Production Log

Here we go!

If you are completely up to date with research and planning tasks you should now be at the point when you are ready to start the production (creation) of your magazine front covers, contents pages and website.

You must now keep a production log as you create your NEA for submission to the examiner.

Think of your production log as being like a diary of the production work you complete.

It must include photographic evidence of your photography shoot(s) plus lots of screenshots of work that you do in Photoshop and via Wix.

The recommended Blogger posts detailing this should be as follows:

1. Production Log 1 : Photography EXAMPLE
2. Production Log 2 : Cover 1 + 2 EXAMPLE
3. Production Log 3 : Contents Page 1 + 2 EXAMPLE
4. Production Log 4 : Website home page
5. Production Log 5 : Website linked page

Henton's Hint 1

It is a good idea to set a 5 minute alarm on your phone when working in Photoshop and Wix. Every 5 minutes, take a screen shot of your work at that point.

Henton's Hint 2

Your production log should be made up of lots of different posts, each one detailing what production work you have completed as your NEA production work develops.

Henton's Hint 3

Your production log is the evidence that the examiner will see regarding how you produced your work. It is what they use to quality assure the fact that you have done the work yourself.

Henton's Hint 4

Success is the result of small efforts, repeated often.

You have to meet the deadline for completion at the end of Term 2 (just before we break up for Christmas). 

The only way you will do this is by working on your NEA production regularly. You should be moving it forwards every week.

Planning Task 6 : Font Choices

Your next planning task is to consider the fonts you will be using when producing both your magazine cover, contents pages and website.

"Why are font choices important?"

Font choices play a crucial role in the design of a magazine’s front cover and contents pages because they directly influence how the magazine is perceived and how effectively it communicates with its audience. Here's why font selection matters:

1. Font Choices Establish Brand Identity

Fonts help define the tone and personality of the magazine.

A style magazine might use elegant, serif fonts if it is trying to construct classic elegance or a more contemporary, sans serif font if it is trying to be more modern.

Consistent font use builds brand recognition.

2. Font Choices Attract Attention

The masthead needs to stand out on a shelf (magazine) or be clear at the top of the homepage (website).

It is important that the masthead is the same on both print and online versions of your magazine to ensure cross-media convergence.

Bold, distinctive fonts can grab the reader’s eye and make the magazine/website more appealing.

Other textual elements on the front cover, contents page and website should be visually engaging to draw readers into the content.

3. Font Choices Enhance Readability

Fonts must be legible at various sizes. 

Overly decorative or cramped fonts can make the content hard to read.

4. Font Choices Guide the Reader

Different font styles (bold, italic, all caps) help organize information.

Hierarchy in font size and weight helps readers navigate the front cover, contents page or website easily.

For example, on a contents page section titles might be in bold, article titles in regular, page numbers in light, etc.

5. Font Choices Support Visual Aesthetics

Fonts work with images, colours, and layout to create a cohesive visual experience.

A mismatch between font and imagery can make the design feel disjointed or unprofessional.

"What do I have to do?"

You need to start by deciding the font you will be using for your masthead and strapline.

The masthead represents the name of your publication and is, arguably, the most crucial aspect of your magazine cover design. In the real media world, many hours of time will be spent perfecting the masthead for a new magazine. 

This is where branding becomes important. The masthead is the name of the magazine and the most consistent element throughout the publication's issues, and it's how readers will recognize the magazine. It will also be used at the top of the website accompanying your magazine.

Take a look at the image below which shows part of a magazine display at a well known high street shop. Mastheads are traditionally at the top of the front cover due to how they are positioned behind each other on a shelf.

Which of these mastheads catches your eye the most?

What Next?

Design your masthead and strapline.

In class, I will show you how to do this and how to use the website Dafont.com to search the different fonts available.

I will also show you how to download the fonts that you think are most appropriate for your masthead and strapline and add these to Adobe Photoshop. 

You can then produce a mock-up of your masthead and strapline in different fonts to see which resonates best with your target audience.

