EVALUATION

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or

challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

For my front cover I included many features that would be seen on a real

magazine, like; cover lines on either side of the page. I also included cover lines

with a background at the bottom and top of the page.

I used a font that would be relative to the page and change different bits of the

text by making them bold to stand out and seem more important.

I also included a date, price and barcode in the corner of my front cover; as this is

always found on real magazines.

My masthead has a bold, dark red background at the top of the page; the

colouring relates to the rest of the magazine – showing continuity.

I’ve only used one image on the page which is a close up of my model’s face; this

makes her stand out against the cover lines and headlines and draws attention to

her, to allow the reader to realise her interview inside the magazine is the most

important.

For my contents page I included many features that would be seen on a

real magazine, like;

I have included three images on this page; another one of my model’s

been used with the page number over it, to remind the readers of the

exclusive and main story in the magazine. I’ve also used two other images

of original concert pictures I’ve taken to make sure their realistic; this is

then used to show other stories within the magazine and show their

relevance.

I have also followed the colour scheme I began on my front cover;

following a dark red, black and white scheme, to show their linked.

An editor’s note is shown on the page at the bottom as it’s found in many

other magazines; it helps show the editor’s involvement and reasoning for

the features included.

I’ve also put text boxes around the page, either referring to articles in the

magazine and a competition entry shown at the bottom.

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For my double page spread I included many features that would be seen

on a real magazine, like;

the main image shown to the right of the angle, on the second page of the

spread; this adds colour to the page and links to the story about the artist.

I have included a varied font size within the article to split the story into

different sections and split up huge amounts of text, to make it more

readable.

I have also put page numbers at the bottom of the page to relate to a real

magazine; and help readers navigate around the magazine and follow the

contents page.#

I've split the text into three columns on one page and another one columns

next to the image. By doing this I've allowed myself to fit more text in

and make it easier for the reader to follow. It's also able to split up

different parts of the article.

I’ve also put a text box in the middle of the article on first the page with a

quote from the interview; to help break up the article so it isn't as dull.

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2. How does your media product represent particular

social groups?

I have aimed my magazine at both genders, but mostly female as a

female is shown on the front cover and can be seen to be relatable

and inspiring for teenage girls.

However, the music included within the magazine is mostly of an

alternative genre, with some rock and electro being included as well

– this is approachable for males as well as female, but just depends

on the musical interests of the reader.

The colour scheme I’ve used interacts with teenagers the most as

it’s quite modern and sophisticated; with following the simple

colours of dark red, black and white.

Also, the language and fonts I’ve used are sophisticated enough for

those of a higher education but are still students; as it’s not too

linguistic to not be understood.

The articles I’ve included are of a fun and light humour which helps

reach teenagers as it’s not too serious.

3. What kind of media institution

might distribute your media product

and why?

My magazine has an audience of those between 14 and

20, so they go into town and shops around town.

Therefore, I mostly see my magazine been distributed in

local newsagents and shops like WH Smith in shopping

centres. Also, they may be sold in supermarkets as they’re

usually visited by families. My magazine could also be

sold at small gig venues like O2 Academy’s as they’re

usually attended by my market audience.

I will also set up a webzine for my magazines; so that the

readers are able to access the news through the internet,

making it easier and more frequently.

4. Who would be the audience

for your media product?

Through the research made by my questionnaires I found that my

magazine should reach teenagers, mostly between the ages of 14-20, as

my research wanted to hear about old and new artists in the genre of

alternative; which is mostly listened to by this age group.

I made the price of my magazine of £2.10, so it’s affordable for those who

don’t have a well paid job, like students.

I chose this target audience because I’m able to relate to it because I’m

currently within this group. Therefore, it wasn’t too hard to aim for as I

knew the kind of music within this genre and range, and I was able to aim

the contents on a personal influence.

5. How do you attract/address

your audience?

I have tried to link my magazine to my target audience through many

different features;

-My images included are of my main artist, ‘Elle’, reaches my audience

because it relates to the female readers as it shows her as a fun, young

artists and can be seen as an inspiration to the younger female readers.

The gig images included relate to my target audience as they show

alternative artists like Florence and the Machine and Jake Bugg.

-The Features included attract my target audience because they look at

current, alternative artists and the news about them. Through my research

I found that my audience wanted to find out news and gossip about the

artists; so therefore I’ve included this.

In the process of creating my magazine pages I used Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe Illustrator

CS3 and Adobe InDesign CS3.

Adobe Photoshop CS3: showed me how to manipulate images by using air brush to get rid of

blemishes, change the colour of the models lips or hair and intensify them. You could also

create a drop shadow behind the image to help intensify the effect and crop around the image to

get rid of the original background; all of these effects helped to make the image look more

professional.

Adobe Illustrator CS3: This helped me edit my text, especially the cover lines or my

masthead. I was able to create a border around the text, to make it bold, or insert a type of font

to stand out amongst the rest of the text and change the colour of certain bits.

Adobe InDesign CS3: This helped me create my DPS as it allowed me to insert columns and

set out the text of the article in a neat ordered column. On the second page I was able to place

an image, that was edited in photoshop, and arrange it to sit next to the article. I was able to

insert a masthead for the page of ‘Elle Goes Solo’ over the two pages, to make them seem

connected.

Also, through the planning and construction of my coursework I learnt how to use websites like

Prezi, Slideshare and Wordpress; which I can then use in other subjects when I need to present

to the class.

6. What have you learnt about techniques from the process

of constructing this product?

When I first constructed my preliminary task I had no knowledge on how

to use Photoshop or any of the other applications. Therefore, I had no way

to edit the images to make them look professional or able to make simple

changes to the image by intensifying the colours shown within them. So I

kept the images the same with the background, as I didn’t know how to

crop around them. I also had no way of making the text effective or use

any of the effects like a drop shadow, so I just used the simple edits given

by changing the font style and size.

Furthermore, on the preliminary task I had to use a block background of a

bright colour as I hadn’t learnt how to create a faded gradient background

that changes from one colour to another.

7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel

you’ve learnt in the progression from it to the full product?