Final Production

Recce

1. Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place (trailing cables/traffic/other objects)? 

My photo-shoot will take place in a studio, however there are many hazards in a studio. For example, in a studio there is a various wires draped on the floor, this is a potential tripping hazard. A second hazard is the lamps which shine the light on the subject get hot very quickly which could result into a burning hazard upon a person touching them. 

2. What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised? 

So the risks are minimised, I will make sure all wires are clearly visible if it unable for them to be moved. I will also make sure my model stays away from the lights as well especially if they’re been on for a long period of time. 

3. Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed for this? 

The time of day and the weather will not affect the outcome of the photos due to it being indoors inside a studio. 

4. Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want? 

For the background of my photos, I will be using a plain white background as I will be taking my photos in a studio. 

5. Have you considered lighting? What about the ‘problems’ of natural lighting, either outside, or streaming through a window? Will you need to use a flash? Have you considered reflective objects that might spoil the effect? 

The lighting will be high key lighting inside the studio. The problems of natural lighting will be that this way you cannot focus on a specific areas of the model where as with low key and high key you can. The streaming through the window could mean the image could be blurry. Due to using high key photography, I won’t need to use a flash. I haven’t considered reflective objects due to not using props. 

6. Do you need permission to take photos in the place/venue you have in mind? 

I need permission from whoever owns the studio whether it will be Sunderland College or Sunderland University. 

7. Do you need to book time in a room (e.g. the photography studio at Shiney)? 

I do need to book time in a room, in this case either the studio at Sunderland College or Sunderland University. 

8. Are other people/crowds likely to be an issue for you? What have you done to ensure that it will not spoil the effect? 

Other people and crowds likely to be an issue for me due to using a studio, so this won’t spoil the effect I have planned. 

9. Are you reliant on lifts/props/friends’ equipment/models? How have you planned that these things will come together at the appointed time? Plan B? 

I am reliant on friends and equipment due to the friend turning up at the designated time, and the equipment working at the time. I have planned all these things to come together at the appointed time by telling my friend to be there at the right time, and using the college or university equipment. 

I don’t have a plan B. 

10. Finally, have you thought of every eventuality…? 

I haven’t considered every eventuality and haven’t arranged back up plans due to my models and equipment being trustworthy.

Survey For Potential Target Audience

I created a survey with SurveyMonkey, I asked specified question related to my target audience and production I am going to be making. This is to figure out what type of people are going to read my magazine, which I will create. 

Question 1 asked about gender in which 23 people answered. I started off with a simplistic question to get a general idea of who was answering my survey as it was done anonymously. Looking below at the graph, the found around 78% of the people answering were female, therefore helped me decided whether I should create a gender based magazine however I need to remember the results for each gender weren't equal and fair. 

Question 2 asked about what is the biggest music preference. This is so I could find which genre is most popular, which resulting into being pop. Since hip hop, R&B, Jazz and Techno were not selected, this resulted into immediately ruling these genres out to make into my own production. They would have not sold well, or being popular either. Due to pop being the most popular in this question, as well as being very well known around people my age, I selected to build my magazine around this as I think this is what my target audience are looking for the most.

Question 3 asked how often does each individual read a magazine, this is so I can find a rough idea of how often I wish to release a magazine, as once a month could possibly be too much. However, once a month is most selected however, I think this is too long between releases and I think my target audience's interests could change in this time, and no long want to read my production. This why I have chose to release a weekly issue.

Question 4 asked what features does each individual like to see within a magazine, this is so I understand what my target audience could be looking for and what will attract them to magazine the most. This will also help me decide what the front cover will include in the means of cover lines and headlines also. The most popular result has been interviews in which I will be creating a double page spread anyway, and will include this. Posters are being the runner up of the question, so I will try and incorporate these into my production.

Question 5 asked if my potential target audience would like to see any freebies in the magazine, the most popular answer is yes. I asked this because this could possibly attract a wider audience if I had something to offer for them reading my production. This has helped me decide I will include some freebies in my production, depending what they are.

