she is using. I decided to overlap the masthead under the image so that it shows my textual research on both Kerrang! and Rolling Stones. I think it is more effective this way because it then shows the artist to the full extent and it looks professional. I decided to put the model in the center of the page so that its signifying that she is the center of attention and it will be the first thing in which the readers will be drawn to. I also did this so the sell lines can go on both sides of the model overlapping ever so slightly, I did this so they would be drawn to these as well because these are the main features in which people look for when buying a magazine. The sell lines meant that it was a busy layout but not overly busy so therefore it is easy to read and shows there is a lot in the magazine, and they are getting a good value for what they had paid. I put a few banners, and a puff so it shows there is more to offer and also to catch the readers attention to persuade them to purchase the product. for example 'win tickets to see Biffy Clyro' suggests a competition in which people will be interested in. However, I am going to change the front cover layout slightly by adding a skyline in which says 'the ultimate preview.. behind the scenes.. all inside' because this would be more interesting to those in which are interesting in starting themselves in the music industry. I have done the main article in larger text so that it stands out as the main topic, the one in which will interest the people with the most content on. I have done the sell lines descending in size, and changing in font as they go across the page, this is show the importance is made clear and there is more context in which is used to suit the genre of the magazine. I am thinking of maybe changing some of the fonts underneath from WIREDsaji to something easier to read, such as fragment core. I think that this would be a more appropriate font because it is clear, and a lot more eye-catching even if it is plain, it is also bold and will catch the general publics attention. 


I haven't aimed my magazine at a specific gender, and I have made this clear by the use of colours. I have used colours in which will suit both genders; I used red, black, white and yellow in which aren't normally associated with either gender. Furthermore, the use of my models being mainly female may suggest that it is meant for females but in my opinion I used mainly females so males will purchase the magazine as they will like the models, and females may purchase it in order to get the look and look like the models in which are in the magazine. I have aimed it at anyone with also the use off sell lines, such as 'Gigs inside' and 'Downloads available' this is meant for both genders in which are interested in the music, there is nothing biased or aims to one gender by the content in my magazine. All of the text on the front cover will be above font size 15 so that it is easier to read and eye-catching because my audience is the age range 16-24, and in my experience people in this age range only look at a magazine if they have large text and a good image. People in this age range usually notice the image, masthead, and then sell lines so I will have to make them of a decent size in which I have chosen 15 or above. The girl on the front cover is clearly showing attitude and style so that it signifies the genre in which it is based around and also to look like a rock idol in which the readers would want to be like, because obviously if you have a boring picture with no pose, and no facial expression this will not attract peoples attentions. 


For the image I am intending on using a location shot with natural lighting in order to show the natural side of it all and that the artists are just like anybody else, but had the courage to show their talent and this will influence all other music readers. I have used pretty natural clothing on the front cover to show that the artist is comfortable and confident with who she is naturally and she doesn't have to dress up in order to show she has a talent. I am planning on maybe using a guitar as a prop on the photography so it has more meaning behind the image, and it is about a female who is from a low background but is breaking into the higher music industry- about life in general.  

Flatplans

These are my flatplans of my magazines front cover, contents page, and also the double page spread. I have done these in order to show possible ideas for each and give a general idea of what the magazine will look like. I have also annotated them to show why I had designed them in the way I had. I had used all the features in order to catch the readers attention because it is further carrying out the purpose of a magazine, in which is to get people to purchase it.



Front Cover Flatplan



Contents Page Flatplan

First DPS Page

Second DPS Page

Focus Group Findings

My results of the questionnaire show that the people I surveyed ranged from 16-24 and were a mixture of both male and female. The main response to which colours they liked were three colours , two of which were black and white and the other being a bright colour so that it stands out more. The genre of music in which most of those questioned preferred mainstream, with some pop, but mainly the rock genre, with six out of ten people saying this, and this then shows how appropriate  my research was in order to my initial idea. Furthermore, they had said that they are willing to pay between £2-£4 for a magazine; depending on contents in return for money paid. One thing that each answer had in common was 'What is most appealing to you personally when you see a magazine?' and the answers giving ranged from how interesting the article looks to the model on the front page posing but also the masthead. They were interested in features like interviews and gig guides. Not many people had offered a conclusion to how the features of a magazine could be improved so this is slightly difficult in order to base my magazine around findings, yet everyone I asked read either Kerrang, Rocksound, Rolling Stones, or NME so I am planning on basing my magazine around the research I had done previously.

