Looking back at your preliminary, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
The preliminary task i did at the start of the project is a complete contrast to my final product. The school front cover looks very basic and doesn't appeal to the reader with no set colour scheme or appealing articles. The main image doesn't take up the whole page and makes the cover look unprofessional and poorly designed. Article headings cover the image so the attention is drawn away from it, which isn't attract the audience as well. The main image is also skewed and therefore looks weird and makes it a displeasure to look at. For my final front cover design and i made sure that my images were taken correctly and covered the whole page to look professional and make it look like an actual magazine. I didn't edit the images too much so that they became hard to view as i wanted to give it a clear feeling towards the images. I also used custom shapes instead of preset one to create a unique and personal feel to it that it might otherwise of lost.
My contents page for my preliminary task lacks originality and doesn't include enough information for a music magazine contents page. The boring colours make it look unfinished as it lacks consistency and direction. This was designed in Microsoft word which a word processor and not a image editing program and this made designing it and layering hard or near impossible. I combatted this for my i created my final contents page as i moved on to photoshop. Photoshop gave me a huge range of different tools to get the look that i wanted and being a image editing program is was easy and effective. I decided against using a small image and included a large image for my contents page as my product research showed me this and it looked better.
Overall i have learnt that planning helps a lot to get the desired look and feel of the magazine that you want. By conduction product research and audience research i found out what was wanted in the magazine and made changes accordingly. Different technologies greatly helped the way i shared my information and made it more visually pleasing on the eye.
If i had more time on the project or used my time more effectively then i would have researched loads more fonts and styles as fonts on magazine are the overall decider to if it looks professional or not. ALso in the future i will ensure that my images and well lit as editing of some of the images was harder than first thought due to areas being too dark and not enough detail.
Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing your magazine ?
During this assignment i used a number of different technologies to construct my magazine. Firstly blogs have been completely new to me and have learnt how to create new posts and edit old ones. I used Blogger to create my first ever blog, from this i how learnt the basics of blogs and why they are a important media text and can generate traffic. I used the design function to change the design of the blog and look and feel how i wanted it.
Another technology That i used for the first time was Slideshare, slideshare is a presentation sharing website that allows you to embed power points into your blog or website. I used slideshare to show my planning for my magazine and what it will look like. It was a easy to use website that has many features, one of these is that they are public so other people can view view them. One of my power points got 800 views in the first 8 hours and made me realise that this is a great way of sharing to the wider audience.
I also came across Prezi whilst creating my blog. Prezi is a unique presentation software which allows the maker to completely change the way the viewer reads it and customise the order. This was create for creating mind maps and link them together using the pathways feature. Prezi has started getting more attention over the last few years from design based companies and you can see why.
I created my final magazine in adobe Photoshop and used it to change various colours and make changes as i felt fit. I did edit my images here i edited them in Lightroom 3 where it is a photo editing based program that has much more options than photoshop and therefore thats why i used it. All of my pages were put together in photoshop. Different blending options and already a basic understanding of the program was a factor in deciding to use this piece of software. Layers can often be annoying but if kept under control like labelling each one then there isn't a problem and continue.
To take my images i used a Canon 600D. This is a high end DSLR camera which allows you to change the focus of subjects and zoom in and out to get your desired shot. The high resolution of the camera allowed me to edit the image lately if it need to, like cropping for spot removal tool.
During this assignment i used a number of different technologies to construct my magazine. Firstly blogs have been completely new to me and have learnt how to create new posts and edit old ones. I used Blogger to create my first ever blog, from this i how learnt the basics of blogs and why they are a important media text and can generate traffic. I used the design function to change the design of the blog and look and feel how i wanted it.
Another technology That i used for the first time was Slideshare, slideshare is a presentation sharing website that allows you to embed power points into your blog or website. I used slideshare to show my planning for my magazine and what it will look like. It was a easy to use website that has many features, one of these is that they are public so other people can view view them. One of my power points got 800 views in the first 8 hours and made me realise that this is a great way of sharing to the wider audience.
I also came across Prezi whilst creating my blog. Prezi is a unique presentation software which allows the maker to completely change the way the viewer reads it and customise the order. This was create for creating mind maps and link them together using the pathways feature. Prezi has started getting more attention over the last few years from design based companies and you can see why.
I created my final magazine in adobe Photoshop and used it to change various colours and make changes as i felt fit. I did edit my images here i edited them in Lightroom 3 where it is a photo editing based program that has much more options than photoshop and therefore thats why i used it. All of my pages were put together in photoshop. Different blending options and already a basic understanding of the program was a factor in deciding to use this piece of software. Layers can often be annoying but if kept under control like labelling each one then there isn't a problem and continue.
