Deconstruction| Billboard

As part of my coursework, I have to create a billboard advertisement as well as the magazine and hyperlinked pages from a website.

This is a billboard which is advertising the fashion brand 'Forever 21' which is clothing for women and men. The colouring on this billboard is very simple, very much focusing on the image and the name of the brand. This is something I am going to take into consideration when creating my own, I want the company name to attract the audience and stick in their minds. Also, as my magazine is going to have a simple colour scheme and classic layout, this will also match with how that looks and my target audience will know they are linked together.
Although the writing takes up the billboard, the image behind is still very clear and stands out. With the text being so large, it is easy to identify and read and would be the first thing someone would notice
if passing by.

The main focus of this billboard is the image. Two models have been used and have been dressed in black which contrasts with the blue background. In relation to my own product, I am unsure wether or not I want to have a plain, white background or a colour. The brand's name has been placed in the centre of the billboard with the writing in white which you are able to clearly see. This is something I must take into consideration when creating my own product as it is important that the audience will be able to see my company name and can identify it easily. As Gucci is such a well known brand, there has been no need for the writing to be so big which allows you to focus on the main image.

What attracts me about this billboard is the use of bright colours in contrast to the white background. When creating my own billboard, I am going to try and make it as colourful as possible, while still making it look classic, this is so that it will attract the target audience and will catch their eye. The reason why the bright colours have been used is so that people notice the jeans, which is the selling point and purpose of the billboard. As my billboard is going to be focusing on my magazine, it is important that I make sure my product is noticeable and the main attention. The logo of the company has been placed at the bottom of the image, with text placed underneath the models. This doesn't take away any attention from image but you are still able to recognise and understand what is being said.

Flat Plan| Double Page Spread

Double Page Spread

Colour Usage: This double page spread is the only part of my magazine where I am not going to have the same colour scheme as my front cover and contents page. I am undecided on what sort of colours I am going to use but I know I'm going use black as the main font for the text in the article.

Image Usage: I am only going to use one image on this page as I plan on making it take up the page without the text/interview. As the genre of my magazine is fashion, I might plan on taking a long shot photo in order for the audience to see the outfit that my model is wearing and get inspiration from the clothing in the image.

Text Usage: Depending on what my article is going to be, a interview or review etc, my text will be quite a mix of formal and informal. For example, If I do use a interview for my double page spread then it is quite likely that the questions will be written in a formal tone and the answers could be replied informally.

Layout and Font: The layout will proceed to be well presented and organised so it looks more appealing to the reader. When doing my research and planning, the main convention of a double page spread is that the text is written in columns so that it looks well presented and is easy to follow. I want to keep the fonts very simple for the text, it will  be the same font that I used to write the text for my contents page. The title of the masthead will be written in a bold font to stand out and I plan on using a rhetorical question as a caption to draw the reader in.

Flat Plan| Contents Page

Contents Page

Colour Usage: On my contents page, I am going to have the same colour scheme that I used on my front cover. I think this looks a lot more professional and sophisticated which is a look that I would like to go for. As I am using monochrome colours, I plan on taking images that will help to add more colour to the page so it doesn't look too boring in basic black and white. I could also add more colour by putting the page numbers in something other than black and white, maybe red or pink.

Image Usage: I plan on using one quite large image which will relate back to the model on the front cover and then use images that fit with the content inside of the rest of the magazine. I am going to include the page number on top of the image as I think this is a good technique use in order to give the reader a better understanding of the articles.

Text Usage: I would still like the narrative voice to continue being quite formal like how it is on the front cover. The best way to grab the readers attention, particularly in my genre of magazine, is to talk to them in a friendly and personal tone so it makes them feel apart of what they are reading. However, it is still important that the way I write my content is professional. I am going to make sure that subheadings are used in order to split the articles into different sections that they fall under and this helps to make it easier for the reader to follow. It is important that subheadings are used to split up the articles into different sections so it makes it easier for the reader to find certain features. The regional magazine "Luxe" also does this which is something I have taken inspiration from.

