Final Cover and Contents together (including mock up)

Evaluation

To evaluate my whole project, i am going to use LIIAR to analysise my finished product:


This project was very time consuming and gruelling hard work, however i was pleased to have finally completed it when i did. I think i used my time quite well, however i did find that i was rushing towards the end, making me quite worried that i wouldn't finish it. If i was to do this again, i would definitely schedule my time more efficiently and carefully, ensuring that i was done before the panic point, leaving me satisfied. I also didn't have time to ask for advice on what to change and adapt because of time, therefore, also making me wish i had taken my time more.  If I'm honest, it took me while to get started and i struggled at first for ideas and inspiration. If i would have started form the word go, i don't think i would have had this problem.
The denotation for my front cover is a young boy, a student at Wyke college, holding a red file and books, looking straight down the camera, engaging and interacting  with the audience. The young boy, signifies a young however mature student attending the college. The file is a red colour, connotations of red are warmth and welcoming, submitting out a positive, friendly and exciting vibe through the magazine. As the student is young, this signifies that the college is for young students, possibly in the age category of 16-19 year old. The title, is bold and to me, i personally think it stands out well and draws in the readers eyes. The central image is a medium-close up, involving the reader more and allowing them to maybe feel as though they are also in the picture. I decided on the sell line 'where ambitions run free' because i thought it was about aspirations, adding to the ideology behind my magazine.  I don't have that many cover lines on the front page, but i like the banner i have going across the bottom of the cover. I think this grabs the readers attention and also works well with the magazine as a whole. As the writing on that banner was involved with English, i thought it was appropriate to have the same boy reading a book, relating to English. The background for the magazine is lined paper, working well with the theme of general college, hopefully creating effect on great scale. The pens i used as bullet points also work well with this.

The institution for the magazine is obviously Wyke college, as the masthead clearly states that. Wyke college is a 6th form for 16-19 year old, with also a 99.7% pas rate. As wyke is a 6th form, older students above 19 years don't usually come to the college, also backing up why i have a Young student on the cover.

I asked my good friend for some honest feedback about my magazine and he also agreed that i could add more cover lines on the front cover, which i totally agree with. I appreciated the advice and am glad i can the  use this in the future if i ever need to do something similar again.

I used media technologies to edit my images such as erasing the background and changing the colour on certain things. I really learned alot about certain programmes such as Photoshop and even publisher, defiantly benefiting me in the future, as i can then apply these skills for future needs. I also used the Internet to research other magazine cover, produced by other institutions which i then later analysed for my own benefits. I could then learn from their weaknesses and even their strong points, and adapt them to my own work, hopefully benefiting me in the best way.

I think the combination of my images and text work quite well together. For example, my front cover is a model simply holding some files, then placed on lined paper background. That could be representing anything and the college as a whole, which therefore made it easier for me to think of cover lines/ancillary texts. In the end, i tried to make the cover lines about college and not particular subjects such as 'win a macbook'. This then could relate to any pupil doing any subject, working with my general theme and images.

If i was to do the project again, there are certain elements in which i would change and adapt to make it better. For example, i would definitely include more cover lines to make the cover more involving and maybe interesting. I would also maybe use a real background, like a photograph or an actually image instead of just lined paper, maybe creating more effect and making it more appealing.

Final Contents Page

So i had my images selected and editted them, i was then ready to make up my contents page for real. I used the same background as before, being lined paper to make the magazine and contents continuous.
Here what it looked like:

Content Page Props

Like i did with my front cover using the pens (which i also included in my contents page), i wanted to include a notice board so that i can pin up my images. I had a notice board at home in the kitchen, so i took a picture of that. As it was full, i then took all the objects off it and all the pins and then took a picture of that. When i had this, i then erased the background in photoshop. Here are the steps i took below:

1) This was the first picture i took, my notice board with all the notes on.



2) This was the second picture i took once i had cleared all the notices off it.



3) Next thing was to erase the background on Photoshop so i had purely the notice board. Then as my notice board was quite dark, i tried to enlighten the image and make it brighter with the 'Colour Balance' option. I selected the middle of the image and made it a natural/neutral colour. The outline border was fine as it was, so i left it.  I found that it looked quite amature, which at first i wasdisspaointed with (cartoon like) but i was willing to give it a try.

