Minor Adjustment to Double Page Spread

Today I made a minor adjustment to my double page spread. There was some text that went over the bottom right image so I made sure that it didn't.

Starting My Evaluation

I have started my evaluation. I am using the only software 'PowToon'. I have started answering the following question: Who would be the audience for your media product?

More Progress: Front Page, Double Page Spread & Contents Page

Progress on my Double-Page Spread

This Lesson, I have made some changes to my double page spread. I have changed the layout of the text so it is easier to read. Please comment below which one that you prefer!
The Top one is the old version, the bottom one is the new version.

Progress: Front Page & Double Page Spread

This Lesson, I have started working on my double page spread. I want to change the font to something that is not as common as 'Arial'. I think it needs a few adjustments made next lesson. I also think that I have finished my front cover. I am happy with how it has turned out. I also managed to get rid of the dead space that was previously near 'faith blossom: album review'.

My Front Cover & Contents Page

Here is my current front page and contents page. Please comment below and suggestions of things to improve and what things you currently like about the pages. Thanks.

Progress on Front Page

The image on the left is what I had done at the start of the lesson and the image on the right is what I have now done (the end of the lesson). I have changed the colour of the background. I have also added some additional stories. I prefer the updated front page as I feel its looks more like what a magazine's front page should. Next lesson, I want to edit the image of Selena Gomez so it fits in better with the page.

Contents Page Progress

I have made a lot of progress on my contents page and I am quite happy with it. Please comment below if you have any suggestions or adjustments you think I could make?

Conventions of a Double Page Spread

My Progress this Term

This term, I feel that I have made quite a lot of progress. I have learnt how to design a contents page. Compared to my preliminary contents page (Which wasn't very good), I feel that I have improved quite a lot already as I have learnt what the key conventions of a contents page are. I have also learnt how to design effective mastheads with titles that have a good meaning. Both 'The CBA Hummingbird' and 'Break Free' have connotations that relate to the themes of each of the magazines that I have designed. I have also learnt how to use software like 'Pages' and InDesign' to help make my pages look good. I have also learnt how to edit photos using software like 'Fotor' and 'Pixlr' which can make my models in my pictures be hyper-realised.

As you can see, my contents page is starting to look a lot more professional. 

Adding to My Contents Page

I have added two pictures to the bottom of my contents page. These are of Selena Gomez which I took myself. I think that these will work well at the bottom of my contents page as they could have captions near them directing the reader to the article.  I think that these images could be a little bigger. I am also thinking of removing the big main image on the left and changing it to a different set of images.

Editing My Photos: 2

I have edited another one of my pictures. I changed the colour of the background from brown to more of a pinky colour. I also made the models eyes blue and he lips pink. I think that this photo will work best on a the two page spread. In one of the edits, I have removed a section of the photo. In the other one, I have left that section in the picture. Please comment below which one you prefer.

My Feature Interview

Interview with 'Elsa Skyrus'
Q=Interviewer A= Elsa Skyrus

Q: Hi Elsa, we are so pleased to have you here! How are you?

A: Thank you! I am very good thanks!

Q: That's great! All of us here at 'Break Free' want to give you a massive congratulations on getting your first UK number 1 with 'The Other Woman', how did it feel when you found out you were at the top of the charts?

A: Thank you so much! It still hasn't sunk in that I have a number 1 single! When my manager called to tell me the news, I literally screamed - I couldn't believe it at all! It feels like something out of dream!

Q: I bet it does! Out of interest, are there any particular individuals that the song is about?

A: There are, but I think it is best kept a secret.

Q: Just tell us, we won't tell anyone ;)

A: But that would spoil the fun?

Q: Hahaha. So you have just released your debut single which has done incredibly well, can we expect some more music from you in the near future?

A: Yes! I am planning on dropping my next single within the next month or so. I am really looking forward to letting my fans hear it!

Q: Exciting- We'll look out for it! Speaking of fans, have they got a name yet like most other fandoms?

A: Yes, I think they call themselves the 'elsanators'

Q: Elsanators - I love it! So, is there anyone is the music industry that has inspired you in the past? What current artists do you like?

A: I have always liked to listen to music by people like Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys. But, in the charts right now, I love Sam Smith, Ella Henderson and Ariana Grande.

