Preliminary Task Essay
When starting this task the first aspect I had to decide on was my target audience, which I then decided to be year 7 girls. I chose this audience because I thought the magazine would appeal most to them, especially as they have recently started a new school, therefore will want to know all about their new school and the goings on such as, after school clubs/activites etc. I had to create an image which would link to my target audience, therefore I knew it had to be of a girl, and around in the school somewhere. I chose it to be an older female student as year 7 girls most probably look up to older students, and can possibly ask questions about the older years and the differences. I chose the colour scheme of blue and pink on the front cover, as the blue links to the background of the image. Also the different shades of blue stand out from the bright pink title, and allow the colours to contrast, therefore making the front page vibrant and stand out. I wanted the title to be a different colour as this would be the main aspect that jumps out to the reader, aswell as the colour pink being stereotypically popular with year 7 girls. I maintained the same colour scheme in the contents page as it would therefore link to the front cover and sustain continuity. I think the heading on the contents page works well considering the contrast of the navy blue background. I also used a fun and bold font to ensure the magazine wouldn't come across as boring and serious because that would put off the audience. The information about each page gives the audience an idea of what this magazine contains, therefore they become interested and want to read more. By employing an image of 'Thorpe Park', it attracts the reader and makes them want to find out what they have to do for a trip to Thorpe Park. Also 'Thorpe Park' is for everyone, especially this type of audience considering they are still quite young and lovw a fun day out!
Overall I think both of my pages work well as the colour choices play off each other and stand out, but if i could rethink certain aspects I would try my best to capture a slightly more enticing image, possibly making it more exciting, therefore enabling the audience to look forward to the older years of school life. Also, I would brainstorm more ideas for what the magazine will consist of in the beginning, therefore would not have to waste time trying to think of exciting elements and fun sell lines whilst in the making process of the magazine.



My final pages for my magazine.

Evaluation Part 7

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

From comparing my ‘School Magazine’ to my final ‘Music Magazine’ there is a massive difference in the way they look, and the elements I have chosen to use on each. When concerning the colour scheme I would say that my music magazine colour scheme looks much better as the work well together and stand out against each other. My school magazine uses solid colours blue and fuchsia, which would not normally be put together on a magazine because they could come across slightly boring, simple and more childlike whereas this is not the audience my music magazine is aimed at. I think my skills at putting colour schemes together have got much better, especially looking at both magazines. But these skills have improved because I previously researched music magazines within my planning process, which enabled me to realise which colours worked best together and why. My skills for taking pictures on the Nikon cameras has improved as I used them a lot more which allowed me to figure out which settings will be needed for certain images especially, the lighting and aperture. The image i chose to use on the school magazine is extremely simple and the background is slightly dull. When creating the images for my music magazine i thought about the type of image i wanted before i started taking photos, and thought what would fit in with my magazine theme. I had to think about the clothing i would want to be on my model as it would need to link to the magazine along with the background. As the background in my main image is of bricks, i chose this because i wanted the model in the image to attract more attention than the background; however the background links to the reality. I feel that my eye for images on a magazine has improved through my research too. My Photoshop skills have improved the most; this is because i was able to experiment with it and try out new things which then stuck in my memory as i could possibly use certain techniques again. The use of Photoshop looks minimal on my school magazine compared to my music magazine. I learnt how to change aspects of an image and how to use different fonts. The main image on my music magazine in black and white, which is clear to see I have changed it from colour, also certain areas are darker such as the models hair and eye, this too is because I changed the levels and shadows, whereas my school magazine photo has clearly not been changed. Photoshop has allowed me to move texts and images around which make my magazine look more professional because the main sell line stands out against the others sell lines. I learnt the layout of magazines through my research and analysing of successful magazines, which showed me certain areas of which the eye is drawn to which links to the purpose of certain images and texts being in those areas.

