Evaluation of my models

Photo shoot 1
I think that both Charlotte and Luke worked well for my first photo shoot, as they were willing to follow any instruction I gave to them to achieve the shots that I wanted, both singly and together. They both dressed in the way that I wanted them to, so it would link to my genre. From trying out different shots I was able to see what worked and what didn't, which Charlotte and Luke made it easy for me to achieve.

Photo shoot 2 
My second photo shoot was very different to my first as there was only me and the model, and we was able to take shots in different places. Ellie was very enthusiastic in trying different shots in different locations, and was willing to try out anything that I asked for, so again I could achieve what I wanted. Ellie was very good in creating the facial expressions that I was looking for which works well for my genre. I was looking for a direct address to my audience with giving a quite a serious look which Ellie helped me achieve.

Overall I think all my models were very mature throughout the first shoots and helped my achieve what I set out to do.

Organisation of equipment

Cameras
The cameras that we use are supplied to us by the media department For both of my photo shoots the camera has been easy to use and is suitable for both studio and outside shots, as I was able to attempt many different shots because I could easily move around whilst holding the camera.

Lighting
For my first photo shoot I used the artificial lighting in the studio. The box lights that we used allowed us to takes shots without shadowing the models face and get a clear image. However for my second shoot I decided to take outside in different areas. I was glad that the day I planned to do the photo shoot wasn't a sunny day as I didn't want my models face to be shadowed by sunlight. But having used different types of lighting I've been able to get suitable shots for my magazine that I was looking for.

Props
I haven't as of yet used any instruments for props which I want to do. However with the two photo shoots that I have already carried out, I have got one of my models to wear a hate which I think links and appeals to my target audience and have also got one of my models to be on a swing which I think give the photos more definition and links more to the genre of my magazine.

Slidely of my photos from my second photoshoot

Jolie Quirke's Slidely by Slidely Slideshow

Slidely of my photos from my first photoshoot

Jolie Quirke's SlidelyGallery by Slidely Photo Gallery

First draft of my front cover

Changes made

I have changed the font that i had decided to use for my masthead. After starting my first draft of my front cover I found that the font I chose for my masthead was too thin for it to stand out and appeal to my audience. Instead of using the previous font for my masthead, I might like to use that particular font for cover stories or for small headings on the contents or dps as it was a font that my target audience liked when I was doing my target audience research. The font I have decided to use instead isn't one that I used in my target audience research but I think that it is a more suitable font and will stand out more to my audience.

What would my target audience look for when buying a magazine?

Updated ideas from research

Front Cover

• Main image taking up the majority of the front cover - models in casual clothing
• Strapline/cover story linking to the main image
• Masthead - black or white
• Cover stories - San serif font 
• Not too much text so it doesn't look over crowded
• Include a variety of names who would be included in the magazine so the reader knows if they will have any interest in the magazine
• Pugs in the bottom right corner

Contents page 

• Use of columns for text
• Images linking to cover stories surrounding the columns
• Page numbers larger font size to the rest of the text (around 20)
• 2 different fonts/sizes - sub headings/cover stories (10-14)
• All san serif fonts 
• Space between images - border affect 

Double page spread

• San serif font 
• Font size 10 (article)
• Article based on an interview with indie band/singer
• One image will use up a whole page
• Black and white theme

Target Audience Research - Fonts for masthead

From looking into fonts from my target audience research I found that 'Mega sans' and 'Mf autumn breeze' were the two most popular choices. With taking this into consider I do like both of these fonts and I am most likely to use the font 'Mf autumn breeze' out of the two, as I think that this font is more appropriate to my magazine and my genre.

Slidely of images I might like to recreate

Jolie Quirke's Slidely by Slidely Slideshow

I created this slidely to show some of the images that I like and might think about recreating for my photoshoots. Some of them are very different and in different locations which is what I like.

