Preliminary Task

As part of my AS Media Studies coursework, I must create certain pages of a magazine to fit a music genre and to attract a particular target audience etc. I was also required to prove an enhanced understanding of the production of and the reasonings behind magazines by producing preliminary material; a front cover and contents page of a magazine that will be sold to the students of my college.

Front Cover

To create my front cover, I used websites such as dafont.com to produce interesting fonts which I am unable to access on 'Adobe Photoshop CC 2015', which is the program I used to edit and produce my cover and contents page. Within photoshop, I used various tools to create a suitable front cover and contents. For example, I desired a running colour theme within my preliminary task. Therefore, I used the eye dropper tool to collect a color from one area of the magazine, and repeat in on a different area. This is clear in the way that the same shade of purple runs throughout the front cover. I also used the magic wand tool as when I screenshotted fonts from the internet, a white background remained around the text. To use the magic wand tool, I had to rasterize the layer in which the image was on. I also used the blending options menu to edit the aspects of each layer. I mainly used the stroke effect to place a white outline around the text (making it stand out) and the colour overlay, in which I used the eye dropper tool to repeat the use of purple. I then used the rubber tool to expel some of the text within the main headline, 'The Fashion Edition'. As you can see I removed some of the area of the text in order to make it appear as if the writing came from behind the detailing of the dress, therefore making the dress and it's detail prominent, adding to the theme of the magazine; fashion. I also used the shapes tool to create a line across that would separate the masthead from the rest of the cover, and as a way of presenting the date of the issue (October Issue) and also to inform the audience that the magazine is free. I also used blending options to add certain glows and contouring to the masthead, in order to make it stand out.

Whilst creating these aspects of a magazine, I based my target audience around the typical college student's age; 16-19. With this information, I chose a theme. I decided that my issue of the college magazine would be a fashion edition, due to college being a place in which you can express yourself through what you wear and how you present yourself, also making everyone unique. I decided that I would make the fashion aspect of the magazine clear by using 'The Fashion Edition' as my main and clearest headline. This almost screams what the magazine is about and also portrays a professional feel. Below this I went into detail about my main article that would be used in the magazine as part of it's fashion theme. I thought it only sensible to use an interview with either a student or a fashion/textiles teacher, believing that this would be suitable due to their enhanced knowledge of fashion. I also wanted to relate a lot of the cover to the students (who the magazine is aimed at) by using words such as 'your' and 'student style'. This makes the audience feel involved and completely provides interaction with the audience before they even open the magazine. I also thought it would be suitable to add to the fashion theme by using an image of clothing. I believe that using students work that is frequently displayed around campuses makes the image recognizable and will make the audience think 'where have I seen that before?', causing them to take a closer look, therefore encouraging them to observe the cover lines which will hopefully strike their best interest. As it was the October issue, I thought it best to include aspects of Autumn and Winter with the use of 'AW15' and 'winter coats'. This strikes up a students interest about styles that were in this upcoming season and also targets my primary audience of both genders in that age range as the fashions included are of both sexes.  I also related one of the cover lines to college in the way I used a grade to speak of style. Sunderland College's logo is also clear at the bottom of the front cover in order to make it clear what college this magazine is from and also to direct it at the students of the college.


In terms of color, I used various shades of purple throughout the cover and the contents. I believe purple is a color that is neither masculine nor feminine and will appeal to both sexes. It is also a youthful color and connotes class, an aspect I want my magazine to have and also passion, which relates to the way in which students at college have generally chosen to study subjects that they are passionate about. The employment of emojis that I have positioned on my contents page links to a youthful audience, as the are generally the most likely to use emojis and recognize them from their mobile phones. This immediately will grab their attention and make it clear that they are in my parry targeted audience. I also used images on the contents page, which were taken in an almost humorous way as they generally show behind the scenes in the hunt for the perfect images for a magazine. I believe this gives the reader more information and allows them access to not only the magazine but the making of it. It also puts Sunderland College forward in a had working way, as it displays the college's students hard at work. I added an editors note to the bottom of the contents to give a personal feel to the magazine and also to give reasoning behind the fashion element of the magazine. It also invites the students to enjoy the magazine, which is a kind touch that makes the student feel respected and appreciated.

