Contesting Contents

During Week 3, our group went back and forth on different kinds of layouts for the table of contents. Since last week's ultimate goal was getting photos for the cover/featured pictures, we didn't focus too much on the contents page until now.

We composed several kinds of contents layouts, as shown below:

I

II

III

IV

I: I came with the idea of having six photos that reflected each color of the rainbow as it pertained to a specific segment of the magazine, but our group decided against it since it would not fit as cohesively with the rest of the themes as it does mine.

II: This contents page is another picture-heavy approach with minimal text, however, since we don't have the resources to take pictures that would relate to the wide range of topics each edition covers (from featured photographer to location feature), we decided against it.

III/IV: The two similar content pages both employ a double-page spread layout, with the left page concerning the actual content versus the right showcasing a photo that pertains to the theme. Within the boxes, there will be a sneak-peek photo, which the number will overlay, directing the reader to that page of the issue to find a specific section. We want the photos to be the main stars, not the text, so minimal words was key. Having the "contents" bar background color complementing the adjacent photo would also be a continuing feature between all four editions. Since we have different themes, having similar layouts will add yet another cohesive feature (besides the cover) to distinctively mark our issues as part of the POLARIZE brand.

There is still more to come, and I am so excited to see the final product soon!!

Until then, 

SLS

Calm, Collected, Covered

It is now Week 4 and I am feeling oddly calm at that fact. I am finding that I have paced myself quite well since I have finalized my cover layout and may even have a final product!

Layout Draft

Cover - Finally!!

To edit the text onto the image, I found it easy to use Microsoft Word's text box utility. The iconic font our group chose for POLARIZE was Modern No. 20, which will remain the same throughout all four editions our group produces. However, the rest of the font chooses will be stylistic upon the theme of the respective magazine.

Also, the curvature of the COLOR CRAZE title added a nice dimension to the photo rather than just a plain linear text, which will also feature in all four editions.

The lack of a masthead was a decision made by our group to highlight not only the magazine's extreme minimalism, but to bring more attention to the photography itself. In fact, all of the decisions made to our magazine is to bring attention to the person being photographed; the solid background color that would be iconic to our magazine is to eliminate all distractions of the background and to complement the model. Our magazine is not the usual text-heavy sort of magazine, so our covers want to reflect that POLARIZE is a visual artistic approach to the standard magazine. 

Additionally, each of our editions will be produced and distributed at different times of the year. POLARIZE is a monthly-issued magazine, and the themes all relate to the seasonal mood. COLOR CRAZE would be released in August of 2017 to reflect the summer theme since it would be the last issue before the fall season.

I believe our target audience would react favorably to our covers due to their minimalism and focus on those within their age bracket. With their short attention span, having an eye-catching cover is our main objective, and was my particular goal with using the bright primary colors. I believe with such a strong cover (and lack of textual information - thus evoking curiosity), this would urge potential Gen Z consumers to pick up our magazine and flip through the rest of the edition.

There is still much left to do, yet I am glad to be on the right track! 

Until next time,

SLS

Picture Perfect

At last!!! Visible progress is being made!! I had my photo shoot with Fabi yesterday and we got plenty to work with for the magazine. We used Cassie's light bulbs to create some amazing lighting to include throughout the COLOR CRAZE edition, and lots of pictures to choose from for the cover photo.

Makeup Did! (2017)

Vanity (2017)

Just Messing Around (2017)

I found using natural lighting from the window, as it was around 3pm, worked best to achieve optimal lighting for the cover photo. Later, I will narrow down which picture I'll make the cover and work to edit in the yellow background and text.

Besides working on the cover, Fabi and I also experimented with the light bulbs Cassie let me borrow. Thankfully, the effect is exactly what I'm trying to go for when it comes to the ambiance of "COLOR CRAZE".

Same Old Blues (2017)

Purple Rain (2017)

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take pictures of Cassie as previously scheduled. Hopefully I'll be able to fit that in some time during the week before April 1st, which is our group's goal of having our individual work done. On April 1st, we all plan on assembling our magazines together on Joomag.com so that our separate editions cohesively work together to represent the POLARIZE brand. I think it's a good idea that we decided to pace ourselves to finish the magazine a week earlier so that it would leave us enough time to individually focus on our Creative Critical Reflections and work out any kinks that may present themselves beforehand.

Big thanks to Fabi for being the best model a girl could ask for!

Until then,

SLS

Colors Galore: Finding Inspiration

Considering my photo shoot for Fabi is tomorrow, I decided to expand on the idea of just "colors" and look for inspiration as to what exactly I am trying to go for.

The first thing I thought of when I think "color" is one of my favorite bands, The 1975. Following their social media, whether it be Twitter or Instagram, I have been exposed to many pictures of their concerts and the band playing on stage. In fact, I attended one of their concerts myself this past May with group member Nikki (as previously mentioned in "Time to Get Tech-y"). Their concert sets include intricate bright lighting that coincides with their music.

Besides adding a wonderful visual element to the music, the photos taken during the concerts always come out looking beautiful, as it is posted all over their social media.

The 1975's Matty Healy (2017)

The 1975's Adam Hann (2017)

I am interested in exploring the bright color palette they use at their concerts and applying them to POLARIZE in a practical sense with my photography! 

Until then,

SLS

The1975VEVO. "The 1975 - UGH!" YouTube. YouTube, 18 Dec. 2015. Web. 23 Mar. 2017. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXaU0QzByIM>.

The 1975. "photo." Twitter, 22 Mar. 2017, 11:15am, twitter.com/the1975/status/ 
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"Featured Photographer" Progress

As mentioned on my last blog post, I added "photo shoot with Fabi & Cassie". Fabi was previously introduced as my "cover girl", yet Cassie's identity remains a mystery... until now! 

One of our continuous segments of POLARIZE will include "Featured Photographer", which my edition will feature in the double-page spread. I asked my dear friend Cassie, who is an avid photographer, if she would be interested in working with me. Since she is in AICE Media Studies A Level, I knew she would understand the gravity of such a request, and she delightfully agreed! 

My initial thought process in asking her to be part of my COLOR CRAZE edition of POLARIZE was to include her wonderful work, which included some concentrated, colorful profiles. However, I realized since I cannot include her actual work, I decided to work a different angle in approaching the "Featured Photographer" section. Instead of showcasing her work, why not showcase the photographer? It is an interesting angle considering photographers are used to being behind the lens, not in front of the camera, yet having a personal photo shoot of the photographer does work well with our target audience; since we want to appeal to Generation Z, and our readers probably already have a previous interest in photography, showcasing other youth pursuing the same hobby can be encouraging and add a more interactive element to our magazine by giving the chance for even our very own subscribers to feature in POLARIZE.

Therefore, I have decided I will do a photo shoot of Cassie, continuing the colorful element throughout the entire edition. She told me she has multiple colorful light bulbs I could borrow to add an interesting light element, which I think will immensely transform the ambiance of the resulting pictures. Thank you for the inspiration Cassie!

Until next time, 
SLS

#ScheduleSZN

It is Week 3 and time to grind! In the spirit of keeping myself on track, I went a bit overboard and make a pretty agenda for the week (making things look pretty give me the motivation to complete my to-do list). 

And would you look at that? I am already ahead of schedule by posting my first blog post of the week today! I am on top of my game, alright. Let's hope it stays that way for the rest of the week (and duration of this project).

Until next time, 
SLS

Time to Get Tech-y

Considering the little knowledge I have on photo editing, I knew that when it came time to start learning how to edit, it would be tricky. However, today I just embarked on the small but crucial journey on learning how to fill in the background a solid color.

Going back to my last blog post on the primary color cover, I looked into how to fill in the background a solid color on Microsoft Paint. I want to leave using Photoshop to the last resort considering it is quite expensive and I don't have too much of a need for it at the moment. Therefore, using Microsoft Paint would suffice for the moment being.

I did a couple rough drafts on pictures of my own to get the gist of how to work with Microsoft Paint. I found it quite simple, yet of course I plan on being more precise when it comes to the finished product.

- BEFORE 1.0 -
Me (left) and group member Nikki (right) at The 1975 Concert in Miami, May 2016

- AFTER 1.0 -
the first very rough draft of filling in the background with a solid color

- BEFORE 2.0 -

- AFTER 2.0 -
the better, second rough draft that will coincide with the COLORS theme

Next blog posts will include the layout plan for not only the cover, but table of contents and double page spread pages!

Until then, 

SLS

"How to Change an Image Background in MS Paint (Green Screen)." WikiHow, 

     www.wikihow.com/Change-an-Image-Background-in-MS-Paint-(Green-Screen). 

     Accessed 19 Mar. 2017