Finished Pages

These are the finished versions of my newspaper pages, the first, main page and the second page.
http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/JackBMediaa2/media/Page1FINALDONEANDDUSTED_zps4bb5f271.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0#/user/JackBMediaa2/media/Page1FINALDONEANDDUSTED_zps4bb5f271.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0&_suid=13662815536350507434925563248

http://s1345.photobucket.com/user/JackBMediaa2/media/Page2Cropped_zpsb041e308.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1#/user/JackBMediaa2/media/Page2Cropped_zpsb041e308.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1&_suid=136628681695702238588117997795

I have also included annotated versions of the pages for more insight into how I created the pages:

Annotated Newspaper Pages from JackBMediaa2

I have uploaded the stories from my newspaper onto SlideShare in an effort to make it easier to read:

Newspaper Stories (A2 Media Local Newspaper Task) from JackBMediaa2

The first page has undergone more changes than the 2^nd, mainly because it relies much more on aesthetics and it needed to be balanced correctly.

Originally the masthead had not been stretched across the width of the page, as I had planned to insert a masthead there, but I decided against it because I felt that making the masthead larger and more pronounced was of greater importance.

 

On top of this I also made the text thicker and added another line of text “Follow us on @LakesGazette on Twitter” to contribute to the idea of keeping the paper up to date with today’s more technological climate.

The bottom advert has been reduced slightly compared to this earlier version to make room for the story section and give me more room to increase the size of the title. The banner on the side of the page which talks about contact information for the paper has also been altered to give it a red background. This was because there wasn’t enough colour on the page and it makes it look emptier. Usually this information would be on the inside, but I felt that putting it on the front page lets the audience know straight away that they can get involved with their local paper. Finally I also increased the size of the title on top of the main image to get rid of the amount of white space.

I didn’t make that many adjustments to the second page, apart from the last minute addition of the side banner. This was mainly because I was having the same problem that I had with the first page, it looked empty. I went back to find news stories and information that was relevant to the time so it would correspond with the date of the newspaper. I found that this made the page more aesthetically pleasing than it was previously.

 The main image on the second page was probably the most difficult task next to writing the stories because of the effect I was trying to achieve to make it fit the story. I used Photoshop to add a smashed glass effect to the window to try and make it more realistic.



 I have uploaded the stories from my newspaper onto SlideShare in an effort to make it easier to read.



Adverts & Tabs

For the features on my front page, I created two tabs to place underneath the masthead to inform the reader of what would be inside the paper.

Because my paper has been based around a Christmas theme, I created a tab referring to a Christmas-ssy activity inside. The image of the Christmas boxes was taken by me, and I used Photoshop to edit out the background and keep the boxes themselves.

 

I found creating these tabs probably the most difficult task concerning the front page because I needed to make them fit with the scheme and be aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

The second tab isn’t Christmas related, but is more aimed at showing the audience that there is more than just news based on current affairs, etc. The picture I took was of my other classmates who are also creating their media project. I thought it would create an interesting link between our work and also how different outlets can work in conjunction with each other (in this case TV and Newspaper).



The first stage in creating the tab

The feature that I placed at the bottom of the page was again Christmas related, but this time it was an advert for a local establishment. These are an important factor of local papers as it brings money to the paper as they are paid of advertising space and it brings income to the establishment.

 

The images used on the ad were taken again by me and edited in Photoshop to remove the background. The only minor alteration I made outside of this was the image of the bells, which was originally red, but it was too much on an already red template.



Masthead

 

 

To create my newspaper pages, I will be using Adobe Illustrator. This is particularly useful because I can use the tabloid template to try and scale the features on my page appropriately. 

 

 



 

This is the design I am planning to use for my newspaper masthead. I made it red, not because it signifies any political leanings, but purely because it is bold enough to capture the attention of the audience. The font is more traditional because I am aiming my paper to have a more sophisticated look compared to the more rounded text often found on tabloids.

I have left some space available next to the main headline in case I want to insert a puff, but this will depend on any changes I may make to my masthead.



Creation of Masthead

 I will be using Adobe Illustrator to create the pages for my newspaper. I am able to use the tabloid setup on the program which allows me to scale the features on the page more easily.

