Evaluation Question 7

Question:

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?

After looking back at my preliminary task, I feel I have learnt a huge amount in my progression. However, my earlier task does include elements that are often used within the media magazine industry such as using a certain colour font that has been picked out from the picture. My work also still conveys the content of the magazine in which it is about information on my school 'Wilmington Grammar School for Boys.' On the other hand the work produced in the early task still strongly contrasts with the work I have produced now.

I have learnt a huge amount about designing programmes on computers such as Photoshop and inDesign, and on constructing a product from the media industry, in this case a music magazine. My preliminary task appears to be very basic, not including many design features that looks like an average school magazine, not product constructed to a professional standard. By contrast, I believe the work I have produced in my second task is completed to a competent quality that is similar to other real music magazines.

Therefore, I have chosen a front cover from Vibe magazine and a contents page from Q to show how my work has progressed in which I have learnt and used my skills to produce an able product than can be produced and seen in the world of media.

As explained in earlier evaluation questions, my work screams Urban music as does Vibes. This is because my front cover includes all the features that is required to make a professional magazine directly attracting the target market. The layout is very similar including a colour theme of primary colours. For example, the bright bold title is made to be very clear standing out from the page, as well as all the cover lines individually being made clear contrasting from each other but not to much so that the house style is kept constant throughout the page. Consequently, after researching other music magazines, I was able to use the skills I learnt to produce the high standard of work.

Also, I was able to use methods and tools that are commonly used in professional magazines such as text wrap and drops cap from inDesign.

Similarly, I learnt how to take a sharp photos that qualifies for the content of the magazine, representing the genre that consists within. Unlike the photo on the front cover of my preliminary task where the model was not even looking at the camera, I was able to produce a good quality image including adequate and necessary props and costumes that represented the media product for my final piece. This shows my progression in designing a magazine to suit a specific audience.

Furthermore, my progression is shown when looking back at my preliminary contents page and the work I have now produced, which corresponds to real media products. As in my very first task, I feel that looking back on it now, it appears rather childish and not completed to good standard. This completely contrasts with my later work as when comparing it and a contents page in a real music magazine (Q), I feel that if one was asked to say which contents was real, they would be of an equal chance of being picked. This also shows my progression throughout the task as I did not complete my contents page according to the original plan. This was because I was able to use the new skills I had learnt throughout the task to picture how the page would look in terms of presenting the magazine and compare with real work. Thus, I was able to tackle that problem and changed my views to ones that better suit the needs of the Urban magazine I wanted to construct.

Furthermore, when constructing the preliminary task I worked at quite a slow pace when using Photoshop. The main reason for this was because I was still learning all the new tools and processes that could be accomplished on Photoshop. However, when producing my music magazine I was able to work at a much faster rate thus, managing my time much more efficiently. Even though producing my double page spread on inDesign was the first time I had gone on there, I was still able to maintain a fast working pace as I was more self-confident and able to tackle problems myself, using knowledge I had learnt from the other programmes (i.e photoshop) thus also managing my time well on that programme.

Evaluation Question 6

Question:

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

At the very beginning of the task I instantly came to grips with blogger. I learnt how to navigate myself round it by exploring the website and other people's own blog as well. After familiarizing myself with the network, I began to add gadgets of my own after I had setting up my own account such as necessary tools like 'labels' to make my blog easy to organize and clear for people to navigate themselves round finding needed information.

Blogger has enabled me to modify my work and easily organise it. As it is very visual, I was able to re-draft my work easily keeping it all together unlike if I were to organise all my work in a folder where it would be much harder.

During the preliminary and music magazine task I learnt how to use technologies such as
cameras in an effective and professional way as seen in real magazines. I decided to use a digital Samsung P800 to take photos, capturing a sense of emotion in the image. Therefore, I learnt how to use a variety of effects to convey what I wanted in the image.

These were:

• Face Detection
• Digital Image Stabilization
• Colour and Saturation Effects

I was happy with the shots I had taken because they appeared

to be very clear and sharp around the edges. The emotion of the face also came out well in which the the true facial expression was emphasised and made to be very clear. This was due to using face detection effectively as well as focusing the image stabilizing it to appear as sharp as possible. Furthermore, I was happy with the colour editing as it showed a nice contrast of colours, This technique I learnt was used productively.

As well as my using my windows Sony computer at home, I learnt how to use the Apple macs at school. These consisted of a completely different software which I came to terms with progressively. Although slightly confused at the start due to the different layout and contrasting software, the Apple mac grew on me in which I am more than happy to use them now for future reference. I learnt a variety of skills to use the new computer to complete my tasks adequately.

Within the next stage of the course I learnt how to use Adobe photoshop CS4. When completing the preliminary task I was able to explore the wide variety of tools photoshop contains, in which the main ones I learnt to use effectively where a small amount such as the spot healing tool. However, when completing the music magazine I had learnt and accomplished a great deal with this type of technology. I learnt how to use all the tools editing my images so they can be of the best standard possible. I changed the contrast, brightness, took specific things out and put specific things in. I also came to grasp with the layer technique to put an entire production together making it seem most attractive and appealing to my target audience. I was also able to learn new techniques such as how to insert fonts into the photoshop content. As demonstrated here, you can see the difference between the two images before and after being manipulated in photoshop.