 

Chosen Photographs for my Contents Page

After taking time to consider what would be the best images to use for the contents page, i decided i would have one of my model on a computer, and one of him at the lockers. When i come to put my contentes page together, i will concoct two quotes/stories to gow with them so they fit in with the magazine.

These are my final two photographs:

The first picture shows clearly a student using the Moodle, relating to every student in the college. Also the second picture shows my model at the lockers, also relating to many students around the college.

Content Page Photographs

I wanted to actually design the contents page to go with my cover so i decided to take some photographs for it. Still keeping with the theme of general college. Here are a mixture of the ones i took:

As my theme for the magazine is college in general, i didnt want the pictures to be anything specific like a certain subject or sport etc. I also wanted them to look natural so i asked my model to just work at the computer and to stand by the lockers.

Contents Page Mock-Up

Here is the mock up of a contents page:

I made this so i was simple and easy to understand

Final Front Cover

So after editing all of the language of my front cover, i had to finally put them together to actually create the cover itself. It took me a while to arrange it but i got there in the end.
Here is the finished result:

Here is my final front cover!

Creating the text

As this was a college magazine, i wanted the text to also reflct this. I then wanted to create the text in 'athletic' style font. My title was just 'Wyke' and that paired along with my sell line which was 'Where ambitions run free'. I then also added the '8th edition' and 'FREE' in the same font so it all matched. I chose the colour gray for the writing so it would show up on the lined paper in the background, which was white. If i chose white or yellow etc it wouldn't work. Here are my fonts:



1) This is my Masthead of the magazine.



2)This is my sell line, which i hope to place under my Masthead.



3)This tells the audience what edition the magazine is.



4) This tells the audience if they ned to pay for the mgazine or whether its free.

 

Editing of the pen

As i want to have pen for bullet point instead of ordinary dots, i had to edit the images i took (getting rid of the background)
Below are the steps i did and how i did it:



1) Step1 was to take the picture and decide which one i wanted to use. This was the one i chose.



2) For step 2, i selected the background eraser tool and began to erase the background. Click image to see directly.



3) For this step, i continued erasing the background, so now i can insert it on what i like. 

  

Editing of Main Photograph

Like I said in an earlier post, I want to erase the background of my final photograph and just be left with the body, so I can then place it on a lined paper background. Here is the steps of how I edited the image.

1) Step 1 was to take the photograph.

2) Step 2 was to begin erasing the background with the ''background eraser'.

3) Step 3 was to erase the whole background with the 'background eraser'.  This is the final stage as I can now insert it on my cover.

Front Cover- Prop Photographs

On my front cover, I am going with the theme of college in general, and wanted to make some elements a bit different to what i would usually use.
For example, for bullet points, I aim to use college related objects, in this case I want to use pens, which will act as bullet points, whilst creating effect at the same time. Therefore, I have taken some images of a box-standard Biro pen, which I will then edit and use on my front cover. Below are the photos:

Final Main Photograph

This is my final photograph for the front cover of my magazine. I have chosen this one because its simple and can relate to almost any topic as the model is simply holding files. I also liked it because the model is looking straight down the camera, interacting and engaging with the audience, making them feel as though the magazine is directed at them. When editing this image, I hope to erase the background and put the body of the model on the background of lined paper, this again creates that simple but effective look, relating to everyday college life and not just one subject. This photograph is also shot as a medium close-up something which the criteria requires.

My new Photographs

Like I said in the last slide, I had to take new photographs to fit in with my theme of college in general. Below are a mixture of the ones I took.

DECISION CHANGE!

After carefully thinking about the cover of my magazine, I realised I didn't want to carry on with the theme of English. I personally felt like I was too restricted to one subject, and also this might not interest many people (some people may hate English!) I wanted a theme that would interact and engage with more than just English lovers, and hopefully the whole college. Therefore I have changed my theme to just college in general. This is much more open and doesn't make me restricted as to what content I can include. I did originally come up with this idea in my initial drafts (shown in an older post) so it wasn't too hard to change. This meant that I had to take some more photographs to then fit in with the theme (next post). As I personally like English myself, I still want part of my cover to have something to do with English. This means that I hope to have maybe a banner across the bottom of my cover, relating to English. For this, I will use the photograph that is seen in an earlier post named (chosen photograph) to go with this.

