Research into similar products

In order to improve on my current DPS, I have analysed a DPS from Q magazine, even though it is a music magazine rather than a music magazine, I am going to find it quite helpful as it contains an interview as and has elements that are within my current DPS.

I have picked up on the basic conventions such as the main image, the mise-en-scene of the image, the vocabulary, the colour scheme and font, the use of drop capital and the precision and position of all conventions.

My main image will also be displayed on the left hand side of the page, this is more effective than on the right as when the reader flips the page the initial thing they will see is the picture, and this can immediately engage them. I will not put any sort of colour scale on my image, I think the brightness of it already looks quite edgy.

The title is very small on this magazine, and because my main image does not take up the whole of an A4 side, it is acceptable for my to display a bigger title, with a wider range of fonts, this will take up a considerable amount more than the title for this article. I will use the same colours for the title, as I have used to introduce my star on my front page meaning my DPS has a link to the rest of the magazine.

I am using a drop capital at the start of the article rather than in the middle, but after seeing this DPS, I have been influenced to think about using a hashtag behind the article, I think this may look quite cool as my magazine is named #Insight, but also because my star is a blogger, meaning she uses the internet and hashtags frequently, giving her a sense of personality before the reader gets to the nitty gritty in the article itself.

I am going to use the same colour scheme in my DPS as I have used on the FP to express my artists image. Orange, black and white with a hint of blue and pink for the word  "pop".

I am very happy I have found this DPS and think it can go a long way to help me with its professional tones.

Drafting and planning

In connection with my post on 1st December 2015, I have been further investigating elements of double page spreads.

I have used this double page spread almost completely to influence my decision making so far..

I have been influenced by the positioning of the star, I like the way she is positioned on the left hand side, so when the reader turns the page they will immediately become engaged with the star, and the pose (direct mode of address) wondering what she wants them to read.

I like the use of a quote on top of the picture too, the readers can connect with the star on a personal level as they begin to learn her personality through this quote. 

Nonetheless, the bigger size in font saying "Wild Child" reflects her personality once again, and gives the reader some knowledge as to what the article/interview is going to be about. Also, short the summary of the star and what she's about is portrayed underneath the main title, something I have thought about doing in my own magazine. 

The interview is positioned on the right hand side, and questions and answers are issued in different coloured fonts which makes the article easily accessible for everyone and easily to navigate around.

This is a copy of my first draft at a double page spread...

As you can see there are some similarities between my DPS and the Wild Child one.

I have used a bigger font for the main title, yet I've used the same colours as the front page and contents page too because it creates a level of symbiosis. I used the same positioning of photograph as well, on the LHS because my star can engage with the readers just like this one does. My model also uses direct mode of address, connecting on a personal level. I used a quote over the picture as it gives a sense of personality before the reader gets on to the article, and a short summary underneath the title. I once again, like the Wild Child article positioned my interview on the RHS because after the reader has got to know the artist through the image and the quote, they can get to the article to understand what this is all about. Additionally, I used a secondary image as I think it allows the stars personality to shine through more, giving the readers a taste of her lifestyle. 

I am happy with my work so far but there is definitely room for improvement, I will try and target my audience through asking them what's good and what to improve on on this double page spread. 

Drafting and planning

Here is my current draft of my contents page of #Insight:

I have tried to create a consistency between the front page and the contents page.

I have carried through the orange and the white, also the black background.

I think this looks effective because there's a link and symbiosis.

I have tried to include all elements of fashion and beauty, ranging from the opening of stores to hair and makeup tutorials. I think this is effective because I have catered to the needs of men and women (JD and MAC),

For nightlife and entertainment I have covered elements such as a new cinema, and festival news and club news. These will appeal to all of my target audience for all of the ages.

For news and sport, I have ranged my articles from football, to the junior doctors striking etc. This will interest people of all ages as they are true topics that are in the news, making my magazine a reality.

For arts and culture, I have touched on parades such as St Patricks Day, Birmingham Art Gallery, the Pitcher and the piano. You'd be able to find something in this magazine through arts and culture that interests you.

I have included a range of pictures that are my original photography. There's a picture of Selfridges, to work alongisde the fashion and beauty section, a picture of Brindley Place at night to work alongside the arts and culture section and pictures of my main cover star Eilish, that compliment the nightlife and entertainment section.

Through using the page numbers on the pictures, I have been influenced by other magazines such as Time Out and What's On. The numbers make the magazine easier to navigate.

I will now ask members of my media class, as they are within my target audience, to comment on this post, telling me what's good, what to improve on etc.

On collecting their responses, I can adjust my magazine to suit their preferences.

Drafting and planning

Here is my current draft of my front page of #Insight:

I have ignored the left third rule of the masthead, dateline selling etc. By breaking these conventions, I have given my magazine a unique image, and it will link to magazines like Washingtonian and SCENE, rather than stereotypical Time Out or What's On, magazines that have influenced my other decisions. I felt it necessary to include the name of the city within my masthead as the readers will instantly know what they're reading about. I have used an orange outline on the word #Insight as it will create a connection with the other vibrant shades of orange on the front page of my magazine. I used orange because it connotes to enthusiasm, happiness and creativity.

