Final Submission

When I had my 3rd quarter submission reviewed by my peers, I got very positive feedback, but the more I looked at it, I felt that I could do more. I wanted it to look as professional as possible. So, I did more research. I started by looking up more magazine covers such as People, Seventeen, and Time. I then looked up layout inspiration for the table of contents and article pages. After more editing, this is my final outcome.

For the cover, I practically redid the entire page. I started with the title. I felt like the title was to plain and disappeared when looking at the page. I began by experimenting with the fonts I had created when I was first starting the project. I decided to use this one because it is bold and stands out, especially with the black outline. One thing I really like about the new design is that I edited the model so that she appears over the title. This is a very common edit that I noticed throughout all my research. Popular magazines do this because they now people will recognize the magazine even if some of the title is covered. I also changed the fonts of the subheadings. I made the main subheading, "Emotion in Photography" much larger than the others to let the readers know that the is the main featured article. For the smaller subheadings, I used more stylish fonts to make the page look more enticing. I noticed with many of the researched magazines, they use many different fonts for the cover. Doing this helps separate everything on the page, while also making it more interesting for the reader.

The table of contents stayed somewhat similar. The main difference is the font change. I changed the font of the title "Contents". I felt that this font looked more professional. For each featured article on the page, I used a much bolder font. I didn't like the font I used on the third quarter submission. When researching layouts, I noticed that many popular magazines put the numbers in the largest font.

For the article pages, I made some minor changes. Firstly, I changed the article text fonts to Garamond. Based on my research, I found that this is the most commonly used font for magazines. I changed the font of the subheadings to a more stylish font as well. For the pull quote, I used two fonts instead of one. For the main words I used a cursive font. The other words are in a plain font. This puts importance on the main words, while also making it a more unique design.

Creative Critical Reflection Prezi Presentation

https://prezi.com/view/25Yj1pfRkYddFui02CAE/

CCR Question #4 Draft

4.) How did you incorporate technology in the project?

The main program I used for this project was Photoshop. I used it to create the flat plan, cover, table of contents, two-page article, and a sample website. I worked with text, shape tools, layers, editing images, and much more. 

When creating my marketing plan, I created real social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. This was so I could show what my social media accounts would look like. I later deleted these accounts. 

I used my personal camera, a Canon T3i Rebel, to take all my images. Using my own camera made the process a lot easier because I am familiar with the camera settings. 

To showcase all my work and development, I created a website using Blogger.

CCR Question #3 Draft

3.) How did your productions skills develop through this project? 

Before starting this project, I had a small amount of knowledge on what goes into creating a magazine. I had never really thought about the process. Though, after getting this far, I am considering magazine development as a possible future career because of the amount of knowledge I had and have gained that I didn't realize went into magazine development. 

A major component of magazine design is using programs like Photoshop and InDesign. I experimented in InDesign because I had never used it before. I learned many skills, such as how to insert images and formatting text. I decided to use Photoshop to create my magazine because I have been using the program for around 4 years, as well as become certified in the program. Even with all the knowledge going into the project, I still came out with even more skills in the program. A major part of creating my magazine was working with fonts. I did a lot of experimentation with font style and design. I learned many different ways to use fonts, not only in the program, but how to use them in magazine design. Your choice of font can change the whole page. I used Photoshop to create all aspects of my magazine, from the flat plan to the article pages. Another program I used was Blogger. This was used to present everything I have done for this project. I had never used this program before. I can say now that I have become very proficient in the program. 

Before I started designing my magazine, I had to do extensive research on other magazines to get inspiration to see how I can make mine look as professional as others. I was taking notes on the layout of the pages, the styles and fonts used, the history/accomplishments of the magazine, and more. I also learned about the marketing and distribution of magazines. This is another part of the process that I had never thought about. When creating my distribution plan, I had to think about so many little details, such as what aisle will my magazine be in or what kind of stores I want it sold at. 


I chose to do a photography magazine because I have a lot of knowledge is this field, as well. I have been doing photography for around 4 years. Since we had to use our own photographs in the magazine, I figured this would be the best way to show my skills and be able to connect it with the text. Also, I already had knowledge on using the camera settings, so that really helping during the photo shoots. Contacting and working with models, scheduling photo shoots, and scouting out locations are all thing I have done before too. This really helped with the time management aspect of the project. 


I have definitely learned many new skills in all the programs I have used, as well as skills in magazine development. Overall, I am very satisfied with what I have created. 

CCR Question #2 Draft

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

Audience engagement is a very important aspect of creating an effective and engaging magazine. To get real life examples, I researched three different magazines and how they engage their audience. I researched Amateur Photographer, The Photographer, and Outdoor Photographer. Obviously, all the magazines are directed towards people interested in photography, like mine. Digitally engaging their audience in very important in today's day and age. So, all of them offer their magazines online, along with additional articles in their websites. They also all have social media pages. Social media has such a big impact on people, so they offer an insight into their magazine to everyone, anywhere.