Q: Yes, they make great music! A bit of a general question now. Harry Styles, Justin Bieber and Justin Timberlake: Who would you snog, marry and avoid?

A: Hmm, I would probably have to snog Justin Bieber, marry Justin Timberlake and avoid Harry Styles - sorry Harry!

Q: Good choices! Is there anything you would like to say to the people who have downloaded and streamed your music which got it to number 1?

A: I just want to say a huge thank you! I wouldn't be here without any of the support I get! I love every single one of you that has downloaded or streamed by song. This time last month, I never thought I'd be sitting here with a number 1 but I am! This shows that dreams really do come true and if you work for something, you are very likely to get it! I love you lots!

Q: Those were some nice words. Do you have any tours or performances lined up soon?

A: I don't have any news on a tour of my own just yet but hopefully in the future I will have one! But, I will be performing on The X Factor in a couple of weeks and I have also been asked to be Katy Perry's supporting act for some of her American 'Prismatic Tour' dates!

Q: Lucky you! How did that feel when she asked you to join her on the tour?

A: It felt absolutely amazing! I was like ‘are you sure?’ on the phone when my manager told me. It just feels crazy that I will be performing on the tour of such a superstar! Words can’t describe how thankful I am to Katy.

Q: Now, your song ‘The Other Woman’ has a very nice and heartfelt meaning to it, what would you say to anyone who can relate to the song?

A: Thanks. I would just say don’t let boys mess you around and change the person you are. Be yourself because that’s who you were meant to be! Who cares if someone doesn’t like you? We all have our haters, just be the better person and move on from whatever is holding you back. I love every single one of you.

Q: Some moving words from you there. I’d like to do some quick fire questions, is that ok?

A: Go for it!

Q: Favourite song right now?

A: Glow by Ella Henderson

Q: The X Factor or The Voice?

A: The X Factor all the way

Q: Twitter or Instagram?

A: Twitter

Q: Favourite film?

A: I know these are films intended for kids but probably either High School Musical or Frozen

Q: Which High School Musical is your favourite?

A: Probably the third one

Q: Same! Favourite colour?

A: Purple

Q: Last one, describe yourself in 3 words

A: This is a hard one! Fun, Fierce and Determined

Thank you for stopping by Elsa and taking the time to answer all of the questions, I hope to hear a lot from you in the near future!

A: Thank you for having me!

The number 1 single 'The Other Woman' by Elsa Skyrus is available on ITunes now! Follow Elsa on Twitter for all the latest updates - @elsaskyrus

Editing My Photos

I have edited one of the photos that I have taken (using Pixlr and Fotor). Please comment below which one you prefer!

Information on Contents Pages

A standard magazine page is 8.5X11''. This means that my contents page will be around this size. The most used fonts in a magazine are 'Helvetica', 'Trajan', 'Garamond', 'Futura', 'Bodoni', 'Bickham Script Pro' and 'Frutiger'. Simple fonts like 'Arial' are also used in contents pages frequently. 

Ideas for My Magazine (Artist Names and Number of Pages)

Here are the names of the artists and bands that will be featured in my music magazine:
1. Elsa Skyrus (Artist)
2. The BurBears (Band)
3. Aprillia (Artist)
4. Ariana Petel (Artist)
5. Ariel and the Mermaids (Band)
6. Taylor Swan (Artist)
7. jess.i.ca (Artist)
8. Faith Blossom (Artist)
9. The Beauty and the Beat (Band)
10. Selena Gomez (Artist - Can be used due to photos of her being taken by me)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My magazine is going include around 60 pages. I have chosen this number as I have researched and seen that most pop music magazines have around 60 pages (e.g. 'We Love Pop' - 63 pages).

Working on My Contents Page

Today I have been working on my contents page.
I started to edit some of the photos that I have taken. I made the photo a lot brighter and I was able to make the shadows not as obvious.
I then decided that I would place my image on the contents page because I think the image is most suited to that area.
I am going to use margins to make sure that everything lines up when I actually create my real contents page.

InDesign Vs Pages

I tried out using both InDesign and Pages. I found InDesign much more difficult to use compared to pages. Below is the draft page that i created using pages. I made the text go around my image. I also put the text into two columns.

