Since beginning the research for my magazine, I have used surveys such as; Survey Monkey to get information about my target audience and also the type of product I will be creating. I have created a series of questions in order to make sure I can identify the correct target audience for my magazine. I have asked questions about things such as: gender, age, preferred designs, and also masthead ideas as well as colour schemes. This will help me develop a successful product that my target audience will enjoy and use, I will have to reflect on the results and evaluate them from the questionnaires. After looking at my research collected I have found out what my target audience wants for a regional magazine, and the type of magazine I am creating. I have concluded that I am going to make a regional magazine with a very traditional and simplistic look to it. I am going for a hipster type of look but also incorporating a regional magazine look. I have took into account the colour schemes, designs and style my target audience have responded with.
My research has effected my initial ideas as I have now realised not only the type of articles I am featuring but also I have realised the specific gender I am focusing on. Originally I believed I was creating a regional magazine that featured articles on tattoo parlours, however now from gaining my research I have found out that my target audience wants more lifestyle articles, this can be from surfing to local businesses which I am now going to include in my new regional hipster magazine. I have also established from my research that I am not just focusing on a predominantly male target audience, after getting my research together I have realised that my target audience is fairly the same with both female and male mix. This will allow a freedom and flexibility with the articles I will feature in my products.
Tuesday, 31 October 2017
Thursday, 28 September 2017
Section research
After looking at similar websites to my own I had to see what I needed to include with my pages. My magazine will based on a regional magazine, so I am researching a lot into Cornwall Today which fits into the similar style I wish to create but with a hipster edge to it instead. From looking at the home page there are many different pages such as: whats on, photos and even features. I wish to include these types of pages on my website. By doing this with my website it will not only ensure I am following similar products to mine but also creating a professional product. 
Similar website products analysis
For my magazine I am creating a magazine that is regional with a hipster edge. My magazine will be based in Cornwall therefore the company I am focusing on is Cornwall Today, however for the hipster side I am using Paper magazine as my focus for the hipster design too. Therefore in order to determine the type of product I need to create I will need to look at both types of products and come to conclusion of a product which will create a product for my target audience.
For the regional side of the product I am creating I decided to look at Cornwall Todays website:
The house style of the website is very simplistic, with the logo clearly seen at the top which reflects on the target audience of the company. Alongside this the colour pallet fits in with the Cornwall theme as the grey and white can be relating to the rocky coastlines and tin-mining industry. It clearly shows the months featured articles, which attracts the readers with the front cover of this months issue clearly shown. This is great self-advertising as well as promoting their brand, as its showcasing there product directly to the readers eye-line.
The website also features many different links to other pages which is great in order to keep the reader entertained, it is also easily accessible and is ensuring that the links fit in with the target audience and what they want to see. The font style is constant throughout, fitting in with again that simplistic look that Cornwall Today also brings through onto their magazines too. In the direct centre at the top of the page there is a subscription link, this is on purposely put here in order to be one of the first things the readers sees, and will click on which helps promote the magazine and website that follows.
All the images featured on the homepage share a similar theme with all being outdoor locations, which relates to Cornwall as it's mainly known for its coastlines and previous tin-mining history. By placing these images all on the homepage they compliment each other and do not look out of place.
This magazine clearly has a representation of an older audience by looking at the images for example the one with the coverline "Dog Friendly chauffeur-driven tours" this wouldn't be an article or image you would typically associate with an younger audience, also by the car featured is a what can be considered as a family car. This also gives the representation of an older audience as you would associate large families with a younger audience as they are seen as more fun makers agreeing with the theory of Stanley Hall (1904) “Youth must have excitement and if this is not at hand in the form of moral intellectual enthusiasms it is more prone to be sought in sex or drink”. Therefore by having coverlids and images of older people this magazine gives a clear representation of an older generation not only this but also it is known that many older people also like to visit Cornwall once the main season has gone.
Cornwall Living is another regional magazine that will fit in with my genre of magazine to a degree. The website however, has a very different approach towards it target audience than Cornwall Today. The homepage you are immediately greeted with the logo, however the layout is different than Cornwall Today as it has instead got more a style that could be relating to a younger target audience. The style of almost hanging up the main images adds to the effect of it becoming more messier than the Cornwall Today, relating to the stereotypical views of younger people being more messier and inexperienced.
The images used on the homepage also suggest that there is a younger audience, as it features younger people maybe in there 20's early 30's, doing activities such as paddle boarding that you would not associate with an older audience. By aiming this at a younger audience, and having images of activities that are seen as fun it links in with Dick Hedbige's theory (1988) "Youth as fun."
