Shot type

I knew before I started to create a magazine cover it would be important to know what type of shot and wanted and why that shot was to be needed. I knew my magazine was going to feature vibrant colours and that it would be important that the shot type shows these colours.

From using the shot type guide I knew that I would realistically want either a wide shot or a medium shot, this is so that the image can display as much of the models clothes as possible which would be the priority being a fashion magazine. I then had to worry about the type of lighting a was going to use.

I made sure that the lighting I was going to use showed as little shadow as possible so that the bright colours of the models clothing was completely visible. Therefore using the lighting guide seen above I needed to make sure that the model had large amounts of light around them. This then drove me to take the shots of the models outside at mid day so the sun was shining and there was large amounts of light all around the model, with a natural look.

Choosing a brief

You work for an independent media production company. You have been given the task of producing the front cover and one contents page for each of the first two editions of a new fashion magazine that is being launched by Bauer and the working website for the magazine. Bauer intends to sell the magazines in retailers. Contents pages can be either single or double page spread. The two front covers and contents pages must feature a diverse range of fashion issues and styles appropriate to its target audience. The web pages must promote the new magazine to its target audience and enable fans to interact with the content. Summary of brief requirements: • Statement of Intent (approx. 500 words).1 • Fashion magazine covers and contents pages: two or three pages for each of the first two editions (based on choice of single or double page spread). • Magazine distribution method: Content must be suitable for retail distribution. • Number of web pages: One homepage and one linked page. • Cross media production target audience: A culturally sophisticated, 16–25 class AB demographic. There must be a clear sense of branding across the two elements of the cross-media production. The production of the two magazine covers and contents pages must include (as a minimum): At least four different main images using original photography across the cover and contents pages. Editing of magazine covers and contents pages (including photos, text, graphics, typography and layout). Written text including masthead, main coverline, selling lines, headlines, captions, subtitles and copy. A different setting for each magazine cover (this may be the same location with a significantly different use of staging, mise-en-scene and / or lighting). Different material for each magazine contents page. At least two models representing at least two different social groups across the covers and contents pages. A call to action pointing readers to the online website. The production of the web pages must include (as a minimum): A minimum of two original images, (with at least one different original image on each of the two pages) that promotes and reinforces the brand identity of the magazine (e.g. use of models, locations and clothing to create a strong sense of style). Appropriate conventions of website design, including an original title and logo for the magazine and a menu bar. Text introducing the main features of the online website. Working links from the home page to the other page. A range of appropriate media language techniques (typography, images, fonts, backgrounds, logos etc.) as appropriate to the purpose of the website.

Research - Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions: Front cover

1. The nameplate of the magazine is usually large and is the only large text displayed on the screen, also the logo of the website is kept the same so the target audience can identify the magazine.
2. Masthead features small amounts of text, usually kept to the minimal, text usually the same colour pallet as the rest of the website
3. The lighting is most of the time high key, to the extent so that the models clothing can be seen easily
4. The masthead usually features a story based inside the magazine, this is most of the time the most interesting story so that the reader's attention can be caught.
5. The backgrounds of the images are usually very simple blocky colours such as either a black, white or grey. This is so that any text in the masthead can stand out. The colour of the masthead text is usually in contrast to the backgrounds.
6. Most of the models are famous people in which the target audience know of, recognize and then purchase the magazine.
7. The fashion is relatable to the target audience and this creates an element of reliable content to the target audience.
8. The barcode is featured yes is usually as small as possible to make sure not ruin the simplicity of the image on the front cover.

Code and Conventions: Contents page

1. The same title used on the magazine usually features at the top of the contents page to link both the contents page and the front cover.
2. Similar to the way the front cover displays stories, the biggest stories/the ones in which the target audience are going to have the biggest interest in are usually the largest text in the contents page to catch the attention of the reader.
3. More images are featured to give the user an idea as the style which will be featured throughout the magazine.
4. The articles featured in the magazine are usually put in categories in which provides the user with more detail about each article.
5.     Advert for fashion in which the user will most likely take an interest in is placed around the contents page.

Code and Conventions: Website

1.     Again similar to the contents page the same logo is used throughout to create a link between the content.
2.     Style of the website is most of the time similar as to the general style of the magazines, for example, more simple magazines will also feature a more simplistic website.
3.     More additional content is available in which the user can read exclusive content including interviews, fashion tips etc.
4.     The most recent editions of the magazine are usually heavily featured on the home page of the website to drive users to buy it if not already bought.
5.     Sometimes stores can be used to sell merchandise and the latest editions.

Audience Research

Before creating my magazine called "Colourless" I knew an important step before designing the magazine or adding any content would be to try to understand as well as possible the needs and wants from my specific target audience (which in this case is 18-24).

Within my friends there many of them that clearly fit the target audience, therefore I went around surveying five of my friends asking them general questions on the types of content they would like to see from a teen fashion magazine as well as some of the reasons as to buy such magazine.

Out of the 5 friends 4 of them agreed to wanting relatable content, this is important as it allows the target audience to relate to the types of fashion seen in the magazine. It would also be important to have models the same age as the target audience for the same reason so that the target audience can further relate themselves to the models.

5 out of the 5 friends all agreed to wanting a large range of stories not just all based around relatable fashion, for example stories about famous singers and artists with photos of their style to draw influence from. Overall I now know from the research conducted that its important to have a range of content and that the content should be relatable which is the main purpose people read these magazines. The five people interviewed where also a range of race and age, 2 mixed males, 2 Caucasian women and 1 Caucasian male. This therefore gives a varied opinion throughout the target audience.