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?

I believe I have made a significant progress from my preliminary task.  For my preliminary task, I have had a little knowledge of photoshop and have no used it a lot. As you can see I have used pictures from the internet as I have not known how to photoshop my own pictures so I have used a ready one. I have also used two main pictures which does not look professional as I have never looked into what magazines are meant to look like hence why I have used a background of a school instead of a plain one which would of make the main image more of a focus. On my preliminary task, I have also not focused where to place my text which makes the front cover look really unprofessional.  I have also not focused well on the text colours as some of them look hard to read and do not fit in with the non existent colour scheme. I have not blended in my barcode which makes the front cover look really un-neat.

In comparison to my preliminary task, my final piece looks much better and shows the progress that I have made clearly.  I have learned to use photoshop since doing my preliminary task which I have used to construct my front cover. I have edited my image to get rid of the background and to get a plain white one then I have added text onto the front cover which i have contoured for a batter effect. I have also used a colour scheme throughout my magazine to make it look more professional compared to my preliminary task. I have used the burgundy colour as it matches with the models top which brings a nice effect onto the front cover instead of introducing a new colour.  I have made the front cover easy to understand and read which is the opposite of my preliminary task front cover. While producing my main front cover, I put a lot more thought into it as I wanted it to attract my audience and look similar to already existed magazines that I have looked at and analysed during my research task.  I have not used a barcode on my final front cover as the magazines I have previously analysed did not have it on their front pages. Therefore I thought that my magazine has looked better without out as I have tried it with one and I believe it did not look professional enough. Instead I have placed the issue date in the spot where the barcode was meant to go as it is a feature all the magazine consist of.  I have also placed all my text on one side of the magazine to make it look better and more sophisticated. I have added a feature which I have not used previously which is the sticker to win festival tickets. I used this to attract the audience into buying my magazine as they would be interested in the competition.

Evaluation: Part 6

Evaluation: Part 5

How did you attract/address your audience? by Natalia Popiel

Evaluation: Part 4

Evaluation: Part 3

Evaluation: Part 2

Evaluation: Part 1

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

When developing my final magazine product, I have aimed to include many different conventions and forms of real magazines that would appeal to a specific target audience that I have chosen. My plan was to produce a magazine that is similar to many real magazines but has a challenging different to make it stand out from other magazines.  Firstly, I have had a look at other magazine covers to inspire me with what I want to do for my front cover and then after looking at different front covers I liked the look of The "NME" magazine.  Below are two front covers that inspired me to do a similar layout as it is simple. However I did not like the angle the picture therefore I would of used a different one.

This front cover primarily inspired me for my magazine as "NME" is a popular magazine that sponsors a stage at Reading festival which is a popular festival in the UK, therefore it is well known and many of my target audience would of read or heard of it before. As a result of this I have chosen this magazine as my inspiration. The images used on the front covers are not following the conventions of the magazine using a mid- close up shot , which makes the front covers unique and more interesting. Therefore the focus of the magazine is more on the picture as it is just a close up witch stands out more on the page. 

When choosing the image I will use for my front cover, I have decided to use a more conventional image using a mid shot to show simplicity and match it along other different magazines. i have chosen to use a portrait picture of my model as it would fit better on the page and also appear bigger and leave less empty space in the background. I have chosen a more natural picture of my model which is still taken professionally but it also appeals to my target audience. I have chosen my title to be a burgundy colour as it matches with the models top which make the front cover look sophisticated and thought through. Moreover, NME uses a little text which I was aiming for in my magazine. I have likes the idea of most of the text being on the left hand size of the magazine which I embedded onto my magazine and also the different colours of the texts,  which would stand out over my background. I have used the colours white, black and burgundy as I wanted to stick with basic colours and match it with the image. 

 I have interpreted the statement "EXCLUSIVE"  to show the readers that my magazine offers content that they won't find anywhere else to attract them to get the magazine.  I have also decided to add another exclusive content where one of my readers would be able to win something which is something different to other magazines and that is where I have added value to my magazine. 

When developing my contents page. I decided after looking at different types of contents pages I wanted to make my unique and different that the ones I have looked at. Firstly, I have looked at a contents page from 'Billboard' which caught my eye the most from the other content pages. I liked some aspects from it that I have used in my own contents page.  I have looked at different sections of the page and picked out the ones I particularly liked. 

