Q4

How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Below I have created a Prezi, detailing the media technologies I have used and how they have helped me in my research and planning, construction and evaluation stages.

Q3

What have you learnt from audience feedback?

Q2

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

Question 2 from Layla Cairns

Q1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Above I have analysed my magazine, because after filming the video, I decided to change certain aspects of my front cover, contents page and double page spread.

Time Management #25

In this lesson, I am going to start the evaluation questions for my magazine. I plan on doing it on different forms of media to add variation to my work.

Draft Magazine Pages

Front Cover

Contents Page

Double Page Spread

Final Website

https://laylac19.wixsite.com/bellemagazine

Above is the link for my magazine website. The two hyperlinks can be found on the home page, one is when you click on the sub- heading beneath Sophia Harper. The other is when you click the text for the competition to the Ramside, and Miller & Carter.

Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/bellemagazineNE/

Above is the link to the Facebook page I have made for my magazine. I feel like this will allow my readers to stay more connected with my product. They will be able to like posts and comment on them. I could also create a poll on articles they would like to see and their favourite fashion items, so my magazine is more interactive and the readers feel as though this is 'their' magazine, based on all things in the North East, and involving other national and international things such as events and new products that may not be available in the North East yet. I have created the username BellemagazineNE, so it is easy for the audience to find the page, and they know it is the North East magazine- hence the NE, on the end of the username. I have also added a link to the website I am creating, which will enable them to read more in depth articles.

Print Media Improvements

Suggested Improvements

I gave my print media to my teacher to have a look at, and see if there was anything which I could improve on. He wrote down some suggestions, so my work would get a better grade. I highlighted the suggestions that I thought would benefit my work, and things I could look at improving.

Time Management #24

I plan on creating my website, I have left this till last as I know it will take me longer to design. I have never used Wix before, therefore I think it will take me some time to become accustomed to it.

Update: I have now finished all of my products, including the magazine, billboard and website. The website took me longer than expected, therefore I must now crack on with my evaluation questions.

Final Billboard

Final Billboard

Magazine Experimentation

Front Cover

Contents Page

Double Page Spread

Contents Page Draft #2

Here is a Youtube video from my channel, that shows some of the editing I did on my contents page. It is really brief but I wanted to demonstrate what tools I used.

 

Contents Page Draft #1

Contents Page Draft 1

Here is my contents page that I have started designing. I wanted to have different sections of the magazine in each of the columns, however, feel like I might start again as it doesn't really follow the vibe of modernism and fashion. I think it looks good, and I really like how I have edited the cover star around the puff behind her, but feel like the colour scheme and layout does not follow the minimalistic and professional feel I am aiming for.

Time Management #23

In this session, I want to continue editing my magazine. Currently, I am struggling to find a good font for the cover lines on the front page, therefore my aim for this lesson is to find a suitable font, and have the front cover completed.

Update: I have created my magazine and billboard, and I am very happy with how they have turned out. They are exactly what I had in mind for my regional magazine.

Front Cover Draft #1

Figure 1

Front Cover:

When I started designing the front cover, I had a picture in my mind that I wanted to follow, I was really inspired by popular, international fashion magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan, but had to keep in mind that my magazine was for a regional base, and had to aim it towards my target audience.

I first began choosing my masthead, and deciding the colour. I used the font Dubiel, which I had picked, with the help of my Facebook group. I also added my colour scheme to the image so I could use the Eyedropper Tool to pick from my chosen theme. I would delete it at the end, when the cover was finished.

Figure 2

 In figure 2, I added some cover lines. I really liked how the main cover line turned out, and planned to keep it like this. However, I could not decide what font to use for my other cover lines. I decided that using a plain serif font did not look the best, and made the front cover look very formal.

Here is some screenshots of me working on Photoshop CC 2015. I chose another great font that I thought worked well for the cover lines, and I then started experimenting with the layout and size of the cover lines. I had already added a barcode and price, but I needed to remember to feature the website somewhere. I think by experimenting with design, helped me find the layout that looked the best. I also tried different backgrounds, to find which looked the best.

