So… I’m Ready to Make Some Media!

I have learnt that when creating media there are many different characteristics that I must think carefully and particulary about when incorporating them into my work.  More importantly, I have discovered why I must involve these attributes and how formed together; they will send an overall message to my audience.

Instantly grabbing the audiences attention, the main image choice is a crucial aspect of any media. I acts as a fast and visual representation, summing up what the message is in what the media is trying to evoke. There are many features within the image which must be taken carefully into account as every part of it certain meaning which the viewer will seamlessly pick upon. Some of these dimensions which I have learnt to think about include:

• The camera shot and angle used – a long shot may add a sense of loneliness or show that the focus is on fashion and clothing whereas a close shot adds intensity and may be focusing on the makeup of the model.
• Colour palette – every colour emphasises certain moods or emotions as well as connotations with certain meaning.
• Costume and makeup – this can say a lot about what the media is about and who it will attract.
• Lighting – sets the mood of the photograph and soft lighting vs harsh, contrasting lighting both evoke different messages.
• Acting/poses – shows personality and adds additional meaning to the media.

The colour palette used overall is vital for many reasons. For example, each colour withholds certain connotations; red symbolising love or anger depending on the content. As well as these individual meanings, certain groups of colours will have certain effects on the media. Bold colours illustrate confidence as well as being eye-catching and therefore standing out to the audience. On top of this, it is important not to overdo the use of colours and instead try and narrow it down to three or four colours that will work together effectively for the message you are promoting. This is key as too many colours will appear cluttered and unprofessional as well as confusing the audience and distracting them from what you are actually trying to tell them. Also, a repetitive theme of key colours will be more aesthetically pleasing and nice on the eye.

Moreover, both the choice of font and size of text is imperative as it also adds to the messages the media is trying to portray as well as working together to help the viewer focus on key text and points in which it talks about. For example, a large, bold and simple font is often used for the masthead as it is eye-catching, easy to read and straight to the point. However a smaller hand written font may be used to communicate a short quote from the magazines star as it adds a personal and authentic feel.

Finally, the overall positioning of all of these factors is vital as it must look as professional as possible. For examples, a lot of key information is often put at the left of a magazine front cover as when magazines are stacked on a shelve to be sold, the information is visible for the possible buyers. As well as this being for practicality, the visual appearance of the magazine is possibly even more important because this is what people will subconsciously judge the quality of the magazine from. The main image is typically large and central with the text complimentarily either surrounding or overlapping it. If there is a model in the image than there are tricks to bring the audiences attention to certain points that are being made. For example if the models eyes are facing a specific point of text the viewer will follow in there direction and read that part first, giving it most of their attention.

When coming to create my own media and magazine cover I will apply everything I have learnt and listed above, enabling me to produce the most professional, practical and visually appealing magazine cover as possible.