I have chosen to use the same colours on my contents page as I have used on my front cover in order to show continually along the whole magazine. Another reason why I wanted to keep the colours similar to keep a similar colour scheme  and make sure it is balanced and that the colours do not clash together. Most magazines normally continue their colour scheme throughout the magazine, therefore I was going to use this convention and do the same thing. I have also decided to use the same font throughout the whole magazine. I have used the font 'Impact' as it is bold and stands out on the page. The font was carried on throughout the whole contents page to show professionalism and to keep is simple for the people reading it. I have chosen to use one main image on my contents page like on Billboard's contents page. However I decided to have my other images at the bottom of my page rather that at the top as I believed it looks better and more formatted that just below the title. These images helped me to advertise other artists and the other main topics that I would of had in my magazine.

When creating my double page spread, I chose to follow the conventions of a music magazine regarding the layouts closely. I choose to use one main image on the left hand side of the page to advertise the artist using one page of the double page spread. Similarly in 'NME', they have chosen to use one main image for their double page spread which allows the readers to concentrate on the one image to know who the double page spread is about. 

I have chosen to separate the two pages as it is easier to see the difference in the two pages.  The model I have chosen to use for the double page spread looks like a normal young adult which would appeal to my target audience as it is who my audience is. The image is following traditional conventions of a magazine as the model is posing for the camera instead of being shown doing some different things like jumping. This effect shows that my magazine is professional and may also show how the artist has changed and grew up since he has gained himself a career.  This idea would link in with the text. For the title, I stuck to the original colour of the magazine title and the models t-shirt in order to keep the colours in the magazine the same throughout. When writing the interview on the page, I have used two different coloured texts in order to differentiate the questions from the answers. I believe this works efficiently as it is easier to read. This idea may subvert the conventions of a traditional magazine but I think that idea make the text look better presented. I have also added a main quote by a picture of my model to inform my readers what the interview is about. This follows some of the conventions of a traditional magazine as some magazines do it in different ways than what I have done. 

Final Double Page Spread

Final Contents Page

Final Front Cover

Double Page Spread Development

Step 1:

Using Pages, I have opened a black landscape document where I would make my double page spread.

Next I have added an image which I have previously edited in Photoshop and positioned it in the left hand size of the page as I planned on having my text on the right.

Step 2:

I have split the page in half to make it look like a double page spread and added black background to the right hand so it is easy to see the spread and also to make it more interesting. Afterwards I have added a main text to the top of the page which is the author stage name and stands out for the reader to see. Then, I have decided to use a quote a text that I will use in my interview as it is a conventional thing most magazines do. I have made the letter 'I' bitter in order to make it stand out more.

Step 3:

I have added a subheading to introduce the interview will be taking place instead of jumping straight into it. Then I have added the first letters of the people that will be speaking which would be me and Roboobeat and made space for the transcript from the interview to be pasted in or typed up. 

I have also changed the positioning of my quote as it looks better and changed the colour of some letters so they show up on the image.

Step 4:
Next I have wrote out the interview I have done and changed the colours of the text on it to break it up into two parts. In one colour are the questions and the other the answers so the reader can see it and understand it better.

Contents Page Development

Step 1: 

Using pages, I have opened a new document where I have added a text which is my page title at the top of the page. Next I have changed the colours of the text to make it stand out more and to make sure it matches my front cover as well. Afterwards I have added the images I will be using on my contents page and positioned them in the places I felt like would be appropriate. One of the images has been photo-shopped previously so I used that as my main picture as it blended in with the background.

Step 2:

After my images being in the right places, I have decided to add page number onto my contents page. I have put them on the left side as It will look professional when the text is added. I have also added page numbers onto the images so the reader can find the number that is related to the picture easier. However I had to change the colour of the numbers to white as they shown up better on the images rather than black.

Step 3:

Now that my number were in places, I decided to add the topics elating to each page number. I have included topic that were mentioned on my front cover and ones that I think would interest my target audience. I had to move the number seventeen so the readers can relate it easier to the main image rather that it being with the rest of the topics. I also changed the quote from the topic to make it stand out and for it to show up better on the image. 

Step 4:

Seeing that I had white space left underneath my pictures I decided to attract my target audience further by inviting them to follow us on social media that the magazine would have accounts on. This allowed be to get rid of the white space and add more information.

Front Cover Development

Step 1:

Using Photoshop, I have opened my main picture up then duplicated the layer in order to have more freedom when editing the picture.

Step 2:

Using the brush tool I have made the background white as it was my preferred colour and instead of cropping the image out and adding a background, it was easier and quicker to colour it. Afterwards I have used the free transform tool to make the image look bigger on the page and to move it to the right so I can have more space to put the text there in the future. Next I have added my magazine title to the top of my page using the text tool and make it bigger so it is easy seen on the page.

