Creative Critical Reflection

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Final Magazine Spread Completed

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Magazine Covers

Magazine covers are the sole seller of a magazine. Pictures and headliners are what sell to an audience. I really admire and appreciate the simplistic magazine covers such as National Geographic. Pretty much all travel magazine covers have one main focus. Usually it's a picture of a beach, mountain, or a one symbolic destination, something with a particular detail of beauty. Beauty draws the attention and is easily beautiful on the eye. 

The cover of my magazine will reflect nature. It will be of nature and it will be something from the Oregon trip as that is the headliner for the magazine spread. I have not exactly picked the one photograph to choose, as there are so many options and beauty I wish to express to an audience. I plan to soon finish the cover and fully determine the photograph to use. The cover alone will define a true escape.

To Be Simple or to Not Be Simple?

For the layout of my two page magazine spread I am creating an informative piece. I am including many tips and places to see within a trip along the Oregon coast. In order to guide one along a trip to travel differently there has to be help, which is what I am here to offer. The layout will be fun yet serious. After researching and viewing many magazines I found that there are simple layouts with a picture filling one page and the article on the next. Then there were magazines with pictures throughout the two pages and small caption under or besides each.  

I am creating a flowing two page spread, holding much information and pictures. The spread will include the plan and itinerary of the trip to allow the reader to understand how it's done. Then I hope to include the plentiful amount of places to stop while driving throughout. So is my spread going to be simple on the eye or not? It will be. It is going to be simple on the eye but so very helpful assisting one with the guidelines to travel differently on the Oregon coast.

Don't Be Afraid

The whole idea about traveling differently comes with a sense of acquiring courage. Don't be afraid to go the wrong way or take the wrong turn. I have come across some of the most beautiful destinations while traveling in Oregon.

Here's the deal. We are traveling from Crescent City, CA to Cannon Beach, OR. That comes with a lot of time to explore the unexpected. Oregon has the most amazing landscape never to be expected. From sand dunes to the Pacific Ocean, all the way inland to the Redwood Forests. There is plenty of places to discover. Don't be afraid to do it.

Within my magazine I want to create a simple yet very intricate piece that creates the want to travel differently. Like I stated before that this was my goal, I know I will be very convincing. Maybe this isn't the way for everyone to travel but I can assure one that with the techniques planned within the layout of my magazine spread, the pictures I have captured, and the tips snugged up my sleeve, I will be able to convince anyone that this is a beautiful way to travel. Say goodbye to Disney World and welcome the stunning Oregon Coast.

Good Night From the Southern Oregon Coast

Today we traveled along the northern coast of California and into the Southern cities of Oregon on the 101 or the famously iconic highway lining the western coast. It becomes almost impossible to not want to stop while driving every minute. So we did. We stopped a total of 11 times in a matter of 55 miles. But to find the least crowded most secluded destinations, it became necessary and definitely worth it. We came across one stop right before sunset around 7PM. The destination is called Lone Ranch Creek located off the 101 once in Oregon, just past the city of Brookings. The parking lot was basically empty, which could either be good or bad. Clearly, it was the best decision so far. The view of the beach was breathtaking and makes one want to sprint down to run along the damp sand. The short walk to the beach allowed anticipation to strengthen. Once down there, one is able to understand the beauty of nature. The beach is covered in tidal pools full of sea life, rocks sky high, and mountains surrounding you making you feel as if you're on the set of Jurassic Park... Minus the dinosaurs. No picture could truly capture the beauty and I recommend the stop a necessary one. Picnic tables are offered for those wishing to enjoy a lunch or dinner by the sea. Plus there's more than enough room for one to escape and explore the areas untouched.

All photos taken at Lone Ranch Creek

Made it to Oregon!

Portland International Airport

 Well... I'm here in Oregon! I flew into Portland International Airport and was immediately impressed. The moment I continued to walk outside of the airport I knew exactly why I was here. The Portland International Airport was nominated the best airport located in the United States in Travel + Leisure for the year of 2013 and 2014. Which is easily understandable. Everyone at the airport was helpful and wishing to assist you in anyway they could. When I arrived at the hotel I was also amazed by the generosity and welcomeness provided. Then it hit me that anywhere I went people were helpful and completely excited to assist in any way possible. 

I came here with my family and we have rented a car to drive straight south and then north along the coast with many stops planned and unplanned. We plan to enter California just to view the Redwoods then come back into Oregon. Although I will be traveling to Northern California and that is not what I plan to do my magazine spread article on, I plan to still inform you of the sites that one must see if planning to take the short drive from Oregon into the State Parks of the Redwoods. 

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Table of Contents

Table of contents are so very necessary for every magazine spread. Readers need a healthy guideline that won't struggle their minds! Although I will only be creating a two page spread, the table of contents will be full of life and articles drawing readers to wish there was more. I have found that there are two basic formats for the table of contents. The straight to the point and the not so straight. As my research within travel magazines I have found that most table of contents cut straight to the point. There is lots of information within travel magazines and its important that readers know what they will be reading. 

I plan to create a style of which will include pictures of the main headliner so readers can easily find the story within the magazine of which they were drawn to. But I will also create a table of contents with standing points. Meaning I plan to bold and change colors of fonts to draw attention to other stories that deserve much attention. However, I am not sure about changing fonts around within the table of contents. I believe that travel magazines are fun yet should follow a pattern.

National Geographic Traveler

Two-Page Magazine Spread Revealed

Every magazine spread needs a story. For the article of my two page magazine spread, I have been lucky enough to create a personal piece. So, yes... I know exactly what my two page article will consist of. Later this week I will be traveling to Oregon. Most people wonder why Oregon, yet this is the exact goal I wish to reach within my magazine. I want a love for travel to go beyond ideal destinations. An understanding of travel is to find beauty in extraordinary locations.