In relation to my previous question, I asked what freebies would like to be seen if I included them in my production. The most popular answer I received was shirts, however, in my research I have discovered merchandise can be expensive, and this could result into my production being costly to provide these shirts. I will rethink what I could include in my production.

I asked whether my potential target audience prefer hard copies or devices when reading magazines, the most common option is hard copies of magazine, however some replied devices.

Potential Target Audience Mood Board

I found a mood board online which I think represents what my potential target audience are interested in.

Throughout production, I will try and incorporate these things into magazine. 

Deconstruction Research

Overall, how has this research specifically helped your ideas?

Looking into deconstructions, the conventions have helped me with my own ideas the most. This is due to finding what a typical front cover, contents page and double page should typically include. In this case, I will be looking to my contents page, and how my ideas have developed through looking to these conventions.

It is important to have a number of conventions on a magazine front cover.

One of these main conventions is a masthead, this is the title of the magazine and informs the reader on what they are reading. Since this is one of the first things the reader will see, I want a large masthead which will follow my colour scheme so I will have a running house theme throughout my magazine which will help give a professional feel. The masthead is also important for branding, and is commonly used for things such as promoting.

The main image is the photo on the front cover, this will take up about two thirds of the page, this is commonly a popular artist that the most important article (possibly the double page spread) is about. This can help dramatically increase the number of sales of the magazine. Using a clear head shot for the front cover will make the magazine look professional and making the model look towards the camera will create the most effective cover. In my own production, although the model looking towards the camera creates a connection between the magazine and reader, I will not do this as I think the way the model is posed such as looking away says a lot about the model and who they really are.

The tagline/sell-line is the small amount of text that is associated with a certain magazine, for example popular magazine 'Q' has a tagline of 'Discover Great Music'. These taglines/sell lines will feature on every issue of the magazine, and resulting into the readers being able to find out information of the magazine quickly, from one single sentence. For my own production, I will have to make sure the sell line or tag line is related to my masthead if I were to create one. 

Cover lines provide short sentences that describes the articles inside of the magazine, this catches the readers attention and leaves them wanting to find out more, resulting to them buying the magazine. For my own magazine, I aim to include cover lines, which will also make my magazine more attracting as of the information involved.

A barcode is the key for the sales of the magazine, and not only keeps track of the amount of sales, but makes it a lot quicker for cashiers to scan the code. Using this can allow magazine companies to keep track of where the magazine is sold and what time the magazine is sold, helping them narrow down the type of audience they have and who they are targeting at. I will feature a bar code in my own magazine, resulting into a professional feel for the magazine.

A issue number helps the reader keep track of which issue they are up to in the series. A high number of issues can mean that the magazine has been on sale for a long time, which can result into a large fan-base for this magazine. I will include this convention in my own production, as this allows my audience to know which issues they have and haven't read. 

The date is similar to the issue number, and this establishes when the magazine came out. This is helpful as fans may know when a new album is coming out, and watch out for that issue of magazine so they can read about it and find out more information. 

