Double Page Spread Analysis

In both double-page spreads, you can see a common style that persisted all the way to my final magazine. For example, the layout for the page numbers is very similar. Additionally, the position of the images on the side of the page is also a persistent detail. Finally, you can see the layout of the article itself as being somewhat similar in nature, having the title in the top left and using subheadings to divide the text. 

However, there are a few modifications that have made the final product significantly better. For starters, the fonts used in the article are much more sophisticated, catering more towards the audience of fashionable men that the final magazine is targeting. Additionally, I wanted the right edge that had the images to be less cluttered and have a more sophisticated and minimalist feel. Because of this, I used a single image to consolidate the audience's attention onto just one thing. This image is also taken from a low angle, allowing the audience to focus on the outfit and letting the model fade into the background sky. To achieve this, I added an image of an afternoon sky as the background of the article similar to what I did in the table of contents. 

As for the article itself, two major modifications stand out. The feature article title takes on a more minimalistic style, shifting away from the contemporary style of the preliminary magazine. This is done through the different font type, as well as how the title spreads across the entire page. The other major change is the introduction of quotes into the article. These quotes are clearly made to stand out, allowing the audience's eyes to follow the text better without losing interest in a bland and uniform article. This is a technique used frequently in many magazines and is something that I wanted to take advantage of. Finally, I added the name and picture of the person I interviewed, Bryan Penate, to the top of the article. This lets the audience build a connection to the person and understand their opinions better. 

Some things that I would like to improve on is bettering the transition between the background and the image. This would allow for a smoother shift in the audience's focus from the article to the image and back. Additionally, I would like to find a way to make the quotes in the article stand out even more. This could potentially be done through different fonts or colors. 

All in all, the improvements in my double-page spread are very notable and show just how much I've improved throughout this class.

Final Double Page Spread

 This is my final double-page spread for my magazine. It took a lot of work but I believe that this is the section that I've improved on the most!

Table of Contents Analysis

 

Similarly to my cover page comparison, there are many features that are shared between the two. The use of horizontal lines, as well as the addition of supplementary information that supports the article titles, are both features that persisted into my final product. However, there are still many changes that improved the final result.

For starters, I added more article titles and page numbers, making the magazine feel more completed. Additionally, I shifted around the positions of these article titles, making the table of contents feel less linear and holding the attention of the audience better. Additionally, the fonts have been changed substantially to cater towards the audience of more mature and fashionable men. Additionally, I made sure to add more relevant photos into the table of contents. This allows the audience to have more of a visual representation of what the articles are about, providing them more information and giving them something to look forward to when reading the magazine. I also added a line at the bottom that encourages readers to subscribe to the monthly magazine to get each issue directly shipped to them. This is more in line with what an actual magazine would have. Finally, I made the background on the table of contents into an afternoon sky. This makes the page look more interesting and attracts the attention of the audience

For all the good additions and modifications on the final table of contents, there are still many things that should be improved upon. For instance, the table of contents feels too cluttered. To negate this issue, I tried utilizing horizontal divider lines to separate all the information. However, I feel that the effect this provides isn't sufficient to fix the issue of feeling too cluttered. Also, the layout of the pictures should be modified to declutter the page and make it feel more minimalistic.

All in all, I feel that this is my weakest part of the magazine. I still need a lot more practice with making magazines and experimenting to be able to make a more satisfactory result.

Final Table of Contents

 This is my final Table of Contents. Personally, I feel like this is the weakest aspect of my magazine and the part that I struggled the most with. However, I tried my best to create an acceptable product.

Final Cover Page Analysis

 After creating the cover page, I wanted to analyze it to better understand what went into making it, as well as what I could improve on. I would like to show a comparison between my preliminary magazine from a few months ago to my final magazine.

For starters, there are many elements that are similar between the two. The white dividers that go along the masthead and article column are a common feature shared by both. Additionally, the masthead, as well as the tagline; issue number; and date; are all still on the top of the page. Finally, a shallow focus on the central image is still present. 