Evaluation Part 6

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

Throughout making my magazine I mainly used Adobe Photoshop which enabled me to compile certain elements together which I wouldn’t have been able to do through using a simple software. To ensure the outcome of my images were going to be a success and in focus, I used a Nikon camera. By using this camera i could take the pictures i wanted by using different angles and different apertures which could make certain elements within the image purposely blurred or not. Also as i could change the settings concerning the lighting with the camera, i could make the lighting darker or brighter, or decide how much light i wanted in the picture. I chose to have a lot of light enter the picture as it allowed my image to work well next to the dark text being employed. Before this project I only knew the basics of Adobe Photoshop, but through using it a lot and testing new things out, I now know a lot more and was able to change certain aspects of my images to make them look better and work well next to the other elements on the same page. Also to place certain elements in specific places, through using different layers. Through using Photoshop I was able to change specific images into black and white along with changing the brightness and contrast in certain areas. I wanted to change most of my images to black and white because I thought it fitted in better with the colour scheme, and also resulted in continuity. I too used rectangular shapes to enhance the text of the sell lines, all of these shapes and text were in the same colours which linked to continuity and allowed the sell lines to jump out to the reader. To get the fonts that I wanted I had to research into different fonts and then link them into Photoshop. Once i knew how to do this it contributed a lot to making my magazine look professional, because popular and successful magazines have mastheads and sell lines which unique and loud fonts which stand out to the reader, and are not plain and simple. I wanted fonts which were different and looked busy because i think it is one of the main parts to the magazine, especially to enhance the masthead and make it well known and remembered by the readers. Also, i feel that the fonts I have used relate to the theme of my magazine.

Throughout making my magazine, using Photoshop and Nikon cameras have benefitted the creating process of my magazine because it enabled to make elements of my magazine look as professionally as possible. The angles of my images have been a success as they have direct address to the reader, which makes the images personal. Photoshop has enabled me to change certain areas of images and use unique fonts, along with combining images and text together, which helped enhance the main sell line.

Evaluation Part 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

My magazine will sell because of the elements which are featured throughout the magazine. I knew I had to vary the content because I didn’t want my magazine to be repetitive and become boring to the reader. During my magazine I have included aspects about different indie/rock bands (all shown on the contents page), because this is one of the main aspects readers want to see in the magazine especially as it a music magazine. Including lots of bands will help the magazine sell because everyone will find a band which appeals to them, and the reader can find out further information about particular bands, and look into their upcoming gigs and events, therefore it too helps promote bands. Within my magazine general news about indie/rock bands is featured. This enhances the reality to the magazine as this is happening now, and informs the reader of what’s new, and what is going on with bands at the moment. I have tried to vary my magazine therefore I have included “Example takes us on a midnight run”, “Touring with Adele” and “Coldplay’s Paradise”. This gives the reader a chance to know certain information about what a music artist is doing, but more in depth. Also, with Example and Coldplay it highlights their new hit tracks which will influence the reader to listen to them and be up to date with the new releases. With the touring element about Adele, this allows the reader to read into back stage aspects during the tour, therefore they would be more involved in her ‘doings’ and learn if she will be touring anywhere near them. I purposely wanted to include an interview because this is the main ‘hot spot’ of the magazine considering it is one of the most popular acts of the year, and their music appeals to everyone. The interview would help the magazine sell because it gives the reader more of a chance to get to know the music artist on a personal level, and know what she sets out to do next. Following this article there is a shorter interview with yet again one of the top new artists this year. I chose to include this because even though it is a small chat, it will make the reader want to know what his next plans are. Also during my magazine I have chosen to show the reader the current charts, which will keep them up to date within the music industry, and also a comeback which is soon to take place. This will make the reader want to know more, and hopefully find out who it is or a clue to who it will be. The competition in my magazine will contribute quite a lot to the magazine sales because ‘Reading’ is a popular festival to attend especially because most of the acts featured in my magazine will be playing there. By including this, it will enhance the purchases because most people into indie/rock music would jump at the possible opportunity to go to this event. Finally, the A3 poster is a one off in this issue of the magazine, and will appeal to the reader as this has not been featured before and is a free image of an indie/rock band.

I have made my music magazine attractive to the buyer by including colours which play off each other, and stand out against one another, especially red. Also, all colours used are not specifically for one sex, it relates to both male and female. I have included different and busy fonts which will grab the buyers attention, along with many different loud and confident images of popular music artists. Also, pull quotes and sell lines will attract the reader and leave them wanting to know more.

The uses and gratifications theory have been used in my magazine as certain aspects have been included for the audience to relate to and communicate with the magazine. I have used selling techniques such as “subscribe”, this allows the reader to receive the magazine every month. Also the website has been included so that the reader can find out more information about the magazine, or possibly read elements of the magazine online.