Analysis on 'Vogue' magazine contents page

This contents page would be suitable of a target audience similar to my own (15-25) and would appeal more to a female audience. This isn't a music magazine contents page but I thought that I would have a look at another kind of magazine of a similar target audience, to see if I could gain any different ideas. On this contents page I do like the way that the text is in the centre in columns and then surrounded by images. The fonts used are suitable and would appeal to the target audience because it links to the type of magazine that it is. What I don't like about this page is that the images don't have much relevance to the text and don't indicate what page they would link to. However they show a range of different images and all show something different. The text size is about 10 and the sub headings are about 14 which is what I will probably use for my own. Overall this magazine is colourful, stands out and has a very unique presentation. I think that this contents page doesn't look to overcrowded and looks good with the white background.

Thinking about photoshoots

Id like to experiment with different scenery for my photoshoots. But the key thing I will be aiming for is for it to link to my genre and my target audience.

This first example is taken in a studio. The two members of the group in the background are giving a direct address to the audience because they are looking directly at the camera, whilst the other two are looking away which gives them a more natural affect. This type of shoot is one that would be evidently set up for the purpose of the magazine/article. It would also be used with artificial lighting as apose to natural lighting. Using this type of photoshoot will help me reveal the model(s) face without shadow and will give me more to experiment with on photoshop. 

 

This next example uses various props which gives the image more definition,  and makes it more interesting then the two models stood on their own in the photo. The props give more identity to the image so you would be able to guess the theme/genre that it is. I would like to try to use some props in my photoshoots, so that they will link to my genre and appeal more to my target audience. Also this image is taken in the natural light when the sun is setting; I like this idea because it gives the image a natural effect the and the light isn't too bright. I'd possibly like to take some photos at this time of day so I get this particular lighting. 

For my photoshoots I don't think that taking close up shots links to my genre or would appeal to this target audience. Long shots gives more definition to the image and gives you more to present. 

Updated ideas

From looking into double pages spreads from existing magazines, I have decided for my own I am going to have my image large at one side of the page. I think the image should stand out and have a direct address to the reader. The conventions I will use will be using similar fonts for cover stories and headings, as I think that this will link the magazine together and not make it look messy. For the article itself I will use a San serif font (size 10), which will be 'calibri' or 'corbel', because this appeals more to my target audience and has more of a 'modern' look than a serif font, and this also links to my genre. I like the idea of quoting something from the article, highlighting it and making it a bigger font size because I think It will bring interest to the reader. Overall I've come up with the idea of basing my article on an interview with a band/singer as I think that this is something that would appeal to my target audience and something they would like to read. 

Double page spread analysis

This double page spread is from Kerrang magazine. A bit like the other page spreads I have looked into, the image takes up a large proportion of the page. The image is the most eye catching feature on the page and draws in the reader because the model(s) links to the text itself and what it's about. Half way through the text, the magazine has quoted something from the article, made it a bigger font size and highlighted it in black so it stands out; this could have been done because it is a key thing mentioned in the article and a reader flicking through the magazine may notice this and want to find out more. I think that the fonts link to the genre of this magazine and appeal to the target audience which is similar to my own. The text size is about 10 and uses a San serif font. Overall I think that this double page spread uses a range of conventions, such as the way the double page spread is presented in this magazine and the fonts used. I think from this it appeals to target audience and draws in the reader because it is something they like. 

Contents page draft

Target audience research Indie themed mood board

Who is my target audience?

What is the age I am looking for?

• I am targeting my audience for young people around the ages of 15-25

Gender?

• I'd like to magazine to appeal to both genders that have an interest in this genre of music

What shops would my target audience probably shop at?

A few examples of where my target audience would shop at could be:

• urban outfitters
• modcloth
• nasty gal
• revolve
• loveclothing

What bands would I expect my target audience to listen to?

Some examples of what music my target audience would listen to is:

• The Smiths
• The 1975
• Oasis
• Arctic Monkeys
• Radiohead
• The Stone Roses
• Blur
• The wombats

VOXX

When VOXX came into one of our media lessons to help with the research of our music magazines, I was struggling to decide on which font that I wanted to use for my masthead; they suggested to find the font that I want to use was that I repeated the same word over and over again on a word document to see what would appeal and look good for my target audience. After trying this I was able to see which fonts I did and didn't like, and what I would possibly like to use for my masthead. 

