Evaluation Question Number 7

Looking back at your Preliminary Task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Both tasks had very different focuses, one being a school magazine and the other a music magazine, and therefore I approached these differently. I began the preliminary task with little confidence as I had never before created a media product and was not particularly sure of the programmes I used. The preliminary task was a lot more focused, meaning there was not necessarily a wide avenue which I could explore in terms of design as I had to meet the target audience which was going to be rather formal. I found the photoshoots in the preliminary task to lack creativity and were particularly rushed, shown through the images produced. I found that I under estimated the timing of the premliminary task towards the end hence why my overall look is extremely simple compared to that of my music magazine.

Due to the new found experience with programmes such as Photoshop and InDesign, I entered my music magazine with a different outlook. The topic was much wider than that of a school magazine which allowed me the freedom to create a more unique magazine. I began to use photoshop more efficiently when editing my images to their advantage. I was also much more aware of the surroundings when shooting my images, unlike the preliminary magazine which was more an act of convenience rather than an informed decision. The overall construction process, photoshoots and research I feel has greatly improved as this was a lot more extensive which improved the overall look of the magazine. I feel I have acquired a lot more knowledge on the features of general media. There is a progression from my work, especially in terms of layout as the preliminary task gave me the basic understanding which helped when creating my final product.

I used my preliminary task front cover as inspiration for my final music magazine front cover as they both featured a black and white image, but the music magazine featured coloured elements. I used the same feature to make the model appear washed out, therefore highlighting the bright coloured guitar. The preliminary task is extremely simple and plain, something which I did not want to repeat with the final product which is much fuller and busy. There is a clear lighting issue with the preliminary task, something I tried to correct in the final product with the use of onstage lighting which highlighted the model's face. There is a clear progression in the layout of the music magazine such as the title, which is a lot more striking and grabs the audience's attention, something the preliminary task lacks. Therefore, in the final product, I used bright colours such as bold reds and whites against a black background to ensure the overall image had a larger impact as this is what I felt the preliminary lacked. I also learnt from my preliminary task that my magazine needed a clear colour scheme, something which I have ensured is consistent throughout my final product.  

There is a definite clear progression between my preliminary contents page and my final product. I rushed the preliminary contents page due to a lack of time which I think is evident in my product. I feel that although my preliminary task did have the features of a conventional contents page, I developed this and made the overall appearance more professional in my final piece. There was a lot of gaps in my preliminary task, something I learnt from and removed in my final piece. I also realised that although the font used in my preliminary task was suitable, the text should not have been centered as this made the look unprofessional and created 'orphans', something which is not present in a professional media product. I made sure to correct this in my final product. 

I also ensured more text was present in my final product as I found the preliminary task looked rather empty and dull. The font used in the preliminary task was not bold enough, something which I learnt to use in the final product, especially where subheadings were concerned as I needed a clear definition between the subheading and the actual text, something my preliminary task lacked. Additionally, my preliminary contents page had a weight issue due to the two pictures being situated on the right and the text on the left, I had to fix this issue with my final contents page to ensure this problem was not repeated again. Moreover, I included more images on the final contents page than the preliminary task to ensure this empty feeling was not present on my final project as the contents page needs to look complete and interesting as is one of the main features of the magazine. The lighting in the images was much better compared to that of the preliminary task and show an obvious progression, primarily due to the experience gained and a greater understanding of camera angles.


This is my double page spread which was not required for the preliminary task yet was produced for the final project.

Overall, I believe there has been an obvious progression from my preliminary task to my final product primarily due to the experience gained from my preliminary task. I think I have made a clear transition due to the points already mentioned, but additionally through my construction, design and the extensive research and planning which I undertook in the final project which was much more in depth compared to that of the preliminary task. 

Evaluation Question Number 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

As my music magazine is not focused primarily on one music genre, the target audience is much broader than say that of a magazine produced mainly for a specific genre. I am aiming for young adults, between the age range of 16-21, who take an active interest in music and are susceptible to many different music genres. My magazine is aimed at both males and females due to my model selection meaning my magazine is unisex. 

I have created a video, compiling a representation of the audience I am aiming to attract. The video includes radio stations, retail stores, other music outlets, artists and festivals which may interest the target group. The video includes areas such as the more indie/alternative area as well as pop/rock. 

Evaluation Question Number 6

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Created with Padlet

Evaluation Question Number 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

Evaluation Question Number 3

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product?