I have taken many of these strategies and applied them to my marketing and distribution plan. For my magazine, I plan to have a digital and print version available to the subscribers. A new issue will come out every month. Subscribers will have to pay a monthly or yearly fee. The digital version will be available through the Photographer Monthly app or other e-reader apps. I also plan to partner up with other art or design related magazines. When someone gets a print magazine mailed to their house, they will get a free sample of my magazine as well. They will have the opportunity to sign up for my magazine on the subscription card included. I will also have a website, like many of the other magazines researched, to market my magazine and feature additional photography related articles. I will have an email list that anyone can sign up for. They will receive weekly advertisements for the magazine. I will offer holiday specials and insights to upcoming and new articles. To advertise my magazine, I will reach out to online photography related companies and pay to have them sponsor/advertise my magazine. I will also make social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This will also feature additional articles that may not be in the magazine. This is to get people interested in the magazine and make it more likely for them to subscribe to my magazine.

For my distribution plan, I will have a new issue of my magazine every month. The new issue will be distributed in stores each month. I will have it in the big box stores, as well as arts related stores. In the art stores, I will have it placed in the checkout lines. In the big box stores, I will have it placed in the magazine isle. I will offer my magazine digitally and in print form. I was inspired by the Amateur Photographer magazine because they offer their magazine in print and online through their own app.

CCR Question #1 Draft

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

When creating my magazine, I wanted the reader to feel a sense of ease when reading. To do this, I made sure the design was simple, but still unique to shows off my design skills. The magazine should inspire the readers to go out an experiment with photography to further their knowledge.

To start, to create my cover I used an image that expresses a very uplifting emotion. By doing this the reader will feel a similar emotion when going into the magazine. The image has a plain background allowing the model to be the main focus of the cover. In Photoshop, I added a brightness filter to the model helping her stand out even more. I used the yellow from the model’s t-shirt as the color theme for this issue of the magazine. This helps her outfit pop as well. Yellow exhibits an energetic emotion to the viewers adding to the bright emotion of the magazine.

To create the layout of the cover, I was inspired by Amateur Photographer and Digital Photo Pro. Their layouts are very similar in that they have a color theme, multiple different fonts, and a similar layout of subheadings. For the main subheading, I used a bolder font with a darker color to make that one stand out over the others. I made the smaller subheadings black, with a less unique font so they are still noticeable, but do not become the main focus. I laid out the subheadings so that they wrap around the model, but do not cover her up. For the title, I decided to keep it simple with a professional style.

For the table of contents, I used the same color theme as the cover. By keeping a cohesive theme throughout the magazine, it makes it look more professional. If there were more issues of my magazine, I would do the same thing, by having a specific color theme for each issue. For the title, “Contents”, I kept the same style and font as the title of the magazine on the cover. I created four article categories, and each has 2-4 featured articles on the table of contents page. I used three different fonts for each featured article summary, which includes the page number, article title, and summary. Doing this makes it easier for the readers to read the description and differentiate between each part. I also used the same front for the numbers on the images as the page numbers with the article descriptions.

For the layout, I wanted to keep it simple, so I kept all the text to one side and the images to the other. This makes it easier for the reader to look at the page without getting overwhelmed.  Originally, I had six images on the page, but it looked to crowded, so I reduced it down to three. Each image has bright lighting and exhibit positive feelings that are then added to the positive emotion of the whole magazine.

For the article pages, I used a cohesive theme as well, but not with yellow. I chose to use a different color because this the main featured article. I used blue because many of the images on the two pages contain blue. Blue also expression calm emotions. In all the images I used, the model has a specific emotion to connect with the article’s topic of emotion on photography and to show off my photography skills. I added dots to the pages, so they didn’t look so white and bare. By doing this, it adds a unique, artsy style to the pages.

For the article title, I used a more unique, stylish font then the other fonts used throughout the magazine. In Photoshop, I added a drop shadow to help to pop off the page. The font of the article text is very simple and easy to read. Using a simple easy to read font helps the reader read with ease. For the subheads, I made the font larger and bolder making it stand out. I made one of the quotes from the photographer I interview into a pull quote. This puts importance on the quote. I used a very dark, bold font to make it stand out.

Throughout the entire magazine, I made sure I used a lot of images to show off the photography skills, as well as my editing skills. For all the images, I did basic edits to clean them up, along with some more advanced edits. For example, the cover image, I made the model brighter than the background. For the last image on the second article page, I edited the colors to add a blue hue and adjusted the contrast. Since the entire magazine was made in Photoshop, it also shows my Photoshop and design skills. I used many photography magazines to help inspire me while making my magazine.

This magazine is geared towards people who are interested in learning about photography or improving their skills. I think there are some more professional aspects the magazine that require some basic knowledge when reader, but I think anyone would have a fairly easy time understanding the content. Photography can be expensive to do, so I think people who want to pursue what they are reading about will have to have money they can spend on photography gear. There isn't a specific gender or education level that the magazine is geared towards, it is just for anyone who is interested in photography.