Here are the further connotations of the colour orange:

I found this on Colour Wheel Pro

My main image was chosen by a member of my target audience. I personally like the way the cover star is making direct mode of address, she really engages with the reader. The big smile creates symbiosis with the colours of orange on the page, it makes her seem excited, wise and prestigious. The hoop earrings give her a young, edgy look making her seem quite cool, almost like a breath of fresh air,someone you'd like to hang out with. I purposely chose the colour khaki green for her to wear in this image, I think it contrasts well with the white and orange, and brings the focus more to her facial expression, which is what the focal point must be! Yet, the necklace. and slight tan make her look sophisticated.

I chose to use minimal cover lines, so rather than jotting them around the front page, I simply used the different genres found in my magazine towards the left hand side. I chose to put them in white because they're honest, enlightening and interesting. I used the font "Agency FB" as I thought it looked quite sophisticated, and was a strong differentiation from the use of "Fava" in my masthead. I think that by simply using the genres, rather than cover lines will make the readers intrigued as to what they can find inside, it provides a sense of mystery, and longing to open up the magazine.

My use of minimal cover lines and positioning of text was influenced by Time Out Mumbai:

However, now I am having a closer look, I might have a further investigation as to how it would look if I included real cover lines...

My cover story, or anchorage text was a slight pun. My cover star, Eilish, is the promoter for the club Pop World. I felt it necessary to use a cheesy pun, to reflect the cheesy club. "Queen of Pop World" seemed fitting. I once again used the font "Fava" to write "Queen", "of" and "world" but used "bubblebody" for the word "pop". I think this looks effective, and makes the word really stand out, regardless of it being in a different colour, it really gives the word a popping effect. This cover line gives the star a sense of personality, which has already been reflected in her facial expression and the colours of font on the page.

I used a selling line, which is the typical convention of a magazine. "The best guide for the best time in Brum". People will automatically be attracted to this quote, as anyone would want to know how to enjoy themselves best, and to know what's out there in such a big city. Usually this is found alongside the masthead and I have inversed this convention, making my magazine my own.

Finally, I have used a dateline, the most important convention of the magazine, letting the readers know it's the latest issue.

I will now ask members of my media class, as they are within my target audience, to comment on this post, telling me what's good, what to improve on etc.

On collecting their responses, I can adjust my magazine to suit their preferences.

Organisation / Drafting and planning

On Thursday 21st January,

I will be uploading my current front page and contents page, with analysis of how and why I have made decisions.

Through being analytical, I can then decide on what path to go down to improve my work.

I will ask members of my target audience to comment on my blog post on Thursday 21st January, so that I can see where to go from there.

Target audience

I have been using the social networking site of Facebook, to find out what my target audience like. I have been doing this through Facebook Messenger.

I asked a 20 year old, (who's within my TA) which image they liked the most?

She answered:

Image NUMBER ONE:

(The image I, myself actually preferred)

This qualitative research will help me to design my front page in the best way to appeal to the preferences of my TA. 

Drafting and planning

For my front page, I have decided that rather than using a different font and colour for the masthead and the main cover line, I am going to see how effective it looks using the same.

Looking at the example of clash magazine, also found in my post on 31st December, 

I have decided that I would like to give off this edgy, cool vibe in my own magazine.

I like the way the same font colour and style have been used because it creates symbiosis. I think we can all agree that the colour consistency is more favourable, then a bright red? This was the colour I was going for initially...

Organisation

After having a look at the blog tracker for my media class, it has been made apparent that my drafting and planning and research into similar products are going well. 

Yet, it is clear I need to spend some more time focusing on my target audience:

(Third one down "Megan Healy").

Therefore, I am now aware that I haven't been focusing on my organisation and target audience as much, so I now know to improve on my project that's where I should apply my time to. 

I will conduct some more target audience research to find out about how my demographic feel about my project so far... and to pick up areas for improvement...

I will also start to post in greater detail my plans for my project and label them as organisation.

Organisation

I will be uploading the pictures taken for my double page spread on Thursday 7th January.


I will analyse each picture and discuss why and how it was taken, alongside choosing the final image.

Drafting and planning

I have taken many photos for my front page and double page spread for my regional magazine.

I have narrowed down my choice for my front page for these images:

I am very happy with this image. I have everything I wanted. The model is making direct mode of address with the readers. Not only that but her facial expression is vibrant, making her look extremely excited about the focus of the main article within the magazine. This will immediately attract a wider audience. Also, her outfit, hair colour and lipstick colour work well together because they make a great contrast with the background in this image. Also, the use of props with the hoop earrings make her appear as a loud, party girl - the image I proposed purposely. This is a strong contender for the front page.

This image is not too dissimilar from the first. The main thing I like about this one is the fact that as the model is positioned to the right hand side, it is possible for me to display the cover stories where there is room on the left hand side. The way her head is slightly tilted backwards, makes her seem quite proud and dominant in the shot. This isn't as strong an image as the first one however.

I like the use of wide shot here because we can clearly see the artist exhibited in the whole shot alongside the lighting, facial expression and body language. The reason for the arm raise in this shot is for her to lean on the anchorage text. I thought this may look effective if done well. 

The same goes for this, the final shot. Once again we have direct mode of address. This shows her open and inviting personality. Again, the way she is tilting her head shows that she is proud and confident. Another arm raise is for her to lean on the cover story. 

All of my shots are classic medium shots. But number 2 and 4 are at a slightly lower angle.

The use of lighting in all shots was used purposely BRIGHT! To make the artist seem vibrant and excited!

I put my artist in a khaki green dress as it is something she'd wear, when out promoting Pop World. It's fitted so it makes her look sohpisticated at the same time.

I also like the red lipstick, it is a nice contrast but also connotes passion.