Final Submission

Front Cover

Table of Contents 

1st Page of Two Page Article 

2nd Page of Two Page Article 

Creative Critical Reflection Presentation

CCR 1

CCR 2

CCR 3 and 4

Final CCR Question 4 Script

Script: CCR 4

In my project, I had to use many different technology products in order to create my magazine. Computer software, computer hardware, websites, and cameras were the main objects I used. To begin constructing my magazine, I had to take photographs for the magazine. My media studies teacher lent me a Canon Rebel T6 camera from the school that I was able to use instead of using my phone camera. Once I had the photographs, I was able to construct my magazine. Most of my work was done at my school, using their computers: HP Elite Book. I used the publisher software  on these computers to create my front cover, table of contents, and two-page article. This software allows me to format exactly how I want the layout of each page to look like. Computer hardware was used in this project as well because I needed the use of a computer to construct my product. The hardware includes the actual computer, keyboard, and ports needed to get my pictures and publisher documents onto the computer via flash drive. I also used websites to help with my research for my blog. These included the magazines' websites and distribution websites. All of these technology products have allowed me to produce my magazine Life in Paradise and my blog that has documented my steps throughout this year.

Final CCR Question 3 Script

Script: CCR 3


Production skills have been a necessity throughout this project. I needed to learn how to use publisher in order to create my magazine as well as creative formatting to make the magazine look well put together. It took me awhile to get my ideas together on what I wished to portray in my magazine. When you look at my first submission for the project including the front page, table of contents, and two-page spread of Life in Paradise,  you can tell that I wasn't the best at formatting and knowing what works best. As I received revisions from my first draft and worked on my revisions to make my project more appealing, I have definitely learned a lot. Especially after seeing what other people have done I have gotten an idea of the level in which my magazine should achieve.

Now, when you look at my latest magazine revisions, you can see that my production skills have improved.

My front cover is cleaner with a new picture that doesn't cause the text to become difficult to read. I have kept the cover simple, which is the usual layout for a travel magazine. This also allows you to focus on the important pieces of the magazine cover.

Also, my table of contents page has more articles included and isn't just a few photos and titles of articles or sections. I have chosen a main picture to be the focal point on the page. This allows the page to be eye-catching and to ensure the reader does not get overwhelmed with the amount of words on the page. Another thing I have added are a few more images relating to the articles along with the page numbers on them.

Finally, my two-page spread has changed with the title formatting, color, images inside the article and the sizes of them as well.

I wouldn't consider myself a professional, but I feel this project has definitely improved my ability to produce something like a magazine. I have learned how to use a new program as well as take better photographs that would be used within a magazine like my own. Overall, when comparing my skills in the beginning of the year to now, they have improved and because of this project I can apply this knowledge to other areas of my life.

Final CCR Question 2 Script

Script: CCR 2

My magazine engages with audiences because it includes material that would relate to activities people would enjoy as well as information this audience would like to read about. My audience would be the population that enjoys tropical life and spending time on the beach and ocean. Since my magazine is titled Life in Paradise, it automatically will bring people in who want to enjoy this type of lifestyle. Also, since my product isn't limited to only one type of "story", it can draw in people who are looking for island life, beach necessities, or even those looking for activities they can do on the water. This allows the audience to not be limited to one type of theme within the main theme and broadens the audience by a bit.

If Life in Paradise became a real media text, I would begin to distribute it by finding a distribution company that I could partner with. In a previous post on my blog, I did an entry about usual magazine distribution processes. While researching, I found the company Disticor, which is a distribution company that will help you get your magazine into stores and sold. When magazine companies partner with a distribution company like this one, it speeds up the process of getting their magazine into stores and on shelves, especially if they are new to the business. It also creates a more professional front for a new magazine company that is trying to become known. Creating a website for my magazine might also help the distribution of it. Since so many people are online now, if they decide to search for a certain type of magazine, like tropical or travel, the website to my magazine may pop up. Overall, partnering with a distribution company and creating a website would ultimately allow my magazine to be distributed as a real media text.

Final CCR Question 1 Script

Script: CCR 1

The product I have produced is my magazine Life in Paradise. When you think about conventions of a magazine, you think about all of the necessary items in order to make it successful. This includes the front page, how the title is displayed, fonts, colors, table of contents, articles, and even how the pages are numbered. I would consider my magazine "challenging these convention" because I have made sure my work is original and not copied off of another company. I have even included my own photographs that I have taken that no other magazine would have access to.

On my front cover, I have followed the necessary conventions needed for a travel/tropical magazine. You will see that the cover is very simplified and has the cover lines set to one side. This inspiration came from Go Escape, The World's Most Amazing Places, and Travel and Leisure. Using these as inspirations, I have made sure to make this front cover my own as I have provided my own image, titles, and formatting options. I have included the needed content for a front cover with a masthead, date line, main image, main content title, and content titles.

My table of contents also has the title of Contents which can be found in many other magazines. I also became inspired by the magazines Coastal Living, Go Escape, and Travel and Leisure for the layout of the contents page. As you can see, I have a main image with a few smaller images that relate to the articles inside my magazine. This has a slight relation to Coastal Living and Travel and Leisure as they have at least one main image. I was inspired by Go Escape's use of the page numbers on top of the pictures relating to the articles as well.

My two-page spread begins with the main title and main image that are very eye-catching. I have also chosen to make my article follow an interview format. I have included information before and after the interview as well as images that relate to the article's content. In this, I did not find a lot of inspirations from anything in particular. I knew that I wanted an interview format, however, and I made sure to include photographs that related to the article like many magazines do. On the pages of my magazine, other than the cover, I have also included branded page numbers.

My magazine also challenges conventions of the genre it falls under. Life in Paradise would be in the genre of travel and beach lifestyle. Some magazines under these categories just talk about the fun involved in luxuries related to this. However, my magazine also talks about the expenses and all the factors you need to know and consider before purchasing an island for example. This example of my main article allows people to know that owning an island involves a lot more work than just a place to vacation. Owners have to worry about employees to hire in order to manage the island and allow it to be a place to go and relax.

When discussing social groups and issues, my magazine would represent ones involving the wealthier lifestyle. This is so because my magazine involves luxuries only possible for those with a higher income. With this social group mainly in my magazine, the issues arise with the people who can't afford an island. These people may feel like the wealthy are bragging and making them feel less than they are. Although my magazine would represent this higher paid social group more, others would still be able to receive valuable information due to other articles included like, perfect snacks for the beach or water sports. Thus, this magazine allows people with different incomes to enjoy it and is not limited to one group.

3rd Quarter Submission Critiques from Class

In class on 3/21/18 my magazine was "presented". This allowed my classmates to see my product and give me advice to help my magazine be the best it could be. Some of their critiques included to change the alignment of some of my photos on the table of contents, change the alignment on the article, add a pull quote on my two page article. The next step for my project is to continue revisions.