Drafting and planning

Now that I've thought a bit more about what I am going to use for my advertisement, it is time to look into detail about the article I am using.

Immediately, I know that I am interviewing a club owner and I think it's safe to say that Pop World on Birmingham's Broad Street is a good call. It's a club that attracts all sorts of students due to its wide range of music (don't be fooled  by POP in the name). An interview with a club owner will be specifically eye catching to students because they will be able to find out about new DJ's, latest offers and themed nights on at the club.

I will include an interior image of Pop World like this. 

But ALSO a picture of the Pop World manager (most likely one  of my best friends MALE, who have a tough, managers look about them).

Now that I have got my idea sorted, I am going to be taking a look over the next couple of days at the sort of questions I may ask the manager of a club (specific questions that may be asked by students). I am chuffed with my idea and will be posting the questions shortly.

I may also be able to use their website...

http://www.popworldbirmingham.co.uk/

... as a helping hand too as a frame work for my questions.

Drafting and planning

After further drafting and planning of my front page and contents page, I have decided on what to feature in my advertisement and article.

My 2nd page advertisement will be of a new restaurant in Selly Oak - a student friendly and student central area in Birmingham. Upon this decision, I have decided to create an "American Diner" style. Within this, I will focus on the colours red, blue, white and black. I will be advertising it's' opening in April 2016 for example.

I have used Google Images to help me find some other American Diner advertisements that might be able to help me:



I think these images are highly effective. When you think about an American Diner, immediately milkshakes and hamburgers will come to mind! I will use these two types of food and drink in my advertisement. It is clear that my choice of colour scheme will be effective as red, blue, white and black are all evident in these advertisements.

I am going to be using Page Plus to create my advertisement.

Drafting and planning

Now that I've incorporated the colours orange and black together by getting rid of the blue, I have found it easier to use this small range of colour in my contents page.
Here is an example:

I'm extremely happy with how this is looking. I feel that it is easier to use two colours rather than three. By doing so I can use the brighter colours for my headings and subheadings, making them eye catching, and use the darker colour for my articles - making them easier to read. I like the fact I have used a black outline on the orange title "contents" it stands out and it's obvious to the reader what page they are now on. As my magazine is a monthly magazine, it's important that I have such a wide range and full range of stories. It shows that a lot has happened in the past month and there is a lot for the students to catch up on. In the right hand corner, I like the use of the three images. This is not what I would like for my final contents page, but for now as I'm improving all the time, I'm sure I'll find a way to incorporate more images into my contents page. Overall, I am happy with my contents page at the present time.

The article on the right hand side is an article from Lady Gaga found on Google images. This is clearly not the article I'm going to be using but I needed some inspiration. I specifically picked this article because I am using a single page and want to interview either a music artist or club owner. I thought that the layout may be able to help me. For my article, I'd like the same layout, my interviewee's name on the top right hand side and story written in columns. Yet, instead of a big "L", I am going to use an image of my artist on the top right hand side underneath the writing.

Drafting and planning

I have been looking more closely at my front and contents page. I have decided to wipe away the colour blue and incorporate the orange and black. I do think that this looks more effective.
Here is an example:

I think this looks much nicer. Especially with the sections at the bottom the "&" symbol looks effective in the black. It makes each section seem as though they link together and this is evident in the contents page. 

I have continued to use a black masthead - this is important because the colour black will immediately capture the attention of the readers as it's bold and eye catching. Yet the orange font underneath makes the magazine seem more inviting. 

I am pleased with how the images are positioned on the front page. It almost looks as though a student (obviously! it's a student magazine) has created a photo collage. This will be ultimately recognisable to them. Not only that, but the range of images clearly show to the reader how much Birmingham has to offer, foreboding that there will be lots to find in my magazine. 

I'm pleased with the positioning of the dateline, it's great that it's there! But it doesn't take up too much space, yet doesn't lose its prominence. 