Layout and Font: When doing my own research into regional fashion magazines, I have found that the best magazines are the ones that have the images precisely placed and look organized. It is important that the reader can easily understand what is going on and everything is clear to see. I am going to write the name of the magazine on the contents page as this is a convention I have found a lot of fashion magazines tend to do. I want to find a simple, plain font that I can use for my text but will look quite similar to the masthead. 

Flat Plan| Front Cover

Front Cover

Colour Usage: The colours that I have decided to use on the front cover of my magazine are very neutral and cool toned. With the genre of my magazine being fashion, I want it to look quite simplistic and have everything focused on the image. The main colours that I would like to use are black, white and maybe pink. As the magazine is aimed at woman, pink has connotations of femininity and will attract the target audience. 

Image Usage: After thinking about what my main image wanted to be like for my front cover and researching the different conventions, I would like a woman model on the front cover. When doing research into the conventions, I found that both regional and international fashion magazines have a woman as their model. As I am creating a regional magazine, I plan on dressing my model in clothes from the high street in order for my target audience to achieve the same sort of looks that they will see in the magazine. I am undecided wether I want to use props in my image, but I will decide this after I have taken some images to see if it looks better with or without. I would like the hair of my model to either be down, curled or straightened, or up depending on what the model feels comfortable with. The most important thing about the main image is that it is of good quality and doesn't turn out looking pixelated and blurry.

Text Usage: The narrative of the text will come across as quite formal to the reader, but will still be very friendly so it appeals to the target audience. The target audience of my magazine is aimed at 16-30, so I think it is important that I use language that is professional and relates to my genre, but I will still make sure that the magazine looks entertaining. I plan on using a main sell line which will relate to the models article on my double page spread and then use sub headings around the image which will talk about the content inside of the magazine.

Layout and Font: I have decided that I want my masthead to be in a basic font but written bold as this will help to grab the readers attention. I have taken inspiration from the magazines Elle and Harper's Bazaar for the fonts that they have used and I hope to find something similar to the fonts they use. As you can see in the image above, I would like my masthead placed at the top of the front cover so that the audience can easily recognise it. The main image itself will be a mid shot and will take up the whole front cover, with all the text placed around and on it. The regional magazine 'ETC' has a footer at the bottom of their front cover which is something I have took inspiration from and would like to incorporate into my own magazine.

My Own Institution

The Powtoon above will inform you about the institution which I have created to publish my magazine. Whilst doing my research, I found that the only regional institution in the North East which I could possibly use was Johnston Press. However, I have decided to create my own institution which means that I will have more control over the publishing process of my magazine.
As I have explained in the presentation, the institution will be ran in a office in the North East and will also publish other regional magazines which will include different genres, i.e music and food.

Time Management

Currently, I have done quite a few posts but I still have a lot of work to go into my research and planning in order to get the highest grade possible. I would say I am nearly half way through my work, I need to put up posts that include flat plans for my magazine and reconstruction's of every product I am producing for this task. I am enjoying creating these posts and I keep checking with my action plan in order to make sure everything is finished for their deadlines.

Feedback From My Pitch Presentation

This is the feedback that I have gotten from the students in my class about my pitch presentation. 

I created my powerpoint on google drive, then opened it up so that everyone could go round to read it and give it feedback. 

We were told to give two positive comments, then something that we could improve on.

I have found this task very helpful as I know what I can do to add onto my presentation and in order for it to be a lot more informative.

