LO4: Version Control

I separated each section of my Unit 3 work into separate folders under a single Unit 3 folder. 

Each page and different parts of my project leading up to that point were each in their individual folders to make all pages and parts easy to access.

Assets included any shots I had taken, video I needed for interviews or image capture, and additional assets such as an interview audio file and bar code image. This meant I could find any assets I needed very easily as they were all separated.

I saved different version of my contents page to ensure I could revert to a previous iteration if I didn't like decisions I had made. Also, I used both .idml and .indd file types as I used different versions of InDesign to make my page, and so needed to change it so I could edit it regardless of what software I was on.

The same can be said for both the DPS and Fonts I was making for the masthead, I needed to edit them anywhere and so used both file types.

I created 3 versions of 3 different fonts for my masthead to ensure I had exhausted all options and created the best one I could, using ideas from previous iterations to ensure it was as suitable as possible. Separating them in a separate file was useful as there are a lot of documents needed, 9
+ PDFs and different file types.

Although different InDesign files were needed as I had access to different versions of the programme, as I only used one version of Photoshop I only needed one file type. Regardless, separating the file into its own folder made it easier to access as it wasn't messed up with other parts of the project.

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.

DPS

This is the set up I used for my DPS from my proposal. I chose this size as it's similar to both sports and general magazines, making it small and transportable/shareable while also being large enough to contain serious articles, which is the purpose of my magazine.

I chose three columns for each page, dedicating the inner ones for the image of the players, while the others are for the article, separating into two columns each as a common convention of interviews.

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.

As well as the two columns, I also added spacing to the text boxes for the article, so the body copy would fall well into the box to create a clean image thats easy to read, which also obeys convention. 

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.

I used this design to place all the basic components of a DPS onto the page, and to structure the article properly - seperating the two and labelling them accordingly. The introduction paragraph was also edited at this point to be more concise.

After this I decided to move the body copy onto one page, with the image of the interviewees on another, in the same position to connote to the reader which one is which, which also complies more with the codes and conventions with a magazine. After this I used Luna, a font impersonating handwriting, to connote to the reader that the interview is in a friendly fashion, the people are personable, which is supported by them smiling in the image.
As well as this, I used a new font for the body copy of the article, which is similar to a match card commonly used in the sport, which has connotations of rugby and proper format. Both connotations together show the two sides of rugby which is encouraged throughout the magazine, the formal playing side and the informal social side.
I also added the logo of the team I was interviewing, as the title of the article is dependant on the team's identity, which also served to add colour to the DPS, making it look more appealing.

Adding white boxes outside each interview served to seperate them to make it clearer to read, distinguishing each one to avoid confusion, while also making the article more symmetrical and attractive. Also, it continues the connotations of 'match cards', summing up the game as a whole, not just a match.
Adding white boxes behind the identifying information of the interviewees made it easier to see so the audience could identify who they are easier.
Page numbers were also added to comply with conventions of a magazine.
The masthead was adjusted, moving it up above the heads of the two players to give a more uniform look, as well as making room for a tagline.

The tagline was taken directly from the article, a convention of a magazine. In addition, showing that the two players, smiling to connote the social side of rugby, are also interested in the physical side shows that the sport is for everyone, something connoted and denoted throughout the magazine, and also adds humour to the article, making readers more likely to read it and enjoy it, as well as relate to the players.

I changed the 'I' to 'We' in the tagline to better reflect the image, as it shows two people not one. I also reversed the colours of the tagline and added a black background to better make the tagline standout, as it's important in drawing attention to the article and making people want to watch it.

I then changed the masthead to red to bring connotations of the team with the image, as the people wearing red are part of Sheffield Swans and are being interviewed. It also made the whole page standout more to the reader and makes it look more attractive. I also changed 'Sheffield Swans' to capitals to also bring more attention to it.

Finally, I shifted the tagline down to bring more attention to the player's faces, and also having a quote below people is a common convention of magazines, as it's clear who the quote came from.

 Firstly, I added basic text - masthead and tagline, to the page, to the image to establish format and spacing, pointing the text towards where the tagline will be. I also chose white and gold for the colours as it complies to the colours of the team, which is also featured on the image.

 Then I added smaller detailed text to the front cover - date, tagline description etc. I used the format already established to add the text, next to the appropriate location to keep with convention and make it clear to the reader what each tagline is about.

Then I used the ellipsis tool along wit

 I obeyed all the conventions of a sports magazine - medium-close up image to connote closeness in the advertised interview, a plug, large masthead and smaller tagline etc.

However, I changed the masthead by making the 'Interview with' and 'Sheffield Swans' font smaller and shifting them either side of 'Maddie' to ensure that the main focus and attraction of the tagline, the person being interviewed, was shown.