Chosen Magazine Name with Sell Line

I have decided to chose the first name and sell line i can up with at first.
I chose:

"WYKE- Where ambitions run free"

I liked this one above the others because it was simple, not too long and also snappy! I also think the sell line gives off a very exciting image of the college and leaves the audience wondering about their own ambitions.

Chosen Photograph

This is my chosen photograph :D

I have chosen this as it goes with my theme of english and the model also looks like he's enjyojng himself. It is a medium close-up, which involves and interacts with the audience more. It is also clear what the image is and what it relates to as the title of the books is 'poems', therefore representing that idea of english.

Name Ideas with sell lines.

These were the original ideas i thought of to name my magazine. Also, with their slogans/sell lines:

• WYKE- Where Ambitions run wild
• LIVE.LEARN- Live to learn.Learn to live
• FUTURE- Look forward to yours with Wyke

Photographs of Model

Chosen Idea and my Developing Drafts

After carefully deciding and thinking about my ideas in the previous post, i have decided to base mine around English. This will mean i will go for the cover with my model reading a book, hopefully situated in the Wyke library, creating an educational feel. I hope to picture my model surrounded by books and in the middle of reading one. I will take this photograph as a medium close-up so it involves the reader more and makes it more appealing.
I have also been thinking about the cover lines and contents that will feature in my magazine and how they will fit in and relate to college life. As the image relates to English, the cover lines will have to fit into this. When i come to design my cover, i will include the following cover lines:

• Trip to the Bronte Island
• Grab your edition of Wuthering Heights from the library now!
• Top 10 essay writing tips
• Ask the Principal
• Key Dates for Your Diary

These will be my main ones on the front cover however, when i come to create my mock yup of a contents page, i will have to state other subjects which will appeal to the audience.

Now that i knew the theme i wanted and the main cover lines, i wanted to quickly draft up some rough sketches to help guide me through creating it for real. Below are draft 1-2, each one showing how i advanced through the stages.

Draft 1

Draft 1 just basically shows the rough outline of my front cover. It doesn't include my masthead/coverlines etc in detail.

Draft 2

Draft 2 demonstrates how my cover will look in the end. I have added in the coverlines, masthead and image details etc to get a better mental image.

The next thing to do is to take my pictures!

My Initial Draft Ideas

These were my initial ideas for my front cover

LIIAR Analysis of Magazine 2

Magazine 2

Language- There are many codes and conventions to many magazines that i expected to see whilst analysing two magazines. I did indeed see these codes and conventions for them both. The first one being, that the title/masthead is situated exactly at the top, in bold writing. When i think about why the producer of the magazine did this this way, i soon came to realise that it would most probably be to due to convenience when placed in a magazine stack: the title can be seen from anywhere. The image is the most striking code/convention on the page. The fact that the image is a medium-close-up, this involves the reader more and makes them feel as though they are also in the image when it was took. It makes the magazine more personal to the reader, building up a connection between both the model, the college and the potential student. There are many cover lines on this magazine, the main one stating 'Global Learning'. This could represent a range of things such as diversity; anyone is welcome from any background and culture, also maybe about the global state; how to improve environment status, why this college benefits the globe etc. The main cover line, is then paired with a short paragraph underneath, basically telling the reader how two different students came from different sides of the world, and managed to get a fantastic education from this college. Again, this is representing the idea of diversity and how it doesn't effect your chances/potential given your culture, background, age, race etc. The general colour scheme of this front cover is bright and even multicoloured. These colours range from greens to blues to pinks to greens and so on. These bright choice of colours were chosen for a reason, i think these connotate happiness, enthusiastic, positive and excitement, then representing that if you attend the college you will lead a positive and happy life whilst having an exciting college life. Finally, there is an additional image of a globe, working well with the main cover line. I think this is particularly effective as it then drills it in to the readers head and mind that the globe is their main priority, something which all students like to think.