Contents Page

I also used two main fonts throughout my front cover and contents. I used a more detailed eye catching font for the most important words in the cover lines along with coloring them purple to attract the audiences attention to those words and to give a artistic feel to my magazine, causing it to differ from other magazines. This font was called MJF Zhafira and it contrasted the more simple Steelfish font. Both being from dafont.com, I believe that their contrasts completely balanced one another in the way that if just one of the fonts were used it would either be too extravagant or too boring. In the contents, I introduced the main articles of this issue. In comparison to my final product within my AS Media Studies coursework, there are less articles due to the college magazine not being as lengthy. To introduce the articles I place their names in front of a purple background, created with the shaped tool, and also included some information about the articles through the text tool. I also made sure that the contents page was not too sparse or too crowded in order to keep it looking attractive, whilst not causing confusion; an off-putting attribute.

Overall, I am particularly pleased with the way in which my preliminary task turned out. I really like the fashion aspect of the issue and I think that the magazine looks professional as well as fun. If I had to do it again, I think that I would add more masculine aspect due to the style appearing to lean towards a more feminine audience and I would maybe create a different layout for my contents page. I have really enjoyed being able to use photoshop since I haven't had the chance to make use of it since completing my Media GCSE coursework, and believe that this task has refreshed my memories and enhanced my skills, leaving me feeling more prepared for the upcoming task of producing my final product.

Preliminary Task Flat Plans

As part of my AS Media Studies coursework, I must create certain pages of a magazine to fit a music genre and to attract a particular target audience etc. I was also required to prove an enhanced understanding of the production of and the reasonings behind magazines by producing preliminary material; a front cover and contents page of a magazine that will be sold to the students of my college.

Before I created my Preliminary Task, I decided to produce some flat plans, or which I would follow in order to employ the correct conventions and to create the intended effect within the two pages.

Within the front cover flat plan, I included the masthead (a vital part of any magazine), several cover lines including a main cover line (to attract the audience and to encourage them to read the articles within the magazine), a date (in order to inform the audience of the time the issue covers), a price (in this case free, meaning that no barcode is necessary and informing the audience that they are free to pick up a copy for no price) and also the Sunderland College logo. I believe that the Sunderland College logo was a good factor of the front cover as it fully included the whole college and made it clear who the target audience was. It also added a personal touch to the magazine. I also added some additional information to the main cover line in order to encourage the audience to read on.

Secondly, the contents page flat plan was composed of a title (to inform the audience that this was the contents page), a main image (larger than others), two sub-images (provides a range), and articles and descriptions on each (in order to inform audience of the contents of the magazine). I also decided to include an editors note, which would give information on the edition and to elaborate on the time of the year and current ongoings at the college. I also decided to add some emojis to the page that would fill an area so there was no sparse area and because it fit my target audience's age range.

I believe creating these flat plans was a great idea as it allowed me to be organised and provided me with a staring point for my preliminary task. I will definitely use flat plans when it comes to creating my final product.

Magazine Deconstruction: Double Page Spread

Created with Padlet

Magazine Deconstruction: Contents Page

Created with Padlet

Magazine Deconstruction: Front Cover

Colour Scheme Ideas

In order to experiment with various colour schemes, I felt that I would use a more multi-media approach and use the various shades of colour that can be found through paint. I used different shapes to work each of 3 colours with each other, and then continued to annotate what I did and did not like about each scheme. See below:



I really enjoyed using the paint, and found it visually easier to discover which scheme I found more suitable and attractive. The only element of technology I found difficult within this process was the use of the scanner, which I had to overcome by doing research on my multi-functional printer.

Conclusively, I decided that the colour scheme that I will be using is the third and final option. I felt as thought the black and white contrasted to create a very classic look, and the red adds that perfect pop of colour, with positive strong/high-class connotations. The colour is very unisex and eye-catching and relates to the boldness of indie rock, with the black and white element relates to the classic sound of R&B.

Initial Research: Reviewing Other Student's Work

In order to gather more research and inspiration, I have chosen to review and analyse several other student's blogs and work. This way, I can observe what I like and dislike about them, meaning that I can apply ideas that I like from their to my own. The blogs that I will be viewing, will be those that have achieved considerably high grades as that is what I am hoping to achieve at the end of this course.