Figure 3

Figure 4

Front Cover Draft

Time Management #22

In this session, I want to start designing my front cover and double page spread.  I am really behind schedule, therefore I need to make sure I am editing these products outside of college, so I get the work done and can edit it several times before submitting it.

Update: In the session I have managed to start designing my magazine front cover and contents page. I have also changed my mind on a couple of the layout choices on my contents, and started it again at home. I am now happy with how it is coming along.

Billboard Recreation

I have recreated one of the billboards for the clothing brand Forever 21. Although this billboard does not feature a regional magazine, I thought it would be similar to the type of billboard I want to create.

Tools Used: I used the software Photoshop CC 2015, as it is the one I use at home, and find the tools really easy to find. One tool I used was the Eraser Tool. I used this to remove the background from the model image, as I wanted to match the white background similar to the real billboard. I also used the Transform Tool, which allowed me to make the model image smaller, so it could fit onto the billboard template. Furthermore, I duplicated one layer to create the image twice, I wanted to do this, as the real billboard uses the same image of the model twice.

Forever 21 Billboard

Strengths: Some strengths from my recreation is the use of the images. I really like the image I used, and I also like how I have edited it, so it looks like the models are facing the same direction.

Billboard Recreation

Weaknesses: Some points where I would improve this recreation, is the text, I think the image I used was too dark, therefore the logo isn't noticeable. I actually had to use a dark green colour, just so you could see it, as the real billboard used jet black. I also had to chance the website link to white, as when it was black, it was impossible to see.

Magazine Recreation

Magazine Recreation

Cornwall Life Magazine

I have recreated Cornwall Life, as I thought it was a nice front cover of a regional magazine. I wanted to recreate a regional magazine, taking into account my own magazine will have a look of a national/ international magazine (even though it is based on the North East region), so I get the feel of making a regional magazine, and I can confirm the conventions are the same.

Tools Used: I used Photoshop CC 2015, which has all of the tools I needed to recreate this magazine to a professional standard. One of the most important tools I used was the Eyedropper Tool. This allowed me select the colours that I wanted to replicate for my recreation. By using this tool, it has made my work look more alike the original, rather than randomly choosing similar colours. Furthermore, I used the Horizontal Text Tool, which helped me write text onto my magazine, without it, there would be no typography on the page. I managed to find look- a- like fonts from the website dafont.com, I love using this site as I can choose from a range of different fonts, and its free. Other tools I used were the Rectangle Tool and Ellipse Tool. I needed these for the banner at the bottom and circle puff at the top of the bag. By using these tools, it allows me to accurately draw shapes, and I can change the shape so it looks similar to the original magazine.

Strengths: I think I have many strengths within my recreation. For example, I have created a clean and crisp recreated front cover, this was by using the software and tools professionally. I have had many years of practice on Photoshop, as I used it for my Media Studies GCSE, and have used it for two years in my A Level Graphic Communication course. Within the piece itself, I really like how I have concentrated on finding matching fonts to the original magazine, and think it matches well. I also like how I have used my own images, and took them to a professional standard. The main image was actually photographed in New York, when I went on holiday, however thought the bright colours and pretty scenery matched well with the main image on the original, and for the purpose of a magazine recreation, it worked well. I also like the banner that I created at the top of the page, I think this ads further professionalism to the page, as it looks incredibly similar to the original magazine.

Weaknesses: One weakness on this page, may be of the model at the bottom left. I feel like this is not a strong image as it is a little bit pixellated, and I have not cut out the background perfectly. I think if I was going to improve this piece, I would choose a different image to use. Additionally, I think the lines at the top of the page are darker than the original, therefore if I was going to improve my magazine, I would make the stripes grey. Lastly, I think the cover line Looe Festival, needs to be a little bigger, as it looks smaller on my recreation. Other than that, I think I have recreated this magazine to a very high standard.

Photoshoot Images

In this Animoto, I have put a collection of good images together that I took of my model during our photoshoot.


