LO3: Following Codes and Conventions

I chose this photo for my magazine front cover as it's a medium close up, connoting closeness and reliability, while running towards the camera with determined expression has denotations of a game scenario which will attract people's attention and make people want to read the rest of the story.

I used all three of these images for my contents page, using them to link to the articles listed to show imagery of the content, making people more inclined to read them as it shows the reader what the article is about. In addition, showing a variety of situations through these images connotes that there are a lot of different aspects to rugby, a point already pointed out by the various articles on the page, which again may encourage people to play.

This is the initial body copy for my DPS, interviewing two players of Sheffield Swans Rugby Team. The introduction is written to show who the interviewees are to the audience without having to ask such questions in the article, which would be unecessary. In addition, the peer to peer mode of address used to introduce the players is intended to encourage the audience to relate to them, connoting that that's who they could be (Ideal self) if they joined, again the intended intention of the article and magazine as a whole.
Questions in the article were written to slowly introduce the players, and by extension different aspets of the sport, to the audience to make it seem appealing to them. For example, asking how they got interested in the sport, describing the situation, can make readers in a similar situation relate to it, and so opening rugby as a potential path. Also exploring the technical sides of the sport will appeal to the people who are now more invested in the idea of playing and are looking in the magazine for more detailed information

I chose this set up for my Contents Page for my magazine. As my magazine is a sports magazine, I used typical sports magazine page sizes to stick with the typical design. However, as the purpose of the magazine is to attract new players to Rugby, I also used typical conventions of general magazines, making it smaller and more condensed to be shared more easily, which means more people can see it so more people will be likely to join.
This also applies to my Double Page Spread (DPS), as in order to make a brand and consistent style I used the same basic layout and conventions for all pages including articles etc.

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For my front cover of my magazine, I chose to use the CMYK colour palette, as this is a convention of print which is where the cover will appear, which abides by conventions of print production.
In addition, I used the same size page as my contents page and DPS for the front cover as it would all have to be the same for a magazine, and it allows a reasonable amount of information (advertising articles, plugs etc.) while not appearing crowded and so unappealing.

I followed conventions when making the front cover of my magazine by using a medium close up of the player to connote closeness in the article advertised on the main tag line. In this, I prioritised the name of the player to attract readers, typical of a sports magazine and also done on this cover, while other tag lines and plugs surrounded the profile of the image to create a clean appearance while also attracting people's attention to the other advertised pieces after, as the image and name draws the eye. I also placed the bar code in an accurate and realistic place, to the left side of the cover, to make it even more realistic.

Following conventions of a typical sports magazine, I separated my text into two columns, situated on either side of images, to give a clean and easy to read aesthetic, while also drawing attention to the images in the centre which serve to also advertise articles to the readers, using imagery to make it more appealing.
Placing the date near the title is a typical trope as the iteration is very important in what content is included, so I used this in combination with my subheadings to clarify what are regular features and what are one-off articles.
An Editor's Letter on the contents page is also often included to explain to the reader the general theme and info in the magazine, so I included one to keep in line with this convention and also help build the symmetrical aesthetic.
The colour scheme, dark red, was used continually throughout the page in headings and on images to help create a brand for the magazine and the team, another common trope.
And finally, I also used the masthead of my magazine, also included on the contents page, in my design, also used to create a brand that can be easily identified with the magazine.

I followed conventions of a magazine in my DPS my seperating the interview onto both pages, taking up two thirds (2/3 columns) on each page, with images on the other. While I reversed the design on the article I based the design on, it's still effective as the ration of image to article carries the same connotations of importance - the info is the main attraction while the images help support the content.
In addition, drop capitals were used to denote the start of questions and therefore the start of interest for the reader. And an introductory paragraph/section was used to set the premise of the article and introduce the audience to the interviewees.

LO3: Setting up Adobe InDesign CS6

Contents Page

For the contents page of my magazine, these are the measurements I will be using. This is because these are the measurements used for sports and general magazines which I am pastiching, which will mean that my magazine looks professional.

LO3: Setting up Adobe Photoshop CS6

Front Cover

I set up my front cover using the same measurements as my contents page, 220x285 mm as this is the size of both sports magazines and more serious magazines, as result making it an appropriate size to share (making it more likely for more people to use it and so making it more likely that people will take up the sport, the purpose of the magazine) I also used CMYK colours as this is standard for print, which is one of the methods of distribution for my magazine. I used 300 resolution for my document as it's a high quality image for print, which this resolution is appropriate for.