Pitch Presentation

This link will take you to my pitch presentation for my magazine which I created to show to the rest of the class.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vVQ7EPf-qC-SFDKPekKoo2sVDEwjE-qfvxvGG15dWCQ/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

Deconstruction| Double Page Spread

This double page spread is taken from Vogue magazine, I would say this follows the usual conventions as the article is written in columns which helps to split all the text up and appear to be not too much writing. In relation to my own product, I have learnt that by setting out the text in columns makes it look a lot more professional and this is how I am going to have my text set out like.
 The woman in the blue coat is the main image on the page and this image fits in well with the theme of the article. I like how a sort of shadow effect has been used behind the model which adds to the quirkiness of the DPS. Black is the only colour that has been used for the text on this page but colour has been added by the use of different images. However, at the start of the article the first letter of the word has been made larger and in a different colour which creates a professional look and makes on overall impact on how the article looks. Although the background is white and the pictures are only of small objects, it doesn't look as if there is dead space. However, I don't really like the look of the buttons and lipstick images as I think it makes the article look quite messy and unorganized. Also, the text has just been placed around the images which adds to how quite unprofessional it looks.
"How to stay in the style loop" has been placed just off the centre on the first page but has been written in a different font. This is to attract the reader as this will be the first thing they will most likely see and read, this line refers back to the genre of the magazine and how it is all about fashion. When creating my own product, I plan on using these type of sell lines in order to attract my target audience and so it keeps in relation to the genre of my magazine.

Deconstruction| Double Page Spread

This double page spread has been taken from Harper's Bazaar when Lancome and Little Joe Woman collaborated at an Australian Fashion week. As you can see, this interview is based around their collaboration and about makeup which will appeal to the audience as they will be able to find out about products mentioned. This DPS is very picture based, almost like a collage, which I think is refreshing to see as this isn't how a DPS would usually be set out like. Although this layout is unique compared to any other magazine, this isn't how I would like my own double page spread to look like. I would want my own DPS to be a lot more organised so that images appeared more professional and placed to fit around the text.
The word "moments" has been written in the same font as the masthead on the front cover, I think this helps add professionalism to the overall look because everything fits together. The way this title has been written is in the same font as the masthead for Harper's Bazaar, which is an element I would like to take from this magazine and incorporate it into my own.
The questions have been written in a grey, bold font whereas the answers/replies have been written in a different colour. This helps for the interview to flow naturally, making it easier for the readers to follow. When creating my own DPS, this is exactly how I am going to set out my interview as this is something I have noticed a lot of fashion magazines do.
I also think that the colour scheme of this double page spread looks very sophisticated and classy, this is how I would like my own product to be like.

Deconstruction| Double Page Spread

With this double page spread, I found that it is clear to see that its focusing on the image rather than the actual article. As you can see, there isn't any interview, just a small piece of text to the side of the image. Even though this is taken from Vogue which is a fashion magazine, I would of expected to see a bit more of an article but the picture very much focuses on what the model is doing and wearing.

The find that the background behind the model is the thing that the reader would be most drawn to due to the fact it looks somewhere exotic and it isn't something you would usually see as a background, most of the time its plain. 

I like how the title has overlapped the main image and is still very clear to read, if I do this in my own magazine then I must make sure that this is how it looks.

At the side of the magazine, a rhetorical question is written which is direct to the audience to make it feel like they are going to be getting an insight into the models life. "What do three supermodels wear when the workday is done?" This article will automatically appeal to the target audience because although the readers won't have the same job as the model, they will be able to be similar to them when they find out what the models wear when they are finished work. Women take a lot of care in their appearance and most look forward to coming home and relaxing, getting into their comfy clothing. In relation to my own product, I definitely want to add rhetorical questions into my article as it helps to add more fun to the magazine and it gives a more personal feel to the audience as you are directly asking them a question in which they can answer.

"Kicking it" is used as a kind of strap line and the model is posing to match this phrase which adds slight quirkiness to the magazine as this isn't the sort of image you would expect to see in a fashion magazine.

Overall, I dislike the layout of this DPS and this is not how I would like my own product to be like. This is because I don't really like how this image is presented and how it takes up almost two pages of the article itself. 

