BILLBAORD: TESTING

After looking at various billbaords, I decided to commence with the making of mine by doing some very simple experiments. After using the rectangular Marguee tool to draw around my chosen image, I then copied and pasted it onto a white background, by using apple+ctrl+T, I was able to resize the image to fill the background. From here I used the Horizontal type tool to create the wording. I was very pleased with how the billbaord turned out the first time, it looked clean and almost professional. The only problem here was that it was quite difficult to distuinguish the lettering because the background it was placed on was also quite light. So as a way of establishing a solution, I decided to use the rectangle tool to draw a shape across the image, I filled it with black paint, then used the opacity tool to make it more transperant. By placing the words of the opaque rectangle it is able to stand out more without completely covering part of the image. From this, I experimented with different compositions and placements, hoping to find a layout that is both visually appealling and functional. I especially liked the first fourth and seventh layout because I felt they both looked the most professional. I plan to continue experimenting and now probably with different fonts and colours. I also need to think about how I plan to make it clear that I am advertising a magazine.

BASIC VIDEO EDITING: LONDON FASHION WEEK

I decided to visit Somerset house to see whether I could gather some images for my website, because as with my magazine, it is also about art, fashion and culture. Whilst I was taking pictures, and as a way to improve my interview skills, I decided to do vox pops of the some of the attendants. This here is a simply edited compilation of these vox pops. 

BILLBOARD RESEARCH: SHOT TYPE PT 2

Here Rita Ora is promoting a campaign for DKNY. 

Like in previous post, the composition of this shot is very important to me, yet unlike Tom Ford, the setting consists of a a busy road most likely in New York.  Although the model and the car are on the side of the picture indicating that she is part this busy and fast paced, yet they are still the main focal point, also this composition gives space for lettering. The use of the yellow cab as a prop gives the shot a more realistic quality and emphasises concept of life in the city. The model is sitting of the car, with her hands in her pockets, giving a sense youth and exuberance. Evidently the main themes here are blue, yellow and red. We the frequent use of these colours in the model's double denim attire and red lipstick, the yellow cabs and the red and blue tings in the background, this is to create consistency throughout the shot. 

Billbaord research: shot type

I was mainly attracted to the composition of this shot, the similar dress means they are identified as being part of one campaign. Yet their varied poses, prohibits them from looking exactly the same, hence creating a variety of shapes, which gives the advert more dimension. Although I only plan to use one model in by campaign, I like how the models are at the forefront of the shot, they fill most of the page and are what make the picture distinguishable. The models prominence and the clothes that are being advertised are further emphasised by the white background, giving the ad a more classic and traditional quality. I also like the font because of it simplicity yet strength, it is placed across the top behind the models, almost reflecting the the strength and assertiveness portrayed by the models. Its strong, yet simple and professional logo coupled with the plain white background is a format, I would like to emulate on my billboard. 

RESEARCH: PIGEONS AND PEACOCKS

Pigeons and Peacocks s magazine is a magazine I have been very interested in recently, and like the magazine I am creating, it is an art, culture and fashion magazine. What i liked about their website, is that their it is not traditional the navbar is placed at the side, when you click on one of the navigations a line crosses over it to indicate that you are on that page. The header is static, whilst the contents on the page slide down. Also the website and magazine is partly made by students which could contribute to it looking quite unpolished, but I think that this is what makes it accessible to younger people. I would like my magazine to influence students especially, hence why I would want it to have a similar appeal and concept to Pigeons and Peacocks.

SHOOT 2: INSPIRATION GATHERING

Here I have looked at the styling  of Miranda Almond and the photography of  Annemarieke Van Drimmelen for sources of inspiration. For this shoot, I wanted to create a more relaxed vibe through my photos, so often I am looking at photography that has been shot in a homelike setting. I want the shoot to feature an ordinary everyday girl, whom is still trying to figure things out. 

Research: Billboard Ads

These are a collection of images from billboards, advertising products/ brands and stores. i tried to gather more fashion related billboards as my magazine is mostly fashion/ style related.

Juicy Couture: This billboard is quite long and rectangular, in this advert we see three girls in different positions, two of them are laying on what seems to be a chair, whilst one is sitting on the floor beside them. There are a lot of props used, such as the cushions, the guitar, pieces of light fabric hanging in the background. The lighting is also quite bright, we see indications that this is set during the day and that they are outside, also that is may be a hot summers day. The guitar and lightness of the colour and prints give the image indie, bohemian vibe, also the fact that they are all in very close proximity, suggests that they are all very familiar with each-other  there is some closeness and intimacy between them. The billboard is then finished of with the brand name Juicy Couture in their classic and signature font, placed across the image in white.

Zara: The colour pallet of their billboard is quite simple, containing the colours black, white and grey. The layout is also simple with the board being divided, one side being the photo, whilst the other side is the typography. The photo consists of a model walking down some steps dressed in all black, she seems fairly ordinary and is made to resemble the everyday working girl. This is may be a way to reach across and relate to real women on the street.  The image being in black and white gives a sense of nostalgia, making the photo seem like a memory. The right side of the image is painted black with the name of the brand written in the middle, their website, and an external piece of writing telling the public that they are 'coming soon'. Zara's layout is more simplistic and professional, their billboard is more concentrated on minimal art and getting across information, in turn reflecting the concept of the store itself.

Westfield: This is a billboard advertising and introducing the new Westfield shopping centre in Stratford. The advert itself is quite dramatic, and theatre- like, it showcases a woman in a screening room in the cinema, she seems captivated by the movie being played, whilst drinking from her cup one hand and holding the popcorn in the other. All of these movements are all part of day-to-day activity, yet irony is created by the way the model looks. Her hair is manoeuvred into thick voluminous waves, reflecting the 50's/60's era, she is wearing red lipstick, which emphasises her femininity and sex appeal, more attention drawn to her lips as she drinks from the straw. The theatrical hair, and make-up, relates to the concept of costume and styling hence in-cooperating the fashion element. Even her 3D glasses have two different coloured lenses, giving her outfit that pop of colour, hence making it more fashionable. This advert seems to have taken a real situation and dramatised it, it almost as she is the movie, therefore giving it a sense of hype-realism, It is almost as if she is telling the public that if you shop at Westfield, you would look and feel the way she is feeling.

GLACEU Vitamin Water: Like the Billboard for Westfield, there are elements of exaggeration and flamboyance in this advert. Also just as in Westfield, colour coordination is key, The consistent colour in this advert is yellow. The model is dressed as a daisy, carrying on the theme of yellow, it also empahasised the season of summer suggesting that Glaceu is a form of hydration. The model's pose is really what gives that Billboard its flamboyance, they way she uses her body, especially her arms and the animated expression she makes really gives this advert a childlike, boisterous quality.