Ideology- Beliefs and ideas behind this magazine are obviously the globe, as it is represented and portrayed throughout the entire cover. I can see cover lines, images and paragraphs relating to the planet, making their beliefs more powerful to the reader. They could also believe that this college is the greatest as it encourages international students. Also, they believe that it is important to be wise with decisions as one of the cover lines gives advice on money and what you should do with it, and how you should never give up (one of their students made it into the music industry, a result of his determination). They also believe health is very important as they have a  cover line saying how to get health advice. Other obvious beliefs include determination is the key, this particular college can benefit you the most effective, equality, the idea of travel too.

Institution-  Its immediately obvious to both me and the audience that the institution for this magazine is 'Ridgewater College', a college that encourages internationalism. As the cover didn't give much away, it was my job to do some basic research to find out more about the college background. So i learnt that the college is located in the United States, and is more of a University than a college.


Audience- The audience is of course to students, as it is a college magazine. I also think that the age range will be around 17- 26 year olds.I determined this age range due to the fact its a university rather than a sixth form, allowing older students to attend and participate in college life. As the magazine is representing international students, it could be distributed all around the world, therefore being available to most places, therefore making the audience anyone. Also, parents of potential students, as they will want to know basic information about where they are sending their children.


Representation- The fact that the college is a place for students, a student is featured on the front cover, representing student life and telling the audience that this is in fact somewhere for study. Also, that idea of travel and international status is represented by a globe and also a Chinese student on the front. This represents the idea of equality and diversity.

LIIAR Analysis of magazine 1

(Magazine 1- "Beloit")

Language- When viewing this magazine for the first time, the centre image of the young woman, immediately stuck out at me and grabbed my attention. The image is taken of a young woman, who appears to be taking part in a science experiment. I think the way she is holding the equipment (the cup) is involving the audience as i felt like i was doing the experiment with her. I think that this was really effective as i consider it to be important that a magazine engages the audience, especially a college one, so they feel like that could be them doing the same thing, if they then attended the college. The photograph is also taken in colour, as opposed to black and white, which gives off quite a happy vibe, instead of dull and boring. This then connotated that their future could be bright and happy, if they attend the college, rather than dull and boring if they didn't. It could also connotate that taking part in these activities brightens up your life and gives you a better and more enjoyable future. The title "BELOIT", initially stands out to me, simply because the text is huge and also bold. If the title was small and blended in with the background, it would definitely not have the same effect as i, and the rest of the audience, probably wouldn't even notice it. The title itself is quite an intriguing and interesting word, also creating effect as then i am intrigued as to what the college is about, i would therefore read on, which is exactly what i think the producers of this imparticular edition wanted. As the main image on the front cover is of a woman engaging in a science experiment, this is then presented with a cover line saying- "Doing Science at BELOIT". This works with the photograph and focuses on science even more than i originally thought. This could be telling the audience that if your a science lover, then come here. Or it could be saying that science is their strongest subject area, so they are representing it, trying to get people to show and interest. Other simple language techniques are the date, which i found difficult to read as the text was white against a light greyish background. This is definitely a weakness as then when i studied the rest of the magazine, i then realised that all other cover lines were exactly the same: difficult to read and understand.

Institution- As soon as the audience looks at this magazine, they cant immediately tell that the institution is 'Beloit'. 'Beloit' is obviously from a magazine as that is what it clearly states.

Ideology- Beliefs and ideas behind this magazine are basically to do with science as the page is dominated with science related items (eg. image, cover lines etc). When i explored the meanings and beliefs behind this font cover, i learned that they are celebrating the commitment of their former professor. This is promoting the idea to stay dedicated and committed to what your doing and don't give up. A message that i think is strong and powerful, something which they want to get out to their audience and fellow students.

Audience- A this is a college magazine, their audience would definitely be aimed at students which attend the college. As i am unsure whether this is a college which educates former school pupils only or is in fact open to any age range, i cant be certain on the age range of the audience. However, judging by the image, the person looks quite young, preferably hinting that the age group is youngish, maybe in the age category of 16-18, possibly early 20's.