On the whole, I think my new colour scheme is vibrant, and choice of images are fantastic! They feature Birmingham as busy, beautiful, with great shops, scenery and opportunities. 

Moving onto the advertisement on the right hand side. Even though I found this advertisement on Google. I think it's appropriate for me to use a food or drinks advertisement or even a restaurant advertisement on the second page. This will be a factor that students will want to know more about. I added this image here for now just to see what it would look like! But I generally think, with a little work, I may be able to create a fantastic advertisement for my second page. Especially with vibrant colours and information.

Drafting and planning

In response to my post on 16/10/15 I have began to draft and construct my own contents page.

Similarly to Dluxe magazine, I have kept a white background, and incorporated the colours black, blue and orange. They work really well together. I have also, in the same way as Dluxe, dedicated the upper left hand side of my contents page to the images; and I have included page numbers on top of these images. I ensured I consistently used the same colour scheme found in the front page and in the contents page. Also, like Dluxe, I have separated my articles in my magazine into separate sections - fashion and beauty, news and sport, night life and entertainment and arts and culture. However, through having a second look at Dluxe, I have decided that I prefer the way that they hold their information about their contents page - having subheadings and key information below, but not including individual page numbers for each section. Even though this may not be as easily accessible,  my target audience aren't children, the students won't need everything dumbed down. Therefore I think it is appropriate for me to adopt this in my own contents page. I have carried my masthead through to my contents page which contrasts with the contents of Dluxe, but I think this looks effective as the reader will know that the magazine successfully pieces together. I am happy with my first draft of my contents page:

Drafting and planning/ Research into similar products

I have been looking on Issuu once again and have found Dluxe magazine. It is a business and leisure magazine about Birmingham. As it is within the same region as my magazine I thought it may be helpful and quite insightful to me.

At this point in my research and even drafting and planning I am particularly focusing on the contents page. I am particularly excited about the contents page from Dluxe.

I like the way a black font is used on a white background. I think that this looks highly effective and is a nice contrast. Purity and mystery. I engaged with this contents page because the stories and news within the magazine is in a column form, something I'm keen to use in my own magazine. I like the way the pictures have been positioned, to take up a certain area of space in the magazine, and how the page numbers are on top of the pictures. This makes the contents page easily accessible for the readers. They know where to find the articles they are most interested in. I'm quite impressed with how a section at the bottom of the contents page has been addressed as a sort of "contact us" or "get in touch" opportunity, by offering the website, email and social networking pages. This is something I can take into account with my contents page. It's pretty clear that this magazine is jam packed but it looks highly simplistic. I am going to take this into account when constructing my contents page.

Here is an issue of Dluxe magazine from Issuu

Research into similar products

Now that I have decided on the type of article to feature in my magazine, I did some research on Google Images.
I have found this article of Madonna:

Ignore the pixelation. However, what I find most eye catching about this article is the fact that there's more than one image in such a small space. This will connect to my magazine and create symbiosis in the form of colour. The white background is similar to the white backgrounds I am currently working on in my front page and in my contents page - if I choose to replicate this then I will also create symbiosis. I'm also intrigued by the way the title of the article stands out and is majorly bigger than the rest of the font. I think this immediately captures the attention of the readers. The way that the article itself sticks to the conventions of a typical magazine article; this is because it is written in columns and it's easy to follow for the readers. I think I may copy the way the questions and answers are in different colours (I will suit this to the person/place my article is about). The fact that the font is highlighted by one of the main colours used throughout this page shows that there is consistency. I cannot seem to read the questions and answers, however when structuring my article I can refer to SCENE magazine's article which can be found in my post on 13/10/15.  

Research into similar products

I have found another edition of SCENE magazine on Issuu.

