evaluation question seven

EVALUATION QUESTION 7

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

Through the journey of creating my preliminary task, to creating my music magazine I feel I have learnt an awful lot. By creating the preliminary task, I was given the opportunity to try out photo shop and its tools it has to offer, in order to get a bit of experience using the tools. Similarly, from creating my preliminary task I learnt the importance of the target audience, and to show that throughout the magazine, making it clear who the target audience is.

When creating my preliminary task, there was not much planning and preparation prepared for it. Which meant that I had to make up ideas, and design the magazines on the spot, which cost me a lot of time. Therefore when creating my main task, I was sure to plan beforehand, so that I already had images, and a colour scheme idea, which saved me a lot of time. Similarly, when creating the preliminary task, I spent too much time on it, when it should not have taken that much of my time. Therefore when creating the main task, I was sure to manage my time more carefully so that I was able to complete all the tasks I needed to within the time space available.

When creating the main task, i was sure to refer back to my preliminary task, and to to learn from my mistakes from that task, to be sure not to make these mistakes again.

I chose very different use of colours for the two different tasks, as for the preliminary task, i chose to stay with primary colours, which were simple, and could be related to the school magazine. However, for the main task, i chose to include brighter, more out standing colours, which attract the target audience. The layout of both of these task are very different. For the preliminary task, the cover lines are very basic, and not spread out very well, where as on the main task, i was sure to make sure the cover lines were spread across the front page, and were made up to to colours, in order to make the front cover seem more logistic.

The use of images on the front covers of the two tasks are allow very different. In the preliminary task I chose to use an image of a student, with his gaze on the desk, whilst doing his school work, as this was suitable for a school magazine. However, from my research i realised that most music magazines, had an image, in which the models had a centred gaze looking towards the audience. Therefore this change had to be made for the main task.

Similarly, the target audience for these two tasks were very different, which caused the magazines to look and come across very different. As the target audience was a school for the preliminary task, the magazine was a lot more simplistic,with clear fonts, which and simplistic language which was easy to understand for all year groups. Where as the music magazine, had an older target audience, with a different attitude to the magazine, which needed to come across in my fonts, and images.

evaluation question six

EVALUATION QUESTION 6

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

I am now going to look at what I have learnt during the process of creating this product.

When i began this task back in November, i had very little knowledge of creating a magazine, and what made a good photo or magazine. However, throughout this task i learnt how to use new software, whilst also learning "what made a good magazine".

When i was first asked to take some photos for my media, i did not know what to expect from my results. I knew what i wanted them to look like, however i had no idea how they would turn out. To begin with i used an average digital camera, similar to the one on the right. However, i soon realised that if i wanted to take good quality photos, i would have to use a camera with greater pixels, and a larger lens. As the photos produced using this camera, were not of my best ability.



With this in mind, i then used the Canon SLR camera instead, which gave me much better quality images, whilst also allowing for me to change the settings and quality of my images. However, at first i found it very difficult to use, as it had many different settings, and options, although after playing around with it for a while and trying out different settings, i soon got used to it.

I also had a similar difficulty with the software which i was using, as i was personally used to using windows 7 on a Dell laptop, which i have at home, where as when creating the music magazine, i needed to use a Mac similar to the one shown below. However after learning how to use the keyboard, mouse, and where everything was on the Mac such as Internet, i was soon able to use the Mac.







Similarly the use of software, was also difficult to learn how to use at first however, after using a photo shop tutorial on photo shop, i soon became familiar with the tools and the effects which are available. I had never used these tools or software before, however once i had learnt how to use them i found them extremely useful.

-In photo shop i learnt how to use the magic tool, which allowed for me to cut out and around my images, in order to exclude parts of my photographs. At first this tool was difficult to use, however, once i had learnt how to maintain a steady hand,i soon found it easy to use. I soon began to use this tool for all my images, as it allowed for me to edit the image to how I wanted it to look. I chose to use this tool, as it is commonly used in the magazine industry, to cut out an unwanted background or part of an image.

-I also used the patch tool, which allowed for me to abolish the spots, blemishes, and freckles which occurred on the face of the model, and appeared in the photograph. This allowed for me to make the magazine seem much more logistic as this tool is commonly used my magazine editors, in order to make their models look their best for the magazine. I found this tool a great way of perfecting my work, and making it look as logistic as possible.

-Similarly, the use of the brightness and contrast tool, was extremely useful in making my photographs look their best, and look professional. I used this tool throughout the creation of the music magazine, as it was a great help in maintaining a professional look on the magazine.

