General Conventions Work

This has a good amount of detail and you have explained your self well throughout, well done.

A2

Lifestyle Magazine Questions

What 2 Conventions have I used and why ?

I have used a model on my front cover, I have done this because all of the examples magazines I have looked at had a model on the front of the magazine, I have used it because it inspires young readers to become and grow up to be that celebrity. My example of a model is Selena Gomez this will inspire young readers to grow up to be like Selena Gomez. I have also used a bold and modern font this will ensure that the young audience intended for my magazine can read clearly and relate to the text used. It is bright red which could be suggested as a female colour this is why I have used it on my magazine, however red can be associated with the colour red so it says that anyone can read my magazine.

What are the effects of my layout, Typography, colour choice and language choice?

The effects of my layout are that it is clear and neat however can also be related to teenagers so I have laid it out not to look too formal. I have used a symmetrical design to accomplish this. The choice of typography is so that I can relate to teenagers so bold and big fonts used are to give the effect that they can relate to the magazine. The language choice that I have used is modern and teenage like so I have kept my cover lines short and snappy so a customer can walk past and read it quickly. The language also includes some form of direct address giving the effect that the readers can relate to the magazine.

What issues of representation have I presented ?

I have presented the issue that girls are related to bright and light colours by using a darker and more unisex type of colour. I have also presented the issue that girls have to wear minimal / no clothes to look good by using a nice picture of Selena Gomez wearing normal clothes.

C1

This is a really good start, with some sound analysis. (Only 1 convention mentioned in the 1st question)

Really you need to include specific detail from the text (your magazine) in order to progress. You must be specific in your answers and these answers must explain the effects on the audience. 

You should talk about any issues that there are with the representation you have presented. Are all women/men like that? Do all teenage girls relate to those stories?

Colour Connotation

Addcaption


  The background is a vibrant and friendly blue, which is an alluring colour it suggests that the editor is trying to draw in customers. Also it could suggest that because blue is usually associated with males the editor is trying to challenge the stereotype. The young and vibrant  colour suggests that it is for a younger female who is looking for the best tips on weight loss. The White colour of the title suggests that it is a friendly and simple magazine.











The plain white background suggests that the magazine is a plain and simple straight to the point magazine. The magazine is obviously targeted for men as the title shows, but the red colour of it which generally represents heat and anger could suggest that there are hard-core workouts within the magazine. It also suggests that you are going to work hard to achieve what you want. The text either side are in very vibrant colours which suggests that they are very important and should be read, they have also been highlighted in a very bright yellow which suggests further that the cover lines are important. The bold and vibrant colours suggest that the magazine is aimed at a young male looking for workout tips.






The Background colour of a Dark pink suggests that the magazine is for women, but the pink is not at all vibrant and too bold so this could also suggest that it is targeted for an older woman. The Colours of the font either side of the female are yellow which suggests a vibrant and happy mood, saying that the cover line is interesting and important.




             

GREEN

Really good piece of work with the right amount of detail and analysis. Well Done.                                              

Balance in design

Balance in design

Symmetrical (Formal) -  This magazine is symmetrical because the text on either side is in the same position. The "Toni Braxton " is also perfectly in the middle. The Model is directly in the middle as well. The two sides of text are being reflected perfectly on either side. The two columns on ether side bring your attention to them because they are so perfectly positioned.














Asymmetrical (Informal) - This magazine is Asymmetrical and unbalanced because there is only one side of text on the right which pulls your attention towards it, the other side is very plain, this suggests that the text on the right side is very important. The colors are also very unbalanced, the purple and yellow makes it look very un-neat.















Asymmetrical by shape - This magazine is Asymmetrical by shape because the woman is stretched across the screens and there is no real symmetry to it.
















Asymmetrical by position - this is asymmetrical by position because Mitt Romney is placed on the right of the magazine, it doesnt look very neat, and it makes it look like it is taking the micky.

Asymmetrical by texture. This is asymmetrical by texture because Robert Pattinsons face is very detailed and you can see every detail in his face. Compared to the blurred white background his face stands out.

Asymmetrical balance by Eye Direction - This is asymmetrical by eye direction because she is facing away from the camera and not paying any attention to the reader.

Radial Balance - This is radial balance because there is one focal point in the middle, and the stories are radiating around her.
..

GREEN

Really good piece of work with the right amount of detail and analysis. Well Done.

Typography Analysis

Lifestyle Magazine Cover Analysis

Lifestyle Magazine

The magazine shows Halle Berry looking into the camera intimidatingly, this makes it seem like she wants you to do something, and by the clothes she is wearing it looks like she wants you to look like her. The photographer has chosen a white background so the she stands out and the everyone is focused on her. The quotes in the background say " Lose weight, get fitter, and have more sex ", this comment is direct address because it is telling you to do it.

