Article story

I made myself a short Powtoon to make sure that I know the story that I will have in my article. This makes sure I don't contradict myself if I have the bands details in this PowToon that I can refer back to at a later date.

I have learnt the story that I plan to follow. This will make the writing process easier for as I know that I will manage to be consistent throughout the article which will aid me in looking professional.

Font And Color Decisons

This prezi was done so that I could explain my final decison behind fonts and color schemes. These are the most appropriate choices and I have looked into why in the past in posts such as 'Color association' and 'Font inspiration' and covered briefly in this prezi also.

Poses - Revised

As you can see, this pose does not fit an A4 sheet. Other images taken at different angles and lengths do and can be manipulated to however this was the best photo taken and I believe it would be easier for me to use another image rather than to spend additional time working on manipulating this image. I am considering using this image on my double page spread. I will be changing which poses will be on which pages.

I originally experimented putting this on the front page but due to the flannel shirts worn in the photo, any text put on top of the patterns became hard to read. This photo will be used on the contents page where no text needs to be overlaid.

This image will go on the double page spread in a style similar to that below. It's possibly the strongest and most visually exciting of the group shots that I took. This allows the image to bleed across the page slightly and creates visual interest.

I will experiment with these images to see which looks best and make my decision from there. These are both powerful, dramatic images that will stand out and look good. I prefer the photo of Leah slightly as it is an action shot and therefore is very exciting.

Poses Decison

Note: Whilst I know that I will be taking photos in these poses, I am undecided if these will be on the certain pages or not. This is just my first idea.

POTENTIAL DPS POSE:

This is a pose that incorporates all three girls. Becky will be posing in a style reminiscent of Miley Cyrus on the front cover of the marie claire magazine. This pose is invitational and draws the reader in. As previously looked at:

• If the model has their back turned and is looking over their shoulder, this gives them an air of mysteriousness and aloofness , which can be intriguing to a reader.

I'm undecided if Becky would look best with her full body turned or with the majority of her body turned so this is something I'll have to experiment with when I take the photos. I have also considered the way that her head should be titled.

• If my models head were tilted over to one side, this is considered non-threatening and can even be seen as submissive or docile. It can also be associated with someone deep in thought - someone intelligent.

Leia will be different. Her pose is based off of Katy Perry's in Cosmopolitan. Her head will also be tilted slightly to the side. Her body will be kept straight and strong to show confidence. Her body will be slightly to the side, centralizing Eve.

• If the model is very slightly facing one way or the other, this can be used to emphasize attractiveness.

Most notably, her hand will rest upon her hip.

• Hands on hips shows confidence and dominance in one of the most obvious and emphasized ways possible. 

Eve will be central in this image. Her pose is based off of Emma Watsons. Her head will be titled upward with her hand touching her face. 

• If the models head is tilted upwards, this is a pose of superiority. It shows that my model is someone important. It can also show defiance, portraying my model as quite rebellious. The differentiation between higher up person of authority and revel depends on the mise en scène and the tone.

The closeness of the girls in this image shows a bond between them and lets the reader feel as if they are looking into the lives of these girls and seeing an intimate friendship. This can be seen as heartwarming and sweet and also appeals to human curiosity and nosiness as people feel as if they are getting a look into the models lives and into their relationships. 

Inspired by: 

 

 

POTENTIAL FRONT COVER

All of the girls in this image are based off of the girls in little mix - minus Jesy. Becky will be taking on the role of Leigh-Anne. The pose is very confident and strong.

• Hands on hips shows confidence and dominance in one of the most obvious and emphasized ways possible. 

Leigh Anne has a powerful stance with splayed legs and a straight back. 

• Legs splayed and apart from each other can show dominance and superiority If the person is 'standing at attention' like a solider would do then this can be seen as respectful. However, depending on the stance, it can also come across as quite aggressive.

As two of my models will be sitting on the floor - I will rehash what this can convert in terms of body language. 

