Completed NEA For Moderation

 Dear Moderator, 

My name is Sofia Balan Welcome to my A Level Media Studies blog. This is a record of the work I have undertaken for the Making Media Non-examination Assessment (NEA) within the OCR H409 GCE A Level course in Media Studies. 

I worked independently on Brief 3: Magazine and Online to produce the front covers and contents pages for the first two editions of a music magazine called B-PEOPLE together with the magazine's accompanying website. My music magazine is published by the independent publishing company B-PEOPLE TEAM and covers Hip-Hop, Rap. 

Further down in my blog you will find evidence of my research and planning for this task.

I have inserted jpegs of my magazine's first edition cover and contents page below.

I have inserted jpegs of my magazine's second edition and contents page below.

The link to my website, which was created using Wix, can be found at the link below. 

The magazine consists of a homepage and a single linked page. The linked page can be accessed by clicking on ABOUT. 

CLICK HERE:  B-PEOPLE Music Magazine Website

Production Task Two: Production Log

Creating a website focused on minimalism was a natural extension of my passion for printed products. Just like in print, my goal was to present information in a way that is clear and easy to digest for my readers. I believe that simplicity can enhance the reading experience, allowing the content to shine without unnecessary distractions.

When it came to choosing a color palette for the website, I struggled a bit. I wanted something that would set the site apart from the common white backgrounds seen everywhere. After exploring various magazine websites for inspiration, I decided on a bright grey background. This choice felt just right—it’s not too stark like plain white, yet it maintains a clean and approachable look that makes it easy to read.

One of the key aspects of my website is the use of original pictures. I wanted to ensure that everything on the site is unique and authentic. This not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also aligns with my vision of keeping the content original and engaging.

In addition to the grey backdrop, I wanted to keep a touch of familiarity with the color red. This is a signature element I’ve utilized in all my printed products, and I feel it helps create a sense of cohesion across different mediums. Whether a reader is flipping through a magazine or browsing the website, the presence of red ties everything together and provides a visual cue of familiarity.

Overall, my approach to designing the website mirrors my philosophy for print: simple, clean, and focused on the reader's experience. Each element has been meticulously thought out to make information accessible and enjoyable, helping readers to easily engage with the content. The combination of a bright grey background, original images, and the familiar red accents aims to create a seamless and inviting space for all who visit.

Production Task Two: Production Log

 For my Cover 1, I’ve decided to work with black and white image and bright red colour for cover furniture. On the main image is my friend Ben, who plays the role of the ‘rapper’ Metro Zu. You can see two drumsticks and headphones for better representation of a music related person. His custom is baggy, and stylish enough to create clearer representation of hip-hoper. The mes-en-scene is chosen with purpose to demonstrate the ‘street style’ and ‘street music’. The picture was taken outside on the street, the mes – en – scene shows that the picture was taken in England, which could reach for wider UK audience. The headline and cover-lines links back to the hip-hop industry and features nowadays popular hip-hop male artists.

You can see the process through my screenshots, which I took while working in photoshop. 

Initially, I had more than 3 pictures that I tended to use for the cover. Than had a debate between the picture above, and two lower down. 

But, eventually I've choose the black and white picture with the red masthead. 

I wanted to give representation of 'street music' and 'street life' , that's why I have draw 'graffiti' around my model (Ben), which are a slang that is normally used within rap artists or hip hop community. 

Initially, I struggled with the fonts options for the cover. I wanted to look appealing enough, but not too busy. I have been looking through more than 30 fonts overall, for the coverlines and headlines for both covers and contents’ pages.

 However, eventually I've stopped on the fonts above which worked very well with the second cover as well. 

And last but not least, I have located puff on the cover and that's my finish results of my first cover. 

For the second cover, my friends Faustina and Keiysha played the role of a hip-hop female duo. The picture was taken indoors with professional lights, and white paper as the background which can be seen as ‘professional photography’. The difference between two cover works as diversity and follows the norms of magazine production. Models on the cover are dressed in the same style with the t-shirts with numbers on, baggy jeans and sneakers which fits into the stereotypical representation of ‘hip-hop style’. Direct gaze to create tense and closer relations between audience and ‘artists’. You can follow my process through my screenshots which I took while working with the cover.

Initially, I wanted to use white color for the cover furniture, however, I thought it will look too boring, so, eventually my decision fall on not bright orange. 

You can notice, that i have draw some stars and a crown on the cover do outline the idea of 'street sound'. Crown and stars for the link to the duo(which are the models on the cover) 5ixstars! 

And as my final result, I end up with the cover above. 

Moving on, I had the same tragedy while I worked on my contents pages. 

Firstly, I started with the contents page for the first cover. Followed the same idea of 'graffiti' and street style, with the mix of collages. Is much more colorful and brighter which creates a great balanced contrast between cover and contents page. 