To take my images i used a Canon 600D. This is a high end DSLR camera which allows you to change the focus of subjects and zoom in and out to get your desired shot. The high resolution of the camera allowed me to edit the image lately if it need to, like cropping for spot removal tool.
Question 5
How did you attract/ address you audience ?
I attracted my target audience of 14-22 year old males who are interested in hip hop and music as a whole through the layout, images and content. I used my results that i had found out through my questionnaire that my target audience wanted a simplistic layout and not compact. I listened to this feedback and designed my magazines according to the chosen specs that they wanted. The colour scheme of Blue,Black and white help to attract the audience to the magazine by having a unique colour scheme that makes it stand out and also by giving the reader contrast between the colour white and black and this could symbolise change and something different against normal society. The variety of images help to attract the viewer whilst still giving a consistency thoughout the magazine. I think this is important to allow the target market to familiarise themselves with it and relate. Through the contents written in the magazine, i made sure it included information that my target audience wanted and liked to read about. A interview was my highest wanted content from my questionnaire and included it in my final design. This helps to appeal to the target audience as they can gain a better understanding of the artist and normally they are more laid back and answers may not be what they think. Articles like Song of the year and Must haves this summer target the 17-22 year olds who are more social and discuss this sort of thing. Summer clothes helps the viewer on decisions and also showing the latest fashion and treads, which my target audience considers very important.
I attracted my target audience of 14-22 year old males who are interested in hip hop and music as a whole through the layout, images and content. I used my results that i had found out through my questionnaire that my target audience wanted a simplistic layout and not compact. I listened to this feedback and designed my magazines according to the chosen specs that they wanted. The colour scheme of Blue,Black and white help to attract the audience to the magazine by having a unique colour scheme that makes it stand out and also by giving the reader contrast between the colour white and black and this could symbolise change and something different against normal society. The variety of images help to attract the viewer whilst still giving a consistency thoughout the magazine. I think this is important to allow the target market to familiarise themselves with it and relate. Through the contents written in the magazine, i made sure it included information that my target audience wanted and liked to read about. A interview was my highest wanted content from my questionnaire and included it in my final design. This helps to appeal to the target audience as they can gain a better understanding of the artist and normally they are more laid back and answers may not be what they think. Articles like Song of the year and Must haves this summer target the 17-22 year olds who are more social and discuss this sort of thing. Summer clothes helps the viewer on decisions and also showing the latest fashion and treads, which my target audience considers very important.
Question 4
Who would be the audience of your media product ?
My audience for my media product would be primary teenagers to young adults ranging from 14-22. They will be socially grouped by their age and their gender which would mainly be male. There will also have a audience from media grouped audiences that Burton devised and these will be rap/hip hop fans and be grouped by the taste in music as apposed to age. I decided to aim for this certain group and age range as it suits the genre of music the best and lately has been very popular among young adults. With it being aimed for a low age range the interview was more laid back and didn't have too much detail that might bore them as teenagers don't partially like reading big chucks of text. I also included articles like tips for the reader as they might be reading the magazine for music inspiration and to help with their own music.
My audience for my media product would be primary teenagers to young adults ranging from 14-22. They will be socially grouped by their age and their gender which would mainly be male. There will also have a audience from media grouped audiences that Burton devised and these will be rap/hip hop fans and be grouped by the taste in music as apposed to age. I decided to aim for this certain group and age range as it suits the genre of music the best and lately has been very popular among young adults. With it being aimed for a low age range the interview was more laid back and didn't have too much detail that might bore them as teenagers don't partially like reading big chucks of text. I also included articles like tips for the reader as they might be reading the magazine for music inspiration and to help with their own music.
Question 3
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why ?
The type of institution that could distribute my magazine are Worldwide Magazine Distribution Ltd (WWMD). A company that is behind already very successful music magazines like Q and Elle. With past experience in music magazines and without a genre of hip hop magazine i think that they would be the ideal institution to distribute my magazine to the wider nation. The company sets itself on being about to “create innovative sales, marketing and distribution solutions for our clients, enabling exciting opportunities to reach customers in the UK and overseas, with magazines and associated products in niche and specialist arenas.” They distribute to stores like WHSmith which is known nationwide and has hundreds of stores in the UK. This would be a ideal way for my magazine to be sold at as many different types of people are in these stores and seeing my magazine.