Although these features are shared between the two, there are also many things that are different. For example, the genre and title of the magazine have shifted. Originally, I wanted to create a teen fashion magazine with the name "Nu Era Fashion". However, the final product is a men's fashion magazine by the name of "Audax", the Latin word for bold. This shift in audience is also seen in the font shift, going from contemporary and somewhat silly to modern and serious. Additionally, I used the rule of thirds combined with a slightly low camera angle in the central image of the final magazine, helping create a division between the image and the text while also drawing the audience's eyes toward the shoes which are the focus of the image. Finally, I made the white dividers in the final magazine transparent, keeping the page from looking cluttered while also allowing you to see the full image.

One thing that could still be improved upon is reducing the amount of words in the article previews. This would declutter the page and allow more space to make the articles stand out. Additionally, the white dividers still seem slightly off. In the future, I would like to either master the use of these dividers to make them feel more natural or remove them altogether.

Final Magazine Cover Page

 After taking pictures and preparing everything I would need for the final magazine, I began creating the cover. I worked together with my group to establish a house style and decided that my particular issue would focus on men's footwear, a subsection that falls under the umbrella of Men's Fashion. It follows a similar house style to that of my other group members while still also showing its focus on shoes and footwear. Here it is!

Complete Final Magazine

 This is my final magazine. In the next few blogs, I'll be taking a closer look into the individual sections of this magazine, discussing what went into making it, and analyzing my work to hopefully improve in the future.

Magazine Photo-shoot

 For my final magazine, I need to have a photoshoot to take the pictures that I would need. According to the syllabus for the Media Studies class, I'm required to have a minimum of 4 original pictures in the magazine. to achieve this, I held this photoshoot, using different outfits to cater to the different needs that I would have for my photos. I could use them for the cover, the articles in the table of contents, and even to add for the double page spread. These are the pictures that I took for my final magazine!

House Style Example

 Now that I'm about to make my final magazine, me and my group decided to work together to create an example for the house style that we would use. To do this, we used Canva and the resources that this program provides to make an example for us to follow when making the final magazine. Here it is!

Although this example is missing many important details for a magazine cover, such as the issue number, it still provides a good template for what we will do in the future. As I work on my final magazine cover, I want to continue improving on this, using original pictures and making the cover even more appealing for my audience.

Final Feature Article

After collecting the responses from my newest interview, I wrote a feature article based on the responses. This article focused on my interviewee's beliefs on the world of footwear, how it affects fashion as a whole, and what the future might hold. I will be using it for my final magazine as the feature article on the double-page spread. Here it is!

Final Interview and Responses

After getting some practice from writing my practice interview, I created a new interview to use for my final feature article. This interview focuses on my genre of men's fashion. Additionally, the questions focus mostly on shoes and their impact on men's fashion. Here is the interview!

1. What is your name and age?  

My name is Bryan Penate, and I recently turned 17.

2. How important is having a good sense of style and fashion? 

I’d say it’s pretty important when it comes to your daily life. Don’t really wanna look like

an idiot and dress poorly but my fashion is a work in progress. The image we portray to

others is what forms their opinions of us. Without a good sense of fashion, people won't

take you seriously, if they even approach you at all.

3. What role do you think shoes play in fashion?  

I think in certain cases, shoes can be the most important piece in an outfit and the variety

of shoes that come out nowadays really help to accentuate modern streetwear. Sometimes

you could even use shoes as a way to contrast the rest of the outfit, and it’ll still come out

pretty good. With all that being said, I will say that I’m into shoes, so my opinion is pretty

biased.

4. Do you think this will be the case forever or do you see fashion shifting in

the future? 

I see fashion already shifting towards a form of futuristic streetwear, where techwear is

making a rise in popularity, and people are shifting towards a more black, more abstract

style. A lot of people have begun to wear boots, rather than sneakers. I see in the distant

future; a radical shift and change in direction in terms of fashion.

5. Many people believe that shoes can make or break someone's fashion sense.

Do you agree with that belief or do you think otherwise?

I strongly strongly STRONGLY believe that. You can’t have a vibrant, bright pink outfit

and wear green shoes. You’ll look like a flower.

6. How do you think shoes can influence someone’s style?

For some people, shoes can be the basis for the whole feel and flow of the outfit.

