Saturday, 18 April 2009

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

The preliminary task i feel gave me greater awareness of how consideration of the target audience determines the outcome of decisions made during the production process. for example it helped me to see what my the requirements for my past target audience's. for my preliminary project my target audience were people who were in college, however i was still able to incorporate certain similarities of the audience in order to make the magazine successful.
Also because of the use of this, i will able to plan my work more thoroughly and as a result keep a more detailed time plan as a result with the help of blogger. As a result this allowed me time to make certain changes in the given time period, meaning it allowed the product to reach its maximum potential overall.
It also allowed me to repeat certain steps learnt from this but instead apply it to my final project, such as the use of photoshop which i had no common knowledge of before on how to use it. I learnt and applied things such as a layers and effect, as well as adjusting picture exposure.
I also learnt how to use Quark Xpress. This meant i was then comfotable using the software the second time and even open to learning some new things, which included how to insert new internet downloaded fonts and how to get rid of white backgrounds off of jpeg files.

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

i have learnt many things from the use of technologies which have helped me to create and keep track of my magazine creation. i created a time plan in order to help me keep track and i used IT in order to create this. I have stuck to this in order to help create my magazine succsesfully. i have learnt many simple things such as the use of SLR digital camera's and how to take a MCU photo as well as how to use publishing software. This was caled Quark Xpress. This allowed me to create my magazine front cover, contents page, and double page spread. on this program i learnt how to get rid of white backgrounds from imported pictures from Photoshop. Photoshop was another software i used in order to edit the pictures taken from the camera themselfs, this including reducing the exposure of certain photographs and adding effects on layers to the photographs seen on all the photo's in order for them to therefore fit the genre of the magazine even more.

On the front cover i used certain effects in order to make the magazine look more proffesional to the reader. This included the angled boxes placed on the front page, this was simple but effective and i feel made a difference, this as a result made my work stand out more even though it was the simplest thing. I also used to correct use of colour in order to achieve this.

Because of the standered use of technology of which i used, it is now easily able for amateurs to produce work that is also reasonabley proffesional. i tried to stay away from these simple tools as the use of some can make work seem tacky instead of proffesional. I also used unique tool which connoted individualism to the genre of my magazine.



Looking at the photo's above, you can see that the stranded of photoshop-ing is fairly unique but simple. It doesn't look too busy but it creates the correct effect.

Looking at the background this was purely done on photoshop. I tried to make it look as professional as possible. this meant keeping the colour cordination correct throughout all of the magazine pages. Therefore with the correct technology and correct amount of creatable ability. It is able for a normal person to create a proffesional looking magazine.

Who would be the audinece for your media product?/ How did you attract/adress your audience?

The type of audience which would be attracted to my magazine would be people who have an interest in brand new music and untapped talent. This is reflected through the magazine as it features brand new artist claiming that they are the next big thing. This therefore fits the criteria of the magazine, meaning as a result the correct type of audience is attracted. The magazine also attracts people interested in Rock/Indie/Alternate/ and Electro. This I feel is reflected in the magazine colour use. This especially fits into the current issue genre being punk. This magazine would particularly attract the correct type of audience by the fact the colour scheme is fairly set throughout the magazine.
The readers of my magzine were the type of people that would read my magazine(target audience) but also the people that might not read the magazine. This helps to identify the magazine positives and flaws fairly.
I have also conducted a test screening, here were the average results.
Magazine Feedback:

Pros:

• Like the Contents Page. Has atmosphere and interest to it
• Like the layout of the double page spread
• Good background for front cover with professional looking photo.
• Good choice of font colour makes the text stand out.
• Good colour themes throughout.
• Good masthead
• Text box backgrounds make text stand
• Good image on cover
• Good use of colour on contents
• Looks fun
• Easy on the eye’s
• Interesting to look at
• Good use of colour
• Nice image
• Good use of Slow shutter speed
• Image works well on drawing attention
• Lots of colour
• Lots of things to look at
• Easy to read
• Good double page spread
• Nice images and colours used
• Good name
• Really individual colours and style
• Looks really up beat
• Front cover and contents pictures are good
• Good to look at
• Good double page ratings
• Good use of colour making it look punk
• Good Masthead
• Bright colours
• Colour scheme is consistent throughout the pages.