Image Connotations

I used images of pop artists Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande. I chose these artists because they fit the genre of music that my magazine is going to be about. I also did one colour image and one black and white image to show contrast. I also chose the photos carefully as one shows the artist as a positive role model and the other shows the artist as quite a negative role model. 

Planning for My Photoshoot

I have decided to use my sister as my main model. I will be taking photographs of her in a room that has a plain wall. This will make it easier for me to edit the pictures as there will be no patterns or other factors that will interfere with the photo - it will just be my model and a blank wall. I decided not to use a green screen because I already have access to a plain wall so I don't need to use any technological resources to artificially create one for me.
As I am taking a photo in a private place. I will not need to worry about getting consent from the public.
My model will wear casual clothing that is not too provocative. I have decided this because I do not want my magazine to objectify women. However, I have chosen my model to wear a floral top for some of the photos as I feel it is quite a stereotypical piece of clothing for a female to wear. This means that my magazine may be more likely to attract my target audience (females). I have decided for my model to be wearing a range of outfits so the photoshoot looks professional (a photoshoot where the model only wears one outfit is quite unusual).
To take my pictures, I will be using my phone (IPhone 6 Plus). I chose this because my phone has an 8 megapixel camera which should produce good quality photos. I also decided to use my phone as the camera is digital. This means that it will be easy to transfer my photographs to my computer.

Possible Fonts for Masthead

I used pale colours like blue and purple because they are the colours that my target audience tend to like most (their favourite colours are pastel ones). 

With the first option, I used the font 'Drugs'. I think this appeals to my target audience as it is quite clear and simple. The font also looks quite modern. 

With the second option, I used the font 'Alien League Bold', I think this appeals to my target audience as it is quite unique and looks very modern. The font is also clear and easy to read. 

With the third option, I used the fonts 'Star Jedi Rutline' and 'Drugs'. I used 'Star Jedi Rutline' as it fits with the sci-fi feel of the song that has inspired the name of the magazine ('Break Free' by Ariana Grande). I used 'drugs' because it is clear and simple. The overall masthead gives the magazine a futuristic and modern feel. 

With the fourth option, I used the font 'Star Jedi Rutline' as it makes the magazine seem futuristic and it creates quite a sic-fi feel. The font also relates to the music video that inspired the name of the magazine as the video is set in space. Overall, the masthead is quite similar to 'Star Wars' which helps boost the sic-fi theme. 

Here are the connotations of the name of my magazine:


Break Free - This name could relate to girls with low self confidence. The name could connote empowerment and confidence. This means that it will appeal to girls who don't have much self confidence and they will like the name as it may give them a boost to their self esteem. Also, the name is the same as a popular Ariana Grande song (readers listen to artists like her). This means that they will already have an existing connection with the magazine. 'Break Free' could also suggest that the reader has no limits and can come out from their 'shell' and enjoy life. 'Break Free' could also generally suggest new songs that have became a big hit on the chart (they have 'flown high'). Overall, I think this name is effective because it has an existing connection with pop music and has connotations that relate to my ideal consumer. 'Break Free' is also quite ironic as the target audience will have listened to the same genre of music from when they were younger so they are not really 'breaking free'.

Personally, my favourite design is the second option as it is clear and simple but also very modern and futuristic.

Fonts are very important because they set the tone of the magazine. If the magazine uses a bad font, the reader will automatically get a negative impression. If the font is not readable, that can also have an impact on how the magazine is portrayed. Some fonts cost over £5,000 to buy and use as they are very clear and simple. They are this expensive as the clearer fonts are usually the most effective ones. 


Please post below what your favourite design is and why

Potential Magazine Names

Potential Magazine Names

Break Free - This name could relate to girls with low self confidence. The name could connote empowerment and confidence. This means that it will appeal to girls who don't have much self confidence and they will like the name as it may give them a boost to their self esteem. Also, the name is the same as a popular Ariana Grande song (readers listen to artists like her). This means that they will already have an existing connection with the magazine. 'Break Free' could also suggest that the reader has no limits and can come out from their 'shell' and enjoy life. 'Break Free' could also generally suggest new songs that have became a big hit on the chart (they have 'flown high'). Overall, I think this name is effective because it has an existing connection with pop music and has connotations that relate to my ideal consumer. 'Break Free' is also quite ironic as the target audience will have listened to the same genre of music from when they were younger so they are not really 'breaking free'.

