Final Submission

Front Cover

Table of Contents 

1st Page of Two Page Article 

2nd Page of Two Page Article 

Creative Critical Reflection Presentation

CCR 1

CCR 2

CCR 3 and 4

Final CCR Question 4 Script

Script: CCR 4

In my project, I had to use many different technology products in order to create my magazine. Computer software, computer hardware, websites, and cameras were the main objects I used. To begin constructing my magazine, I had to take photographs for the magazine. My media studies teacher lent me a Canon Rebel T6 camera from the school that I was able to use instead of using my phone camera. Once I had the photographs, I was able to construct my magazine. Most of my work was done at my school, using their computers: HP Elite Book. I used the publisher software  on these computers to create my front cover, table of contents, and two-page article. This software allows me to format exactly how I want the layout of each page to look like. Computer hardware was used in this project as well because I needed the use of a computer to construct my product. The hardware includes the actual computer, keyboard, and ports needed to get my pictures and publisher documents onto the computer via flash drive. I also used websites to help with my research for my blog. These included the magazines' websites and distribution websites. All of these technology products have allowed me to produce my magazine Life in Paradise and my blog that has documented my steps throughout this year.

Final CCR Question 3 Script

Script: CCR 3


Production skills have been a necessity throughout this project. I needed to learn how to use publisher in order to create my magazine as well as creative formatting to make the magazine look well put together. It took me awhile to get my ideas together on what I wished to portray in my magazine. When you look at my first submission for the project including the front page, table of contents, and two-page spread of Life in Paradise,  you can tell that I wasn't the best at formatting and knowing what works best. As I received revisions from my first draft and worked on my revisions to make my project more appealing, I have definitely learned a lot. Especially after seeing what other people have done I have gotten an idea of the level in which my magazine should achieve.

Now, when you look at my latest magazine revisions, you can see that my production skills have improved.

My front cover is cleaner with a new picture that doesn't cause the text to become difficult to read. I have kept the cover simple, which is the usual layout for a travel magazine. This also allows you to focus on the important pieces of the magazine cover.

Also, my table of contents page has more articles included and isn't just a few photos and titles of articles or sections. I have chosen a main picture to be the focal point on the page. This allows the page to be eye-catching and to ensure the reader does not get overwhelmed with the amount of words on the page. Another thing I have added are a few more images relating to the articles along with the page numbers on them.

Finally, my two-page spread has changed with the title formatting, color, images inside the article and the sizes of them as well.

I wouldn't consider myself a professional, but I feel this project has definitely improved my ability to produce something like a magazine. I have learned how to use a new program as well as take better photographs that would be used within a magazine like my own. Overall, when comparing my skills in the beginning of the year to now, they have improved and because of this project I can apply this knowledge to other areas of my life.

Final CCR Question 2 Script

Script: CCR 2

My magazine engages with audiences because it includes material that would relate to activities people would enjoy as well as information this audience would like to read about. My audience would be the population that enjoys tropical life and spending time on the beach and ocean. Since my magazine is titled Life in Paradise, it automatically will bring people in who want to enjoy this type of lifestyle. Also, since my product isn't limited to only one type of "story", it can draw in people who are looking for island life, beach necessities, or even those looking for activities they can do on the water. This allows the audience to not be limited to one type of theme within the main theme and broadens the audience by a bit.

If Life in Paradise became a real media text, I would begin to distribute it by finding a distribution company that I could partner with. In a previous post on my blog, I did an entry about usual magazine distribution processes. While researching, I found the company Disticor, which is a distribution company that will help you get your magazine into stores and sold. When magazine companies partner with a distribution company like this one, it speeds up the process of getting their magazine into stores and on shelves, especially if they are new to the business. It also creates a more professional front for a new magazine company that is trying to become known. Creating a website for my magazine might also help the distribution of it. Since so many people are online now, if they decide to search for a certain type of magazine, like tropical or travel, the website to my magazine may pop up. Overall, partnering with a distribution company and creating a website would ultimately allow my magazine to be distributed as a real media text.