Evaluation Part 4

Who would be the audience for your media product and why?

My music magazine obviously has a specific target audience, but it may be seen as a slightly larger range than other magazine because the theme is an all round popular genre of music. I chose to for my magazine to have the music genre of Indie/Rock because it would appeal to a lot more people and therefore enable it to sell more. This magazine would appeal to a wide range of ages, most probably from 14-27. This age group would mainly be drawn towards this magazine because the bands and artists are mainly younger and have become popular within the young generation. Also the artists featured in my magazine would be found playing at festivals, events, gigs etc. This reinforces the fact that teenagers and young adults are mainly at these places with a group of friends. Stereotypically older people prefer older music artists, and the younger generation prefer younger artists, this is because different artists are popular within different generations therefore an older person would not often be seen at a festival. When considering gender, I think that my magazine would appeal to both male and female, mainly because there is a range of both sexes throughout my magazine. There is both male and female music artists/bands during my magazine which have indie/rock records which reflects the fact that there would be no reason why this music is only aimed at males or females. Also in my magazine there are two interviews, the main one a female artists and the other a male artist, I have done this purposely because it is equal and I didn’t want my magazine to be sexist and focus on one sex. Also not all females prefer female artists and not all males prefer male artists. My magazine does not focus on any social class because I feel that it has nothing to do with the purpose of the magazine. This magazine would appeal to someone of a lower class as much as it would to an upper class person, it depends on the persons preferences in a magazine and music, and it doesn’t concern money or their social background. If a magazine were to appeal to a specific social class it wouldn’t be as successful because it would stereotyping people with money and there lifestyle. Also it would make the target audience a lot smaller, therefore not selling as many. Although people could be of different social classes it doesn’t mean they won’t like the same things and look for similar things in a magazine. My magazine would most probably appeal to those who have social habits of looking out for gigs, event and festivals, as this magazine makes references to these different elements. Also especially as the competition in my magazine is free tickets to Reading festival, which some artists featured in my magazine will attending and playing. The target audience for this magazine would have to include the psychographics of, interested in indie/rock genre of music, upcoming gigs and events, music artists, competitions, the charts, reading interviews, the ‘celeb gossip’, reviews, and tours.

Diary Entry Fourteen

Throughout this week i have been making changes to the drafts of my magazine. I have mainly focused on  my contents page because this page needs much more work done to it rather than any of the others. Also this week i have completed the third part of my evaluation. This has allowed me to research into which publishers would publish my magazine, and why. Also what elements would appeal to them so that they know my magazine is unique and will be a success.

Evaluation Part 3

What kind of institution might distribute your media product and why?

The company which is mostly likely to distribute my magazine would be the IPC publishers which are one of the four that form the oligopoly which is well known; this would be because this company publish a range of genres within magazines, one of them being music magazines. I would want my magazine to be published by the IPC because the business has been around for a long time and have made other magazines successful; therefore it gives my magazine more of a chance to too reach success. As I know that this company are experienced and publish many other magazines, it would reassure me that everything will be done properly as they know what they are doing.  As this company has been known to publish NME, this is the same type of genre as my magazine, and has proved to be a success. Throughout making my magazine, NME has helped me to make certain decisions of what route I will take throughout my magazine, and also because this magazine is too Indie/Rock it has helped me decide what aspects to include and whether they would link to my theme or not. Although this company already publishes NME and it is not the best idea for the same publishers to distribute similar magazines, NME is popular and successful therefore could possibly help my magazines success considering they would have the same well known publishers. As the themes of my magazine and NME are similar, NME tends to focus more on rock which is where the differences come in, as my magazine has a different target audience of both males, females, Indie fans and Rock fans. My magazine also includes certain aspects which other music magazine don’t, such as competitions and deep interviews, which makes my magazine unique and would outsell NME. IPC publishers would only have two music magazines if they were to publish mine as the others consist of home, country life, TV, sport, chat, women etc. This would make my magazine stand out along with NME as they are completely different to any others.The company would like my magazine as it is a hot, brand new magazine which the music magazine industry has needed for a long time. The target audience appeals to a wide range of people therefore would most likely make the magazine successful as a wide range of people would then purchase the magazine. Also, if the IPC published my magazine, they would have a market share of the income considering they would have marketed my magazine and helped to allow people to purchase it. Taking my magazine on would be an advantage to them as they would earn money out of it, also if my magazine became popular it would give their company a better name and possibly become bigger. The IPC would like my magazine as it features a lot of different content, from interviews, to competitions; especially as the competition involves one of the most spoken about festivals of the year and would be one of the most popular attraction to the reader.