I think these are great photos that I could use for my magazine, website and billboard, this way it keeps synergy throughout my products, and lets the reader know that its the same main story by the images used. I would regard these as usable images because they are bright and the model looks happy in them. I wanted my model to look relaxed, but also have an invitational facial expression so it would draw my primary target audience in. I made not to choose a model that would stereotypically be my target audience, as I want my readers to feel like they can connect with her.

Below are some images that I would regard as unusable.

This is a long mid shot, and the model is smiling in a relaxed pose. Although the model looks happy and carefree, the feelings I want my model to portray to the audience, the lighting is too dark, and will make my products look dull and boring.





In this image, the model is looking behind her shoulder towards the camera, again in a casual position. I think this image would of worked great for the double page spread, although because it is so dark, it is unusable.

The similar situation happened here, the lighting is too dark, and will not be used for my products.

Time Management #21

In this lesson, I need to upload my photoshoot images, as I managed to take pictures of my model last week. I also want to start recreating a magazine, and in my spare time at home I will try and recreate a billboard.

Update: I have managed to add my photoshoot images to my blog, and I have analyzed which are suitable for my products and which aren't. Additionally, I have recreated a regional magazine and billboard, to help remind me of my Photoshop skills, and get me ready to create my magazine

Website Flat Plan

 Home Page

Flat Plan of Website Home Page

Colour Usage: On the home page, I am aiming to use the maximum of 4 colours, so that it follows the colour scheme of the magazine and billboard. On the website however, I want the background to be white as I feel as though the images and text will be bright.

Image Usage: For the images on my home page, I am wanting to use attractive and bright images that will interest the reader. I want them to look at the images and feel inspired to be like them. The first image you see on the home page will be the main image, therefore I want to use a close up of the model, so the audience instantly sees her beauty.

Flat Plan of Website Hyperlinked Page 1

Text Usage: For the text I want it to follow the same linguistics as the magazine, therefore a house theme will be followed throughout my products. As for the font and colour, I want to use the same as my billboard and magazine, this could be for the headlines or the masthead. I may use headlines suggesting great makeup artists in the North East, or competitions the audience can enter.

Layout and Font Usage: For the layout, I am really wanting my website to look modern, and fashionable, as I want it to connect with my magazine and billboard. This will help readers realise that my products are connected. As said above, the font needs to be exactly the same used on my other products, and I want it to be informative to the readers.

Hyperlinked Page 1&2

Flat Plan of Website Hyperlinked Page 2

Colour Usage: For both hyperlinked pages I want to use the same colour scheme as my home page and other products, as again, this will allow the reader to know what website/ magazine they are viewing, and it will also add a professional feel to my website.

Image Usage: For both pages I am wanting to use bright and colourful images that will attract the audience. I think for one page I will be using images from my model photoshoot, and the other page I will use my own images for maybe a competition or a look book.

Text Usage: For the text, again I want to use the same regional dialogue that I have been using for all of my products for both pages. I think I will be include the blogger article on one hyperlinked page, and then I am still making my mind up on the other page.

Layout and Font Usage: For both hyperlinked pages, I am wanting to use different layouts, whether that be the article at the bottom of the page and the images above, or the article on the left and images on the right. Overall, I want the layout to be different and add variety. For the font, I am again going to be using similar font as the home page and other products, but I would think about using a simple font for the article.

Article Draft

Sophia Harper is one of the hottest bloggers in our region, thanks to her casual, yet glam style. Recently, she took time out from updating her blog and YouTube channel, to give us some insight on her style, what trends she loves in the North East, and how she keeps her hair so healthy and thick! Keep reading for the low down.

What sets your style apart from other personal style bloggers in the North East?

My style ranges depending on my mood, so it can be anything from chic to modern, bohemian or rocker. I incorporate personal items from my closet that range in price and I try to take a twist on styles I see on the street, runway or my favourite celebrities. I find inspiration everywhere! The weather is never great here, so I try and style the best warm outfits possible, so I look cute but stay cosy.