Final CCR Question 1 Script

Script: CCR 1

The product I have produced is my magazine Life in Paradise. When you think about conventions of a magazine, you think about all of the necessary items in order to make it successful. This includes the front page, how the title is displayed, fonts, colors, table of contents, articles, and even how the pages are numbered. I would consider my magazine "challenging these convention" because I have made sure my work is original and not copied off of another company. I have even included my own photographs that I have taken that no other magazine would have access to.

On my front cover, I have followed the necessary conventions needed for a travel/tropical magazine. You will see that the cover is very simplified and has the cover lines set to one side. This inspiration came from Go Escape, The World's Most Amazing Places, and Travel and Leisure. Using these as inspirations, I have made sure to make this front cover my own as I have provided my own image, titles, and formatting options. I have included the needed content for a front cover with a masthead, date line, main image, main content title, and content titles.

My table of contents also has the title of Contents which can be found in many other magazines. I also became inspired by the magazines Coastal Living, Go Escape, and Travel and Leisure for the layout of the contents page. As you can see, I have a main image with a few smaller images that relate to the articles inside my magazine. This has a slight relation to Coastal Living and Travel and Leisure as they have at least one main image. I was inspired by Go Escape's use of the page numbers on top of the pictures relating to the articles as well.

My two-page spread begins with the main title and main image that are very eye-catching. I have also chosen to make my article follow an interview format. I have included information before and after the interview as well as images that relate to the article's content. In this, I did not find a lot of inspirations from anything in particular. I knew that I wanted an interview format, however, and I made sure to include photographs that related to the article like many magazines do. On the pages of my magazine, other than the cover, I have also included branded page numbers.

My magazine also challenges conventions of the genre it falls under. Life in Paradise would be in the genre of travel and beach lifestyle. Some magazines under these categories just talk about the fun involved in luxuries related to this. However, my magazine also talks about the expenses and all the factors you need to know and consider before purchasing an island for example. This example of my main article allows people to know that owning an island involves a lot more work than just a place to vacation. Owners have to worry about employees to hire in order to manage the island and allow it to be a place to go and relax.

When discussing social groups and issues, my magazine would represent ones involving the wealthier lifestyle. This is so because my magazine involves luxuries only possible for those with a higher income. With this social group mainly in my magazine, the issues arise with the people who can't afford an island. These people may feel like the wealthy are bragging and making them feel less than they are. Although my magazine would represent this higher paid social group more, others would still be able to receive valuable information due to other articles included like, perfect snacks for the beach or water sports. Thus, this magazine allows people with different incomes to enjoy it and is not limited to one group.

3rd Quarter Submission Critiques from Class

In class on 3/21/18 my magazine was "presented". This allowed my classmates to see my product and give me advice to help my magazine be the best it could be. Some of their critiques included to change the alignment of some of my photos on the table of contents, change the alignment on the article, add a pull quote on my two page article. The next step for my project is to continue revisions.

3rd Quarter Submission

Front Cover

Table of Contents 

1st Page of Two Page Article 

2nd Page of Two Page Article 

Creative Critical Reflection Draft #4

4. How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware, and online - in this project?

In my project, I had to use many different technology products in order to create my magazine. Computer software, computer hardware, websites, and cameras were the main objects I used. To begin constructing my magazine, I had to take photographs for the magazine. My media studies teacher lent me a Canon Rebel T6 camera from the school that I was able to use instead of using my phone camera. Once I had the photographs, I was able to construct my magazine. I used the publisher software to create my front cover, table of contents, and two-page article. This software allows me to format exactly how I want the layout of each page to look like. Computer hardware was used in this project as well because I needed the use of a computer to construct my product. The hardware includes the actual computer, keyboard, and ports needed to get my pictures and publisher documents onto the computer via flash drive. I also used websites to help with my research for my blog. All of these technology products have allowed me to produce my magazine Life in Paradise and my blog that has documented my steps throughout this year.

