Final Submission

For my final submission, I planned on re-shooting the photo of the car's interior in the main article. I also planned on gathering more photographs for my table of contents to pair with the second column of articles, as well as possibly finding a way to better utilize the dead space on the table of contents page. Finally, I was also thinking about re-shooting the cover image in order to get a better shot of the front of the car. Specifically, I would've taken a picture of the car head on, so that readers could get a better idea of the car's front end styling. Unfortunately, many of the changes could not take place due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and my subsequent lack of access to a professional grade camera and the necessary software to make many of the other changes I wanted to. Also, due to the fact that I was practicing self-quarantine during the pandemic, I would've been unable to visit any car dealerships or automotive events during this time to gather more pictures. For example, I was planning on going to the St. Petersburg Gran Prix race in St. Petersburg Florida to gather more pictures for my table of contents, but that event was canceled. It is most unfortunate that I was unable to see this project through to it's true completion as I envisioned it, but overall, I am still satisfied with the way it sits as-is.

Creative Critical Reflection Presentation

https://prezi.com/view/adrpr5vaBM1ursyXn6b3/

CCR Question #4 Draft

Technology played a crucial role in the design and creation of my magazine. The first draft of my magazine was made using Canva.com. This website offers free digital design software that allowed me to design a basis for what I wanted my magazine to be. Sometime after I created my first draft, I learned how to use Adobe InDesign. While I found this program to be very detail oriented and professional, I also found it to be less user friendly and ergonomic compared to some other platforms. I ended up using Microsoft Publisher to make the final draft of my magazine, using a layout very similar to my first draft, but with slightly different spacing and a few minor changes. Finally, I used Adobe Photoshop to edit my images. This program allowed me to really get the results and impact that I wanted from the picture that I took.

CCR Question #3 Draft

Throughout the time that I worked on this project, my production skills were heavily developed and honed. One thing that I learned during the time I spent working on my project was how to work with a camera in order to take effective and meaningful pictures for my magazine. I was able to take and incorporate several different types of shots (such as high and low angle shots, close-ups, wide shots, etc.), into my project in order to create a visual for the readers of the content being discussed in the magazine. I also had to schedule photo shoots with different venues for my project. For example, I had to make an appointment with an exotic car dealership in my town so that I could take some pictures of their inventory. Prior to making this magazine, my skills with a camera were mediocre at best, and I was clueless about factors like what type of shot I should take, what kind of lighting I needed, and where I should be in proximity to the subject of my picture. Now I can take thought-out pictures that work to convey meaning.

CCR Question #2 Draft

To learn about how to engage my audience, I researched 3 magazines (Motortrend, Road and Track, and Top Gear), all of which used similar tactics. All of the magazines had social media, specifically a YouTube channel to that helped in building a fanbase. The other social media platforms work to help promote the magazine by giving inside scoops on articles and exclusive behind the scenes content.

Consumers will be able to subscribe to my magazine either via the subscription card included in every issue, or simply by subscribing online. On the website, subscribers will have the opportunity to gain access to exclusive articles and special "behind-the-scenes" content. Subscribers that provide an email address when they sign up will receive monthly emails that inform them of any promotional or special events coming up (such as giveaways), while also letting them know about any changes in their subscription (such as upcoming payments or cancellations). I plan on reaching out to various companies that offer motoring products to sponsor my magazine, including aftermarket parts brands, automotive manufacturers, and motorist clothing and décor brands. Finally, I plan on using a variety of social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and YouTube to get people interested in the magazine. These will act as advertising platforms while also offering their own, distinctive content in order to boost interest in the "brand" of the magazine.

Magazines are distributed in a number of different ways. In an age so vastly dominated by technology, it's no surprise that many magazines offer digitized distribution services. Many magazines offer a digital copy available through either their website, an app, or through email. However, more traditionally, distribution involves getting a paper copy, or "hard copy", of the magazine to the subscriber. There are many ways of doing this. Magazines are sold by a number of purveyors, including big-box stores, bookstores, news stands, grocery stores, airports, smaller businesses, etc. But in these situations, a person is buying just one issue of a magazine. It is absolutely vital for a magazine to have a string subscriber base if it is to be successful. With "hard copies" of magazines, this means that each new issue of the magazine will be mailed to the subscriber's house. One way magazines build their number of subscribers is by including a mail-back card in each issue of their magazine. This lets readers choose if they want to subscribe to a magazine as they are reading it. Additionally, magazine companies often attend or sponsor events that relate to the topic that they cover, which builds publicity. They also often offer promotional issues or subscriptions to the attendees of these events. Libraries also subscribe to magazines and make the latest issue available for reading or sometimes even checkout. This lets people decide if they want to subscribe to a magazine without even having to buy an issue. 

The physical magazine will be distributed to both bookstores and big-box stores, as well as other chain stores that sell magazines such as supermarkets. Every hard copy of the magazine will contain a tear-out card that allows readers to obtain a subscription to the magazine. The digital magazine will be available via both the Drive Culture website and free app (available on both IOS and Android devices). Additionally, the magazine will be available on e-reader devices such as Amazon Kindle and the Nook. Additionally, I plan on having the magazine company attend motorsports events, major international car shows, car meets, etc. Coverage of these events will be available on both the app and website. At the events, the magazine will have a kiosk or stand where promotional copies of the magazine and free subscription will be offered in an attempt to reach a wider pool of subscribers.

CCR Question #1 Draft

Throughout the process of designing my magazine, I tried to keep with the standard conventions of the genre of magazine I was creating. I learned about these conventions by researching magazines such as Top Gear, Motor Trend, EVO, Road and Track, Car and Driver, Automobile, etc. Here are some of the conventions I used:

1. Cover design- The design of my cover follows several conventional design features that are common throughout magazines in the automotive genre. For example, the choice of font and color. The color of the text on the cover is bright and eye-catching, The cover is dominated by a shot of the front of a car that the magazine features in one of it's articles. Finally, several smaller blurbs of text describe smaller articles that are in the magazine.

2. Photos- The feature article in the magazine contains several photos that work to showcase the car being covered in the feature article. This is a standard when it comes to articles of this nature. The car is featured from several angles and in two different settings. One setting has darker lighting, while the other has brighter lighting. Both settings are free of any other cars, and all photos focus on a specific feature of the car.

3. Table of contents layout- The table of contents in my magazine is laid out in two columns. The main articles have pictures labeled with page numbers in order to preview their content. There is an advertisement that promotes the magazine's website.  All of these are standard conventions used in the automotive genre.

The social group represented by my magazine first and foremost is automotive enthusiasts. This is shown by all of the content relating to news, events, and advertisements from the automotive industry. Within the group of automotive enthusiasts, the magazine appeals to people of all economic statuses, but generally, people that have the money to spend on at least one automobile will be the ones reading this magazine.