2. Magazine Production
Image 1- Establishing basic shapes, colours and title.
As the initial image did not have enough room to fit both cell lines and a masthead I have used shapes
and font to my advantage, creating a available space solely for sell lines images and sub headings, the
white will also juxtapose high contrasting colours in fonts and images allowing them to appear brighter
and araw equal attention, all headlines gaining equal importance on the page. For my Masthead I
screenshotted the created image from DaFont.com and use the crop tool to cut out any inwanted
images around the text, leaving only a white background behind the letters. I then proceeded to use the
paint pot tool and edit the background behind the text to pink, and then used the magic wand tool to
erase any remaining white background between letters and inside stars. I then used a white glow
outline edit in layers to highlight the outside of my letters making them defined against the pink. My
inspiration for using shapes to my advantage spanned from researching other Gossip magazines such
as Heat and OK who use coloured background and highlights around the initial image to draw attention
to braking headliners.
3. Image 2- Adding Images and brief titles/ articles for sell lines.
I began to add images paired with individual cover lines, keeping
with the pink purple and blue colour scheme established. The first
image of my model Harry I utilized from previous unused photos and
edited the lighting contrast separately in photoshop, I also did the
same for my second image of model Maddy. For the article in blue I
have included another traditional image convention of a gossip
magazine as it focuses on a well known topic in the media such as
weight, image and celebrity social profiles.
Step 2
4. Step 3 Image 3- Adding text/ sell lines and competitions
I continued to add more text and a puff with competition details to add an extra element of
interest for my target audience.The Utilized bold text such as the headline, “ Exclusive” in
army print is included to indicate importance by the rugged look stenciled to the cover
juxtaposing the sleek more modern fonts incorporated on the majority of the cover. The
Puff I have faded slightly using the layer fade bar on photoshops design options so as not
to take any initial attention away from the main focal image as the models form can be
seen slightly underneath. For the Puff competition details I wanted to include a music
based competition, featuring a well known band which appeals to all age groups, such as
Take That, as this option seemed like a more popular medium of appeal for my target
consumers being a female based varied age group. For my main cover line/featurette I
have made bold using the colour red as the connotations of red signifies danger and
secrecy creating interest for my target consumers.
For my sell lines I was careful as to not give too much of my main stories away, using
short minor sentences such as “ Star Reveals All” And “My Secret Life” to draw in my
audience and create an air of mystery. I have also included articles with rhetorical
questions embedded for example “ Who’s Trying To Ban All Skinny Celebrities.” As this
attention grabbing technique used by other magazines has proven effective in advertising
as it addresses the audience directly, identifying with buyers through involving their option.
5. Final Cover Image
Image 5- Final touches: Emoticons/ symbols, stickers, bullet
points and half price coupon ads.
For my final touches to this cover I added emoticons such as the
broken heart in red and star bullet points to break up text and show
them as individual article segments. I also incorporated more shapes
and ads throughout my sell lined and main cover lines such as the
“New Pics” in front of a star/splash to give my article more ad appeal.
My final shape added was through another interest inspiring technique
through the free giveaway of a spray tan coupon at the top right hand
side corner of my cover, giveaways another common feature of
successful gossip magazines such as Heat and OK. I finally added a
bar code to include a price element to my magazine and conform to
normal magazine layout conventions.
