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

2. The Preliminary Task
This was the first time I had used Photoshop and as you can see, I
was very inexperienced and not very good. I had no idea how to cut
out properly and how to make it look professional like a real
magazine. I used Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 and used the
‘quick’ programme which only had basic tools so there wasn’t much
I could do to the photo. The very basic mock up of a contents page
also shows how I didn’t know what to do or how to layout out a real
magazine contents page. I learnt a lot of skills from this task and
thought it was very useful for when I actually did construct my actual
magazine.

3. Existing Product Research
For my research I chose 4 magazines; Q, Billboard, We Love Pop and
Just Pop. I chose these magazines because the included the two genres
of music that I wanted in my magazine, Pop and Alternative. I didn’t
know who my target audience was going to be yet but there was a big
difference between the magazines because some were for an older
audience. From my research I became aware of the conventions for a
magazine and what some magazines use more than others. I found that
for magazines with a younger audience, there was much more on the
cover to attract their attention.

4. Target Audience Research
After my similar product research I went on to research a target
audience. Once I had looked at existing magazines I realised I
wanted to target an older teen audience. Being in that age
category I already knew some things to include what they would
like but I created a magazine and distributed it to males and
females aged 16+. I was surprised with some of the answers but I
learnt what most people wanted was the same thing such as to see
updates about gigs and festivals.

5. Mock Ups, Plans and Photographs
Before I started to take photographs I did a mock up of a front cover, contents
page and double page spread. I drew out where I wanted things to go and
added some text. I found that when I actually constructed my magazine I
didn’t stick entirely to the plans but it allowed me to have a basic layout and
style. I also planned things for my photo shoots. I planned who was going to do
it, what time, the location, what hair/make up things I would need and outfits.
When I had taken my photographs and looked at them, I was happy. I had
plenty to chose from and most of them were sharp and the lighting was good. I
was also happy that I didn’t have to reshoot. I used these photos for all of my
pages and included other photos I have previously taken at concerts and
premieres. I think that if I was to take these pictures again I would put more
make up on my model and add a prop so that you can clearly see from just
the picture it is a music magazine.

6. Constructing my magazine
Because of the preliminary task I found constructing my magazine fairly easy. I
did have many attempts at rearranging my pages to make them look the best
they could but it was just trial and error. It was easier to use Adobe because by
this point I was really familiar with it and I knew what tool did what but I did
have to ask about some things I wasn’t sure of. I do regret not having so many
extra lessons but I don’t think it really stopped me from what I wanted to do. I
have learnt a lot from using a Photoshop programme and creating a
magazine good enough to go on a shop shelf. When I started the media
course, I really didn’t know much at all about magazines and what you
needed to do to create one so I think I’ve come far. My first preliminary
magazine is shocking compared to my final magazine so it shows how I have
improved.

7. Constructing my magazine
Because of the preliminary task I found constructing my magazine fairly easy. I
did have many attempts at rearranging my pages to make them look the best
they could but it was just trial and error. It was easier to use Adobe because by
this point I was really familiar with it and I knew what tool did what but I did
have to ask about some things I wasn’t sure of. I do regret not having so many
extra lessons but I don’t think it really stopped me from what I wanted to do. I
have learnt a lot from using a Photoshop programme and creating a
magazine good enough to go on a shop shelf. When I started the media
course, I really didn’t know much at all about magazines and what you
needed to do to create one so I think I’ve come far. My first preliminary
magazine is shocking compared to my final magazine so it shows how I have
improved.