Focus Group Questionnaires

These questionnaires show the results in which I had got from surveying people of the general public and I am going to use these in order to base my magazine on. I am going to listen the findings on a seperate post and say how I am going to use the information I gathered from doing these ten questionnaires. I have asked the same questions on each questionnaire just so it shows clearly just who my focus group are.

Focus Group

For my focus group I have created a questionnaire which asks basic questions that the people I give them to can fill them in. I did this so I could then know how to make my magazine more professional and appealing to them, I had obviously given the questionnaires to people that aren't over 35 because that would be out of my target audience.

I asked basic questions such as the following:

Are you male or female?
How old are you?
What music genre interests you?
What is most appealing to you personally when you see a magazine?
How many colours do you like to see, and which ones?
What kind of images do you like, poses for example?
Do you read any of the following: Kerrang, Rocksound, NME or Rolling Stones? Please state.
What features do you like most in magazines?
How could the features be improved?
How much are you willing to pay for a magazine?

The results to this will be uploaded once they are complete.

Production Schedule

5th February Onwards- Think of an initial idea, after all research complete
7th February- Start on the Front Cover layout
11th February- Start on Contents page layout
21st February-Start on Double Page Spread
27th February- Article draft finished
28th February-Shoot with all models, edit any pictures
28th February onwards- Keep improving on Magazines, put in pictures
8th March- Make any improvements to magazine or blog
18th March- MAGAZINE DONE!

My Initial Idea For My Main Task

For my main task I will be creating a Rock magazine, which is targeted for people who are in the 16-24 age range. However, it is targeted in people who are highly interested in rock music and have a great passion for this music. I have chosen this because the main magazine I am interested in is Kerrang which is a rock magazine, and I am highly interested in the Rock genre with artists such as: Bring Me The Horizon, Paramore, Pendulum, etc.I think their music is highly passionate and the lyrics have meaning, but are also interesting to listen to. Furthermore the style they have, by use of dress sense and make-up is even appealing which I am going to resemble in my magazines, by the model costume choice. I wear clothing such as skinny jeans, and shorts like people from the genre and many of people I know read rock magazines so I did my topic on this for mainly that reason.

Photography Research

Photography Research on Prezi

Audience Research

Audience Research on Prezi

Textual Analyse

Analysis of Music Magazine on Prezi

Prelim Evaluation

1.     In What ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? ( To answer this question you should compare and contrast your magazine cover with a professional one, discussing photography (shot distance, props, use of lighting, costume and pose), page layout, use of font, use of colour and the content of the sell lines.)

In order to create my magazine, I had looked at many other magazine covers to see what conventions I could use to make it be as effective as a real magazine. The main example I chose to follow was the Rolling Stones magazine.  I chose this particular magazine cover because all of the sell lines are on the left hand side and this is the way i had set out my magazine, I did it like this because people read from left to right so therefore the sell lines would attract the readers eye and intrigue them into buying the magazine. However, the difference in which there is between the Rolling Stones magazine I had used for influence, and my own is that the mast head of my magazine is not behind the image but infront of the image. I did this because it then gives a strong impact on the reader and it tells you what the full magazine is about because it has the most visual effect. On the other hand, I could improve the purple sell lines and title just to a brighter colour so that they stand out more instead of blending in with the background. The sell lines are obviously of a totally different content as mine is not a music magazine, but it would use the same language as it's aimed at around about the same audience. My media product uses forms and conventions of real media products by using a variation of bright colours to attract the reader. Instead of using the same colour for sell lines and mast head etc, putting more colour in it makes it easier to read, and more interesting. I had stuck to the colours in which i said i was going to use in my flat plan rationale, and used the colour purple for the mast head, and other sell lines to show royalty and that the students are worth it, showing its all about them and their college. Using colours like bright green, yellow and blue shows the natural, calm yet warming environment and you can often relax if you know how to which then would once again, persuade people to buy the magazine. However, the font on my magazine is more fancy than the Rolling Stones magazine and this is so that it is bold, easy to read but also more eye catching and I used a variety of texts rather than just two, like the example I used as influence. On the other hand, the Rolling Stones cover is a lot easier to read, and more bold than my own, so I could of worked more closely on this. Photography however is similar in some ways. The rolling stones magazine picture is more of a medium close up than mine, mine is just from waist up but the example i used is took from her stomach up and her outfit is a lot more plain than the one I had used. The photography of Lauren (the model of my magazine, QE student) shows her wearing her everyday checkered clothes and she is wearing red which contrasts with the rest of the front cover which I thought had made it more appealing but it may have the opposite effects on other people. There were no props in which I had used but the photograph was taken by the stairs so it was a location shot, just to show a bit of the area in the college so this wasn't like an actual magazine cover I looked at because no photography on examples I looked at used a location shot, which I thought made it different and it may appeal more to college students.   