Creative Critical Reflection Draft #3

3. How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Production skills have been a necessity throughout this project. I needed to learn how to use publisher in order to create my magazine as well as creative formatting to make the magazine look well put together. It took me awhile to get my ideas together on what I wished to portray in my magazine. When you look at my first submission for the project including the front page, table of contents, and two-page spread of Life in Paradise,  you can tell that I wasn't the best at formatting and knowing what works best. As I received revisions from my first draft and worked on my revisions to make my project more appealing, I have definitely learned a lot. Especially after seeing what other people have done I have gotten an idea of the level in which my magazine should achieve.

Now, when you look at my latest magazine revisions, you can see that my production skills have improved.

My front cover is cleaner with a new picture that doesn't cause the text to become difficult to read.  have kept the cover simple, which is the usual layout for a travel magazine. This also allows you to focus on the important pieces of the magazine cover.

Also, my table of contents page has more articles included and isn't just a few photos and titles of articles or sections. I have chosen a main picture to be the focal point on the page. This allows the age to be eye-catching and to ensure the reader does not get overwhelmed with the amount of words on the page. Another thing I have added are a few more images relating to the articles along with the page numbers on them.

Finally, my two-page spread has changed with the title formatting, color, images inside the article and the sizes of them as well.

I wouldn't consider myself a professional, but I feel this project has definitely improved my ability to produce something like a magazine. I have learned how to use a new program as well as take better photographs that would be used within a magazine like my own. Overall, when comparing my skills in the beginning of the year to now, they have improved and because of this project I can apply this knowledge to other areas of my life. 

Creative Critical Reflection Draft #2

2. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

My magazine engages with audiences because it includes material that would relate to activities people would enjoy as well as information this audience would like to read about. My audience would be the population that enjoys tropical life and spending time on the beach and ocean. Since my magazine is titled Life in Paradise, it automatically will bring people in who want to enjoy this type of lifestyle. Also, since my product isn't limited to only one type of "story", it can draw in people who are looking for island life, beach necessities, or even those looking for activities they can do on the water. This allows the audience to not be limited to one type of theme within the main theme and broadens the audience by a bit.

If Life in Paradise became a real media text, I would begin to distribute it by finding a distribution company that I could partner with. In a previous post on my blog, I did an entry about usual magazine distribution processes. While researching, I found the company Disticor, which is a distribution company that will help you get your magazine into stores and sold. When magazine companies partner with a distribution company like this one, it speeds up the process of getting their magazine into stores and on shelves, especially if they are new to the business. It also creates a more professional front for a new magazine company that is trying to become known. Creating a website for my magazine might also help the distribution of it. Since so many people are online now, if they decide to search for a certain type of magazine, like tropical or travel, the website to my magazine may pop up. Overall, partnering with a distribution company and creating a website would ultimately allow my magazine to be distributed as a real media text.

Creative Critical Reflection Draft #1

1. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

The product I have produced is my magazine Life in Paradise. When you think about conventions of a magazines, you think about all of the necessary items in order to make it successful. This includes the front page, how the title is displayed, fonts, colors, table of contents, articles, and even how the pages are numbered. I would consider my magazine "challenging these convention" because I have made sure my work is original and not copied off of another company. I have even included my own photographs that I have taken that no other magazine would have access to.

My magazine also challenges conventions of the genre it falls under. Life in Paradise would be in the genre of travel and beach lifestyle. Some magazines under these categories just talk about the fun involved in luxuries related to this. However, my magazine also talks about the expenses and all the factors you need to know and consider before purchasing an island for example. This example of my main article allows people to know that owning an island involves a lot more work than just a place to vacation. Owners have to worry about employees to hire in order to manage the island and allow it to be a place to go and relax.

