1. Aaron LiffenPrint Task: EvaluationQ15 Print I have decided to complete the print task where I have created a front cover, contents page and a double page spread, I did this using programs such as Adobe Photoshop CS3. I will explain later on in the slide how I used these photo manipulating programs to benefit my task. I decided to complete the print task rather than the option of Film as during my time doing the preliminary I found I gained a great knowledge of what a magazine needs to be successful and also I found I excelled in the use of Photoshop and the use of a high tech camera.
2. In What Ways Does Your Media Product Use, Develop Or Challenge Forms And Conventions Of Real Media Products? There are a number of conventions I have used, developed and challenged within my media product. Before I started the task, I knew that it was these three factors that could make my magazine look professional and like a real media product. So it was something I would look to focus upon. Conventions used Cover lines One convention I have used would be cover lines at the top and bottom of the pages to advertise the acts/articles within the magazine. These cover lines connote aspiration in this case, as its makes claims to be the worlds greatest music magazine, which to the reader, is very tempting as everyone wants to have the best of everything. In the case of my magazine, they all consist of the same theme throughout, which I believe to be essential as it shows of the theme and style of the magazine, which you are wanting to build a brand name for. 2) Masthead At the top of the magazine front cover the masthead is there to not only display the magazine name, but also to give to the reader a idea of the theme and style of the magazine. In this case i see the magazine masthead as very clean cut and stylish, which in my opinion is direct representation of what’s inside the magazine.
3. 3) Headlines Headlines are the main selling point of the magazine, and are on the forefront of the readers opinion of the magazine and whether it will satisfy there wants. It is important to sell the article to the reader and make them want it. In this case, a simple bolding of the writing and variation in fonts, change this regular article to something that looks ‘special edition’ for example. 4) Cover Line and Strap Line Cover lines along with strap lines are important in displaying the content of the magazine. It must therefore sell the article to the reader, as well as containing the suitable information. In the case of my magazine I decided to keep it fashionable with the clean cut look, and black bold writing playing on the clean white background, small touches like this to a cover line / strap line can make a article seem that one bit more eye catching. 5) ‘Special Features’ Special features are very conventional as they are used to make magazines seem special edition to the reader, and by displaying these one off articles it can show articles that suit individuals.
4. Conventions developed/challenged Face looking away – This is unlike existing magazines, however I believe that when the model was looking at the camera, there was a far more sexual appeal, which in the case of this particular magazine would not be good as it is aiming a many ages and genders not just a few. If the shot was with the model looking at the camera the connotations would be sexual. However when looking away it connotes a young, vibrate , aspiration feel. I did not want this to effect the way in which I want the reader to feel involved in the magazine, which often you can gain when the model is looking at the camera. However I feel that by keeping the front facing shot, it still holds the idea of involving the reader. Boxed – Although not used frequently in music magazines due to music always being represented by free speech’ and no real order, I feel as if by sectioning the contents for example gives it a clean cut look and stylish feel, as well as helping when navigating around the magazine.
5. Overlap - on this particular double page spread, we see how the article and picture overlap the two pages, and therefore not being section. This is very unconventional and usually never seen, however I feel as if with the picture being bigger and spread across the pages it gives a sense of being there and you can get a better feel for the atmosphere. Reader Input- Not usually seen in music magazines as it does require frequent updating and on going customer reliability, although unconventional I believe when it comes to factors such as interviews, a great way to ask the questions the readers want to ask, is to let them ask themselves, as it always creates reader interactivity and allows them to enjoy there read. Blended background- not usually seen as when blending words with the background you can often lose visibility however I feel as if with the black background it loses no visibility and still has the same effectiveness in showing the style and theme of the magazine
6. In What Ways Does Your Media Product Represent Particular Social Groups? My particular magazine is aimed at the teenage audience ( 15-18) which in this day and age had a very much stereotypical image. However with my magazine, I have tried to portray a classy and stylish feel, creating a sense of aspiration within my readers. Stereotypical Teen My Teen Image This is an image of a stereotypical teenager with. As we can see associated with a teen is the Hoodie, graffiti, no smile, etc. All being connotations of teens. When creating my magazine I have looked at showing the other side of teens, the more stylish, classy and vibrant teen. This is to create a sense of aspiration. This is the image I used to portray the teen generation, as we can see the model is wearing casual yet fashionable clothes, latest style in haircuts, top button undone. This is all to show off the good sides of teens, the glow around the model does exaggerate this. The model however is not smiling as I believe this shows status and sense of ownership over the image/style.