Deconstruction| Contents Page

The layout of this contents is very classic and plain looking but manages to pull it off as it looks so sophisticated. Grey and black are the two main colours which have been used on this page which helps to make the image of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen stand out and their clothes appear more attractive because of the contrast in colours. Similar to the other two magazines, the name of the magazine has again been written on top of the page in the exact same style as the masthead on the front cover. Subheadings have been used to indicate to the reader what sort of content is inside and also helps to split all the text up so it doesn't look like too much. At the bottom of the page, the magazine lists all of the awards it has won which adds some sort of comfort to the reader that the price they are paying for this magazine is worth it. Also, I think a lot of women will take pride in the fact they are reading such a well created/popular magazine.
The colors used on this magazine and how it is presented is exactly how I want my own product to be like. These pale, neutral colours make the magazine look a lot more classy and cosmopolitan which is the way I want mine to look. I also really like how the masthead of the magazine has been written on the page which is something that I will do whilst creating my own product.

This is the other side of the contents page which you can see has a lot more images yet still is set out in the same blocks/lists where the text is. I would say this page is a lot more vibrant than the other, just due to the fact that there is a lot more colour in the pictures which will also appeal to the target audience. A piece of text in capital letters has been placed under the list of contents in a grey box which is about subscribing to the magazine and receiving free makeup. This feature will instantly attract the reader as if they do one simple thing then they will end up with £25 worth of makeup. It is very likely that women who like to buy the magazine often will be subscribed anyways in order for them to keep up to date with the latest trends etc. The very last piece of text on the page lists some of the products/clothes that have been used on the model on the front cover which will again appeal to the target audience. This is also very helpful because for example, if they like the makeup worn on the model then they would be able to look at the products used and maybe go out and buy them.


 In relation to my own product, I have found that it will be a good idea to include a subscription box on my contents page as it helps to draw in the reader and fits best with being on this page.
However, one thing that I dislike about this contents page is how the images have been placed. I think that with them being different sizes and being placed together makes it appear to be unorganised and disordered. 

I really ike how simple this contents page is yet it still manages to look classy and chic.

Deconstruction| Contents Page

The first thing that you notice about this contents page is the large picture of Emma Watson placed on the right hand side. This is the only picture on the page which obviously means it will catch the readers eye and this issue is mainly focused on her. "Whats Emma's style secret?" is written to the anchor image, this will appeal to to the target audience as she is very popular and a lot of females will take fashion inspiration from her.
I think that I will add a rhetorical question into my contents page as it persuades the audience a lot more effectively to ask a question which they already have the answer to. The page number is also written next to this question which again suggests this issue is heavily based around Emma Watson.
This image is also in black and white which contrasts with the rest of the page as bright colours have been used, therefore making the main subject the model.
However, when thinking about my own magazine I wouldn't really follow this layout as I don't really like how big the main image is. What I would incorporate into my own magazine from this would be how the subheadings have been written in bold to show what will be in the magazine. I also like how the numbers have been written in a different color which match the masthead and and heading.

The green and orange colours in the title are quite autumnal which fits in with the month of the issue which I think is a clever thing to do as it adds more creativity to the page. However, going back to the colour pink adds the whole feminine and stylish element to what the magazine is all about which stereotypically appeals to women.

Quotes and subheadings, along with page numbers in colour, have been written in bold compared to the rest of the text. By doing this, it allows the reader to get a brief idea of what the magazine has to offer inside and what sort of things they can look forward to reading. Also, if they find something that instantly they  want to read, they will be able to go straight to the page rather than haven to flick through page after page.

Deconstruction| Contents Page

It is clear to see that there are two main colours which have been used throughout this contents page; red and black. I think this helps to make it a lot more professional as there isn't a lot going on and the colours aren't too brash and in your face. I also think that red and black are strong, bold colours which represent the statements that Vogue like to represent themselves with. In relation to my own product, I have found that using monochrome colours for the text and background looks best whereas for things like subheadings, a bold colour looks good to use in order for it to stand out on the page.

The name of the magazine has been written on the contents page which I have found that a lot of magazines tend to do. However, as this contents page is double sided, I don't really like how the title of the magazine has been written on both pages. I think that the 'Vogue' being written on just one page would look a lot more effective as having both makes it look quite messy and in your face.