Target audience research - Masthead ideas

Double page spread analysis

Double page spread analysis

This double page spread is from the magazine NME and is the genre I am looking at for my own music magazine. The title is a quote from the article so straight away pulls in the readers to find out what it is about. It is also a large font large and is a bold font so it eye catching and looks professional. The picture takes up a large majority of the double page spread and has a direct address to the reader because the models are looking directly at the camera.  The colours work well together because the image is very dark so using black and purple helps the image link the text and they don't clash together. I think there is a reasonable amount of text on this double page spread and doesn't over crowd the page. Overall I like how this double page spread has been laid out and would work well for my target audience. I also like this idea of having a quote for the title because it draws in the reader to find out more. 

Updated ideas

From researching into existing magazines I have gained ideas that I didn't originally have. Its given me a better idea of how I want to layout my magazine and what styles I want to use. With re-guards to images, I want to use a range of different themes which link the genre to give the target audience a wider range of features they have some interest in. I think that the different images give more definition to the magazines and makes the stories/cover stories more interesting and eye catching. I've enjoyed looking into existing magazines because its nice to see what is already out there with the genre that i am doing and gaining more and more ideas.

Analysis of 'Metal Hammer' contents page

This contents page has given me a completely different ideas to what I would want to use for my own magazines. Firstly I like how the text in the column on the second page has been presented. I wouldn't use this particular font for my genre but the way the the title of each cover story is big and bold which stands out and has some inside on each cover story in a smaller font size, looks good and draws in readers to find out more information. On the first page I like how there is a main story and gives the contents more definition and more interesting features. The fonts and images that have been used give a representation of what the genre is and appeal to the target audience. I don't really like the smaller text that there is and the surrounding images/boxes; they give a separate look to the rest of the contents page and look like it could be something that should be included on another page instead. However I do think that this page does appeal to the target audience and links the genre, I have gained a few ideas for my own contents page because of how it has been laid out as it does have a neat and professional look.

Analysis of 'Acoustic' magazine contents page

• This is the Acoustic magazines contents page. The colour scheme, fonts and images links to the genre of the magazine and the front cover. If someone was given this contents page they would know straight away the genre of music that this magazine is about; which is what I would want to aim for with my own magazine. The spaces between the images makes the contents more neat, professional and easier to identify each image, that would relate to a cover story. The contents writing doesn't have any sort of order which may confuse the reader when trying to find a particular article and make it harder to read, whereas if the page numbers were in order the reader may find it a lot less confusing. I do like the organisation of the contents page because it does look very organised and professional, which is how I want to present my own magazine. I also like the way that the text are in columns and the images have the page number that link to text gives a more neater look and doesn't make the contents messy with images and text scattered all over the place. I do think however the wrong font has been used for this magazine and takes away some form of identification of what the genre is, I would use this font for a more younger target audience. Having said that I like the font sizes that are used and would probably use similar font sizes when presenting my own contents page. I think when you look at this magazine the images on the contents page straight away draw in attention to the reader of what the genre of the magazine is, but for my own contents page I would want the more main stories to stand out more to having them all the same size. 

Masthead font ideas

Bernardo moda



Breamcatcher



Fabrik

Fibyngerowa

Hrawolam

Karloff

Megi sans

Mf rusty

Mf autumn breeze

Vexler slip



Vtks money 2

Font ideas from existing magazines

Thinking about indie clothing for my main image

Analysing Indie Magazines

This magazine is fairly simple and doesn't include much information on what is in the magazine. I do like the font used for the masthead and the choice of colour, it stands out to the target audience because it is bold and vibrant. However this magazine gives the look that it would appeal more to the female audience. I would want my magazine to appeal to both male and female. It also doesn't really stand out much either to other magazines, because besides the masthead, there is only really the images and names down the side, which would be included in the magazine. The main feature in the magazine, which is the image, doesn't have a cover story to match which doesn't give it much definition. Even though this magazine is different which is what i'm looking for, it looks to plain to gain any ideas from for my own magazines. I would want to include a lot more to make it more interesting and appeal to the target audience.

