Production Log #11 - Completing Scaffolding of Contents Page

 

11th/12th November 2013

 

On Monday’s lesson I started to finish of ‘scaffolding’ my contents page. I positioned the boxes of where I wanted to place my images and text. I also learnt a new skill which was learning how to 'fill text with placeholder', this process is an easy and quick method into placing text which is not relevant but is a substitute of where your text will be. ‘Fill Text with placeholder’ shows a clear sign of where text will be placed and if I am not satisfied with it then I can move it.
Later on, after completing the scaffolding for my contents page, I exported it as a JPEG and then blogged it with a brief description of my template of the contents page and how it will look.
As I had done the contents page subheadings I thought of starting to progress my contents page slowly by substituting all the text to my contents page subheadings and the real page numbers. (ScreenShot)
This task took me the around 30 minutes to complete as I was only copy and pasting, the only time consuming issue was placing the numbers not too close to the sub heading and to make it even.
As I have come to the main part of the coursework, I have become more organised into which lessons I need to do what task, and using InDesign CS6 more frequent has got me in much confidence now.

Contents Page Template

 

This is my first contents page template which I finished off making in today's lesson (11/11/13). I had a sketch before hand on what my contents page will look like. I followed the exact sketch and made it into a template in InDesign. the black boxes represents images which I will be replacing first will images from the internet and then replacing them with my own images from my photoshoot. This quick and easy task is helpful to make sure that I stick constantly to this layout. Half of the work is already done by placing texts, numbers and image holders in which is a substitute of my actual work for the contents page. This task is a great way to know what you are doing, instead of completing your planning work and then wasting time to design and layout the page last minute. I learnt new skills when scaffolding my contents page. I learnt how to fill a text box which placeholder text and find out how to change a shape into a different shape (Square to Triangle).

Production Log #10 - Templating Magazine Pages

4th/5th November 2013
In Today's lesson, we started off templating our magazine pages in InDesign CS6. InDesign CS6 was used to construct my 7 page magazine which include the front cover, double page contents page, double page for the feature article and a extra double Page if I wanted to carrying on with my article or do dedicate the double page spread to a special feature which features an image and only a limited amount of text. 

The only tools used for templating the pages were the text and shape tools which I knew confidently how to use. I started off templating my contents page as I am very confident in what my contents page layout will look like. I used the square block as a substitute for the images as I'm haven't done my photo shoot yet, and I as I haven't done my contents page lines yet, I had to substitute the text to anything random so that I know what box represents what. 

Due to the power cut I lost all my current work I did on InDesign, so I had to draw out my layout ideas onto paper, this was a great advantage for me as then I could scan them in and post in on my blog as part of the planning my magazine with sketches and ideas for the layout. This kept me a step ahead on how to layout my pages.
I got the chance to start my scaffolding on InDesign again, however I didn't waste time in thinking on where to put where as I knew what I was doing as I already had sketches on what I wanted my magazine to look like. 

I also thought about the colour scheme I wanted to use for my magazine. I made swatches of the primary colours and the secondary colours of my magazine. The primary colours include Deep purple, Dark Navy, Black and White. Secondary colours include baby blue and grey.

I enjoyed doing this task as it was very quick to do, and when I complete all my planning task and do my photoshoot, I can confidently start editing my magazine and making it to the standard it need to be.

Contents Page Subheadings

Subheadings.pptx

 

I have planned to use these subheading in my contents page, each relate to a R&B artists as well as being a recognisable and repetitive heading for example 'Competition'. The key features of the contents page are the artist index, Editor's Note, Exclusive's, Features and Regulars. I have included them into my final product to make sure it looks as proffessional as possible.

Production Log #9 - Improvements To Existing Tasks (Promotional Methods, New Media, Props and Costumes)

Half Term

During the half term, I completed all the work which were ‘0’, I also got the chance to finish off uncompleted work and make improvements to turn a ‘3’ into a ‘4’.I started off by doing my promotional method and new media task, as they both link into each other well I decided to do it in one power point. I talked about all the possible promotional methods used in the industry and how I can apply those promotional methods when it comes to promoting mu magazine. I decided that I am advertising my magazine on bus stops, train stations, on billboards as well as on buses and inside trains. These places are always popular due to the amount of people who see those advertisements and may be under the influence of buying the magazine and reading it. As my target audience would use public transportation more it if possible they would see the adverts and buy my magazine. I also talked about on how the industry would do their best to give their magazine a good name and have a great start off. To promote my magazine, there will be a launch party in which will promote my first issue of the magazine. Readers can get a chance to attend the party and meet the feature artist just by entering a competition via Social Network Site (Twitter and Facebook), by means this is a good way in making the magazine name popular slowly on the popular social network sites. My magazine will be controversial as user would see the tweet and the competition and would want to enter. For New Media I wrote about how technology has changed and how my magazine can have the chance to be a digital magazine in which more readers can access quickly and easily. The more the magazine is updated with the technology the more easily it can be for them to stay connected with the readers. This task got me thinking on how promotion and new media can boost up my magazine sales and readership.

I also got the chance to complete another task which was the props and costumes. I wrote about how costumes will be effective and which types of costumes my model/s will wear for my magazine and how they will represent that certain genre of music. I went in detail on how accessories, footwear and make up can also be effective. I spoke about on which props I wil use for my shoot. I will be using musical props like a microphone and an amplifier to make sure that the magazine looks like a music magazine to a certain extent and not be mistaken as any other magazine, for example; A Fashion magazine.

Promotional Methods and New Media

Promotional Methods and New Media.pptx

  

Promotional Methods and New Media is a big impact on aiding my final product, as I have planned in using new media as well as promotional methods for my magazine. In order to incorporate them, I had to do slight research and how I will include them into my own magazine to make it successful.

Props and Costumes

Props and Costumes.pptx

  

This task is another part of planning on what I would like to be featured in my magazine. This specific task I believe is important readers will only buy the magazine if it appealing to them. In aiding my final product, I know strongly what props I will be using as well as the outfits which will similar. These are important features as they can portray easily the magazine.