Creative Critical Reflection

     Hi guys!! I can't believe it's finally here, my last day working on my Media Studies portfolio! I am so proud of all of the hard work and dedication that went into this project, and can't wait to see my next steps; enjoy!

How does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?

How does your product engage with audiences, and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

How did you integrate technologies- software, hardware, and online- in this project?

Final Post!!

 Hi blog,

    It's finally here! My magazine is officially finished and ready to submit. This has truly been an amazing experience, even with all the stressful times. I hope that all of the long hours and brainstorming are worth it!

Production- Finishing Up

 Hi blog,

    Today I finished my portfolio! I have completed my feature article and added the barcode to the cover page as the finishing touch.

    Here you see my feature article spread, and I just have to look it over before I submit! The hardest part of this process was probably the layout and deciding where everything was going to go. I incorporated an introduction, background, and recipe for the dish and included subtitles.

    Lastly, I added a barcode to the cover page to top it all off. Overall, this process has helped me develop more editorial skills and software knowledge, and I can't wait to finish and showcase my project to you guys!

Production- Feature Article Layout

 Hi blog,

    Today I did a little bit of work to help me plan out my last two pages. But first things first, I changed my cover page a little by using yellow for the cover line and masthead text color.

    In addition, I worked on the outline for my feature article. Here you will see what I worked on the heading and planned out. The outlined boxes will be photos of the food and the text is where I will write about the dish, the process, ingredients, and recipe.

    The work today has helped me because once I do the second photoshoot, I will be able to fill in my work and write about it!

Production- Table of Contents

 Hi blog,

    Today I moved past the cover image and started on the table of contents. I started with the layout. I put "Contents" as the heading and kept a basic format. I have my basic sections; however, they are still under debate to see if I'm going to change the wording or layout.

    I will put little cuts of photos on the outside of the page to help fill it up. This leads me back into production and taking more photos. I have started to brainstorm the food I want to group and take photos of: tzatziki, falafel, cherry tomatoes, hummus, Greek salad, and pita.

    Today's process has helped me determine that I need to go back into production to further fill up and have backup photos. I am planning to have this shoot later this week and can't wait!

Production- Coverlines

 Hi blog,

    Today I worked on my coverlines, and I added two new pieces! My previous post, titled "Layout and Inspo",  helped me have a baseline and idea for my coverlines.

    The two that I've added so far are "Quick & Healthy Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner" and "Energizing Snacks to fuel you!" These are quick and easy to read and grab the audience's attention. Also, the lettering has a slight slant, which enhances its appeal.

    I plan to add one more coverline, as well as the barcode, and then I will be done with my cover!! My past blog posts have really helped me stay organized and focused on what I had planned out, and to help me better flow through my project. Tune in next time blog!

Production- Masthead

 Hi blog,

    Today, I focused mainly on the masthead and played around with different layouts and styles.  I tried out different fonts, colors, and layouts. I went through all the different fonts and chose "Telugu MN".In the end, I decided to keep the warm yellow and add a white background to elevate the lettering and to pop.

    Overall, this will further me with my project as I have come closer and deeper into the process.

Production- Editing

 Hi blog,

    Today I started on my actual magazine layout!!!

    I inserted my cover image and started to work on my masthead. I went through sooo many different fonts for my top and many colors. I am still working out the details, but I'll give you guys a sneak peek. I'm thinking about the masthead color being like a goldish yellow to accent and elevate the photo, making it feel refined.

    Starting the editing process has shown me that I need to retouch and practice my skills with maneuvering around InDesign, but here is what I have so far:

Production- Photoshoot Day!!

 Hi blog,

    Today, I did my photoshoot. I started production bright and early at 9am to get a good natural light. I prepared all of my things and brought them together. I took about 30+ photos and changed some settings around to make sure that I had the best material possible!

   I took many photos to ensure that I had the best angle and quality. I ended up with an aerial shot as planned. I did change the settings on my camera to give it a warmer feel.

         

    Here you can see how I made the filter warmer, and it completely changed the vibe of the picture. These were my top two photos because of the layout, but I am going to go with the warmer-toned photos as they match my genre a little better.

    This was my first major step in the production process, and I hope to keep up and edit/finish everything in class!

Production-Camera Setup

 Hi blog,

    Today I prepared my camera for production tomorrow! I went through all of the different settings and tested them with one another. My camera is a 4 K Ultra HD from Amazon. The settings I have put on it include a -3 exposure,  super-high quality, medium sharpness, and the beauty filter.

    I chose the -3 exposure because I didn't want high contrast, which would make the light blinding the photo, and I figured this would give the photo a natural finish. Furthermore, the photo will need a good quality turnout if it is to be my cover image, and it was only right to use the best quality I could get.

    I spent some time playing around with the sharpnesses, and I concluded with the medium setting. This is because the high sharpness felt too artificial, and I didn't want that to mess with the overall vibe and the magazine. I will play around with these settings tomorrow and decide later. Finally, the beauty filter was a must-have just to help with touch-ups!

