What I Have Been Doing In Media This Week

This week in media, I have been making improvements on all three parts of my magazine. I have done three in one week, unlike past weeks where I have dedicated one week to a certain area, because there are only relativley minor improvements to make. I learnt how to remove guide lines from my work which is a big help. Please see my contents page below being edited.

Double Page Spread - draft improvments

Screenshot of ds from rebeccamilesmedia
Here is my draft of my double page spread. On the whole, I didn't feel the need to change an awful amount. However, I did in fact change a picture, as I used the previous image on my front cover. I edited this picture in Photoshop as you can see by the pink background of the photograph. I also moved the pull quote from the interview down to cooperate with the new photo shape. 

Contents Page- Draft 2

Contents page draft 2 screenshot from rebeccamilesmedia

The changes I made on this draft was change the background colour, to add to the 'pop' theme that my magazine will own. I also added many more pictures to the page, therefore fixing the problem I had with blank space that I had with my first draft. I added a picture of myself for the editors column. I added pictures that will feature in certain articles. One of these features is a competition to win a one direction signed photograph. I own this myself so I took a photograph of it to add to the contents page. Another feature I added was contact information, such as ways to find the magazine's twitter and facebook pages. This was a feature that was suggest through my feedback (see video on past post) I decided to use this advice as the target audience is mostly teenage based, therefore more commonly found on social networking sites such as twiiter and facebook. I kept a consitent use of the heart shaped logo which was seen on the front cover. This time it is found in the corner of the page as used as highlighting the page number. This will be consistent throughout the magazine and will be seen on the double page spread which I will edit in the near by future.

In conclusion, I am very happy with the improvements that I have made to my contents page on this second draft. I have taken into consideration feedback and advice I have received.

My front Cover - Draft 2

Screen shot, draft 2 from rebeccamilesmedia

I have improved the background, fonts and slightly updated the layout. The only problem I had was the quality of the new picture. I was recommended to change my main picture, however, when placed in InDesign, it appears blurry which the original and the edit does not. This is definitely something I will have to work on but it is a worry, especially when the matter is not down to me.
As mentioned, I experimented with fonts. I decided i liked the look of many fonts advertising certain articles in my magazine. It gives the impression of a variety of themes within the magazine and may appeal to a wider audience.
Colours on this draft also give a collection of different impressions. It also reflects the 'pop' feel that is obviously the main target.
In conclusion, I am happy with certain improvements I have made here, however I am slightly worried about the quailty of the picture

Summary of my Feedback

1st draft, front cover from rebeccamilesmedia

+ Good choice of picture
+ Layout is nice and simple
- needs more colour
- more articles to be advertise

Screenshot of my contents page second draft from rebeccamilesmedia

+ unique layout
+ good colour scheme
- blank space
- add contact information

Double page spread screenshot from rebeccamilesmedia

+ nice vibrant colours
+ nice use of magazine features
- add website link based around 'behind the scenes'

VIDEO- Reaction to my 1st drafts

Double page spread- Draft 2

Double page spread screenshot from rebeccamilesmedia

Here is my second draft of my double page spread. I prefer this much more to draft 1 as it is more detailed and colourful. I struggled with draft 1 because of software complications.

This draft has obviously has more had more thought been put into it. It has the magazine name (which has been changed for the article), page numbers, more pictures (which have been edited), a symbol at the of the article, a pull quote, a 'did you know' section, different colours/sizes/italics for the questions and answers and more colours. Over all I am very happy with this draft. 

Second Draft of my Front Cover

1st draft, front cover from rebeccamilesmedia
  For this layout, I chose not to use many pictures. I thought by using just one picture enhances the importance of it and the people in it. For my magazine, I decided to stick to the same font that is seen in my title. I thought this was effective and it is easy to read and professional looking but not overly formal. The colour I chose for the title was pink. I decided this because the magazine is aimed at a female audience, but also because pink symbolises love so it may give the reader a positive opinion about the magazine. I also included the same icon (the love heart) as I am using this as the magazine logo to make the magazine more recognisable and seem professional. I also included basics, such as issue number, date and price.