Beautiful Me - This name could also relate to girls with low self confidence. The name will make the reader feel better about themselves. The word 'beautiful' is very positive and is a word that boys typically use to describe their girlfriends. This means that most girls aspire to be called beautiful. The word 'Me' also makes the reader feel a connection with the magazine as it is a personal word. Overall 'Beautiful Me' will make girls feel empowered and more confident - it should ultimately boost their self esteem. However, this name has little connotations to music so it may not be an effective music magazine name. Overall, I think that this name isn't very suited to music even though it does appeal to my ideal consumer.

Hummingbird Heartbeat - Hummingbirds are generally quite musical birds which makes this name relate to music. Hummingbirds are seen as a symbol of peace, love and happiness which is what my ideal consumer would also want. They also represent motivation and passion (my ideal consumer is passionate about their interests and they are motivated to do well in life). 'Heartbeat' also has connotations to love as that it what the heart is associated with. By including the word 'heartbeat', it could also suggest that the readers use the magazine to keep them going (escapism) and feel better about themselves as if your heart is not beating, you wouldn't be alive. Overall, I think that this is quite an effective name as it has many connotations that relate to my ideal consumer.

In general, I would like my masthead to be in either pastel/pale pink, blue or purple. This is because my ideal consumer likes these colours.

Magazine Flat Plan

Front page:

 Contents Page:

 Double Page Spread:

More on Uses and Gratifications

About Uses and Gratification

Blumler and Katz’s uses and gratification theory suggests that media users play an important part in choosing and using the different aspects of media. This theory suggests that a media user seeks a source which meets both the wants and needs of the user.
We are becoming more active media users (surround sound and 3D effects help)

The needs that have to be met:

-Diversion – when a user wants to escape from everyday life and relax. It also provides society and culture with unique and inspirational perspectives. This can create new ideas and changes that can be beneficial to a society, or even the world.

-Personal Relationships – people use the media to fulfil their need for companionship and to form a relationship with others (to be part of a social group within society).  The big thing with music magazines is the ‘Festival Scene’.

-Surveillance – where the media is used to find out what is happening in society around us. (E.g. a music magazine can be used to find out the latest charts and about the social life of different celebrities).

-Personal Identity – sometimes members of society can use the media to find out about themselves. Sometimes the way people are presented can reflect ourselves.

How Blumler & Katz' theory is shown in magazines:

Evaluating Other People's work

I looked at the work of April, Jess, Kara and Charlotte.
These are the comments that I posted:

April:
Overall, I like the magazine front cover and I think it looks very professional. I like the effect you have created on the bottom right. I also think that the equidistance is very good. To improve, I think you could change the colour scheme to suit the schools colours a little more. You could also include a price/barcode. I also think that the centre of the bottom of the magazine has quite alot of white space (your image could be cropped which would then let you make it bigger). I also like the name and logo of the magazine :-)
Your contents page matches well with the theme of the magazine that you have created on the front cover. I like how there is alot of images which make the contents page more interesting and fun. I particularly like the section about the Alton Towers trip. You have also numbered your pages well. To improve, i think you could change the colour scheme so it matches with the school colours. I alaso think that there could be less text. Both your contents page and front cover are very professional and it shows that you have good IT skills :)

Jess:
MAIN PAGE
I like how the colours match well with the school's colours. You can clearly see that it is a school magazine. To improve, i think youi could use a different font and make the text larger. I also think that one main image would work well.
CONTENTS PAGE
I like how the theme of the magazine is carried on to the contents page. To improve, i think you should include a couple of images, make sure that the page numbers are correct (e.g. page 1,2&3 are the main page, advert page and contents page not articles). I also think the line spacing could be smaller.

Kara:

I like the background of your front cover and contents page. I like the features with the pins and images. I also like the font of your masthead. To improve, I think you should make your font stand out on the front page. :-)

Charlotte:

I like the name of your magazine. I also like the images you have used on your contents page and the way they are laid out. To improve, i think you should change the font on your contents page so it stands out more.

