Skills Development

10/09/16

Today I have started to create my school magazine front cover and contents page on Photoshop and began by coming

up with ideas for the different pages as well different cover lines. I also experimented with different tools on photoshop such as shadows and textures.

14/09/16

Today I started working on my textual analysis of the Katy Perry Billboard music magazine front cover and the Cheryl Cole Q music magazine front cover which allowed me to develop my analytical skills and learn key music magazine terminology such as masthead, main cover lines, secondary cover lines, kicker and explanatory line. I also decided to take some photographs of my school which I will use as the main image for my school magazine front cover and contents page.

23/09/16

Today I have learned how to select a wix website theme and create my 0wn wix website which included creating new tabs and renaming them, adding sub pages to each tab, inserting text and changing the font style and size as well as using the bold, underline and italic features. Afterwards, I then inserted my textual analysis of the music magazine front covers under the textual analysis tab.

27/09/16
I have learned how to resize the pages of my website and drag the footer and header to allow more space on a page. I then began changing my background style of my wix website and altered the font until I found the correct size and style.

7/10/16
Today I have learned how to resize text boxes and add different effects to text such as adding shadows and strokes. I began working on my content analysis by analysing different contents pages from Rock Sound, Mojo, Top Of The Pops and Q and comparing them to each other. This helped me evaluate different types of contents pages and allowed me to recognise key features that the different music magazines contents page contain such as the house style, amount of photos, amount of sections and amount of columns which I then inserted into a grid so the features were easily comparable. Finally, I uploaded this to my website under the content analysis tab.

13/10/16
Today I learned how to insert shapes such as arrows onto my website as well as use the rotate tool to position the arrows which is useful when analysing certain features on images. I began to work on my double page spread analysis where I have analysed the Nicki Minaj NME double page spread and the Cheryl Cole Q double page spread which has allowed me to compare two different double page spreads from different music magazines and look at different techniques which they both use. This includes the use of pull quotes, large headlines, different font style/size/colour and amount of images that are included on each double page spread. I have also started to carry out audience research which included analysing layout, house style, fonts, contents page and front cover and asked my target audience to help me understand what is most suitable for my own music magazine.

1/11/16

I have learned how to change the design of my uploaded images and make them look more interesting and bold by including borders and drop shadows, allowing to me to develop my presentation skills. I have also learned how to use 'Gallery' to combine a range of different of pictures together which is useful when creating a visual presentation to convey my ideas. I have used this website feature to create a mood board of the different aspects of the pop genre and was useful when combining several images together to create an effective presentation.

2/11/16
Today I have started to work on 3 different layout designs for my music magazine double page spread and this allowed me to test out different compositions and decide on suitable positions for features such as the main headline, byline, columns of text and image(s).

3/11/16
Today I began creating my double page spread on Microsoft publisher. I started off by adding in the issue date, page numbers and magazine masthead 'Spotlight' at the bottom of the page.

4/11/16
I have started to draft my double page spread magazine article for homework and came up with different ideas for the content within the article. I decided that I wanted my article to include an interview with my artist and began writing down potential questions and artist names which then allowed me to start combining ideas to create the personality and traits of my artist -giving me the opportunity to begin thinking and developing ideas for the style of my music magazine double page spread.

10/11/16

Today I have learned how to align text on my website to create clear structured paragraphs and began thinking of ideas for my double page spread and whole magazine. This included the different fonts, textures, mastheads, headlines which I have inserted under the ideas for my magazine tab. Furthermore, I decided to spend some time on my website to improve the overall presentation, using the new skills I have developed.