Firstly, I will be reviewing Lauren Waine's blog (http://laurenwainemedia.blogspot.co.uk/). I really liked her blog layout and I noted that the theme she used matched her magazine's genre in the way it was very girly and teen-pop orientated. Although her genre is completely different to my own, I loved the way she used Facebook and other social media formats to gather research from her target audience so that she could enhance her magazine so that it suited them. I really liked her final product, although I believe if I were to analyse it without knowing her target audience, I would guess that her magazine was aimed towards 14 year olds and younger, due to it's slightly immature look cause by her used of colour, simple shapes and childish fonts. I do especially like her choice of cover image and the layout of her front cover; it is clear a lot of work has been put in. Overall, I would like to use the a theme throughout my magazine and blog so that they match/are linked. I would also like to use Facebook as a way of gathering research into my target audience.


Another blog that I have reviewed is a blog composed by Courtnie Louise Kerr (http://courtnielouisekerr.blogspot.co.uk/). I particularly disliked her blogs layout as I found it confusing and difficult to navigate. Additionally, I believe that the theme of her blog didn't particularly have much to in in terms of colour. I am planning on maintaining a black and white blog, but I'd like my blog to appear differently to this black and white blog in a way that makes it less simple and more themed and professional looking. On the other hand, I really liked her use of multiple media formats and her employment of video feedback in her blog. I loved her final Double Page Spread, despite it's difference in genre. I believe it was very professional looking, it was what you'd expect a magazine double page spread to look like and it put across the full genre of the magazine itself in a singular article. Along with the Double Page Spread, I also thought that her Contents Page and Front Cover also looked very professional in the way it stuck to a certain house theme and I believed it represented it's genre very well.


I also reviewed Natalie Howey's blog (http://nataliehoweymedia.blogspot.co.uk/). The first thing I noticed was the layout of her blog, I really liked it. Then when I looked through some of her blog posts, I noticed her work contained thorough detail. I would like to be able to apply that much detail within my blog posts so that I could achieve a high grade like her. Her final product was professional looking and fitted her chosen genre, although I believe her Front Cover did look slightly simple. Furthermore, I personally though the image she used within her Double Page Spread was highly professional looking and completely made the article and brought it together. The use of lighting and positioning of the model as well as the layout of the article created a product that you would generally expect to see in a magazine. I would like my final Double Page Spread to look as professional as this.


Finally, I observed Alysha Stirling's coursework(http://alyshastirlingmedia.blogspot.co.uk/). I loved the relationship between her magazine theme and the theme of her blog; the colours fit perfectly and also completely suited her magazine's genre. I really like the images she chose for her magazine and believe the use of the records and clothing came together to not only fit into a genre, but to completely created the genre and put it across in a way which meant that you could tell the music it was based around solely by looking at it. When looking a her final product, I do believe that her Front Cover could have been Photoshopped to a better quality due to some of the areas of the page appearing to be blurred and pixelated. Moreover, I found that she used various media throughout her blog, making it exciting and moving it away from the boring and constant text filled blog that is so frequently seen. Her posts fully put across her skills and understanding of media and that practical production of the media. I think Alysha's may have been my favourite out of all blogs that I observed.

Time Management

I have recently been reviewing magazine's and the conventions of a front cover. I have gone in depth with this analysis so it has taken a considerable amount of the session, however I would also like to look at conventions of a magazine's website and possibly a billboard. Due to each of my media sessions involving set tasks on our blogs, I would have to do this as independent study within my own time. This is not a problem as long as I work around my schedule.

To make arranging my free time easier, I have decided to identify and allocate time that I have free to any extra media that needs completing in order to ensure that I get everything done to the best possible standard. The times I have allocated follow below:

Monday: 10-12:15
Wednesday: 2-5
Friday: 12-3

As I am studying 2 other AS Levels, I have has to also work my time around independent study and time to complete any set work for those subjects also. It has also been considerably difficult for my to work my time around the part-time job that I also have, but I am trying my best to make the most of any free time I have, whilst still keeping time open to relax and have time to myself.

Magazine Conventions of a Front Cover

To produce a professional looking magazine, there are certain features and conventions that I must maintain knowledge of and apply to my final product. I have made a note of these conventions below and have also included an example magazine that I have labelled to provide an example of each convention:

Masthead: this term refers to the flag, banner or name of the magazine/newspaper etc. and is printed largely at the top of the front page. It is also usually used as a logo to the magazine and can be used on images belonging to the magazine, on the magazines website or even as a profile picture for the magazine's social media sites. It should be bold and should represent your magazine in a way that makes it memorable and recognisable, but at the same time should be understandable and informative to the target audience. My masthead will prominently cover a large area of the front cover and will follow my house and colour theme in order to maintain a professional look.


