Magazine Terminology - Task 8

Magazine Terminology - Task 8

I will create an analysis of a magazine with the terminology used
pointing out which is used on a magazine front cover

From the course, I'll be made aware of what type of magazine terminology there is in magazines. By this, i then can understand why magazines use the certain types of terminology and features for their own magazines, and then I can use the terminology to my own creation of my magazine in effect to attract the target audience i wish to aim my own magazine at, in which then it will attract buyers of the magazine to increase it's popularity. 

It will also give me inside info in why magazine production companies use the features in their magazines to attract their own specific target audience and how they become successful in their own rights. 

Magazine Terminology Glossary

To become aware of the magazine terminology used, I have made a glossary of words which are used in todays magazines. I can use this as a guide to help me put into my magazine's creation when I do come around to creating the draft's, mock up's and final designs. Here are the words and terms used to: 

Pug - It is renowned as the 'ears' of the magazine. Pugs are normally placed on the top right and or left corners of the magazine. It is primarily the pricing of the magazine, logo or promotion of the magazine. It is here to catch the readers attention. 

Strapline - A strapline of a magazine is the capturing point of the magazine, to catch readers attention but also describe the magazine to the audience in a brief way. 

Masthead - a masthead of a magazine is another term for the name of the magazine. 

House Style - The house style of a magazine to the particular style the magazine has for the genre it is associated with. House styles vary in different ways from magazine to magazine, making them all different in terms of style, also as a way to capture a readers attention to the style of the magazine and setting it apart from other magazine competitors in the industry it is associated with. 

Headline - The headline of a magazine is what starts off a major article of a magazine, being the main story. 

Drop Capitals - The drop capitals are really big and bold letters which start of an article. It captures the readers attention by inviting them into reading the articles importance. 

Lead - The lead of a magazine is the starter paragraph of an article in the magazine. It is usually written in bold lettering, and it's to give an idea what the article it is linked to is about. 

Caption - The caption describes an image in a brief sentence, and is placed below the image. 

Buzz Words - Buzz words are words in which emphasise the magazine. Buzz words include the words 'Wow' 'Exclusive' 'Amazing'. It is to make the magazine also look fashionable, and more attractive to the audience. 

Font - Fonts (also the typography) are typefaces in which are used to created the words of the magazine, usually varying in different styles in which to link to the magazines genre it is associated with. 

Sell Lines - The sell lines is the text in which sells the magazine to the audience, to help them make the decision to by the magazine. 

Puff - The puff of the magazine is a graphic feature which helps promote the features within the magazine. 

Anchorage Text - Anchorage text is text in which supports the meaning of a picture to help understand what it is about, and help construct the meaning of it also. 

Slogan - The slogan is the magazines motto, usually being a memorable quote, etc. 

Barcode - The barcode, normally placed on the bottom right hand corner of a magazine, has a code embedded into it with the price. 

Banner - The banner, is text which covers either the top and or the bottom of a magazine. It is a way to help show some other features which will be in the magazine, and to make it stand out also. 

Preliminary Task - Task 7

Preliminary Task - Task 7

In aid to what I will be creating for my own magazine, I had been set a preliminary task to focus on what makes a magazine good and what certain features makes it stand out. As part of my coursework toward the course, we will be creating a front page cover, a contents page and also a double page spread. To look at what will make a good magazine, I will analyse the cover of 'ATM Worldwide' magazine. 

ATM Magazine featuring High Contrast

ATM Magazine analysis

• Medium shot image of DnB Producer 'High Contrast' (Stating that he is the main feature of magazine along with the use of the big font across the magazine.
• Colour scheme used: Red, white & green (All upbeat colours to emphasis the type of magazine it is which is EDM based)
• Structure of letter placement is well placed, making it easier to understand.
• Simplistic home style. 

From this quick analysis, I must determine how I will structure and place things on my own magazine front cover, and be aware of what images and font styles I use to emphasis what kind of magazine it is, and what music genre it represents and from that what it represents to that selected target audience. I will apply this to both the contents and double page spread also.

