Distribution methods

EMAP Bauer, Natmag, Conde Nast and IPC are the four main largest publishers in the UK. They are the institutions that produce magazines. 40-100% of the revenue are brought in by advertisers however the publishers control all the editorial and design content within the magazines. The amount of magazines being published and distributed depends on the circulation figures.

The flow of the magazines and the  printing process to the final selling in the shops is controlled by a network of distributers that is used by every publisher. Magazines are popularly sold in big newsagents and supermarkets, where they can target a larger audience and sell more magazines.

Sale or return: When publishers place their magazines at newsstands, if all the magazines are not brought then the remaining will be sent back to the distributor, the retailer will not be at a disadvantage here as they will get no further cost however the publisher will have a lot of wastage as the magazine will be thrown away after copies have not been sold as well as the fact it is environmentally damaging.

Freemiums- direct distribution: At busy locations such as train stations, supermarkets etc. free magazines are given out. The advertisements within these magazines increase as that's what they make their revenues from. 60% or more of the magazine is full of advertisements.

Subscriptions:
Magazines have subscriptions to allow there to be a wider audience through the social target. This allows an arrangement to be received for something, typically a publication, regularly by paying in advance or getting a discount. A regular core readership can be achieved for the magazine when readers get the magazines delivered to them on a regular basis (e.g. weekly, monthly). This can be easier for the readers when it is done through electronic distribution such as if it is sent to their ipads, kindle, inbox etc.. With some magazines gifts are received increasing the interest of the audience.

Online: E-zines- They are normally free, they are different to magazine websites and they carry mostly the same features as a hard copy, such as page numbers, to the ability to turn the page, pictures and adverts etc. However hyperlinks and videos can be inserted which would take the reader to another source.
Apps- On front cover magazines there are sometime QR codes that link to apps that may display some or all of the magazine. This can be accessed on smartphones or ipads for readers.
Electronic brand extension- Events and gigs as well as social medias such as Instagram, snap chat, twitter help extend the magazine brands. The online presence helps create more recognition from the audience and readers.

                                                                                                               

Newsstand task

The magazines are placed carefully, the mastheads are visible to the audience allowing them to see which magazine it is so they can buy it. If there are any free prizes or gifts inside that will be on clear display also as people will be drawn in and interested in the magazine.

Photography session notes...

For this session we were introduced to the DSLR camera and studio lighting. This will help us when we come to shoot our photography for our magazines and to adapt it to our Front cover, contents and DPS to achieve good quality images and professional looking photography.

The technique uses three lights called the key light, fill light and back light. Naturally you will need three lights to utilise the technique fully, but the principles are still important even if you only use one or two lights.

We learnt that within the studio there were 3 lights set up. 

Key Light

This is the main light. It is usually the strongest and has the most influence on the look of the scene. It is placed to one side of the camera/subject so that this side is well lit and the other side has some shadow.

Fill Light

This is the secondary light and is placed on the opposite side of the key light. It is used to fill the shadows created by the key. The fill will usually be softer and less bright than the key. To achieve this, you could move the light further away or use some spun. You might also want to set the fill light to more of a flood than the key.

Rim light (Back Light)

The backlight is placed behind the subject and lights it from the rear. Rather than providing direct lighting (like the key and fill), its purpose is to provide definition and subtle highlights around the subject's outlines. This helps separate the subject from the background and provide a three-dimensional look.

A backdrop and the lighting will work together to create a quality picture. When you have the proper type of lighting for your subject that complements your background you can highlight aspects of your subject including facial expressions, hair color and skin color. 

The main room lights should be off at all times when taking photos. The model should be standing 3-4 feet away from the backdrop, this is so they don't blend in.

On each light there's a lamp level numbered 1-6. Number one being very dim and 6 being over exposed. Number 3 is just the perfect number to start with but may be adjusted depending on the models height and what they are wearing.

The view finder allows one to adjust the zooming, with 18 being the lowest and 105 the closes. 

Cover page (College magazine)

Masthead design

    I started off with my magazine title for my preliminary task of creating a college magazine and settled on a black, bold yet simple font.
I shifted some of the letters up and down for an effect and added an oval shape to the 'O'.

I chose a texture that I liked from the internet and adapted it to my masthead design.

Evaluation- College magazine

Evaluation:

What went well… (Cover page)

Photography…

A suitable mid-shot was taken of an LSC student, "representing a happy, positive vibe. The image was clear and the student was clean and decent." The lighting for the picture was good, it was bright and I took it with a plain white background in order to make the editing process easier.

Use of text…

The masthead was placed in the top middle of the magazine to draw attention, it is big and is original with its unique font that I have drawn to make it look more ‘student’ friendly. "Cover lines are placed on the right and left of the cover star, it gives an overview of what’s inside the magazine and tells the audience what they are buying."

Image manipulation...

I didn’t have to do much to the image as the photography process went well, however I did use a filter that made a small change in the way the image looked.

Journalism...

Snippets of the magazine was presented on the front cover for readers to see. There are also some written aspects that are aimed to draw in the reader and interest them. E.g news and what's new.

What went well… (Contents page)

Photography…

A long- mid shot was taken of another LSC student to be placed on the contents page, another image was taken of the college.

Page layout…

I allowed the picture of another student to be put on the left hand side of the page, so readers can see that image first then go onto the written aspect of the page about the magazine as well as the page numbers and a small description underneath.

Image manipulation...

"The image of the LSC building was cropped due to a part of the image being blocked by a person. This allowed the image to look more professional."

What do I need to improve on… (Cover page)

Page layout…

I should make sure that when designing and placing features on the cover page, I should allow large spaces to be filled and appropriate pictures to be shown on the cover for drawing in the audience.

Image manipulation…

I could have added more filters to create different effects to make the cover seem more compelling for the audience. I could have added in props to make the student look more studious and passionate, also representing what the magazine is all about.

Journalism…

I could have included more advertisements and teasers on the cover where it will show a variety of journalism. The link to a big topic e.g. exam tips, within the magazine can be shown on the front cover for acknowledgement and a few lines of journalism to present and broadcast it further.

What do I need to improve on… (Contents page)

Page layout…

"The layout could consist of more writing and journalism as it seems a little too plain. It could also be fitted to allow more pictures of LSC and its students in to present the focus of the magazine as soon as the reader opens the magazine."

Journalism…

"Quotes can be neatly spread around the page for effect and readers interest which will lure them in further."

Developments…

·       Allow a more "studious atmosphere to be created within the pages". E.g. Images of students working, books, library etc.

·       I could develop the colour scheme further, where it is recognisable throughout the magazine and "allows uniformity to run within the pages."

·       There should be more written aspects on the contents page to show a thorough, "unique magazine that holds a lot of content and can be of interest to its readers."

College magazine (Contents page)