I think that this double page spread can help me come up with an idea for my article in my magazine (even though mine will be on one page). This is because as my magazine is going to cover a wide range of topics, I think that the genre I'd most like to focus on nightlife and entertainment. Therefore, I think I am going to interview the owner of a new club, or a new concert venue to find out what sort of artists and what they will be expecting. I can look at this kind of interview to find some inspiration. I like the way there is a summary of what the venue is all about and then an exclusive interview with the owner! Definitely something I will feature in my article.

Drafting and planning

I have improved on my second front page draft.

Draft 2:

Draft 3:

You can clearly see that I have thought about the colour I want to use in my magazine. I have incorporated the blue and orange in a more professional way. I think in draft two it seems a little childish and gives of the "multicolour" effect. This is not something you would find in a student magazine. Also, I have made better use of the space within the front page by adding an image I found on Google. However, this image will not feature in my final front page, this is because I am going to be using my own photography to demonstrate my improved skills from AS. I like the way that the range of pictures differ from day to night. It represents this magazine as having a wide range of articles. However, through comparing the two, I have decided that the dateline looks enormously better in the colour black font. 

Overall, I am very happy with my third draft of my front page. I think if I continue to spot the little things that can make my magazine successful then I won't go far wrong when it comes to finalising my front page.

Research into similar products

In response to the ending of my post on 8/10/15, I have typed into Google Images - "poster billboards advertising a place".

I found three pictures that I think may help and influence me.

Firstly, I picked this picture:

This immediately stood out to me because of the BOLD TEXT! It takes up most of the billboard. This is significant because the attention of people passing by will be captured instantly. Even though I do not know what this billboard is about, because of the effective advertising it ultimately makes me want to "save more with their agents." Clearly, the editor has put lots of thought into choice of colour; as this is obvious through the contrasting colours. White connotes honesty and purity, which persuades the target audience to take a look at the service they are offering. Whereas, red connotes energy and passion showing positivity. I like the way the font takes up a huge amount of space in the billboard as this shows importance to the audience. This has definitely inspired me for my own billboard.

Next, I picked this picture:

I felt that this billboard instantly applied to me. This is because of the IMAGE CHOICE. I think people passing by would immediately know that this billboard is advertising a region. The picture is great because of the colours, and timing. It makes "New Jersey" appeal as a calm, peaceful place as the two people look deeply in love, and the waves in the sea aren't choppy. I personally think that people passing by would get this vibe as well. The colours used in this billboard are important, not only does the blue connect with the colours in the background, but the centralisation of the main text insinuates that the picture is still highly important, but the text wants centre stage. I like the way there is a consistency of the colour blue: it connotes clarity, wisdom and heaven. This is highly significant because this is the essence produced in the picture. I like the use of this image in the billboard, I think this has inspired me for my own billboard because it shows that the picture can sometimes have more of an effect on the audience than the text.

Finally, I picked this picture:

This billboard captured my attention the most. Obviously it is because of the COLOUR. Not only is the colour vibrant and eye-catching in this billboard, it is the colour most associated with Coca Cola. It connotes energy, passion and positivity: and successfully, just through colour advertises the product. More so, the text is big, but doesn't take your eyes away from the main image. I think this is effective as the text still looks highly important and prominent on the billboard yet it doesn't steal the attention away from the main image. It's significant that the text used for "Coca Cola" is the same text used on the bottles, cans as it has it's own unique brand image so people can instantly recognise the product. Furthermore, the image is great because it is positioned in the centre of the billboard which makes it the main attraction. It will appeal to the audience because of the white highlighting around the edges, this makes it look energetic and exciting. Most importantly, the colour in this billboard captured my attention away from all of the other poster billboards on Google images. This is definitely because it's bright and powerful. This tells me that I need a bright colour on my billboard to capture the attention of the audience.

Conclusively, I am very happy that I have found these billboards because they are going to be highly influential. This is because I have identified three main points of importance: TEXT, IMAGE and COLOUR! Three main conventions of a billboard. I know that I need to use the same text on my billboard that I have used for my magazine's masthead, and the main texts inside my magazine. I know that image is highly significant because that is what the audience see first! This image has got to represent my magazine in an exciting and positive way. Finally, colour is important. I need to carefully think about the connotations I want to promote on my billboard to advertise my magazine. I know that the main colours in my magazine will be blue and orange - and similarly to the third billboard advertisement, they need to take up a large amount of space because colour is extremely eye-catching. 