Location of Oregon on US map

In Oregon, I will be discovering beauty and treasure within the environment. I plan to stray from cities and spend much time with nature. My two page spread will consist of topics regarding this exact trip to Oregon. Traveling to the destination itself will allow me to connect strongly to the piece and gain trust within the audience, as I will have actually traveled there and experienced it myself. I plan to create a factual piece with many helpful travel tips and "detours" people would necessarily never consider escaping to but will find it completely worth it.

In the United States, tourist destinations consist of New York City or Disney World, but there is so much more to see than just that! Oregon holds much beauty which is considerably breathtaking. I plan to blog while I'm on the trip and continue a connection with audiences yet hold a surprise until the magazine spread is issued. I will continue discussing the formatting of my magazine but will also deeply share my travels with you!

Travel Converging with Social Media

National Geographic Posting (@natgeo)

The convergence of travel with social media has allowed audiences to easily access never ending possibilities that come within travel. As this week I decided to focus on the photography aspect of magazine spreads, I looked outward, to the beginning or where a story comes to life. Many people have heard the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words, which social media sites such as, Instagram has converged the idea to tell a story and expand the eye all at the same time. When one began realizing that Instagram could be used for more than posting selfies, a world of Instafame was born. Today, there are numerous amounts of people who have earned fame due to Instagram. Magazines such as National Geographic have also strongly converged, creating new posts daily. Many magazines have converged with social media, continuing the exploration behind photography and audiences responses.

InstaTrip

Unlike the well known magazine accounts, travel bloggers have also created Instagram accounts expressing new ideas and ways to travel. On InstaTrip, just a few travel blogs are noted for their unique ways of appreciating travel. The blogs noted each focus on one specific aspect of travel such as food calling to be devoured, restaurants one must make a reservation for, and traveling to find art within nature. These blogs, and many more, are accessible to anyone and formally presentable. There are never ending possibilities to enjoy the act of travel and social media has allowed a clean outlet for those wishing to learn new things and expand their minds. 

InstaTrip (@classetouriste)

As I was continuing with my research, I realized that because of the convergence of social media and travel, it would be hard to find something someone hasn't already done. I quickly realized that with the right amount of dedication I would be capable of creating my own distinctive magazine spread. The importance of photography will continue to play a strong role during the course of my project and research, assisting my inspiration with every single decision.

Embracing Travel Through Photography

Travel has become photography. Let's just all admit to it, our phones, cameras, or GoPros are constantly by our sides to make memories last forever. And there's nothing wrong with that! I mean I also appreciate those who like to make the memory last mentally but there's something about keeping a photograph safe.

Pictures are captivating and draw audiences in. After reading and scanning many travel magazines, books, and blogs, I found that I was drawn to the pictures most of all. If one is quickly flipping through a travel magazine and rushing to pay, they will scan the pictures to see if anything catches the eye. Photography is a key factor for any magazine spread, especially travel. 

Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Adventures

For example, let's take these excerpts from Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Adventures. There is only one picture for one of the stories, never mind that there are seven stories between the two pages. It's still tempting to read everything, thanks to the flowing manner of the layout, but a reader will be able to connect and actually visualize the location when a picture is available.

For the article in my magazine spread I have already come up with my ideal plan. Yet, all I can reveal is that I hope to incorporate many personal images taken on my own. My goal is to draw an audience in not just by the concept of the magazine but by the visuals. Photography will be a key factor incorporated within my magazine spread. Although I can write and journal about some of the most unknown destinations, nothing creates a desire to want to travel like a photograph does.

Escape... Travel Differently

The title of my magazine, Escape, comes from the simple idea, which I believe discovering quiet unheard of destinations to be considered an escape. However, it took lots of time and many foul ideas to create my title. Although it may seem like one simple six letter word, I went through many drafts and researches to decide on such. 

Within my research of magazine headers, I realized that I wanted the title or magazine header to be one word. One word headers, in my opinion, grasp a readers attention and are attracting to the eye. One word was all I needed. So then the drafts began. I researched other travel magazines and came to the conclusion that I needed something straight to the point. I jotted down numerous ideas and realized that the word escape directly correlated with the ideal topic of my magazine. After that decision I quickly came up with the logo, Travel Differently, hopefully creating an easy understanding of my magazine. The ideal goal to achieve from audiences is that if one were to pick up Escape, they would quickly fall into a world of exploration, longing to escape from the daily office life to a cenote buried deep within the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. 

I hope to grab audiences attention, directed towards wonder and want to discover what is hidden within the pages of Escape. Travel differently and prepare to escape to places you never knew existed.

A World of Travel

Upon discovering that I was going to have to create either a magazine spread or a two minute movie entry for my AICE exam, I quickly debated about my decision and was set on developing an intricate magazine spread. When our instructor informed us of the final assignment, anxiety began to build as I am not one to be an expert within the area of technology. However, as nervous as I was I had a captivating idea, which I knew I could strongly represent in a magazine.

Although I am only a high school student, I have traveled to many different countries and consider myself an expert at traveling within the states. But there's a catch. I am all for visiting the well-known, world famous attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and stunning Machu Picchu, yet I don't spend much time in those areas. Instead it has become a religion to explore the unknown and take advantage of the beautiful untouched scenic routes. I'd rather spend my time exploring the landscape than suffocating within the crowd waiting to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain. So, that's where I had the idea to allow others the understanding behind taking a different perspective to traveling. Over the course of the next month, I am going to interest you in the development of my magazine spread devoted to what I would consider "detours" worth the drive and time to experience a world you never knew existed.

 If there is one thing I would consider myself to be an expert at, it would be enjoying the world with no expectations. The greatest escapes come within adventure.