Drafting and planning/Organisation

Now that I have come up with my opening paragraph, I have began to draft the questions I'll ask in my interview.

1. What do you most enjoy when blogging about Birmingham?
2. When did you discover that you'd like to really get involved with nightlife in the city?
3. So what makes Pop World so special?
4. Are there any occasions at Pop World that the readers can put in their diaries?
5. Fantastic! So what will be happening on NYE?
6. What is the most enjoyable thing when you're in Pop World? And why are you so proud that you promote their bar?
7. Can our readers receive any special offers through your blog?
8. What is the clientele of Pop World?
9. And how do you find your DJ's? Are there any specific DJ's we should look out for on NYE?
10. Would you like to work at any other bars in the future?

And then I will finally thank Eilish for speaking to us, and wish her the best of luck in the future...


I am very happy with my questions, and will be interviewing her on Friday 4th December. I will record the interview to upload on my blog.

I will also take the photographs for my magazine on this date too. I am going to take various medium close ups, and then a long shot image of Eilish in what looks like a "club environment". I will maybe take various photographs of her drinks, or with the other "promoters" shall we say, and a screen shot of her blog to feature on the double page spread.

Drafting and planning

I have been planning my article for my double page spread and have come up with an exciting opening paragraph!

"Some would say Birmingham is not an easy place to love, or a place many people long to visit. But the current reinvention of the city is attracting more and more people, not just in the UK but internationally. #Insight have been talking to the much loved blogger Eilish Hardy all about the best places to visit for great nightlife in Brum."

What I like about my opening paragraph is that it is informal, it will make the reader feel at ease. It sums up what the interview is going to be about, it sticks to the point and will definitely entice the readers, making them want to find out where the nightlife is good in Brum!

Research into similar products

From my last post, after deciding on openers to my article, I have found various websites that are going to be EXTREMELY helpful, in letting me know what sort of questions to feature in my article.

Firstly I found, Time Out Birmingham - http://www.timeout.com/birmingham/nightlife/spotlight-next-door#tab_panel_3

Which gave me a short summary of the club, and what it's about, which can add to my opening paragraph in the article. I was also impressed by the image of the DJ in the club. Something I can use in my article. 

Here is a screen shot of the page:

Also, I found The Huffington Post magazine at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zoe-wilder/an-interview-with-new-yor_b_4499665.html

This was EVEN MORE HELPFUL! It actually had an interview, who was with the owner of a club in NYC. Questions have been asked about a key event coming up a.k.a. New Years Eve, and I have understood that a key event is a good thing to base my article around! 

Nonetheless, here are some screen shots of the interview:

These questions are very helpful because my interview is going to be with someone who goes clubbing, and these are the kind of events they'll be looking forward to. I think I can base my article on what's going on on Broad Street on a specific date i.e. New Years Eve, or an Easter special.

Research and planning

Of course with any interview within an article, there is a short summary at the top.

I have been researching "articles about the best places to go in Birmingham", and found a link to the "Telegraph" website...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destination/147282/A-weekend-break-in...-Birmingham.html

I have found this website really helpful because it gives a fantastic opening paragraph about Bham...

Few would claim Birmingham is an easy place to love. Post-War, it became one of Britain’s most egregious examples of town planners’ mania for concrete. A series of ambitious makeovers since the 1980s may have breathed new economic life into the city centre, but its reputation at home remains stubbornly drab – and unfairly so.

Something of a cultural revolution has taken place in the city. It now has four Michelin star restaurants – “four more than Manchester”, as one local chef pointed out – and more than any English city outside London. There’s a world-class symphony orchestra and ballet, and new pride in its pivotal role in the world’s industrial heritage, most notably in the opening last month of a fascinating, quirky museum dedicated to a coffin fittings works (yes, really).

The reinvention is continuing as the once dire New Street Station emerges from a £750m revamp, clad in gleaming stainless steel and lined with glistening new outlets, including England’s largest John Lewis beyond Oxford Street. It will be finished next autumn, but for visitors this month there's the city’s excellent German Christmas market (until December 22) - the biggest outside Germany. Its popularity is one sign that affection for the city may be coming a little easier these days.

In my article, I will clearly not include all of this... It would be too much and the reader would die of boredom! But I think taking the key bits out and making it into a short, exciting opening, I can really appeal to the readers!

I.e.

"Few would claim Birmingham is an easy place to love. There's something of a cultural revolution that has taken place in the city. It now has four Michelin star restaurants – “four more than Manchester”, a world-class symphony orchestra and ballet, and new pride in its pivotal role in the world’s industrial heritage. The reinvention of the city is continuing as the quirky new New Street Station emerges and holds England’s largest John Lewis beyond Oxford Street. #Insight catches up with "Name" about where the best places to go in Brum are hiding..."

What makes this opener great is the fact it allows the reader to understand what Birmingham has to offer, and makes it seem so full of energy, and a brilliant place to live or visit. I'd like to give this aura of excitement off in my article.

Organisation / Planning

I have decided that for my magazine, I would benefit from doing a double page spread. I feel this is appropriate because I will be able to feature more content in my article to make it seem so much more exciting and interesting...

... Because of this, I will be finding an online advertisement, so I will no longer be planning to do a makeup advertisement like in my last post on 17/11/15.

For my double page spread, I will be interviewing a student from Birmingham, aiming to find out where the best restaurants and bars are, and how to make the most of their time in the city centre.

For this, I will be organising the questions today, about what I will ask in my interview...

... These will be featured in my next post.

In order to go ahead with my interview, I will have to research into the same kind of articles.I will also do this today.

Research into similar products

Now that I have changed my idea. I have began looking at different lipstick advertisements on Google Images.
I think a lipstick advertisement is a good idea as makeup is a big part of the lives of females, especially females in the age range I am featuring in my magazine 18-45.
It was helpful looking at these images:

I love the way 2/3 of these advertisements make direct more of address! I feel very engaged and welcomed by the advertisement. Their hair colours and skin tones really match the shade of lipstick they are wearing. I like the way the third model has the same colour nails as lipstick I think this looks great and creates a colour consistency. 

I also like the way that the lipstick has been positioned in the bottom right on the advertisements, this looks really effective and assures the reader that it is a lipstick advert. However, I also like the top advert because the model looks really chic and stylish! I'd like to give this impression out in my magazine. 

I like how each magazine uses a close up or medium close up of the models, really focusing on their facial expressions and especially their lips! I will use these ideas when constructing my advertisement.

Drafting and planning

I am also beginning to wonder if an American Diner is the best idea for my advertsiement, or whether a food advertisement will stand out to the readers at all.

I think the American Diner idea is quite tacky, and if I'm honest childish, people between 18 and 45, especially at the older end of the spectrum aren't going to be interested in milkshakes...

Therefore, I must adjust and adapt my ideas around my target audience.

Instead, I think that I may do a fashion advertisement. I.e, an advertisement of an accessory like sunglasses or lipstick or something that will appeal to the female readers in my magazine.

I will begin to think further into this idea.

ALSO:

After getting in touch with the pub Pop World in Birmingham, asking if it was possible to interview the manager, I had no luck! So, by keeping my options open, I have decided to interview one of my friends that are 18, about where are the hottest places to go in Brum!

I will take various pictures of this person and use them as the feature on my front page.

I am excited about my new ideas, I think they are more age appropriate and will fit in with my target audience better.

Research into similar products

I am having second thoughts on the layout of my front page. It almost looks like only a digital magazine, rather than a physical magazine you can go into a shop to buy.

Therefore, to change my ideas and to get a further level of inspiration, I typed into Google Images "regional magazines" and found three key magazine's that I may be able to use as my influence.

Firstly I found Charleston magazine:

I immediately thought this magazine could influence me as it is clearly a regional magazine that is based on a city. I like the different outbursts of colour evident in the picture that contrast with the darker colours at the bottom. I think that I should take a similar sort of image for my work. I also like how the masthead, is similar to mine on my initial drafts of my magazine, it's very centralised - and this is effective because it looks very prominent on the page. Also, in contrast to my drafts of my magazine, Charleston has COVER LINES! Something, I have found that I should include in my magazine, rather than a range of pictures on the front page. The typical conventions are all found on this front page - this is a magazine I can definitely use to form a template of and follow the ideas of the stories.

Then I found Time Out magazine London:

Now that I have found this magazine, I think that it can go some way to be the magazine that #Insight is wholly based on. I like the fact that the picture isn't of the place, but we immediately know it's a magazine about London from the masthead. As my main article within my magazine was to be an interview with the manager of Pop World, I think that it's going to be highly effective if I use an image of them, or someone that goes there on the front page. As having a main image and anchorage text could be very effective and draw the readers attention more than a picture of the city would. This has also made me really think about my target audience, so I think I will need to do another survey to try and find out how to construct my magazine in order to appeal to them. 

SO:

Now, for my magazine - I am going to use a person as the main image - along with anchorage text - the same big, bold masthead - a small cover line and a bar code. 

Most likely I will use the same colour scheme, but also bring in colours that work with my magazine and the picture I take!

Drafting and planning

I have been working on my American Diner advertisement.

This was my first draft:

And this is my second, improved draft:

You can immediately see that this is the improved version. Everything on the page looks like it has a better layout. This is evident because I have got rid of the other two pictures, simply keeping the milkshake, it looks much more simplistic and eye catching. Additionally, I have used a black outline on the title "American Diner And Bar", it looks more effective and stands out more, without the red piercing your eyes. Also, I didn't think the dark blue looked very effective, so I have got rid of that colour, (as I already have another shade of blue in the background) and incorporated the colour black instead. The black works better. I think I have been successful including the opening times in my magazine. By saying "open 24 hours", my target audience will get the "WOW" factor, and will really want to visit, not restricted by time. Also, an offer by saying "Students and families receive a whopping 20% off" will also attract their attention. The way I have used informal language makes my restaurant seem more welcoming, so students and families won't be intimidated by words like "whopping" and "authentic". I like the way I have used the checkered black and white images, this looks effective because this is usually what the floor in an American diner looks like. Nonetheless, I have included the most important factor, THE ADDRESS. However to improve I could add in, "find us on Selly Oak high street", and also add in the social networking logos to show that my restaurant can be found on other platforms. I am very pleased with this draft.

Drafting and planning

I have began to draft my advertisement which is of a new American Diner.
Here is the advert:

I have ensured that I use typical American colours, blue, white and red! They look really effective and work well with one another. I have also included stereotypical American food, a piece of fried chicken, a hamburger and a milkshake. My choice of font is a 1920's style called "Invite Engraved SF", this looks great because immediately, even without seeing the word "American" the reader will know that it is something to do with America. Nonetheless, on an advertisement I think it is appropriate to offer some sort of discount and the most likely customers will be students, but also families with young children, so this will work well as adults of all ages will see this advertisement because the demographic of my magazine is between 18 and 45. Therefore this is an appropriate advertisement. It is important that I included the social networking logos to show that you can find this restaurant and the latest offers on other platforms, but it also makes my magazine as a whole seem more interactive with the readers. 

I got my inspiration for this advertisement from Google Images

When I searched "American Diner Advertisements" - 

This inspired my colour scheme. (Blue, white and red). But by having another look at this I am finding new ways to advertise my new restaurant.

It is important for me to remember that this is only a first draft, therefore I can do another pitch to my media class as a form of target audience research and find out how to design this advertisement to appeal to the readers in my magazine. 

Drafting and planning

I have responded to the feedback given to me on my front page:
The class said that they didn't like how my images just looked like a random collage on a page: they said they would prefer for the images to have some sort of layout and meaning. Also, to appeal to the target audience I must choose the images carefully: as it's now 18-45 year olds, I have got to choose pictures that appeal to all ages from top to bottom of the spectrum.
Here is a previous draft:

(MINUS THE FOOD ADVERTISEMENT)

Here, we can see that I have included the typical conventions of a front page i.e. the masthead, dateline, coverlines and images. However, the images look as though they've just been thrown on to the page without a thought! In order to change this I have adapted and change my images in the form of an "I" for #INSIGHT...

Even though I am basically using the same layout on the page, I think it looks a lot better in the shape of an "I" as there is now some sort of structure on the page! It also looks quite effective with the hash tag on the page too! This is because I am incorporating the first two letters within the main image. I like the way I have used the "transparent" effect from page plus on the hash tag, it now looks quite edgy. 

I am very happy with my further improvements on my front page. I think the range of images of Birmingham, from Brindley place, the Bull Ring, Selfridges, Central Library, the canals and the tower look fantastic and will appeal to people between 18 and 45, however, in order to express the purpose of the magazine for all the subjects included, I am going to get rid of one of the pictures of Brindley place and switch it for a picture to do with news and sport! Therefore, I am covering all separate subjects within my magazine in pictures on the front page!

Drafting and planning

After some careful thinking about the feedback I received from my Media class, I have reconstructed my contents page.
Here is my first draft:

MINUS THE LADY GAGA ARTICLE!
What they didn't like about my contents page was that it was "too plain", it was in a "menu format". They didn't particularly like my use of a white background, even though I thought it would have been good for consistency. They also said that they would have preferred my contents page titles to be bigger and bolder, and to actually stand out from the rest of the text. Not only that, but the collage of images didn't look right, therefore I have tried to spread the images about depending on which picture goes with each section.

SO FAR, here is my improved version (I have tried to follow the advice my fellow class mates have given me):

This one is much more clearer and actually looks like a contents page! I have made each subheading, bigger and bolder as to stand out and make it easier for the reader to navigate on the page. I think the black background looks a lot more effective and this also links to Dluxe magazine's contents page (which I have been using for inspiration). The only thing I think I need to do to improve is to include more images (obviously I need one for "news and sport"). But also, I have been told by my class mates to think of a pug/puff to include on the contents page. 

I now think that my adjustments to my contents page have made it look much more professional! I am extremely pleased. 

Target audience

After doing a pitch to my Media class about my ideas for my regional magazine and showing them my drafts, I have been given constructive criticism on how to improve my idea.

For my front page, I have been told that if I really want to appeal to an audience of 16 to 25 year olds, then I must carefully choose the pictures on my front page:pictures of Brindley Place and a road sign will not appeal to 16 year olds. Also, the different subjects found within my magazine at the bottom of the front page are not specifically aimed at this young, small genre. "Arts and culture" especially will not appeal to young people. Nonetheless, as a response to this feed back, I have decided to broaden my demographic. This is because some features within my magazine, for example: an interview with the manager of Pop World, do not actually make sense when advertised to 16 and 17 year olds. But, also, I love the idea of including Arts and Culture within my magazine, so if I change the demographic to 18-45, even though it is broad, for a regional area, this demographic will enable me to keep all of the current content in my magazine.

Also, the feedback about the contents page was that it apparently looks like "a menu". The titles aren't bold enough so the readers won't be able to easily navigate around the contents page. This means that I must make the titles i.e. "Fashion and Beauty" much larger and brighter so that the different sections stick out to the reader. I was also told that my further use of a collage on the contents page in the top right corner cannot work, I must spread the images around the page e.g. my pictures on fashion must be in the section of fashion, and my pictures of Brindley Place must be in the section of "Nightlife and Entertainment". I was also told to maybe use a black background for my contents page as this helps with colour and contrasts.

For my advertisement, I have been told that if I stick to the idea of a food/restaurant advertisement, then I must include a voucher, or another way for a discount - then this advertisement can work. But now that the demographic has been broadened, maybe think about whether an "American Diner" is the kind of place.

For my article about Pop World, maybe use a large "P" in the background of the article, creating symbiosis with the title. They also said do not particularly focus on the idea of "Pop World's Birthday", but more so a general chit chat about the club and what's coming up.

I am going to take into account all of this feedback and use it in my magazine.

Research into similar products

I have been researching on Google Images about different "magazine interviews".

I have found four interviews that I think look highly effective but I also think I could design my article in these ways.

I was impressed with this article about Rupert Grint because of the fantastic use of colour in order not to contrast with the image. Also, I like the way the image takes up a third of the page. I am going to use this idea in my article. I am impressed with the way secondary images have been used at the bottom as well, it enables the reader to get a better feel of the interviewee so they can feel as though they know them on a personal level. I like the way his name has been blown up much bigger than the rest of the text, it shows he is the clear focal point of the article. This single page article has made it much clearer to me that if you can construct a page in the right way, and focus on the layout then you do not in fact need as much text or content on the page as you might expect.

I also liked this article A LOT. I think it's important for me to look at this article in detail because it's a question and answer interview. I now know how much text to include in my own article, on this page it clearly seems minimal, especially if you are to include such a huge interviewee image. This article has also reminded me to remember a caption over the image. Nonetheless, I like the colours that are used on this page, I think they compliment each other very well. I am going to use a huge image of the person I am interviewing, remember a caption and use the minimal amount of text just like this article.

However, I can confirm that out of the previous three images above, my article is most likely going to look like THIS ONE! I am inspired by how the image takes up almost have of the page but in landscape rather than portrait, instead of using just one image, I am going to incorporate two or three in this space. Also, I like the choice of image, a long shot, to capture the persons whole body and give the reader a better impression of them. Like the last article, this one has used a caption over the image. I am impressed with the way the article begins with a quote from the person being interviewed - it makes the whole article seem more personal and interesting to the reader, they will feel like they know this person on a personal level. I like the colour scheme of grey white and black, this is something I might use in my own magazine. And I think that the text used seems like just enough, the right amount. I am terribly impressed with this one and I will use it as a template for my own article!

Drafting and planning

I have been looking closely at the deign of my advertisement:

I am going to be using a vibrant blue background. By using a block colour I can easily incorporate the other elements of my advertisement e.g. the images and the text.

I am going to  be using red for the colour of my text, there will be a nice contrast and it will also stick to the type of food restaurant I am advertising (American Diner).

On my advertisement I am going to try and use as little text as possible:
e.g. "Homemade hamburgers and milkshakes", "opening soon, Selly Oak", "American Diner".

I will have an image of a hamburger/cheeseburger and perhaps a milkshake depending on which looks more effective.

I will include social networking pages on the advertisement as well.

Hopefully, my advertisement can stick to these conventions and have my advertisement looking as simplistic as this one: (but including the social networking and address)

Over the next few days I will begin to construct my advertisement.

Drafting and planning

I have created the article/interview for my magazine.

EXCLUSUIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE OWNER OF POP WORLD

Pop world is best known for it’s vibrant interior and retro dance floor, cheap cocktails and dance podium.

The oldest club on Broad Street celebrates its 30th birthday and what better way for #INSIGHT to be involved than to find out what celebrations will be taking place, then exclusively interviewing the manager, Joe Brown.

We found out specific dates, events and cheap student nights for our beloved readers.

We asked Brown many questions to get a better #INSIGHT of what’s going on in there. Our reporter Kelsy spoke to him.

“How does it feel to be the manager of the oldest club in Brum?”

It’s amazing! I’m immensely proud and all the better considering we’re celebrating it’s birthday so soon!

“What is happening and when will the celebrations be taking place?”

It’s all beginning next month in March, we’ll have a whole week of crazy nights! All student friendly prices of course... Not only will the club be opening from 10pm til 5am for seven consecutive nights, but we’ll be having your favourite singers/DJ’s joining us too.

“Are there any definite dates for us to keep in our diary?”

16th of March to the 23rd of March are dates where you must pay us a visit, you will not be disappointed. Jam packed evenings full of your favourite artists and cheap drinks!

“Who can we expect to see during the week?”

Well, it wouldn’t be exciting if I told you them all would it? But I can confirm that DJ Russkee and Jess Glynne are both going to be there, my lips are sealed about the rest of them.

“WOW! I’ll be there myself... Are there going to be any offers on entry or drinks during the celebrations?”

Yes, as long as you text one of our promoters with your names, you’re eligible for free entry and a free shot when you arrive. Other than that, all cocktails are 2 4 1 every night for a week.

“And are there going to be any surprises with the interior of the club?”

At the current time we are renovating our bottom floor ready for our birthday, so yes, you’ll be very surprised, but impressed on your entry. It’s going to be like nothing else you have seen in a club before.

“Our insiders told us that there will be fancy dress every evening, do I stand corrected?”

I cannot be giving out too much information... But yes, we would really appreciate if our guests come in fancy dress. It will be like a real birthday party for our beloved club, helping us to live up to our ‘cheesy’ reputation.

“Are you converging with any of the other clubs on Broad Street for the occasion?”

Yes, we are working with Players Bar just across the road. Their promoters are sending all their guests over to us for the week. But they are also signing everyone up to their guest lists for us. It is going to be a crazy week...

“Is there any way our readers can get a VIP experience?”

Yes, if you text this number 07512345678 you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win free entry and free drinks all night, all week! You’ll also be in with the chance to hire your own booth if you visit our website www.popworld.com.

“We are extremely excited to move from your average pop world to a club like no other we have seen before. Thank you so much for talking to us. I’m sure our readers will much appreciate the gossip and look forward to this jam packed, exciting week.”

By Kelsy Smith.

I am extremely happy with the focus of this interview and I think there is just enough content to fit on a single page that will stand out and appeal to the readers.

Now I have got to think about the layout of my article.