A2 Evaluation

The video of my Evaluation can be found here: 

https://vimeo.com/94507783

KerNow final Cover, Contents page, Double page spread and billboard advertisement

Here is the link to my magazine's website: www.bodminmedia.com

Billboard construction

I began the construction of my Billboard by opening the image I had taken at Roche Rock, in Photoshop. Throughout the creation of the advertisement I changed nothing about the background image.

To create continuity between my magazine and the Billboard advertisement I added the magazine masthead to the top right of the image. I kept the masthead font in black to keep a vivid contrast between the text and the sky backdrop.

Like with my magazine cover, I added the tag-line that accompanies the masthead, again this is in place to create continuity between the printed product and it's advertisement.

To maintain a simplistic style I have added very little information to the billboard, here I have added the web address for the KerNow website where the subscribe feature is available. As this form of advertisement is typically positioned at the road-side it is important to give information that can be remembered from a short glance from a driver or passenger of a fast-moving vehicle.

Double page spread construction

I began with a background image that I took of Bodmin Jail which I edited in photoshop previously to make it black and white. I also cropped the image slightly to fill the page better.

Next I added a second image to the page on the left, this was an image I took at Roche Rock of a window, I then removed the contents of the window hole.

Here I added the title for the feature article 'Paranormal Cornwall'. I chose to use a Celtic variety of font to create continuity with the Cornish/historic theme that is utilised throughout my magazine. I used several filters on the text to make the title more prominent on the page.

I selected a smart, clear, white font for my introductory and main body text. This allows the text to contrast vividly with the dark backgrounds.

Following convention with the magazines I have looked at, I decided to start my feature article with a large bold capital letter.

Here I have added the page numbers in the lower corners in the same font and colour as my main body and introductory text.

I chose to include an image of an angelic stature that I took in one of Bodmin's cemeteries, I thought this fit well with the themes conveyed in my feature article.

I made some alterations to the colours of the statue image, to add some colour to the page. I used the filter glowing lines to create this effect.













I made some drastic changes to my feature page's background after reconsidering the overall design of the article. Here I added several images that I took on a visit to Bodmin Jail, I laid these images over each other while changing the opacity levels to create a layered effect. I also moved my angel image to the left page and enlarged it to cover it's entirety.

Contents page construction

I began my contents page by selecting the background image that I had taken previously on my Roche Rock photoshoot. I kept this image unaltered as I was satisfied with it's appearance.

I added the title of my contents page before any other text in order to establish the layout, I chose to follow convention and place the title in the top left corner of the page. I selected a lighter blue than that of the background so the title was visible, but at the same time not the most prominent element on the contents page.

Next I added my magazine cover image next to where the subscribe advertisement would be. I have observed in other publications that featuring a subscribe section on the contents page is imperative.

Here I began to add text and headers, as observed in other magazines of this variety the editor's note is present 100% of the time on the contents page. I decided on a white font in contrast with the darker background further down the page.

Like other magazines I have included a special subscribe and save offer to entice customers looking to save on the RRP of my magazine. Again I have used a smart white font.

I chose to list the actual contents of the magazine to the bottom left corner of my contents page, this is a convention I observed when looking at existing magazines. The reader's eye is naturally drawn from left to right, meaning the contents are likely to be the first thing to catch the reader's eye.

I added translucent black boxes around my main bodies of text to contrast further with the white font selected, these boxes help by making the text easier to read by blocking out the lighter aspects of the background image.

Later I decided to enlarge the main image to get rid of most of the empty sky space at the top of my contents page. In addition to this I made sure to add the KerNow logo in the top right corner of the page to create continuity between the cover and contents pages. The subscribe section has also been reduced slightly to make it appear a bit tidier, I have also replaced the old cover image with my newer version.

Cover page construction

I began my cover page by opening an un-edited image from my Roche Rock photoshoot in photoshop.

Next I added my magazine's masthead that is presented in a Celtic font. I made sure this was the most prominent aspect of the cover by making the masthead black and reasonably large to attract the reader's attention on a store shelf.

I have added two banners to display promotional information and the web address to create continuity between the printed product and the website. This is something I have observed with similar magazines that helps to sell the subscription to the product.

Here I have added a bar code which is a vital inclusion on the magazine's cover.

I decided to display the promotional slogan and web address in a white font so it is easy for the customer to read on the darker banner despite the small size of the text.

I decided to add a tag-line to my magazine masthead to further promote the idea of this being a Cornish magazine that celebrates Cornish heritage. However I chose to make the tag-line white, which make it blend slightly with the sky blue background. I have no problem with this as it isn't the most prominent element of the masthead.

Lastly I added the informational text and heading that advertise the features inside the magazine. I again chose to display this font in white to contrast with the darker lower region of the main image.



















I decided after the construction of my magazine's front cover that it could use a broader range of colour pallet. I added two more banners in a Pink/Purple colour containing more white text to correspond with the rest of the text on the page. I also chose to alter some of the headings and more specifically the tag-line above the masthead, the tag-line is now more prominent as it is also displayed in a black font.  I chose to add one of the most popular Cornish icons to the cover, the Cornish pasty to create further association with Cornish culture.
I also moved the bar code to the right of the page to make way for the bigger title of the main feature of my magazine.

Shot selections for final webpage and billboard

 I have chosen to use this image at the head of my website homepage to accompany what would be the magazine's masthead. This is a cropped version of my main cover image, the repetition of this image creates continuity between my product and the website. I have used a similar image for the banner advertising the subscribe feature of my website.

This image is located near the middle of the website's homepage, I chose to include this picture to show off the natural beauty of the cornish landscape and give readers an idea of the sort of thing they can expect to see in the magazine. Because the first issue of KerNow is focussed on Heritage walks and the like, I thought these types of image would suit the theme of this issue.

This image, as well as the two below are all featured as small thumbnails that accompany the feature articles advertised on the home page. I selected the image above to again show off the countryside as well as some old Cornish architecture. The photo was taken again at Roche rock where  the majority of my other shots were taken.

although this image was captured at Roche Rock, I have used it to advertise my feature article about Bodmin Jail. I chose this image because it is featured in the background of my double page spread and is therefore already associated with the article. The light shining through the window seems to represent a figure of a ghost, I thought this was fitting due to the paranormal activity within Bodmin Jail.

I selected this image because it promotes the idealised view of Cornish weather, I included the image on my homepage to represent a feature article about the Cornish landscape.

billboard flat plans

Billboard analysis

This is the only Regional magazine billboard that I was able to find via the internet. This billboard is advertising 'The Resident', a regional magazine for the London area. The magazine's masthead is displayed in a very large white, distinguished font that stands out well over the bright orange backdrop. the tag-line for the magazine is displayed below in both black and white to create some variation between the two separate tags 'your magazine' and 'your London'. The billboard however does not display the web address in a very noticeable fashion, the text is very small and therefore difficult to read, although it does contrast directly with the white section of the billboard. It is made very clear that the magazine can be accessed through multiple devices and not only through the now dated printed format. The magazine cover is shown on the screens of two separate Apple products alongside the printed version, this is supported also by the Apple compatibility logo positioned next to these devices. It appears very important that modern technology is shown to be compatible with the product as more and more people are subscribing to magazines through their mobile devices as this appears to be the most convenient way to access media texts. This is a convention that would be worth considering in the design of my own billboard, this may help my magazine to appeal to younger generations as well as older individuals who see this form of distribution as an advantage.