Step 3:

Because I thought my title looked plain and simple, I have added a drop shadow to it and contoured it to make it look more sharp and to make it stand out more. I have also made the text a burgundy colour so it matches the top which is used in the image. Next I have added the main title of the magazine as the bottom at the page by the image as it relates to the picture. I have chosen for it to be white so it can stand out in the image. Afterwards, I have added a subheading and used the word exclusive in bigger writing so it makes it stand out on the page so readers can see that the magazine is different than any others and won't find it anywhere else. Then underneath the exclusive content in black so it stands out on the background. I have also chosen to contour the text as I believe it looked better. 

Step 4:

  Later, I have added more headings to my front cover to make it more realistic and more interested for anyone wanting to read the magazine further. Also I have added a competition where readers can win tickets to one of UK's biggest festivals. I chose Boom town Festival as I know my readers would be interested in it. I have also added the date of issue in the right bottom corner of the magazine. I have refused to add a bar code as the magazines I have analysed did not have any.

Planning Task 9: Mock Up - Double Page Spread

Design 1:

This design may be good for my final double page spread as it looks like a conventional magazine. I have used the photo of my model on the left to show my readers who the artist I will be interviewing is and also used a big title at the top of the page of his name to bring the readers attention to the page. The two different colour backgrounds also show where the pages will be folded and differentiate the two pages from each other. However I think the font I have used is hard to read which may discourage the readers from wanting to read the magazine. Also the yellow colour and grey text don't blend in well together which may be a problem. 

Design 2:
This double page spread may be good for my final piece as the title stands out really well which allows the audience to see it easier and know who the interview is with. I also really like the colour of the the text used in the interview as it stands out and  is easy to read and see the difference between the interviewer and the artist. However these colours do not match with the colour scheme I have been using throughout my magazine which may make it look unprofessional and un neat. Also the font used it hard to read which is too bold.

Design 3:

This design may be good for my final design as the colour scheme is simple if you do not include the headings that I have wanted to stand out. Therefore it would be easy for my audience to read.  The colours of the interview text blend it nicely together which makes the double page spread look more professional. On the other hand some of the colours used do not match the colour scheme that I have used throughout my magazine and the quote is hard to read. 

Planning Task 9: Mock Up - Content Pages

Design 1:

This design may be good for my magazine as it is easy to read and find the topics that I would include. The contents page also is colourful compared to the mock ups of the front covers I have used. The title of the contents is a similar to the one I have used on my front cover which would demonstrate the same use of colours throughout the magazine and make it look professional. I have included logos of the 4 main social media pages as my magazine would have accounts on each in order to promote the magazine to its target audience which are teenagers and youth adults. This would be effective as people that age use these social medias on a day to day basis. On the right hand size I have used a picture of an artist who will have a topic in the magazine in order to interest the audience to read the article. On the picture I have included a page number of which the article about her would be. This will allow the readers to find it quicker and convince them to read it. On the other hand, the same font isn't used throughout which would be a problem and make the whole contents page looks unprofessional. The effect from this would cause a confusion from the readers. Also the number on the main image on the page looks like its there for no reason and makes it look incompetent. This contents page would suit my genre as it is easy to read and also has an image that would match it as grime as it is considered that it started off in the blocks and neighborhoods and that is where the  photo shoot for the main picture on the contents page took place. Also the colour of the title could be considered to be the colour of the blood as many artists come from places where there is a lot of crime. 

Design 2:

This design of my contents page could be considered good as it is incredibly easy to read as the font and the placement of the text is simple. The page also uses two different colours of text which makes it easy to understand. The magazine title is included in the page with the original colour that was used on the front page so it shows continuity throughout the magazine. The contents page also is laid out simply so people can read the topics easier with me being able to use a bigger font so its easier to read for people with eyesight problems. I have used two different pictures at the bottom at the page to advertise the artists that I would be talking about in my magazine and would feature on their own double page spreads. Nonetheless, I could make improvements to this contents page if I was willing to use it. Firstly I would add topics to the pictures that are used so people can find the article about the given artists easier instead of guessing or searching for the following article. Also I could make the text smaller then add some extra pictures to make it look more interesting. This contents page would appeal to my target genre as it contains the pictures of the grime artists and also would contain specific topics to get an inside to grime. 

