Monday, 5 May 2014

Website/Blog


At the start of April I began to create a website on tumblr which showcased each editorial series and I added in the final writing for each after I saw the final print of the magazine.
The reasoning behind doing this website on top of my printed magazine is to entice my target audience and I also considered the strong influence of social media and the internet on projecting your ideas and work out there.



Readership involvement is important as I wanted the audience to be able to hold a physical copy and be able to see it as a piece of art rather than images online. Saying this, by creating a website, I realise that it makes my work more accessable if it is online, however those who are most interested in the magazine theme will buy a printed copy.



Due to the access of images on the internet, I realised it was a wise decision to create an online copy of a magazine both to get my name and work out there, but also so people who did not see/buy a copy of my work could review it and look over it.













In retrospect I wish I had had organised the creation of magazine more effectively as it would look more professional and intriguing. The style of the website is simplistic and showcases each series with it's written column long the right hand side.
I also think it will be easier to collect feedback from my peers whether that is friends/family or others within the industry as I find constructive criticism extremely important. This will be easier for me to see if my work is posted online.


Link to website:

www.theheartbreakissue.tumblr.com 

Saturday, 3 May 2014

Reflecting Proposal

The budget which I created in my FMP proposal as a rough estimate has proven to be slightly incorrect. Below is a copy of what I thought I would need to pay for:

TOTAL ESTIMATE: £410
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I underestimated greatly on the price it would cost to get my magazine printed. For three copies it cost me £225
I also had to pay out £100 altogether to get certain models to come down - travel expenses and dinner paid for
Shooting materials came to £150 for makeup, styling and hair products 
Material Research came to £60 therefore I was correct in giving myself that budget
Graphic Designer: £50

ACTUAL TOTAL: £585
Originally I gave myself a budget of £500, however due to my new job I have been able to afford more. If I was to do this project again I would search for funding and/or a sponsorship from another copy and I would be able to afford more facilities. Originally I wanted to pay for a professional retoucher who I have worked with before I could not afford to pay him the amount he was asking for. Through this though I have developed my own skills in photoshop. Budget is very big part of the creation of the magazine and I think before the project I greatly underestimated how much money I would need. Luckily I have good contacts who owed me favors for shoots I have done previously e.g. photographers. 

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PROPOSED Target Market:
The target market of the magazine will be quite broad within the genres of fashion, art and culture. This will appeal to the creative individuals within the industries, such as makeup artists, fashion photographers or stylists, whether that be students or professionals of all ages.
Not only will this magazine attract industry workers, but also those who appreciate the diversity of art and self-expression.
The magazine aims to target:
- Income bracket: working class and above due to price of magazine
- Average age range of 18 to 30 (see appendix fig. 23)
- Both female and male audience within the UK
- Creative, open minded people with an interest in avant-garde beauty and fashion
- Those who are interested in and appreciate artistic expression towards cultural and political topics
- Students, aspiring artists or those working within the industries who are looking for inspiration

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ACTUAL TARGET MARKET:
The target market has only slightly changed with the age ranging from 18 to 25 of both female and male UK residents. 
I also have changed who the magazine is aimed at. It will be aimed at people who are aspiring to be in the industry such as makeup artists, stylist and photographers, would be part of the aim to reach out to, I also think it will be popular with young adults who are interested in fashion, art and makeup.

The target market I previously create was too broad and unrealistic where as I feel this target market is better suited now I have seen the final print. 

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Timetable 

This was the proposed timetable which I was aiming to work by, however due to being offered other jobs on top of doing my final major project, I had to be more savvy which the amount of work I did each week. I aimed to finish all my photoshoots by the end of April, however I finished them around the middle of April giving myself more time for the writing and set up of my magazine which now I am thankful for. 
Also with the situation of my back going, leaving my flat and bed-bound for a few days I used that time productively to finish all my my written work and getting others to write columns and articles for me. 

Other project which I have taken part in have been:

Briton, The Road to Modernity - a 5 episode documentary 
Hair Specialist - Paid - Between 16-20 Days filming in total not including research, wig hiring and meetings.

