Paint.Net

I have decided to use a software called Paint.Net to edit my SFM images to be appropriate for my magazine. Paint.net has enabled me to add text, margins, and divisions to my images, turning them into proper magazine covers or a complementary image. Similar to SFM, the use of Paint.Net has been quite tedious in learning the mechanics and properly placing the images into form.

Beginning the Use of Source Film Maker

One 2-hour download and 45 minutes of file importation, I have downloaded the necessary materials and models to create my in-game images for my magazine images. SFM has been a very interesting software to use. This is my first editing software ever, so the first few hours were spent familiarizing myself with the tool and commands, as well as thinking of ideas of how to create images for my magazine that were engaging.

The Creation of the Graphics

For the creation of the graphics, I have decided on using Source Film Maker (SFM) to create the design of my cover. SFM is used as a software to create both still and animated film products with the characters of several games as props. I believe this will be a useful tool in creating my cover page because it will be assembled on one dedicated medium instead of using several media, such as using photoshop to merge images. I expect this medium to give it a professional appearance.

The Construction of the Magazine

With the content and target audience solidified, I have devoted this blog on developing the design of my magazine. Using this link, I have managed to find many different approaches on my design. There are two key elements of this: the illustrations for the cover and spread, and the design of the text. Because of my target audience, I believe that it is essential to have something an illustration that can be appreciated by people outside of the video game sphere while still being relevant to the textual content. This is more of an issue for the cover page rather than the spread. I have chosen artwork of in-game images.

The Concept of E-Sports

I would like to dedicate this post to solidify what type of content will be presented in my magazine. First and foremost, the objective of my magazine is to bring awareness to people about a new international trend that is competitive video gaming, also known as electronic sports, or e-sports for short. With my target audience in mind, I have decided on a brief introduction into the concepts of e-sports which will hopefully enlighten the target audience to the similarities of e-sports and real sports. I will include:

• The growing trend and international recognition of e-sports
• The various games that are played professionally
• The marketing, betting, and spectating aspects of e-sports

These are topics that I believe can be expanded into great detail, but for the sake of the magazine, I will attempt to keep it as simplistic yet comprehensive as possible for the sake of retaining the reader's engagement.

Target Audiences

One of the most important aspects of constructing a magazine that I have observed is knowing your target audience. I believe there is a wide variety of target audiences, but I have selectively chosen people who are interested in watching real sports as the main target audience. I have decided to go this route because there are many similarities between real sports and e-sports. For example, there is a strong sense of competition between both the players and the fans. I believe that as long as someone can understand the mechanics of a game, they can get behind it and learn to appreciate it. Especially with the fast-paced, engaging nature of video games, the transition would not be too steep.
In my post to come, I will explain how this will be a large factor in determining the overall design of both the cover and the two-page spread.

Magazine Cover Introduction

In the previous posting, the focus was on the two-page spread and all of its aspects. Today, I am focusing on the aspects of a good magazine cover. I believe that it is essential to create a solid foundation for the magazine before any content is added.

I used this link to better understand the details of a cover.

I have found that it is typical to use a large, attention-grabbing image for the cover. I think this will play well with my own concepts, as the images of many video game characters are often worthy of a second-look.

Understanding the Traditional Layout of a Magazine

As part of my research today, I have searched to understand the typical layout of magazines. I have chosen to go through the conventional route because while my content may be ground-breaking, I still want it to be presented in a familiar and easily digestible way.
I found this link particularly useful titled, "The Anatomy of a Magazine Layout"
The link is a .pdf of a detailed dissection of every aspect of a magazine. From the well-known elements such as the headline or lead, all the way to the minute but evermore important folio (that's the section in the bottom part of the page that lists the page number and magazine's name or issue date), this information will be one of the most important foundations to creating a professional-looking spread.