Reflection

The process of creating a serious weblog has given me a better understanding about the issues happening in the media and around me. It was a step by step guide to create a weblog, and it is so simple where everyone can have not only one weblog, but many.

However, there is a difference a personal weblog and a serious weblog. According to Schriver (1997) “there is not much information. It’s almost not worth reading.” While writing for a serious blog, important and tiny details should be taken in account is because in order to gain the reader’s loyalty and trust of the weblog, the blogger should provide reliable information to them. On top of that having other referencing to support the topic discussed will be an additional bonus, because it is a set of information whereby it helps to prove the opinion given.

Blogging in some ways do consider as a freedom of speech. The issues that are posted on the blogs must think twice before discussing the issues. It is very unethical for a blogger to feature writings that contain pornography, violence or religious issues can be very It is important to be specific the consistency of issues been posted on the blog. For example Pink is the new blog content are majority updates on the happenings of celebrities in Hollywood, therefore audiences always reads up his article because they know what news they will be expecting from him. According to Nielsen (2005) “The more focused your content, the more focused your readers.”

According to Kress and van Leeuwen (2006) one of the key elements of good composition is framing, the arrangement of a good web design does have an impact on their targeted audiences. Correct use of complementary prose and graphic combination will be able to strengthen and constrain the meaning for readers. (Schriver, 1997)

It really has been a great experience writing a serious blog. You should give it a try too! Happy Blogging!


Reference list:

Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 1998, ‘Front pages: (the critical) analysis of newspaper layout’, in Bell, A & Garrett, P (eds) 1998, Approaches to media discourse, Blackwell, Oxford, chapter 7.

Nielsen, J 2005, Weblog Usability : The Top Ten Design Mistakes, viewed on 3 November 2007,< http://www.useit.com/alertbox/weblogs.html >

Schriver, KA 1997, Dynamics in document design: creating texts for readers, Whiley Computer Pub, New York.

The season is over?

Most broadcast networks are now providing online TV shows on their website. They offer almost everything that links to the show such as “offer clips, outtakes, interviews, games, message boards and blogs — not to mention entire episodes.” (Korkki, 2007)

As we can see, the above table shown that share networks is starting to get famous. With just a streaming device it enables you to watch cable and satellite on your computer. These broadcast networks are starting to get even more competitive each day whereby online TV shows are introduced to the public in order to attract more audience. “All this new content is giving the viewer more choice. “You can really have niche content for specific audiences, so it puts the control in the hands of the consumer rather than the media," says (Congdon, 2007 cited in CBC Newsworld) This issue very much depends on the inconsistent situation of the mood, interest, social, cultural background, physical of an individual audience (Shriver 1997).

Sometimes stage setting relationship targets to shape the audiences attitude about the content in a particular way, therefore illustration that are designed on the web is able to give the audiences the impression about the information about the show synopsis, and is easier to understand. (Shcriver, 1997)

A term called dual coding shows that “the idea is that when pictures reformulate representation of the content. Taking in information in more than one way increases the likelihood that readers will understand and remember it.” (Schriver, 1997) According to Schriver (1997) various representations do have their own important benefit whereby it helps audiences to build stronger and more elaborate connections regarding bout the issue in their memory.

Not only the entire episode of the series plays an important role in the increase of audiences, small things such as interviews, games, message boards, photo gallery or blogs does have an impact on the likeness and comfort zone of an individual.

Reference List:

CBC Newsworld, 2006, The end of TV, viewed on 2 November 2007, < http://www.cbc.ca/theend/tv.html >

Korkki. P, 2007, TV show over? obsess about it on the web, The New York Times, New York, viewed on 2 November 2007, < _r="2&ref=" oref="slogin&oref=">

Schriver, KA 1997, Dynamics in document design: creating texts for readers, Whiley Computer Pub, New York.

I’m Loving It – Junk Food

In Lee’s article (2007) based on study statistic, kids magazine today is filled with junk food advertisement. The study has showed that advertisement which featured in the leading children’s magazines based on junk food is twice the amount of healthy food advertisements. With the constant advertisement been brain wash in to the children’s mind, as a reader who is familiar with the meanings constructed by different narratives, might glance over and understand quickly about the issue and will respond affectively.

Advertisements with attractive images do will attract the kid’s attention to another level. Images can be so powerful that they are able to have other effects which are different from text and particularly at affective, aesthetic and imaginative level. As a reader, it is easy for them to identify what junk food they prefer through those pictures, this is where the kids will start to urge parents to purchase junk foods they see often on magazines.

“With the regard to the former research has shown that products, advertised by celebrities receive more favourable evaluations that the same product advertised without celebrity endorsement.” (Krish cited in Ross et al., 1984) The advertisers are using the same manner to approach the kids in order to achieve an increase in their sales revenue.

