Question 7 - Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the main task?

Prelim - Front cover and Contents page

My final product The Beat music magazine

Its easy to see I have developed my skills since making my prelim magazine. When making my final product I learnt to do things differently from when I created my prelim magazine.

Research and planning

•  When completing research for my prelim magazine all I did was take two real front covers and contents pages and said what I liked about them. I then went on to create a flat plan for my product. Not having done that much research this could have affected the quality of my product particularly when it came to creating the magazine there was lots of blank spaces.

• For my final product I did a lot more research and planning. I began by making a Prezi and researching into similar products and analysing real magazine front covers, contents pages and double page spreads. This research took a while to complete because of the depth of analysis but was really useful when it came to creating my magazine. It helped my to find out more about different genres and what the audience like to see from a pop magazine. It also helped my to create my flat plans and final product.

• I then did some secondary research where I looked at the reader profiles of Billboard and mix mag magazine this was to find out what appeals to the audience that read pop magazines. I then decided to do my own audience research and interviewed some of my target audience to see what they liked about Billboard and We Love Pop magazine pages. This was helpful when it came to making decisions for my own magazine.

After this I then went onto  create flat plans, photography research and test shots.

• I think doing research and planning has helped to make my product look better and more professional than my first prelim. Doing research and planning has also helped me to keep organised in order to meet deadlines it also made it easier to make my final product. I even changed my front cover but because of planning I did before hand meant I could do this.  

Construction

Image composition

• When I did my photography for my prelim everything was kept very simple. I only used one model the costume, makeup and poses were very basic. I also didn't take a lot of photos which meant I was limited for choice when it came to creating the prelim magazine.                                                                        
• This compares to my final product I took all of my photos in the studio I made sure I had a lot of variety and poses to choose from. I also used four models to make sure there was a range of images all with interesting makeup, costumes and poses. This made a lot of difference when making my first draft there was a lot more choice of images. I also made sure all my models fitted the genre and represented pop. Also when creating my magazine compared to my prelim I organised my costumes, hair, makeup and props before the photo shoot to make sure I prepared my time well.

Page Layout

• On my prelim the layout was very spacious with lots of blank spaces and large sell lines to fill the page. This meant my product wasn't very professional there also wasn't a lot of sell lines. The font and the size of the font didn't match up to the magazine and the colours were to bright. I also didn't include any banners or shapes which could have improved my product.  It was the same for my contents page it looks boring and the font is to big for the page and the page isn't set out very well. But with creating my prelim this meant I knew exactly what I needed to do to make my final product better and more professional.                                                                                                                                                                                                          
•  On my final product the front cover has lots of sell lines and I have tried to make the page look full and interesting which is what I have learnt from making my prelim. I used suitable fonts and font sizes to match the magazine. I also used banners and a house style of 3 colours carried out throughout the magazine. I took everything I learnt from making my prelim into consideration to make sure my final product was a big improvement. For my contents page I tried to make it totally different from my prelim. I used a a totally different layout including headings , columns and lots of images. I also included a The Charts column to make it different and standout, I also added information on subscription to make it professional. I also made sure I had a lot of pages to my magazine by choosing page numbers carefully. for my prelim task I didn't create a double page spread which means no improvements can be made. But I made sure my double page spread looks professional and to the same standard as my other pages by using the techniques I have learnt. I made sure I used the correct ratio of images to text.

In conclusion I am happy with my final product and feel I have improved since making my prelim. I have learnt new skills from making my prelim to the final product. I have learnt how to use different software's such as Photoshop and InDesign and different websites such as Prezi. Another thing I have learnt is how to use an Apple Imac computer. By completing my magazines I have learnt a lot about real media products.

Question 6 - What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

• This is a Nikon camera I used for the photography for my magazine. Using this camera meant I could take good quality photos. It helped make the pictures look professional as it can be connected to the lights in the studio. I also learnt about the different settings on the camera. 

• This is an Apple Imac this is what I have used during making my product. Using an Imac has allowed me to see my product clearly and access all the software I need. I have learnt how to use an apple Imac as it is slightly different from normal computers.

• This is a screen shot of my product in Photoshop. I have learnt how to use the stroke tool which outlines of frames text or images, this benefited my production because it allowed me to make certain parts of my product standout. Also having every part of my product in a layer allowed me to arrange my product easily. Using Photoshop has also benefited my product because it allows you to produce a product easily and to get it to look the way you want.   