School Magazine - Self Evaluation

Self Evaluation

Front page:

-The main image could be cropped so there is no dead space. It would also mean that the picture could be bigger.

-Would be better if exclamation marks were not used (e.g. ‘Become a success!’) as they can be misinterpreted. 

-Equidistance between texts must be equal (on the green on black section - main heading)

-Masthead is strong

-Good choice in name

-Sell lines at bottom have good equidistance

-Photo and text at bottom could be larger

Contents page:

-A lot weaker than front page

-If something is more important, instead of putting text in bold, just make it bigger

-Look into conventions of a contents page

-Page 3 would be the contents page not an article

-The page numbers should be on the left, not on the right

-The bottom images are good and effective

-Could do with a main image as there is a lot of dead space

The Power of the Media

The Power of the Media

Media is one of the most powerful mediums that there is.

Symbolic violence – how the ruling ‘powers’ or ‘class’ maintain control without physically fighting (e.g. Propaganda). According to some media theorists, controlling the media means controlling and subduing the masses. By controlling big chunks of news (e.g. national newspapers and news channels), writers can tell you what to believe (e.g. printing biased stories).

‘The Sun’

Owned by Rupert Murdoch

Edited by Kelvin Mackenzie

Larry Lamb and late Rebekah Brooks (News of the World – owned by ‘The Sun’)

Page 3 (created by Larry Lamb) made The Sun the paper of C1 and C2 (working class people are usually supporters of the labour party).

Sport (especially football-traditionally associated with the working class) is massive in The Sun.

Rupert Murdoch flipped when he bought the newspaper and made The Sun become a ‘Conservative’ newspaper (changed political allegiance). The newspaper then had articles that strongly criticized the ways of the Labor party. This helped the Conservatives win the general election.

By The Sun winning the general election for the Conservative party, it gave Rupert Murdoch a lot more power.

Rupert Murdoch also owns ‘Fox’. Fox News is one of the most powerful news networks in the world. Their commentators will strongly disagree with anybody that doesn’t have the same opinion as them. 

Target Audience - My Ideal Consumer

Target Audience – My Ideal Consumer

Selena Russo is a 16 year old girl who has a big interest in the latest chart hits. She enjoys listening to artists like Jessie J, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry. She mostly buys her music online via iTunes or amazon. However, she occasionally purchases music from HMV. Her favourite colours are pale pinks, blues and purples. She also enjoys watching mainstream movies like ‘Frozen’, ‘Divergent’ and ‘Maleficent’. Selena Russo also enjoys reading books like ‘The Fault in Our Stars’, ‘Twilight’ and ‘The Hunger Games’. She also enjoys watching reality TV programmes like ‘The X Factor’, ‘Big Brother’ and ‘Made in Chelsea’.

She achieves average to above average grades at a state school. Her favourite subjects are English and Media. Selena currently has a part time job at ‘Topshop’ and earns about £60 a week. She spends the money she gets on the latest music, films and always leaves some money spare so she can buy her favourite music magazine.

Selena Russo lives in an average sized detached house, which is located in a town. Her parents are happily married and the family is in the lower middle class (C1). Her mother is a supervisor in a leading supermarket. Her father is a junior manager at a local business.

Selena Russo also likes to use social networking sites like ‘Twitter’ and ‘Facebook’. She has over 1,000 followers on Twitter and more than 600 friends on Facebook. Selena is fairly popular and has a close group of friends who share similar interests to her. However, Selena lacks self-confidence and uses music as a way to feel better about herself and to aspire to be like her confident role models (the artists she listens to). Her all-time favourite song is ‘Who Says’ by Selena Gomez & The Scene because it makes her feel better about herself.

Based on the theory by ‘Young and Rubicam’, Selena Russo fits into the category of ‘The Mainstream’ – “These are people who live in the world of the domestic and the everyday. A daily routine is fundamental to the way they live their lives. Their life choices are ‘we’ rather than ‘me’. As their name implies, they are the mainstream of society. They are the largest group of people within 4Cs across the world. They respond to big established brands, to ‘family’ brands and to offers of value for money. Their core need in life is for security”.

Based on the theory of gratifications and uses by ‘Blumler and Katz’, Selena Russo reads magazines for personal identity, surveillance and to be entertained.