People who are especially fixated on the shoe world use shoes as the main piece of

their style and then build around them. However, some people only think shoes should

accentuate an already amazing outfit. Personally, I fall somewhere in the middle

7. What are some of the best trends in footwear nowadays? How about the worst? 

I’m big into the Balenciaga track runners, the underrated LV Skate Shoes are magnificent

and are always eye-catching. The worst trend i ever saw was the overabundance of Nike’s

dunks. God those are abhorrent. Everyone started copying them. Vomit inducing.

8. What do you think the future of footwear will look like? 

I see two possible possibilities. I see either people focusing on black workboots in an

attempt to make bulky, abstract outfits. Or, it completely swaying off to formal footwear.

9. What is your favorite shoe of all time?

Of all time? Nah man I can’t answer that. All time? Ever? I’d say the 3’s are my

favorite. Or maybe my friend Cesar’s LV Skate Shoes. In beige. Disgustingly clean

and beautiful.

Practice Feature Article

In my last couple of blogs, I have focused on interviewing a classmate to gather information to make a feature article. After having gathered this information, I wanted to try and practice making a feature article. After a few drafts, this is the best that I was able to make.

School. Family. Success. 

For sophomore Tilean Reese, these three words are the cornerstones to her life. “I just want to make sure that my main family is doing good. That’s my ultimate goal.” 

In a recent interview, this 16-year-old gives a look into her world. Her school life, her goals, and the importance of family. She describes the high school experience that she’s had, as well as her plans for the future.  

After watching shows, like Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Med, Tilean describes how she was inspired to pursue a career in medicine. Specifically, she has always found a certain interest in the miracle that is childbirth, leading her into the OBGYN field. Because of this, this sophomore is now working on paving her path towards this goal. 

For example, Tilean goes into detail on what her plans for after highschool. She plans to either attend Nova Southern University or FAMU. She likes these universities because of their nice and welcoming atmosphere, on top of the programs they offer. To be able to attend these universities, this Sophomore has taken on a variety of challenges to make her a better student and reach her goals. She has become a part of the Cambridge Program, joined many clubs, and even become a part of the biomedical program that her school offers. And she doesn’t plan to stop there. With 2 more grades left in her highschool life, there are still many more things she wants to do. 

Now the big question is why is she doing this. What motivates such a young student to try so hard in school? The answer is simple. It’s her family. For Tilean, family is the most important part of life. She does all of this to become successful in the future. Successful enough to support herself and help her own family.  

Although there are many issues with this feature article, I believe that it's a good starting place for me to further refine it. Looking back, I should have used more of the information that I got from the interview instead of cherry-picking the information I believed would be best. Also, I want to learn how to better close out a feature article than the way I've gone about it in this one.

Interview Practice Responses

After creating my interview questions in the last blog post, my Media Studies teacher randomly assigned me another classmate to actually interview. The person that was selected was a student in my class named Tilean.

During the interview, I focused on taking quick notes on what Tilean said. This is what I was able to write down.

1. 1. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? Things like name, age, grade, etc. 

• Name: Tilean Reese 

• Age: 16 

• Sophomore 

• Bubbly personality 

2. 2. What is something that interests you a lot? 

• Interested in studying medicine 

• Wants to focus on childbirth 

• Wants to become an OBGYN 

3. 3. Do you have any plans for after high school? If so, what are they? 

• Plans to attend college – potentially attend FAMU 

• Start working after senior year 

4. 4. Is there anything in particular that influenced these plans? 

• Watches a lot of medical shows (grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Med) 

5. 5. Are there any colleges or Universities that you are interested in going to? What interests you about them? 

• FAMU – a nice atmosphere, might also want to study law 

• NOVA Southern University – close to home, nice atmosphere, medical program 

6. 6. Do you have any major goals that you want to strive for in your life? 

• Wants to make money and sustain herself and support her family 

7. 7. Have you done anything in high school to potentially help your future academics? 

• Cambridge program 

• Biomedical program 

• Clubs 

• 
  

8. 8. How has the Cambridge experience been so far? Do you plan to continue with the program? 

• Plans to continue 

• Likes working with the same people 

• Good teachers 

• Feels like home (welcoming) 

Quote: "I just want to make sure that my main family is doing good. That's like my ultimate goal."