Final Magazine Front Cover

Path Tool

REVISED House Style

Considering my target audience further, I believe the original colours I chose were not suitable for purpose, and hence would not make my magazine stand out on the newsagent's shelf. Looking for inspiration, I deemed the colours of my school bag which will feature in the main image to be a good choice, rounding the composition of the piece.

I decided to change the masthead font to Avenir Heavy in order to add a further continuity. This also allowed more creative freedom should I want to manipulate the text in any way. I varied between Avenir Roman and Avenir heavy for the body text. The predominantly sans-serif font use enhances readability and gives a modern branding, tying in with the 'fresh' masthead and ethos of the magazine.

To contrast this, serif Pacifico was used to create a visual difference, which will make the reader notice the buzz words against the other text.

REVISED Cover Page Flatplan

From creating the previous magazine front cover page based on the flatplans created, I deemed it best to revise my flatplans, and make subtle adjustments to create a more user-friendly version. Whilst this flatplan still offers opportunity to be creative, I believe this is more suited to my target audience, with a more conventional layout which is easier to follow.

Unconventional Magazine Front Cover (not final)

From following the flatplans and my inspiration, I created this magazine cover using my own image. I am pleased with the elements I have used from various sources, translating some areas of one mock magazine design with another. I carefully ensured that elements of the magazine flowed.

Refering back to my font experimentation, I used Pacifico for the masthead. The background of the masthead is created using the paintbrush tool in overlay mode, and subtly changing the saturation of the colour, resulting in various greys.

Choosing monochrome resulted in a clean and modern front cover, however this is not suitable for use on a newsagents shelf, as the readers eye will not be drawn to it. Considering that this is the first issue of the magazine, the audience will not be accustomed to the format or branding of the magazine, meaning such risks cannot be taken. I also believe that the lack of colour may appear uninteresting to some readers.

I chose to have the cover lines at the bottom of the page to even up the composition, which graphically is pleasing. However, due to the publication being for print, it is best to have the cover lines in the left-hand side third, which will be visible on the newsagents shelf. Should the magazine be stacked vertically on a magazine rack, this would cause the cover lines to be completely covered, which defeats their purpose.

The main image is also unconventional, as it is a close-up (just face shown), instead of a medium close-up (from the waist upwards). Whilst this may be effective for a more graphics-heavy publication, the purpose of this magazine is unclear from the image. Despite this, other conventions such as the subject maintaining eye-contact with the audience is clear.

Whilst this magazine cover was useful for demonstrating skills, I believe it's purpose as a college magazine is unclear and therefore shall not be my final piece. I shall adapt the flatplans further when creating my more conventional and purposeful front cover.

Smudge Tool

Paintbrush Tool

Lasso Tool

Clipping Mask

House Style

Cover Page Flatplans

Font Experimentation

The masthead is the key figure in brand identity. Therefore it is of utmost importance that the font is exactly what I want the magazine to appear as. I decided to use either modern, sans-serif fonts or more traditional, characteristic serif fonts.

My college magazine shall be called "Fresh" which represents the fresh design, literal newness of the magazine, the new students as well as being short and memorable.

I decided upon Pacifico for the masthead, which I believe is very aesthetically appealing, and will compliment the original design ideas that I have. I will use Wisdom Script Al for buzz words or main taglines. Avenir (not featured here) will be used for the body text and taglines. The two serif fonts are complimented nicely by the sans-serif Avenir, which will make for an interesting composition.

Audience Profile

Questionnaire

Published to Surveymonkey, shared on social networking sites.

Definition of a Magazine

Cadbury's Gorilla Advert Analysis

Who created this message?
Produced in 2007, this advert was produced to offer a new lease of life to the Cadbury brand after recent bad press regarding hygiene standards. This advert has a humorous tone, paired with an iconic soundtrack.

What creative techniques are used to attract the viewers attention?
• Purple is used to reiterate the Cadbury brand, possessing connotations of royalty and richness. Such connotations can be translated into the promoted product; a chocolate bar. The mainly plain purple background reinforces the brand throughout, without producing a distraction.
• Silver is also used for the drum kit, symbolising the inside of the chocolate bar packaging. Silver also has connotations of royalty and preciousness, once again conjuring a bold image for the company.
• The "glass half full productions" is plugged at the very start of the advert. This slogan went on to be used in a series of adverts for Cadbury, being recognisable in itself.
• Artificial lighting is used to produce a clear image, avoiding distraction once more. Such light ties in with the simplicity of the advert, with the gorilla the focus throughout.
• Camera appears to zoom in and out towards the start, (from extreme close-ups to medium shots) similar to a heartbeat. This builds suspense, which is only heightened by the determined and expectant facial expression of the gorilla.
• Non-diegetic sound is used, in the form of the soundtrack. This again reduces distraction, emphasising the emotion and palatable suspense of the gorilla waiting for his solo.
• It appears the camera shots are originally slowed down in the edit, until the climax is reached, where the clips are played in real-time. This is another way of adding tension, with such expectancy paired with receiving chocolate (explained later).
• The song, Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight", comments of the gorilla "waiting for this moment all my life" is linked to such suspense, again heightening the tension.

How might different people understand this message differently to me?
• Within the advert, there is nothing to suggest that Cadbury is a chocolate production company. The lacking physical evidence of chocolate bars or other vulgar reference is used deliberately. Unconventionally, anchorage only appears in the outro; a deliberate marketing technique to aid memorability. Considering the late anchorage and bizarre concept, those who are unfamiliar with the brand may be entirely confused as to what is being advertised - the gorilla? The drum kit company? Phil Collins?
• Others (perhaps those who are not within the UK) may be unaware of the relevance - or irrelevance - of the gorilla. Indeed, the concept does not have a huge relevance to the brand, however the humorous aspect is substituted in, still leaving the advert memorable.

What values, lifestyles and points of view are represented in or omitted from this message?
• Some may find the gorilla quite imposing and harsh towards the start, perhaps signifying an expectant and slightly exasperated child, waiting for chocolate. Upon the drum-solo, the gorilla becomes a symbol of happiness, deduced from the facial expressions and large, harmonious gestures of the gorilla. The whole advert appears to build to such moment, with the childhood expectancy more evident here. Cadbury are trying to recreate the happiness of receiving a piece of chocolate, producing close comparisons with that of a musician waiting for their solo.

Why is this message being sent?
• Such outlandish concept is ultimately humorous. The audience will remember such advert for its unconventional methods, which generally encompass the advert as a whole. Such advert had a possibility to 'go viral', which indeed it did, only producing more exposure for the brand. Cadbury want to promote the idea of happiness which can be gained from eating their chocolate, whilst subtly demonstrating that they shall recover from the bad press with humour, and perhaps a bit of chocolate.

About Me

Hello, my name is Hayley and I'm currently studying AS Media Studies, Art, and Textiles. 

I really enjoy Media Studies as a subject, and I envision myself having a career in this sector. Part of this comes from my work experience at Archant Dialogue, whom are part of the Archant group. I was able to be both the Editorial Assistant as well as the Design Assistant. This was an invaluable opportunity, gaining experience in areas of the Media sector. 

I have 11 GCSE's, 8 A's, 2 A*'s and 1 B, including an A* in Media Studies, which I thoroughly enjoyed completing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog.