Organisation/ Drafting and planning

I have been looking further into fonts for the anchorage text of my magazine:

I have found three magazines that aren't necessarily regional magazines, yet they will still be able to influence my decisions of the front page of my own magazine.

I am somewhat struggling to choose a font that is suitable for my anchorage text or main cover line.

Here is this edition of CLASH:

What's important to notice here is that the font for the masthead completely contrasts with the cover star, through the colour and the type. It is big and bold which contradicts the idea of a young, quite timid looking cover star. 

I like the way the same font and cover is used throughout, it creates a level of consistency which makes the magazine look very professional. 

I need to choose a font, and colour that link to everything else on the page.

Here is this edition of More:

I was initially attracted to More magazine due to the choice of colour. The cover stars name has been used in a different colour to everything else on the page, but the word beauty... I assume this was a deliberate connection. I may use this idea on my own front page. 

I also like the fact that even though there are varied fonts on the page, they are used in different spaces making it easier to navigate for the reader.

Finally here is this edition of Entrepreneur:

This magazine captured my attention due to the simplicity. I like the way that certain colours are used to tie stories together, to make a connection. 

In the same way, two fonts have been used alone. One for the masthead and one for everything else on the page. I think this looks fantastic. 

I like the choice of colours, black red and grey. They compliment one another, and actually suit the style of the magazine. Giving it a very straight to the point jist. 

I am going to take on board elements of all of these magazines. 

From Clash, the same font in the masthead and the main cover story. 

From More, the choice in colours to link stories and elements together.

From Entrepreneur, the positioning of font and the true thought behind the colours.

Research into similar products

I have also found an edition of This is Birmingham.

Yet differently to What's On, I am more attracted to the contents page here.

I think it is important for me to look at this contents page and what's within it, to enable me to appeal to my target audience further.

I have individual stories in my contents page at the moment:

However, what I do like about This is Birmingham's is that they don't use individual stories. They have individual subjects.

"history and heritage", "nightlife", "getting around", "shopping". 

Instead of all of the different stories, they make further use of more images instead.

I may decide to use subjects rather than individual stories in my contents page.

Research into similar products

I have found this edition of What's On Magazine on http://issuu.com/

What's on is going some way to influence my decisions.

As a regional magazine too, I think it is important to recognise that I am appealing to the same target audience in Brum due to my use of a cover star, and What's On's use of a cover star rather than a place.

I like the way Madonna's outfit/ accessories and lipstick all match the masthead. This creates symbiosis. I also like the white font used, it compliments the red and black quite well.

I am inspired by the way there are no cover lines, only anchorage text and cover story. Yet the way "film, comedy, theatre, live music" etc is displayed on the bottom right hand side gives this magazine a unique brand image because it is not only about the music industry in Birmingham and Madonna. It is clear you can find all subjects within this magazine.

All of the main codes and conventions are apparent.

The only thing I would do differently is to scrap the secondary image and secondary cover line. I would prefer to give Madonna all of the lime light here as she is such a dominant character and has such a huge personality and career.

I would like to use this magazine, alongside other editions of What's On to influence my layout and content within my magazine.

Organisation

I will be uploading my photographs  taken on 5/1/16 tomorrow.

I will analyse which ones I think are effective and why.

I will then identify my target audience and ask them which pictures they like and why.

Organisation

I am going to use different shots for my photography:

I would like a medium shot -

The only difference between this shot and the shot I would like to take is the fact that I would like my star to make direct mode of address. 

The mid shot allows you to see the face and facial expression of the artist, but also the surroundings. This is the kind of image I would like to use on my front page. 

I would like a close up shot too - 

This will create a dominant effect with my star! They will look like they own the shot, which they should anyway, of course. Their facial expression will be highlighted nicely, and it shows that the background is of little relevance.

However, I did also like the slight low angle on the Steve Coogan cover in my earlier post today. And I may incorporate the slight low angle with my medium shot!

This works effectively because he seems like a relaxed kind of guy with his shirt undone and his wavy hair, yet his sharp facial expression and lack of eye contact make him seem mysterious yet superior!

I have also been researching different lighting effects! http://www.popphoto.com/gallery/top-10-photography-lighting-facts-you-should-know?image=4

This is important because I want to take the best quality images!

I am going to use these tips on the lighting, and my different types of shots and angles on Monday 14th December at 10am in school! 

I am going to use my school's drama studio with the white screen, but I may also take advantage of the black walls too!

Organisation

For my photo shoot, I have had to personally organise everything that is taking place.

Firstly, I had to email my teacher to ask for a slot in the drama studio. I have been given 10am on Monday 14th December. 

I have got 1 hour to do my photography.

In this time, I have got to take many different shots of my cover star with different angles and lighting. 

I would like to use a mid shot, a close up shot and a low angle. I would also like to take a wide shot for the double page spread.

Here are the different facial expressions I'd like to receive from my cover star:

Going from left to right on each row, I like number two as the mode of address is away from the reader making the star look mysterious. Number four as the star will look quirky and inviting. Number 5 as the sharp facial expression will entice the reader as they'll wonder what she feels so seriously about. Then number ten and twelve because of the excitement contained in my cover star!

As the house colours in my magazine are black, white and orange I thought that this edition of Nick Jonas in Time Out may be able to help me. To connect with the colour orange, I understand from this shot, I need to have high key lighting to emphasise the artist and to pull the attention away from the orange. Also, it is obvious that the colours white and grey work well alongside the orange and the black. Therefore, the background to my magazine may very well be white or grey!

Research into similar products/ Drafting and planning

I have been researching into Time Out magazine once again!!!
I am completely inspired by this Steve Coogan edition...

...because...

...I like how on this front page we can immediately understand the personality of the artist and what the cover story is all about. The cover star looks suave and polished. Even though he is not making direct mode of address with the readers, the low angle medium shot makes him seem powerful and self assured. His glance elsewhere makes him look mysterious, luring the readers in. I like his confident outlook. I also like the use of props in this front page. The champagne glass makes him look very sophisticated, not to  mention the suit! 

In my front page I am going to put my artist in a fitted khaki green dress which compliments her skin tone, ensure she wears heavy eye makeup and bright red lipstick. I think the difference in the colours will create a fantastic combination on my front page, especially with the complexity of colours for the anchorage text.

Drafting and planning

THESE ARE THE ANSWERS FROM MY INTERVIEW WITH MY ARTIST:

What do you enjoy most when blogging about Birmingham?

I ENJOY THE FACT THAT I AM ACTUALLY FROM BIRMINGHAM, I JUST FEEL PROUD TALKING TO FONDLY ABOUT WHERE I AM FROM AND LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY.

When did you discover that you would like to really get involved in the nightlife aspect of Birmingham?

EVER SINCE I TURNED 18! I REALLY ENJOYED GOING OUT. LITERALLY EVERY WEEK I WOULD BE TRYING OUT NEW BARS IN ARCADIAN OR BROAD STREET. I LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE OF BEING IN A BAR OR A CLUB BECAUSE I ENJOY MEETING NEW PEOPLE AND THAT'S WHERE I FOUND POP WORLD.

So what makes Pop World so special to you?

WHAT'S GREAT IS THAT IT'S FULL OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, IT LITERALLY VARIES FROM PEOPLE STILL IN THEIR LATE TEENS, TO PEOPLE IN THEIR FORTIES AND FIFTIES. IT'S NOT TOO EXPENSIVE AND THE MUSIC IS FANTASTIC. DON'T LET THE NAME FOOL YOU, OUR DJ'S PLAY EVERY SINGLE GENRE. I JUST ADORE PROMOTING POP WORLD.

Are there any occasions at Pop World that our readers can put in their diaries?

YES! EASTER WEEKEND IS GOING TO BE AMAZING! WE HAVE GOT 241 COCKTAILS ON OFFER ALL WEEKEND AND DJ RUSSKEE PLAYING A SET ON THE SATURDAY NIGHT. WE ARE OPENING THE TOP FLOOR TO EVERYONE ON OUR GUEST LIST. THEN IN THE FIRST WEEKEND OF JULY DAVID GUETTA WILL BE IN POP WORLD.

Fantastic! Can our readers receive any special offers for these weekends on your blog?

YES! IF YOU KEEP AN EYE ON MY POSTS IN THE WEEK LEADING UP TO EASTER, I CAN GIVE YOU A CODE THAT GETS YOU FREE ENTRY AND FREE DRINKS ON ARRIVAL ALL WEEKEND. YOU CAN ALSO WIN FREE TICKETS TO THE DAVID GUETTA WEEKEND.

How do you manage to get these epic DJ's?

WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT BARS AND CLUBS ON BROAD STREET WE ALL SHARE OUR DJ'S. IN THAT WAY WE CAN HAVE VARIED MUSIC GENRES THAT APPEAL TO OUR HUGE CLIENTELE. EVERY FRIDAY WE HAVE DJ EZ, EVERY SATURDAY WE HAVE FLEUR AND EVERY SUNDAY WE HAVE DJ 24.7. THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY INSANE! BUT WE HAVE THE BEST DJ'S IN THE COUNTRY OF COURSE...

Is there anywhere other than Pop World that you would like to promote in the future?

YES! INDI BAR IN ARCADIAN IS LITERALLY CALLING MY NAME. I LOVE ALL OF THE CLASSICAL RNB MUSIC AND WOULD REALLY LOVE TO WORK WITH A YOUNGER CLIENTELE.

How would you summarise Pop World in three words?

FUN, VARIED, PACKED!

Organisation

Today I am going to be interviewing my cover star and double page spread article feature...
I am going to ask her all of the questions featured in my post on: 29/11/15

I will then post the answers onto my blog. This will help me find include more of the personality in the article. By physically interviewing the artist, I can then get an idea of which shots will work best with my artist when it comes to taking the images on the following Friday.

Research into similar products

I have been researching different front pages of Time Out magazine, differing from London, to New York, both lively cities!

What is interesting about all of these front pages, is the fact that they have inversed the usual stereotypes of a regional magazine having a picture of a place on the front page. I like the fact that all of these front pages have a main cover star.

I have decided that Time Out is going to be the magazine that I base #Insight on. I like the fact that even though they are all the same magazine, each edition has a different style, reflecting the personality of the cover star. I specifically like the "Fun filthy fab, Soho" edition. This will reflect mine. As #Insight is going to be based on a club, the glass of champagne is going to be one of the props, if not another drink. I am inspired by the choice of font used to write "Fun filthy fab, Soho" because for my font on my front page, I am going to take a different edge, and move away from Fava, and take a Litchtenstein approach. This is definitely going to be a template I can copy for my front page. 

However, the only differences between #Insight and Time Out is the fact that #Insight will not stick to the left third rule of the masthead, because the masthead will be stretched across the page. This is going to be an important element that makes my magazine have an edge and stand out! Also, I think I am going to include at the bottom of my front page, other subject areas that can be found within the magazine, i.e. Arts and culture, fashion and beauty, news and sport etc etc. 

I am also inspired by the Katy Perry edition. I like the fact she looks as though she has an attitude, and this will entice the readers. She looks nice, she suits the theme and the anchorage text has symbiosis with the main image. I am impressed by the way, the masthead and real feeling of the magazine does not change to fit the artist, the set of colours just work with everything! 

I have decided to stick with the ideas of the Soho and Katy Perry front covers because through converging both of these, #Insight will have it's own unique image, but still have some inspiration from other regional magazines.

Research into similar products

I have been on Google, looking at the layouts of similar double page spreads.

I have found three that I think may be able to help me.

I was immediately attracted to this double page spread due to the bright colour, and red symbolises danger or a warning. This colour will attract any readers to a magazine. I liked the main image on the page of Rita Ora because this inverses the usual conventions of a medium close up on a double page spread, giving her a unique identity. I like the way the article is spread across two pages, rather than just featuring the image on one page and the article on another. This works really well and still flows.

I may use this in my magazine as there are no usual conventions and it will allow my magazine to have a sort of unique image and product differentiation.

However, I also like this double page spread a lot. I am attracted to the main, medium close up image almost immediately. I like the way the model is making direct mode of address with the readers. I also like the title because the different use of fonts makes the magazine seem edgy and interesting. I think my magazine will stick to these conventions of a  medium close up on the left hand side and then the article featured on the right hand side, this looks professional and sticks to the usual conventions of a double page spread. Additionally by dedicating  one page just to my article/interview, I can use a lot of content.