As you can see, the page is split is with different subheadings which have been written with a different font colour in order for the reader to easily see what content is inside. Page numbers have also been used to allow the audience to go straight to a page they might find interest in. 
This is a layout that I would like to follow based on the way the actual content has been presented and how the columns look organized and professional. I definitely plan on using a different colour for my subheadings to separate the titles from the text.
On the first page, quite a large image of a model has been placed at the side which will appeal to the audience if they are fan of her. Also, the clothing of the model isn't something you would normally see on the high street which represents the magazine as Vogue is known for their high end fashion content.

The body of the model has been positioned in order for her to look sexy and confident, which helps to make the outfit appear better which is the main point of the image.

The image on the other page is again a large, quite unusual picture which is an insight to a article in the magazine.
I like the layout of this magazine and like how there has been more than one photo used which helps to add colour to the page, when creating my own contents page I plan on using quite a few images. 

"Subscribe to Vogue" has been placed at the bottom of the page, written in a different font to the rest of the text in order to catch the readers attention. 

Deconstruction| Front Cover

Harpers Bazaar is another well known international fashion magazine which has used the popular singer, Rihanna, as their model on the front cover. Likewise to the other magazines I have mentioned, Rihanna has a large fan base which will mean a lot of people will be interested in buying and reading this issue. As much as I would like to, I am not able to use a celebrity as a model for my own product so I plan on using one of my friends.

I love the way this layout looks, the rich brown/gold toned font compliments her skin and contrasts with the black font, creating an overall glossy and sophisticated look. I do like these colours that have been used and would consider using these type of colours in my own product.
She is looking directly into the camera, with her making immediate contact with the target audience.
Her facial expression and body language is made to make her look sexy and appealing, she is holding one arm across her stomach with the other placed in her hair. This is a pose I would consider on using for my own magazine, depending on the content that I would like to include.
There hasn't been a main pull quote used on the magazine, only the models name "Rihanna" in a small font under the masthead. However, when doing my research I have noticed that international fashion magazines don't tend to use a pull quote from a interview on the front cover.

The font used in this magazine is very classic and neat which helps to make it stand out and add that overall tactful and elegant look. I am going to try and search for a font which is similar to this for my own magazine as I think it makes the overall look appear to be more sophisticated and chic.
The sell lines have been placed to fill dead space from where the white background is in the picture, only two pieces of text actually overlap onto the image of the model. It is clear to see what type of content the magazine has as the most important pieces have been written in a bigger/bolder font compared to the other words. The content is relatable to the target audience, which is the same stuff that I would like to include on my front cover. For example, this magazine has talked about the new season fashion trends which is something I plan on talking about as my magazine is based on the genre of fashion.

Deconstruction| Front Cover| Regional Magazine

ETC is a regional magazine which is based across the North East and includes content focusing on fashion and lifestyle. 

The magazine has used a very well known singer, Cheryl Cole, who is not only known world wide but  is very popular when it comes to the North East as she is from there. This immediately would attract the audience into buying this magazine, she has a large fan base and a lot of people would be interested to see what she has to say to a magazine based in their area.

This front cover is again very simplistic, it is very much focused on the main image. There is only one sell line which is placed at the top of the magazine, this is an unusual thing to do and goes against the usual conventions of any magazine. I don't really like how plain this magazine is and it isn't how I would like my own magazine to be like. I feel like there isn't enough sell lines to draw in the reader, the only thing that catches the attention is the image. If i was to set out my magazine like this, I would have to make sure that the main image was of extremely good quality and the pose/clothing etc had been well thought out and planned.
This is a free magazine and this is clear for the audience to see as the word 'Free' has been written in capital letters and a different colour compared to the rest of the sentence. As my own product is going to be a regional magazine, it is important that I take into consideration the price of this magazine as you wouldn't expect the price to be the same as an international one.