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Evaluation Part 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The particular social group represented in my magazine would be young adults which are into the rocky/indie side of music. This is represented through the music artists featured in my magazine and also the type of fashion and ongoing events such as Reading. On my front cover page, the medium shot of my music artist is represented as loud, outgoing and fashionable considering her arms are outstretched, with a confident facial expression showing her personality and clothing which is said to be ‘trendy’ at this current time. This links to the type of music because it is currently in the charts and popular similarly to this kind of clothing trend shown through the mise-en-scene. As this image reinforces that this artist is confident and fun, it foreshadows the fact that as the audience could relate to this, they should be outgoing too and be who they are and not hide behind anyone else. It proves that everyone should be accepted for who they are. This image looks approachable to the reader because she is not giving off any negativity or insulting anyone, she is being herself which is what the reader wants to learn about through the article. My contents page image represents the exact same as the front cover considering the main image is of the same artist and she wears the same clothing. As her hands are slightly over her face it is reinforcing to the reader that everyone is entitled to their privacy and secrets, also even though she is in the public eye she too likes to have her space and likes to be alone. This could also hint to the reader that they will find out some personal points about her in the article, and even though she is confident and outgoing, she can be shy about certain aspects. This enables the reader to relate, and informs them that she is still a normal girl, yet she has just followed her dream. As her facial expression is similar to someone in shock, it represents that she has a silly side to her, just like everyone, where they can totally be themselves around family/friends; the people that know them best. I purposely wanted my model to use this type of expression and body language, as it can have so many hidden messages and can let the reader relate to the character in so many ways.  The main image on my double page spread is a natural photo of my music artist, therefore is doesn’t look like she has posed for the photograph. This allows the reader to see the quiet side of the artist, which again everyone has. As the background of the main image is simple, it makes the reader focus on the artist and as she is casually leaning against a garage whilst smoking a cigarette (in her right hand) it emphasises her normality, and everyday life. Also, as young adults are sometimes associated with smoking, drinking, socialising, the fact that she is holding a cigarette the reader can relate, and this almost forms another social group. The other images displayed on this page reflect the article, showing her confidence and her real self, as a fashion icon, role model, normal girl from Kent, etc. Also, these images reinforce the rock/indie theme as she seems to have a loud persona about her considering her body language is always busy. I have chosen to have most of my images looking fun and busy because I think it tells the reader something about the artist which then also comes across in the article. Also, as one image is slightly more relaxed than the others, it makes it stand out and links to everyone having time for themselves, and chilling out/rest which everyone needs.

Diary Entry Thirteen

This week i have completed the first part to my evaluation where i have spoken about my reasons for using particular elements on my magazine pages. Also, i have gained comments on each of my pages, both positive and negative, for me to then analyse them. Through me analysing my comments i have realise what has and hasn't worked so well within my pages. Some aspects which haven't worked well will be changed when creating my final, and other elements which i should include will be added to my pages.

This post shows a print screen of comments made from my fellow students on my magazine page. Also next to it i have written a paragraph about what i will change and my thoughts on the comments made.

Through these comments i don't think that i will be changing much when creating my final double page spread because from the comments it seems as though most elements on this page work well. My images show continuity and clearly link to the other pages considering they are of the same model which is featured in the article, which is clear to read given the neat column format i have chosen to use. The main image i have used contains good composition and is a natural image reflecting the music artists character. Also, i could possibly include another quote as this will give the reader some information about the article and make them want to know even more.

This post shows a print screen of comments made from my fellow students on my magazine page. Also underneath it i have written a paragraph about what i will change and my thoughts on the comments made.

 

The comments recieved on this page are both positive and negative too. It ensures me that the colour scheme works well considering it is consistent and has continuity because it is the same to the front cover, therefore they link together. When creating my final contents page i will try to include apps such as, twitter, facebook, etc. This would be another way to advertise the magazine and encourage people to purchase it if they see it every so often. I will be keeping the type of font i have used as the feedback i recieved mentioned that it was clear and easy to read. Also, i could include another image when making my final. This would make the page look slightly more busy and refer to what is featured in the rest of the magazine.