Front Cover: mine 

 

Influence: Rolling Stones



The contents page layout is slightly different to the front cover, as I did not use much colour in the contents page. I had used only three colours; black, white and purple. I had used columns in order to make the sections easier to read, and I made this easier by using the page numbers of when one story starts to ends. To improve this I could of used a black line or purple lines to seperate them from each other to show the clear sections. The masthead has also been put on the contents page but as a smaller piece of text, this is because it is no longer the most visual part on the page, the sell lines are. I had used two pictures of Lauren (the model) on the contents page; one on the left hand side, and one on the right. This was so the pages were split into two and it wasn't all just in one column as it would look boring. The magazine example I had used as an influence was the one below, and I tried to make my magazine content page similar but also sticking to my ideas I had originally which I put in the rationale. However, I had adapted the example I had looked at by moving pictures about and the way I had put them. To improve, I could of took a picture of different models, of a different 'social group' or 'style' because this would enlargen the audience because I wasn't wanting to restrict the readers.



Influence: Q

Contents: Mine



2.     How does your media product represent particular social groups? (Here you should discuss how you've represented the student body....have you used stereotypes and if so which ones and why (you may want to include videos about particular tribes from YouTube or images from the web), have you tried to challenge or reinforce perceptions about students?

My magazine wasn't meant to represent particular social groups, it was just meant for both genders, and all social groups. The magazine was aimed at pretty much any one of the teenage age that go to college whether they are male, female, emo, goth etc. The student (Lauren) on the photographs would be of a normal social group in my opinion but is unique in the way she looks and dresses as she wear long tops with shorts and boots as shown on the pictures, but some would see her as the 'scene' or 'emo' group. Scene kids are often wearing bright colours, with bow in their hair, usually wearing eyeliner. However the picture in which I have used of Lauren does resemble some of the pictures on google for scene kids, wearing checkered clothes, piercings and eyeliner. Emo's on the other hand often wear dark clothing, a lot of eyeliner, and don't care what people think. However, if it shows that Lauren (model,student) may be of either stereotype; emo, or scene then this would therefore attract a multi-audience due to the variation of look Lauren supplies. The text however, does show that it is for both boys and girls, and also or teenagers because of the language used. It shows that all students are unique and shouldn't care what people think because the model in the magazine doesn't and if the reader looks close enough then the magazine may imply to them as well instead of being stereotypical. Despite misconceptions due to the way people chose to look, if they take a closer look the social groups can all relate into the magazine as it is about their college and I tried to get a confident model who is a mixture of social groups, and this would hopefully attract all types of social groups. However, to improve once again I could of got pictures of different social groups to make the message clear that the magazine is meant for anyone. Its basically saying all students at the QE should be more confident in themselves with the way they look and dress and that they are all similar and will be interested in some similar things. The pictures show that everyone looks good the way they are because their unique and the poses show a lot of confidence and belief in which all students would need to get somewhere throughout their courses and college.