7. My Representation In my magazine I represent the teenage generation. However I have looked at staying away from the stereotypical idea of what teens are and their attitude and looking to represent who the aspire to be, as I believe this is a good technique in grabbing readers. Therefore overall i am giving teens completely new connotations.
19. UNCUTThey would publish ‘WIRELESS’ magazine as my magazine will open them up to a whole new target audience however not one that will not suit there business. At the moment they aim a lot of there products for the young adults so adding teens to this customer base would benefit the business greatly. There is also the fact that it can be sold in the existing places as the current magazines are , (off licences, shopping malls, train stations etc). There is also the way in which I see a lack in music magazines within the institute and it would therefore broaden there range in product type, therefore benefiting there already great reputation. IPC MEDIA also have a ongoing link throughout there magazines that seem to be ‘fashion’ which is a perfect link with my magazine that attempts to put music and fashion together.
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21. Shop at a range of places that cater for different styles
27. ‘Live For The Weekends’There is no age category I have to pt my magazine into as I do not show age related material, however I believe that this age category (15-18) will provide my magazine with maximum number of buyers, but most importantly frequent buyers. They are also the age group who are at the stage in there lift where they gain most role models and want to aspire to be someone, with this being almost my magazine theme, I believe it is only logical to aim it at this age group.
28. How Did You Attract/Address Your Audience? When creating the magazine I made sure to stick to the conventions the target audience would be expecting, however I wanted to make the magazine to look unique. This is where things such as photo manipulation played a part and effects on programmes such as Photoshop were added. Within my magazine to attract the audience I simply featured current music celebrities and the latest stars as a form of celebrity endorsement. Throughout I kept the magazines style and theme in order to grab the readers attention and allow them to familiarise with the magazine as the read on. There was also the basic forms of attraction used, such as, boldness of writing, variation in fonts etc. Personally I feel that the black and white theme meant that the writing was constantly standing out and in the readers face. Also by using quotes for example on the front cover it gives the readers a sneak preview and something to hold onto, ready to read more.
29. What did you learn about technologies from the process of constructing this product? During both preliminary project and main coursework production work I have made use of a Canon EOS 500D Digital SLR Camera ( used profesionally ),as well as using professional software such as Adobe Photoshop CS3.
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31. Allowed me to create a contents page and double page spread that followed a theme and style, with effects allowing the pages to look in sync, easy to read, exciting to look at and like a real music magazine.
35. Blogging My blog has allowed me to keep all my work together and in a suitable order. It has also allowed me to keep track of what has to be done and what I've completed. Being able to have a date and title of each blog has made it easy for me to locate work, give references to work and in some cases sort things out in chronological order. The blog allowed me to post blogs of any lengths and at anytime meaning completed work could be put straight on and off the list of things to do. The blog also allows people to make comments, meaning any constructive criticism given could be worked upon and improved.
36. Looking Back At Your Preliminary Task, Do You Feel You Have Learnt In Progression From It To The Full Product?
37. My Development I feel that from completion of my preliminary project and main coursework production I have a greater awareness and far better knowledge/ability on certain technologies such as Photoshop, where I can now control all aspects of photo manipulation etc. I am now also able to show a suitable piece of media to the audience. My Production Work In terms of progression, I feel as if significant changes have been made to my product since the preliminary and it has overall become a far better product. I have change almost all features of my preliminary keeping not even the name. This is not to say I am disappointed with my preliminary but it is just through my progression in understanding and ability with certain technologies I am now able to create a far more effective piece of media. Research and planning The planning and research was essential as it allowed me to find appropriate articles, style ideas, and most of all a suitable target audience. It also gave me a chance to make better use of the Blog account and I could section my research for as an easy way to locate needed research. Organisation of time My organisation of time I believe was good I believe, a few problems with the blogger website did mean that at some points I could not post however I was able to keep it a post another time . I believe my timing when it came to getting pictures taken etc, was perfect as I did not take them too early that would mean I haven't got full idea of what I want the model to look like, but I took them early enough to allow myself maximum time in order to edit and make more professional.
38. Overall Overall I feel I have learnt a vast amount when it comes to the use and understanding of technologies, and also the benefits of planning and researching. I do feel as if my final coursework task was a success and a large improvement was made since the preliminary task, therefore showing my progression when it comes to creating media products.