Main Image: this refers to the largest and most prominent image on the page. It should usually take up the full front cover with the main feature of the image, usually the model, covering at least two thirds of the cover. The image is usually of high quality and in music magazines, usually employs the use of a popular artist of the magazine's genre. The artist is used as the model and is placed in a way that will produce an effective cover. This usually involves direct eye contact, a position and a costume that fits the genre and draws in the appropriate audience. My magazine will include a main image that makes use of celebrity endorsement of an artist of my genre that is generally popular so that they are recognisable to my target audience and will draw in not only my primary audience, but anyone who likes the artist that is presented on my front cover. My artist will most likely have a serious but desirable look and will make direct eye contact with the camera and therefore the audience in a way that grabs their attention and speaks to them.


Left Third: the left third incorporates the left side coverlines and the masthead, proving them to be very important as they are most likely to be seen due to the typical layout of a magazine stand layering the magazines on top of each other so that only the left side of each magazine can be seen. This means that the coverlines that draw the audience in on the left side, should be attention grabbing and should cause the audience to remove the magazine from this structure and take a closer look. Only part of the masthead is also seen, giving further reasons to why it must be recognisable as it must have the ability to be identified simply by the first few letters. I must ensure that my magazines left third employs exciting coverlines in order to grab attention. At the same time I believe that my colour scheme that I am considering will make my magazine easily recognisable (black and white, with areas of red).


Coverlines: this refers to the small areas of text that give a slight insight as to what is inside the magazine. The are normally in your face and leave you wanting to know more. They can often include a rhetorical question or make use of lexis such as journalese (SLAM, BANG etc.). Usually, a magazine also includes a main coverline which is printed considerably larger than the other coverlines. This main coverline normally links to the main image and introduces the reader as to what this issue's main article is about (usually the double page spread). I aim to use several coverlines in my magazine that will encourage my audience to purchase and read on.


Sell Line/Tagline: the sell line/tagline of a magazine is a short statement that is usually printed near the masthead and tell the audience something about the magazine that will convince you to buy it. An example, in the above image is Rolling Stone's sell line of that issue: 'The best albums and songs of 2012'. This issue was published in December 2012, meaning the sell line is stating that the audience will receive a look back throughout the year at the best albums and songs, making the audience curious of 'what were the best albums and songs of 2012', encouraging them to purchase. I will aim to use a tagline in my magazine, but I would most likely make it less about the issue, and more about the magazine. This would include creating a tagline that states something good about my magazine that will encourage the audience to purchase it, whilst also giving a certain idea about my magazines genre.


Date: the date simply states the date in which the magazine covers. In the above image, the date of the magazine states 'December 20th 2012 - January 3rd 2013', informing the audience of what time the issue covers and also when the next magazine will most likely be published. I believe that a date is a vital feature of a magazine as it allows the audience to keep up to date with when past, present and future issues are published in order to keep up to date with the music within them. As I aim to provide my readers with information on artists that are up and coming, meaning that they will want to keep up to date with the issues in order to be the first to know of these artists (also almost making them the 'trendsetters of music').


Issue Number: the issue number establishes what issue this is. For example, if it is Issue 17, it is the 17th issue of that magazine. In the above case, the magazine is Issue 1172/1173. This gives the idea that the magazine has been around for a while and that there have been many published issues of the magazine, usually giving further understanding of the magazine's popularity and success. I aim to use this magazine feature as it will enable my readers to keep track of which issue they are on, meaning they are aware of any that they have missed.


Barcode: barcodes generally contain information on the price of the magazine, but also allows the stores to keep track of how many copies have been sold through technology, making it easier for the magazine company to produce sales statistics etc. Due to my magazine not being free, I will add a barcode to ensure that if someone were to buy my magazine, shops could easily register the price, whilst also maintaining a professional feel throughout my front cover.

Time Management

After completing my inspirational research on my magazine itself, I am feeling confident with the new ideas I am beginning to gather on the type of magazine I would like to create. However, I am struggling with inspiration with my blog and how to make it different and more interesting. I have taken down some links to previous students blogs who have achieved high grades, to analyse what I like/dislike about them and hopefully gain inspiration and boost my grade.