When creating the double page spread i chose to use In Design as it allowed for me to place an image, and the text would automatically wrap around it, saving me a lot of time. In order to do this i used the text wrap tool. Using this tool saved me a lot of time, and was quick and easy to do. Once the text had been entered all i needed to do was select the image and select text wrap, and the the text would automatically wrap itself around the image. This made the double page spread look very logistic.

I chose to use this software, as it is commonly used by professional magazine editors and publishers. Instantly, i found this software easy to use, as it is very similar to photo shop.

FireFox, was used throughout, to gather information about other music magazines, as well as research. However most importantly, i used FireFox to use Blogger and document by progress throughout creating this magazine.

Finally, i used the grab tool, in order to document my progress on blogger. This tool allowed for me to grab certain parts of my work, instead of the whole thing within seconds. It was quick and easy to do, and very helpful.

evaluation question five

EVALUATION QUESTION 5
How did you attract/address your audience?

In the previous evaluation question i described, in detail, my target audience, and am now going to discuss how i attracted and addressed the audience. In order to find out about the target audience i had looked at UK Tribes website. To fulfill the task of addressing the target audience, i used ideas from both my target audience and UK Tribes to attract customers of the target audience, and others of a similar target audience, however, i mainly focused on the target audience and their ideas for this magazine.

I used certain images, which would attract the target audience, and would relate to the music genre of the music magazine. As you can see from the above images, the model was dressed to attract my target audience which i had discovered using UK tribes which was the Townies. By looking at the UK tribes website, I was able to discover, what the Townies are like, and how they like to act and dress. This then helped me to make my magazine seem attractive and appealing to this group. As you can see from the above images, the model is dressed in as if she was "on a night out" looking dressed up, with a full set of makeup, and hair done nicely, as if she was going out on a Friday night. I made my model look like this, in order to represent the pop genre, and how most artists in this genre dress. In all four images, the model comes across as confident, as she gazes straight into the centre of the camera.

As you can see from this image which is the chosen image for the front cover, Ruby Sullivan is a young, pop solo artist, who has recently come to fame, and recently released a new album. Personally, my friends are the type of people who would be interested in an artist like Ruby, as they enjoy listening to music similar to the music which "Ruby creates". The way which Ruby is dressed, and her confident posture, resembles the pop genre perfectly, and attracts the target audience, as many will see themselves when looking at Ruby.

Similarly, another aspect of my music magazine, which may attract my audience, is the use of topics which appear on the contents of the music magazine. The topics are all relevant to the pop genre. For example, all the artists featured in this magazine are all of the pop genre, such as Lady Gaga, J-lo and Beyonce. By including these artists in the magazine, it will help to attract the target audience, as the artists they enjoy listening to, and hearing about are featured in the magazine.

Similarly, the use of font and colour scheme throughout the magazine may also attract the pop genre target audience. Stereotypically, the audience of the pop genre, generally like the use of bright colours such as pink. Which is why i have included this colour throughout the magazine, and as the house style. The use of pink was including throughout the magazine as a house style, as it represents a girly pop magazine which i am creating.

When creating the double page spread I was sure to make it, appealing to my target audience, as this would be the main reason they would purchase the magazine, to read the article. I was sure to include an image of a "pop star" and to keep the article relevant to the pop genre, throughout.

Similarly the mode of address and use of language throughout the article, on the double page spread, were direct to the reader. As i was writing to a Townie audience, i did not use "slang" or swear words as these did not seem appropriate for my audience, from what i had researched on UK Tribes. Instead, I used a mush more polite, however informal language, which was relaxed and more like a casual conversation.

evaluation question four

EVALUATION QUESTION 4
Who would be the audience for your media product?

In order to discover the target audience for this media product, i chose to do some research into youth research. To do this, i researched some information on UK Tribes. Whilst on the website, I found a variety of different youth groups, however, it took me a while before i found the youth group which related to my music magazine. The closest audience for my pop genre which I found was, The Townies. The Townies are known for sticking to mainstream, such as pop genre, and not breaking away from the status Quo. This tribe is also describes as being the core of the British population. This tribe are often very interested in Celebrities, and soaps, however the key cultural driver is socialising.

This is a friend of mine Kayleigh. She listens to music of the pop genre, such as sugerbabes, Leona Lewis, and Britney Spears. She also told me she enjoys watching and listening to Smash hits, on the music channels.