Planning Task 6

Create a post for your blog titled:

Planning Task Three: Masthead Design

In this post show evidence of the process you go through to select the typographical elements for your masthead and strapline.

This should include multiple mock ups for your magazine which includes the name of the fonts used.

Make sure that you are clear in identifying which design you are ultimately going for and make sure you know the name of the font as you will need to import this into Photoshop and Wix at a later date.

Deadline

Friday 26th September

Planning Task 5 : Photography Planning

So, you have planned your productions for both the print and online elements of the set brief. Well done you!

Now it is time to ensure that you have a plan for your original photography in relation to casting and mise-en-scene.

In order to meet the set brief you will need to have, as a minimum,

• 4 original images for your magazine covers and contents pages (at least one image on each of these)
• 2 original images for your website (one on the homepage and one on the linked page)

In order to be able to undertake a successful photoshoot to capture images you need a plan.

1. Who will you be using as your models for each photograph (bear in mind that your photographs need to show representation of two distinct social groups)

I recommend doing some sample photographs with people you are considering using as this will help you to see how they 'perform' when having a camera in their face and are being 'directed' by you.

In relation to 'representation of two distinct social groups' I would advise you keep it both simple and obvious by representing two different genders or two different ethnicities across the two covers.

2. What thought needs to be given to the following elements of mise-en-scene?

Location for photography? Bear in mind that the two main images for each front cover must show "a different use of mise-en-scène". Simply put, you need to plan to take photos in two different settings. My advice would be to do one as an interior shoot and the other as an exterior shoot.

Costume? What will your models be asked to wear for the photoshoots? Costume is a key element of mise-en-scene and communicates messages relating to representation. You should not have your models just turning up wearing what they want; you have to direct this. This is particularly important as you are producing a style magazine.

Props? Will you need any props for your photoshoots? This could be something very simple or something more elaborate BUT it has to be planned.

Body language of model? How do you want your models to behave? Their body language will communicate meaning. Are they going to be serious and moody or fun and frolicky*? *not a real word.

Lighting? Will you need to give any consideration to lighting for your photography?

3. Who will be taking your photographs and what equipment will they use?

Remember that you do not have to take the photographs yourself so if you know someone who is a keen amateur (or professional) photographer then you can enlist their help. The only rule is that they must act under your direction.

There is no need to use expensive camera equipment for your photography - most modern mobile phones have extremely high performance in relation to photography.

Finally, if you need 6 photographs take 60 photographs. The more images you have to use and choose from the better your completed production will be.

Planning Task 5

Create a new post on your blog with the following title:

Planning Task 5 : Photography Planning

In this post set out your planning for all of the elements above that will contribute to your photography.

This can be a format of your own choosing.

Suggested Deadline

Wednesday 3rd September

Planning Task 4 : Website Homepage and Linked Page

You should now be in the position of having everything planned in relation to the print elements of your style magazine.

If you have done this properly it will make the next stage of your planning much easier.

Firstly, you need to consider the requirements of the set brief in relation to your website.  

You have to produce two pages for the working website for the magazine; the homepage and one other linked page.

The production of the web pages must include (as a minimum):

• Appropriate conventions of website design, including an original title and logo and a menu bar.
• Text introducing the main features of the magazine.
• Working links from the home page to the other page.
• A minimum of two original images (with at least one different original image on each of the two pages). These images must be different from those produced for the magazine.
• A range of appropriate media language techniques (typography, images, fonts, backgrounds, logos etc.) as appropriate to the purpose of the website.
• Original audio or audio-visual content appropriate to the online website.

For this task you need to show evidence of planning to meet the requirements above.

In particular, focus on planning for the following questions:

1. What will your website header on the homepage look like?

You need to think carefully about this - it will include a masthead and links to other pages plus social media icons.

You only need to have one working linked page but the others should still be there.

I have included screenshots of the header for two style magazines below.

2. What content will be on your homepage and linked page?

This means text and images. It would be sensible to include things that you have planned for the front cover and contents of the second edition of your magazine. Use this to help you.