	I began working on the draft layout of my double page spread by combining different elements such as different fonts, images and colours to create my own style.
I started to play with the composition of different elements such as the headline and refining different texts to ensure they are high quality and including little details such as paper rips and speech marks for my pull quote.	To improve my draft double page spread I tested different background which are suitable for my article and gave me an idea of what my double page spread could look like. This helped me rearrange different elements as well as including a slightly transparent background behind the text to ensure it is readable.
I took the pictures for my double page spread and I experimented using Photoshop to alter some of the areas on my own photographs. I also decided to include the page numbers on my double page spread. I then began to insert the images on my draft double page spread and tested different images to find the suitable photograph.	Once I found my suitable photograph, I began changing the composition of the different elements which included moving the headline and making it larger so that it is more eye-catching as well as altering fonts which I had found whilst planning my double page spread so that they looked more suitable.
I started altering the font of my article to ensure it is more readable and current. I also changed the composition of the headline as well as changing the font of the question mark to make it more eye catching.	I decided to re-visit my double page spread and alter a few areas. This included the headline as I decided to make it larger so that it appeared to be more bold and eye-catching. I also decided to change the font of my questions so that they appear more bold and add a serious tone to the magazine which might appeal to the audience more. I added in some more effects such as light glares which works well with the name of magazine 'Spotlight' which I also inserted at the bottom of the page.
I noticed a few grammatical errors in my double page spread so I decided to change the wording of some of the questions. I also decided to change the background image as the contrast in colours makes my double page spread look more striking and interesting - creating a serious and powerful atmosphere.	After receiving feedback from my target audience, I have decided to change my magazine design and layout a lot to make sure that my music magazine is suitable for the genre of pop and is far more eye catching.
Having further analysed and researched pop music magazines, I decided that I wanted to continue improving my double page spread further until I was happy with it. To make my double page spread look more professional, I decided to use photoshop to create it instead of publisher. I began re-thinking the layout of my double page spread and decided to move certain elements around such as the headline as this allowed me to follow music magazine conventions and bring more emphasis to my image.	I decided to secure a strong house style throughout my magazine and I did this by including the colours red, blue and purple which I have started to use in my contents page. This ensures my music magazine is consistent and also appears a lot more vibrant and eye-catching. I also decided to enlarge the main image to ensure that my artist appeared powerful and strong within the frame. Furthermore, I added in an extra column, allowing a clearer structure and layout.
Having two final double page spreads, I decied that it would be appropriate to carry out audience research to decide on the preferred double page spread.

7/12/16

I took the pictures of my artist for my double page spread in front of a brick wall as it has the connotations of an urban environment. As my artist is young, it also relates back to youth and the streets which is commonly associated with teenagers. I took multiple images to ensure that I had a range to choose from and it allowed me to experiment with different compositions to find the most suitable and interesting layout. I ensured that my artist was wearing dark clothing such as ripped jeans and boots which portrays the rebellious and carefree attitude of my artist which some of my younger target audience may be able to relate to. As my genre is pop, I decided to add color in such as red through the use of the headline which helps create a strong, bold contrast. The lighting of my photographs are high key set in the daytime which allowed me to ensure my images were of a high quality and clear. My artist is posed in a range of different ways however the most dominant pose in the photographs is where my artist is situated on the floor with a lack of eye contact made with the camera which allowed me to convey her confident yet careless traits.

DPS PROGRESS: 18th November - 12th JANUARY

6/1/17

I made some final adjustments to my double page spread and I then began working on suitable ideas for my contents page. I initially analysed the feedback which I received from my target audience to decide on the appropriate layout for my contents page which included the house style, certain fonts and number of columns that I should use. From the audience research, I have decided that I want to include more than one image on my contents page as this will create an eye catching and busy yet neat layout. I have began gathering ideas and experimenting with the layout by including different fonts and images to create a professional contents page. I also experimented with the composition of my columns as well as where to place the images. Additonally, started thinking about how many images would be suitable as well as what they are going to be.

30/1/17

Over the weekend I decided to take some images for my front cover. I selected the most appropriate images for my front cover and began to think about my composition of cover lines and other features that I want to include.