LO3: Body Copy for Articles

This is my article prior to sub-editing. 

After sub-editing and completing/editing my interview, this was the end result.

LO3: Creating Production Materials

Front Page

I set up my front cover using the same measurements as my contents page, 220x285 mm as this is the size of both sports magazines and more serious magazines. I also used CMYK colours as this is standard for print, which is one of the methods of distribution for my magazine.

I started initially by adding the masthead to the page, then the main tagline to set out the proper spacing and size. Gold and black feature in the Swans logo, and as the featured article is about them I chose to use these colours for the tagline. But as it's also the primary colours of my front cover, so I also used them for my article references. Gold is a bold, bright colour that easily attracts the eye, so it's appropriate for the front cover of a magazine so people notice it and decide to read it.

Then I added information to the tagline, promoting the interview I wrote in the DPS of my magazine, as interviews, especially with an important team, attracts the audience so they can see what the players will say, making it effective in advertising the rest of the magazine.

Building on the style, I added more articles to the opposing side of the cover, and increased the font size to make them more visible and eye-catching. I also added a bar code to the side of the cover in the typical space to make it look more professional.

After this, I started fine tuning my design. Firstly, I replaced the back masthead with white, to make it stand out more against the page and be more eye-catching, which is also why I changed the back text for the rest of the cover lines to white form black as well.

I also changed the word 'EXCLUSIVE' to 'MADDIE' to inform the reader who the interview was specifically with, and making her more personable. This is also in line with conventions of sports magazines - using names to attract readers.

I also added a plug in contrasting colours to the orange and white to make it stand out, which is also a convention for plugs in magazines. The prize also relates to the article and makes the audience more likely to read them, as they could possibly win to see them they're more likely to take interest in the team.

After this, I started fine tuning my design. Firstly, I replaced the back masthead with white, to make it stand out more against the page and be more eye-catching, which is also why I changed the back text for the rest of the cover lines to white form black as well.

I also changed the word 'EXCLUSIVE' to 'MADDIE' to inform the reader who the interview was specifically with, and making her more personable. This is also in line with conventions of sports magazines - using names to attract readers.

I also added a plug in contrasting colours to the orange and white to make it stand out, which is also a convention for plugs in magazines. The prize also relates to the article and makes the audience more likely to read them, as they could possibly win to see them they're more likely to take interest in the team.

However, I decided that the name needed to be more eye-catching, so I moved it into the middle of the two lines to create more colour contrast and so make it more eye-catching, and also to encourage the connotation that the name is the most important part of the cover.

Through researching various sporting magazines, I decided to split my magazine into 3 columns, the centre showing images promoting articles and the left and right listing the articles in typical contents page fashion.

To set boundaries for my columns, I placed my image and first three sections of my magazine into the contents section, using my proposal to place each section.

I used a basic sans serif font - Impact, to plan the spacing and design of my masthead before implementing my chosen design from my proposal.

After this I chose two other images for the centre columns and used them as more links to articles - the pictures being used to make the articles seem more appealing as they help explain to the reader what its about.

I also added common sections to my page, including an 'Editors Letter' and sections such as 'Interviews' and 'Contents' to make my page more in line with common conventions and easier to navigate. 

The titles of the sections, including the masthead, were changed to the specified font in the proposal (Couture) and the stroke changed to the team's red colour to promote the brand of the team, and also to make a cleaner design and synergy as it can be seen that all the images and design is linked, making it seem more professional and so people are more likely to read it.

The masthead of my magazine, which I use on the front page, is also included on the contents page as its a common convention of sports magazines. 

The first thing I did after this was change the masthead to match my front cover, using a white font with a black stroke and a rugby ball design to create connotations of rugby (ball and the white font indicated posts), which helps create a brand and connotes the purpose of the magazine without needing to directly state it.

The title also changed to 'Lines', creating 'Try Lines' with the masthead. I did this as the pun is a common trope, especially with sports magazines, and helps explain to the reader the purpose of the page while still having a peer to peer, comedic aspect.

I exchanged the top most image for an action shot, as I felt that as other slots throughout the page were mainly social-oriented I needed a balance to show that the attraction of rugby is fairly equally playing and social side, and I also did this to appeal to the members of the audience who are more focussed on the playing side. 