I will also develop quick mock ups and development processes to help me determine what will work best for my magazine, and encourage my workflow to be more efficient and productive through the process of the creation toward this magazine design and contents in it. To do this, I will be using the program 'Adobe Photoshop'. I have enough experience to use the tools in the program to create what I need to do, and help me get down my thoughts and mock ups down in which will help me lead to create the final designs. 

Hollyoaks Homework - Task 6

Hollyoaks Homework (Applying the Male Gaze) - Task 6

The male gaze today in our own modern society is used in many ways in terms of different kinds of medias used. It shows how women are represented in certain points, and what attributes they have and how they impact in certain ways. They can be shown in many forms from the simplest things such as advertising in film and shows, magazine articles, etc.  The task given was to analyse how women are portrayed in a show called 'Hollyoaks' a TV soap drama on Channel 4. 

Here is a clip from a past show of Hollyoaks. It is a clip featuring actress Elize du Toit, and another female actor who's name I'm not aware of. But from this, i will analyse how the male gaze is used in this clip.

From the beginning of the clip, the camera angle focuses straight on to Elize du Toit whilst her being on the phone in a close up shot, then immediately jumps to the view of her underwear from a low angle shot, but still close up. From this sums up that she is a sexual icon in this scene and is the centre of attention, and automatically focuses on her external attributes and what she is wearing. Also, the sounds of the start of the clip is Liberty X's song 'Just a little' which is emphasising how she looks with the lyrics saying 'everything about you is so sexy' then cuts off once the other female actress turns it off. 

The use of lighting as well towards Elize shows that she is the main icon during this scene with the lighting being brighter on her, as opposed to the other actress. The use of high key lightning has been used in effect to this. And toward the end of the scene, it switches places but still focusing on Elize, as although we have a focus on toward the other actress, more of the shot is aimed toward Elize when she walks out the door, still emphasising she is the main part of what is going on. The use of deep focus has been used here to display this also, but not in a way in which it's mean't to be used as we as the audience will focus on Eliza, rather than the other actress. 

Feminism - Task 5

Feminism - Task 5

'We can do it' propaganda styled poster

Introduction

Feminism is a belief and movement in which that in political, social and economic terms, women are seen as equals to men, and to establish having the same rights that men have also. Feminist (s) is a person who advocates and supports the movement of feminism and women's rights. 
Many feminists today see and know women as strong, and independent people, with there own life and mindset, which then this encourages to support and change the rights for women in todays society. And from that, the act and movement of feminism has helped change laws and have a much more balanced wavelength between women and men, in terms of equality.

The History

The history of feminism dates back to 3 individual 'waves'. The first wave of feminism goes back to the 19th & 20th centuries in which during this time, feminists at this point focused on quashing laws in which would make women equal, in which particularly women suffering during this time. Then onto the second wave of feminism, feminists then acted on cultural differences and inequalities and how the role of women in society where portrayed as. This was between the time of the 1960's to the 80's. And the third wave, which from the 90's to present day carries on in which the second wave wanted to do, and to work on getting the balance of equality for women in society.

Famous Feminists & their beliefs

Their have been many feminists throughout the ages, dating back all the way to the 12th century, leading up to our own modern day society. Without the leading and backing from the past and present feminists, the movement would not be where it is today without the progress made from past feminists, and the many endeavours in which will be made by modern day feminists now.

Marie de France (Past Feminist)
Marie de France, possibly being born in France, but lived in England during the late 12th Century, was a feminist and also being a medieval poet. Not much is known about her during her lifetime, but she was a pioneer toward the romance genre of poetry, plays, etc. 

Marie de France

But during her time, one of her most notable pieces of work which links in toward feminism and the movement of it was the poem 'Lanval'. It is a feminist romance set in medieval England. To show feminism and also the inequality of women during the period of time she was in, she uses the relationship between the protagonists 'Lanval' and the' Faerie Queen' as a way to bring in the topics of both love and gender to show how women can be equal to men, in terms of sexual, emotional, physical and mental ways. 