How Research has Informed my Planning and Creativity

My initial ideas

1. Masthead: related to the genre
2. Photograph: preferably main image to be taken outside, of musician/band 
3. Any other images: include with cover stories to give more of an inside to the magazine
4. Colours: suited to the genre, thinking about black and white
5. Puffs: include to show more inside on the magazine
6. Font styles: font that will represent the genre, unique/different 
7. Banner: make the magazine look too crowded
8. Main feature/cover line: main feature will be the image thats in the centre of the magazine and will have a cover story to give it more definition
9. Strapline: link to the main image to make it more interesting
10. Representation: use as many as possible so that the audience will know straight away what the genre of the magazine is, it will draw more attention to the target audience and makes it look more interesting (image that I use, colours, fonts)


Targets and Further Research
1. size of masthead, colours
3. what the images will be of, where they will be taken
4. other colours as well as black and white
5. what shapes, words to put inside the shapes, colours 
6. what font to use, colours of the fonts
9. what it will be based on

Analysing Indie Magazines

• The main colour scheme on this front cover is red, white and black
• Obvious conventions being the masthead, barcode, price
• Direct address from the model, looking and pointing at the camera
• Two puffs, one being in the corner promoting the magazine itself and the other next to the main image promoting something inside the magazine
• Main cover line linking to the main image
• Strapline '100 ways to get free music!' written in caps and placed at the top of the cover drawing the target audience to read the magazine
• Alternative special about U2 album

Overall this magazine looks quite crowded which isn't something I would want for my own magazine. It does include quite a lot of features, some of which I will probably want to try experimenting with and use for my ideas. The image has a direct address to the target audience which again I will experiment with doing, aswell as taking some photos that aren't giving that effect. I like the idea of a strapline because it draws more attention to the target audience, and encourages them to read the magazine. However I don't really like how the colours and fonts have been used and placed; the fonts look abit too bland and have no originality or representation to the genre or the image. I would want something more unique and more fancy for my magazine so it gives it more edge and it gives it some originality. This magazine isn't something I would gain many ideas from because it looks too typical and doesn't look the most eye-catching magazine there is.

Analysing Indie Magazines

Thinking about Indie music

Examples of Indie Magazines

Choice of Genre for my magazine

The genre I have chosen to use for my magazine is Indie. I am looking forward to doing this because already looking into indie bands and styles, it looks like a genre that is very appealing and something I think I will be able to use creatively to do what I want to achieve. After the preliminary task I am looking forward to trying out more of my ideas and using different ways of presenting my work. 

Analysis on 'Q' magazine

Analysis on Q magazine from joliequirke

Analysis of 'Uncut' Magazine

Analysing 'Classical Music' magazine

What draws attention to this magazine is the combination of the image and the masthead. The masthead occupies around 1/5 of the front cover which is represented by the image in the rest of the cover. Id use the style of the masthead in my own magazine because it is bold, stands out and is what you instantly look at when looking at the magazine. The cover stories don't really reveal much on the front cover. On my own magazine id prefer to make them a bit more catchy and interesting, but as this genre is classical, it is suited to it as it is simple and not something you'd find on a teens magazine. The font on the magazine suits the genre but I wouldn't use this for my own, even if my magazine was about classical music. However it does appeal to the target audience as it is simple, easy to read and is a big enough font size. 
The magazine appeals to both genders and I would say that the target audience would mainly be adults. I know this because classical music usually has a bigger audience from the older generation, and doesn't look like a magazine that would appeal to younger people unless they listen to this particular genre. 
There isn't much going on in this magazine, but with this genre it would be expected to be simple with not a lot going included on the front cover. Having too much on the particular front cover would make it look overcrowded. 
The model in the photo represents the genre of the magazine as she is holding a violin which is a instrument that is used mainly in classical music. She is looking away in the photo which gives a more peaceful affect on the magazine, because if the model was looking at the camera it would be more direct effect. The model is wearing a red dress which again represents the genre and links to the theme colour on the magazine which is red and black. The model is dressed appropriately as it doesn't look stupid and over the top. If I were to be doing a classical magazine I would probably want my model to be dressed similar, as it is appropriate and suits well to the genre. 