Cons:
• Maybe too many colours on front cover
• Less Fonts
• Maybe some interesting fonts
• Maybe a bit too busy
• Front cover a bit busy
• More on contents
• Title should be bigger
• More needed on contents page
• Ratings font not sophisticated
• Could have used more interesting fonts on front cover.

Overall the feedback given shows my magazine to be independent interesting. It fits the genre of the magazine and has an impact on the reader making it stand out from other magazines of the same format and or genre. The magazine’s double page provoked the most positive response commenting on features such as bleeding,and colour stlye.

Example of wrong type of audience review:

They though...

Good:
  • Colourful
  • eye catching
  • looks interesting
  • vibrant
  • differnt
  • unique
Bad:
  • Bit Busy
  • More fonts
  • Too many Colours
Normal person, likes mainstream music, may have certain hobby's, C1 on Jicnars scale, hard working, children?


Example of Correct Audience (Magazines target audience)

Good:
  • Fits genre of magazine
  • Good Colours
  • Very Interesting
  • Grabs Attention
  • Good Freebies
Bad:
  • More on Contents Page
  • Bit too colourful on front page


Likes punk music, interested in overall punk fashion, interested at new music, slightly rebellious, hedonism-lives life with the times

What kind of Media Institution might distribute your media prodcut and why?

How does my Media Product represent particular social groups



My magazine represents up to date modern age people who have an interest in brand new music and in this issue, Punk Music. The magazine reflects dominant representation of people who have an interest in the particular genre but targeting the exact makeup of their interest. This is purposely reflected in my magazine.

Friday, 27 March 2009

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


My media production is a old age form of certain magazines such as NME but re-designed. The genre fits into the same genre of magazines such as mojo and NME. The magazine has conventions which are similar to other magazine, for example a mastheads which stands out , however others features have been included to help keep the unique-ness of the magazine, meaning as a result it is differnt from the rest. As you can see, the photo chossen and the model featured in it was not taken randomly, but taken in order to fit the magazine genre type and that review special. It connotes rebelliousness and difference. The strap and coverlines were also carfully placed in their ceratin position to help the readers eye draw to the magazine in the correct order. This meaning the reader can know know the information first before the price last, drawing them in, and then revealing the cost. The use of Sans Serif font also reflect modernism by the use of rounded edges, smooth and clear unique colours which again reflect the genre but also age range that the agazine is targetted towards.
Looking below u will notice the similarites and differences bwtween the two magazine's


With the contents page i showed the seperate entries under seperate coloums in order to help keep the contents page non-confusing. i have also freebies which help to attract the audience and help to add up to one of the unique selling points of this special issue of the magazine.







With the double page spread, there is the use of certain features such as bleeding, this challenges conventions of set neat magazines and becomes a little more "out there" and rebellious as a result.

Sunday, 1 February 2009

Idea's


This is a general idea of what the layout to the front page of my magazine will look like. More detail may be added in the future but this helps me to have something to work towards. it also allows me to think of more ideas which can fit into Front Cover layout.

Things to Include:
  1. Eye catching offers
  2. Quotes to catch readers attention
  3. Slogan that is rememberable
  4. Attention grabbing photo
Double Page Spread
  1. Attention grabbing photo
  2. Interesting Story/Article

Coursework Time Plan

Week 2nd February
1st Lesson: I will create suitable articles for my magazine double page spread and think of idea's for my magazine such as names, slogans and strap lines etc.

2nd Lesson: Start to work on front cover idea's, choose strap lines, freebies etc and choose the suitable name for my magazine. Also write up article of double page spread onto blog and the chosen name of the magazine. Start thinking about possible photograph idea's.


Week 9th February

1st Lesson: Start looking at photographs for front page and double page spread of the magazine and start to think which could be used and fit the style of the magazine.

2nd Lesson: Look at possible photographs taken and use Photoshop to edit and correct them.