The child will create schemata or outline towards the advertisement (Putnis & Petelin 1996) whereby without realising seriousness of this issue, the child might turn out to be overweight or unhealthy. The statistic of child obesity is starting to increase in the recent years.This is where parents should play their part of responsibility by monitoring and controlling their children’s’ eating habits and the food intake they take daily. (Lee, 2007) It will not be sufficient if parents control their diet, parents should scan through the kid’s magazine because it might contain too many junk food advertisements. Parents should practice family outing to do park for some exercise in order to build a healthier lifestyle for their children.

Reference List:
Krish, S J 2006, Children, adolescents and media violence: a critical look at the research, Sage Publication, USA.

Lee, J. 2007, Kids' mags full of junk food ads: study, The Age, Australia, viewed on 30 October 2007, < http://www.theage.com.au/news/parenting/kids-mags-full-of-junk-food-ads-study/2007/10/15/1192300725947.html >

Putnis, P & Petelin, R 1996, Professional communication: principles and applications, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Albus Dumbledore, GAY?

Earlier of this month, Albus Dumbledore headmaster of Howgarts – a leading character in Harry Potter decided to come out of the closet. “J.K. Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series that ended last summer, outed the beloved character Friday night while appearing before a full house at Carnegie Hall...”

She was asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds "true love."
"Dumbledore is gay," the author responded to gasps and applause. (CNN, 2007)


Although in today’s world we come from various culturAL, religions, sexuality and personality background. This does not mean J. K Rowling should tell her younger target audiences Albus Dumbledore sexuality in the conference after all Harry Potter, is known as a children fantasy book.

According to Schriver (1997), “As readers brought their point of view to bear in interpreting the main ideas of these documents, the representation of the content they formed was radically different from the one document designers had hoped they would construct. But because document designers did not fully consider how their graphic choices might be interpreted from other points of view, they opened the door to interpretations they did not intend.”

It is the same for J. K. Rowling whereby she created a character -Albus Dumbledore whose gay sexuality will create a curiosity within the child, and with such young mind they will think it is fun to be gay and probably start to practice gay relationship in future. As we all know children today are easily influences by the media and entertainment they will tend to use their knowledge to interpret the words and pictures they see. J.K. Rowling should have considered about this matter before announcing the news.

Not just text,images also do have an impact on children, regardless it is the print or electronic media, whether in newspapers, magazines, CD ROMs, public relations materials, advertisement or any form of informational material.(Kress & van Leeuwen 2006) I am not against on gay sexuality. Even though gay marriage and their sexuality is accepted widely by most countries but I do believe as a parent one who prefer their kids to practice healthy relationship in future.


Reference List:
CNN, 2007, Dumbledore is gay, 'Harry Potter' author reveals, New York, viewed on 29 October 2007, <>

Kress, G & van Leeuwen, T 2006, 'Chapter 1: The semiotic landscape: language and visual communication' in Reading images: the grammar of visual design, 2nd edn, Routledge, London.

Schriver, KA 1997, Dynamics in document design: creating texts for readers, Whiley Computer Pub, New York.

Why blame fashion for “thinsiprations”?

It is now a fashionable way to blame the fashion industry for issues such as glamorising drugs, cruelty against animals, influences for gun culture and especially causing anorexia within the younger generation. The issues about “models-are-too-skinny-and-look-like-druggies” courtesy of Ms Kate Moss has been brought up again and again by the media and according to The Age (2007) “The issue has been hot since the death in 2006 of two anorexic Latin American models and concern that impressionable girls will see ultra-thin bodies as the ideal.”

Boney models

However this time, the media, government, health professionals and fashion insiders are focusing on the model’s health and the public. Just recently in January the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the US industry's trade group has issued guidelines to build a healthier industry in hope that it will put a stop over the model’s weight issue which has an impact on both model and public. The council's guidelines included offering healthy food backstage with no alcohol and smoking, an outline about nutrition and eating disorders and banning models under 16 from runways.

Karl Lagerfeld, one of the most leading fashion designers of the late 20th century said to Harpers Bazaar (2007) “Models are about looks, not about weight problem.” While in Sunday Metro.co.uk (2007) “supermodel Naomi Campbell waded into the size zero debate and declared: "Don't blame the fashion industry."” By supporting the council’s guidelines, John Paul Gaultier surprised everyone in his 30th anniversary show in Paris Fashion week by bringing in Australian Gemma Ward who weight 132 kilogram to the runway. (Huntington, 2006)

Gemma Ward on the runway for Paris Fashion Week

Why are there still people dying of anorexia or bulimia? In The Age (2007) news, it stated that nearly 10 million American women and 1 million men battle eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. “Hergarty and her colleagues concluded that even though graphics may have few inherent sequential constrains on their processing, that does not mean they are necessarily easy to understand” (Hegarty, p.650 cited in Shriver 1997, p. 373) The problem still remain is because fashion designers, models and the media continue to photograph skinny models in the online media as well as the print media. Graphics are able to make differences in how fast they can shape an image of the subject and what type of image they form. (Larkin and Simon, 1987 cited in Shriver 1997, p. 372)

The younger generation technically looks up to skinny models in designer’s couture collections today; they should photography healthy eating models instead. The blame for anorexia and bulimia should not lie solely on the fashion industry, I agree that they should take up the responsibility to create good role models however the parents, government, fashion designers and especially the media should also play a big part in it.