• Having a model sitting down can convey a lot of different things. If the model is sitting on the floor, this is also very casual. 
• Sitting crossed legged can seem closed off, in the same way that folded arms can. This pose also have connotations of youth.
• Sitting on a chair with wide open legs can seem arrogant and superior. It's also quite relaxed - like a person at home. 
• Sitting on a chair with legs crossed is more feminine and emphasizes femininity. It can also look quite professional. 

Eve sitting on the floor conveys more of a casual relaxed vibe, whilst Leah - who sill looks more comfortable and at home than Becky - is slightly more powerful and dominant.  

Inspired by: 

POTENTIAL CONTENTS PAGE:

These three poses will be the only ones where the girls are not interacting with each other. This gives them a sense of independence and strength.  For Leia, I've chosen to have the head thrown upwards to show that she's engaged in the music that she's listening to. What I really want to convey with this pose is excitement. 

• If the models head is tilted upwards, this is a pose of superiority. It shows that my model is someone important. It can also show defiance, portraying my model as quite rebellious. The differentiation between higher up person of authority and rebel depends on the mise en scène and the tone

With Eve, I've gone for her having her head slightly to one side. 
• If my models head were tilted over to one side, this is considered non-threatening and can even be seen as submissive or docile. It can also be associated with someone deep in thought - someone intelligent. 

With Becky, I want her head tilted downwards

• If my models head is titled downwards, this has connotations of sadness. This can be very dramatic - and therefore very interesting - however, this can also have connotations of disapproval and disinterest which should be avoided. 

I want Leia's hair to be flying around in this image as if she were dancing. This will create excitement with the image and make infinitely more fun. Becky's pose should be very dramatic. I want her legs to be slightly crossed in front of her. 

• Legs crossed with one in front of the other can seem shy or docile - endearing in the same way that arms across the body may be. This is also typically a feminine post that emphasis girlishness. This may act as a barrier much like crossed arms if the rest of the body language is not open. 

Inspired by: 

N.A

As I am working with several creative models, it's very likely that I will end up with a range of poses that I didn't plan on and that these poses will change slightly in the process of taking the photos. This will be accounted for in a follow up post.

Poses - Body language

I will be using a program named Blender to look at how I can pose my models. I will also analyse the effect of body language in each pose.

This program allows me to create 3D models and pose them. It's quite difficult to get to grips with - as 3D modelling itself is incredibly difficult - however this program has a better user interface than most I've used and is free, which is amazing considering the freedom that it gives.

I will also be using a tool called MakeHuman, which aids the user by creating and rigging the 3D models that they can make within the application. 

By using this, I will be able to interact with the skeleton of a human model and pose them. This allows me to look at how individual joints must bend in order to get a model into the pose - which will help me when I'm instructing my models how I want them to pose. It will also give me a lot of visual representation even if there are not online images available or videos containing the movements that I need. 

Head:

Here are the ways that the head can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.  

• If the head is held up so that it is at eye level to the reader, this communicates neutrality. In conversation, this would show that the other person is listening to what you have to say. Therefore, having my model do this would create a feeling of intimacy with my model and the potential buyer.

• If the models head is tilted upwards, this is a pose of superiority. It shows that my model is someone important. It can also show defiance, portraying my model as quite rebellious. The differentiation between higher up person of authority and rebel depends on the mise en scène and the tone.
• If my models head were tilted over to one side, this is considered non-threatening and can even be seen as submissive or docile. It can also be associated with someone deep in thought - someone intelligent. 
• If my models head is titled downwards, this has connotations of sadness. This can be very dramatic - and therefore very interesting - however, this can also have connotations of disapproval and disinterest which should be avoided. 
• Multiple models with heads towards each other shows friendliness and playfulness. It shows a bond within that group of people - like genuine friendship. It can also seem intimate - as if the reader is getting a chance to look into the lives of a group.

Arms:

Here are the ways that the arms can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.