Half Term...
Continue taking Photograph's for magazine and think of what will go onto the Contents Page of the Magazine


Week 23rd February
1st Lesson: Create the Front cover of the magazine, apply the Masterhead and straplines etc previously thought of. Edit with Photoshop the Front cover Photograph.

2nd Lesson: Finish Front cover of Magazine and proof read. Also check for any mistakes on overall front page. Start Organizing information for Contents Page


Week 2nd March
1st Lesson: Begin Creating Contents page, choose relevant topics to be featured in contents page.

2nd Lesson: Finish Contents page and check for errors and mistakes, proof read


Week 9th March
1st Lesson: Create Double Page spread with layout. Include edited photograph and article.

2nd Lesson: Finish Double Page spread and check for error's/mistakes. Proof Read


Week 16th March

For whole week evalute the magazine and post onto blog.

Friday, 23 January 2009

Magazine Research & Planning

I am going to produce a magazine which features brand new unsigned talent. This magazine will include some of the features explained in magazine below and will be for people which like brand new music, who like to be up to date and modern, and for people who are unique. The magazine will target people with a relatively low income and will help to inspire certain people’s musical tastes. The magazine will be targeted toward people aged between16-27 and will be viewed by a male and female audience.


The use of camera shots and techniques are important for my magazine cover as this will be the most important aspect of the magazine which will grab the reader’s attention due to the fact that it Is the first part of the magazine that will actually be looked at. The magazine featured shows a medium close up of artists which are included In the magazine. The photo is eye catching due to the Mise en scene, including the colour contrast which features the photo including black on white. This gives the effect of the front cover being eye grabbing and thus giving the effect of the cover standing out. This will be one of the effects which I will include on my magazine. The mid-shot of the artist represent a youthful up to date representation of modern music. It features a wide range of different talents which I will also include on my magazine. There is also the use of bold colours which make certain texts standout and also the use of modern Sans Serif Font which represent the magazine as being cool. This therefore denotes the magazine as being youthful and modern which is also represented by the type of artist’s featured. The content of the magazine is also clean, meaning that it will encourage a younger audience and also encourage parents to buy the magazine. Therefore i will also make my magazine clean and interesting to make it more appealing.

The artists featured on the magazine are also relevant to the type of magazine genre. This meaning it gives the reader a sneak preview of the type of featured content which will be featured on the mag, due to the genre of music not being given away by the title. This aspect will also be included on my magazine cover.



The Picture also shows artists which look unique and interesting, this connotes that the music they create is good and enjoyable to the listener. This aspect i will also include in my magazine by showing picture's which include certain artists that are not mainstream but more unique which connotes untapped talent which is what i hope to achieve. The use of Mise En Scene of the magazine will also help to draw the viewers eye towards the artist due to the contrast being black on white. The Artist's wardrobe shown is also different to what would typically be worn by a normal person. It helps to represent them as unique and individual.


This Magazine also shows a unique aspect of Musicians by showing them as being rebellious and unique. However the layout of the magazine is shown to be more formal compared to the NME magazine shown above. The use of this layout connotes to the readers the type of genre and target audience of the magazine. In this case it feature’s an artist taking up the whole of the front cover to give a large impact of “in your face” to their target audience, this as a result helps to determine the genre of the magazine cover. The Magazine represents the artists as being unsociable and against standard formality. The ideology of the magazine gives the aspect of being cool and up to date with music. The use of only 3 colours throughout the magazine as an effect creates a contrast between the writing and the photograph. This as a result makes them both stand out.


My Magazine will include the latest talent. The genre of my magazine will feature Indie/Rock/Alternate artists. It will feature the latest news and Information on brand new talent. It will allow the general public to discover new artists and as a result for the Artist, allowing them to become more known and even as a result signed to a record label.

I will also include the use of Sans Serif Font. This will help give a modern effect to my magazine. As a result this will help encourage the correct target audience to buy my magazine. It will also contribute to the layout and appearance of my magazine.


