Month: February 2022

In this session, we reviewed all our work from previous sessions and started to organise content based on the features of a magazine.

Looking back to the work produced in each session, we began to consider the ones to include in our magazine content. Based on the magazine analysis, the outcomes we’ve created needs to be selected precisely and arranged according to the features of a magazine. The content not only has to be relevant but also share a cohesive theme that would overall form the style of the magazine; making it seem more clean and professional. I noticed that I had several interesting editorials that could be used but very little journalism and PR related content; I think it’s essential that I produce more work with the text to break the number of pure images I have – this would add more dynamic and depth to the magazine.

There was also a peer review activity where we share the work we’ve produced so far to receive feedback that could be used effectively to further improve. This was also useful as we each have very different styles and the outcomes we created demonstrates the skills that we are good at; this allows us to inspire each other and for example, discover new ways we can format our layouts etc. I received comments regarding my editing where my peers found my images, specifically the editorials interesting and had a strong sense of visual communication. They also enjoyed the layout of my interviews in the Fashion journalism field and thought they looked professional and artistic at the same time. However, they recommended that I should be more experimental with my layouts whilst presenting my editorial photographs as the majority had a very simplistic style.

In this session, we focused on fashion advertising and using brands we’ve identified in our magazine analysis to create advertisement pages.

Fashion marketing campaigns are usually creative and the advertising branch focuses on creating promotions for the fashion industry. Using the images and work from the past sessions, we aimed to create advertising pages that are relevant to a magazine. Instead of just adding the brand’s logo to an image, we had to consider the atmosphere and style that would work well with the brand. I believe this activity encouraged us to think creatively and helped with identifying the connection between fashion image and brands and how this would combine and become a fashion advertisement that communicates visually. The images used didn’t necessarily have to be a picture of a model etc. but also objects or simply an atmospheric shot that accommodates the brand’s style.

I selected different images, some that are primarily focused on products and some of the models and the overall mood. I tried to experiment with different brand logos to see which worked the best with the tone of the image and style. The composition was also important in terms of the size of the logo and its placing of it; it changes the focus and effect towards the audience. Based on the magazine analysis, I noticed that the campaigns and advertisements included are very strong in the way they are presented to the audience/customer. The promotional messages are vividly communicated through a visual display and are usually very eye-catching. I think I was able to identify my strength through this session as an analyser where I am able to grasp and understand what fits with a certain brand’s image. However, I need to be more aware of selecting the relevant images.

In this session, we continued to explore Fashion imaging and illustration and how we can utilise these images to create specific content that communicates visually.

Using the pictures we have taken from all of our sessions, we experimented with editing softwares and continued to manipulate them to convey our own aesthetic. This time, we also explored the unselected images to see what could be applied that would make it more interesting. I tried to keep most of my work share the same style, a bit conceptual or abstract; therefore I used the overlay technique a lot. I also tried to create repetition to make my images more strong and fun. However, I also took advantage of this session to try different editing skills, I used tool such as liquify, dissolve and blur which I’ve never tried. The result was very interesting and it created some unusual effects.

I would also have to consider how these images can be used and applied in the various media platforms such as:

• Advertising & promotion
• PR & communication
• Lookbooks
• Editorials
• Articles
• Magazines
• Visual Merchandising

This session was helpful as it allowed me to develop my editing skills and to explore and establish my own aesthetic.

In this session, we explored imaging and illustration through digital collages that further looks at the possibilities of the creative direction of the chosen images.

We first worked around physical collages where we cut into the pictures and try to look for interesting structures. Using magazines and art materials, I played with the placing of media and coordination such as removing a part of an image and replacing it with an interesting pattern found in the magazine and such. I also tried to incorporate drawings over by tracing specific areas with acrylic pens; it adds a fun dynamic and aesthetic. Fashion media is about the image being presented to an audience and where the image can communicate many things; therefore it was important that the collages had a coherency and shows a sense of creative direction.

We then worked digitally and used different editing software to further manipulate the collages and create interesting fashion illustrations. I applied different filters, effects, overlays etc. and experimented with the editing to create an atmosphere and to perhaps convey a visual message. This was really interesting as I was able to explore my own design style and aesthetic, and to develop more techniques and skills that can be used in future media projects.

In this session, we studied Fashion Journalism and explored content creation based on interviews.