    Overall, today has helped me figure out and decide the settings and quality of my camera to better my photos for tomorrow. This will help me because I won't have to scramble and change the settings too much.

Production- Photoshoot Planning

 Hi blog,

    Today in class, I created a layout for my photoshoot on Saturday. I will be working in my kitchen and using the afternoon lighting to give off a natural light. The photo will mainly consist of the countertop, plate, chicken pita, tzatziki, and a cutting board with fresh ingredients to fill the cover image. I feel like this is enough things to help fill the space without overwhelming it. If needed, I will find other fillers to use in the background.

    Now this plan isn't set in stone and will probably be subject to change; however, it gives me a good visual and starting point for Saturday.

    I will prepare the food prior to the shoot and get all of my things organized. Furthermore, I will take different photos at different angles with high and low to exhibit the food and see what will look the best.

    This mock photo has helped me develop further into my project because it gives me a layout so that i'm ready for the photoshoot on Saturday!

Production- Planning

 Hi blog!

    It's finally time! We are in the final phase of the portfolio. So far, I have planned out my production schedule; it is fairly flexible, but I intend to keep it to ensure I finish on time.

    Here, I have broken down my time between five different events. These include production, editing, composition, and touch-ups.

    As you can see, I plan on starting production this weekend. I will gather all of my materials and determine a layout for when the time comes to shoot. I have set the fixed time to the afternoon so that I can get optimal natural lighting. I have given myself two days for production to ensure that I can get the most out of my time.

    I intend to work on editing and getting ready for my layout in the following class periods. I will then start on my actual magazine and figure out all those details!

    This schedule has helped me stay organized and ensure that I am on the way to a great portfolio submitted on time. 

My Influences

 Hi blog,

    I've told you a lot about my project, but I have not addressed what influenced my decisions.

    First of all, I love to cook and try new recipes. For about a year now, I have been making healthy and simple recipes for my family and me. A diet that I never get tired of is the Mediterranean diet. There are just so many different things to make and so many variations to try them with. This diet is truly customizable and still healthy! 

    When I decided on a food-focused magazine, I knew that Mediterranean would be a great topic. Moreover, many visible trends are popping up with this food, such as one-pan dinners, high-protein meals, and traditional comfort foods. My plan is to combine all of these and create a sophisticated take on a dieting magazine.

                                                            

Planning- A Deeper Dive On The Cover Photo

 Hi blog,

    Today, I was planning out the little details that cannot be overlooked. I developed my overall ideas and included them in my past blogs. So this one will break down the technical elements.

                                                        

    The background setting will be minimal, probably a countertop, and will be an aerial shot over the food. There will be natural lighting, such as the picture above.

    The plate will be in contrast to the background, but not pop and take away from the food. It will most likely be a cream colored plate, which will allow the vibrant colors of the food to pop. This will help keep the refined feel and elevated the photo.

    The cover image dish will be a chicken pita and will include lettuce, tomato, red onion, tzatziki, grilled chicken, pita, and feta cheese. The pita must be stuffed to the brim to be visually appealing and looked delicious! I will add a filler to the plate as needed such as a lemon or other accessories. 

    Background fillers will include a cutting board with fresh ingredients and a bowl of tzatziki with a spoon. This will demonstrate the things found in the actual dish.

    

Layout and Inspo

 Welcome to the new week blog!

    I started to make a layout for my magazine and went over what I was going to include. I used PowerPoint, only to get a quick and easy base, to brain-dump inspiration and start forming my layout.

    I want to have a chicken pita as my cover image, and I want it to follow the conventions of this photo:

    This is a great photo because it highlights the food and uses the ingredients to fill the scene.

    I also started playing around with fonts, and I really like this one titled Copperplate, and it is in bold. I think that this font is satisfactory to the name and establishes sophistication. 

The smaller articles the i would use as my cover lines are things like:

    These are some of the ideas that I had in mind for my magazine and course. I will have to play around and find the perfect colors and font to complement the cover image and masthead.

    Anyways, here is the full screenshot of my planning. I will use this to help me further decide and plan out what to do and how to get everything perfect!

The Proposal

 Hi blog, 

   This is my formal introduction to my project! To start off, my name is Melanie, and I will be working by myself. I will be creating a lifestyle magazine. My magazine will be about food and will focus on the Mediterranean diet. I chose this because I enjoy cooking, and this will be a fun topic for me.

    My target audience for this magazine is young adults who enjoy cooking and want to incorporate new, healthy foods into their diets. It will also be for people who are interested in a cultivated, simple food rotation.

    Potential issues I will address are access to food and cultural traditions. I will focus on these by providing alternate food/ingredient options. This magazine is meant to focus on the Mediterranean diet; however, cultural traditions can differ in how the recipe is cooked or prepared. That said, I don't intend for this to follow every cultural tradition, but just the most common one.

    The software I plan to use is InDesign. I will have to touch up on my skills. I hope to get better at my editing and design skills.