Deconstructions, Magazine 3

Front Cover
The masthead, which is the name of the magazine, 'We "heart" Pop', sets a playful style for the magazine. The theme for this issue is primary colours, which can represent the pop genre well. The brightness of the colours can represent the positivity of pop songs, this is due to them commonly looking into happier things around someone such as friends, family and love. The maximized colours of the front cover, create a playful and more immature feel to the magazine, which I think I will avoid trying to incorporate my own. The masthead has a rectangular shape around it, creating a text box like masthead. This is also due to the magazine being a gossip type magazine as well as a music magazine. However I wouldn't try using something like this in my own magazine as I would like a more mature and formal theme.
As of a lot going on in the front page, the background cannot be seen, however, this means the audience can divert their attention to the main image and the selection of images around this, and the cover lines also. Since the main sell lines and cover lines are very bright, and much bolder, this adds contrast and makes them stand out more towards the audience, just like many pop artists try to stand out these days and think outside of the box.
The main image is very playful and informal. The use of 'Little Mix' being used as a bang in the younger age, can be considered as an inspiration, and someone that the target audience will look up to. In addition to this, people may just want to buy the magazine due to the cover including this band. They are an influential band, and fitting for the genre of this magazine as well as the young audience which this magazine aims at. Having someone as relevant as this band, allows the existing audience as well as potential readers, show what 'We "heart" Pop' has to offer.
The main image of 'Little Mix', seems to have varied poses, however are all seemed to be immature. I think a more fun and immature outlook on the models, can help them relate to the target audience due to the audience being of a young age.
The banner at the bottom of the page, presents additional information about the magazine. The use of this, is to attract the audience with other news this magazine has to offer. The designer has used a lot of bright colours, again, to attract more attention for potential readers.
The various cover lines around the front cover, are added features to the magazine, besides the main image and header. Although these are not the focus points of this front cover, they do offer important information to readers, and it is important they stand out boldly. The different sizes of the fonts, determines how important the story is due to the amount of attention it will attract.

Contents Page

Most magazines, have the stereotypical masthead placed in the top left corner, this magazine doesn't follow this stereotype and convention. I think my masthead will be a simplistic masthead, and I will try to involve this convention/stereotype into my own production. Displaying the masthead, is to remind the readers what they are reading as well as helping keep a theme throughout the magazine.

In addition to this, there is a masthead where conventionally 'contents' would be. However, in this case "we love this..." is supplied instead. I think this is used because this shows what the editors love, which will grab attention of readers as this will usually be interviews etc about favorite and well known pop bands. 

Compared to the front cover of this magazine, the contents page isn't as gender aimed. The front cover included a lot of female conventions, as well as the constant use of pink, while the contents page included a lot of light blue. I think this makes the magazine more unisex friendly towards their target audience. 

There is a variety of images used in this contents page, the biggest image being the main focus. The image is of a well known boy band which younger people usually look up to, which also matches the target audience for this magazine. This will grab attention of the readers, and will invite them to read more and continue the magazine. 

Double Page Spread

On the right of the double page spread, is the main image of known pop idol 'Cher Lloyd'. She is bending down whilst holding a camera, and has a hand to her mouth as if she is shocked. The position gives away that the artisit is a fun and cheeky type person, which also relates to the main article title 'I was the girl parents blamed for their kids turning out wrong'. The artist has modern clothing on, including a crop top and striped jean type pants. Younger people, in which this magazine is targeted at, may look at this artist and wish to be like them due to her being pretty and getting a lot of attention. Th background is fully white, which could be showing the artist's innocence as this is what white represents. 

The double page spread seems to be balanced between image and text, this is done so that the readers can look at the image but also take in the information on the right page without it being too congested. I think for my own production, I will try to balance the image and text so it's easy for the reader to see and take in both.

There is three columns being used to layout the text, because then the text is visible and it really makes the page look professional instead of a large big of congested text. 

 The headline and strap line are conventional and stereotypical across the top of the page, I think, in my own production, I would use these conventions as I think this is an attracting and eye catching way to get the readers attention. The headline is 'I was the girl parents blamed for their kids turning out wrong', and readers will wonder what this has to do with the artist, which makes them read the article. 

Deconstructions, Magazine 2

Front Page
The masthead for Billboard is simple, and stereotypically spread across the top of the front page which is very common resulting into the front cover not standing out very much. However, although it is simple, the spaces in the words are filled with primary colors. When creating my magazine, I want something that will catch attention but not to complex. I don't think I will use something similar to what Billboard have used as I think this is too plain and simple, and doesn't catch attention at all, and catching attention is what I am aiming for most for the front cover of my magazine as I want to maximize how many people I can get to read my magazine in various ways.