The type of institution that could distribute my magazine are Worldwide Magazine Distribution Ltd (WWMD). A company that is behind already very successful music magazines like Q and Elle. With past experience in music magazines and without a genre of hip hop magazine i think that they would be the ideal institution to distribute my magazine to the wider nation. The company sets itself on being about to “create innovative sales, marketing and distribution solutions for our clients, enabling exciting opportunities to reach customers in the UK and overseas, with magazines and associated products in niche and specialist arenas.” They distribute to stores like WHSmith which is known nationwide and has hundreds of stores in the UK. This would be a ideal way for my magazine to be sold at as many different types of people are in these stores and seeing my magazine.
Image for Double Page SPread
This is my final image for my double page spread. I got the artist to take off the jumper to get more personal with the viewer and to look different for the image. Again a wall is in the image as i think a wall represents set backs that artists get and that you have to continue forward. I decided to edit this again to fit my colour scheme and to make a unique feel to it. I also used the spot removal tool to give him a clearer face so that viewers will see a clean and nicely dressed artist and compare with themselves.
Image for Contents Page
This is my final image for my contents page. I decided that the artist leaning against a wall or pillar would work well as on the other side you can include the articles. My planned layout help me to take this image which i otherwise might not of took. I decided to edit this image to black and white to reflex my colour scheme and as the lighting wasn't that good it tries to ignore the lack of light. Also the colour scheme makes sure that detail sticks out like his face and the label of clothing he is wearing.
Image For Front Cover
This is the previous image but i decided to edit it in Lightroom 3. I made the colours more vibrant and stand out more and removed on of the leaves on the ground. I also used the spot removal tool to get rid of some stops the artist had and made the image look more professional and clean.
This medium/long shot is of the artist sitting down against a wall. A combination of the 2 previous images i decided to use this image for my front cover. Sitting down adds a personal feel to it as if you are on his level. He also has a facial expression that connotes angry and a struggle in society.
This mid-long shot shows the artist standing up and against a wall. His facial expression is that of a angered young man who has something to prove. Hands in his pockets and his stance shows he is a trendy male who is rebellious. This image is a good photo but i decided against it to use for my front cover. One reason was that i wanted him to be looking to the right as if he is showing you how to open the magazine. Another reason is that the shot is too far away and isn't personal enough.
This mid-long shot shows the artist standing up and against a wall. His facial expression is that of a angered young man who has something to prove. Hands in his pockets and his stance shows he is a trendy male who is rebellious. This image is a good photo but i decided against it to use for my front cover. One reason was that i wanted him to be looking to the right as if he is showing you how to open the magazine. Another reason is that the shot is too far away and isn't personal enough.
Layout
Front Cover
This is my planned layout for my front cover. Although it is basic it includes the most important information and shows what the layout will mostly look like in the final product. It also helps me with my photography as i know what sort of images to capture to fit the layout.
Contents Page
This is my planned layout for my contents page. It is basic but i have seen from research that contents pages are commonly more space and isn't as compact as the front cover. Also following the conventions of rap/hip hop magazines with the information on the left hand side and image on the right or middle.
Double Page
This is my layout for my double page spread. I have decided to have a image take up one page as it is seen in some magazine i have looked at and i think it makes the article more personal with a bigger image. A quote will be pulled out of the article and made into its own heading to entice the audience in the article and reflex the personality of the artist.
Summary of Research
From all of my research i am going to following some conventions from existing products like
- A clean layout with a specific colour scheme
- Main article based on front cover image
- Headlines for different articles
From my audience research i have found that my majority of my audience will be male and aged 14-20, this is my socially group audience that Burton identified. I will also appeal to rap/hip hop fans and include relevant material to target this media group audience.
From the questionnaire that i conducted i can see that my target audience want to read about up and coming artists therefore i will based my magazine around this. Also i found that they wanted interviews so i will also include this.
- A clean layout with a specific colour scheme
- Main article based on front cover image
- Headlines for different articles
From my audience research i have found that my majority of my audience will be male and aged 14-20, this is my socially group audience that Burton identified. I will also appeal to rap/hip hop fans and include relevant material to target this media group audience.
From the questionnaire that i conducted i can see that my target audience want to read about up and coming artists therefore i will based my magazine around this. Also i found that they wanted interviews so i will also include this.
Artist Inspirations
Questionnaire Results
I decided to ask more males than females as my intended audience are young to middle ages males who are interested in rap/hip hop music.
I asked this question to find out what to make my magazine either a weekly or montly magazine. From the results i will provide more detail as it will be a monthly magazine.
I asked this question to my intended audience to help me with the contents of the magazine. I found out that they wanted up and coming talent as well as mainstream and therefore will feature them both.