However, remember that the website must have some content not available in the magazine.

Furthermore, remember that your magazine front covers should have a call to action to visit the website. Make sure that this is reflected in your planning for your website homepage.

Remember that, in relation to images, your website must have a minimum of two original images (with at least one different original image on each of the two pages). These images must be different from those produced for the magazine.

3. What original audio or audio-visual content will be included on your website?

You must include this but what will it be?

Ideas could include:

• an interview with someone who is featured in your print magazine's 2nd edition front page
• a 'to camera' welcome to the magazine by the editor in which he/she/they explain what can be found on the website
• something else of your own choice

Planning Task 4 : Website Homepage and Linked Page

Create a post on your blog with the following title:

Planning Task 4 : Website Homepage and Linked Page

In this post provide clear evidence of planning for the two questions set out above.

This can be in whatever format you wish.

Suggested Deadline

Wednesday 3rd September

Planning Task 3 : 60 Second Pitch

So, you have thought long and hard over your magazine's title and strapline and have also considered the content for the first two editions of your magazine. 

Now you have to pitch this to a me in what is known as a 60 Second Pitch.

What is a 60 Second Pitch?

Have you ever watched the TV series Dragons' Den? If so, you are familiar with the idea of a 60 second pitch.

In this TV programme, entrepreneurs explain their idea for a new business venture to a group of very wealthy investors. 

They need to try to convince these investors to contribute funding to their idea in return for a share in the business BUT they only have a very short amount of time in which to do this.

What Should My 60 Second Pitch include?

You have been given the task of producing the front cover and contents page(s) of the first two editions of a new style magazine. 

You now need to pitch your idea for your new magazine in a short video that is, surprisingly, 60 seconds long (roughly).

You should begin by introducing yourself and the title of your style magazine, like this:

"Hello, my name is (insert name) and I am here to pitch (insert title of your magazine), a new style magazine aimed at a primarily 16–25 year old middle and up market audience of style-conscious people." 

The rest of your pitch should include the following information:

• The month in which the first edition and website will be launched
• How often the magazine will be published (monthly / bi-monthly)
• Price of the magazine
• The strapline for the magazine
• What readers of your magazine and website can expect to find
• How you will make sure that the content of the magazine and website appeal to your target audience

Remember that John Hibbert, the Subject Advisor for Media Studies, provided the following information about what a 'style magazine' is.

"Style magazines typically have a focus on an area of style such as fashion, beauty, grooming, or interior design.  While a style magazine should have a clear focus on an area of style, they often also include content on related areas.  For example, a style magazine with a focus on fashion may also include some content on celebrity, trends, and popular culture"

Planning Task Three

I will show you how to do the following steps in our lesson.

Step One

Save a recording of your 60 Second Pitch

Step Two

Upload your 60 second pitch to YouTube via YouTube Studio and share it to your blog. (You will need to make sure that you can access the video of your 60 Second Pitch on the device you are using to do this.)

Note: You can use your Google account to log in to YouTube as Google owns the video sharing platform.

Step Three

Rename the post on your blog with the following title:

Planning Task Two : 60 Second Pitch

Once you have shared your video, provide an explanation of the process you have gone through to create and publish your 60 Second Pitch.

Deadline

Wednesday 3rd September

Planning Task 2 : Content Creation

In our lesson today, we went through the process of planning that has to be followed before a magazine is published.

The slides used during this lesson are below.

You will need to spend lots of time curating the content for the first two editions of your magazine which you now know will be published in January 2026 and February 2026.

TASK

Produce a post for your blog titled:

Planning Task 2 : Content Creation

In this post, provide information relating to the following 3 things:

1. How will your contents be organised into sections?
2. What will the contents featured in the contents page for each section be?
3. Which contents will you draw out to feature on the front cover as the main coverline and other coverlines?

Deadline : Friday 11th July

Planning Task 1 : My Magazine Title and Strapline

You have now finished the research phase of your NEA and will be starting the planning phase.

