Final Submission

Creative Critical Reflection

3rd Quarter Submission

CCR 3 & 4

3. My production skills have greatly developed throughout the production of this magazine. I learned how to use publisher, a program which I had been unfamiliar. I am now capable of creating a two page spread on Publisher. I also developed interview skills; I wrote interview questions and conducted said interview about Kylie Lip Kits with a peer. I also improved my photography skills while doing photoshoots for the magazine, especially for the cover. Another skill I developed through this production was using Google Blogger to post about the process.

4. Many different technologies were integrated into this production. I used Publisher to create the pages of the magazine, including the flat plan, cover, table of contents page, and two page spread. I also used a Canon Rebel camera to take pictures for my magazine, including the cover photograph and other images in the magazine. Google Blogger was used to document the production process.

Revision - Page Numbers

 My original submission of my magazine lacked page numbers. I have since added page numbers to the bottom outer corner of all pages where they are necessary. I used the font Bell MT to be consistent with the rest of my magazine. I also chose to write "Elysian / November" (each edition would obviously have its proper month printed in place of November) on each left page of the magazine and "Elysian.com" on each right page of the magazine. I chose to include the magazine's website as an advertising strategy. These additions add to the house style of the magazine and therefore improve our branding.

Revision - TOC

I revised my table of contents page for my magazine. Lindsey Sanchez and I worked together and altered both of our table of contents to ensure that they followed a house style for our magazine. I added a grey gradient background to mine. I also changed the titles and subtitles from being word art to normal text. Page numbers were added along with "Elysian.com" for advertisement and branding purposes. Below is a picture of my old table of contents (first) as well as my new one (second).

CCR #2

2. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

My product would be distributed as a real media text in bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and supermarkets like Publix. It would also be distributed on our website which would be http://elysian.com, and mobile app. Certain articles will be published on Twitter to increase our audience. The product would engage with audiences through posts on various social media platforms, including Snapchat and Instagram. This will allow our audience to stay updated on the magazine and also comment their opinions. We will also conduct polls after each monthly issue to see what our audience likes and dislikes about our magazine, therefore allowing us to create the best version of Elysian.

The Battle of New Orleans

Print journalism has been greatly affected ans hurt by the increase in new technology, especially the Internet. The Times-Picayune, a newspaper in New Orleans, has greatly adapted to this change. Due to the fact that many people find information on the internet, American newspapers lost more than half of their advertising dollars in just five years. The Times-Picayune was no exception and lost 42% of advertising revenues in these years. Strategies to increase revenue include charging core readers a monthly fee while allowing visitors x amount of free stories each month, raising the price of the paper, and shoring up Sunday circulation. Many jobs have moved toward sports and entertainment rather than news. The Michigan model was eventually brought to New Orleans. Thus, many employees at the Times-Picayune were fired. They were replaced with younger staff that were skilled at technology and could be paid less. Also, the "river of news", a blog-style rollout of stories, was adapted. Reporters are also expected to increase their inventory so that there is more information from fewer workers.

CCR Draft 1

1. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

My magazine product both uses and challenges conventions. "Elysian" uses conventions in the sense that it is advertised similarly to how other magazines are advertised (using a celebrity to create emotional appeal, online version of the magazine, etc.). It also has similar articles such as makeup reviews, fashion stories, and horoscopes. However, my product also challenges conventions by including important news stories that will keep the audience informed and educated about what is going on in the world. It represents young women of many different social groups. It also focuses on social issues, especially ones such as women's rights and racial equality.

Research: Marketing

There are many ways to market a magazine. One way is through professional conversations. Having an expert in the area that your magazine focuses on talk about your magazine not only advertises it, but also adds credibility. Features are a great way to market a magazine. For example, magazines similar to my magazine like "Seventeen" and "Cosmopolitan" use subtitles to highlight important stories. They might advertise interviews with popular celebrities or reviews on new products to encourage people to buy the magazine. Another great strategy is to use humor. Customers are more likely to remember a magazine if they made them laugh.