I couldn't decide which background to us for the contents page, initially wanted to work with the red color so create a link between cover pallet and contents page, but I've decided that white background will sit better with pictures. For the font, I have used the same fonts that I have used for the cover. 

Screenshot below is my final result. 

Further on, I worked with the second contents page, which was much harder to work with. I had much more options and ideas of how to design the page as I have a lot of pictures with the girls, there was a lot of ideas with the background pallet and chose of pictures. You can follow the process of decisions through my screenshots. 

I had a lot of samples for each contents page and worked with different background and pictures to understand which sample will look better as an outcome. 

My final result is below. 

Overall, I have tried to fit in with the initial cover's 'vibe' to create an appealing pages which could work together perfectly and uphold its style of 'hip-hop' and 'street life& style'. 

However, I have made a lot changes to my printed products. Through a comprehensive exploration of various magazines across an array of genres, I uncovered a wealth of insights that proved instrumental in transforming my previous products into offerings that are not only more suitable but also far more appealing to my target audience. This journey of investigation allowed me to identify key design principles, content strategies, and stylistic elements that resonate with readers and enhance user experience.

One of the most significant transformations in my approach has been the shift toward minimalism. The magazines I examined shared a common thread: they embraced simplicity, allowing the content to shine without unnecessary distractions. This realization prompted me to reevaluate my own products, guiding me to strip away superfluous elements that cluttered the presentation. In essence, I learned that less truly is more. By focusing on essential information and aesthetically pleasing design, I enabled a clearer line of communication between my brand and my audience.

A minimalistic approach not only provides visual clarity but also enhances navigability. I noticed that successful magazines utilize strategic white space to guide the reader's eye. This design technique, which I sought to implement in my own products, allows readers to process information more effectively and intuitively. By eliminating excessive text and visuals, I could create an environment where my audience feels unencumbered and empowered to explore the content at their own pace.

Furthermore, the insights gleaned from my magazine exploration informed my choices in typography, color palettes, and layout. I moved towards softer hues and sans-serif fonts that convey modernity and approachability. These changes reflect a commitment to user-friendliness, ensuring that my products not only capture attention but also provide easy navigation and engagement.

Ultimately, the experience of investigating diverse magazines has transcended mere design enhancements; it has profoundly influenced my understanding of reader needs and preferences. The transition to a more minimalistic aesthetic has positioned my products to resonate more deeply with users, fostering a sense of connection and satisfaction. As I continue to refine my offerings, I am eager to see how these foundational changes manifest in audience response and overall usability—confirming the value of simplicity in an increasingly complex media landscape.

For my first cover and contents page I have considered to focus on red and white colors to create a festive look. 

For the second cover and contents I focused predominantly on white and black including some of red to create familiarity for readers across all magazine products. 

 

Production Task Two: Production Log

 Covers 

Contents pages 

Production Task One: Photography

 Below are most of the pictures that I took for my magazine covers, most of the picture I have considered to place on the front page of the magazine. You can see straight away, that I have used two different gender groups. Different ethnicities, different gender groups, different settings, different colors in the frame. Everything differs, so I can represent different sides of the music society, and not just one. Different societies and their aspects.  

Here are some pictures that I have taken for my first cover. The pictures were taken outside, on different location, as I was trying to find the best spot for the picture. Some pictures are in the sitting position, as initially I have planned to take them like this, however, I've stopped on the pictures of model's full height. I've color-corrected most of the pictures for the greater outcome, converted them from original color into black and white. Tried and used as many options as possible. 

 

       

   

                                             

  

                                                

 

 

By putting cover furniture on different picture on photoshop, I have chosen black and white picture. 

                                                                                                                                  

I am planning to add some graffiti to the image, so it fully reflects the idea of underground hip-hop and street sound of the younger generation. Some of the pictures above will be used for contents page and website page. 

For the second cover the variation of pictures is completely different. Firstly, the photos were taken indoors with a white background and a customized colored lights. Photos express a completely different energy and aura. They represent other side of hip-hop. The musical direction like hip-hop, is interesting for its diversity and saturation.  Some of the pictures were also taken outdoors and on the black background, for better understanding what exactly I want as an outcome.   

 

 

Pictures were taken under different lights, pink, red, orange, purple, blue and just white. I have tried to combine model's outfits and appearance with the colors. 

 

 

 

Many of this pictures will look greater on the contents page than they would look on the cover page. In my opinion, all of them look very great and hold a sense hip-hop atmosphere. I personally reckon, that this picture will look good on the website page as well, they will work great with representing new fashion tips or upcoming albums&songs. 

However, for the cover I have chosen this picture. 

 I think it works very well with the masthead font, as well as with other text on it. It has a very bright red color and direct gaze of the models, great styling ideas and body position. 

I reckon that every picture that I have taken for both covers have a great outcome, and the chosen pictures are even greater, with combination of magazine furniture the cover pages will have a nice representation.