I downloaded desirable fonts and was able to insert them into photoshop so that they could be used. Without photoshop I would of been unable to produce my front cover and contents page to the standard it is at now. Therefore, I progressively became familiar with all the tools and used most of them ranging from cutting out figures from the background to inserting all my different components together such as text, text boxes, edited photos and many more.

Coincidently, I manipulated all the single components I wanted such as the model and text individually in different files, then put them together also in photoshop using many different layers so that certain things were able to be positioned in the correct place either being on top or below other components.

To produce my double page spread, I used Adobe Indesign CS4 which was also a completely new programme to me. It varies a lot to photoshop for example, it does not include layers. However, it was a suitable programme to produce my double page spread on because there were many functions you could doon there and not on photoshop.

I learnt the new skills for this type of technology and was able to produce my double page spread effectively.

In addition, by using the knowledge I had learnt when completing tasks on photoshop, I was able to adapt to the differences and function the programme to a good standard. Unlike photoshop, I was able to use a drops cap for my double page spread and also use text boxes with larger amount of text than one would use in phototshop. Furthermore, I learnt other skills such as text wrap, which allows the text to fill around the images presented to make my double page spread more presentable and appear like in a real music magazine.

Evaluation Question 5

Question:

How did you attract/address your audience?

I have described who will be my audience in question 4, however in this evaluation question I will explain how I have addressed my magazine to attract the particular type of audience. Firstly, when looking at the front cover the first thing one sees is the bright and bold title 'Urban.' This one word represents the entire content of the magazine and instantly reaches out to the Urban audience drawing them in encouraging them to buy and read the magazine. When the title suddenly catches the audiences eye, they immediately feel as if they belong and believe that they are the audience for this magazine and therefore, will buy and enjoy it, as they feel it is their job due to their interest and enthusiasm in Urban music.

As described earlier, the model on my front cover represents the particular type of social group I was trying to attract in which is younger people interested in Urban music and fashion.
Incidentally, the baseball jacket the model is wearing belongs to the 'old school' Urban fashion sector. It represents the type of music that makes up the content of the magazine and portrays the personality of the character advertised. Therefore, this effect reaches out and draws in people who are enthusiastic about the Urban culture. As the jacket is not to 'flashy' the audience believe that are from a similar social class and can associate themselves with the Urban artist. This appeals to the audience in which they share their enthusiasm of Urban music with the Urban music magazine. This is also reinforced as the model is looking straight into the viewers eyes and is of the same eye level. The image does not look up at the model portraying him as an important 'God' like figure who is of a much higher social status than the audience, and the image does not look down at the figure representing him as being of a lower status than the audience, thus they would not want to read and admire him. However, as my model is still wearing a sparkling dollar sign ring and 'flashy' glasses there is still a sense of admiration in which he is still represented as being a role model, thus attracting my audience.

Likewise, these conventions that I have used to attract my audience are also used within this Vibe magazine that attracts a similar target market. However, a difference with the picture here is that the model is pointing at the viewer to address them unlike mine which points at his eyes to reinforce eye contact with the viewer.





Similarly, the cover lines on the front cover also draw in the audience. They are advertised in short sharp phrases including valuable words such as 'come back' and 'exclusive' thus, they appear to be more popular and so attract the audience. The valuable words make them feel privileged to read the articles advertised therefore, attracting more people to make them feel good about having the magazine. In contrast with Vibes magazine, the large bold cover lines draw in the audience with short sharp phrases 'Akon the last hit maker.'

If they were to see the front cover and not buy it, they would feel as if they were missing out on something special and so they would not take the risk and buy the magazine. Similarly, as the cover lines convey the article making it seem huge news due to the colour contrast, sizing of the font, highlighted and valuable words, the magazine is brought out to seem very popular. In addition, as a person believes this, they feel that it is a must to buy it to follow the trend so they do not miss out, thus the magazine is reveld as being impossible not to buy.


As the audience is encouraged to pick up the magazine and quickly scan through before buying it and instantly see the contents page. Immediately they see it as being very easy to navigate around advertising even more important articles. Consequently, as described in earlier questions, the audience believe they are getting a very good value for money which will again encourage them to buy the magazine. Simuilarly, as I am addressing my magazine to a slightly younger age than the other Urban music magazine in the media market 'Vibe,' the easy to navigate contents directly appeals to them again reaching out to them, persuading them to buy the
magazine.

Evaluation Question 4

Question:

Who would be the audience for your media product?