Scene Kids: Example




Emo Kids: Example

 

3.Who would be the audience for your media product? (To answer this question you could create a montage of images that clearly shows who the target audience is)

The audience of the magazine was mainly people between the college ages, so between 15-19 as it includes things like fashion and sports, but the magazine wasn't meant to be aimed at a particular gender but it could appear to be for girls due to the pictures being of a girl, however, it was not aimed at just one gender- it was meant to be a unisex magazine. They must be interested in their college life, work and things going on around them in the community because the main stories are to do with college, news, sport, activities, etc. Students often have similar interests but their music genre varies so therefore, the magazine would provide the most recent news on all type of music, fashion, news and sports so it reaches out to more than one social group. Also it isn't for a particular area in the society- high class, or middle class. It is meant to be aimed at all students in general that go to QE. The interests in food and drink would be slightly important as it may give advice on food etc but in future if it is going to be included then there could just be a majority vote on favourite food and drinks; teenagers normally like junk food etc rather than healthy food so if the food/drink section was to be put in a magazine it could be based on things like pizza etc or healthy food in which they might like. The images below show that the magazine is for any students, no matter what music, food, or social group they are.

   

Teenagers: Example







Social Groups: Examples

4.How did you attract/ address your audience? (Think about design and language features you used in order to identify with your target audience)
How does knowing who, specifically, your audience is make it easier to design a product for them? How were you influenced by knowing your intended audience? (think about costume, content, language, layout, props, colours etc.)
What did you do to attract them and what do your audience think? What do they like/dislike?

I attracted my audience by using a photograph of someone in the same age range as those reading and also the language used relates to that age group aswell as it is not using long and sophisticated words which would be used if it was implied for an adult. If you know the audience in which your magazine is to be aimed at then it is easier to address the sell lines so it fits their interests etc. The age range had a huge effect on the product because the interests are similar in the teenage age range, but also varies due to gender but because the magazine couldn't reach out to every teenager it is then based on college, fashion, music, sport etc. in which each seperate teenager would be interested in so it reaches out to the majority of the age range but not older people. The photography part shows just a casual costume in which is shorts and a top but it isn't the type of clothing someone of an older generation would wear but then again, it's not just one stereotypical groups sense of clothing it is a mixture of many so its reaching out to everyone. The language and content included show its only for college students due to it being of a less formal style and with words in which teenagers would use or that would catch their eyes. Colours on a magazine for teenagers is the most important thing because if it is not colourful then they wouldn't spot it and would lose interest unlike adults who read magazines anyway. To attract them i used a voucher 'win a free weekend' and the audience would/do think that this would attract them because it is a free time away from work and stress in which they would enjoy as teenagers normally like to relax away from college etc.

5. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? (You could include the logos of all of the software you've used - Photoshop and blogger alongside the scanner, apple macs and photography equipment. Discuss what you've learnt about each and how you feel your product benefitted.

From constructing the products I have learnt a lot because I have never used photoshop before so it was quite difficult getting used to especially on the mac computers. I have learnt how to use photoshop but not to a full extent but I feel this could benefit me in future reference in Media, or any art levels I may want to do in University. On photoshop I have learnt that new layers must be put in in order to paste in a picture and it's not just a simple copy and paste job and to resize you must use cmnd and t. There are a lot of things I had learnt how to do; adjust colours to the right scale, insert shapes, moving layers so then some are ontop of others, just the basic photoshop works but overtime i may become more equipt. I had also used InDesign which I struggled with because work kept deleting but once I learnt how to put in frames, text, etc then it was a lot easier and I may benefit if once again I use the product in future. The photography I found quite simple as I had used a similar camera before but I think I could of worked more on the lighting in which was in the pictures but due to being able to work photoshop I could just auto adjust tone, colour etc. These may all benefit me in future if I do become what I want to be as I will need to know about computers, and technology. 