I feel that Bauer Media Group is the perfect choice to distribute my music magazine as although they do cover a some music magazines already, they are mainly in the rock/alternative genre, something my magazine is not focused in. Due to this, Bauer media has a clear understanding of the music magazine publication, perhaps more so than IPC Media who only distribute NME.  Additionally, IPC Media has a wide variety of magazines, suggesting that the magazine may receive a lack of attention due to this. Moreover, Bauer Media also has connections with 4 Music, something my magazine would benefit from, considering this is the type of music and audience I am trying to attract. I feel that Bauer Media would distribute well to the Mass market, something my magazine would benefit from due to the inability not to conform to the specification of the independent network as my magazine is not that of an alternative/indie publication. Bauer is also a global company, meaning there would be a large budget which would attract my target audience with add-ons such as competitions. Bauer also distributes online, through a website as well as a radio station and television channel which would allow my magazine to receive greater publicity, meaning it is more likely to gain a larger audience and revenue which ultimately will make it more of a success.  

Evaluation Question Number 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Unlike some other magazines, the music magazine I have created is not specifically targeted at a certain genre of music, such as 'Indie' or 'Pop'. Instead I have based my magazine more on the chart/gossip genre which therefore incorporates many music genres and tastes. This is similar to magazines such as 'Q' or 'BILLBOARD' which cover a wide variety of music, changing weekly. As there is not a certain social group I am aiming for, my target audience is somewhat larger than say that of a 'RnB' music magazine. 

The target audience I am aiming for is the teenager to young adult age range of 16-21 who typically enjoy music and follow the music scene. 

Below is a glogster which clearly shows how my magazine has included the representations of different genres of music within my product. 

 

Evaluation Question Number 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

I created my music magazine through the use of forms and conventions of publishing media products to gain a real insight into the layout and conventions of a professional magazine. I carried out extensive research and planning when creating my magazine pages to gather an accurate idea of the magazine I wanted to create in terms of the target audience, the design, layout, colour schemes, fonts and features.

I began with the most important aspect of the whole magazine, the title. This is used to not only draw the attention of the reader, but additionally ensure the magazine is memorable.

 I tried to use my font research to support my title decisions. I tried to relate my final title to some professional magazines such as 'NME' and 'Rolling Stone'. Most titles, as shown in my research, were bold and use vibrant colours with simplistic fonts to ensure the reader's attention is captured. I applied these design features to my own design in the hope that this would then ensure the title stands out and can therefore become successful when published. I did, however, contradict the usual forms and conventions of magazines in terms of the title position. Usually they are positioned by the model's head, either laying in front or behind. I decided to position my own title as the bottom of the page, just under the image as this ensured the model's head was not cut off by placing the title over the image, something which would have detracted from the image. This is also rather unique as is not a normal convention, meaning the magazine would be more memorable. I did ensure my title was in capital letters as this is something which is present in most magazine titles,  to ensure the title was still bold. The clear red outline of the title as corresponded to the thick bold outline of the other titles, again ensuring the title grasps the target audiences attention.

Next, I focused on the images used in the magazine, such as the use of props, sets and clothing as this is an important feature when conveying a certain mood of the magazine. I mainly used music props such as the use of a guitar, microphone along with the use of the set, present in my contents page image, and smoke. I used the music element of the guitar and microphone stand on the front page and the microphone around the model's neck on the double page spread to give the music element to the image and really emphasise that the product I am creating is a music magazine, as shown here in 'KERRANG'. I wanted to incorporate a 'live' feeling to my images, so took these in a concert scenario to ensure the model looked in the moment. I took these forms and conventions and developed this further, using a concert setting in my contents page for my main image. The use of the vibrant lights and staging ensured the whole page was striking, and again, reflected the musical element.


 I also used very dark clothing on my models, such as the use of the dark leather jacket which contrast to the white t-shirt on the front page to really emphasise the coloured feature of the guitar  This was again similar to the 'KERRANG' front page where the model is wearing a dark shirt. I continued this onto my double page spread where I used messy hair and striking makeup, similar to the Florence and the Machine DPS and my specific research, to ensure the image was striking. This also allowed the smoke used in the image to be visible in the shot as shown in my specific research although shot outside. This dark clothing contrasted clearly to the bright vibrancy of the font in my magazine.

I selected my models based on the generic forms and conventions of real media products as this feature adds to the overall successful presentation of real media products. I used a range of models, both male and female to ensure my magazine appealed to both genders. I selected a male model for the front page, similar to that of usual music magazines which I was aiming to recreate such as 'Q' and 'BILLBOARD'. I used the similar pose as to that of the model's featured on both 'KERRANG' front pages. The use of the guitar and the 'in the moment' pose really show this, hence why I selected these to base my own model on.

I then shot my contents page images, challenging the normal forms and conventions of real media products as it proved difficult to find an actual image shot in a concert scenario which featured on a contents page as most were posed. I did find contents pages with images shot in a concert scenario, however, these were primarily focused the artist, something which I did not necessarily want as this was not the main feature of the contents page and was only used in a smaller image. Despite this, I continued to use these images to ensure the theme of music was evident from the contents page instead of the more 'posed' images which I did not necessarily want. I used multiple models in one shot as this was a clear convention of real publishing media products, as clearly visible in the 'BILLBOARD' contents page. 

I again challenged the forms and conventions of a typical publishing music magazine by using a 'black and white' feature to my front cover and double page spread, something which is not typically done, especially in a music magazine. I found it particularly difficult to find some sort of real media evidence to support this decision, especially the front page where a male model was used. The double page spread was slightly easier to find evidence to support my design decision, although this is a rather risky design to take, however, the strength of my double page image hopefully ensured the final look was striking and therefore successful in the music magazine industry. 

Another feature I tried to ensure conformed to the generic forms and conventions of real media products was the magazine layout because I wanted my magazine to look as professional as possible. I tried to ensure the layout of each page was clear and uniform meaning the overall look was easy to read. A form and convention magazines use is the rule of thirds, something I tried to use in my own designs, particularly in the contents page as I wanted the overall appearance to be well organised and succinct meaning it is easy to view. 



make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif

make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif

make animated gifs like this at MakeAGif

Music Magazine: DPS Finalised

Music Magazine: DPS Draft

I particularly like the image used on my double page spread, especially the way the muscial element, the microphone, is one of the main focuses of the image, much like my research. The image is placed over two thirds of the page, like my specific research instructed and I am pleased with this outcome. I like the title here, however, the 'the new rock and role' section of the title is too close to the 'Queen' section, creating conflict. I may have to reduce the size of the Q in the title to prevent this conflict. I need to make the pull quote bigger and increse the size of the quote marks. I may also change the pull quote font to Accord Light to match part of the title as I feel there is too much of the same font type which is making the page look too wordy.  I feel that the actual main body of the artcile is a success and I would keep this in my final piece. I do, however, need to change the layout of the blurb, just under the title, to make sure there is a clear definition between the main body of the article, the blurb and the title as they are all very close. The one main feature which I do not like is the border. I added this to try and incorperate more coloured features yet I feel this is not working and instead cuts the image. The distance between the border and the edge of the page also varies, suggesting careless design. I would remove the border over the image, maybe just placing half a border on the text side. To ensure there are more red coloured features I will increase the size of the right hand page number, as this will also ensure the page does not look as regimented.  

Music Magazine: DPS Implementation

Following my had drawn designs, I constructed my Double Page Spread using my selected design as a template. Before this, I wrote my magazine article which I will place into the double page. I manipulated my image before placing it in InDesign, evening the model's skin tone as well as increasing the levels and curves, adding some colour before changing the image to black and white. 

I selected my edited image and placed it into the blank document. I positioned the image so it was spread over three quarters of the page yet cut the image so the model's face was still in frame yet part of her right arm was missing. This was to prevent the guttering of the page, where the two pages meet, from impacting the image too much as originally this image was completely symmetrical. This would have meant the guttering would have been placed right down the middle of the model's face, therefore loosing the model's expression due to the fold. I arranged the image so the facial expression was still strong and the prop, the musical element of the shoot was still visible whilst also conforming to my specific research. The guttering is still placed over the model's elbow, however, this less of a problem and my research also have used this, suggesting that this can be done in a publishing magazine.  

I added a red border and page numbers along the bottom of the pages. I the created the title. I decided to use Imperial for the 'QUEEN' and continued to use Egyptian for the 'THE NEW ROCK AND ROLL' as I had previously used this font on both my front page and contents page. I  changed the outline of the Q to red, the same red that had previously been used, to ensure my colour scheme was consistent. I upped the weight of the outline to 3pt to make the red outline really stand out from the white background. Although this was not used in my specific research, I felt that this would introduce the colour scheme and prevent the whole look becoming too bland due to the black and white.  

 

 I placed the text together so the smaller text fitted well into the space between the Q and the ?. I particularly liked this feature. 

I then placed the blurb of the article just under the title as my research had shown. I used imperial for this to distinguish the difference between the main article body. I then selected the starting letter of the first paragraph to implement the 'initial caps'. I changed the letter font to red and the letter size by using a feature on the top toolbar. I changed the size from 0 to 3 which increased the size. This was then repeated for each starting letter of each paragraph.
       

Music Magazine: DPS Photo Manipulation

Before I begin to create my double page spread I need to edit my image to remove the model's uneven skin tone.  After the specific research I also decided to change the image to black and white whilst also adding some different colour to add texture to the image and prevent it from looking washed out.

Firstly, I selected the 'healing' tool on the left hand side tool bar. This allowed me to select the model's skin tone which I wanted to smooth out. I zoomed in on the model's face and applied this tool which then removed the uneven skin tone making the overall appearance smoother. 

I then changed the image to black and white by creating a new layer and selecting the 'black/white' tool. I found this made the image very bland meaning some of the impact of the image was lost. This was not what I wanted especially considering the striking image.  

To reduce this 'whitewash' effect, I changed the levels of the image whilst also changing the curves.I played around with the colour, decreasing the blue which clashes with the red of my colour scheme, and increasing the red and green. The green complements the red well and creates mysterious feel which I wanted to achieve by the smoke.