The colour scheme featured not only suggest there is a male and female audience by the blues and slight pinks but also that it has a summer feel to it associated with Cornwall as it known for being a holiday destination. Cornwall Living has also use its benefits on being online by featuring a video on the homepage that will immediately attract the readers eye-line by also having a different backdrop too.
Cornwall Living like Cornwall Today however features that same sort of simplistic font that is featured throughout the style of the website. This makes the magazine have a professional edge and makes it look like its all in place. They also have plenty of links keeping the reader interested, as well as providing the readers with a online version that they can read easily on the go instead of carrying a hard copy. The representation of this website suggests it is aimed at a young audience that strives to have a fun and active lifestyle, they do this by including photos of younger people participating in activities such as paddle boarding. However they also represent a younger funner audience by including coverlids such as "The Ultimate Lifestyle" this suggests that it is trying to also represent the younger in this way again which fits in again with the theory of "youth as fun."
For the regional side of the product I am creating I decided to look at Cornwall Todays website:
The house style of the website is very simplistic, with the logo clearly seen at the top which reflects on the target audience of the company. Alongside this the colour pallet fits in with the Cornwall theme as the grey and white can be relating to the rocky coastlines and tin-mining industry. It clearly shows the months featured articles, which attracts the readers with the front cover of this months issue clearly shown. This is great self-advertising as well as promoting their brand, as its showcasing there product directly to the readers eye-line.
The website also features many different links to other pages which is great in order to keep the reader entertained, it is also easily accessible and is ensuring that the links fit in with the target audience and what they want to see. The font style is constant throughout, fitting in with again that simplistic look that Cornwall Today also brings through onto their magazines too. In the direct centre at the top of the page there is a subscription link, this is on purposely put here in order to be one of the first things the readers sees, and will click on which helps promote the magazine and website that follows.
All the images featured on the homepage share a similar theme with all being outdoor locations, which relates to Cornwall as it's mainly known for its coastlines and previous tin-mining history. By placing these images all on the homepage they compliment each other and do not look out of place.
This magazine clearly has a representation of an older audience by looking at the images for example the one with the coverline "Dog Friendly chauffeur-driven tours" this wouldn't be an article or image you would typically associate with an younger audience, also by the car featured is a what can be considered as a family car. This also gives the representation of an older audience as you would associate large families with a younger audience as they are seen as more fun makers agreeing with the theory of Stanley Hall (1904) “Youth must have excitement and if this is not at hand in the form of moral intellectual enthusiasms it is more prone to be sought in sex or drink”. Therefore by having coverlids and images of older people this magazine gives a clear representation of an older generation not only this but also it is known that many older people also like to visit Cornwall once the main season has gone.
Cornwall Living is another regional magazine that will fit in with my genre of magazine to a degree. The website however, has a very different approach towards it target audience than Cornwall Today. The homepage you are immediately greeted with the logo, however the layout is different than Cornwall Today as it has instead got more a style that could be relating to a younger target audience. The style of almost hanging up the main images adds to the effect of it becoming more messier than the Cornwall Today, relating to the stereotypical views of younger people being more messier and inexperienced.
The images used on the homepage also suggest that there is a younger audience, as it features younger people maybe in there 20's early 30's, doing activities such as paddle boarding that you would not associate with an older audience. By aiming this at a younger audience, and having images of activities that are seen as fun it links in with Dick Hedbige's theory (1988) "Youth as fun."
The colour scheme featured not only suggest there is a male and female audience by the blues and slight pinks but also that it has a summer feel to it associated with Cornwall as it known for being a holiday destination. Cornwall Living has also use its benefits on being online by featuring a video on the homepage that will immediately attract the readers eye-line by also having a different backdrop too.
Cornwall Living like Cornwall Today however features that same sort of simplistic font that is featured throughout the style of the website. This makes the magazine have a professional edge and makes it look like its all in place. They also have plenty of links keeping the reader interested, as well as providing the readers with a online version that they can read easily on the go instead of carrying a hard copy. The representation of this website suggests it is aimed at a young audience that strives to have a fun and active lifestyle, they do this by including photos of younger people participating in activities such as paddle boarding. However they also represent a younger funner audience by including coverlids such as "The Ultimate Lifestyle" this suggests that it is trying to also represent the younger in this way again which fits in again with the theory of "youth as fun."