Research into similar products

I have been researching into types of billboards.
I found the website, Out Front Media whereby I found the definition:

"Billboard signs help us decide what to do and where to go, acting as guides, helping us find businesses and services and helping businesses find customers. Billboards work well alone or in tandem with TV, radio, online and mobile."

After looking on this website for quite a while, reading about the different types of billboards e.g. digital, bulletin, posters, walls, spectaculars; I have decided on a poster billboard.

"Posters bring your message to a more local audience." Which coincidentally, is what I'm after. Advertising in the local area for people to read my REGIONAL magazine. This idea was sold to me immediately. 

After I found this link to the poster type of billboard, I then typed into Google, "poster billboards". I found the website Lamar. 

I found out that these are particularly good "when you’re launching a new product, making a name change or trying to get a message out in the shortest amount of time possible, posters are the way to go."

I am very happy with my choice of a poster billboard and there are many advantages of this:

• Smaller advertising structures
• Located on primary and secondary traffic arteries
• Seen by vehicular traffic and pedestrians in commercial and industrial areas
• Designed to be mass produced and posted in multiple locations to flood the market all at once
• Posters provide 4 times more impressions than radio and magazines, 8 times more than TV and 11 times more than newspapers

Now that I've made this decisions, I have a clearer idea of the products that I need to look at for my research.

Research into similar products

I have once again been looking at Issuu and typed in "regional magazines" into the search bar.
I have found a magazine about Menorca.
Initially, this attracted my attention because of the eye catching image. It is an image that immediately lets you know where the location is without looking at the masthead or page titles.
I have been wondering lately, what kind of cover lines to include on the front page of a regional magazine, and after looking at "SCENE" magazine and now "ALADIERNO", I have noticed that NO cover lines are required, but merely a summary of what can be found inside the magazine at the bottom of the page.
Like SCENE, Aladierno includes the dateline at the top of the page centrally, this is something I included in my first draft of my magazine, it also has the issue number, something I also included. I like the way this magazine's masthead takes up the top of the page, showing its importance to the readers, and also making it identifiable. This shows that so far, my first draft has been successful because my masthead also does this.
The contents page is also effective, the colours from the front page have been carried through. I think this contents page can be quite influential because its a single contents page, just like mine is going to be. It has "contents" written largely, and boldly! Clearly showing the page I am on.
Unlike the front page, the contents page shows that the magazine is full to the brim of exciting stories due to the secondary images included. I have used this idea in my own magazine and think it looks great.
This magazine (even though typically it may be found on an aeroplane) can go some way to influence my decisions for my own magazine. It also emphasises that the decisions I have been making so far are correct, and stick to the typical conventions of a regional magazine.


Here is an example of Aladierno magazine:

Research into similar products

In relation to my last post, I have researched the colour orange on Issuu products to see how the colour is broken up in magazines.

I think that the use is highly effective due to the connotations:

 Orange, the blend of red and yellow, is a mixture of the energy associated with red and the happiness associated with yellow. Orange is associated with meanings of joy, warmth, heat, sunshine, enthusiasm, creativity, success, encouragement, change, determination, health, happiness, fun, enjoyment, balance, freedom, expression, and fascination.

Orange is the color of joy and creativity. Orange promotes a sense of general wellness and emotional energy that should be shared, such as compassion, passion, and warmth. 

This was found on Bourn Creative

I think that due to these connotations, I should definitely include this colour in my magazine. These are the vibes I would like my magazine's to give off. 

I found a magazine called "healthy living" and this use of the colour orange, especially on the front page can help me find a colour balance within my own magazine. 