Design 3:

The following design could be good as my final piece as I like how its laid out as it is different compared to other magazines. Because of this my target audience might be interested to look at it and read it, I have put the title of the magazine in the top left hand corner so if anyone comes across the contests page, they will know what magazine it comes from. I have also used the same colour for the title as i have used for the title on the front cover. For the 'contents' I have used the colour black to make it stand out on the white background and also for it to contract the burgundy colour of the title of the magazine. I have positioned the page number on the left hand size of the page and then planned to write the specific topics I will use in my magazine next to them. On the right hand size, I have used pictures of social media logos which I will advertise my magazine on. I have also included a snap code of the magazines channel so it connects in second to its snapchat which will be quicker for the readers to gain access to it. I have used two different pictures of artists on my page as it may interest readers more as they see two topics instead of one which will allow them to choose whatever one they want to read about. However, I would improve the magazine by editing out the background of the girl and making it white so I can blend it i n with the white background of the page. Also I would re-position the social media logos to make them look more in order and professional on the page.  This contents page would appeal to my genre as it is based to interest young people which are normally the listeners of grime therefore whatever appeals to them would appeal to my genre.  

Planning Task 9: Mock Ups - Front Cover

Design 1: 

  

The design is simple and easy to read therefore it may attract readers as they will be more focused on the picture rather than the text. The white background shows simplicity and is similar to other newspapers in the market as most magazines use a one colour background. I have used 3 main colours on my front cover which are white black and blue. I have used the blue for title to make it stand out and make it clear for anyone to see, Other than that I have used some artists names under the title which is unique and different to other magazines. The artists mentioned are the ones that would be included in my magazine and the ones that are popular right now in the grime industry. I have positioned my one and only picture in the middle of the page so it is clear. I have used a black and white filter for it to match the colours used on the front cover.  However this design might be considered as quite plain and boring as there is not much text on it and only 3 main colours therefore people may not be interested in it. This design would be appropriate for my genre as the headlines are grime related and the artists mentioned are also grime artists. 

Design 2:

This design may be good as it I used 2 main colours except the picture which makes it stand out on the page more.This allows to catch the readers eye and see what the main topic of the magazine is straight away. I have used the same font throughout the front cover to show professionalism and also not to confuse the readers. I have used white text as it looks good on the grey background and makes it stand out while sticking to plain colour on the front cover. I have centered my title in the top middle of the page as it is a usual place on a magazines cover which allows simplicity. I have also used a lot of subtitles on my front cover to allow the readers to know what the magazine could be about and allow them to be interested without having to open up the magazine to search for the different topics. However the text can be hard to read as the white colour text only really shows up on the grey background therefore the text would have to be moved around to make sure it is on placed on the main image. Also the main image would have to be photo shopped again as it does not look professional. Also there is too much background showing so I would have to add more text or make the image bigger to cover the grey space. This could be appropriate for my target genre as it looks rough and sketchy.

Design 3:

My last mock up design may be considered good as it has a lot of text on it which gives my target audience a lot of information on what would be included in my magazine and therefore they could be more interested in getting it. I have also used 2 main colour on my front cover in order to keep it simple and plain. With the main image, I have photo shopped it to crop out the background and then added a filter to make it black and white in order to make it match the rest of the front cover. As the image is black/grey scale, it allowed me to add white text on top of it to make it stand out from the image. I have used this text to be my main text on my front cover as it is the only one in a different colour therefore it stand out and is easy to read also. I have not used a bar code as the magazines I have previously analysed didn't have any and I decided it the cover would look better without it, I have placed the text all over the front cover so it fills up empty spaces of the white background so the magazine looks more filled up without there being too much text on it. The way I could improve this front cover is to edit the main image again as the face is not well edited and ruins the front cover and also I would of used a coloured picture in order for it to stand out and add some colour onto the magazine as it looks plain and boring and it does not easily catch the readers eyes. I would also make the image bigger to cover up the space in the background. This could be appropriate to my target genre as all the topics are grime related.

Planning Task 8: Fonts

Font 1:This font is Bold therefore it stands out on the page so the readers will be it easier. However is may be bad if used for smaller text. It is appropriate foe my genre as It is bold and easily seen like the new artists in the grime industry.

Font 2: 

This font is quite funky which would fit in my music genre and also may interest my readers. However the font is not professional therefore it may not fit well on my magazine. 

Font 3: This font is professional and simple to read. However it may seem boring for my target audience.

Font 4: This font is different and may interest my target audience. However it is hard to read so if the text is small it might be unreadable.

 

Font 5: This font is easy to read and would look good as a title and also as smaller text. However it may be considered as not professional.

Font 6: This font is unique and therefore it may interest my target audience as it is different. However it can be hard to read. 

Font 7: This font is simple and easy to read and is similar to the ' Times' title font therefore it may be suitable. However it may seem boring on a grime magazine. 

Planning Task 7: Contact Sheet

The pictures that I could use for my front cover are the picture from the third row, 3rd from the left as it could have the background cropped out and give it a natural but grime type of look which would be perfect for the front cover of my magazine as it would advertise the magazine clearly shows what the magazine is about.  Most of the pictures are appropriate for my magazine as they are all taken under the knowledge that they will be used for a grime magazine. However I will decide what pictures I will decide what images to use when I do my mock ups as I want to see which images would fit in the best with all the pages. I will use the images of Arber as my contents page as they are not as good as the other pictures and would fit in better with the contents as I want to use the picture of Tyler as my front cover which would link nicely with the double page spread if I used a picture of her and Charlie. What I dislike about some pictures is that they are not the best quality and some are blurry like the one of Tyler sat by the river. However I really like the picture of Tyler sat on the stairs as it would look good as my front cover.  I believe that the pics of Robert would also look good as they are taken as a mid shot which is usually used on other magazine front covers therefore it may be good for use. 

Planning Task 6: Location Exploration

This location may be good for my magazine cover as it presents a rich views which my be used to present the celebrities that maybe be in my magazine. Also the place is quite unique and not known or in many places which may show the audience reading my magazine that the magazine is just as unique as the location my photo shoots take place. The location is in the middle of a town centre which may look like a city which shows that artists come out big and also it is taken from a high angle which tell the audience that the artists presented in my magazine are up high now which means they are good and known. However this location may not be good as it is quite dark which may bring a bad vision/ imaginary to my magazine. It may also be hard to photoshop some of the background as there is a lot of detail on it.

This location maybe be good for my magazine cover as I will be able to use different type of shots and do them from different types of angeles like a high or low one. The location is quite run down which may be like the locations where some grime rappers started of in the blocks ( rough neighbourhoods) or where people used to sell drugs. Therefore it may fit in with the theme of my magazine. Also the location uses 3 main colours which is white and black and a bit o yellow detailing. However this location may not appropriate as it is plain and may be hard to photo shop later on. 

This location may be good for my magazine as it is simple and white which means it will be easier to photo shop in the future if I decide to use the pictures. Also by putting my model by a white background, I will be able to adjust the filter without the background being all discoloured. This location would be appropriate for a grime based photo shoot as most magazines have plain backgrounds which would suit my magazine. However this location may not be appropriate as it may be considered to to be exiting or fun enough.

Planning Task 5: Photo-shoot Planning

Pose 1: This pose may be good as it is natural and it has a low angle shot. The lighting used would be natural therefore it will make the pictures look natural and normal day like. This would be appropriate for my genre as it is relaxed just like grime. Also it would suit my target audience as it is how some people take pictures which they later on add on instagram.

Pose 2: This pose represents the west side, which was invented by the rapper 2-pac which would be appropriate to put into my magazine.  This would be taken at eye level shot and in natural lighting. This would be suitable for my target audience as they are rap/grime fans which means they would know about the biggest legend in the rap industry and recognise the symbol.

Pose 3: This pose would show the rich lifestyle of a rapper as they are looking down on the views below them. This would consist of a high angle shot with minimum lighting to show off the views at night. This would be suitable for my genre as it will show off the views which is what Drake's album is called and thats what many artists do.  This would also be suitable for my target audience as many teenagers these days like to look at exclusive views.

Pose 4: This pose could be used as the artist pointing at something pointing like fans which could be an interesting idea. The shot I could use is a low shot to show importance of the artists and the lighting used would be natural.  This would appeal to my genre as many artist pose in that way in pictures in their instagrams, for example 67 do it a lot.  It would also be suitable for my target audience as boys pose like that in group pictures. 

Pose 5: This pose could be used as two friends showing support to each other in the music industry. This would be taken as a medium close up and it natural lighting. This would be appropriate for my genre as it shows support which is very important when there is a lot of competition in the grime/ rap industry. However this pose would only apply to woman. Also many of my target audience would be taking similar pictures with their closest friends. 

Pose 6:  This establishing shot could create the sense of location in my magazine and the feel that it is professional. The lighting used would be quite dim to focus on the model. This would be suitable for my genre as it shows professionalism and a rich live style once again. Many of my target audience would have similar pictures.