Billboard photos editing evidence
After looking thoroughly at the photo I wanted to edit it to make it have a more professional look. To this I adjusted the levels of the photo, this lightened the image and made it look more vibrant which I think also helps promote the location in which the photo is set.
Original billboard images and reflection
As my billboard kept to the simplistic approach of a hipster/regional magazine I had one high quality image that I used for it, this photo was taken at Trebarwith Strand, Tintagel, Cornwall.
For my billboard I wanted to get a high-quality landscape shot that would make a statement and show the rawness of the Cornish coast I believe this photo justifies this reflects on the natural beauty of Cornwall which is what I wanted to do. I used a iPhone 5 to take this photo, which is a decent camera for what it is and you can clearly see that when looking at this image. I am happy with the image and think it is suitable for not only the regional side but the hipster side of the magazine I am focusing on too.
For my billboard I wanted to get a high-quality landscape shot that would make a statement and show the rawness of the Cornish coast I believe this photo justifies this reflects on the natural beauty of Cornwall which is what I wanted to do. I used a iPhone 5 to take this photo, which is a decent camera for what it is and you can clearly see that when looking at this image. I am happy with the image and think it is suitable for not only the regional side but the hipster side of the magazine I am focusing on too.
Billboard photography research
During my research for my billboard I need to look at landscape photography this is because of the type of billboard I am creating. I am creating a coastal billboard that relates to Cornwall, when typically looking at these type of photos you can see they're high-quality images and have been usually been focusing on the sea and cliffs of the coast. One photographer that is taking images that I want to do is Lee Searle, he specialises in landscape costal photography in Cornwall. Some of his work is below and you can clearly see he focuses on the sea and cliffs of the coast. I want to incorporate this for my billboard as it shows the rawness of the coast but I don't wish to include such a neon colour pallet so I am going to adapt that myself. 
Billboard target audience
For my target audience of my billboard it will be similar to the rest of my products and will have the same characteristics. My target audience is a mix of both female and male which will mean I have the flexibility to create a product that will have images and text that can fit in well with both genders. The billboard will need to feature a high quality image that relates well with the coastal region as my regional magazine is based in Cornwall. However I will have to bring in the hipster element that I want to bring to the products I am creating. For my billboard I will need to bring over the house style so all my products can be immediately identified and will have the constant design giving them a professional edge.
Billboard publisher
To publish my billboard I have chosen the same company as the one who I wish to publish my magazine. Engine House Media, as stated in my magazine publishing post, are one of the biggest publishing companies in Cornwall and Devon. Due to this they have managed to publish the most successful regional magazine in the UK Cornwall Today. I believe that Engine House Media will be the ideal candidate to publish my billboard due to this, not only this but they have a large audience and contact which will allow my company to develop even more. Not only this but Engine House Media have also got stated on their website that they produce different types of print, digitally and physically, which is what I want for my billboard. They also cater for my target audience of a C1 class. Overall I believe that Engine House Media will be the company I wish to publish my billboard as they cater for all the wants and needs of my company and target audience. 
Codes and conventions of a billboard
The typical codes and conventions are a high-quality image with a predominate logo, and a slight bit of information somewhere on the billboard that tells some information. I am going to follow these codes and conventions throughout my billboard, and also break them. I am going to do this by creating a billboard that has a high quality image but also looks like my magazine has been placed over the top of the magazine.
Similar billboard products analysis
For my billboard I will need to incorporate the different sides of my magazine, but showcasing the regional side. However to get a good idea of what a professional billboard would look like as well as the codes and conventions of a typical magazine billboard you would see today. 
The first billboard we have is of Time magazine which is known for its simplistic but powerful messages throughout its products. Immediately you are greeted with a simplistic but bold colour pallet of red, black and white. This fits in with Time magazines house style so you know immediately that the billboard is associated with the company. Not only this but the tagline that immediately makes a statement, it is used to make the viewer see and question the tagline. It attracts the reader and intrigues them as it's making a statement about current issues which the magazine knowns will attract attention to itself.
However the slogan at the bottom "Understanding comes with TIME" is not only a play on words but also promotes the magazine and makes the reader want to find out more. The caption "Overeducated, underemployed, wildly optimistic" anchors the main image and supports it. The main image itself shows to outlines of graduates, going through the time logo which is the typical red rectangle that you see on all the front covers of the magazine. This issue specifically gives of the impression that it is aimed at a younger audience who are well educated. Specifically the "millennials" as it clearly states it under the image. Not only this but the use of a QR code which is becoming a trend recently with smartphones easily being able to capture a QR code and link it to a website or company. Smartphones are widely used by a younger generation which adds more reason to the billboard being directed to a younger audience.