    My plan for the portfolio will be to get a step done every week and keep constant progress. My style will be clean, sophisticated, and engaging. I will keep looking at different magazines and keep finding inspiration for my project!

                                                    

Planning- Final Steps

 Hi blog, 

    In class today, I finished my ideas for my magazine! I have been playing around with names and layouts of my presentation.

    Last class, I was deciding between The Cultivated Spoon and Kitchen Diaries as the name of my magazine publisher. Today, I narrowed it down to The Cultivated Spoon because it feels more sophisticated and fitting for my project, which will target young adults or mature individuals.

    Furthermore, I was brainstorming ideas for my feature article and what it would focus on. Of course, it's going to be the front cover, but it was a little harder to come up with ideas for the actual two-page plan. That said, I am going to feature a picture of the food, followed by the recipe. The page will also include a brief history of Mediterranean food and highlight the dish in particular. Since my feature article will be based on Greek chicken pitas, I could do a little section about tzatziki.

                                            

    Aside from the context, I will give an introduction to the magazine and why the Mediterranean diet is the way to go. If needed to fill space, I will include the typical elements in this die. Whatever is not included in the feature article will be placed in the table of contents as fillers.

    The content to be included throughout my magazine will be engaging and include features and elements to be entered, yet minimal. This is a great example of how I would plan my layout for my article. There will be a photo of the food, some description, and a basic enlightening feel. 

                                            

    The tone of my magazine will be playful and conversational to keep a fun, light atmosphere of my publish. My information will be written in different columns to break up the information. The different sections will be spread out through the page and fill it up. They will most likely be short paragraphs to explain the topic.

    This week I really figured out all the little details and I mapped out my portfolio and am ready to start action, stay tuned for the proposal!

Planning- Part 1

 Hi blog,

    It's officially time to start planning out my magazine and start putting pieces together.

The style of my issue will be sophisticated and structured, making it visually appealing. It will be a minimalist setting with bright, bold food to create contrast. To complement the food, natural elements like ingredients will be placed around to give the photo a softer feel. The incorporation of minimalism and simple elements will create a warm, blended feel.

    For my front page, the cover image will be a picture of the finished recipe from the feature article. The photo will be just the food, so that I can fill the open space with cover lines and other fillers. For example, this photo down here displays the cover image as a stand-alone image with nothing else in the background, opening up the space.

                                                    

    The table of contents area will span across two pages and consists of about 40-50 pages. some pages included will be an intro, why it is good for you, the background of mediterranean food, common principles, and recipes (broken up into sections). In the table of contents, there will be some photos to help fill the page.

    The location of my photoshoot will happen in my kitchen or in natural settings, such as outside; this will help me get organic lighting. The dish wear i'll use will contrast with the dish and make it pop. For example, if I use a gyro as my cover image, I could use a blue plate to make the food stand out. The photo down here exemplifies this idea well. Simple elements will also be included, such as ingredients and cookware, to warm up the photo and emphasize the main focus.

    Now that stuff is starting to get situated, I can figure out my timeline to ensure that I have as much time as I need to ensure success with my project. My plan of action is to finish my layout and propose my project as a whole. After this is good I will start getting my props and taking photos. Then, once I have my confirmed images I can begin on layout and presentation of the magazine itself.

Research- Publishers

 Hi blog!

    Today I researched different magazine publishers and found the top-selling ones for food. Some of the top ones I noticed were Food Network, Bon Appétit, and Magnolia Journal. At a glance, these magazines may all appear the same; however, they all have a different vibe to them, and I am here to break it down.

 

    First off, Food Network's primary focus and content is easy and trending cooking. Their style tends to be bright and colorful, and they pull in celebrities. Below you can see the color scheme and the fun pop the issue has.

                                                        

    Furthermore, Bon Appétit's style is more sophisticated and structured. Their focus is quality food that blends culture and hobbies in one place. The articles tend to be more timeless and refined.     

                                                          

    Lastly, Magnolia Journal emphasizes seasonal cooking by publishing only quarterly. Calling the issue a "Journal" makes it feel more intimate. The style reflects the recipes inside with an earthy and rustic feel to the publication.

                                                        

    After reviewing the different styles, I think I'm leaning more towards following the conventions of Bon Appétit with it's sophisticated and cultural feel.

Research- Finalizing My Thoughts

 Hi blog,

    Today, I researched the trends in Lifestyle magazines. So far, the design trends I've noticed in my research include organic, natural feels, contemporary writing, and light, easy-to-observe photos that showcase the food.

                                       

    In these examples, you can see how details complement each other. Whether it is color or layout, the cover is visually satisfying. I will include these notes in my portfolio by keeping it bright and energetic and placing everything in an engaging format.

    The subject of my article is the Mediterranean diet, so it would naturally appeal to women in their mid 20's-60's. That being said, the article can target anyone in general, especially those who like to cook or try new things.

                                                 

The editing software I will use is indesign to bring my project life. I plan to keep drawing out more details Ii wish to include in my project and start planning out my designs and features.