contents page progress: 6th January - 27th january


To start creating my contents page, I gathered suitable ideas. This included the house style of my contents page as well as the fonts and background that would be appropriate and began creating two sections.
I began developing my contents page by adding in the large page numbers so that it is clear and eye catching as well as inserting my descriptions of the pages. I have decided to add in an extra section to make it more interesting and possibly intrigue younger female audiences by including feminine colors such as pink. The use of different colours also help seperate the areas and introduce eye catching colours whilst keeping the contents page professional and consistent .
I continued developing the ideas on my contents page by writing more page descriptions and creating an outline of where i'd like to place my images. I have also created a subscribe image which I have initially placed in the corner.
To develop my contents page images, I created an album cover 'Revamped' which links to my double page spread article and decided to position it in the centre of the contents page which brings viewers attention to the image.
I decided to take more images for my contents page which I have placed in the centre of the contents page. I have arranged them at angles as I think it gives it an interesting effect. I have also developed some of the page descriptions.I have removed the subscribe image as it will allow extra space for images which are a key feature in making the page look intersting.
I decided to transfer my work onto Photoshop as this will allow me to develop the layout and ensure that the spacing between the different features are correct. Photoshop will also allow me to experiment with a range of complex tools. I am also going to take some more pictures of different artists to ensure my contents page contains more content. I am going to develop different features on my content page so the are more suitable for a pop music magazine contents page.
I have made a lot of progress by transfering all of the different elements onto a photoshop copy of my contents page. This has helped me enlarge and equally space certain elements which has improved the layout of my contents page. I am going to work on the sizing of the different elements that are on my contents page to ensure there are minimal gaps.
I have experimented with different features such as including an 'Exclusive content' image to fill in the spaces.
Having analysed my contents page, I decided that it would be appropiate to make certain images more prominent on the page. To do this I decided to remove the exclusive content image that I created so that I could move the 'We review' section up, ensuring the focus is at the top of the page and therefore looking more significant.
After recieving feedback from my teenage target audience, I decided it would be more appropiate to change the Competitions & Quizzes section to purple as it looked more suitable with my images and allowed my contents page to look slightly more sophisticated by creating a consistent theme whilst still having the connotations of femininity to appeal to the females in my young target audience.
After recieving feedback from my teenage target audience, I decided it would be more appropiate to change the Competitions & Quizzes section to purple as it looked more suitable with my images and allowed my contents page to look slightly more sophisticated by creating a consistent theme whilst still having the connotations of femininity to appeal to the females in my young target audience.
To complete my contents page, I adjusted a few of the strokes around the text to ensure it was visible against the white spotlight. I also re-arranged the images to create a collage effect on the two concert images to connect them. I also moved the contents page title upwards to ensure that the main content was more prominent on the page. Afterwards, I decided to include an extra quiz page to include extra content and reduce the gaps on my contents page.


To begin developing my front cover, I started by inserting my spotlight masthead at the top of the page. I have then began developing different cover lines which relate back to the artists on my contents page. I have decided to experiment with a juxtaposition between font, colour and size as this creates a dramatic and striking effect which is suitable for a front cover as it needs to grab peoples attention instantly.
I have further developed the coverlines and began developing the masthead layout and composition. The juxtaposing text technique was inspired by the Q music magazine Cheryl Cole front cover which I analysed for my textual analysis and was the preferred music magazine front cover in my audience research. I have decided to angle my masthead 'Spotlight' as I think it creates a unique look as well as being eyecatching against a red banner which helps the name of the music magazine stand out.
I have made progress on my front cover by inserting an image that I took of my artist and altered the cover lines to frame and bring emphasis to the artist face: similar to the Adele Q magazine front cover. I have also inserted more artist names and have started to develop the kicker and explanatory line of my main cover line.
Today I have developed the colour of the puff on my front cover to create a consistent theme. I have used the same fonts for my front cover as it helps the page look sophisticated without looking dull. I have changed a few artists names and removed a spelling error from my cover line.
I have made some final touches to my front cover, which included developing the spacing between elements to ensure it is equal. Finally, I adjusted areas of my main image to ensure it was in proportion.

Front cover progress: 1st February - 1oth february

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

I began working on the draft layout of my double page spread by combining different elements such as different fonts, images and colours to create my own style.

I started to play with the composition of different elements such as the headline and refining different texts to ensure they are high quality and including little details such as paper rips and speech marks for my pull quote.

I started altering the font of my article to ensure it is more readable and current. I also changed the composition of the headline as well as changing the font of the question mark to make it more eye catching.

After receiving feedback from my target audience, I have decided to change my magazine design and layout a lot to make sure that my music magazine is suitable for the genre of pop and is far more eye catching.

Having two final double page spreads, I decied that it would be appropriate to carry out audience research to decide on the preferred double page spread.

To start creating my contents page, I gathered suitable ideas. This included the house style of my contents page as well as the fonts and background that would be appropriate and began creating two sections.

I continued developing the ideas on my contents page by writing more page descriptions and creating an outline of where i'd like to place my images. I have also created a subscribe image which I have initially placed in the corner.

To develop my contents page images, I created an album cover 'Revamped' which links to my double page spread article and decided to position it in the centre of the contents page which brings viewers attention to the image.

I have experimented with different features such as including an 'Exclusive content' image to fill in the spaces.

Today I have developed the colour of the puff on my front cover to create a consistent theme. I have used the same fonts for my front cover as it helps the page look sophisticated without looking dull. I have changed a few artists names and removed a spelling error from my cover line.

I have made some final touches to my front cover, which included developing the spacing between elements to ensure it is equal. Finally, I adjusted areas of my main image to ensure it was in proportion.