The second billboard appears to be completely different to the first although it advertises a magazine, it is in fact of a complete different genre. Vogue is a magazine that is aimed at more of a female audience, alongside this the main image shows a woman with a powerful stance and the coverline 'icon' underneath which represents women as a leader power and strong. The colour pallet used is a red, white and blue which can be associated with the American flag as Vogue is an American company. The billboard promotes itself by having a picture of the latest front cover and not only this but a big bold website link that can be easily be seen by the reader.
The billboard also has the logo of the magazine clear and bold on the billboard so people will immediately look at the magazine and know who to associate it with. The billboard also tries to promote itself by having an "exclusive" which will attract the attention of readers and make them want to know more. Not only this but having a name of a popular celebrity will also attract custom to the product.
The first billboard we have is of Time magazine which is known for its simplistic but powerful messages throughout its products. Immediately you are greeted with a simplistic but bold colour pallet of red, black and white. This fits in with Time magazines house style so you know immediately that the billboard is associated with the company. Not only this but the tagline that immediately makes a statement, it is used to make the viewer see and question the tagline. It attracts the reader and intrigues them as it's making a statement about current issues which the magazine knowns will attract attention to itself.
However the slogan at the bottom "Understanding comes with TIME" is not only a play on words but also promotes the magazine and makes the reader want to find out more. The caption "Overeducated, underemployed, wildly optimistic" anchors the main image and supports it. The main image itself shows to outlines of graduates, going through the time logo which is the typical red rectangle that you see on all the front covers of the magazine. This issue specifically gives of the impression that it is aimed at a younger audience who are well educated. Specifically the "millennials" as it clearly states it under the image. Not only this but the use of a QR code which is becoming a trend recently with smartphones easily being able to capture a QR code and link it to a website or company. Smartphones are widely used by a younger generation which adds more reason to the billboard being directed to a younger audience.
The second billboard appears to be completely different to the first although it advertises a magazine, it is in fact of a complete different genre. Vogue is a magazine that is aimed at more of a female audience, alongside this the main image shows a woman with a powerful stance and the coverline 'icon' underneath which represents women as a leader power and strong. The colour pallet used is a red, white and blue which can be associated with the American flag as Vogue is an American company. The billboard promotes itself by having a picture of the latest front cover and not only this but a big bold website link that can be easily be seen by the reader.
The billboard also has the logo of the magazine clear and bold on the billboard so people will immediately look at the magazine and know who to associate it with. The billboard also tries to promote itself by having an "exclusive" which will attract the attention of readers and make them want to know more. Not only this but having a name of a popular celebrity will also attract custom to the product.
Front cover, contents and DPS draft 2 and constructive process
This is the most recent draft of my work, and I will still need to make improvements and complete it to get the professional product I want. However it has dramatically changed since my last drafts. I have adapted more to the hipster regional idea that I wanted to make. I have done this by researching similar products and also by making sure I add that simplistic but quirky approach to my products.
Front cover, contents and DPS draft 1 and constructive process
This the first draft of my front cover, contents and DPS this is the progress so far and I will be making the improvements in order to create a professional high quality magazine.
This was the original progress of my products, as you can see it clearly needs more editing, to give it a professional edge like real media products. It also needs more adapting to the type pf magazine I wish to create which is a regional/hipster magazine. In order to do this I need to give it the quirkiness and simplistic approach which you would see in magazines such as: Cornwall Today and Paper magazine.
This was the original progress of my products, as you can see it clearly needs more editing, to give it a professional edge like real media products. It also needs more adapting to the type pf magazine I wish to create which is a regional/hipster magazine. In order to do this I need to give it the quirkiness and simplistic approach which you would see in magazines such as: Cornwall Today and Paper magazine.
Wednesday, 27 September 2017
Codes and conventions of my magazine
For my magazine I am creating a regional magazine that has a very vintage and, unique design which specifically caters for the younger audience I am trying to attract. I will need certain codes and conventions in order to attract my audience that I will need to include in my magazine. For my layout I will need a big, bold masthead that can easily be identified as a regional magazine. I want my magazine front cover to have a colour palate that links in with the topics, and location of my magazine. Therefore this will most likely be a blue, white with some oranges and yellows. This is because it links in with the area my magazine is in (Cornwall) and the surf pictures I will be using, alongside costal and lifestyle photos too. I keep the main cover very simplistic as it fits in with current trends and fashion of the magazines that are being produced such as Paper magazine which will fit in with the hipster edge I wish to bring to the regional magazine. Some examples of this design are to the right and below.