The first part of your planning journey is to consider the title of, and strapline for, your magazine.

Magazine title : this will be the masthead for your magazine. Most magazine titles are single words but this is not always the case.

Magazine strapline : straplines appear, conventionally, below the masthead and communicate a message about the magazine's identity. For example, the strapline for The Big Issue is 'A hand up, not a hand out'

You can look at other magazines to see how their strapline links to their brand identity.

Coming up with a magazine title and strapline can be a creative and challenging process and is not something that can just be plucked from the air.

For this task you need to take a sheet of A4 paper (or the digital equivalent) and complete a mind map of potential ideas.

It is essential that you do not show or share your initial ideas with other members of the class.

Here are some tips to help you:

1. Consider your target audience 

Consider the interests, demographics, and lifestyle of your target audience to come up with titles and straplines that resonate with them. Use your audience research to help you with this.

2. Brainstorm keywords 

Brainstorm a list of keywords related to your magazine's content, themes, and mission. Use a thesaurus to expand your list of keywords and synonyms.

These keywords could be the catalyst for potential magazine titles.

3. Use puns or wordplay if appropriate

Consider using puns or wordplay to make your magazine title more memorable and attention-grabbing.

4. Keep it simple and memorable 

Choose titles that are easy to remember, pronounce, and spell. Avoid using complex or obscure words that may be difficult for your audience to remember or understand.

Most magazine titles are 3 or less words with the majority being a single word.

When thinking of your potential strapline, keep this short and pithy too.

5. Check availability 

Before finalizing your magazine title, make sure it is not already in use by another publication.

6. Get feedback 

Get feedback from the people who assisted you with your audience research to see if your magazine title and strapline resonate with them.

Remember, a great magazine title should reflect the content and mission of your publication while also being catchy and memorable to your target audience. 

Take your time, be creative, and test out different options before settling on a name that feels right for your magazine.

TASK

Create a post for your blog titled:

Planning Task One : My Magazine Title and Strapline

In this post you need only to do the following:

1. Add your mind map of initial ideas to your post (make sure that this represents detailed evidence of your thought process)

2. Confirm the title and strapline for your magazine

Deadline : Friday 6th June

Wix Familiarisation

The purpose of this task is to ensure that you know how to use Wix in readiness for producing the website for your style magazine.

You can visit the Wix website by clicking here and then log in with your Google account.

Wix is a cloud-based website builder. Its user-friendly drag-and-drop tools and over will help you build your website without the need for any specialist knowledge of web design.

However, you need to learn how to use it.

There are a selection of links below that you can access in order to develop your knowledge and understanding of Wix.

My advice would be to sign up and create a website for yourself or for something that you are interested in. Use this to gain knowledge and understanding of how Wix works.

Do not start to try to produce your style magazine website as you will do this later.

Wix Resource 1

The video below provides a really useful introduction to Wix and walks you through how to build a basic website.

Wix Resource 2

You can access Wix's own YouTube channel by clicking here.

Wix Resource 3

WixLearn is a Wix site where you can find tutorials. Some of these are not relevant to your website design but there are still lots of other useful resources. Click here to access the site.

Research Task 7 : Target Audience

 The target audience for your music magazine and accompanying website is described as "A primarily 16–25 year old middle and up market audience of style-conscious people"

Your next research task is to conduct Target Audience Research And Analysis.

The media industry is highly competitive and all media texts are created with a target audience in mind.

If there isn’t an audience for your style magazine then it won’t be successful as a commercial media text. 

• Your magazine has to make money. If it is to make money, people will need to want to buy it.
• If you are to attract advertisers to your website, people need to visit it.

Research and Analysis

Media producers use audience research and analysis to find out as much as possible about their target audience and use that research to ensure their production will appeal to them.

Research is the process of finding information, while analysis is the process of evaluating and interpreting that information to make informed decisions.

TASK

Start by identifying a range of people from within your target audience profile.

These people must have an interest in aspects of style and must be a mix of ages (16-25) and a mix of genders.

