My research

During the process of my creating my magazine I consulted our target audience several times to help improve my product. I asked 5 people of my target market
several questions revolving around my magazine. I asked them various questions on how I could improve my magazine and whether it looked professional or not. Moreover, I asked whether the magazine appealed to them, the models clothes and hair, costumes/shots and overall layout and colour of the magazine. I went through various images before settling on my final image.

Here is the image I originally came up with for my front cover:

However, after I asked my audience whether this image was appropriate they suggested I could use another one as this one was slightly out of focus. I then decided to use the following:

I had to manipulate this image before using it as my cover image. I used Adobe Photoshop to edit it. I came across a number of functions that would help me improve the image so it looked for professional. Firstly I cut out the background with the magic wand tool so I could apply a background of my choice to it. I then used the eye dropper tool to make the skin all one colour. I also changed the brightness and contrast to improve what the image looked like.
My image I used was a medium close-up shot so the shine on the models face caused by the lighting and flash was quite visible. To eliminate this I used the blur tool.
The image was then resized for the cover so it would fit the cover well. I felt by editing the image it appeared to be more real like and professional looking.
It also made the image look more attractive and eye-catching for the viewers.

Once the editing and manipulating was done I began to work on the cover of the magazine. Once I felt I had completed it, I went back to my target audience and asked them on how I could improve the cover. After asking our target audience I found out that the colour scheme did not appeal to the audience as much. The background colour was also too dark and took in the text. The font sizes were small and I manipulated the cover further to improve the cover. Another thing my target audience suggested was to include a few other images on the cover even if they were small. The regular consulting helped with acknowledging what the market wants. It helped me understand my market more.
I altered my magazine cover and included a colour scheme, made sure the font was of a bigger text and bordered some text to emphasise certain cover stories. The cover stories I chose were also after asking what types of stories attract my target audience to buying a magazine. I inserted 3 other original images as part of my cover stories. This helped it look more attractive and interesting. Once these changes were applied my target audience were very satisfied with the cover.

For the contents page the adjustments advised were to change to font in to a more interesting one. I was previously using ‘calibri’ and then changed it to ‘bauhaus 93’ which was a more upbeat and fun text. This was the main change which was adviced.
My contents page also did not have a specific colour scheme, I then amended this and changed the colours to pink, black and orange. The background of my contents is white which is why I felt it was important to include images. I included 1 original image in this, and one other image in the editors letter to make it entertaining.

The original image I used was of the model on the cover. It was a high-angle medium shot to allow the audience to feel as if they could look into the models life. Here is the image before it was manipulated:

I cut out the background with the magic wand tool wand and then applied a different coloured background. I blurred and sponged the edges and contrasting the image. The brightness was also altered to help the model stand out. This is the image once I had amended it:

The double page spread was very much liked by my target audience. However I personally felt as if it could have been improved further. I firstly used an image where the model was wearing trousers which were black. Once I started working on the double page spread I ended up with a background of black also as I felt this looked very eye-catching. This lead me to retake my image and here another original image before it had been edited:

This image was a long shot to allow the readers to be able to the the costume the model was wearing and to be able to relate to the style and trend the model was representing. The editing of this image involved me removing the background through the rubber tool and the magic wand. I then made the image brighter and blurred any shine which was reflecting on the models face. Here is the image once is had been edited:

On my double page spread I felt it was necessary to include more than just one image. Therefore I included another original image. Here is the before it was manipulated:






This was a long shot to allow the readers to see the set and location. It helps the audience feel part of the image as they know the setting surrounding the model.
I did not cut out the background of the image because the image was supposed to portray a home-like set. The props in the back were average household item. Nevertheless I did make the image slightly brighter and cut the image to make it smaller and the appropriate size for the inside page. . Here is what it looked like once all the changes were applied: