Evaluation of main task

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

Strapline and slogan

Masthead Cover line and corner grabber

Cover line – main feature Cover line

Barcode, price, and issue number

Main image

Masthead and logo Strapline

Strapline and slogan

Cover line - main feature

Main image

Barcode

Cover line

Colours, fit house-style and colour scheme

Before the construction of my own music magazine I analysed several existing music magazines, such as NME, Q and Kerrang, in order to determine which features and conventions I wished to include in my own magazine. I wanted to follow certain conventions as they would add to the realism and aid me in producing a professional looking final product. Here is a brief analysis of two magazine front covers I analysed.

My Front CoverMy masthead was chosen from a list of possible names by my target audience. The four syllable word is catchy and original.

My main image was decided upon with the help of my fellow students and I feel it creates a realistic appearance.

Using Photoshop I enhanced the image and placed my models head so that in covered part of the masthead, giving the professional look I found in other well-known magazines.

I felt it was important to ensure the cover line outlining the contents of my double page spread was the most prominent feature therefore I have used bold fonts, capital letters, underlining and a bright colour to draw attention to the main feature.

To add to the professional look of my magazine I kept a strict colour scheme. I feel this adds a feeling of unity within my cover and also allows important parts to stand out.

The barcode, date and price in the bottom right hand corner fits with the conventions of the magazines I analysed in my research.

A n additional cover line adds realism and the inclusion of a number adds another dimension and creates interest.

My Contents PageAgain, I wanted to ensure the main feature of my contents page was the feature in my double page spread so I chose to include the main image in the form of a background.

This also helped me to maintain a colour scheme and house style.

I used Photoshop to enhance my image and I tested my skills by placing a moon from a separate image in order to create interest and a feeling of authenticity.

The page number is a useful piece of information for the reader and exists in other contents pages I analysed

The title fits the colour scheme and is easy to read

I included my contents bar on the right-hand side of my page, in-keeping with the other contents pages I analysed.

Each page is numbered and the list in divided into sections which have a subtitle. This is a convention existing in real music magazines.

I have included several sub-images to add realism and each of these have a page reference number for the reader’s benefit.

I have included the page number and logo in the bottom right-hand corner

My Double Page Spread

The title is alluring due to the ellipsis and the reference to the band getting an award.

The use of drop caps adds authenticity and exists in articles of other music magazines.

I have intentionally included quite a long article as I feel the purpose of the double page spread is to provide the reader with as much information as possible.

I have addressed my reader directly in a somewhat colloquial yet informative manner, ensuring my choice of words keep the reader entertained. I have found similar modes of address in many of the double paged spreads that I have looked at.

I have included a sub-image to attract the reader’s attention as they are flicking through the magazine. This is accompanied by a caption.

I have constructed an album cover for my band and included this to add authenticity.

I have included a conclusion to my article in text box form, a feature I found appealing in other magazines

I have included a by-line to add realism

The logo in the to left-hand corner adds realism

I have managed to maintain my house style and colour scheme.

The use of a pull quote is conventional and appeals to the reader.

I have managed to create my music magazine with the help of existing media products as they have aided my in understanding which conventions are necessary to include. However, I have also on occasion challenged these conventions. In my front cover I decided to include only one main image so as to ensure the reader wasn’t distracted by sub-images. My cover page is also much less crowded with cover lines than the cover pages I analysed. I felt the main image was striking and didn’t want it to be obstructed by text.

In my contents page, I have included my main image in the form of a background, continuing the theme of the importance of the contents of my double page spread. Also, I reduced the opacity of the contents column so that my main image could still be seen behind it. This is an unconventional feature yet I believe it adds to the effect of my magazine.

My double page spread mostly fits with the conventions of those I analysed yet if I had the opportunity to do it in A3 format, rather than A4 I would have included a large image to the left side of my article, fitting with the conventions of the double page spreads in other magazines. However, I thought the text was a more important aspect as the front cover and contents page are filled with images.

Challenging Conventions

How does your media product

represent particular social groups?

My aim was to represent my target audience through the images, text and conventions I included in my music magazine. As indicated by the results of my questionnaires, the most popular music genres were indie and rock, therefore I aimed to represent this genre throughout my construction and decision making. The age group of my target audience are 16-25 and I aimed to appeal to this age group through my mode of address and the style in which I constructed my magazine.

My photoshoot was successful regarding representation as I dressed my model in clothing conventionally worn by an indie or rock artist. This comprises of a dull t-shirt, leather jacket, worn jeans and converse style shoes. I chose a model with long dark hair as this emphasises the indie rock feel. The facial expression is somewhat disinterested and the stance of the model is laid-back. I decided this would appeal the reader, giving a youthful, urban feel.

By mentioning certain bands in my contents page I was able to target readers who enjoy their music.

The colour scheme of my magazine is mainly greys and blues with the occasional bright colour to signify that something is important. I feel the color scheme reflects the indie rock theme I wished to create.

The layout is straightforward and uncomplicated which suits the younger age group. The layout of the contents page adds to the accessibility of the magazine. The fonts used are easily read and have a youthful feel.

The NRS social grading standards shows that this magazine and indeed other established magazines would fall under the grades of C1, C2 and D. These various social grade boundaries reflect the lower middle/working class status of people in society- be it those of white collar office workers, apprentices or students, this magazine will appeal to a youthful audience that share an interest in the indie rock persuasion.

I have not included any images of or references to people with disabilities as it is not relevant to the type of magazine I have created. However, I have also not excluded any social groups and so anyone is free to purchase the magazine.

Social Grading of my magazine

What kind of media institution

might distribute your media product and why?

IPC Media (International Publishing Company) is one of the top

magazine selling companies in the UK, selling up to 350 million

copies of magazines per year. As well as supporting The Daily

Mirror, IPC also support one of the highest selling indie music

magazines in the country, NME which sells 40 948 copies

each week.

Whereas Kerrang And Q Magazine are published by BAUER

MEDIA- originally a German company which functions in 15 countries worldwide whilst also holding shares in aspects of radio and television divisions, selling just less than 38 million copies each week throughout the UK.

Because Kerrang and Q magazines are both highly successful music magazines I feel my media product best fits in with Bauer Media publishing company. The high sales figures show they can produce magazine which cater to a niche market while gaining sales expected of a mainstream product. I feel my magazine could benefit from the shares Bauer Media holds in radio and television companies as this provides possible advertising outlets for my magazine.

However, some of the texts published by Bauer media cater for an older age group and the company may not have the experience I would require for my magazine which targets those in their late teens and early twenties.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Throughout the construction of my media product I have been catering for individuals roughly between the ages of 16 and 25, both male and female. This age group will be predominantly students will spend a large amount of their disposable income on luxury items such as magazines. According to the results of my questionnaire, this age group listen to mostly indie rock music which is why I chose to cater for this music taste.

With regards to gender, the colour scheme and choice of images on the front cover and contents page suggest that the magazine is more male oriented and so it seems fairly unbalanced. However, the colour scheme in my double page spread was slightly more feminine and the inclusion of a female band member ensure females were not excluded.

Also, by using too many ‘feminine colours’ in the construction of my magazine I was more likely excluding males and they are more likely to be put off than women are by darker colours.

How did you attract/address your audience?

Attracting My Audience

I felt the overall appearance of my magazine was crucial. I kept a strict colour scheme in order to maintain unity within my cover page, contents page and double page spread. I ensured the images I took were well planned, well lit and edited and enhanced to the highest standard possible. The layout of each page is symmetrical and I made sure nothing look out of place, making my magazine aesthetically pleasing and professional looking. I was aware images were very important in attracting the reader and so I included several of my own personal pictures from festivals and concerts I have attended to add interest and variation.

In order to highlight certain words and phrases I have used brightly coloured, embolden and underlined fonts. This directs the readers eye to the important aspect of the page and gives them information at a glance.

My choice of words on my cover page, contents page and double page spread have an alluring quality, exiting the reader and urging him or her to read on.

The model used in my photoshoot was dressed in clothes which would be worn by an indie rock artist which is guaranteed to attract my target audience. The may look up to him and wish to dress the same. However, I have not used clothes which are too expensive or unattainable, therefore maintaining accessibility.

Addressing My Audience

On the front cover I have included cover lines which are directed at the reader and are short and punchy, giving information at a glance. The purpose text on the contents page is also to give information and to continue to entice the reader. The use of sub-headings is an effective way of directing the reader to a certain area of the magazine.

In my double page spread I felt the most suitable mode of address would be direct, conversational and informative. I felt it was necessary to maintain a colloquial tone, keeping in mind the age group I am focusing on. Keeping my reader interested throughout the long article was difficult but I think I have managed to do so through varying my language and including numerous quotations from the artist being interviewed. I had to change my tone slightly when switching between writing direct speech and actual text as direct speech is more colloquial. I kept the article interesting by using techniques learned in English class, such as alliteration, original adjectives and suitable punctuation.

I think I found the balance between keeping my reader interested and putting across the necessary information in my article.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of

constructing this product?

In order to create my media product I had to learn how to use new technologies, many of which I had never before the opportunity of using.

By watching tutorials on YouTube I was able to get a basic knowledge of how to use Photoshop but it was through extensive experimentation that I have managed to produce my final outcome. I was tempted to give up on several occasions throughout the construction of my product but stuck at it when I realised my classmates were having similar difficulties.

PB Works, the blogsite which I posted my work to as a continuous working blog which helped me to maintain my work and organise it. However this proved to be the most frustrating of the technologies to use due to the limitations of school website restrictions (meaning I couldn’t access YouTube) and the extremely slow upload rate of the site. The website is aesthetically displeasing and I spent tedious hours trying to improve the look of my site, but to no avail.

I used several different applications which aided me in the creation and completion of my work such as:

Microsoft Publisher which allowed me to create my flat plans which helped me to finalise design decisions for the overall appearance of my final product for each aspect of my pieces of work

Microsoft Powerpoint allowed me to complete my evaluation

Microsoft Excel allowed me to enter my results from my questionnaires and create various graphs and charts which displays my work in a visual manner

Technological Equipment such as a new digital camera, Memory card reader, lighting for photoshoot, i-Movie, internet websites including YouTube, Apple.com, PB Works and www.vimeo.com, 1001fonts.com , An interactive whiteboard

Using Different Technologies

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

This is my preliminary task – the front cover of a school magazine. It looks less professional and it is evident that I have learned a lot through the progression from this to my final outcome. For example, the colour scheme is not maintained throughout and the model’s head should be covering part of the masthead but I was unable to do so due to my lack of experience with Photoshop.

This is the contents page of my preliminary task. It is also quite unprofessional looking and it demonstrates my lack of talent at using Photoshop at the time of the preliminary task. Although the colour scheme is less confused, the page does not look very busy which makes it seem disinteresting to the reader. I hope that in my main task I have demonstrated more sophisticated levels of editing and design decision making.

I am now reasonably confidence at using Photoshop and am able to edit and enhance images using the following tools:

•Zoom•Crop•Blur•Spot healing brush tool•Marquee tool•Magnetic lasso tool•Eye dropper tool•Paint bucket tool•Sharpening tool and many more

There were many times I needed help with my project so communication was a vital aspect of my work. I emailed my class members if there was a problem, left comments on their PB Works sites, asked questions in class or spoke to the girls over Facebook and MSN.

Communication with my target audience was also vital and I did this through questionnaires, verbal communication and asking them to comment on the progression of my work.

My media knowledge has improved as I learned how to analyse a magazine. I have a broader knowledge of the conventions necessary to make my design decisions and I have questioned these conventions in order to produce a personal final product. I have extended my knowledge by researching various media publishers such as IPC Media and I have increased knowledge on several popular music magazines which has benefited my main task significantly.

In conclusion, I have learned that the process of creating a

magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread require a substantial amount of research, time, analysis and plain hard work. My capabilities as a media student have increased dramatically and I have been provided with experience in editing, planning, research, construction of the magazine and the overall evaluation with the help of my classmates, teacher and friend, and brother, who very kindly took part in my photoshoot.

The Final

Product

Front CoverFront CoverFront Cover

Double Page Spread

Contents Page