The masthead is a large font which is clear to read and would be easy for the audience to identify.
Unlike the ELLE front cover, this masthead is placed in front of the image rather than behind.
There is a banner placed at the bottom with subheadings of what sort of content the reader will expect to see in the magazine, motors and food is mentioned in the magazine which will attract more than just an audience of people interested in fashion.

The clothes she is wearing in this image isn't anything too glamorous and looks like an item you would be able to find on the high street, which the audience would appeal to as they can then be like Cheryl. In relation to my own product, I am going to make sure that the model is wearing clothes from the high street to make sure that it appeals to the target audience and that if they like the clothes the model is wearing, they can go out and buy it/something similar.

This front cover is very pink themed therefore making it look a lot more girly and feminine.

Deconstruction| Front Cover

As you can see the masthead is printed in a quite sophisticated font which stands out from the white background and it contrasts with how simplistic the whole front cover is. Its a large piece of text and although it is hidden behind the model, it is clear to see what the magazine is called. In relation to my own product, I would like to find a font that is similar to this as I think it helps to add that overall sophisticated and classic look to the magazine. When I create my magazine, this is how I would like my layout to look.

The audience of this magazine is aimed at people aged between 16-30, this is the audience that I want my own magazine to be aimed at. Mary Kate Olsen is the model on the front cover of this magazine which the target audience will know of as she is a famous actress and is well known in the fashion industry. The main image is her looking directly at the camera, therefore catching the readers attention and engaging them. The direct gaze at the target audience helps to show interaction with every person who reads the magazine. This is a medium shot which takes up the space on the front cover and allows you to focus attention on the image. When creating my own front cover for my magazine, this is how I would like my model to pose as it means the audience are having direct contact and the image is the first thing you would really notice on a magazine.

The sell lines are placed around the image, with the subheadings in bold to attract the audience and give an idea of what sort of content will be in the magazine. "Style Now" is placed at the bottom of front cover in a large, thin font which contrasts with the thickness of the masthead. I would like my own sell lines to be set out like this as it allows you to really focus on the main points and you are drawn to them straight away. The sell lines include text that would appeal to the target audience, mentioning things such as 'updating your wardrobe' and how to 'get a flat body in 2 weeks.' When creating my own product, this is similar to the type of content that I would like to include as it is the type of things my audience would like to read and would attract them into buying the magazine.

Reviewing My AS Coursework

For my AS media coursework, I created a music magazine which included a front cover, contents page and a double page spread.

Overall, I was quite pleased with how my magazine turned out although I do think I could of done some stuff differently to make it better. Out of everything that I created, my favorite was the double page spread. I think that the layout looks professional as I managed to make sure the columns were all in line and straight. I followed the usual normal conventions of a regional magazine by using a main sell line and adding my picture to the other page.
I really liked how I made the layout for the interview in the DPS, I made sure that the questions were in bold and the answers/replies were in a normal font. This meant that the audience would be able to read the interview and it would flow naturally, therefore it would be a lot easier to understand.

When creating my front cover and contents page, I made sure that I followed the basic conventions that you would find on a magazine. I think I managed to make these pages suitable for my target audience, by creating content that would appeal to them and the colour scheme would typically attract girls.

If I was to change my magazine, I would definitely make sure that my photographs were taken professionally in order for them to come out in the best quality possible. I had difficulty when trying to cut around the images to remove the background. However if I had taken my images at the university where it was offered, there would of been a white back screen available to use meaning that my images would have been a lot to cut and edit.

Description Of Target Audience

The target audience of my magazine is for young female adults around the age of 18-30. With the age range being quite young, the people buying my magazines will either be a student or be in some sort of part time job. As I fit in this age range and am a student myself, I will find it a lot easier to make the magazine suitable for the audience.

The people buying my magazine will obviously be interested in fashion, both high end and high street. I want to include a range of different clothing, just so that there will be something for everyone who buys the magazine. The girls who read my magazine like to take care with their appearance and want to keep up with the latest trends, this means that in the magazine I need to include content that will meet their needs. As my magazine is regional, I need to make sure that all my content is suited to  my target audience and meets their needs.