Flat Plans and Rationales

Colour Usage – I will be using my main image as the background of my front cover, and the background colours of the main image will also be the background colours of the front cover. I feel this is a good idea, as it will not contrast any colours. I have chosen a primary colours colour scheme, and will include black and white if it is suitable for my main image. I have chosen these colours as they are bright and attracting colours, and what I aim for my model to wear in the main image if possible. In addition to this, I have decided I don’t want my product to be gender based, as my product being aimed at a mixed gender audience means a wider audience. For cover/sell lines and text on the front cover, I have decided on black unless the main image will be black and white, in which it will be part of my primary colour colour scheme as they will be easy to read as well as attracting. I have decided on primary colours for my masthead as well as it is clear and attention grabbing. However, putting the featured sell/cover line, which relates to the main image in a different colour to the remaining sell/cover lines, will connote the importance. Overall, I want my colours to be eye catching and attractive which will enable the text to be easily read and pleasing to the eye.

Image Usage – After deconstructing magazines in a previous task, a convention that features throughout is the use of one main image on the front cover. Therefore, as the convention is common and well known throughout in magazines, I will make sure that my main image is the key point of my magazine. For the main image, I will be using a mid-shot. The mise en scene will be limited for my main image as it will just be the model against a plain background, inside a building. I have no objections against my model using props or wearing make up in the image. However, if the props and makeup can be related to the primary colour scheme used on the front cover, this would bring the front cover together. I want the body language of my model to be quite natural if possible. I would like to experiment with more natural poses, but so the model is looking at camera.

Text Usage – I intend to use text that will be accessible for my target audience. I will do this by not using common abbreviations, as my target audience don’t commonly do this. I want positive emotional connotations to come from my text, and don’t want to be putting my intended audience off my text and overall magazine. Key words will be highlighted in a bolder font or larger font size to make them stand out from the other bits of text and to show their importance to the audience. The masthead will be the largest form of text on my front cover so the audience can establish what the magazine is called and what it is. Following this, the main sell/cover lines will be large, and most likely bold as well to attract the reader.

Layout and Font – I intend to use a simple font, which will be used in a bold and not in bold as well. I want the magazine to have quite a serious look, hence why it is not in a hand written style and in more of a typed style. The layout is quite clear with distinctive sell lines separate from each other to avoid confusion. From previous deconstructions, I have noted that the front covers aren’t filled with text; images and information but have quite a ‘clear’ look to the page. The key points within the text are the masthead, which I will put in a larger font, which will drag attention to it, and the main sell/cover line will also be slightly larger than the remaining text on the page. 

Colour Usage – Again, my contents page will have a primary colour colour scheme. I chose this is ensuring continuity throughout my magazine. I will not be using a three-shade colour scheme, as I aim to maintain the convention of bright colours for my chosen genre of magazine. My connotations created through my colour scheme will be bright and bubbly, as I want my magazine to be remembered by my audience. The colours will contrast against my background, which will be enabling them to stand out, and be easily read.  I will be using multiple images and will be supported by a background colour, which is undecided yet but will either a primary colour or a white background. I feel this is a good idea, as it won’t contrast any colours. In my images, I will also aim for them to be involved in the primary colour scheme as much as possible.  

Image Usage – I aim to make my contents page filled with images, which will catch the attention of my target audience. At the moment, I intend to use images shot inside a studio environment as well as an open environment. This will expand the mise en scene compared to the front cover. After deconstructing magazines in a previous task, I have seen different conventions that features throughout the contents page. Therefore, I will follow these conventions. I will be experimenting with the different camera angles while taking my images for my contents page too.

Text Usage – I intend to use text that will be accessible for my target audience. I will do this by not using the abbreviations that teenagers would use at ages 13-15, as this isn’t what they’d like. I want positive emotional connotations to come from my text and don’t want to be putting my intended audience off. The key words will be in a bolder font or larger font size to make them stand out from the other bits of text and to show their importance to the audience. This is very relatable to the front cover of the magazine.

Layout and Font – I will be using similar fonts to those on the front cover, including the font used for the masthead. I will be including this in the emphasis in ‘message from the editor’ section that will give the readers a personal connection between the magazine and themselves, which could encourage them to buy the magazine on a more regular basis. The layout will be simple too.