I suggest at least 10 people. 

You need to find out what these typical members of your target audience would want to see in a new style magazine.

This could be done through interviews, questionnaires, feedback via social media channels, etc.

Questions could cover things such as, in no particular order:

• Do they buy magazines? If so, which and why? If not, why not?
• Do they visit magazine websites? If so, which and why? If not, why not?
• What aspects of 'style' are they most interested in?
• If a news lifestyle magazine aimed at 16-25 year olds was being published, what would they want to see in it?
• What would make them want to buy it and/or visit its website?
• How much would they be prepared to pay for a magazine?
• Are there any things that would encourage them to buy the first edition of a new style magazine?

The list above is not exhaustive - you may be able to think of other things that you would want to ask to find out further information.

After conducting your research, create a post titled:

Research Task 7 : Target Audience 

In this post, explain what you did in relation to finding out about your target audience (research) and what you learned as a result of this (analysis).

Your post could include results from questionnaires, interview questions and sample responses, etc.

Online Survey Tools

Several free online survey tools are available, offering various features and capabilities. SurveyMonkey, SurveySparrow, Typeform, Jotform, Google Forms, Microsoft Forms, SurveyPlanet, and LimeSurvey are among the popular options. 

Here's a more detailed look at some of the top free tools:

• SurveyMonkey:

  Offers a free plan with basic features like survey creation, distribution, and analysis. It includes a drag-and-drop builder, AI-powered guidance, and templates. 
• Typeform:

  Known for its engaging and interactive survey experience, Typeform allows you to create visually appealing surveys and capture diverse data. 
Jotform:
Provides a drag-and-drop survey builder with various question types and templates. Jotform also offers real-time reporting and data analysis. 
Google Forms:
A simple and user-friendly option, Google Forms is part of the Google Workspace suite and is ideal for quick survey creation and data collection. 
Microsoft Forms:
Similar to Google Forms, Microsoft Forms is part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and offers basic survey, quiz, and poll creation capabilities. 
SurveySparrow:
Offers a free plan with unlimited surveys, questions, and responses. SurveySparrow also provides AI-powered survey creation and analysis. 
SurveyPlanet:
Another free tool offering unlimited surveys, questions, and responses, SurveyPlanet includes question templates and AI-powered survey design. 
LimeSurvey:
A simple and quick survey tool, LimeSurvey is suitable for students, professionals, and businesses seeking to gather insights. 

Research Task 6 : Style Magazine Websites

So far, you have undertaken research tasks which should have developed your knowledge and understanding of style magazine covers and their contents pages.

This research will be something that you will refer back to at a later stage when it comes to planning your own covers and contents pages.

The second part of your NEA will involve you having to produce the accompanying website for your Conde Nast style magazine. This will need to be made up of the homepage plus one linked page.

So, Research Task Seven asks you to undertake research into the websites that accompany the 4 magazine titles you have analysed.

Task

Visit the website for British GQ magazine. You can access this by clicking here.

1. Work your way through the homepage of the magazine's website. How is the website's homepage set out and what can a visitor to the website find?

Take some screen shots of the homepage and add these to a Powerpoint. Make some notes around the images setting out your observations about the way that the homepage is set out and what can be found by visiting it.

2. What pages are linked from the homepage via the hyperlinks at the top of the homepage? What can be found at each of these links when clicked on?

Take some screen shots of the linked pages (two should be enough) and add these to your Powerpoint. Make some notes around the images setting out your observations about what can be found by visiting these linked pages.

3. What evidence can you find of digital convergence between the website and the magazine? 

This means how do the website and the magazine work together to create a sense of brand identity?

Repeat tasks 1-3 for Tatler magazine

Repeat Tasks 1-3 for Vanity Fair Magazine

Repeat Tasks 1-3 for British Vogue magazine

Once you have completed the tasks above you should have a Powerpoint presentation which covers the websites for all four of the Conde Nast style magazines.