The magazine is for inspirational purposes because it is giving you many tips on how to look perfect, and they have put an example of what they think is perfect on the front cover. The target audience is for women who want to be perfect and look perfect. This is also for people who want to stay in touch with the gossip.

The magazine shows a female looking directly at the camera, she is also smiling, this could suggest that she is happy with herself and her appearance, so the fact that she is looking directly at the camera that could suggest that she wants you to be like her. The comment " I dont want to be the fat funny one anymore ", this comment suggests that it is wrong to be fat and overweight, and that the model on the front cover is a perfect example of perfect. This magazine is inspirational because, the main quote on it is "Kim helped me lose 20 lbs in four weeks". The magazine also helps Kim look like a better person to help her fame.

The bold bright font used on the magazine is there to be seen so that everyone can see it. This magazine is targeted at women who want fashion tips, and to be in the perfect shape. The magazine is also targeted at women who want to read up on the latest gossip.

The mens health magazine shows a man holding onto a naked women, this suggests that if you get strong and ripped like the man, then you will definitely get good looking girls. The quote " One month to a body she cant resist " suggests that in one month girls will be attracted you and cannot resist getting with you. This magazine is used for inspirational purposes because it is saying if you become ripped and fit then you will get the girls.

This magazine is targeted for men who want fitness tips and workout ideas, their objective is to become in the best shape they can and get ripped so they can get more girls. The layout of the magazine is like all of the other lifestyle magazines where the main focus point (the models) are in the middle so that everyone sees them.

The Cosmopolitan magazine shows Megan Fox looking directly at the camera, this suggests that she wants you directly to read the magazine. The pink background color makes it look like a magazine for females, also the quotes on the magazine suggest it would be more appealing for a female, " The sexy ass workout ", " Bad girl sex ". The magazine is meant to be inspiring by giving you tips to stay fit and improve your appearance. The language used is very informal and straight to the point so that the customer can look at the facts when the magazine is still on the shelf. The layout of the magazine is familiar, with the attractive model/celebrity right in the middle so that everyone can see her, and the big quotes around her are the main stories. The target audience are women who want to be like models and improve their appearance.

In the front cover of this magazine the color is white and pink, which are female colors, this suggests that the target audience is for women. The model in the middle is shown wearing a wedding dress this suggests that the magazine is for weddings and to sell wedding equipment, the quotes on the cover also support this, " Spend £20 save £100 on your decor ". The layout of the magazine suggests that it is for women as the model in a wedding dress is directly in the middle, suggesting that she is trying to sell it to you.

The language used is informal, it also directly addresses the
audience by saying "Hello pretty" this is direct address because the magazine is trying to get your attention by talking to you. Another example of direct address is "Would you wear it ? ", this is direct address because it is asking you a question.

Lifestyle Conventions 5

Lifestyle Conventions 2&3

Lifestyle Conventions 4

The standard model “guy” is a pretty straightforward being. When we tell our lady to shut her trap so we can watch some footie, it means just that. There are no hidden messages whatsoever. And it certainly does not mean, “Honey, now is the best time to talk about where this relationship is going.” But as we’ve stressed oh-so-many times in the pages of this very magazine, women on the other hand, are not so much into this business of being straightforward. The word “fine” for example, could mean a million and one things, and it is way better to have all your limbs chopped off by a mega-powered chainsaw than have a woman say the dreaded word to you.

So this month if your girl mutters, “We don’t really need to celebrate Valentine’s Day if you don’t want to,” don’t take it as your cue to jump for joy and spend all the cash on Star Wars Lego. Why? Because there is simply no chance in hell that she actually means it, plus it will take you forever to build one stupid Millennium Falcon.

If anything, it’s simply a test to see if you’re really the sensitive and caring dreamboat that you’ve been pretending to be, or if you’re just, well, a guy. So what do you do? If you really dig the chick – and third base is a great possibility – we recommend you sell all your worldly possessions and spend it all on that one special day. And to help your cause, we’ve got some pretty good V-Day gift ideas on pages 98 and 99. After all, third base is a pretty damn good thing.



BOTH = Orange

Introduction to Lifestyle Magazine

Introduction to Lifestyle Magazine

The types of content in lifestyle magazines vary between advertising, mainly clothing, perfumes and fitness regimes. There are also small stories about life and mainly sex. The main focus points of the magazine are, health "10 ways to get happy" , beauty "immaculate complexion" , and appearance "personal stylist: party shoes".

From my analysis I have discovered that this magazine is probably targeted for women, as it advertises women perfume and clothing it also shows women wearing fancy clothes on the front cover. There is also a high heel on the cover. This magazine is probably aimed for young women as their interests of fashion and beauty are all included in the magazine. The design also suited for a female the pink ad light colors used on the front color. Also some of the phrases used on the contents page suggest it for a stylish woman, " if its stylish for Kate Moss..." (Then its stylish for you).

The purchasers benefit form buying the magazine varies from, tips on losing weight and keeping in the best shape. They may also benefit from the tips on style and fashion over the summer " what will you be wearing this summer ". The buyers of this magazine may want to read up on the latest gossip, and keep in touch with the crowd, " Jsp meets Russell Brand ", and " Joaquin Phoenix shows his darker side ". Another benefit they may want is to see the different culture of women around the world and what they do to look good. Also they may want all of the tips on fashion and whats "in" at the moment.
Finally they may want to view the latest products from beauty companies such as Chanel, Hugo Boss, and Dior.

Music video research

 

Britney Spears - Toxic 

In this video Britney presents a negative image of girls, she does this by, her clothes that she is           wearing, she has man outfits in the video, including an air hostess which is still very revealing, and a see-through outfit, which makes her look naked. The Cinematography in this video makes it worse, the camera always takes close ups of her breast and her lips. At some parts she even feels her breasts. She sometimes leans over and the camera follows her all the way to show as much of her as they can. All of this connotes that Britney likes to show her self off to men, she also steals a mans phone in the video to show that she may have some sort of power over the man, but he doesn't look to phased. These features of the video present her in a negative way.




Lily Allen - Hard out here

Lilly Allen's recent music video presents a negative image for a woman because, the actors in the video are wearing little ballet outfits that show their bum and breasts off a lot, also they are asking for attention because they are always shaking it and gyrating. The props used are expensive bottles of champagne which they are just pouring over themselves like its nothing, they are surrounded by expensive things like bentleys and nice clothes. The cinematography shows off the dancers bums and breasts too, by taking a considerable amount of close ups and slow motion scenes of them shaking their bum.The camera also shows lily allen looking at the camera and sucking on a banana. The main punchline is "its hard out her for a bitch" which connotes that anyone who wants to have a good life then you have to be good looking and have a good body.

Lorde - Royals

This video represents a positive image for a woman, because she is wearing clothes that do not stand out and are not at all revealing this makes her look like she is not trying to show off, also the setting is the streets and the colour correction suggests a less energetic environment. The cinematography is also plain, it only shows off the top half of her body and focuses only on her singing. There are also no messages in the video that may suggest that she presents a bad image. All of these features make Lorde look like a good representative because, they suggest that she is not trying stand out and show herself.

Grading

1/12

B1

What you have here is very good and you have responded well to the question, using key examples. However, Is boring and plain a truly positive representation of women?

T: Try to use more examples and key terminology (see VCOP Blog), especially to finalize your argument for Royals being a positive representation.

                                                                             

Album Analysis

Lady Gaga - Born This Way 

On this album cover Lady Gaga has taken the shape of a motorbike, which is generally associated with a male type thing. This connotes that Lady Gaga want to be more masculine, or she could be challenging the stereotype of males being more in motorbikes. She is also dressed scruffy and looks like she has been roughed up. This suggests that she doesn't care about how she looks, and is confident. She isn't afraid of what people say.

                                                                                                                                                

           

 Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra 

This album cover shows 3 near naked girls laying down in seductive positions with their tongues out. This connotes that the artist Limp Bizkit is a voyeurist and likes looking at girls naked, the girl is oblivious to this and makes it look like she doesn't care that the man in staring at her. The 3 girls laying down naked connotes that they are only there to be looked at and enjoyed.

       

 Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA

This album cover shows Bruce in front of a red and white striped background, which is probably the american flag, and along with the title of the album "Born in the USA" suggests that Bruce Springsteen is very patriotic about america.

Justin Timberlake - 20/20 experience

In the album cover it suggests that he is very stylish and dapper and the gold coloured writing suggests that he is a class above everyone else and that he deserves gold. Justin can see into the future ( 20/20 ) experience and his clothing is almost like he is ready to receive an award. The facial expression of Justin suggests that he is use to success and big events.