Ellen Page (Modern day Feminist) 

Ellen Page

Ellen Page is a Canadian actress born in February 21st, 1987, who is one of many 'third wave' feminists in todays society. Apart from being an actress being in many films and also being quite a decorated actress in terms of awards and being in many well acclaimed films, she stands up towards her beliefs around feminism and the movement.

She as an individual to help feminism, and promote the movement, she wants to change the way people think about feminism and why so many people disregard the word 'feminism' and think the word relates to something else other than what it actual means and revolves around. Here is a quote from Ellen linking toward feminism:

'It's how you're treated, it's how you're looked at, how you're expected to look in a photoshoot, it's how you're expected to shut up and not have an opinion, it's how you - if you're a girl and don't fit the very specific vision of what a girl should be, which is always from a man's perspective, then you're at a little bit at a loss. There are moments when you are encouraged to dress a certain way. But I can't. It just erodes my soul. That's no criticism to girls who can wear a tiny dress and kill it - that's awesome. People always attribute being a feminist to hating girls being sexual and that's not it at all. I'm just not into it.''


Laura Mulvey 'The Male Gaze' Theory
Laura Mulvey is a British film feminist theorist. The term 'Male Gaze' is a term and theory she first thought up in 1975. She believes that in how we view certain things in film, we see it in a heterosexual male perspective. In linking it into feminism, it can be seen in 3 different perspectives, being: How men look at women, how women look at themselves and how women look at other women. 

Laura Mulvey

From this, the theory also suggests that it only focuses on women's curve and events that happen to them during a scene and a whole film in particular are portrayed only at a male angle. Also, she states and argues that sexism can also be presented during this also. People are made to look at women in advertising that sexualises a women's body even when it is unrelated to the product featured or shown.

Here is a video from Scouting for girls 'She's so lovely' which shows the theory in play.



Representation of Women in Music Magazines

From overlooking the lesson, I will use what I have learned to analyse the front cover of a magazine, with this being the cover of NME with the picture of Beth Ditto as the cover photo. 

Analysis
From analysing the magazine, the representation of women, particularly Beth Ditto in this case being the main part of the magazine in this issue shows how she does not care for her own appearance and that women should not care about how they look like to others, in this case men. She looks like she is empowered by how she is, and nothing will change her. NME has not tried to win male buyers of the magazine for this, with the cover photo shown, as a many people would buy a magazine for its cover. Feminists would support this as it shows how Beth is not given in to any representations of women, and is strictly being her self as a women, and being empowered by who she is. 

Semiotic Theory - Task 4

Semiotic Theory - Task 4

Semiotic theory is a theory of which to study signs, symbols, with also the use and elements of language and other uses of communication in which we use in the world. And then in how we also interpret and respond to the signs and symbols we see. People may interpret things different than others, so therefore can spark discussions and debates in how we can perceive things as what they appear to be, etc.

In theory, there are 3 stages in which we interpret and understand signs and symbols. From this we understand in how, we as people, interpret these signs and symbols. Everyone has a unique perception on things, so the things we interpret will have a different out come.

The 3 stages are:

-Perception stage: This stage involves the person noticing and becoming aware of the sign and or symbol.

-Manipulation stage: This stage involves the person trying to understand and piece together what the sign and or symbol means or represents.

-Consummation stage: This stage involves the person acting upon the sign, making decisions in what to do with the sign being there. 

Road Signs & Symbols

Denotation 

Denotation means that a word that names and or signifies something, or denotes a mark or symbol. It is essentially a dictionary defintion of a word and or phrase. It just states the definate definition for a word, making it easy for people to understand interpret.


Connotation

Connotation is the set of characteristics and traits in which we get from a certain word. It is also how we imply words in what they mean by connecting it to a certain feeling and or emotion. Words have a major impact in language, in which this can be a good or bad thing, so using words in certain things, we must be careful in how we use them. In the act of connotation, we would associate 'home' with the feelings of being 'warm', 'cosy', etc. 



