my big issue research

1. INDEPENDENT STUDY-
RESEARCH FOR BIG ISSUE
COVER
ELLEN DEMPSTER

2. Potential Big Issue Planning-
Topics focused on within the Big Issue include the typical celebrities, politics, sport, current entertainment to reach
out to a main stream audience as well as suppressed problems within society which includes mental health. The
topic I am focusing on is the celebrity aspect of making the magazine personal and relatable to the audience. They
have a big voice and that’s the only aspect within the magazine which actually has writing on the cover. For my
idea I may use this aspect to make my ‘celebrity’ seem personal and vulnerable as they come across as normal
having either mental health issues or struggles.

3. Analysis of front covers which have influenced
my idea-
Ideas-
‘Upcoming star’
Small town to global
stardom.
Overnight fame.
Homeless before hand
link to why Big Issue
would use this star.
Bright colour’s to not only act as
eye-catching in an urban setting
but to also signify a sense of
hope and youth. The un-
seriousness of the main image
signifies a sense of normality
and un-caring of appearance as
it could be used to highlight the
talent of Will. And the idea of
focusing on that rather than
looks, links to my idea of an up-
coming star (as they need talent
to be heard).
The lack of cover lines links to just wanting the
artists voice to be heard. To leave unnecessary
distractions out as what they have to say is
directly linking and speaking to the audience as
they are ‘normal’. It is bright and is visibly seen
as well as being enough to cause readers to
want to buy the magazine, to see how stars can
link to normal everyday people.
The masthead being ‘The Big Issue’ is in the top
corner rather than their normal top centre. This
signifies the importance of this celebrity as the
company wants them to stand out over their
name.
Clear focus on the main image as it clearly shows
the audience who the star is. The same as the
rest of ‘Big Issue’ celebrity covers, as it helps
advertise the company having a star linked to
their magazine. As well as causing a good
platform for the celebrity to use, as this company
helps the problem of homelessness, and gives
people a reason to live who have nothing.
Background used to help draw attention to the
main image.

4. Ideas to create my cover-
This cover of 'Big Issue' influences my final
cover idea by the way
the 'celebrity' is positioned.
The medium shot is rare which
intrigues my idea of allowing the reader to
see the 'celebrity' in a new angle in hopes
to intrigue more of an audience as it allows
the viewer to see the clothing of the
influencer. Allowing more colour to catch a
readers eye in a suburban setting.
This front cover influences my idea as
a potential background to link to a younger
target audience, being teenagers. The lightning
bolts I believe resemble the power of the
artists voice and causes the cover to stand out
over many of the 'Big Issue Covers'.
I believe I may use black and white as it'll
clearly stand out and allow me to use a bright
colour for writing.
This cover of Will.i.am links to my idea for my main
title style of writing and graphics. The idea of the title
looking as if it's zooming off the page. Not only would
this style present my photoshop skills but also causes
the title to be very clear on the front page as well
as being easy to read.