As earlier found in my research, according to the Vibe website (http://www.vibe.com/) their target market is aimed at 18-34 year old's interested in Urban music, entertainment, culture and celebrity lifestyle. In addition Vibe headquarters reading age is 28 with 67% of the sales going to men and 27% to women. (http://www.linkedin.com/companies/vibe-magazine)

Furthermore, as in my earlier questions I had drawn many similarities which mine and Vibes magazine represent particular social groups and the target audience relates heavily to this idea of representation. Thus, my target audience is of a similar one to Vibes, however, not exactly the same due to the distribution by IPC media where there is a gap of Urban magazines in their products. Therefore, this would decrease the amount competition and increase the number of sales. Similarly, this would decrease in the amount of advertising in the magazine also decreasing the profit. This is because specific adverts select certain magazines as the target market of them are also the target market of the advertisers. Consequently, if the target market is exactly the same then the amount of advertisers would be distributed over two magazines rather than one, decreasing the money spent on advertising in my magazine.

Also, if I was to not have a specific target market, then the amount of sales and adverts would decrease. This is because the variation would be too broad in which if my magazine also included rock music, people who enjoy Urban music may not buy it as they dislike the other content in my magazine. Despite this, advertisers would not choose the magazine because also due to the very broad audience, they will not specifically advertise their product to the specific people they originally wanted to, for example if Urban clothing was advertised in a magazine without a target market, some people interested in 'Urban' clothing would see it but also some customers interested in 'rock' clothing would see it, decreasing their sales, where as if it were to be advertised in an Urban magazine, sales would be maximised.

Below is my audience profile which will describe the average reader for my magazine aimed at younger people interested in Urban music than Vibe:

Young people aged between 14-30 who are interested in Urban music, fashion and culture. Typical Urban music artists that consits in my magazine are:

-Tinie Tempah ( aged 22)

-Rhianna (aged 22)

-Beyonce (aged 29)

-Plan B (aged 27)

-N Dubz (average age 23)

Subsequently, as my music magazine includes more younger Urban artists than Vibe, it is aimed at a younger audience. The younger music artists attract the younger generation as there is more of a connection between them, than there would be if the age differed from above 20years.

All the music artists that consist within the content of my magazine often play on such radio stations such as 'Capital' or 'Kiss 100' also aimed towards younger people. Even though Urban music is a specific genre, it is still rather broad with its music including rap and R&B. Therefore, they are able to explore and expand their interests within these sub categorises.

I also believe my target audience would watch such T.V channels as MTV. This channel specialises in providing entertaining information about music and non-music celebrities, giving all the latest gossip to the audience. It is aimed at younger people providing such television shows such as MTV Cribs, Pimp my Ride and Jersey Shore. It presents many programmes appealing to my target market which could also boost the sales of my magazine.

I have also researched into Urban music using UK tribes earlier in my work. This describes what UK tribes believe Urban music is, in which I believe I have attracted and addressed them correctly.

http://uktribes.com/urban

http://samfoleywgsbmedia.blogspot.com/search/label/Magazine%20Research

Evaluation Question 3

This is a collage I have produced using Photoshop to show how my Urban music magazine will fit in with the magazines also published by IPC Media.

Evaluation Question 2

Evaluation Question 1

Evaluation Question 1

Evaluation Question 1

Question:

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

Finished Double Page Spread

Fith Stage of Double Page Spread

In the last stage I included some final finishing touches such as the page number in the bottom right hand corner. I produced this in phototshop and inserted it as a j-peg. The font and color matches the artists 'flashy' designer watch complementary of the theme of the article.

Fourth Stage of Double Page Spread

Within this stage I have carried on the article and again used text wrap so that the text would fit around the picture on the right side. Furthermore, I adjusted the size of the text to fit the entire double page spread filling in all the gaps. Also, to make the double page spread look real I used drops cap for the introduction paragraphs.

To make the article easy to read I made the questions bold and used a different font for some paragraphs. The font is the same as the text in the title 'English' to continue the 'flashy' theme set by the artist.

Third Stage of DoublePage Spread

Within this stage I have inserted the text for the article. I used text wrap so that the text would appear to be round the pictures, giving it the look of a real magazine.

I have also inserted text in a box below one of the pictures. I produced the box and text as one piece on photoshop and inserted it as a j-peg.

Second Stage of Double Page Spread

Within the second stage I had began producing the double page spread using InDesign. I had placed the main image at the right side of the page as this will be the first thing the reader sees after they turn the earlier page. Therefore, they will instantly know what the article is about as this is advertised on the front cover.

I have also inserted the heading "I am the born Prince of Urban music." This complements the artists confidence and admiration in what he wants to be. This sets the theme of the article and what it is going to be all about.

The word "Prince" is written in a different font called 'English.' This reinforces the name of the character and complements the faded diamonds that I have inserted onto the double page spread.

I also inserted black lines that cross each other at the top of the page. This continues the house style of the magazine including block shapes giving it the simple, relaxed and cool theme complementary of the artist. I did this by using the rectangular frame tool.

First Stage of Double Page Spread

This is a picture of the main photo that will appear in double page spread. I have edited the image in photoshop using the spot healing tool to make the mo dels skin very clear. Similarly, I used the paint brush tool to get rid of the t-shirt that is slightlyshowing in the picture as well as the reflection of the camera shown in the sunglasses.

Lastly I cut him out putting him onto a plain white background using the quick selection tool and smoothing the edges using the eraser tool.

This is the image after it had been edited.