NOW

Create a post titled:

Research Task 6 : Style Magazine Websites

Add images of your Powerpoint slides to this post.

Research Task 5 : Style Magazine Contents Page Analysis

I have provided images of the slides shown in our lesson on Friday 4th April.

Use these to help you complete Research Task 5.

Research Task 4 : Style Magazine Front Cover Analysis

In our lesson on Friday 28th March, we started by discussing the different elements that make up the design of a conventional, mainstream magazine such as masthead, main image, main coverline, other coverlines, puff, content plugs, date line, price line, bar code, web address, etc.

We then watched a video (embedded below for you to watch again if you wish) in which Mr B. explains how to analyse a magazine front cover.

I then asked you to download and save the presentation I have added to our Teams channel. Again, I have added an image below to let you know what you should have downloaded.

This presentation has 5 slides.

Slide 1 has a title only whilst slides 2, 3, 4 and 5 have images of recent front covers of the 4 Conde Nast style magazines that you researched for Research Task 3. An example can be seen below.

On slides 2-5, you should analyse each front cover and add notes around the image accordingly. 

Top Tip: If you do a Google image search for 'magazine front cover analysis' you will find examples of how other students have done this task in the past. 

Once you have completed your annotations, you then need to go to slide 1 and add a text box in which you answer the following question:

What have you learnt about the design of style magazine front covers from your analysis of 4 Conde Nast style magazine covers?

Once all of this has been done:

1.    Take a screen shot of each of your slides.

2.    Create a blog post with the following title:

Research Task 4 : Style Magazine Front Cover Analysis

3.    Add the 5 images you have captured to your blog.

Deadline: Friday 4th April

Research Task 3 : Conde Nast Style Magazines

Your set brief tells you that you work for an independent media production company and that you have been given the task of producing the front cover and contents pages of the first two editions of a new style magazine that is being launched by Condé Nast and two pages for the working website for the magazine.

After having completed Research Task 2, you should now have an understanding of who Condé Nast are and, hopefully, the magazine brands that they currently publish.

Your next task is to conduct some independent research into existing style magazines that are published by Condé Nast.

According to their website, the following magazine titles are Conde Nast's UK brands.

"Style magazines typically have a focus on an area of style such as fashion, beauty, grooming, or interior design.  While a style magazine should have a clear focus on an area of style, they often also include content on related areas.  For example, a style magazine with a focus on fashion may also include some content on celebrity, trends, and popular culture."

You are going to  conduct some independent research into existing magazines that are published by Condé Nast which fit this definition of a 'style magazine'. 

The magazines you are going to focus on are Vogue, British GQ, Tatler and Vanity Fair.

Here is a brief overview of each magazine.

Tatler is a British magazine published by Condé Nast Publications. It focuses on fashion and lifestyle, as well as coverage of high society and politics. It is targeted towards the British upper and upper-middle classes, and people interested in relevant society events.

British GQ is a monthly men's magazine. The publication focuses on fashion, style, and culture for men, though articles on food, movies, fitness, sex, music, travel, celebrities' sports, technology, and books are also featured.

Arguably the world’s most influential magazine brand, Vogue UK monthly magazine is often viewed as the forerunner of fashion magazines wherever it is published in the world. Keeping an eye of the major fashion labels, Vogue will also provide the reader with high street fashion and the best in accessories. 

Vanity Fair features stunning and controversial photography, and fascinating and groundbreaking features on celebrities, fashion and current affairs. It has run some of the most notable exposés of the last 30 years, and is both artistic and intellectually satisfying, with news and interviews from celebrities but also featuring other topics of interest. 

1. Conduct your own independent research in to the 4 magazine titles above that are published by Conde Nast. Make notes and save images as you browse.

2. Create a post for your blog with the following title:

Research Task 3 : Conde Nast Style Magazines

In this post, set out what your research has told you about the 4 Conde Nast style magazines. Remember that you are interested in the UK/British versions of the magazines.

Your post should include images that help to illustrate your research.

Deadline : Friday 28th March