Research: Digital Distribution

Many print forms of media have moved over to a digital platform in order to reach a larger audience. For example, The New York Times created a website to accommodate for the decrease in readers of print. They then charged users after a certain number of free articles to increase revenue. Magazines similar to the magazine Lindsey Sanchez and I are creating (Elysian) have also created digital platforms. Many of them have websites and even apps for easy access from cellphones and tablets. Seventeen magazine is a leader on the digital front their website (Seventeen.com) and app (Seventeen Now). By distributing a magazine on the internet, more people are able to access you magazine more easily. It will therefore increase the popularity of the magazine which will increase the magazine's audience. If a magazine has a large audience, they will be able to charge more for advertisements in their print magazine as well as their digital platforms. This will obviously bring in more revenue.

Marketing Techniques - Superbowl Commercials

Notes:

Intel 360 replay
-makes everything "epic" (making pancakes, brushing teetth, wtc.) (appeal to humor)
-celeb: Tom Brady (emotional appeal)
-target audience (TA): 18-50
-male slant (sports, bathroom humor)

Turbotax
-do you taxes anywhere (even on a wall)
-Humpty Dumpty gives a sense of nostalgia & appeal to humor
-TA: 16-50

Budlight
-builds friendships
-non-continuity editing system (man giving toast at wedding, flashback montage of their friendship, back to the wedding toast)
-emotional appeal
-TA: 21 and up
-male slant


Reflection (How can I use these techniques to advertise my magazine?):

I can certainly use celebrities to market my magazine. I can use photos of popular celebrities on the front cover of my magazine to appeal emotionally to my target audience. Articles about the celebrities would further entice the audience. Since my target audience is females ages 13-23, I would specifically choose attractive, young male celebrities and well-liked young female celebrities. I could also use an appeal to humor by making the subtitles on my magazine cover witty.

Research: Distribution of Magazines

Once a magazine is created, it must be sold. After the articles have been written and edited, the pictures have been taken, and then whole thing has been artfully compiled together, it is sent to a publisher. The publisher will then print the magazine and distribute it to he sold. There are many different publishing companies. Seventeen Magazine, the most popular American teen magazine, originally used Primedia. However, in 2003, they were acquired by the Hearst Corporation, one of the nation's largest diversified media companies. Its major focus is on newspapers and magazines publishing and distribution. The magazine's publisher will put the magazine on news stands and in stores to be sold.

Revision 1

I have decided to do another photoshoot for my magazine. I plan to place makeup on a solid backdrop. I did this originally, however I would like to improve the lighting and also add more makeup products, jewelry, etc. I will then use photoshop to cut out the objects and place it on the white TOC page  of my magazine similar to the picture of a Seventeen Magazine TOC included below. I am also considering changing up the coloring, such as making each section of TOC (beauty, celebrities, etc.) a different color.

Plan to Revise

There are quite a few things that I would like to change on my current magazine draft to improve it. I need to add page numbers to the magazine with some sort of brand identity. To add to the brand identity, Lindsey Sanchez and I need to collaborate more, especially n our table of contents page. I would also like to add more photographs and possibly use photoshop to make my magazine look more professional.

Brand Identity for Magazines

The magazine industry seems to be dying, but no form of media will ever truly die. For every magazine that goes out of business, four new ones are created. There are four times as many magazine titles today as there were in 1978. Magazines rely a lot on revenue from advertising and often sell their magazine subscriptions for cheap (i.e. $5 for a year subscription). Bookazines are glossy, thick editions that are more expensive and are selling well. Having a brand identity with a specific style in color, design, and photography is very important.

Midterm Submission

Schedule Change

My plans for a photo shoot with Lindsey Sanchez did not work out. Instead, I decided to use one of the photos I posed and took of Devin Schubring for my front cover. I chose this photo that I posed on top of a parking garage. I love the upward angle of the shot, positioning of my model, and the coloring of the photograph.

Awards

There are numerous awards for magazines such as the National Magazine Awards and the Ellie Awards. Seventeen magazine won the Streamy Award in 2016.