Almost all of my participants prefered the 'Vibe' or 'Rolling stones' magazine as apposed to 'XXL'. I will then use techniques used in both magazines and include in the design of my magazine.
I asked this question in my questionnaire to again gain an understanding into what i could include on my magazine and what the reader whats to get/see. From these results i have concluded to include all 4 to make my mag the most attractive to the audience that it can be and to have varied content.
The majority of my audience wanted a simple and effective layout and i will therefore give them a layout which is simple and pleasing to the eye.
Again i asked this question to further my understanding of my audience and to decide what material to include in my magazine. Reviews and interviews were the most wanted and therefore will merge them into my magazine article to appeal to my audience.
A Filled In Questionnaire
Questionnaire
I conducted a questionnaire to find out more information about my target audience and to help me with my design of my magazine.
Identify audience and motive
Graeme Burton theory identifies the difference between socially grouped audiences (e.g age or gender) and media grouped audiences (e.g. Video game users or Magazine readers). My target audience will fall into both groups as i will aim at young adults between 16-20 and also people who are interested in music and poartically rap/hip hop genre.
Hartley expands on burtons theory and identifies the importance of audiences grouped by their aspirations. If you target musicians then you can offer articles about how to improve or tips to target this group of audience. I am going to include up and coming artists in my magazine and this will appeal to musicians who want to get big and possibly a record deal. He also expands the cultural values, i will be following western views as they are my main target audience and hold views like hard work to achieve your goals.
Richard Dyer states that people will respond to a media text if it offers them compensation for something they don't necessary have. People cant live their life and completely fulfill their needs or wants and try to replace it through media texts. This is his 'Utopian Solution' he believes that people try to replace the left with the right.
Hartley expands on burtons theory and identifies the importance of audiences grouped by their aspirations. If you target musicians then you can offer articles about how to improve or tips to target this group of audience. I am going to include up and coming artists in my magazine and this will appeal to musicians who want to get big and possibly a record deal. He also expands the cultural values, i will be following western views as they are my main target audience and hold views like hard work to achieve your goals.
Richard Dyer states that people will respond to a media text if it offers them compensation for something they don't necessary have. People cant live their life and completely fulfill their needs or wants and try to replace it through media texts. This is his 'Utopian Solution' he believes that people try to replace the left with the right.
Isolation - Community
Confusion - Clarity
Boredom - Excitement
Loneliness - social networking
Confusion - Clarity
Boredom - Excitement
Loneliness - social networking
48 Hours of media Consumption
Saturday
8:30 - Check phone
12:00 - Check phone and turn on computer
12:15 - Watch Tv (Rugby match)
1:30 - Listen to radio while eating lunch
1:45 - Watch Tv (Rugby)
2:30 - Computer, check news and Facebook
2:45 - Check phone and turn on ipod
3:00 - Tv and downloading app on ipod
4:00 - Computer (again)
5:15 - Tv (Football match)
6:30 - Radio with dinner
7:00 - Ipod when being lazy
8:30 - Watch The fast and the furious DVD
11:00 - CHeck phone before turning off
11:05 Check Facebook and news sites, before turning off
Sunday
11:00 - Check messages and time on phone
11:30 - Tv whilst eating breakfast
12:00 - Check Facebook on PC and news sites
12:30 - Tv (Football)
1:15 - Ipod on way to gym
1:30 - Tv whilst at gym
2:45 - Tv with lunch
3:00 - Tv (Rugby)
4:30 - Computer Facebook and youtube
5:20 - Tv (Random)
6:30 - Tv after dinner
7:30 - Computer, doing coursework and listening to itunes
8:45 - Check phone and Tv
9:00 - Watch Tv film
9:45 - Got bored so went on computer
10:30 - Check phone then turn off
11:15 - Check few websites before going to bed
From my 48 hours of media consumption i have found that it is near impossible to not interact with media in todays lifestyle. And that you get used to doing media related things regularly like checking your phone before and after you sleep. Sites like Facebook can be a hourly task for some people and some getting 'addicted' to some websites. I have also learned that i tend to interact with media whilst eating breakfast or lunch which are less formal eating sessions and seem to be on my own. This shows that we try to include media to stop 'boredom' or just to have 'something on'.