Representation-  This student magazine is represented by a student on the front cover, taking part in an experiment, which is engaging the audience (attracting potential students), to maybe represent science, excitement and education. The fact that the person is doing science, represents the fact that science is their main issue and even main subject they specialise in. The girl in the image is wearing safety glasses, this could then represent that the college is a safe environment to be in.

Outlining the Brief

For this task, I have to design and produce a front cover of a college magazine It also requires me to draft out a contents page which then shows the audience what would feature in my article if I was to produce the whole thing. So, i have to produce a college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student which i independently took, and arrange it as though on a front page of a magazine. It requires the image to be edited as though a medium close-up, including text and a masthead, again produced entirely by me. The mock up of a contents page is to demonstrate not only skills, but to represent what will be in the magazine. I will create this and post onto a blog ;).

LIIAR Interpretation of the College Magazine Brief

In order to produce my College Magazine, i have to gather up the key terms and work out how they will influence the magazine.
The Language is probably the most important as it covers everything and will determine the way my front cover and contents page will turn out. There are certain key requirements for Language that are necessities and have to be included. The magazine title is the first thing the audience will read, and other than the photograph, will most likely be the main thing which will catch their attention. I think the title will be the most appropriate if it contains around 6 characters or less (obviously if the title had too many letters, the audience will get bored and it won't catch anyones' attention). It also needs to be snappy and relevant to the genre of the magazine. As this magazine is a college one, the title should relate to a college theme. Finally, the title will represent the magazine on the whole and will portray if the magazine is exciting or boring. Therefore, the title can't be dull as the audience will not bother reading on.
The photograph is another one of the most important requirements to the magazine. I think i will need a collection of photographs, so they will vary throughout and not be the same ones repeated. The photograph also needs to be eye catching, as it is the language technique which will immediately grab the attention of the audience. If the photo isn't up to much, blends into the background and is basically a unsuccessful picture, the audience will straight away not even consider reading it. On the other hand, if the picture is well photographed, it stands out, and is interesting, the audience will want to pursue and read on. I think the photo will give off an image of the magazine on a whole, and if i want people to read it, the photo has to be impressive.
The slogan, is yet again another important feature which will be needed for my magazine. It will have to relate to the title and the genre of the magazine, so i will have to think carefully on what i decide. The slogan is also called the tag line, and again, cant be too long winded. When i have looked at other magazines, the slogan works the best when it is short, snappy and relevant.
Another technique which will need to be included is the text (cover lines). When the audience read the text, it will give them the impression if the magazine is worth their time reading it, or if it isn't. The text will need to represent whats in the magazine, and will have to relate to the audience and what they want to read, what they find interesting and which subject matters i will include. If the reader finds the text on my cover boring, the chances are they, wont continue. If its interesting they will.
Most magazine, somewhere or another, include a barcode. However, my magazine will be free to students and anyone who wants to read it around the college, so a barcode won't be necessary.
The 'Institution' is another key requirement which i will have to evaluate throughout my magazine. The institution is obviously 'Wyke College', a college containing around 1300 students, 50% of which, come from outside of Hull. Wyke college is a 6th form, with a 99.7% exam pass rate, which i will somewhere include.
The ideology behind my college magazine will be respect, equal opportunities and health. I believe that all these things are important and will need to be sections in my finished product. All these things are important, and i will try to convey these all the way throughout. Equal opportunities is very important to me, as i believe that everyone should be treated the same and shouldn't be cast out as a result of sex, age, religion, race, etc. Health is also important, as our lives, and the condition of them, base around health.
The audience will be targeted at 16-19 year olds. As the college is a 6th form only, older students and adults don't attend, it is there for students just leaving school and who wish to further their education, usually progressing on to university. The magazine will therefore need to be aimed at 16-19 year olds, and must be of interest to this age range.
Finally, the representation will feature students. The college theme will be portrayed through the students themselves. The ones i will be photographing, will need to give off a positive impression and image of the college, so it will give out a successful impression on the college as whole. The impression will then go out to the parents(determining if they wish to send their children here) and the student audience(determining if they want to attend the college).If they are all given a positive image, college status will increase even more.
The contents page will provide the audience with knowledge of where to find things in the magazine and will also need to themed around the college and all of the above.