Semiotic Theory in magazines

To apply the semiotic theory to magazines, I have chosen 'Mixmag' to analyse the cover and what it shows and presents. 

From analysing the front cover of Mixmag, from using the term denotation, we interpret that this is a dance based magazine with the use of the vibrant colours and style, with the use of the fonts, showing that the house style and design of the magazine is primarily focusing and relating to the audience it is trying to connect with. 

With the denotation, we can use the connotation to extract the details with that the magazine is a electronic dance music based magazine which then comes across as being upbeat, lively and provides a good feeling and vibe from it. 

To focus more on the contents on the front cover, the picture of 'Daft Punk' with the use of the medium shot, shows to the audience that they are the main focus of the magazine and that they are what is important about what is going on throughout. But it also shows dominance but with a chilled out vibe. In how they are shown and presented, with being in a sunny setting in which the shot has been taken also gives an indication of what kind of music that they play and how we as an audience feel about it, with this connotating that it is fun, cool and euphoric. 

Also, the colour palette of the magazine are the colours white, blue, yellow and pink. These colours all stand out and this denotes that its showing that the magazine signifies the kind of genre of music it relates with and from connotating this, shows that it is joyous, feel good and positive. 

Music Magazine Questionnaire - Task 3

Music Magazine Research Task

To be able to understand and to capture the specific targets audiences thoughts and feelings on magazines, I created a music magazine questionnaire. It is aimed at people who buy music magazines, and people who do not. From this, i am able to get both results from the audience and help me create a magazine in which the target audience can be happy with, and it will be able to help me notice what is wrong within music magazines and it can help me rectify the problems. This is a great way to help me understand the research and planning needed to be put into my magazine. From this, its primary source as I am finding out my own information, with the use of my own research and planning to help develop results. (Link to 'types research & planning' blog entry: 'Here'.

Also, if you would like to take part in the questionnaire I created, please be sure to follow the link below as titled 'My Questionnaire'. Thank you:

My Questionnaire

Research Methods - Task 2

Types of Research Methods

There are many different types of research used to carry out to get certain results. From the results, we can get an idea of where we can direct our product into the kind of audience we want, and also to identify the do's and don't. There are two kinds of research methods used:

• Quantitative Research,
• Qualitative Research.  

Quantitative Research

Quantitive research is the type of research which is used to carry out to get results from a primary source. We can use quantitative research to get the views and thoughts of people so we can guide our product to the right direction. But in order to do this, we must get a vast majority of people to take part in surveys, questionnaires, etc. to get a range of results which vary but also go toward our specific goal. 

Qualitative Research 

Qualitative research is the type of research in which more open questions are asked to get a much bigger understanding and better result. This type of research is good to understand the thoughts and feelings of the audience. It is also good to work with a hypothesis you have used to set out so it can help you generate ideas and work processes to help aid the product to sell to the audience. Examples of qualitative research is usually done through one-to-one interviews or group interviews, other wise known as focus groups. 

There are also two different ways in which we can get data and evidence also. This being the following as: 

• Primary Source / Data,
• Secondary Source / Data.

Primary Source / Data

Primary source or data is data in which have been collected from first hand encounters or being your own information to help contribute to your own work, as it is your own research and self work. Data like this can't be out dated as it is your own information and it can always be used, as opposed to secondary source, you will be finding it from another person or party in which it can be dated, and in some cases, not entirely accurate. Popular ways in which you can obtain primary source is to use are surveys, interviews, etc. 


Secondary Source / Data

Secondary source or data is data which has been collected from the past or from other sources, in which to help to contribute to your own work. Data like this can be out dated as it is not your own research or work so it makes it a risk for it to be used as it maybe in use of some one else's research, or maybe copyrighted by someone or another party and this could cause major problems on your own behalf. But on the other side of secondary data, it is much easier to collect as it is distributed any where, and can be searched throughout, such as the internet making it less time consuming, etc. You can also compare secondary to primary source to see whether it is accurate to your own findings and results or to see where you have went wrong and make changes.