What inspired you to start your blog?

I started my blog as a creative outlet to express my love of fashion, extensive collection of clothes and to share with girls as motivation for putting outfits and looks together. When applying to university for fashion communication, I wanted something to stand out on my person statement, so thought why not make a fashion blog? I began posting fashion posts inspired from looks around Newcastle, and it took off from there.

What are some of your favourite shops that you must visit when going shopping, and where are they?

A few of my all time favourite shops have to be Urban Outfitter’s and River Island, I always come out with something, whether it be a whole outfit or a little accessory! I love looking in vintage shops too, there are some nice ones near in the Quayside in Newcastle, or in Durham. I love adding a variety of clothing from all over to my wardrobe.

What is your favourite outfit that you’ve posted so far?

One of my favourite outfits that I’ve posted so far is probably one of my simpler looks. I am wearing cuffed denim mom jeans, a fitted jumper and black biker book, accessorised with silver jewellery, a black fedora, a red bag and red lipstick. This look is effortlessly chic and adding a pop of red pulled the look together without being over the top. It was comfortable and eye catching, all at the same time.

You have a knack for finding amazing affordable pieces; what should girls look for to get most out of their budget?

I always look for pieces that can be worn with multiple outfits and in many different ways. Also, pieces that can be carried into different seasons. I love following trends, but trends are just that, they come and go, so make sure not to splurge on pieces you’ll only wear once, but spending a little more on key pieces like a pair of black riding boots, a leather jacket, or a pair of jeans are worth it.

You’re planning on opening a boutique in Durham in the near future; what kind of styles can we expect?

I am currently in the process of turning my passion and dream into a reality by opening up my own small boutique. The styles you can expect to find will be trendy, chic, fashionable and most importantly affordable pieces that are inspired by the runway, fashion magazines and celebrity styles.

What Winter trends do you love and which do you hate?

This year I am loving the thick faux fur biker jackets, I have seen some really affordable ones online at prettylittlething.com. I am waiting wellies with long trench coats, and yes it is a thing! A little bit of snow on the ground and people think they can ruin their mint outfit with wellies!!

Your hair is amazing, how do you keep it so thick and healthy?

Thank you. I make sure to get it trimmed every 4- 6 weeks, and its handy as my mam is a hairdresser, so I just pop round whenever I need it cut for free- ha! A hairdressing salon I recommend is Hair by Daniel John in Durham, I always leave with perfect hair! I also wash it with sulphate- free shampoos and conditioned, and I use a moisturising mask once a week to keep it soft and shiny. If you use a lot of heat on your hair like I do with blow drying, curling and straightening, make sure to use a heat protectant before styling, I can’t stress this enough! It will save your hair from looking dry and dull.

What new pieces have you picked up for Winter that we haven’t seen on the blog yet?

I have so many fun sweaters, leggings and ankle boots, coloured denim, scarfs, cardigans and jackets that I am just dying to break out since the weather is crap! Although I love this time of year.

Thanks Sophia! Make sure to check Sophia’s blog www.sophiaharpernortheast.blogspot.com or her YouTube channel www.youtube.com/sophiaharper.

Billboard Flat Plan

Flat Plan of Billboard

Colour Usage: For my billboard, I plan on using bright colours to attract the viewer. Since billboards are normally meant for passing cars on a motorway or on a building or car, I need to make sure that it is attractive and easy to the eye. I want to use the colours of my house theme, however I will be using an image of my model too.

Image Usage: I am planning to use an image of my model, and I want it to be a close up so the readers can see her beauty easily. I want the model to be dressed in casual clothing, to promote my regional magazine.

Text Usage: From my research, I know that many fashion billboards don't have a lot of text on them, this is to add to the visual impact, therefore I am planning on just using my masthead. This will allow the viewers to see quickly what my billboard is promoting.

Layout and Font Usage: As said above, I am wanting to use my masthead for my text, therefore I will use the same font as what I will use for my magazine. For the layout, I want to keep it simple, and feature the text on one half and the image on another.