Reference List:

Huntington, P. 2006, Gaultiers largesse reply to skinny debate, The Sydney Morning Herald, viewed on 26 October 2007,
< http://www.smh.com.au/news/fashion/gaultiers-largesse-reply-to-skinny-debate/2006/10/04/1159641392975.html >

Birch, K. 2007, The skinny debate, Harper’s Bazaar, ACP Magazines Pte Ltd, Malaysia.

Schriver, KA 1997, Dynamics in document design: creating texts for readers, Whiley Computer Pub, New York.

Sunday Metro.co.uk, 2007, Naomi: Don't blame fashion industry for size zeros, viewed on the 26 October 2007, <www.metro.co.uk/fashion/article.html?in_article_id=37210&in_page_id=22 >

The Age, 2007, Skinny debates rages, viewed on the 26 October 2007, < http://www.theage.com.au/news/fashion/skinny-debate-rages/2007/02/07/1170524132040.html >

Introduction

I assume by know everyone should have heard about weblogs. In today’s society, blogging has become part of our lifestyle especially in the Asian market. According to ABC News (2005), “for those uninitiated with the ways of the Web, the word may sound like the name of the latest sci-fi creature. And while blogs are hardly considered biological entities, they have come to monstrous life online.” Blog was literally known as online journals attached with photos, opinion on featured articles from the press or entries about the blog’s creator also known as blogger’s lifestyle.

Because blogs are an online creation therefore limited privacy are given to the bloggers. Majority of the blogs allows their readers to leave their opinion or messages on the issues that are discussed by the blogger. Readers are also allowed to leave their blog link on other’s blog, this helps to link one and another whereby it slowly creates their group of friends in the blogging community. However these days; it is harder to narrow the definition of the term-blog because it is still very much in flux.

It is very common to see various form of multimedia content such as digital videos, photo slides, mini audio in the blog entries; therefore it has become a threat towards the traditional print. Based on Walsh (2006) paper, he has mentioned the traditional print has now taken over by the online media.

The increase in online journal has started to catch the attention of political parties, business professionals, media and entertainment organizations, fashion and celebrity news, religious groups and etc. For example, Pink is the new blog by Trent from Detroit offers up to date gossips about Hollywood celebrities. The entries that are posted online are often quicker than the print magazines for example, Hello Magazine.

Due to the rapid changes in technology, advertising companies find that advertising on blogs is able to create an awareness within the public bout the product or event that is going on. This marketing strategy has benefited both the blogger and the company. Famous bloggers such as Xia Xue-a Singaporean blogger also known as Wendy Cheng, 21 is a full time blogger who earns only from blogging. Advertisers continue to pay her to advertise products and services on her blog, is because she have at least 10,000 readers per day! Pink is the new blog by Trent also earns extra cash by advertisements feature at the side bar of his blogs. In Malaysia, we do have famous bloggers such as Kinky Blue Fairy known as Joyce who works in the media field and blogs about the happenings in the fashion and media industry that are going on in Malaysia. She also gets paid by advertisement agency such as Advertlets and Nuffnags.

One of Xia Xue's advertisement post.

KinkyBlueFairy has advertisement posted on her side of her blog.

Now, we are able to see that how huge the blogging impact has on us and it has become very competitive. In order to keep up with the trend and remain the number of readers, bloggers need to create a better design webpage layout and yet keep it simple for easy reading. According to Nileson (2007) simple and plain layout will be able to provide a better understanding for the audiences is because readers tend to read slower on print media compared to online print.

Reference List:

ABC News, 2005, What is Blogging?, viewed on 24 October 2007,
< http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=889289&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312 >

Joyce Wong, 2007, Kinky Blue Fairy, viewed on 24 October 2007, < http://www.kinkybluefairy.net/ >

Nielsen. J, 2007, Writing for the web, viewed on 24 October 2007,
< http://www.sun.com/980713/webwriting >

Trent 2007, Pink is the new blog, viewed on 24 October 2007, < http://www.trent.blogspot.com/ >

Walsh, M 2006, ‘“Textual shift”, examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts’, Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, Vol. 29, No.1, pp. 24-37.

Xia Xue, Xiaxue.blogspot.com - Everyone's reading it, viewed on 24 October 2007, < http://www.xiaxue.blogspot.com/ >

My blog

Finally, this will be the last assignment for Document Design and Publication. The purpose of creating this blog is to discuss different media and publishing issues that are related to document design and publication. I will discuss on issues about how the media and publishing issues have affected our lifestyle today. This blog is designed for anyone who is interested to have a better understanding on the issues discussed and would like to share their opinions with me.