When discussing social groups and issues, my magazine would represent ones involving the wealthier lifestyle. This is so because a lot of stuff in the magazine, like owning an island, is only possible for those with a higher income. Also, on my flat plan, I had more articles that would relate to people who have more money available to them like islands and boats for sale. With this social group mainly in my magazine, the issues arise with the people who can't afford an island. These people may feel like the wealthy are rubbing their riches in their faces and making them feel less than they are. Although my magazine would represent this higher payed social group more, others would still be able to receive valuable information due to other articles like, perfect snacks for the beach or water sports. Thus the issues arising due to certain social groups being portrayed in my magazine are not large and are not anything to worry about.

Distribution Research (Travel + Leisure)

Digital distribution is a huge part of the success in magazine sales. The magazine company, Travel + Leisure, relates to my magazine, Life in Paradise, because it is a travel magazine and talks about tropical lifestyles. Travel + Leisure's success in the digital distribution field lies in their website. This website provides some articles that would be included in their print magazines. The website includes many tabs that bring you to topics that relate including trip ideas, hotels and resorts, and subscribe. The subscribe tab brings you to a page that offers you subscription payment plans to sign up for. When a customer signs up for a subscription, they will receive a print magazine, an instant online version, and a secret European villages guide. With the instant online access of the magazine, this provides a better sell point for digital distribution of Travel +Leisure, The ability to have the magazine on a technological device allows travelers to have less weight on their shoulders and a decrease in items to pack. I would use a website in order to promote my magazine digitally because many people use the internet now. I would also include the option for a digital magazine with a subscription and not just provide it all online for free. If I provided my magazine online for free, then my company would not make a large income.

Distribution Research (Coastal Living)

The Coastal Living magazine chain produces magazines related to travel, coastal homes, lifestyle, and foods. This magazine is therefore similar to mine because the one I have created is about island life. Coastal Living has a website which allows them to help their digital distribution.

https://www.coastalliving.com/magazine The website promotes their own magazines with showcasing articles in them as well as including a tab titled magazines. When you click on this tab, you are brought to a page that shows articles, options to subscribe, give a gift subscription, and even to advertise with them. Another feature Coastal Living provides related to digital distribution is subscription plans that include a print and digital copy. This allows people to be more likely to buy a subscription because it allows them to travel with the magazine without having to carry the actual magazine. I would use this distribution model as a way for people to access my magazine another way. I would maybe have certain features of the website unavailable to access unless you have a subscription however, to convince people to buy one rather than just read the articles for free. 

Distribution Research (Traditional Distribution)

In order for magazine companies to distribute their products, they turn to many different methods. Most companies will start with a distribution company that will help get their magazines on shelves and in stores. While researching how to get my magazine distributed, I came across the website for Disticor Magazine Distribution Services. This company allows magazine publishers to get their magazines in stores and sold at a higher rate. I would utilize this model to distribute my magazine because as a beginner publisher it is a lot harder to sell your magazine by yourself and without another companies' support. When you invest in a magazine distribution company, you are able to get more work done while they are spreading your magazine and getting it sold.

Revisions (Two Page Article)

With the two page article, I did not make as many revisions as the front cover and table of contents. For the spread, I adjusted the title by making the font bigger and changing the color of the font its self. I also removed some of the captions around the photographs as I found them unnecessary. You will also notice that I have added a couple photographs to this section, changed the main font and size slightly, as well as added the branding on the page numbers to match the table of contents.

Original Article Page 1

Original Article Page 2

New Article Page 1

New Article Page 2

Revisions (Table of Contents)

The revisions I made to my table of contents include changing the fonts, pictures, layout, and background color. I also added branding by the page number. I made a lot of revisions because my original table of contents was not the best. Even once I submitted it, I knew there were a lot of adjustments I could make.