This post shows a print screen of comments made from my fellow students on my magazine page. Also next to it i have written a paragraph about what i will change and my thoughts on the comments made.

The comments on my front cover page are both positive and negative. Certain comments depend on the readers view of magazine layout or colour schemes. I will take these comments into consideration when i create my final, such as enlarging the masthead to stand out further to the reader. Some of the text could work better in a smaller font, therefore reinforcing the most important texts and the main sell line. I will need to add a magazine website, this will help my magazine popularity as there is more than one way you could view it.

Evaluation Part 1

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

During this essay I will be analysing the three parts to my magazine, such as, front cover, contents page and double page spread. Throughout my analysis I will be explaining my reasons for using particular aspects and why I think they work well, or in some cases not so well.

Within my front cover, I used the same colour scheme for continuity, along with the other pages, therefore the reader realises all three pages are easily linked together, to the same magazine. The masthead stands out the most for me on this page which is what I want the reader to feel too, this is because I want it to make a statement, and stick in the readers mind. Use of the colour black represents evil or could refer to the unknown. This links to the unknown of what the magazine will reveal, which puts emphasis on the main article which the reader will be dying to read. The font of the masthead links into the Indie/Rock theme of my magazine, as the masthead is outlined with black it catches the readers eye; seems loud and confident. The main sell line has been employed in the centre of the page in a solid red, referring to, danger, blood and love. The use of red contrasts against the black and white image, and other black text. It is placed in the centre of the page to reflect its importance considering the reader is drawn will be drawn to it. I have chosen to put the artists name in red as she is popular and will encourage people to purchase the magazine to therefore read her ultimate interview. The quote gives the reader a taster from the interview and will leave them in suspense, wanting them to read more. I have included certain music artists featured on the front cover which relate to my theme and will appeal to my audience; they too are in red to jump put to the reader. The text featured on the contents page links to the front cover, creating continuity. The two sections “FEATURES and NEWS” and page numbers allow the reader to find a specific page quickly. As it is laid out in a column format it enables to reader to see it clearly. Within in the double-page spread there is a clear heading overlapping the image, clearly stating the artist’s name. This is in red which links to the front cover and is clearly visible against the image. The article itself uses the colours red and black, the use of the colour red allows the questions in the interview to be separated from the answer (in black) which helps the reader understand the flow of the conversation.

The conventions used on the front cover page is, the masthead, main sell line, sell lines, header, footer, and bar code. The use of these conventions helps my magazine look professional and similar to others in certain ways for example, a main sell line which leaves the reader in suspense and relates to the image of the music artist on the page. This enables mine to be a competition to other magazines and appeal to the right audience. Not as many conventions are used on my contents page as it isn’t needed. Title, sections, page numbers and a website is included. This page is meant to be basic as it enables the reader to understand the page and find other pages quickly. Finally the conventions used in my double-page spread are the heading, pull-quote, and column format. This makes it clear to the reader that it is an interview, and the pull-quote is employed larger to attract the reader and make them want to read the whole interview, therefore purchase the magazine.

Diary Entry Twelve

This week i have completed my analysis of mise-en-scene. I have spoken about the images used and why i have used them. My main reason for using these particular images is that they fit in with the theme of the magazine. I mainly outlined the basic point of each image, and purpose of the clothing and facial expressions. Also how they work with each page, and what message they portray.

Diary Entry Eleven

I have now completed all three of my pages. This took quite a lot of time, but i found that once i started, it got easier. I enjoyed making these ages because i was so keen to visualise the outcome, but not everthing about it was easy, such as the font and images being a suitable size, enabling everything to fit on each page which i had previously planned. Out of the three pages i prefer the double page, this is because it is more in depth to a magazine, and interesting considering you can read an article. Also i think the article helps my double page seem more professional, and the image works well too. My least favourite page would be my contents page, this is because i found it difficult to find a particular layout which would work well for the reader to see both the image and text clearly. Also, fitting everything on the page became a struggle.

Mise en scene

This post shows the mise-en-scene used in my magazine. From the images i have used throughout my magazine, i have explained why i used specific aspects which link to mise-en-scene.

Double page spread

This post consists of a draft of my double page spread for my magazine, before i made the changes i needed to make for my final product.