WIX Template Research

Before creating my website, I looked at various templates to use. I did this in order to have a grasp of what a website would entail and look like, as well as combine templates with other male magazine websites. On WIX, I researched templates such as 'Events Production','The Band' and also 'Interior Designer Firm'. Despite this research, I settled on the 'Fashion Portfolio' template as I felt that my website would suit that more via the layout.

Today's Aims

To do:

-Gain peer feedback for website article

-Improve contents page

-Restructure layout of DPS

Blog Progress

Following the construction of my 4 magazine pages, I have started my ancillary tasks. These tasks are my billboard for the magazine and its website.

Targets

-Aim to create main article for website
-Start to rename tabs on website
-Rename some tabs on blog
-Gather feedback for contents page

Contents Page

Contents Page Progress

Time Management

Finish Contents Page Today
Start Article
Start Advert
Screenshot Progress

Facial Expression Research - Trevor Millum

Millum identified four facial expressions by men in magazines:

-Carefree

-Practical

-Seductive

-Comic

-Catalogue

The expression of my model on the front cover of my magazine conformed to the Practical expression. My model followed suit to this expression, focusing on the camera to stare at the reader and looking very concentrated. 

My model for my contents page followed suit to the facial expression theory of Margorie Ferguson. The model applied to the chocolate box expression; using a half-smile (similar to a smirk) and gazing into the camera, also conforming to a seductive expression as well.

Masthead Ideas

I had a variety of ideas on which font/colours to use to create my masthead. I wanted the masthead to follow suit to magazines such as GQ, establishing a masculine look on the magazine and be the USP of the product.

Fonts I considered were:
DK Katzenjammer Regular
Chalkduster Regular
Andale Mono Regular
Oriya MN Bold
War is Over Regular
Century Gothic Regular

Eventually, I decided to use the Dk Katzenjammer font for my masthead as it displayed a thorough masculine look as well as looking suitable for a male magazine. Moreover, the ruggedness of the font also linked to the rough reputation of the North East, the location of the magazine - making me wanting to choose this font even more.

Today's Targets

-Gain feedback on website homepage
-Plan articles on website
-Improve billboard
-Look for faults of front cover to improve

Target Audience Interview

Due to complications of the interview being uploaded, a transcript of the interview has been uploaded instead.

What parts of this magazine (Men's Health) front cover appeal to you?

"I like the layout of the magazine, all text is placed perfect to align with the main image, which outlines a sense of masculinity. I also like how the masthead is placed centre-top as it will be seen straight away by the reader."

Do you think a regional magazine would be more interesting?

"If it had the right and suitable features, then yeah, a regional magazine would be more interesting. Most international or national magazines barely include all regions, leaving them out, it isn't fair."

What other male lifestyle magazines do you read and are aware of?

"I mainly read Men's Health and GQ. I've heard of the likes of Esquire but barely read it."

Should a magazine have the right value for money?

"I think it's a bit ridiculous to pay £5 for a few pages. There needs to be a big value of money, especially for a magazine."

What features in a magazine would appeal to you?

"Stuff like food, technology and fashion interest me the most, those would be the articles that would stand out to me."

Would you like to see local fashion included?

"I agree that local fashion should be included, it can reflect on the success of local independent retailers and their progression in the age of fashion."

And finally, what is your ideal magazine?

"My ideal magazine would have articles on food, technology, fashion and sport. And the front cover would have to really be unique and grab the reader's attention straight away."

Today's tasks

Cover:
-Begin layout of website
-Think of ideas how to make homepage
-Start to gather peer feedback

Product Progress

As you can see, my front cover has substantially improved since my last update. I new main image has been used to replace the old one as it looked more professional and linked better to the intended colour scheme. Moreover, a masthead has been established, yet this is subject to improvement. In addition, teasers and sell lines have been incorporated in the front cover. Overall, I am happy with the progress made.

Front Cover Progress

Today's Aims

-Plan homepage of website
-Look to improve blog
-Screenshot progress

Front Cover Progress

Today's Targets

To cover:
-Improve layout of DPS
-More content on Contents
-Start to plan website

Overall view on Deconstructions

Overall, I am very happy with the deconstructions created. Although it was difficult to produce billboard deconstructions due to the lack of availability of them, I managed to complete deconstructions of magazines and websites. These deconstructions increased my perspectives of other magazines and competitors as well as develop my analytical deconstruction skills. Moreover, the use of deconstructions has helped me gather which codes and conventions to follow that were used by similar male magazines. For example, I will follow the tabs convention that GQ and Men's Health used. This will increase the professional look of my website as well as create ease for the reader to explore the website.

My views on Similar Products

This part of the blog was very inspirational in my research of other male magazines. Moreover, the use of similar products improved my knowledge of generic magazine conventions, as well as the difference of national and regional magazines. Additionally, this part of the blog also made me specify my target audience and who to appeal to.

Today's Aims

-Align DPS text
-Add more features on Front Cover
-Improve Contents Page