My Double Page First Draft

Screen shot of double spread draft 1 from rebeccamilesmedia

This is my first draft of my double page spread. I found this one most difficult to create than compared to my contents and front cover. This may be because there is much more to include. I struggled to fit all the interview that i typed up onto my spread so i said at the bottom to turn over for more, which obviously will not be included in the final design.
                    When I create my final draft, I will add more pictures to the double spread and also add more colour to the interview page. I couldn't do this for this particular draft as there was a software issue when I came to do so. However I am aware of what I need to add.
                    I am considerably happy with this draft but I know I will have to spend more time improving the double spread compared to the front cover and contents page. I am also considering changing the layout slightly by including the interview on the first page as well as the second.

My Pictures I Took For My Magazine

Here are a few of my pictures that I took for my magazine.I had no trouble thinking of ideas of poses that the girls could do. I found everything fairly straight forward, however I found experimenting with the different lighting quite difficult. I used girls who are all 11 or 12, which are the type of people the magazine itself is aimed that. I chose this girls as they are all good friends, showing the closeness o the group and reflects the friendly tone of the magazine that I wanted to achieve. I also chose these girls as they people my target audience can relate to due to age, gender, and personalities. Please take a moment to see the results:   

This picture has been taken from a high angle. I thought this was an interesting angle and I used it to show the effect the fan was making clearly. I put the fan on next to the background to make their hair look flawless. This particular photo was an experiment with the fan. I like this picture however as it shows the girls in mid laugh and shows real laughter without the posed look. 

I am going to use this picture to show how close the girl group are. I found the inspiration from the research I done when I looked at other photo shots of pop groups. All the girls look really close like they have been friends for years and been through a lot which I am going to betray in my article based on them.

I am planning on using this picture on either the front cover or contents page as although they aren't, it gives the impression that they are pointing at the reader with the caption '...they are just like YOU!' which adds emphasis to the addressing of the reader. They are doing peace signs as a message for peace in the world as I am planning on mentioning they are ambassadors for a anti bullying charity which will go onto give an idea of what their personality and message is. 


I am overall very impressed with my pictures so far and how they have turned out. I am hopeful that they will work on the magazine very well. 

Contents page - First Draft

Conents page first draft from rebeccamilesmedia

Here is my first contents page draft. I created it on In design, which is the appropriate programme to use. In this design, I used a mixture of both my pictures and ones I found on the Internet. This is because I have began to take my pictures (see following post) but I have no been able to take all of them as of yet. Although I am aware of the pictures that I do need and will be able to get them uploaded act before the deadline.
             In my design, I included colourful boxes for decoration which lay in the background. I chose this particular decoration as when I looked at pop music based magazines, they included a similar design which I have incorporated into my work. My own pictures that I used have been slightly photo shopped as i have boost up their brightness to make them clearer and seem more professional.
            All in all, I am very happy with how my first has turned out and I have established my colour and font scheme, and added basics such as page numbers. I still have pictures to add, and like my front cover draft, some of the story lines will change. They have just been included to give an idea of the layout.

My Front Cover First Draft

Front cover 1st draft screenshot from rebeccamilesmedia

Here is my first draft. I completed it on Indesign. I found the programme fairly easy to use, but only by using the basics features. I found the more complicated features challenging to use. However once I got used to them i found it relatively easy.
Obviously, once I have taken my pictures i will use them but for the draft I used pictures from the Internet to get an idea of the layout.I used a picture of a girl band as the main feature as that's what I am planning to do when I create my final front cover. I'm fairly certain that the layout will remain similar with a similar colour and font scheme. However the headline will change and adapt to the picture I will use.
Overall I'm happy with how this turned out. I think it looks similar to other magazines I've looked at during my research. Also I included features that I know people want from my questionnaires.