Similar to this photo, kayleigh likes to dress for parties and nights out, with extensions, and make up to dress herself up. I asked kayleigh what she thought of my music magazine, she informed me that:

"I'd proberbly buy this magazine, as it includes all of the music artists which i listen to, it also looks really appealing, and attractive"

I also believe Kayleigh is the perfect example of my target audience, because of her age. My music magazine is aimed at young people between the age of 16 and 25. With all of this in mind, i think that kayleigh is a perfect example of my target audience.

I believe that Q magazine and smash hits, share a similar audience to my music magazine, as both of these magazines are aimed towards mass audience, rather than a neish market. Similarly, these music magazines use a similar genre of pop within their magazines, which their audience enjoy. Therefore when creating the music magazine had to include artists of the pop genre, which the audience would enjoy.

Example of pop music which my target audience enjoy listening to.

evaluation question three

EVALUATION QUESTION 3
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

As my music magazine is of a pop genre, i believe that the most likely media institution which will distribute this media product is to be
BAUER media group. I have chosen BAUER media group, as it distributes such magazines as:

BAUER media group is the publisher of such magazines as Q, Mojo, and Kerrang.













Similarly, if i wish for my magazine to be successful i want it to be distributed by a company who have a good track record, and a good circulation which BAUER media do, as shown below:

Throughout the creation of my music magazine i have referred to these magazines, in order to make my magazine legitimate throughout. When looking at the three similar, magazines, i would say that my magazine is most like Q magazine because of its use pop genre, and use of pop artists, and similar target audience to my music magazine.

evalutation-question two

EVALUATION QUESTION 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I believe that my media product is targeted at the Townie social group, which i discovered using UK tribes. The Townie group enjoy listening to music of the pop genre, whilst taking a Strong interest in celebrities, and fashion. I personally also enjoy this type of music genre, and therefore i can relate this to myself and friends who also enjoy the pop music.

As you can see from the front cover of the magazine, the model looks and dresses similar to one of those of a real pop music artist. Similarly, the use of colours are similar to those of a pop artist. The image relates well to the target audience, with the use of pink throughout and the "girly" look which the model possesses. Similarly, the use of the cover lines topics, also resembles the pop genre, as all of the artist featured in the magazine are of the pop genre. This will attract the social group, as this is the type of music and artist which they know and enjoy listening to. Similarly, the use of bright vibrant colours within the magazine also create a pop genre to the magazine.

My magazine is very similar to the Smash hits magazine.

Similar, to my product the Smash hits magazine uses images with the same posture, with a centre frame, and gaze into the centre of the camera, attracting the potential customers.Both models seem to me looking nice, and attractive, with their hair down. Similarly, the use of bold colours used on the magazine are very similar, which are used to attract the audience, whilst representing the pop genre. Both magazines also contain the barcode, which although this is very little, this is very important in making the magazine seem logistic, which is why I included it in my product also.

However, the layout of the cover lines on the magazine are very different. On my product, the cover lines surround the image, in the two different colours, where as on the Smash hits magazine the cover lines are more scattered around the front cover.

I chose to look at Smash hits magazine, for guidance, and for research of the pop genre, as I liked the use of bold colours, and believed this magazine attracts its audience well, with the use of image and colour scheme. However, I also looked at other magazines, for guidance on what my music magazine should look like in order to attract my paparticular social group, this

included:

From my research of Vibe magazine, I adapted the idea of included a bold, bright colours, capitalised title, positioned at the top of the front cover, in order to capture my target audiences attention, and make them want to look at the magazine and potentially purchase it. Similarly the layout of cover lines was gained from looking at VIBE, as the font was clear, yet bold, attracting the customers attention, and informing them clearly of what was inside, and what artists were mentioned making them want to purchase the magazine. Similarly, by looking at the allure magazine, i chose how to position my model and photo. This magazine, has the model in centre frame, so that she is noticed, and recognised by the audience and potential customers.

Similarly, when taking the photographs of my model, I needed for her to look like a real pop artist, in order for the magazine to seem logistic, so that the target audience would want to purchase the magazine. To do this I looked at other artists and their poses, and appearance, in order to make mine as similar as possible. To do this I looked at the following artists:

The above photographs are of pop artists. From looking at these images of Britney Spears and Avril Lavine, I wanted my model to have a similar appearance. With this in mind, i chose to have the models hair with a quiff similar to Avril Lavines, whilst have a similar posture and gaze of the image of Britney Spears. I adapted these ideas from these artists, as they are well known artists, by the social group which I was targeting.

evaluation question one

EVALUATION QUESTION 1
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

the title of the magazine

I chose the name of the music magazine to be "KUBE" after researching which name the target audience of this magazine would most prefer. I chose the font of "Edit Undo Line BRK", after asking 30 people who buy and enjoy the pop music, and them voting mostly for this choice of font. The title of the music magazine is of a florescent pink which stands out well from the pale grey background, and resembles the "Pop" genre well, because of its brightness and boldness. Similarly, the title will immediately be recognized by its target audience, because of its bright colours, it is instantly resembled with the genre of pop.