• Crossed arms show closed off body language and they act as a barrier between the subject and the readers. If done right, this can create a feel as mysteriousness - however, if done wrong, the results can range from the model looking bored and uninterested to the model looking very unapproachable and quite rude.
• The same goes for holding a prop in front of the body. Women especially tend to clutch bags in front of them when they are feeling nervous, hostile, or are in a situation that they don't want to be in - this should be avoided. 
• Arms across the body shows shyness and insecurity, which can be endearing. It can seem young and playful and very innocent on female models or on teen/child models.
• Arms loosely by a models side shows them as open, relaxed and very casual. 
• Having the model interact with props can show them as being very fun - the exact meaning depends on the prop in question. 
• Having the models interact with each other, again, shows friendliness and playfulness. It shows a bond within that group of people - like genuine friendship. It can also seem intimate - as if the reader is getting a chance to look into the lives of a group.
• Hands on hips shows confidence and dominance in one of the most obvious and emphasized ways possible. 

Legs:

Here are the ways that the legs can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.

• Legs splayed and apart from each other can show dominance and superiority If the person is 'standing at attention' like a solider would do then this can be seen as respectful. However, depending on the stance, it can also come across as quite aggressive.
• Legs crossed with one in front of the other can seem shy or docile - endearing in the same way that arms across the body may be. This is also typically a feminine post that emphasis girlishness. This may act as a barrier much like crossed arms if the rest of the body language is not open. 
• Having a model on their tiptoes can seem childish, naive, and innocent. It makes a model seem younger. It's a quite fun and lively way of posing.
• Putting one foot forward can show confidence and leadership - useful if there is one leader within the group and this needs to be clear.
• The direction that the feet point, much like the eyes and the direction of the head, shows us the subjects interest. The subjects body should be pointed towards whatever they are interacting with or towards the camera to show engagement with the audience. 

Crouching or sitting:

Here are the ways that a sat down model can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.

• Crouching is a very casual stance. It's relaxed. It also shows a very down to earth person as it conveys no superiority at all. Having such a casual stance can put the model and the reader on the same level and humanize a celebrity. 
• Having a model sitting down can convey a lot of different things. If the model is sitting on the floor, this is also very casual. 
• Sitting crossed legged can seem closed off, in the same way that folded arms can. This pose also have connotations of youth.
• Sitting on a chair with wide open legs can seem arrogant and superior. It's also quite relaxed - like a person at home. 
• Sitting on a chair with legs crossed is more feminine and emphasizes femininity. It can also look quite professional. 

Turning:

Here are the ways a model can be turned and what that communicates in regards to body language. 

• If the models full body is turned towards the camera then this shows very open body language and full engagement with the reader,
• If the model is very slightly facing one way or the other, this can be used to emphasize attractiveness.
• If the model is faced one way and looking at the camera over their shoulder, this goes well with the invitational facial expression. It can be quite alluring and inviting.
• If the model has their back turned and is looking over their shoulder, this gives them an air of mysteriousness and aloofness , which can be intriguing to a reader.
• If the model is turned away from the camera and is not looking at it then this sacrifices engagement to the audience but shows investment in whatever they are looking at. If they're turned towards another model, for example, then this shows that they are engaged in friendship and that relationships are important to them.

Beneath is a prezi that looks at the poses that my competition use on their front covers. This was done just to help me understand why certain poses were used. There is no running theme with my competition so I will use a pose that suits tone and suits my models.

                              

This has helped me to understand poses and choose how I will pose my models in my final product. I have ideas on how I will do it and I will make a follow up post detailing. 

Image editing

This visme was done to explore the different ways in which I can edit the photos I take and the ways in which my competition edit their photos. The way I edit my photos can make a great different to how my magazines feels and the tone within it.

Looking at ways I can edit my images in photoshop has given me a lot of ideas about how I will edit my photos. I only just learned about some of these features today.

Props

Props can enhance a photoshoot in a number of ways. I wrote some down to help me decide whether or not I wanted to use props in my own photos. After doing a little research and looking into it, I have decided that I will use props. My main reason from this being the visual interest that they will create - as this has become one of my biggest priorities.  My next decision had to be whether I was going to go out and buy props or use what was available to me. 