For my main inspiration i will use the "Q" magazine featured on the right. For a while this magazine has been successful and as a result even has it's own TV channel as a result. This meaning that the format of the magazine is correct. The magazine fits into its target audience by the use of its Photograph, Font type, and genre by the type of band featured in the photograph. The magazine has been released every month since 1986. i will also copy the release style of this magazine by releasing my mag every month too. I feel this is a good idea as it allows my magazine time to find new bands and information about them as i feel less time than this would create more pressure for my magazine to preform well. Thus as a result the magazine sales would drop meaning the magazine would go bust just like the magazine "Smash Hits".

In order to prevent my magazine following the same route as Smash Hits i will therefore have to make sure that the genre and content of my magazine is up to date and fits the time period of which the magazine would be released in. In order to find out if my content and time period both fit i will then have to carry out research to be sure that no mistakes are made, especially when the magazine is starting up as this is when the magazine is most vulnerable.

As my magazine specialises in the latest music, it is therefore important for my magazine to do it's research and to cator for the majority market. it will also be important to get the balance of music types and styles correct, so there is then a maximum market for my magazine. There are are hardly any magazines that purely specialise on the latest bands so i believe i have found a gap in the market. This is useful as I have limited competition as a result. This means i can spend more time focusing on the magazine's needs rather than whether or not we are beating the competition. This also as a result means that my magazine will get all the profits instead of it being split with other competition.

The Ideology and representation that will featuring in this magazine shows the artist being up to date and being at the top of the world as well as represented as being cool. For my Magazine i wish the ideology and representation of the artist to show them as being up to date, cool and modern as well as being conceived as being the next greatest thing.


The Jincars scale for the Q Magazine looks as if it is between C1/C2. For my Magazine, i wish the Jincars scale to feature between C1/C2/D. I wish to target these type of people as it gives a large range of which the magazine can cover. It also allows people of all types to experience and find out the information featured in the magazine. People on this scale can also afford to pay for my magazine on monthly basis and is relevant to all the social standards.


The Main message i want my magazine to give across to my readers is that it is up to date with the latest music. It should also give across that it has factual and interesting interview's and articles. It will include the latest articles but should also give across the fact that new music is moving into current times. it should also inspire other people as a result. I also wish my magazine to show the good aspects of music rather than just the side involving drugs and alcohol. This is why i feel the magazine can apply on the Jincars scale up to C1 as it appeals to parents as well as other people. It is an advantage if it appeals to Parents as then they can pay for people in the age range which might not be old enough to get a job or who don't have one.


All of the Front Covers above appeal to their target audience which i think is important in order for my magazine to sell. therefore I Will need to plan my front cover carefully in order for my magazine to sell.


All of the magazines above include
  • "Strap lines"
  • "Slogans"
  • Interesting story
  • Eye grabbing "Main Sell"

In this magazine it features the "Main Sell" in a crazy artistic Font. This effect represents the band as also being crazy rebellious. This is backed up by the photograph in the background.
It might therefore be a good idea to base the "Main Sell" Font type in the magazine to the type of artist genre.











In this Magazine's Double Page spread the main focus of the eye is drawn towards the Photograph. It takes up has the page and has a main title of the top to explain what the double page is about. It then features the text on the side of the page which goes on to talk about the band etc.


Overall therefore i will need to plan and analyse which styling i will use for my magazine. I will also have to explore the use of certain Fonts and i will have to get a picture which will fit the style and genre of the magazine

Friday, 16 January 2009

Representation is the form of how a certain featured article etc gives a reflection to what the reader will the the article is about. For my Magazine it will represent the bands in the magazine as untaped talent, which is bursting for media attention. it could give the effect of making readers think that they could be the next biggest thing. This is done in the way in which bands are show to be like, which could be done with such things a critc reviews etc.

It can also represent them as unsigned talent which could be the latest band. In the way in which they are unknown to their target audience. Shown to be people which like music which they have not heard before. It Represents these people as being up to date, fresh modern and different by people of all genders and types for the purpose of creating an effect of music which anyone can like. It shows the audience as being in a different non common social groups which just likes to follow other music tastes.