Drafting and planning

Now that I have saw what my contents page will look like if I stick to the three main colours: black, white and blue, I have figured that it needs another vibrant colour in there to make it seem exciting.
After the debate of whether to choose orange or blue for my masthead, I have discovered that it may look quite complimentary if I incorporate the orange too.
Even if it is just for a minimum level of text, I think my magazine, if limited to these three colours will lack excitement and won't be eye catching to the readers.

I have decided that I like the effect of the orange and blue working together, it shows clarity yet warmth at the same time. This will invite readers.

By going back to my front page and having another deep look, I have decided that to fill the space between the font at the bottom and the lowest image, I must take an interesting panoramic shot to fill the space, therefore it won't be stretched out. This image will be one from standing at the top of the Birmingham Central Library, so that I can present the whole of Birmingham in once image.

I then decided to use the incorporation of orange in the contents page so that I had a consistency. 

I also like the way that the orange is looking on the contents page too. it breaks up the blue consistency nicely. I am definitely going to include this colour in the next drafts and improvements in my contents page. 

Drafting and planning

Now that I have completed a first draft of my front page, I have gone on to look how to structure my contents page.
I have decided to keep the one page style of a contents page, and to feature an advertisement on page 1. I am going to continue to use the same colours featured in the front page in the contents page but use another range of images.

I am using the software page plus to edit this. I have included my masthead, in a smaller version in the top left and made a point of centralising the word "contents". I think this looks quite effective. I like how I am putting the images in one part of the page rather than scattered all over. And I am making my magazine look quite coherent by adding page numbers on the pictures and having certain sections on my contents page to make it accessible to the reader. 

However, this draft is unfinished as I was unsure of what to do about my background colour and font colour. I think I may introduce grey onto my contents page. 

This first draft will be great in influencing the rest of my decisions and I will constantly refer to scene magazine found in my post on 30/09/15, to help me design my contents page.

Drafting and planning

In relation to my post on Wednesday 30th September, here is my own version that is highly similar to SCENE BIRMINGHAM.

I used the same sort of font as Scene, a bold square font. This will immediately capture the attention of the audience for the front page.

Similarly I used more than one image and this looks great because it makes Birmingham appear as a busy city with loads to do, inversing the stereotype of a slow, less intelligent inhabitant of Birmingham. The images are all of key places that will appeal to tourists.

Differently to Scene, I used the colour blue rather than kept the consistency of black. I think this breaks up the dullness of the magazine and makes it seem cooler and more inviting. 

I have included key conventions such as a masthead, dateline and cover lines. This makes my frst draft look highly professional. 

Now that I have found the sort of first page I want, I can go onto the layout of my one page contents page. As I have the main images to give me inspiration for the content within my magazine.
Another idea I have come up with for my contents page is the idea of taking pictures of the new train station in Birmingham - the key part of the train station is the architecture and a huge eye is a part of this. As my magazine is called insight, this could create a high level of symbiosis and will look very effective. I will have this picture behind my masthead. 

Drafting and planning/ Target audience

I have used Paint.Net to create two draft mastheads. I used the font "Fava" for both. However, my choice in colour differed. I kept the dominant colour black, yet changed the smaller font between blue and orange. Here they are:

I'm very happy with both of these drafts for my masthead because I think that the font sticks to the idea of the font which my target audience identified in survey which I posted about on Thursday 17th September. They said that they'd prefer a "bold and dominant" font for a masthead. I think that I have used the correct font to cater to their preference. I like the idea of the orange font as it's bright, energetic and inviting; but I also like the blue as it's cool, classic and professional. 

I used the social network Twitter to ask my target audience which masthead they preferred.

I had three replies to my tweet. Here they are:

Two out of  three of my replies identify that they prefer the blue for my masthead. Therefore, if two thirds prefer something, that is what I will use for my final product. 

I have enjoyed using Twitter to get feedback from my target audience, this is something I am going to use more often for my product.