Media Project Feedback

After presenting my magazine to the class, I received some kind observations and some helpful comments in revising my product. Some things that the class thought I did well on include the eye-catching colors, the table of contents layout, and the font size. Some things that the class thought I could make some changes to include the same house style as Dylan's edition for the table of contents, include page numbers on the two page article, format the pictures to make them more symmetrical in the two page article, and move the featured article from the beginning of the magazine to the middle, and either add captions to the pictures in the two page article or make sure to describe the actions that are taking place in those photos. An additional revision that Dylan and I have discussed is replacing one of the articles in the table of contents to include an "Ethics of Science" to create more meaning and to convince schools to purchase the magazine. This would also allow student to become more informed in scientific issues and further progress their interest in the science field. In order to make these revisions for the magazine, all of the changes will take place in Publisher. Dylan and I will agree on the same house style for the table of contents and that will be fixed, the page numbers will be added to the bottom right hand corners of the two page article, the pictures in the two page article will be played around with/formatted until they are symmetrical in the article pages along with a caption or more description in the article referring to the photos, the featured article will be moved from the beginning of the magazine to the middle using Publisher, and the new "Ethics of Science" will be added in the table of contents using Publisher as well.

Mid Year Draft

Two-Page Article Draft

In the creation of the two page article, I wanted to make it as intriguing as possible, as this is the main article in the issue. I decided to place two pictures on the top, one of Skyler holding the filters, and one with the container of the carbon nanotubes. Out of all the pictures I took, I believe these two are the best ones to place in the beginning of the article, because they obtain the most significance with her project and the information given about it. The title and description under it was kept the same color theme as the rest of the magazine, blue and green. I wrote the article with regards to some information about Skyler, stats on the worlwide salinity crisis, her project, and her plans for the future. Ultimately, I think this would be a great read for students and I think that they would definitely become interested or want to take up an interest in science after reading this magazine, and specifically, this article.

Table of Contents Draft

When thinking about the layout for the table of contents and the process in which I wanted to complete everything, I had a few things to think about. I automatically knew I needed the title, the edition, and the word features at the top of the page, just like any normal table of contents. I chose to keep the title the same font, font size, and color in order to maintain consistency throughout the magazine. I was able to find the perfect layout for the table of contents, one where the article pictures could be placed on the far right and the article titles and explanations could be typed out starting from the far left and moving across the page, like a book. I chose to use the color blue for the page numbers in order to stay with the theme of the Earth colors, green and blue. There would be 4 articles in the magazine, then two running pieces. Each article title and the running pieces both had brief explanations of what they would be about. This gives the reader a bit more information on the article, but not too much to where they wouldn't have to read it. For each main article, I placed a picture on the right hand side of the magazine with page numbers on them as well. This is to make the magazine appeal more to kids by giving them an interest in the articles listed, so they would want to read the entire magazine. Last but not least, I placed a picture of 5 pieces of lab equipment all with different colored solutions in them and all smoking. This is located under the Spectacular Science title, which places emphasis on the fact that science is super cool and fun to read about, encouraging them to search for page 21 in the magazine and read interesting facts and stories about science.

Title Page Draft

During the process of developing this magazine, there was lots of adversity, especially with the computer program, Publisher, and the layout of the pages. It took ample amounts of continous time to change and fix each issue that came up (freezing, image sizing and placing, and formatting each piece of text into the text boxes). Thus, the drafts of each page and the step by step process as we went along is not given. However, here is the overall procedure of making the front cover. As I started the front cover of the magazine, I already knew I wanted a large, appealing image that will pop out to kids, and I also wanted to use bright colors. These ideas were based off the front cover analysis I completed on the scholastic magazines. Dylan and I came up with the title, Teen Science. We chose this to keep the title short and sweet, yet maintain the importance that this magazine is science-based and targeted specifically towards teens. My issue is the chemistry edition so I typed that out under the title. Then, I chose to use word art for the main article title on the front cover in order to make it pop, just like the photo. This will get the readers attention and make them want to search the magazine for this article. I typed out a brief explanation of what the article entails, making sure not to explain too much, as that is what the reader is for. The photo chosen depicts hands cupped around the Earth, while its water is swaying back and forth. I chose this photo as it is a perfect example of desalination, which is the main article in this issue of the magazine. 

Marketing Distrubtion

Goal - To encourage interest in the field of science through the showcase of hands-on applications and interesting articles that would appeal to students.

How this can be achieved- In a theoretical situation, we would distribute these magazines to science teachers in schools, charging them a subscription fee similar to that of one for a magazine such as Upfront by The New York Times. The school would pay a recurring fee for each issue. In the meantime, while the magazine acquires revenue, an online pdf version of the magazine would be available to subscribing teachers to provide to their students for use on electronic devices such as a tablet. The end goal would be upgrading this to a full-blown website.This aspect of distribution is important, because of the ever-increasing role that technology is playing in journalism. Students also find technology interesting, so providing a technological source is a necessity.

Further Ideas - It has been discussed that teachers should participate in the reading of the magazine with the students, and try their best to provoke their interests in science.

Magazine Photo Cuts

Out of the photos taken for the magazine, several will be cut in order to use the best photos that appeal most to students.

Although computers do appeal to kids, this photo will be cut as it can not be easily observed what she is working on, due to the fact that the computer screen was not close enough to the camera.

There were two of these high-angle shots with Skyler using the pressure vacuum. This one will be cut as it is at an odd angle, and unclear what she is trying to accomplish. The other shot shows the rest of the filter and the action of the shot can be recognized. 

This shot will be cut as the substance, PVDF, is not as relevant as say the carbon nanotubes. Although, the white power of the substance could prove fascinating to kids, it does not place much importance as other pictures do. 

This shot will be cut for the same reason above. The substance, PVDF, is not as relevant as say the carbon nanotubes. Although, the white power of the substance could prove fascinating to kids, it does not place much importance as other pictures do. 

This last shot will be cut as it did not turn out the way I wanted. The goal was to capture the water looking cool as it was being poured into the flask. However, it did not come out that way, and it is best to cut this one and save room for the better pictures.

Magazine Photos

Today, I captured photos for the magazine on Skyler working on her project.

This is a wide shot of Skyler presenting her membrane filters. This photo was taken in order to show students how science can make one excited and/or happy.

This is a mid-shot of Skyler working with the microscope. This photo was taken in order to show an interesting and cool scientific instrument that can appeal to the younger generation.

This is a mid-shot of Skyler pouring deionized water into her funnel for filtering. This photo was taken in order to demonstrate the set-up of a procedure that students build themselves and work with.

This is an over-the-shoulder shot of Skyler working on her poster board on the computer. This photo was taken as computers appeal to the younger generation.

This is close-up of a flask with carbon nanotubes in it, resting in a heater, as part of Skyler's research. This photo was taken to show another fascinating scientific instrument that students are able to use in the lab.

This is a high-angle shot of Skyler adjusting her pressure vacuum. This photo was taken as it helps one to see the subject from a higher perspective, showing her in greater detail.

This is another high-angle shot of Skyler adjusting her pressure vacuum. This photo was taken for the same reason as the last, it helps one to see the subject from a higher perspective, showing her in greater detail.

This is a close-up of the container of carbon nanotubes that Skyler used in her experiment. This was taken to show the exact name and detail of a material being used, which would help the reader of the magazine understand more about science. 

This is another close-up of a substance known as PVDF, which Skyler also uses. This was taken in order to create a sense of realism when the reader views what this substance looks like.

This is another shot of the same substance taken to differentiate and try to find the best picture for the magazine. 

This is a shot of Skyler pouring deionized water into a flask, a step in one of her procedures. This was taken in order to show "cool" chemical equipment and then general idea that Skyler, a high school student, is able to complete these steps for science by herself based off her own research.

Magazine Cover Analysis

Below are two attachments of scholastic magazine covers for kids. The first references a social media election from junior scholastic. As you can see, this magazine appeals to kids/students due to the bright colors, the large font, and the 3-D like popping image. The second magazine is a science issue from scholastic which is most similar to what my issue will entail. You can further observe that this magazine targets a young audience as the colors include white and bright blue, the font is large, and the main image is a horse, which most children are familiar with. These two examples portray the kind of cover design I am going to create. I aim to specifically focus on the large font, bright colors, and making science the topic that will be focused on, in order to put an interest for science in readers/students and to convince them that science is a great field to pursue a career path in.