Flatplans and shot lists

Focus group feedback

I asked my focus group for feedback on my initial pitch.

•  Use a brighter colour palette
• Add a sell line that anchors the masthead 
• Have second magazine cover to be about 'striving for success', politics, careers, environment

They liked the masthead idea of 'Damsel', and how it reclaims the stereotypical ideology of the 'damsel in distress'. There will be a juxtaposition between the masthead name 'Damsel' and the empowered, successful women within the magazine and website. I will also use the sell line: "Distressed, or distinct?" to anchor the masthead. 

My pitch

 

Industrial context (2):

 The brand: Conde Nast

Industrial context (1):

History of magazines:

Magazines: a periodical publication, containing illustrations and articles, on a particular topic and aimed at a particular readership 

1663- earliest publication of a magazine- meant for intellectual, philosophical and literary purposes

18th century- Britain and American colonies started to release their magazines (e.g. Ben Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack)

19th century- monthly magazines gained popularity- news, politics, pictures- periodicals that branched out from news stories: Harpers and the Atlantic

Early 1920s- magazines kicked off in the USA- William Randolph- expanded industry by creating the National Geographic, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Time

Magazines released between the 20s and 50s- The New Yorker,

50s- Playboy by Hugh Hefner- 2016- revamp covers to hide frontal nudity (now have online pornography)

Internet replaces the need to buy magazines

Major players in the industry:

Codes and conventions:

• A-list celebrity
• Face over the masthead 
• Block colour, or natural background 
• Bright colour palette and extravagant hair/makeup
• Minimalist cover lines 
• Direct address
• Powerful and confident body language- frames the face 
• Intertextuality 
• Flowers and outdoor imagery 
• Subversions from stereotypes & diversity 
• 
  

Audience Research (2): Focus group

My Focus Group: 

Name: Isabella Brigstock

Age: 16-years-old

Gender: Female 

Race: White (British) 

Occupation: Student/supermarket assistant  

Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex 

Interests: makeup, women's football, reading, dancing

Name: Megan Batchelor

Age: 20-years-old

Gender: Female 

Race: White (British)

Occupation: Fashion student/bartender

Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Interests: sewing, going out with friends, designing outfits

Name: Gracie Burgess

Age: 17-years-old 

Gender: Female

Race: White (French)

Occupation: Student

Location: Thorpe Bay, Essex

Interests: Trying different coffee shops, travelling, fashion, socialising with friends 

Name: Charlotte Morrison

Age: 17-years-old 

Gender: Female

Race: White

Occupation: Student

Location: Leigh-on-Sea, Essex 

Interests: Magazines, skin care, Vogue 

Name: Esandi Dharmarathna

Age: 17-years-old 

Gender: Female

Race: South Asian 

Occupation: Student 

Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Interests: Music, film, hockey, makeup

Name: Nat Derby 

Age: 17-years-old 

Gender: Female 

Race: Black (British) 

Occupation: Student

Location: London  

Interests: Women's football, travelling

Generic Research (3): Brands and case studies