1. Evaluation: Question 7
Looking back at your preliminary task what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

2. Preliminary Final Production

3. Preliminary Final Production

4. Progression
The improvements that I made to my magazine from the preliminary to the final product
were substantial. I wanted to completely change the positioning and quality of my image on
the front page. In addition to this, on my preliminary magazine cover the image was
landscape, further highlighting my inexperience and naivety with producing a product such
as this; I changed my production to portrait as it should have been initially. I had no barcode,
sell line, cover line or other valid information on my preliminary; although still maintaining
that bare almost naked, simplistic front cover, I have included the necessary information
needed to fulfill the aim of creating a realistic magazine front cover, contents page and double
page spread.
As you can see with my two final
productions my style of work has
matured from the first
preliminaries. I have varied the use
of fonts to create a more
sophisticated approach, rather than
using fonts that are quite
unprofessional and childish. I have
also changed the contrast in all of
my images so that the faces are
unusually bright and unique to
conform to my magazines theme. I
dabbled in drop shadows but
decided to take them out of the
masthead, and can be seen from the
preliminary front cover which has a
very basic poor drop shadow effect.

5. Learning
Throughout the process of making my
final production I feel that I have
become adept at using Photoshop. I
was able to create a mirrored effect on
my front cover which conforms to my
indie theme. When looking at my
preliminary, I am very please with the
results; despite it being landscape.
However, the image isn’t great quality
and is very uninteresting to look at
whereas this front cover is very
intriguing and fun to look at. In
addition, the model is wearing
makeup and is dressed stylishly, a
look suggesting she belongs on the
front of a magazine, which is in stark
contrast to the image in my
preliminary.

6. I was able to understand the importance of mastheads through the poor
care taken to make my preliminary task. I understand that one of the
most important features to have on your front cover is an eye catching
masthead. This knowledge allowed me to try out different masthead
ideas and ask my focus group which they liked best.

7. I was able to take on board all of the things that I had learnt
during the making of my Preliminary Task, Front Cover and
Contents Page and allow that new information to help and guide
me in the making of my Double Page Spread.

8. Through trial and error, I learnt quickly that the
positioning of the camera and lighting equipment was
vital in the photography of my product. When just
relying on the overhead lighting of the common room,
my preliminary task did not radiate or differ in contrast.
I learnt that although I may have a lovely image, it could
be further enhanced by altering the brightness and
contrast to create a better and crisper image. These tips
have definitely enhanced my skills using Photoshop and
cameras, however I also gained the help from tutorials
and websites.
BEFORE
AFTER

9. In conclusion I feel that my production has improved
dramatically from my preliminary task. This has been due
to the fact that I have gained a lot more knowledge of using
Photoshop, I have taken highly professional images, using
various lighting effects and have understanding of how to
alter the focus and be able to work the cameras. I am able to
change the contrast on images now and I have more
knowledge on eye catching designs for magazines and what
is regarded as commonly used and what isn’t. If I had not
learnt about any of this, then my product would have been
at the same standard as my preliminary was and not at the
fine, crisp standard that it is at now.