Meeting the client brief (U3, P5, M4, D1)

Learning outcome 4 (U3): Be able to carry out post production techniques and processes for an original media product to a client brief.

Exported copy:

When I had finished my front cover ad double page spread I exported it to a jpg which is a picture form allowing anyone to open it and have a look at it. I did this by going to the 'save as' button and saving a copy in JPEG format. 

Front Cover - 

Drop shadow: When creating my front cover I was able to use a range of techniques to meet the client brief. I used  range of tools such as the 'drop shadow' tool to create a 3D look. This made the magazine stand out and more unique. This links to the client brief as it emphasises the North London focus, whilst also reflecting the vibrant music scene developing locally. I chose the colour red as it reflects the passion amongst the target audience for this type of genre (venues). As the magazine has a venue focus, it's important to entice my target audience. Additionally, I used black as the middle colour text as it connotes importance/dominance, which further links to the North London focus of the magazine.

Eyedropper tool:

I used the eyedropper tool to sample a colour from an image to match it with a colour for my text. It enabled me to match up the colours so they were exactly the same. The meaning of this tool is that is is visually pleasing to see all the colours the same shade as if there are all different shades it can be quite misleading and confusing for readers. By using this tool I am linking back to the brief as I am taking the colour red from a picture of a North London location and incorporating the same colour in my masthead. This creates meaning as it illustrates my clear colour scheme and suggests that those specific coloured words are more important/impactful for my readers. 

Text & layer tool:

The text tool I used to create a box allowing me to write in it. It created a separate layer allowing the the text to be moved around and placed where needed. This meant I was able to move the text more easily and place it where needed. This links back to the brief as the words I was typing in the text box were relevant to North London and the vibrant music scene. I was able to play around with layers, and ensure that the Masthead was kept clear from any image/place over the top of the background. The name of the magazine is one of the most important aspects of a magazine as it is what the audience identify with, therefore by placing it on top of the other layers it creates dominance. It ultimately suggests that my magazine is the best possible one to purchase.

Colour choice:

I chose to select the colour red by going to the colour pallet and playing around with all the colours. Red stood out the most and added a sense of colour to the page.

The meaning of this tool was to brighten up the page. Furthermore, I chose this colour as I made the conscious decision to not dress my artist in any red. By doing this, it mades the artist more striking and detaches her from the other cover lines. As my double page spread focus is on "Macey", I feel that the lack of the colour red surrounding her and the image reinforces this.

This links back to the brief because red is a colour associated with the vibrant music scene as it is a big bold colour and very popular within the North London music scene. Additionally it's original content, therefore it further meets the client brief requirement.

Double page spread- 

Paint bucket tool: 

I used the paint bucket tool to fill a large area and in this case my background. I wanted the background be be a a pale colour and I was able to match it up with a picture. It also allowed me to fill the background colours of images. The meaning of this tool was to match up my background with a picture making it all the same colour and not to miss leading. The colour grey is usually associated with depressive/gloomy feelings, however I wanted to challenge this convention by adding in bursts of colour to reflect the vibrant nature of North London. It also emphasises the website at the bottom of the page, which links to the client brief as it has requested an online focus as well as a print magazine.

This links to the brief because I am using a colour from a picture taken of a North London location which is also a vibrant music scene. 

Lasso tool: 

The lasso tool is used to cut out images from their background. I used this tool to cut out the Polaroid templates from their background. By using this tool I was able to separate an image from a background leaving me with just the image. This meant I was able to use the image to fit the page.  Furthermore, I was then able to insert my own original images (client brief requirement) into the polaroid to give the effect that they were pre-existing images.

By placing images of my North London artist and the venue into these polaroids, it suggests that they have power and further exemplifies that they are the focus of my magazine.

This links to the brief because by using Polaroid templates and I am representing both the online and print version as they are easily adapted to for both formats. The contents of the polaroid images also demonstrate a North London focus.

Crop tool:

The crop tool is used to make images smaller or just capture the needed piece. As some of my pictures were to big to fit in the space I left I had to use the crop tool to make them smaller. This meant I was able to crop the picture and fit it into the box. I was able to use the crop tool instead of minimising it which meant loosing pixels and making the image blurry. This connects with the brief because it is all original content as I used my own photos making it unique and original. It also allowed me to exaggerate a specific section of the image to ensure that my readers focus on what I intend for the focus to be.

Opacity Tool:

I wanted the background to be striking within my double page spread, however it was important for me not to deter the attention from the article. 

I used the opacity tool to fade out the background making it look faint but still visible. This reinforces the importance of the article and the subject matter. 

This links to my target audience because I have chosen a popular location which can easily be recognised by many youths in North London. This is because it is a prime location for music concerts and for my chosen target audience.