Before creating the draft for my masthead, I looked at other examples of mastheads, including the local papers. I found that the sizes ranged on average between 18cm – 25cm, the average being around 21cm. This made it a lot easier towards creating it on the page and being aware of where I will be placing the puff, the images, etc.

Choosing the font meant I had to find one that was formal enough that it fit the idea and style of a newspaper, but not so much so that it came across as a higher brow paper like The Times. Local newspapers use serif fonts usually to keep the traditional feel of them intact and make the audience feel that the paper is reliable, as it doesn’t change. The red colour is usually a sign of the paper’s political stance (labour in the case of red). The area that I live in is predominately Labour so it is more fitting with the target audience. Also it is a bold colour that will catch the eye and it is more acceptable too as it is a primary colour and most widely used amongst newspapers.

The text around the main title I used sans serif text in bold. The main title is supposed to give the feeling of never changing/traditionalist, whilst the information around it is built upon constant change, as the date of the paper is never the same and the inclusion of a web address tells the audience that the newspaper is still trying to keep up with the times whilst not sacrificing anything.

 

Second Page Layout

This is the layout of my second page of the newspaper. Inside you will usually find the continuation of the main headline from the front and a couple of smaller stories that will be told in full. If the main headline didn’t include an image on the first page, it is usually because it is a major piece of news that doesn’t require one. It will most likely be on the inside page. Unlike national newspapers, there may be a strip on the page that gives information for locals to get in contact with news and stories. Because local papers operate on a much smaller scale they are able to do this.

The name I have decided on for my newspaper is ‘The Lakes Gazette’. I obviously had to include the name of the area so the audience knows where the paper is focused. I made a list of other names that I considered to use:

·         The Cumbria Messenger

·         The Lakes Daily

·         The Lakes Tribune

·         The Furness Gazette

·         The Lakes Chronicle

·         The Cumbria Prophet

After asking more people, the feedback seemed most positive for “The Lakes Gazette” rather than the others, and I personally liked it the most, so this is the name I have decided to use.

First Page Layout - Draft

This is the draft for how I want my first page to look. Like most local papers there is room for advertising local businesses and sections that show that there is information about events that is crucial to a local paper as it means that people can get involved with their community (which again fuels the paper).

Getting the balance and symmetry correct on the front page is important as it is what people form a first impression of your paper from. The image is the main focus of the page as it is usually the most vibrant thing on the page. This is why I have placed it in the centre, as this is usually where we look first. The other sections have to be mirrored, so that the balance is kept. For example the masthead and strip beneath it are equalled with the advertisement at the bottom. The strip along the side is mirrored with the space opposite it. Keeping it organised is also a sign of professionalism and sets up a rough narrative - an order in which the paper should be looked and read.

Target Audience

Target Audience

The target audience of a newspaper is the most important aspect of putting it together. Without a target audience you cannot build up the language, style, content, etc. as you have no one to suit it to. A target audience is the main group/type of person that you will be aiming your product at. To do this I need to come up with an idea of the type of person I will be aiming for and how I can use this to tailor my newspaper to represent my target audience.

My target audience firstly will be aimed more at adults, roughly anyone over the age of 18. This isn’t to say that anyone younger couldn’t read it as these people will make up a secondary audience, but the content will not be orientated towards them.

Apart from the age range, I expect my audience to be educated and have an interest in the news. The class I would be aiming at would be working class and middle class, although I am not looking at being a middle class paper, similar to The Guardian. To do this I have considered the pricing of my paper. High end papers often pass the £1 boundary, but the local papers that I have looked at are not as cheap as tabloids (around 20 – 35p) and are around the 40p – 80p price range.

From looking at my local paper and others, the main topics are usually local politics, for example plans for the area, buildings or they are of public interest, which include stories such as accidents, fights, deaths etc. It is rare that a story is positive, much like any newspaper (negativity is one of the main criteria that fit how “newsworthy” something is according to studies carried out by Galtung & Ruge). Many connect more with negative stories because they can empathise, especially if they knew that this story was local and happened close by or possibly to someone they knew personally.

Links to information that I have read:

http://www.slideshare.net/osmithas/newspapers-target-audiences

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_values