Original TOC

New TOC

Revisions (Cover Page)

I changed a lot of aspects to my front cover of my magazine. I ended up changing the background image, font, font color and size, and added more subtitles. I made all of these decisions due to the visibility of the text with the previous background photo. I figured the magazine cover would look nicer with a simpler photo than one with many details and colors.

Original Cover

New Cover

Super Bowl Commercials

The Super Bowl of 2018 included it's very own unique and funny commercials to help advertise products. Each of these commercials had a target audience. Specifically I will be talking about the commercials: Touchdown Celebrations to Come, Alexa Loses her Voice, and Doritos/Mountain Dew with Peter Dinklage and Morgan Freeman.

The commercial Touchdown Celebrations to Come with Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. is based off the movie Dirty Dancing which allows it to appeal to both women and men. It appeals to men since it included football celebrities and it appeals to women because it involves the football players performing a famous dance routine from a chic-flick movie. The age range for this commercial would range from teens to middle age adults. The use of Odell Beckham Jr., and Eli Manning brings in a younger generation. Using the Dirty Dancing song and routine brings in the slightly older generation. Since my product is a magazine, I can't really use any music or moving visuals do to it being print. However, I could use the celebrity factor to bring in some more customers by including a celebrity interview.

[Touchdown Celebrations to Come ]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUoD-gPDahw

In the Alexa Loses her Voice Commercial, celebrities and humor are a big contributor to its success and bringing in a greater audience. The celebrities in the commercial are Gordon Ramsay, Cardi B, Rebel Wilson, and Anthony Hopkins. With the range of celebrities involved, this helps to bring in an age range of viewers. Also, there are actors that show the many uses of Alexa as well as the people who are most likely to use it. When humor is brought into this clip, it makes a huge difference rather than just an informative ad. Again, since I chose the magazine project, I won't necessarily be able to use all of these techniques for my product. I may be able to use a celebrity influence like this commercial and the previous one but I don't think humor would be as easy to portray in a print magazine.

[Alexa Lost her Voice ]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://cdn.stacyblackman.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/Alexa-Ad-734x378.png

The final Super Bowl commercial I will be analyzing is the Doritos/Mountain Dew with Peter Dinklage and Morgan Freeman: Blaze vs. Mountain Dew Ice. Like the two above, it includes humor and celebrities. The humor side of this commercial comes from Dinklage and Freeman lip syncing famous rappers and competing against each other. These rappers are Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott. With the use of the well known rappers as well as the actors, the audience brought in ranges. This age range would probably begin at teenagers and go to middle-aged adults. Since the actors and rappers can be referenced from some older films or songs this allows the viewers to come in and enjoy the commercial even at a slightly older age. Also, many teenagers are into rap so the use of rap music helps bring in this audience as well. Like I stated before, it is hard for me to use similar techniques as a commercial to bring in my target audience since I chose the magazine project. The main aspect I have taken away from this commercial that I could use in my magazine is the use of celebrities.

[Doritos vs Mountain Dew]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://dg6qn11ynnp6a.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/17112434/PepsiMTN-Dew.jpg

Target Audience Research (Lonely Planet)

As previously stated in the Coastal Living and Travel + Leisure target audience research posts, the target audience for my magazine Life in Paradise would be from the ages of young adult and up, the gender of my target audience would be male and female, and the income level of my audience would probably range.

The magazine, Lonely Planet, has a similar target audience as my magazine Life in Paradise because it is a travel magazine. Even though my magazine is not focused on travel itself, it is on the tropical lifestyle and traveling aspects around it. Marketing of Lonely Planet's magazine had related techniques to the other two magazines. There are subscription cards included, however, there are more included than compared to the other two magazines. Along with this, Lonely Planet also included a page after the table of contents with many contact information sites and links listed. For example, there website is listed, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Youtube as well. The form of media used was therefore print with the subscription cards and digital with the social media links. The aspects I would use to market my product would definitely be the subscription cards and social media links. I would also maybe add the website by the page number instead of just the name of the magazine.