Photoshop Logo





Mac Technology: Apple Mac



Flat Plan Rationales Contents Page

 Firstly the colours on the contents page aren't as bold as the front cover because i stuck to the main two colours. I have used black and white on the contents page because I think it looks more sophisticated and it may interest people in the way it is laid out. However, I have included some yellow and purple because they are the colleges colour of choice so it shows that it is still all about the QE. Also yellow is a warm colour so it could imply off the white background as the college being a warm place in which you can relax, and be shine with your hopes and just be yourself, but purple on the other hand implies that the college students are royal and are worth a lot more than they assume because if they try their hardest and follow the magazine tips they will get there A levels and be worth a lot more.
 The page layout on the contents page is a lot different to those on the front cover. The text of the different stories are all of the same small size because otherwise they would look messy on the page and also they are split into two sections; 1-14 are on the left hand side and 15-30 are on the right hand side. I did this so that I could include two pictures and make it look unique and could maybe reach out to each individual and I think it makes the contents page a lot less empty and its just an interesting way to do the layout. One of the pictures (top right) I am going to do a close up of a student looking stressed so that the college students can refer to it if all of the work gets too much and I think a close up would show the facial expression more and reflect how in your face the college can be if you don't focus but to make the students realise the magazine can help. The other picture however, I was planning on doing a full body shot of a student holding their results so it links in with the story 'How I got good grades' and I was going to do a full body just to show that the student is not much different to the other students reading but also shows what they can later achieve. Neither of the pictures on the page in my opinion are a 'main' image because they are both showing the equal amount of important because they both relate to stories, but the pictures are most important as they will be in colour as the rest of the contents is in black and white. the masthead once again is the same just so they know it is still the same part of the magazine and it also stands out more. I have used borders around the pictures on the contents page so it doesn't just sink in with the rest of the page and also i wanted a bit of layering because in my opinion it makes a magazine look more professional and eye-catching.
The content of my sell lines again are just to attract the audience and they do this relating to the college and activities etc that people of the college age find appealing. The genre of magazine is made clear because all of the sell lines are of a simple extent so that the audience don't lose interest in the magazine and it shows that it is just a basic magazine to inform college students of what is to come in future. I think the magazine would see only to those involved at QE because it is showing how they can improve and reach their aims in future just by following a certain amount of rules in the magazine. Also it is selling products or giving advice on things that happen in everyday life which college students would find interesting. The main sell line on the contents page is the 'WIN YOUR WEEKEND' this is in capitals because they would want a break from everything and it reflects the hard work that college brings but that they can have a break, and the target audience would be interested in the free weekend.
 My photography decisions in this part of the magazine were simple, I decided to use just a normal college area like the corridor, and outside of the college because then it shows what the college is all about and the costumes the people are wearing are just ordinary clothes but I was planning on taking a picture with someone wearing a work outfit so that it shows where the college can get them if they work hard. The first picture(right) is showing a student holding their good results from QE and it shows that this could be the future of the other students if they put their minds to it and maybe also follow what she has wrote in her story. The lighting on this image is just going to be the simple, and normal lighting because then it shows that the students isn't 'something special' or more important than the current students, and just basically shows that with the right advice they could get somewhere. The angle i was going to do was a shot slightly from the right so it more focuses on the results than the actual person and shows that its easy to achieve your hopes at QE just like the student on the picture did. The second picture (left) shows someone stressed and i decided I would do a close up on this image because it then shows their expression toward the studying period of college and also could reflect how the audience would end up if they didn't follow the 'Snap Session'. There are no props on here because I didnt think any were needed because it is a basic picture in my opinion. But overall I made all these decisions so everything wasn't to busy on the page.

