CCR2

How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

The goal of Fleur Sombre is to make readers feel engaged as they read and also make them feel at home. A read of Fleur Sombre should never be rushed or frantic, my magazine is perfect for a conformable read, when you are trying to get away from your hectic life.

This is initially accomplished by using cool colors to ease the reader's mind. Studies have shown that bright and warm colors like red and orange make the viewer's mind accelerate with their thinking and make them act more aggressive. The cool colors, like blue and green, ease the viewer's mind and create a calm mindset for them. The cover page stands out but accomplishes this feat. The picture of Ethan with  bright white hoodie draw the reader's attention to the magazine, but is complemented by cool colors around. As you progress through the magazine, the reader is already engaged, so not as many attention-grabbing tactics are needed besides those for important articles. The color scheme throughout the rest of the articles are very cool and calming and almost lull the reader into continuing to read in a tranquil environment. 

I would distribute my magazine primarily online. I would use popular social media apps such as Snapchat and Instagram. In other examples I've seen, I will create my own "page" on snapchat that is like a mini version of the magazine. It would give little fun blurbs about different articles with some full articles in them. it would mostly be fun, quick visit from viewers and it would tell the reader to refer to the online or paper version to see the full articles and much more. I'd do something similar with Instagram, my posts that would talk about a cover model or an upcoming article would be in people's feeds and get them in the know about upcoming issues. Our bio on our page would link our website which would let them subscribe for paper issues, as well. i would use these social media sites to link people to an actually issue of Fleur Sombre.

CCR1

How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

Fleur Sombre combines the conventions used by men's, sports, and fashion magazines. It more combines these elements rather than challenge the form.

It uses elements from men's magazines like GQ and Esquire. They incorporate things men might like and recommend other pieces of clothing for people who like what they show. This includes:

Cover Page:
The bold and capital letters for the title "Fleur Sombre" is this way to stand out and attract the audience's attention. The color scheme used throughout the magazine are very cool colors, primarily, blue, white, and black. These cool colors are intended to create a cool, calm atmosphere so the reader feels comfortable and relaxed while reading the magazine. There is a little glow behind the "Fleur Sombre" so the words aren't so harsh. There is a subtle outline to the words, as well, yet again taking away the intensity and making a cool and conformable appearance to the reader.

TOC:
I put the picture of my friend Kevin as the background for my TOC. Because of the way he fills the page vertically, I decided to put the headlines for the articles vertical to compliment him. Also, he looks like he is gazing into the articles, almost enticing the reader to check out what he is looking at. I keep the same color scheme in the TOC, as well. I had the articles' names in a deep navy to stand out against the lighter blue sky. I had the main article in white to stand out in from the other articles. Also, Kevin seems to be looking right at that article in an approving way, telling the audience, "Yeah, go check it out." Also, the other colors that Kevin is wearing and in the background juxtapose the blue colors that have been present so far. The grey and green in the bottom of the screen really stand out when the reader is accustomed to the blue. The pictures lighting stands out and the page makes you look around and gets the reader engaged.

2-Page Spread:
I stuck with color scheme on these pages too, trying to have a cool, soothing feel. However, here, I added purple to stand out against the light blue in the background. The pictures are put in the corners to have the bulk on the information in the middle and direct the reader there. The placement of the text stays consistent and doesn't bounce around too much so the reader isn't thrown around while reading. The pictures feature models Ethan and Kevin, with the article containing an interview with Ethan. He displays the type of hoodies in the pictures that he describes in his interview. The heading stays over both pages to keep it cohesive. Also, at the top of the pages is the handle and website, marketing the brand for the reader to go check out what more Fleur Sombre has to offer.