4. How did you integrate technologies- software, hardware, and online- in this project?
The thing I utilized the most in the making of my blog was Microsoft Publisher. I used it to create my magazine pages, the format being very easy to work with. The app has a wide arrangement of fonts, colors, and general things to put into the artistic appeal of the magazine. Also, I used a Canon EOS Rebel T6 camera to take the photos that are featured in my magazine. Generally, I used the basic setting with flash since my photos did not require a setting specified for motion or dark lighting. Using the internet was a significant point of this project since the majority of research is involved with it. I utilized online magazines and magazine websites, as well as plenty of art and theater related online blogs.
3. How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
Throughout this project, I learned a lot about the production of magazines through all of the research that I had done. I discovered how magazines market and distribute, which is a key part of the production. Personally, my skills heightened through the development of my artistic eye. I tended to realize where text or colors would not fit on the magazine pages to create the vision I wanted. An example of this is before I changed the colors on my cover, table of contents, and in the articles. The text had been all black on white, but I then changed it to match the colors of the American Flag on the cover. Using color and font in the way other magazines do helped me experiment with the way my magazine would convey the right feel and utilize common emotion triggers. In the beginning I had nearly no idea on how to create something visually appealing to the eye while being informational enough and entertaining all in one. Around this time, I've gotten more in touch with the ways to take advantage of emotional appeal in humans to create interest in my magazine. Also, compared to my first draft, my magazine has improved significantly in the overall look. This is because I learned overtime how organization can play into making a magazine look how I wanted it to.
2. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?
My product engages with audiences especially because bright colors and images pull people in. My magazine also uses debates in print from professionals' opinions as well as online debate forums on the magazine's website. My product would be distributed as a real media text similar to many other magazines. It would be sold through stores as well as sold and distributed at festivals and events. In the initial distribution plan, I discussed distributing my magazine the most through these festivals. Many magazines do this, especially giving out free copies to provoke interest in the reader, which can make them potentially want to buy another issue.
Recently, I thought about the ability to put the magazines available for reading in offices and waiting rooms, in areas like hospitals or business buildings. This allows the magazine to reach a wider age and personality range, taking advantage of the usual boredom or anxiety people may be experiencing. Similar to the festivals and events, it may allow people to be exposed to something new and therefore pay for a subscription or single copy.
Digitally, the website MetaphysicalMagazine.com, will allow people to view samples from past issues or sign up to a trail. This will also allow people to sign up for 3 different subscription plans. The first is a 2 year plan, the second is a 1 year plan, and the third is a 6 month plan.
1. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?
My product does not necessarily challenge any conventions, especially because art, photography, and theater have been around as long as people can remember. It does represent social groups in the way that it shows actors committing to their work in a rehearsal space. While my magazine does not directly represent many social groups, it indirectly represents a social issue. Cover: On this issue, the cover features a photo of an American Flag half hung. This is because it was the anniversary of the Sandy Hook school shooting on December 14, 2012, just over 6 years ago. This represents the social issues regarding gun control and gun laws in the United States Government. I also used the image of the flag on the cover to provoke curiosity in many readers because everyone knows what a half-hung flag can symbolize, and they may then be curious about what the rest of the magazine is about. Articles: In the articles I used red and blue the most. This is to coordinate with the cover photo for this particular issue. In other issues, the same would be done for consistency and a good look to the eye. Bold fonts for the subtext are often used in many magazines as I found in my research, such as Playbill Magazine. The blue and red tones used on the front create certain emotions. It is proven that blue is more gender-neutral being liked by both men and women. Blue is seen as an inviting and trusting color by many people. Red on the other hand gives the feeling of joy, sensitivity, passion, leadership, and courage. Using these two colors in one can cause many emotions, and many Americans are drawn to their beloved red, white, and blue combination.
I made many changes to my magazine, especially on the cover page. On the cover I used transparency under the title, as well as made the font colored. Also, I added the subtexts over the photo rather than on the bottom of the page and added more color there as well. In the table of contents I made the title the same as the cover, colored the subtext as well, added the debate article feature, moved the photo and made the photo smaller to take up less of the page space. On the articles themselves I recolored titles and subtext to match the theme and re-spaced the text to take up more of the page. Also, I added a subtext on the top specifying that these pages were discussion pages. Finally, I added page numbers on the bottom right corners of the pages.
Based on other magazines' publicity tactics, I will use print ads, partner with other magazines, and attend events to sell subscriptions or single issues. I believe this could engage my audience and especially a new audience by getting the word of the magazine out into the public through other magazines and popular events. At events I would sell single issues as well as allow people to sign up for the monthly subscription that is given out.
Apollo Magazine is another art magazine that focuses on abstract art. The magazine is also available online and in print, similar to many other magazines. It is distributed in more than 25 countries, with an international readership in excess of 30,000. 42% of readers are from the UK, 30% from the US, 18% from Europe, and 10% from the rest of the world. Apollo also distributes their magazine at many art festivals that they sponsor, such as Masterpiece London, Fine Art Asia Hong Kong, Salon du Dessin Paris, and TEFAF Maastricht New York. The goal with my magazine would be to distribute online, in print, in stores, and at art fairs and festivals.
Aesthetica magazine is also similar to my magazine in the way that there isn't a specific kind of person that it's targeted to. It is for anyone who is interested in art, specifically abstract art. This magazine is very alike to Playbill, in the way that it is distributed in print and online. You can also sign up to get emails from the company that likely advertise the magazine itself. Most of the magazine's audience is an average of 30-40 years old with a balance of males and females. This is a very broad spectrum, similar to my magazine. They list their main distribution outlets as WH Smith stores in the UK, Barnes and Noble stores in the US, Easons in Ireland, international art fairs, and film festivals. The magazine is also exported to 17 other countries. This is how I'd like to distribute my magazine, with many stores in many countries and many places that have fans of interest.
The target audience for my magazine is not very specific. It revolves around art and theater, so anyone who is interested would view it. For art, specifically those who are into abstract art. A way I would advertise my magazine is by buying advertisements in theater programs and visiting art galleries to give out free issues or merchandise relating to the brand.
The first magazine I have decided to research is Playbill Magazine. This is a nation-wide theater related magazine that shares a similar topic with mine. This magazine markets their product in many different ways. Playbill Magazine has a website, Playbill.com. There is a shop section, where you can purchase a subscription to the magazine. There is also an email subscription to get updates from the Playbill website.
I plan on making the front cover more complex. I will add more subtext to the bottom where the rest of it is, and maybe a small amount of subtext over the image. The only issue is the image has a lot of meaning and I don't want to take away from it. The table of contents will also change a lot, with a whole different set-up and more than one photo on the page. For the articles I will be adding more text and making the pages have more color so that they are more eye-catching and will grab attention of readers.
My magazine uses conventions of the art and theater genres in ways that display the meaning or truth behind it. With art, especially the cover of the magazine, depth was the focus. This certain photo also represents social issues. The photo is of an American Flag half hung for the anniversary of the Sandy Hook Shooting and it displays what is just the outside of the depth behind school and public area shootings. Other photos of the actors during rehearsal just show the background of what goes into theater, while most magazines focus on the after product.