Building on this, I replaced the adverting slots with images of the Swans rugby team that the magazine has an interest in, using these shots to convey the reasons to play rugby through the connotations the images - social, physical, togetherness etc. And as this is the main purpose of the magazine, doing this by as many ways as possible is effective in achieving that goal. I also used the advertising poster I created for Unit 20 to use as another form of advertisement specific to the Sheffield Swans Rugby Club, to give the magazine authenticity as this is realistically an advertisement that would appear.

I also changed the heading of each section (i.e. 'Kit List') to white with a black background, in the masthead font (couture) to denote the importance of the titles, make them more eye catching and so making the audience more likely to read them, and creating a more interesting visual style for the rest of the page.

I first edited my photo in Adobe Photoshop, darkening shadows and blacks to allow my introduction to be seen clearly on the page without a black box, which would create a clunky look to my magazine. Also, to make the pair of players standout more, I increased the saturation and contrast to make the red bibs they're wearing standout more on the page, drawing reader's eyes to them and connoting that they're the focus of the article.

To start planning my page, I created the masthead and intro text, as well as filling Cat's (left) interview with filler text to prepare to adjust it in point size to follow conventions of magazines. 

In addition to this, I switches the picture on its vertical axis to put Cat on the left side, as she had a shorter interview and so allowing space for the intro.

To introduce the individual players to the audience before their interview, I listed their name in Couture, the font I use for the masthead, then in Aver (my body copy font) I listed their age and a description of them as a player, for example 'Fly Half', which means the reader understands who's being interviewed without directly specifying in the intro.

After this I added drop capitals, Qs and As for 'question' and 'answer', as the interviews rely on them and it needed to be specified. I adjusted and edited the interview to include the essential and interesting information that readers can either relate to or get them interested in the sport, as thats the point of the magazine and the article, as well as adjusting the font size to 9, to keep in magazine convention.

LO3: Contact Sheet and Evaluation

Useable Contact Sheets

I chose these photos as useable for my magazine because they all have the content that I want. For example, Image 20 (IMG_1067_CR2) was chosen because the portrait shot is suitable for the front cover, and the content with the player looking at the rest of her team is ideal for the themes of my magazine - teamwork and everyone can play. However, I also featured action shots in this (Image 12 for example) as I want to display the sport as action-packed and exciting, as this will attract the audience try the sport, the purpose of the magazine.

For the shots below, the latter (IMG_1536) will be used for the front cover shot of my magazine, as the medium close up profile shot is a common convention is sports magazines - showing a person in a relatable light (which a close up shot achieves) makes readers more likely to be interested. Also, the large amount of space above the head and to the sides is a suitable space for plugs and taglines, making it even more suitable.

The four other pictures will all be used on the contents page of my magazine to be used to advertise articles in conjunction with the words to make readers interested in the articles. For example, IMG_1384 is an action shot, which many people may be interested in if they like the playing aspect of rugby, while IMG_1356 is a shot of the players socialising which appeals to a different demographic which are interested in the social side of the game. Using all these pictures is effective as it effectively connotes the meanings of rugby and attracts people to he articles visually.

Unusable Contact Sheet

I chose these pictures to not use for my magazine for numerous reasons. For example, although Image 18 (IMG_0991.CR2) was in focus and clear, I won't use it because it doesn't fit my proposal. Or Image 39 (IMG_1033.CR2), which is washed out and so isn't suitable for my magazine. In addition, the subject of the picture did not suit the aims of my proposal, for example Image 1 (IMG_0941.CR2), as I do not need a long shot of a passing drill in any part of my magazine.

Interview Questions

Players:

Maddie:


How long have you been playing Rugby?

For about 2 seasons at this point, so nearly 2 years but not fully

What got you interested in the sport?

• Advertising
• Family/Friends

Well my friend said she needed people to do it with her because the team wasn't very big at the time, and er I just started DofE so I thought that it was the perfect opportunity to get two things done at once.

What's your favourite part of the social side of the sport?

Well, because our team's so diverse, like, we have people from 10 different schools around the city, and outside the city as well, theres people from small towns come, you get to know people that you would've never met before and the fact that you're bonding over things is really quite lovely.

What's your favourite part of the game - ie playing?

