Evaluation Question 4

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

I learnt about various file types and their uses. .PNG maintains transparency, .JPEG is what the file should be exported as to be an image, .PSD files can be opened and edited in Photoshop.

I learnt how to customise my blogger theme with a custom theme, using HTML to edit widths and aesthetics of the page. I also learnt how to embed videos and pictures, as well as add tags and create posts.

I already had existing knowledge of both Photoshop and InDesign, but I did learn some more intermediate skills which are explained in the ‘Skills Development’ tag. I shared these skills with the class, helping them with issues ranging from rasterising layers to creating shapes. In InDesign I helped more with formatting pages and assisting with grids.

Photoshop doesn't possess formatted grids which is a problem when aligning text and images. I used rulers in an attempt to keep my lines crisp and clear. Photoshop was very effective with image manipulation, allowing the use of transparent layers and other editing tools which aren't present in InDesign. When creating a front cover next time, I will use Photoshop for editing and manipulating images and text, and then export these files into InDesign to create a more structured layout.

InDesign's main strengths are the grids and columns which can be altered and formatted. This means a clearer, more structured layout which is effective especially for the contents page. One difficulty I discovered in InDesign was the image quality. Even when exporting the final product I found the image file to be of a lesser quality than the photoshop exported file. This may be down to the fact that Photoshop retains the pixels per inch better than InDesign, and next time I will attempt to transfer the final InDesign document to photoshop and compare the exported file qualities.

I was conscious to present my work creatively, utilising Issuu, Slideshare and Prezi to name a few. I had never used these programs before, and learnt to export my files as .PDF’s to save the formatting options. Prezi is an interesting presentation program which I mainly used to illustrate points.

In this exercise, I merged existing Photoshop and InDesign skills with new presentation skills using online programs.

Evaluation Question 3 Contents Page

How did you attract/address your audience?

Evaluation Question 3 Front Cover

How did you attract/address your audience?

Evaluation Question 2

Evaluation Question 1

Contents Page Final

Revised Contents Page Flatplan

Deciding that the previous content page did not suit it's intended purpose, I drew up a new flatplan, which is more image-orientated. A smaller font size is featured, allowing more room for article insights and page numbers. Also an editorial section has been added, giving a more personal engagement between the publication and the reader.

Contents Page (NOT FINAL)

Strengths:

• Clear main features, with extra information.
• Continuation of house style and colours from the front page.
• Integration of a rigid grid, encouraging accuracy.
• Large text which is recognisable from a distance.

Weaknesses:

• Unconventional, making the page difficult to read, as well as being unfamiliar with the readership.
• Only image largely obscured from title.
• Lack of page numbers/content/features
• Overuse of large text doesn't flow with selectively large text featured on the front cover.

Personally, this piece was originally too simple, and ended up being more focused upon graphics than readability. A contents page should be easy to read and informative, and I felt that the lack of highlighted content within the page defeated the original purpose of this page. This is not my final contents page.

Contents Page Flatplan

Dimensions used on flatplan:

• Width: 210mm
• Height: 297mm
• Margins: 10mm
• Bleed: 10mm
• Columns: 3
• Gutter: 5mm

These dimensions come from a modal range of data I gathered from other magazines, including: Fabulous, Cosmopolitan and 25 Beautiful Homes. As I discovered when creating the front cover, sticking to the flatplan religiously is often difficult, so I expect to make some alterations with these figures when I come to designing the contents page.

A simple flatplan allows me to express creativity further, as I am not limited by a strict guide. I decided to include three columns, leaving me the option to include a flannel panel or social media contact should I deem necessary. The title (Contents) was placed at the bottom as it is clear from the content what the page's intent is. However, should the article list be altered, I may move the title to a more conspicuous position.

Final Magazine Front Cover

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.

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

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.