The typography I want to use will be paint brush strokes, and also a very simplistic indie font which will be very simplistic such as magazines like Paper, Cornwall Today and possibly ESM. This could include a very simplistic but professional style of font, I have included some examples to show the type of typography I would like to use. I am going to use high quality images of surfing, lifestyle and also covering local businesses which will give some high quality images. The content I will be producing will be articles about lifestyle, the Cornish coast and the businesses and lifestyles that surrounds it. I will be representing a younger audience and culture, throughout my magazine I've done this by the articles I am producing. For example producing articles about the surfing and lifestyle industry. I've made sure that these are topics that will attract my target audience as well as representing them in a positive light. Another point to make is that the topics I have chosen fit into trends that are currently around, and are related to not only Cornwall but also the hipster approach I wish to give to the products.
Photos post-editing
Overall photoshoot planning and evaluation tasks
In order to create my final products I will have to plan photoshoots, therefore I will have to focus on certain things such as:
For the shots I wish to use for my final products, I will need a large variety. For the shots on the coast I will need to use an extreme long shot, and long shots for the surfers I wish to capture of the surfers. I will also need to get medium close ups of the barbers I wish to take photos off maybe of the equipment as well as pictures of the barber cutting hair themselves. I am also going to need medium close ups as well as mid shots of the products, food and drinks I am taking too. For models and equipment, I am going to need pictures of the barbers, and possible of different items of food and surfers.
After looking at the final photos I have managed to produce some excellent high quality shots. I also have the locations, and the topics I wanted my photos to have. To the right are just some of the best quality photos out of the photoshoots. During the photoshoots I was using different lenses, as well as cameras and settings. Therefore while getting the shots I wanted, I was also experimenting and gaining experience. The images on the right I have played around with the levels to make sure it is to a standard I want and am going to use for my final products. The images overall turned out really well, there are some that were experimental and will not be used for the final piece however I feel overall I have the images I need. When taking the images I would be adjusting exposure, shutter speeds, as well the aperture, this was very much as trial and error experience. I was also manually focusing, instead of using autofocus on the cameras which I think helped improve my experience and knowledge of the cameras.
- Props and costumes
- Locations
- Shot types
- Equipment lists
- Models
For my magazine I am creating a regional magazine that has a hipster style to it, which will attract my target audience. When taking these factors into account, I have the ideal plans in mind. For locations of my photoshoots, I am going to need costal locations as I am representing Cornwall. Therefore locations such as Newquay with Fistral beach are ideal locations as its not only a beautiful location, but it's also a very popular surfing location which I will be able to get some good shots of. Other locations include hipster style shops, and possibly businesses a barber shop in Newquay has the perfect type of location I am looking for and I am planning to visit in the future. Another good place is the surf hipster shops in that are available around the coasts. Newquay provides the perfect location for this places such as the Water-shed would work really well for my final product. Along side the cafes and quirky shops around Newquay too.
For the shots I wish to use for my final products, I will need a large variety. For the shots on the coast I will need to use an extreme long shot, and long shots for the surfers I wish to capture of the surfers. I will also need to get medium close ups of the barbers I wish to take photos off maybe of the equipment as well as pictures of the barber cutting hair themselves. I am also going to need medium close ups as well as mid shots of the products, food and drinks I am taking too. For models and equipment, I am going to need pictures of the barbers, and possible of different items of food and surfers.
After looking at the final photos I have managed to produce some excellent high quality shots. I also have the locations, and the topics I wanted my photos to have. To the right are just some of the best quality photos out of the photoshoots. During the photoshoots I was using different lenses, as well as cameras and settings. Therefore while getting the shots I wanted, I was also experimenting and gaining experience. The images on the right I have played around with the levels to make sure it is to a standard I want and am going to use for my final products. The images overall turned out really well, there are some that were experimental and will not be used for the final piece however I feel overall I have the images I need. When taking the images I would be adjusting exposure, shutter speeds, as well the aperture, this was very much as trial and error experience. I was also manually focusing, instead of using autofocus on the cameras which I think helped improve my experience and knowledge of the cameras.
Photoshoot
These shot were originally taken in Newquay, looking at local businesses such as coffee shops, bicycle shops, and a vintage type of barbers. These shots have come out to a high quality and I will be using selected ones that fit in well with my type of magazine I am creating.
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