• This piece of software is called InDesign it has helped my product my product as all the pages can be stored on there. I have used the place tool to insert all my images onto the page I have done this so I can move the images easily to place them where I want. I have also used the shape tool to create banners I have done this because it makes the titles standout. The software benefited my production because it allowed me to make all the pages on one document.

This is a screen shot of my Prezi. This has benefited my production because it has allowed me to store any information or research I need to make my product. It has benefited my production because it ca be accessed easily over the Internet.

I have also used Blogger to upload all of my research and my magazine into a blog.

Question 5 - How did you attract/address your audience?

On my front cover I have used three colours of black, white and red these colours a carried on throughout my magazine like real media products. I have used a close up image on my front cover to show the daring makeup and to make it striking, this is similar to Billboard magazine I have used the same shot distance and title in the same place. My fonts are simpler that Billboard, but this is because my target audience want a clear look which is easy to read but still makes a statement.  I addressed my audience by using someone of their age as my model and using bold makeup and confident pose and facial expression. I have created a 'GOSSIP FROM THE BRIT AWARDS 2012' icon this is to sell the magazine to my target audience. My target audience are mainstream female teenagers and Trendies they are both interested in the latest music releases and gossip this is a way I have attracted my audience.

From my primary research I found that they associate a pop magazine with the latest artists and bands I have used this throughout my magazine. I have also tried to show this by putting 'THE CHARTS' column into my magazine this shows the latest tracks for that week. The research also showed me that girl models are usually seen in pop magazines I have used this throughout my front cover, contents and double page spread.  The models represent fun and girly. There is also a house style for my magazine of black, white and red.

I have kept the house style throughout my magazine to keep it simple and recognisable I found this from primary audience research. I have chosen images that represent fun , fashion and pop. I have used a small simple text to keep it easy to read and to make it full of content to attract my audience. I have tried to make it look as professional as possible to relate to real media products.

  

Because of my audience feedback I have re-aligned by sell lines so the are all to the left which makes them easy to read and like other pop magazines. I have also met my target audiences needs by making sure the main image isn't over crowded with sell lines, I have tried to shorten them or rearrange them.

To address my target audience I totally rearranged my contents page to make it look more professional and like a pop magazine. I have also included an image of the front cover in my contents page to relate to the genre and to make the page look more realistic. 

The main image stands out

Genre shown by colour

Looks professional

Improve by filling in any gaps

Front cover and colour scheme standout

Images represent pop

Strength The Charts column make my magazine different

Represents young females

Models makeup on front cover standout

Genre shown by sell lines

Colour scheme attracts audience

Good layout

Improve by adding information underneath images

Question 4 - Who would be the audience for your media product?

Above is a mood board of what my audience would be for my magazine. It includes what their tastes are, what they do in their spare time and what their music tastes are.

Following secondary research in the initial stages of my project, I found the audience of Billboard was mainly students aged 16-21. I then conducted primary research which suggested that my audience were will be mainly female teenagers aged 15-21. Therefore the audience for my media product will be young adults interested in pop.  My target audience would have interests such as fashion, socialising and listening to the latest music.

Question3:What kind of media institution might distribute my product and why?

Evaluation on Prezi

In this Prezi I have included my evaluation to questions 1 and 3. 

Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Question 2 on Prezi

Question1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Evaluation on Prezi


In my prezi I have included my evaluation to question 1.

Final Product

First draft improvements- From feedback

Front cover

This is what my front cover looks like after improvements. The only improvement I have made is to my sell lines to show the main feature image better and to align them all to the left.

Contents page

Here is a screen shot of my contents page while making improvements from my feedback. From my first draft I have re-arranged the page to make it look more professional and easier to read. Instead of the images going down one side of the page I have placed them together above the header, I am then going to add a large image above them to make it standout. I have started to arrange my page numbers so they are in line with the text I am going to add. I have decided to leave The Charts column in the same place so it is clear I took inspiration for this idea from Billboard magazine. I have made these improvements due to my feedback below is an image of what my magazine contents page looks like after the improvements.

Double page spread

Due to my feedback I have decided to change some things about my double page spread. I have made all of the frames around my images thinner this is to make it look less harsh and more presentable. I have also tried to make my title standout more so the readers know where to look. I have also changed the font of the text to make the article easier to read it is also smaller. Below is an image of what my double page spread looks like after improvements.