Inspirational Texts

In order to gain inspiration for my magazine, I have observed and made notes on mixed media that relates to magazines including images, websites, etc. View this in the prezi that I have produced. If you are unable to view this press, please click the link below:

https://prezi.com/i2qahy0fvvlp/inspirational-texts/#

Time Management

     Over the previous week, I have been set multiple tasks for a set deadline, and if they have not been completed I have taken the tasks home and completed them in my own time.
     In terms of how may tasks were set within a certain time, I struggled to completed all of them in class time, so have taken up my own time to complete these tasks either at home, or in the extra house I have stayed at college. By doing this, I am fully able to complete the tasks in order to carry on with the next set of tasks that I will be issued in the next lesson. The tasks themselves have been manageable and have challenged me at the same time as teaching me.

Research and Planning: Genre & Moodboard

My magazine will be of a particular genre that I have chosen; a mix between Contemporary R&B and Indie Rock. I have chosen these genres as they are familiar to me and I believe my knowledge could enhance my magazine and make it of better quality
I have composed a prezi based on the research and planning of my genre and embedded it below. If you cannot view this prezi, I will also paste the link below.


https://prezi.com/qpetcs5tyjjr/research-and-planning-genre/




I have also embedded a music video below, from one of the artists that would fit into my category; Lana Del Rey. Below is her music video for her song, Blue Jeans (released 2012):




Below, I have created a mood board, in order to put across my genre in a theme that is similar to what I'd like my magazine to have. There are examples of artists and albums on this moodboard, as well as red feature areas that relate to my black, white and red classic theme:

As you can see, I am using artists of both genders in order to attract a primary audience of both genders. I believe that females empower women, and are highly liked by women due to their desire to be like them, although at the same time, the 'Laura Mulvey theory' of 'the male gaze' also will attract males to the magazine. Males on the cover could also be due to sexual attraction from females, but will be more regularly noticed due to their fame and place in music at that current period. The artists that I am using are either legends of this genre, claiming the charts at this very moment, or are up and coming artists that my audience should look out for. This provides a variety of artists within my genres and will give my magazine that extra something else, therefore attracting my target audience and selling my magazine.

When considering my genres, there are certain events and songs that I associate with my genre, for example, festivals. I would associate the Contemporary R&B side of my magazine with Wireless festival, in terms of the relations with the artists that cover that side of my genre often playing gigs there and my target audience of this genre attending this type of festival. Below, I have posted a video of Drake playing a song from his set at Wireless festival 2015:



When I think about the Indie Rock section of my genre, I think of Leeds festival due to those that enjoy indie rock being frequent visitors of this festival. Below I have posted a video of Catfish and the Battlement playing a song from their set at Leeds festival 2015:

September Plan

- Genre Research & Moodboard
- Inspirational Texts
- Magazine Conventions of a Front Cover
- Reviewing Other Students' Work
- Colour Scheme Ideas
- Model Poses (Millum and Ferguson)
- Magazine Deconstructions (3 Front Cover, 3 Contents, 3 DPS)

Project Outline

     As my AS Media Studies coursework, I am required to produce a front cover, contents page and double page spread of a music magazine of my choice of genre. To do this, I must use a Desktop Publisher (e.g. Powerpoint, Word etc) and an Image Manipulation Program to produce these pages. I will also use at least 4 my own images of my own model to help produce an article to feature as the Double Page Spread of my magazine, whilst using appropriate layouts and texts. 

     Additionally, prior to producing this magazine, I will produce a mock cover page in order to demonstrate my understanding of the project.
     This unit will assess my ability to:
          * demonstrate a critical understanding of how my project aims to provide meaning to my audience, applying my knowledge to do so
          * plan and produce realistic media products using appropriate technical and creative skills and programs
          * be independent throughout my research and planning, and throughout the application of what I gather

Blog Introduction

Welcome to my AS Media Studies Blog, on which I will be continuously and frequently uploading various posts, withholding research, ideas, plans, evaluations, drafts and more.

I believe this blog is an excellent and sufficient way to track my progress throughout this course, so I will be using this to almost track my thought process throughout the year and my journey from ideas to final product.