8:30 - Check phone
12:00 - Check phone and turn on computer
12:15 - Watch Tv (Rugby match)
1:30 - Listen to radio while eating lunch
1:45 - Watch Tv (Rugby)
2:30 - Computer, check news and Facebook
2:45 - Check phone and turn on ipod
3:00 - Tv and downloading app on ipod
4:00 - Computer (again)
5:15 - Tv (Football match)
6:30 - Radio with dinner
7:00 - Ipod when being lazy
8:30 - Watch The fast and the furious DVD
11:00 - CHeck phone before turning off
11:05 Check Facebook and news sites, before turning off
Sunday
11:00 - Check messages and time on phone
11:30 - Tv whilst eating breakfast
12:00 - Check Facebook on PC and news sites
12:30 - Tv (Football)
1:15 - Ipod on way to gym
1:30 - Tv whilst at gym
2:45 - Tv with lunch
3:00 - Tv (Rugby)
4:30 - Computer Facebook and youtube
5:20 - Tv (Random)
6:30 - Tv after dinner
7:30 - Computer, doing coursework and listening to itunes
8:45 - Check phone and Tv
9:00 - Watch Tv film
9:45 - Got bored so went on computer
10:30 - Check phone then turn off
11:15 - Check few websites before going to bed
From my 48 hours of media consumption i have found that it is near impossible to not interact with media in todays lifestyle. And that you get used to doing media related things regularly like checking your phone before and after you sleep. Sites like Facebook can be a hourly task for some people and some getting 'addicted' to some websites. I have also learned that i tend to interact with media whilst eating breakfast or lunch which are less formal eating sessions and seem to be on my own. This shows that we try to include media to stop 'boredom' or just to have 'something on'.
Analysis Of Journalism
Research: Analysis of Journalism
Article (The Sun)
Structure
Always in magazine/news articles the first paragraph talks about important information like who,what and why. 'Students looking for new ways to earn cash when they finish college are cleaning up with kleeneze.' This quote from the article includes who the article is about, why and the company they are with. The first paragraph is in bold to stand out from the rest of the article and so readers can gain a insight into what it is about without reading the whole thing. As the article continues we see quotes from different people like a student and a company representative. 'This year the numbers of applicants have rocketed as traditional graduate jobs become much harder to find.' Quotes in the article are helpful as they give the reader a sense of personal interaction as your getting their view on it. The article talks about 2 different students that have benefitted from the company, the article then sums up by talking about the company 'kleeneze' and what they do. Language used in the article is a positive and friendly using words like 'perfect' and 'rocketed' are positive and make the reader seem that kleeneze is a brilliant company and support it.
Language
The language used in the article is as if the journalist is supportive of the scheme and this can easily be seen in the language like 'popular' and 'perfect'. These words make the article seem impressive and that it is a easy way to make money. 'They sign up to make money selling products door to door' is the subheading and gets to the point and is accurate. Unlike some article this article is truthful and doesn't exaggerate.
Headline
Like many newspaper/magazine headlines are often exaggerated or are a 'play on words' This article is no difference with 'Jobless Graduates get a kleen break.' This tries to make it look clever and typical for readers. Although it isn't 100% also as the few students they interviewed are still in university and therefore not graduates. But this is pleasing for many readers as it is a controversial subject at wether university is worth it or not.
Conclusions Of My Analysis Of Music Magazine
From my music magazine analysis of existing products on the market, i have found conventions that each of section include. For example
Front Cover
-Masthead in top left or top middle of the page
-Main image takes up the whole page
-Medium shot or medium close up
-A set colour scheme that represents the magazine/artist
-Main article that includes the artist in picture
-Different articles on each side of image
Contents Page
-Same colour scheme as front cover
-Date or mag issue in top right or bottom right
-One main image or a selection of smaller images
-Articles on left side with brief description
-Page numbers very visable and can be seen easily
-Commonly called 'Contents Page'
Double Page Spread
-One main image on the left page
-Article is writen in columns
-Pull Quote or main title for article
-Colour scheme the same and image reflexs this
-First letter in enlarged and bold to look visually appealing
Front Cover
-Masthead in top left or top middle of the page
-Main image takes up the whole page
-Medium shot or medium close up
-A set colour scheme that represents the magazine/artist
-Main article that includes the artist in picture
-Different articles on each side of image
Contents Page
-Same colour scheme as front cover
-Date or mag issue in top right or bottom right
-One main image or a selection of smaller images
-Articles on left side with brief description
-Page numbers very visable and can be seen easily
-Commonly called 'Contents Page'
Double Page Spread
-One main image on the left page
-Article is writen in columns
-Pull Quote or main title for article
-Colour scheme the same and image reflexs this
-First letter in enlarged and bold to look visually appealing
Introduction
Hi, Im Alex and I am currently studying A-Level media at Greenshaw high school. My task is to create a magazine cover, contents page and a double page spread of a music magazine. I have been interested in magazines and believe that i can make a near professional looking magazine.
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