Product Production- First Draft

This is the first draft of my front cover, I will probably improve a few things over the coming weeks, however I am happy how it has turned out at the moment.

ABC Circulation Results

I continued my magazine research by visiting the ABC Circulation website, this entitled me to seeing how popular certain magazines are. I wanted to focus on specific magazines that included my genre of music.
First of all, the consumer magazine Hip Hop Connection was on sale during the 1st of January 2000- 30th of June 2000. The media owner was Ministry Magazine Ltd- Ministry of Sound Holdings Ltd, therefore was initially ran by the famous music company Ministry of Sound. I discovered that over 6 months 12,358 copies were sold, this includes the UK and other countries. The biggest number of sales came from the UK, which suggests to me that this genre is a good genre to sell in this country.

Average Net Circulation for the 5 Issues of Hip Hop Connection

 Furthermore, I can see that the basic price was £2.99 which is similar to the price I want for my magazine.
All of this information backs up my initial plan of doing a rap/ hip hop genre magazine.

Prices of Hip Hop Connection

Time Management- Week 12

In this lesson, I am going to continue editing my front cover, I have set a deadline that I will finish it by the 20th, then I will have time to design the contents page and double page spread by the 29th of January. I plan on also researching how to create neon letters because I want to use that type of typography for my contents page.

During the lesson, I managed to add more cover lines to my front page, and also watch a Youtube video on how to create neon lettering. It didn't work out as quite as how I had planned. Therefore I may not end up using this technique.

Time Management- Week 11

In this media lesson, my aim is to continue editing my photoshoot pictures, as the lighting was a little harsh.

Before Editing

After Editing

After my lesson, I can say I have completed an awful lot. I edited my model, by using the Spot Healing Tool, and added a layer mask to smooth the skin. I also decided on the font I will use throughout my magazine, which is Bebas Neue from dafont.com.

Time Management- Week 10

In this session, I am planning on creating my masthead for my front cover, I will have a look at different fonts, and analyse which would be best for my magazine. I will also work on some images from my photoshoot.

Photoshop Task

Photoshop Trial Front Cover

I was asked to create a music magazine on Photoshop, to develop my skills further and prepare me for my own final magazine.

I decided to create a multi-genre front cover, to show my diversity, as I don't think my final product will look similar to this. Moreover, I used lots of different tools to produce this cover, for example, the eyedropper tool, and the text tool. I wanted to try using different layouts than a regular magazine, to show that I can design for different genres, and not just do the traditional sort of positioning, with the masthead at the top of the page. Instead here, I have used a large 'V' and placed it in the middle, this initial represents the name of the magazine which is 'Voice'. I also placed this above the letter, just to make readers aware. If I was creating lots of issues of this magazine, I would design it where not every issue follows the same colour and font theme, due to the 'V' complimenting the colours from the image, however, I will make sure that it is easily recognisable due to the large 'V'. I also used the same font throughout this cover, although made 'Selena Gomez' in a handwritten typography, to suggest it was herself that wrote it. I also changed the height and width of the text on left hand side of the page, so it was easy to read, and not interfere with the image of Selena.

Magazine Photographs

I took my model to Sunderland University for a photography shoot. Below is the images I ended up taking.

Images of Model at Sunderland University

Time Management- Week 9

This week not a lot of progress has been made because my lecturer was not in to set us our tasks to complete, therefore I didn't really know what else I could do to improve my blog. Although, I took my own initiative and went to Sunderland University with my model to take the photos for my magazine. However, when I arrived there the technician, Colin Young, had forgotten to pencil in my session for the studio and someone else was using it at the time I arranged, so I had to reschedule for next Friday. This has set back my progress for this week too, because I had planned on starting my magazine design on Photoshop.

The 'Recce'

1. Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place (trailing cables/ traffic/ other objects)?

After assessing the area, whilst on the trip, I couldn't see any hazards that may be a safety risk during my photoshoot. The studio is highly professional with things like trailing cables well hidden, and unable to pose a threat of tripping over. However, the traffic there was rather hectic, although I think that was because of the rush hour traffic.

2. What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised?

Taking into consideration that rush hour traffic will be busy during the times 8am-9am, I have booked my photoshoot for 2pm in the afternoon. This then ensures that the traffic won't be as hectic, therefore will not pose a health and safety risk. Furthermore, I will be on time due to it not taking too long to get there.

3. Will the time of day/ weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed this?

The time of day and weather will not effect the outcome of my photos, as I am capturing them inside a photography studio.

4. Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want?

I have decided on a plain white background as I feel this will fit in the best with the rap genre, and if it is just a plain primary colour, I could always add effects in the background, if I decided this would emphasise the photo.

5. Have you considered lighting? What about the 'problems' of natural lighting, either outside or streaming through a window? Will you need to use a flash? Have you considered reflective objects that might spoil the effect?

I presume that at the photography studio I am taking my model too, they will set up professional lighting for my photographs, therefore I do not need to worry about 'problems' with natural lighting, either outside or streaming through the window. Some reflective items such as gold hoop earrings, may reflect the flash, however don't feel like this will be a problem, because if thats the case, I can always edit out any errors I don't want on my image.

6. Do you need permission to take photos in the place/ venue you have in mind?

Yes, I had to email Colin Young, the TV Studio technician, who is in charge of the studio too.

7. Do you need to book time in a room?

Yes, I had to arrange a time and date with Colin.

8. Are other people/ crowds likely to be an issue for you? What have you done to ensure that it will not spoil the effect?

I don't think other people will be a big problem whilst taking my photos, since I have booked the studio for my own personal use.

9. Are you reliant on lifts/ props/ friends equipment/ models? how have you planned that these things will come together at the appointed time? Plan B?

I am not reliant on a lift, as I am planning on getting the X35 bus to Parklane Interchange in Sunderland, then get on the metro to St. James station, which is closest to Sunderland University. My model is a close friend of mine, and I have made sure, before arranging the photoshoot time with Colin, that she can make it and is not at college. I will be meeting her at Parklane Interchanfe, as she goes to Hylton Campus, and I study at Bede Campus.I haven't got any props but I will be carrying costume/ makeup/ hair tools with me there, which may be a bit heavy and bulky. 

10. Finally, have you thought of every eventuality...?

Yes I have, I feel as though I am very organised for my photoshoot.

Model Poses to Consider

I have photographed a friend to demonstrate the types of facial gestures and poses I will try when going to do my photoshoot. From my research, I realised that many rap genre magazines, don't have happy, energetic models/ celebrities on the front of the cover, therefore I have gone for a more serious look.