Creative Critical Reflection

https://prezi.com/view/ltUDiQWJM10YXZz7Efpw/

Creative Critical Reflection Question #4

Throughout the process of my magazine creation, I utilized several different types of technology features. From the use of editing I used on my photos to the graphic design software I used on the pages of magazine, I was able to effectively use technology to my advantage. 

For example, for my photos, I used an iPhone XR to capture them, where I used the portrait tool to adjust my lighting by using the "natural light" feature. Along with this, I used the square paneling feature for a more crisp and structured design for my photos. As for editing on my photos, I used the apps VSCO and Storyluxe. Within the VSCO app, I used the filters AU5 while sharpening the photos to +2.6 for a more editorial finish. As for the Storyluxe App, I used the filter Ashbury to add more lighting to the photos where it was lost. 

To continue, I used Adobe Indesign for the cover page of my magazine. This can be seen in my use of the rectangle frame tool, in which I expanded it to the entire length of the magazine cover to fit my photo in before I added anything else. After that, I used the rectangle frame tool again for a text box to fit my title in. I used the eyedropper tool to input the plum color first, then inputting a teal color for the text itself. In the bottom corner, I used the rectangle frame tool for the third time to promote my social media outlet. 

For the table of contents and two-page article, I used Microsoft Publisher. The table of contents uses several individual rectangles to properly display the page numbers in a sleek manner. Within each text box, I inputted the line tool to separate the number from the content below. I used the California FB font to accomplish this. As for the two-page article, I started with a blank canvas, while utilizing the same burgundy color scheme seen in all four pieces of the magazine. I outlined white framing for the text using the shape tool and left open spaces to input my photos using the insert pictures tool. I outlined the two-page article with an argyle pattern all the way around, using a similar burgundy color scheme, with some soft pinks to complement the red. 

Creative Critical Reflection Question #3

Throughout the development of my magazine, I started without any experience in creating my own brand or having a standard idea of what I was trying to accomplish. While scheduling my photoshoot, I was unsure of where I should have my locations be. This proved to be a bit difficult when reaching a consensus of when my model would be free, especially because I planned to have several locations planned throughout the city of Sarasota. We were able to plan accordingly within two consecutive days in a week of my photoshoot period. I was able to take photos on Siesta Key, downtown Sarasota, and St. Armands Circle. The photos came out well, despite some technical concerns I had when taking the photos. I used an iPhone XR to capture the pictures, which had fantastic quality but at times it was hard to find effective lighting, that truly showed what impression I was trying to give to the audience, which was "confidence." Now, it is nearly impossible to tell your model how to pose a certain way while also exhibiting a specific emotion. However, despite my initial concerns, the photos came out perfect! This gave me the boost to continue on my idea of the magazine, and what things I was passionate about. I came to the conclusion that I was heavily inspired by fashion and the betterment of the environment, so why not clash the two into one magazine. This is where the name Environmentally Chic stemmed from.

From November to March, I was able to develop a range of skills in the production of my magazine, I was heavily inspired by the poses used in Vogue photoshoots while putting my own twist on them. This is where my production design came from, where I used the colors of the photo to incorporate into the overall theme of the magazine. For example, I brought the plum red color of the leather jacket in the photo and tied it into all four pieces of my magazine. I believe this is a strong evolution of creativity and the branding of my magazine, and the cause that it stands for, which is seeing the change in the fashion industry through sustainability. 

Creative Critical Reflection Question #2

Throughout my research into different types of magazines, I have found several types of ways that these products are able to engage with their audience. For example, Vogue magazine was able to evolve their ways of communicating with their audience with the changing times of technology by using a digital platform and promoting their social media outlets within their website. In the future, I would like to take inspiration from this marketing technique and integrate a similar website for my magazine, Environmentally Chic. Along with this, I researched two smaller magazines known as, Frontlash Magazine and FairFashion Magazine, where they both utilize weekly newsletters, in which any customer that accesses their page is brought to a pop-up about subscribing to their magazine for updates and information via e-mail. I found a liking to this technique because of the way it utilizes customer recall, and the ability to continuously bring customers back to the site. Therefore, within my website, I plan to utilize an effective newsletter pop-up to ensure my customers are staying longer than a one-time visit. 

For my product, I plan to distribute it in several different ways. Through my vast research, I found that achieving the most customer feedback is the key to success. Therefore, my traditional distribution model will develop slowly by starting small and utilizing mailing lists and newsletters. As my readers increase in size, I plan to develop specific packaging that is catered to the theme of my magazine, which is the environment and creating a sustainable future with fashion. This could be utilized through the use of eco-friendly poly bags, which enhances my environmentally-conscious initiative. 

I expanded deeper into my exploration by researching other magazines for the distribution techniques that they utilize. Through this, I found that GQ Magazine uses videos as one component of their digital distribution model, where they use "boyish" titles to their videos to capture their male-catered audience. Although my audience does not have a set gender, I found this extremely effective because I could use it to target individuals that show interest in sustainable fashion and benefitting the environment. Along with GQ Magazine, I looked into Vanity Fair Magazine, where they utilized Instagram Stores as one component of their digital distribution model. I found this very effective, in the way that it allows their content to be easily accessible through one's phone, which was also seen in the development of the Vogue App, which allows a greater following. 

Therefore, my distribution plan includes creating my own brand through the use of colors in my packaging, which was seen in my submission where I incorporated, the color, plum red, through each piece. This develops a cohesive design, in which my audience will associate those colors with my magazine, creating a consistent following. For digital distribution, I plan to develop my own website with that same color design, along with creating a way to access my content easily, such as through my own app in the future. 

Creative Critical Reflection Question #1

Within my magazine, I have utilized several conventions to effectively accomplish the meaning I was trying to get across while using them.

This can be seen in the image I used within my cover, where I used a large image as my background while utilizing the angle from which the photo is at to exhibit a sense of the photo towering over the text. I used this convention to develop a sense of confidence, as though the model is exhibiting total fearlessness, ready to overcome any obstacle that is thrown their way. This emotion was cast to develop the overall meaning that my magazine stands for, and that is changing, specifically in the environment. The outfit seen in the photo is also important, with the bellbottoms displaying an era that focused on environmental change, in which they were largely popular in the seventies, or the "hippie" era. 

To go into more detail on the photos used in my magazine, the location of my photoshoots is a largely important convention. This can be explained in the locality of the photos, in which are all taken in the city of Sarasota at different spots within the place itself. I wanted to use Sarasota to promote my photos because of the environmental changes that have been made here, such as the Sustainability Program, which is directly combatting climate change in a positive way. I photographed my model in ways that showed the perspective of life itself, where both photos were given the impression of being "lifted." I did this to push a sense of movement into the photos, which is symbolic to the ways in which the Earth is always moving or "changing." 

To continue, my choice of color is largely important within each component of my magazine, from my cover page to my two-page article, the use of a plum red is tied into each piece. I used this color to distribute a sense of timelessness, along with the color being a tone that is easy on the eyes of the reader. Along with this, the color of  "plum red" is known to display a sense of longevity, where life is always transitioning and changing, and again, I would like my magazine to display stories of change. 

I took large inspiration from Vogue magazine when deciding on which conventions to use, especially with the way they take their photos as if they are speaking directly to the audience. This is why Vogue has been so successful and iconic throughout the years because they always know how to speak to the reader and never put out a dull piece of work.