Fashion journalism is a field that deals with the reporting and publishing of fashion-related information across a number of media platforms such as magazines, newspapers, websites etc. It involves researching and writing about the latest fashion trends, styles, stories, conversations, movements and influences. This information can be attained by the journalist through working with stylists, interviewing individuals of the fashion field and attending relevant events. As the interview is based on Fashion, we had to consider the possible questions to ask our interviewee; the questions had to stimulate thinking and relevant with a purposeful intention so I could receive concise answers. The interview can be formatted into either an article or Q&A style, I picked Q&A as I believed the layout will be cleaner and easier to read. In order to receive a range of interesting answers, I interviewed three people.

When it comes to formatting the layout for the interview, I considered a lot for colour coordination and tried to form a clean and artistic aesthetic. I experimented with the fonts, colours, overlays, images and proportions for the layout and created two different layouts for each person that I’ve interviewed. This will be useful when it comes to deciding as there are more options to compare and contrast.

In this session, we explored the use of narratives and how they can manipulate a fashion image.

Using the images we’ve taken from the previous sessions, we added text to them to create a certain mood. I researched poetic phrases that would fit my chosen photographs and experimented with the typography as this was really important and could easily change the tone. I tried different fonts, sizes, colours etc. before deciding which one would be added to the images as the narrative. This was interesting as to how words can manipulate the atmosphere of a picture and add much more dynamic to it. The placing of the word was also important as it can change the focus of the image.

I found this activity interesting as I enjoyed the ability to communicate stories by curating content and it was fun to experiment with different typography and ways to present the narrative. I was able to identify my strength of designing the layout and adding various styles of text that not only fits with the mood of the picture but also make it look interesting. However, I do struggle with finding the specific phrases that would comply with what the images tries to convey and end up spending too much time researching rather than applying.

In this session, we went on an external trip to the Southbank and explored the surroundings with the intention to create interesting photographs.

Near the Southbank was the Royal Festival Hall where there was a lot of interesting settings and decorative objects. We walked around the hall and took images near a yellow staircase that allowed me to explore with the angles and structure. Due to us being outside, the natural lighting was very strong and it made the images looks a lot more alive and bright; this worked well against the strong colours of the surroundings. It was quite difficult to capture nice shots as it was in a very open space; therefore I struggled with picking the location to take pictures. We also tried different gestures for the model to create dynamic and perhaps a story to the images.

The settings of Southbank was mainly concrete and very industrial atmosphere, which was able to set a tone to the images. Whilst editing, I tried to experiment with the background instead of the model this time and created overlays and contrasting filters. I also manipulated the size of the images and played with the proportion etc.

In this session, we went on an external trip to Lime Grove and explored the local surroundings.

The aim of this activity is to be able to experiment and work around the setting and to discover interesting backgrounds for a fashion shoot. I mainly walked through the Shepherd’s Bush Market and I was actually able to find lots of interesting locations and props that can be incorporated into the photos. I played around with different angles and proportions of the camera etc. to create fun pictures; it was nice that the settings of the market consisted of lots of objects such as trolleys, plants, posters, food, jewellery etc. Most of these were very colourful as well so it acted out as a nice contrasting background against the model.

In terms of editing, I experimented with different filters, tools, software and effects. I specifically increased the saturation for all of my photos as I wanted to emphasise the background and mix of colours. I also played with layering by repeating a part of the image and it overall created a very dreamy, funky atmosphere and added more dynamics to the images. Additionally, this time I tried to manipulate the coordination of the images; for example arranging them in a collage, repeating or overlaying them on top of each other. The end results were very interesting and could work well as an editorial photo.

In this session, we explored the use of props and how it elevates a photoshoot.

There were a selection of weird props provided for this session which allows us to experiment with the potential of objects. I have chosen a chandelier, rhinestone sticker and aluminum foil. Whilst choosing the location for the shoot, I noticed a space which had very bright direct light with yellow and orange hues; it reminded me of the sunlight and thought it would reflect very will with the crystals of the chandelier. Through utilising the light and props, we were able to capture some interesting shots that had unique reflections and shadows. We also played with the position of props and how it can be incorporated into the body and image; the overall shoot focused on hands and the jewelleries I was wearing (many rings) which combines the idea of fashion and setting together.

The second-half of the session involves selecting and editing the images. I noticed the usefulness of cropping images and discovered a complete new look when the focus changes. I tried to be as experimental as I can with the editing and tried out many editing software since they offer different filters and effects. As my images contained primarily white and silver colours, I tried to make the photos have a deep contrast to create dynamic. The lighting resulted in lots of shadows etc. so I also used filters and effects that would reinforce it and make it more obvious.

This session was interesting and I enjoyed it because I was able to utilise different props and explore their potential; for example the use of a prop in a fashion shoot does not limit to the model holding it but instead it can be used in many unconventional ways such as becoming a filter, creating shadows, distortion and reflection etc.