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.