Reflection on the task

Throughout the task I have experimented with different colours, fonts and pictures and feel like I have achieved what I was set out to do. I have taken on board any errors or improvements I would need too use for future tasks.

Evaluation of the preliminary task

The colours, masthead and the cover stories I have used on my front cover all link back to my survey, which was to find research from my target audience. I originally wanted to use the colours blue and white for my front cover, as i thought that they would work well together. However, the colours blue, red and white came out the most popular choices in the survey so I decided that I would add red, which I think has made the text stand out more than if I were to have used my original idea of just blue and white. I think that the colours look bold and eye catching which is what I was aiming for when planning my front cover. 
I took one of the masthead ideas from my survey as it was a popular choice and gets straight to the point of what the magazine is about. Also when doing my survey I found a mixture of results that students would be interested in finding out about in the magazine, therefore I decided that putting a mixture of cover stories on my front cover would draw in more readers.
When researching other college magazines I found that using a bold and not too fancy font makes the magazine look more professional and eye-catching. Which is why I decided to use the particular font 'veranda'  which I personally think makes my magazine look more neat than it would of if I had decided to use a fancy font.
Finally the image I decided to use was a medium close up shot with a background of a classroom and the model holding an iPad. This is a representation of the sixth form itself and the facilities that are open to use. I attempted some different range shots, the photo I have used was originally a medium shot but I decided to crop and zoom to give more focus on the model.

Contents for the college magazine

College Magazine Front Cover

The photo I have chosen to use for my front cover of the college magazine

I have decided that I am going to use this photograph for the front cover of the college magazine. The reason I have chose this photo is because it looks very natural, it is taken in a classroom and is using natural light. Tilly is holding an ipad in the photo which is what I wanted for the front cover to show the facilities that are available to use in the college. However, because this is a medium shot I am going to have to crop the photo to be able to fit it in my front cover to make it the medium closeup that I need. This is something I may want to think about when doing a front cover again because cropping and zooming in on the photograph may cause me to loose some of the quality in this photograph.

3 photographs I could use for my front cover

If I were to use this photograph it is good because it is used in the natural light, so it shows all of Tilly’s face and there are no shadows. It is bright but it has a plain background, whereas my other examples are taken in a classroom.

This photograph is also taken in the natural light. It is taken in a classroom, which gives a more college scene. This isn’t as bright as my first example, which may be an issue when printing my front cover because some of Tilly’s face might look darker than the other from the light.

This photograph is similar to my last example but there is more room at the top which I could use to place my masthead.

Photo Shoot Plan

Researching College Magazines

 

This magazines main colour consists of green and white with a dark background from the central picture. I like in this magazine the way the masthead has been placed as if it is behind the person in the picture. I also like the use of colour. As the picture is dark, the lighter colours for the masthead and the cover stories stand out more and are more easily readable, so they work well together. I like the font that has been used because it isn't too fancy, it looks tidy and it stands out.
I'm not too sure about the darkness that this magazine has. Even though the light coloured writing stands out over the dark picture, my personal opinion is that it gives the magazine a dull look and should include some brightness.
As I like the way the masthead and the cover stories are set out I may consider using a similar style when setting out my own front cover for my college magazine. However I don't think that I would use the colour green for my masthead and stick with my own colour choice.


This second magazine has a colour choice of pink, white and black. Even though the colours work well together this isn't a colour choice I would use for my own magazine as it may only appeal to females in the college. The black writing doesn't work very well on this magazine because it isn't very readable on the darker areas of the picture. I'm also not very keen on the cover stories being written in italic because it doesn't make it look very tidy.
Taking this into consideration the parts of the magazine that I do like would be the way that the masthead has been presented, as the font and the size make it eye-catching and suitable for the purpose of the magazine. However I don't think that I would use any of the ideas from this magazine for my own but it has taught me what not to use.