I like the way the cover lines are set out, they're easy to read against the bright background, and they're bold too which makes them noticeable. I would use this technique in my own production as if the cover lines are bold and black it should show well against any background color which I could use to my advantage. I like the idea of the cover line only being down one side of the page, I think this makes them easier to read, so I would think about doing this in my own production. I am also very fond on having the main feature of the magazine, in a bigger and bolder font. I might do something like this in my own production, but i'm thinking of making the main feature more noticeable by spreading the feature across the page possibly.
Having the main image in front of the masthead could show the image contains some significance. I think the main image is very gender based and too feminine for a unisex magazine, I want my magazine to be comfortable for both genders. The flowers seem to base the main image to women more than men, and I don't want this in my magazine. However, I like how the image is positioned to one side, and I would like this in my own production.
I like the colour scheme of the front page, however, there is a lot of pink in the background which could relate to the feminine image. I don't like this as I want my magazine to be comfortable for both genders, and not gender aimed at I want my audience to be as wide as possible.

Contents Page  
This contents page from 'Billboard' has a variety of fonts and a mixture of text too. The magazine being more aimed at adults rather than younger people, results into a formal appearance of text and font used. The fonts are mixed between a bold and regular font which is very simplistic, and easy to read also. I think, compared to previous magazines I have seen targeting at a younger audience, this is a more formal and sophisticated approach to the audience. The font seems to be a variety of casual language, which works well with the more mature theme of the image, and fits for the audience too. Magazines targeted at a younger audience, have more imaginative fonts which can be seen as immature but playful, this magazine doesn't follow this theme.
The contents page withholds a variety of images, of varied sizes across the page. The images have a mixture of what they are representing, from posed pictures to live music relating to the relevant articles. In magazines, aimed at an younger audience, I have seen images been playfully edited as it is more suited for the audience, as well as heart and stars added. This magazine, being aimed at a more mature and older audience, doesn't relate in any way. I like the idea of a larger image on my contents page, and a few smaller ones spread across the page too. In addition, I like the idea of there not being many images, which could be a diversion for the audience from the text.
One of the main features of the layout and design which I think is different, however don't particularly like, is the chart list down the left hand side. I don't like this as I think this as more of a feature in which should have an entire page, and be examined in more detail and explain the artist and their music too. However, I like design and layout of the remained of the page. There is a minimal amount of images, and a good amount of text which can be easily read. I would use a similar layout for my own production.
Blue seems to be the dividing colour, separating different parts of the page, otherwise there is no colour scheme but a lot of the white background is shown.

Double Page Spread

I like the layout and design of this double page spread, I like how the image is taking one page while the text is on the other. The spread is balanced as it is evenly spread across the 2 pages. The main text is in symmetrical columns and the masthead and image fit in with this symmetry. I would possibly use something the same or similar in my own production as this keeps the image and text neatly separated and also easy to read.

Only one image is used, this is a bold and sophisticated image. This is relating to the artist on the page which is well known for being a mature and sophisticated. The picture of the artist, Beyonce, is placed to the right of the double page spread covering one page. The image grabs attention through the unique make up of the artist, as well as the clothing with is unusual however relates to the title of the double page spread "fiercely creative". The artist is also looking straight into the camera which connects the artist with the audience.

The text on the double page spread has a variety of fonts varying in bold and regular. Looking into magazines aimed at a younger audience, the fonts used are more playful and imaginative compared to the more formal and mature fonts used in this double page spread. I think this is also related to the artist being well known for being a mature model towards other people.

There is a lot of femininity in the colours of this double page spread, this is due to a lot of purple being used, which can be associated more with women compared to men. The white of the font reflects well of the darker purple background and gray behind the model too, this helps catch the readers attention and makes them want to read the text as well as the masthead of the double page spread.

The masthead/main headline of the double page spread is created of two words. 'Fiercely' is in bold which will help emphasis what the artist is like and what their attitude is like also. Using a bold font wants to make the audience read this due to it being more eye catching this way, as well as the white reflecting of the darker colours behind, again, making it eye catching for the reader. 

The coloums of the double page spread are opposite to the main image, and not covering it in anyway, this makes sure the audience can read the text properly as well as seeing the image also. The image and text are divided on different pages.