Flat Plan Rationales Front Cover

 First of all for my magazine cover I have used the title 'QE Exposed' as it is revealing stories about the college. I have used a range of techniques to make the magazine cover but the colour scheme would be the most important. I have used only five colours without the front page and the contents page and this is so that the colours all stand out and the layout on the page isn't too busy. i have chosen to do the background of my front cover black as it is a colour which reflects sophistication which the students would have a lot of, and another reason that I would of liked to of used a black background so that all of the sell lines stand out off the page but I used a slightly lighter background but not very light so that the text is no longer visible. I have also used the colours purple and yellow throughout the magazine as they are QE's logo colours and you can recognise the colours by just looking at the college magazine. The reason in which the colours are purple and yellow for the college are because they are royal and regal colours to show that the college students are worth something and they are loyal to their college. The other colours in which I have used are blue and green; in my opinion the baby blue colour shows that the college is a natural environment and that it is a very calm environment if you know how to survive throughout college by reaching your deadlines etc. I chose to use green because it corresponds well with the colour blue and once again it can show nature but often can show envy and jealous; however, in the magazine the concept of jealousy is because the people reading will make those around them jealous and it shows therefore self respect. I have used these because I think they related to all teenagers between the age range of 16+ because the colours are all eye-catching but I didn't make them to bright as they would then be hard to read. I think all the colours could over time represent the students as they would then be confident in the way they learn, and therefore it would be a calming natural environment full of bright students.
 The reason I have chosen to layout the magazine in this way is so that the title and the picture of the student is more noticeable than anything else. The shot of the girl on the front is a medium close up so that it's from the woman's thighs up. I did it like this because then the picture is clear to see without being so up close in somebodies face. However, if I was to do the real image I would maybe take a shot from mid-waist up because then you can see the face of the student more clearly and it may show expression towards the college life; without getting right into the persons face.  I decided to put the image of the girl on the right hand side so that all the sell lines could go beside her on the left hand side and the image would therefore have a good amount of space to catch students attention and to interest them however i have put it so that the 'WIN' banner is overlapping with a mid green shade on her thigh, because I wanted a bit of layering on the front cover to make it less boring and dull and i thought the light shade would stand up off the rest of the image. The sell lines i have made them get smaller in text as they descend down the page, this is because it shows which are the main articles and which are just extra reports. The sell lines are all down the left hand side of the page because in my personal opinion I think it looks neat and its easier for people to read from a distance aswell as they are bright coloured sell lines in a big font size. I am thinking of using just a plain font for them like arial black because it is of a bold look and also because its easy to read. The mast head I chose to go in a kind of graffiti style so it is more attractive than the rest of the front cover magazine and it is of a bigger text than the rest, and also the QE is a part of the mast head because it is in my opinion on of the most important part of the cover.
I had tried to aim all the sell lines at the audience of the magazine, which would be those who go to the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form college. I did this by including things in which would reach out to both male and female audiences and I did this using colours in which suit male (Green, Blue) and female (Yellow, Purple) and also all the sell lines were ways to improve and make their college life more interesting. For example, any college student would want to read '15 things they don't want you to know' because it is about their teachers and they may want to know some of the dirt on the teachers. So this is how I chose the sell line genre. Also the other sell lines were how to make their life at college more enjoyable and easier which would also attract the students because it is showing the inside world of the college. They wouldn't sell the magazine because it only related to the one specific college so it would be useless for those from Darlington College for example. However, they could sell the magazine to those in school via the QE shop because they may buy it because its attractive with colours and easy to read.
All of the text on the front cover will be moderately big none smaller than font size 14 because then it wouldn't really attract the age group it is aimed at, and this is because people of 16+ don't generally read the magazine they just go for the pictures, masthead and sell lines. The girls face on the cover is obviously smiling because why would someone want to buy a magazine if someone is on the front sad, otherwise it is implying bad attitude towards the college. Also if people are happy it normally means that they are having a good time so it shows how easy and happy college can be.
Lastely I had decided to just do a straight on medium close up because it gets in a bit of the area aswell and it shows more of the person which I think is implying in my opinion that college isn't too in your face but you have to work hard to reach where you want to be after college and perhaps in college so I think this could attract the audience of the magazine; if they understand the reasoning behind the decision. The lighting however I have decided to just do the photograph in a normal light on the front cover and perhaps photoshop it so there is a bit of a shine around the image to make it a lot more appealing because it is different and students may assume that they will 'glow' if they follow the magazines tips. For the clothing I have just used normally clothes but with a mixture of bright blue and purple. The reasoning behind this is that blue is generally a boy colour and purple is a girls colour so it would attract both genders. Also the clothes show that the girl is confident with how she appears and that is the way the college readers may be in future. I had not used any props besides the stairs because I didn't want it to look to cramped on the page but on the contents page I will include a student holding her results, which could be classed as a prop.  I used all these techniques to reach the genre of the magazine because it is simple yet will catch people's eyes which is what a magazine, in my opinion, is meant to do.