An example of this use of bold, bright coloured titles being used in other Pop magazines, would be in the Smash hits magazine.

Here is an example, of Smash Hits music magazine, using the bright out standing colours, resembling the pop genre. This is why i chose to use these bright attractive colours for the music magazine, as other Pop genre music magazines have also used these conventions.

mise-en-scène of the images of the magazine

The image used for the front cover of the music magazine,was chosen by he target audience. This image attracts the customers, of the target audience, as she is dressed in the appropriate clothing, exemplified by other music magazines of the same genre. Her direction of gaze, is towards the camera, almost as if it is addressing the audience, and potential customers.

I also gained the idea of the image, from the image of Avril Lavine shown on the right. In this image, she looks as if she is going for a night out similar to my model which is why i chose to include this style on my model. Similarly, as Avril is a well known pop artist, i thought this would be a great choice of appearance for the magazine.

The colour scheme included in the image, maintains the extracts of pink, which are used in the font, and title of the front page. The model, has the same colour lipstick as the rest of the magazine, creating a colour scheme which is complimentary to the rest of the magazine.

Smash hits, uses a similar image for the front page. This front cover uses an image of Britney Spears, dressed as if she was ready to go out, similar to the model for my music magazine. Similarly, her gaze is central , so that it is one of the first things that the potential customer will notice.




This image was used for the contents of the music magazine. A prop of a CD was included in this image, as the model holds it in her right hand and gazes her eyes upon it, in order to focus the readers attention on the CD, revealing a little of what the interview with Ruby Sullivan is about. In this image, the model is wearing a different outfit, however, it still implies she is dressed up and dressed to go to a party or a night out. This image represents the genre of pop with the costume, hair and props. The dress, looks very feminine, which represents the pop genre as 77% of the pop genre magazines are bought my girls.

These images are both i=very similar. The one of the left is included on the double page spread. Both photos have a centre gaze from the model, attracting the attention of the reader. In the photo on the left, the model is typically dressed for a party or a night out in her high heels and dress, as she is in the photo on the right. The costume in both of these photos represent the genre of the music magazine. As if i were to have the model dressed in baggy jeans and a top, this would not match the typical image for a pop music magazine, which is based on the image of the pop artists, such as Britney Spears.

The title and font style

I chose the font of Edit Undo Link BRK, after asking 30 people who enjoy the pop music genre, which font believe it best suited to a pop music magazine. Most people thought that this was the best choice of font as it resembled the music magazine name, as the font looked a little like cubes. The choice of colour was also chosen by the target audience, and they chose this florescent pink, to represent the "girly" target audience.

Thee fonts used on the front page are of a very simplistic, and clear font, making it easy to read for the potential customer. I maintained the colour scheme of black and pink for the front cover, in order to have a contrast in colours, making the front cover seem more attractive.

The title, on the front cover to introduce who is featuring in the magazine, and to advertise the magazine to its potential customers. I knew it had to be in the centre frame of the front cover, and in a bold, and outstanding font, so that it was instantly noticed by its potential customers, and could be used to attract them to buy the magazine. Similarly, i noticed that other pop magazines, use this strategy, therefore i was sure to include it in my music magazine front cover also.

On the left hand side is the contents used in my magazine, and on the right it one from the Mojo magazine. As you can see i have adapted the ideas, such as included descriptions, of the subjects in the contents for each one. This allows for the reader to skim read, what is in the magazine, without having to go through all the pages. Similarly the use of page numbers, included for every one, was adapted from the Mojo magazine. The use of font is also quite similar, within both contents. The size changes from the page number to the description, so that the page number stands out more clearer than the others. However, where my contents is sectioned into thirds the Mojo magazine is more three quarters worth on one side, and then a quarter on the other. Similarly, I chose to only include one image in my contents, instead of several, as I wanted the main focus to be on the article with Ruby Sullivan, which is why I included an image to attract the readers attention.