Link to central hub

 http://centralhubsouthendhigh.blogspot.com/

NEA Progress

11/09/2025- chose my favourite pictures- one that incorporates intertextuality to Marilyn Monroe- made some mock ups on Photoshop- included the sell line to anchor the masthead- subverting from the stereotype that damsels are in distress- included a play-on words with ‘man up’. I also started to create my website.

16/9/2025

I decided to experiment with different cover lines and photos, and thought that the middle photo is the most effective: the largest skirt, more fluidity, direct address. I also started to work on my content pages. 

18-29/9/2025

I started to develop my content pages, incorporating conventional sections and articles for a style magazine: fashion, beauty and travel. I loved how Esandi's eyeline in the right photo fell onto the writing on the left. I also enjoyed incorporating intertextual references within the cover lines. For example, 'It's getting sticky' (a trending song on Tik Tok by Tyler, The Creator), 'Big mistake. Big, huge' (Pretty Woman), 'Summer lovin' (Grease), 'Just keep swimming' (Finding Nemo). I intended to keep the house style and layout of the content pages the same to maintain a strong sense of brand identity.

6/10/2025

I started to build up my website, creating lightboxes (for subscriptions and competitions) and different menu tabs. I started to use a text marquee tool and text overlay. 

9/10/2025

I completed both of my first drafts of my content pages and front covers. I decided to incorporate a Marilyn Monroe quote to anchor my main image of the polka dot dress. I also made sure that within my content pages there are barcodes that can be scanned to reach the website, in order to incorporate digital convergence. There is also a ‘follow’ section, to encourage active audience participation with the magazine. 

10-18/10/2025

I started to develop the pages on my website, continuing the house style and brand identity of my magazine through consistent fonts, cover lines and colour schemes. I also added interactive elements- for example, the CU of Bea with her Marilyn makeup changes when you hover over it. In terms of encouraging audience participation, I added competitions (designing an outfit for the Met Gala 2026), options for subscriptions, advertisement features and a social media trend- where the audience is encouraged to post a natural photo of themselves with no filters, and tag Damsel with the hashtag 'Girl talk'. 'Girl talk' is similar to 'Get Ready with Vogue', where celebrities reveals secrets and advice whilst doing their makeup/skin care. I believe this would appeal to the younger target demographic of 16-25 year-olds, who are still learning how to feel empowered in their own beauty. The competition of recreating an iconic makeup look and appreciating outfits from the past appeals to a style conscious audience, and the prize of products from the designer makeup brand: 'Charlotte Tilbury' attracts a middle-up class audience.  

Photoshoot/contact sheet

Here are some pictures from my photoshoot, using models of different social demographics in order to cover the brief. I took photos at my dance studio, Leigh Library Gardens and Chalkwell Park. I incorporated intertextuality to Marilyn Monroe through the skirt flying up, and aimed to create a bold, eye-catching style with the graffiti background. I also had fun experimenting with an eras photoshoot, with outfits that reference the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s!

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