Flat Plan

This is my 60 page flat plan for my magazine issue with 30 advertisement pages.

Two Page Spread Layout

Above is my two page spread layout for my magazine article. I plan to fill the right page with a picture of the Kylie lip kits.

Article

The following is my article for my magazine issue. It is a review on Kylie Jenner' Lip Kits.

The end of this month marks the one year anniversary of Kylie Jenner's famous lip kits. Her first launch of the matte liquid lipsticks in the colors Candy K, Dolce K, and True Brown K sold out in just minutes. Since then, Kylie has released 23 more shades of her coveted lip kits. Each Launch and restock has sold out remarkably fast. She has even come out with lip glosses in the shades Literally, Like, and So Cute, and a metallic liquid lipstick line as well. There has been so much mention of the makeup line that I dare to say that Kylie Jenner may have usurped her older sister, Kim Kardashian's place as queen of social media.

Naturally, I had to get my hands on this product and see what all the hype is about. I first purchased the lip kit in two shades- Exposed, a warm mid tone beige, and Posie K, a mauve pink. The lip kit retails at $29 and includes a matte liquid lipstick and a lip liner. This is not a bad price considering many competing liquid lipsticks are $20 and do not include a lip liner. The first thing I noticed, of course was the adorable packaging from the box to the tube of lipstick itself. I lined my lips with the matching liner which was easy enough. The liner was a nice creamy texture. I moved on to the liquid lipstick. I couldn't help but notice the sweet scent of the lipstick, almost like the icing of a cupcake. Personally, I did not mind the scent, but I can see where it might bother someone who i sensitive to scents. Luckily, the scent disappears as quickly as the lipstick dries which is just a matter of seconds. The one bad thing about the quick-drying formula is that there is not much room for error while applying. The lipstick does feel a little bit drying, however as any lover of matte liquid lipstick knows, regardless of the brand, they all feel this way. Devin Schubring said that, "It almost feels like I'm not wearing anything. It's a non-sticky formula and I love the colors!" The color of the lipstick is very pigmented, so no complaints there. The lipstick did look dark against my fair complexion, but I love a good, bold lip. "I really love the colors and so does everyone else. I always get compliments when I wear them," Jessica Korray commented on the lip kits.

To really get the full scoop, I of course had to wear the lip kit all day. It's longevity was certainly impressive. The lipstick lasted for hours without smudging on the outer edges of the lips. I enjoyed my daily latte with no lipstick print on the cup! The lipstick even lasted through lunch with only a little bit of wear on the inner lips. This was not too noticeable with the lighter shades, however I imagine it might require some reapplication with more vibrant shades like the red Mary Jo K or the dark purple Kourt K.

Overall, the Kylie lip kit is a win in my opinion. I have since acquired Merry, Koko K, and even a metal, Heir, to add to my makeup bag.

Distribution of Similar Magazines

Teen Vogue has a circulation of over 1 million. Trough print, TeenVogue.com, social media platforms, and even a robust video channel, the magazine reaches an audience of more than 26 million. Seventeen is the leading teen magazine, with a distribution number higher than 15 million through print and their website.

Why "Elysian" isn't Just Another Magazine

Similar magazines to "Elysian" include Teen Vogue and Seventeen Magazine. All of these magazines write articles about beauty, fashion, healthy living, and news stories. However, while other magazines focus on celebrity drama, "Elysian" will focus on serious and meaningful world news. This will keep our readers educated on current events and make our magazine unique.

Scheduled Interviews and Photoshoots

I have scheduled a phone interview with Jessica Korray on Thursday, January 5, 2017.  I have also scheduled an in-person interview and photoshoot with Devin Schubring on Sunday, January 8. I plan to ask them for their opinions on Kylie Jenner's makeup line, including the Kylie lipkits so that I can add this information to my review on the products. I have also arranged to do a photoshoot for the front cover of my magazine with Lindsey Sanchez this Friday, January 6, 2017.