Honestly I've always really quite enjoyed mauls, and stuff, but that s probably really because I like a bit of a scrap, it's actually really fun getting lifted, like the first time I did it I was terrified because, you know, two people throwing you into the air doesn't sound like the safest thing in the world. But nah, its actually a lot of fun.

Do you have a goal while playing rugby?

• Ie fun or to win

Honestly, I just do it for a laugh and because it keeps me vaguely fit, you know because I think the whole point for girls is that most sports aren't their forte. Like I don't think I'd be able to be a dancer because like I'm not very well co ordinated and I'm not... I'm not erm... I've not got the right build for a lot of other sports but rugby allows you to do it depending on whatever your build is and so its probably the best way for me to stay fit and have a laugh, because you know I think with a lot of sports you feel like you're being scrutinised a lot more than while you're playing rugby.

How old are you?

• Remove and put in intro

I'm 17 years old.

How long do you play/train per week? (hours) OR How often do you train per week, and how long per time?

• Does this impact your opinion of the sport at all

Per week, er, I train er theres an hour training every week, we used to have fitness sessions ever week but due to a lack of availability it doesn't happen anymore. Erm and the games can really range depending on what you're doing. So festivals means the you play several different games, but you know you can end up playing 2 hours but most games are around an hour 20. I wish we had more playing time, and I wish I could train more, but doing A-Levels makes it quiet hard and also lack of pitch availability means there isn't much playing time or training time. But yeah I would like more.

Would you recommend playing rugby to other people your age?

I'd recommend rugby to everyone, because it does't matter who you. Are because personally; I'm 5'8", pretty medium build, I've got a friend that plays it thats 5'2" and really petite, I've got another friend thats 6'1" and a really strong build and honestly you can ay different skill points, like you can be really fast or really strong or a bit of both and you'll probably fit in somewhere. So I feel like everyone should give it a go. And also, its no where near as scary as you first think, like the first few times you get tackled its scary because you don't really know how to react but you get used to it and honestly the pain is always worth it I don't think I've ever been satisfied about getting bruises but the girls on our team always compare bruising after a matches because its like a badge that you've done something like you've put some effort in. So I think its something everyone should do.

What encourages you to keep playing rugby?

Erm a lot of things encourage me to keep on playing rugby, because for one obviously I want to stay fit, and two theres such a team personality like its a family and I always feel like I'm letting everyone down the I'm not coming and girls rugby at the moment is still quiet small so if you don't come then you know they might not have a full team to play... you've got to stay available. And it's really helped me improve because in my mindset I'm still learning, because I think what you also get in girls rugby is that most girls are new, so they're coming between, like you know I started at the age of 15 and I came not knowing anything about playing rugby and most people when they're 15 they've been playing a sport for a few years, and its really just helped me learn to adapt to new things and I really love it.

How does being part of the team make you feel?

Being part of a team is probably one of the best things, because obviously at this time in your life you can few a bit isolated like you don't fit in, especially if you know you've not been able to fit in in like normal sporting groups, but er I think theres something special about rugby, the fact that theres a lovely atmosphere with everyone, well usually, and everyones so supportive. And I think because it can be such an aggressive game that off the pitch everyones so incredibly nice.

Girls rugby is an up and coming sport, does this make you feel special or groundbreaking, or haas the thought not occurred to you.

Erm its occurred to me that is is new on the fact that we have very little players on average... but I think its great that its an up and coming sport and I really would like it to continue, erm, and you know build more momentum get way bigger... I don't think I feel particularly special or groundbreaking because we really do it for fun, you may be competitive and want to win all the tome, but I'm doing it because it's fun, to have a nice time, to stay slightly fit, you know adapt to stuff learn new things and I, you know, don't think you need t be special or like everyone should learn to give it a go and I don't think that needs to be particularly groundbreaking.



Bold=Best

RFU Member:

Has there been an increase of girls starting to play rugby recently?

• What about all the tournaments? (Tournaments 6 Nations, Rugby World Cup, Olympics Sevens) etc? 
• Advertising Campaign (This Girl Can)
• Mens success help women teams

Why should all women play rugby?

• Why do you play? (camaraderie, friends, taking out aggression, something to prove)
• As many different reasons as players

How can schools and other organisations encourage girls to start playing rugby?

• And what's being done already?
• Build on 'Why should all women play rugby?'

How did you start in your RFU role - what motivated you to take the role and what keeps you here?