I have decided to use props that can be found around the home. This has to do a deal with convenience. I don't have the funds to purchase a great deal of props and my choices for travelling are getting the bus (which can be quite expensive if you're planning on travelling a lot - which I would be as I'd need to look in a range of places and compare props) or getting someone to drive me (which could be difficult if my parents are working or busy.) Also, I do have a range of props to look at in my home. If they turn out to not be up to standard then I will have to go additional props.

This is an incomplete list but these were my initial ideas that I recorded. I will look into them and make a final decision about what I will use. 

Doing this has allowed me to express my ideas regarding props and I can continue to build ideas from this.

T.A Moodboard

Click HERE or on the image below to see my moodboard for my target audience based on research and my understanding of the genre.

This helped me visualise my target audience a little bit better. Choosing these images cemented in my mind who I was making this magazine for and it will serve as a point of reference and something to come back to for inspiration when I am making my product.

Indie Pop Playlist

 :
 I created a playlist of indie pop songs as the nature of these songs will influence the aesthetics and the language used in my magazine - as it will need to suit this genre. Thus, I must make sure that I'm familiar with this type of music thoroughly.

Doing this has helped me to look at artists that I will potentially include in my magazine and also listening to this whilst I edit will help me to make sure that the 'vibe'/tone set in my magazine is appropriate and matches my genre. 

Facial Expression Experimentation

I met with two of my potential models to experiment with facial expressions. I asked Eve to take on two of the main four female facial expressions and Leia to take on the other two. The photos turned out looking quite good.

Chocolate box:

I told Eve to look 'blandly' pleasing in these photos. I took two close-ups and I took two mid-shots. I also asked if I could take one at a 3/4 angle and one full on. I think this expression looks best at a 3/4 angle.

Invitational:

I think Leia did really well with this pose. She understood the importance of her eyes and keeping her body language open. She kept a hint of a smile in a flirty manner that I felt totally covered the 'invitational' expression. 

Super smiler:

In these photos, I told Eve to try and look almost aggressively happy and to smile as widely as she could. This is a very simple expression that didn't take too much instruction. 

Romantic:

With a special guest appearance from Liam Oliver, we photographed four photographs in typical romantic poses. The two were told they needed to look dreamy and heavy lidded. In the two central images, they were both instructed to try and look 'available' despite being romantic with each other. However, for the right and left image, they were told to look dreamily at each other.

With this experimentation, I have learnt the the invitational and the super smiler facial expressions work best for me and my girls. I particularly like the invitational expression and it's allure and the focus it creates on the eyes. I will be using this in my magazine.

Power Words

     

I created these graphics CANVA and this links to language and register.

Using the right language will help my magazine to sell. I've identified these words as power words which are strong and will attract attention from readers. I'll need to use them on my front cover and in my double page spread - especially in the title of my DPS. I will try to include as many of these as possible to make my language the best it can be.

Facial Expressions

In this prezi I looked at different kinds of facial expressions and what they would communicate to a reader. I based this off two studies of women's magazines by Trevor Millum and Margorie Ferguson.

I hadn't looked at either of these studies before and, therefore, didn't know this information. It's definitely taught me which expressions will look best in my magazine and how they will create tone. 

Name Decision

In this prezi I explored the names in my mindmap and decided on which one was the strongest and which I liked the most. I made my final decision at the end of the press.

This taught me the strengths of each name individually and, therefore, has taught me which is the most powerful name and has given me reasons to justify this. I now know that I have the best possible name for my magazine. 

Potential Magazines Names

Here I made a mindmap of some potential names. This was really just a brainstorm for me. I looked at names relating to music that I thought carried strong sound. I will go on to analyse each other these names fully next.

This allowed me to express my initial ideas. I haven't really learnt too much from this but it has given me an outlet so that I consort through them and, therefore, choose the most effective.