Jason Derulo - Talk Dirty 

Jason Derulo is placing a girls hand on his abs. This suggests that Jason Derulo likes girls touching him and wants the girls to do what he says. The fact that Jason is showing his abs suggests that he is confident and likes the way that he looks. The album cover also says 2 chainz very small in the middle right of the cover and he has chosen a red colour for it so that it doesnt stand out as much. This connotes that Jason wants all of the fame and wants everyone to think that 2 chainz has a lesser part in the song.

     
Imagine Dragons - Continued Silence

Imagine Dragons shows a man floating up in the air holding a briefcase ,there is also alot of fog in the atmosphere. This looks like it is imitating a dream, the briefcase may be holding drugs which makes the atmosphere look like they are on drugs. The title continued silence suggests that the man is high and is oblivious to people shouting at him. The album overall makes the scene look like a dreamland.











Miley Cyrus - Bangerz

In this album cover Miley Cyrusis looking at the camera directly, she is also looking sorry for her self like she is helpless and needs your help. This suggests that Miley wants you to help her because she is looking directly at the camera. She is wearing a very short dress. This suggests that she wants you to see her in a different way, more sexually. The Bangerz title in the background is very bright and luminescent. This suggests that she wants you to see the title of the album, and bangerz is another word for breasts.

Device - Device

This album cover is really weird, it looks like the figure on the album is under control and possesed. This suggests that the artist wants to possess you and control you when you are listening to their music, the music may make you want to do something. The album shows the figure in some sort of pain, this suggests that the artist likes putting people through pain. The album is in black and white, these are very negative colours to use, this suggests that the music that is being performed is dark and heavy. finally the 'v' in device is red, this could suggest blood.












Tyler the creator - Wolf

In this album cover Tyler the creator is looking up into the sky like he is daydreaming and thinking of what he could have been, this is shown when the image of another man is looking down smiling at Tyler. The background of the album is light blue which could suggest that it is supposed to be the sky.













Michael Buble - To be loved

In this album cover Michael Buble has chosen an orange background so that he can stand out more and that everyone is focused on him. He is putting on a tie and smartening him self up, this could suggest that he is about to go to a big event, and that he likes to look his best. The fact that he is looking away from the cameras suggests that his mind is focused on a more important thing. Michael Buble has mad his name on the cover black so that it stands out more and so everyone can see who he is.

Photoshop Skill 2

How to apply a liquify effect to your work

First you have to find the image that you want to apply the effect to ( this effect looks better on a 3d image ). You can import you image by going to file, place and then find your image.

Next you have to make sure the layer is editable, you can do this by right clicking on your image in the layer bar and selecting rasterize layer.

Position the image where you want it on the page. Look up the top and go to filter and click on liquify.

You will see a blank canvas on your screen with your image. You will use a brush tool to click and drag on your image and this will smudge it almost. On the right of the canvas you will see a list of settings, that you can change to alter the strength of your brush.

Once you have applied the effects that you want, you then select okay and then you have applied the liquify tool.

Hip Hop Honeys

Representation of girls in music videos

The common representation of a girl in a music video are that they are merely there to spice up the video and to keep the viewers watching. They are basically props for the male singer/band. They are normally there to dance around in sexy clothes or maybe even in no clothes what so ever to keep the audience attracted. Some recent music videos show this stereotype. For example Robin Thicke with blurred lines, where three girls are shown as slaves to the three male artists, they are wearing next to no clothes in one variation of the video, however in another, they are not wearing ANY clothes. The artists treat them as toys, they throw the girls around the studio, some may perceive this as prostitution.

 The girls in the videos provide pleasure to alot of male viewers, but to some this is becoming a big worry and that people are starting to dislike these sorts of video. The government in particular say that the videos have a very bad influence on young teens and teenagers in general. Their problem is they think that the videos will influence young male teens to treat girls and their girlfriend in this appalling way and the girls do not think this is wrong because this is all natural in "popular music videos". Some girls even go to the extent of acting like the girls in the video by wearing very revealing costumes. I agree with the critics 100% on this as a lot of studies show that they are correct and that it is very wrong for girls to be treated like this at a very young age.

The problem is spreading rapidly all over the media, for example in TV programmes, music videos, and magazines. The image of a typical girl is changing rapidly into a sex slave for all types of men, and now teenage girls do not care about it, some even aspire to be one of the girls in the videos.

In conclusion the image of a woman in a music video is wrong and should not be shown to everyone around the world, because the problem is already bad but if these crude videos internationalize then the problem will get greater.

Grading

1/11

A3

What you have here is very good and you have responded well to the question, even posing your own questions. You have used examples solidly. 

T: Try to use more examples and key terminology (see VCOP Blog). Pick out all of the technical aspects (Mise-en-scene, editing, lyrics etc) and how they help you come to your conclusions.