The Structured Runway - One night Catwalk in Southampton
Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist - 3pm until 10pm not including meetings and prep

Megan Jordan Photography - 3 photoshoots for university project

Bettie-Harold Sodipo - 5 photoshoots for university project - 3 looks per day, 5 full days

The Encore - Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist, Live Recording for 2 days 9am - 6pm

Abi Murray FMP - Hair and Makeup Assistant/Social Media 1 Full Day

Freelance Hairdressing 

Fashion Photography Look Book, 1pm - 9pm Full day Hair and Makeup Artist

Hair Extensionist for Noble Claim - Glen/Jed/Olta Film 

Above are a few examples of the extra work I have been involved over the course of my FMP time period. I have taken every opportunity which has come may way as I find it extremely beneficial to broaden your experience, knowledge and skills. I learnt something new every job I do which I can project into my own work. 

At the start of April I began to slowly create a website completely focuses on this magazine as an added extra, though I was not sure if I was going to use it in the final submission. I would spend half an hour maximum a day on this leaving enough time for other projects and the final print of the magazine. In retrospect I'm extremely glad I did this as I was not completely satisfied with the final print and look of the magazine. 

Below is a copy of my original timetable:


Friday, 2 May 2014

Final Print Pick Up

2nd May 2014
I have been waiting for the print for just over a week now and I finally picked it up today.

The first thing I realised was the font on the front cover was different to the last time we spoke and from when I last saw it. It was a lot fatter and shorted and I had wanted one that was thinner and longer which we discussed in our final meeting.
Image of front cover and font

On the other hand I am really happy with the final font design of 'The Heartbreak Issue' as it suits the image, style and theme.

The second thing was my name was spelt wrong on the first page instead of Minnie Faye Rayment it is Minnie Faye Rayement. We also discussed her designing an illustration for the letter number one to put on the very inside of the magazine, however the graphic designer had found a low res image on google with a water mark on it and put it into the center of the page.

water mark

Incorrect spelling

The foreword I had sent her still had notes printed on the bottom of it. I asked her to remove them but they were still in the final print.
Throughout the magazine many of the model's names were spelt incorrectly as well as my own on numberous occasions although I gave her the accurate information needed. I also found that the layout I had wanted for my face charts had been changed making them unclear to see and the product list was not in the center of the page as we discussed.

Example of the layout of the face charts and product list which was different to original plan







Pixelated image on the back cover of the magazine

The acknowledgements were inserted at the start of the magazine although the last time I saw them when we met up they were at the back where I preferred them to be.
Every chapter has the same font which was not how I had planned to have it, though I did instruct her clearly that I wanted different fonts, typography and colours making each series contrasting and unique.
The bleed on the magazine was not large enough therefore I lost many of the faces in my double page spreads which I was really disappointed in as the ones I chose to be double pages were my favourite images.





Finally on the credit page, the graphic designer has credited herself as the Co-Editor which is was not what we discussed at any point during our meetings.

In future I will definitely use someone who has had a lot of experience with magazine work - though her portfolio online appeared good, the work which she created for myself wasn't at the required standard. I will also TRIPLE proof ready my work before I submit it print as this was a big mistake on my part. Due to this being my final major project I should have been more concerned and tight with the jobs I gave the graphic designer so she knew exactly what I needed and wanted though I felt I had done this, next time I will need to have more regular meet ups. Instead of once a week we should meet every couple of days.
I sent my work over to a designer as I thought I would not have enough time to complete the work to the standard I was wanting, however I have now been given a print which I am not 100% happy with.

I am happy with the images and the makeup, the print quality and paper quality is brilliant and I think the spine and front cover quality is to the standard I was aiming for.

Some of my colours within the images were lost and looked slightly dull therefore I should have checked the format of the images before she put them onto the inDesign file.

Altogether I am glad to see the final print as a whole as I am proud of the work I have done although there are many aspects of the design I would remove and change.