Color association

This is my first look into color and what color scheme I will use for my magazine. I looked at what associations different colors and different color combinations have. This will help me figure out what color scheme to use as I will know what tone each color will set.

This entire maze presentation documents what I've learnt from various colors but I feel that the most important ones who mention are that:

> The most powerful color here is red. 

> Contrasting colors can be very powerful and attract a lot of attention. 

> White and yellow direct attention very well. 

Costume Inspiration

In this prezi I considered what costume I'd like my model to wear and what connotations certain accessories and certain outfits may have. I looked at three fashion Instagrams to see what is currently considered to be in style.  I will look further into problems and solutions in the future.

During this, I looked into fashion and trends which taught me what's in style right now according to several fashion Instagram's that I follow. and I have also considered problems associated with costumes: size and contrast with text. I have proposed some solutions: not using stripes or contrasting colors on the front page, trying on clothes prior to photoshoot. I have also learnt that I have free reign with costumes so I will be able to do more or less what I want to do.

Hair Inspiration

This prezi was to look at some of the different hairstyles that are out there, what they say about the model and the magazine, and and which are used in similar magazines. I could not really decide how I want my models hair to be done from this alone but it has given  me some ideas of what I like and dislike.

In this prezi, I had to look at the three models that I'm considering and consider the restrictions I may face with their hair. I also looked at the connotations associated with different kinds of hair and what they say about the model. I then looked at what my competition does and noted that they usually have the hair loose as opposed to tying it up or putting it in any intricate style. I have considered subverting this and incorporating a fancy hairstyle in one page of the magazine however I'm still unsure so this has taught me that I need to experiment with this.

Font Inspiration

Here is my prezi on fonts and what I am considering using. I try to evaluate why certain fonts are used on certain pages and cover the front cover, the contents page, and the double page spread. I felt I was focusing too much on the front cover before. Font is very important and can set the tone or create branding. I feel it is important that my font is original but not so much that it deviates from set conventions and looks out of place and sets the wrong tone.

I have learnt why fonts are considered to be so important and the role that they can play in branding. I've also looked at the fonts used on various pages in different kinds of magazines and I've come up with some ideas for why they might be used. I know that my main body of text on my DPS must be easily readable and that my contents page must also be readable however I can use more creative title fonts on both. My masthead font will likely be quite plain and I'll go with a bolded straight font to match my competition and to make sure that it is universal for each issue however I plan to experiment with other fonts and try a range of things.

Make-up Inspirations

This is my first investigation into make up and what sorts of make-up that I will use in my magazine, with a focus on the magazine cover. I look at what sort of make-up looks are out there and why certain types would appeal. I also look at the make-up worn in magazines such as 'Under The Radar,' 'Q,' and 'The Fly.'

This has taught me the effects that some make up styles will have by looking into their connotations. I understand why natural lips would convey natural beauty and why dark links would convey rebellion. I also understand why some magazines would use the looks the do - as a full coverage make up would make their model more aesthetically pleasing. I also know now that my competition tends to have ether a dramatic eye or dramatic lips (but not usually both at the same time) and they tend to favor mainly a dramatic eye. At the end of my prezi I noted that dramatic eyes bring attention to the eye which adds emotion and establishes eye contact which can be powerful. I have also had some ideas about what I would like to do with my models - dramatic eyes infused with color, neutral lips, and full coverage foundation.

Language And Reception

EDIT 28th Oct 2016:

THE ORIGINAL MURAL WAS LOCKED AS I DID NOT PAY FOR MY ACCOUNT. I RECREATED MY BOARD WITH A FREE ALTERNATIVE THAT CAN BE VIEWED [HERE]

This board was done to analyze the language used in some big magazines. The language that I use in my own magazine must appeal my target audience and cause interest. 

Magazines tend to use language that humanizes the artist and makes them seem like a regular person. They also boast 'exclusive' interviews or 'new' content that try to make their magazine stand out above competition. Also, the language they use tries to be shocking and exciting - especially titles and bylines.