Double page spread during production

 

Above are three screen shots of my contents page during production. For my double page spread I have used an answer and question format for my article I have done this as I think it is the most easiest to read and makes the article interesting.  The answers are in first person which I think makes the article more friendly and real. I have used a different colour (red) for my questions this is to make them standout and make it easier for the reader to read. There is also an introduction paragraph to summarise the article and to introduce the main feature. I have also used a quote in the middle of my article to make the reader want to read the rest of the article. I have also placed an image of my model at the end of the article this is to finalise the end of the article and to make it look more interesting. On the left page I have also used a quote to make the reader what to read the article to find out more. I have used the main image of my model with her finger to her lips as I think it attracts attention to the page. I have used three framed images down the side of the page to show more of the photo shoot and to give a girly feel to the magazine which suits my target audience. She is also wearing bright read lipstick to make her lips standout and so it is visible in the photograph.

Contents page during production

For my contents page I have decided to use three images down the side of the page rather than my first idea of the images being placed along the bottom. All of the images have page numbers on to make it easier for the reader to to find what they are looking for in the magazine. I have decided to use all different images with different  models to show variation. I have decided to use banners for column titles to make them standout. Throughout my contents page and magazine I have used the colours black, red and white which is my house style. I have only used two font throughout the page to make is easy to follow and not overwhelming. I have put the information in columns to make it look neat and professional. I have also included the charts to keep the magazine up-to-date and information on how you can subscribe. I think the images I have used in my contents page suits the target audience well which is mainly females. They also show a range of poses to make the page interesting and eye catching.

Front cover during production

This is the start of me making my front cover for my music magazine. I have used a font called Disko the font is really girly and bold which standsout from the page. I have also started placing my sell lines in place to see what it would look like.  

This is the next stage in my production of making my front cover. I have added more sell lines to make it look more full and professional. I have also added the price of the magazine and bar code to make it realistic. I have also put the main sell line on a diagonal because I think it stands out more and makes the page more interesting.

This is the first version of my front cover which I have decided to improve. I like the colour scheme of pink and black as I think it relates to my theme. I have decided to change it because I don't think it stands out enough.  

This is my front cover, I have used a close up image of my model as I think this looks most effective. It is the most effective because you can clearly see her dramatic make up. I have chosen to use black eyeliner in a shape down one side of her face as I think this stands out off the page and gives off a dramatic effect. I have also used bright red lipstick to carry on the theme of bold and striking.  I chose this image because I think it relates to my genre well and was the most eye catching. She is also looking straight into the camera which engages the reader.  Her facial expression suits the tone of the magazine.  

This screen shot shows the difference between the two front covers and how one of them is much more dominant. I have changed the colours to red, black and white as it is more striking and matches he makeup. I also think the closer up image is more suitable for the front cover as it catches your attention more and looks more professional. 

Action plan

In order to complete my improvements I will make sure I use my lesson time wisely and any free lessons I need to make sure I meet the deadline.

There are certain improvements I need to make to each page of my music magazine.

Front cover

• Make more of the sell lines the same font
• Align and arrange the sell lines to fit the page
•  Make the sell lines standout more

Contents page

• Change the column titles
• Rearrange the layout
• Include an image of my front cover
• Make the page numbers align with the information
• Make the size of the font smaller

Double page spread

•  Make the word "Exclusive" standout from the title.
• Use a different font to make it easier to read
• Make the font smaller
• Make the frames around the images smaller

First draft feedback

First draft

Photo Shoot

Front Cover Photos

If I hand a microphone this would be the pose
I would use for my magazine photos.

Double Page spread photos 

 

Contents page 

These photos above are the photo shoots I have taken of my models and will be featured in my front cover, contents page and double page spread. The makeup on my models for the front cover and contents page are very bold and dramatic I have done this as I think they should standout of the page to make people buy the magazine. It is also a way to catch peoples attention. The images for my contents page the makeup on the models aren't as bold to show a more feminine soft side. All of my models are wearing clothes that will make a statement they are also fashionable, up-to-date and feminine this matches my target audience. I have also instructed them to use props such as sunglasses and headphones to make the images more interesting and to match the genre of my magazine.   I have also tried to give my models direction to the vary poses in most of the photographs the models are looking straight into the camera this is to address the audience and show dominance.