Evaluation

• In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My media product uses forms and conventions of real media products in the sense that I have kept to the codes and conventions normally found within a magazine. I have used my research into similar media texts to my advantage, seeing how each magazine makes up for the dead space, how their imagery is used, how to attract their reader etc. and therefore I feel that I was able to keep to a strict criteria when making my magazine. I feel that my front cover will attract the reader becuase of the way the image stands out, and how the text has the outer glow effect which will stand out from other magazines. The colour scheme of the front cover is very summery, with bright colours everywhere. This colour contrast to other magazines on the shelf will also make the magazine stick out, whereas had I gone for a bland and dull scheme then my magazine would be left on the shelf as it would get no attention. The whole of the page has been used, which was part of the criteria in my questionnaire. I have adhered to my questionnaire earlier on in the task as I responded to the calls of the general public by using the whole space, used a male musician, a rock category and also made the colour stand out from other magazines.

My contents page was kept simple as this was something that I found when doing my initial research. I feel that I used a good balance between text and imagery, which again was something in my research. The imagery was all relevant (relating to the questionnaire) and also had the page number and a brief heading for that image. This meant that I kept to the various codes and conventions required for a contents page. Underneath the headings of the contents pages I wrote 1-3 lines on what to expect from the article which would express an interest to the reader. This meant that I needed to use the correct phrases and terminology so that I would entice the reader to turn to that particular page. The contents page was meant to be simple as it was meant to be easy to navigate around, as this page is the base of the magazine which ultimately makes the magazine easy to access or difficult.

My double page spread I used a main image which ran across the two pages. I found this to be the case in most of my research and therefore I decided to do the same. The image was a fairly simple image and therefore may not necessarily attract the reader just by the image, and so I included a quote from the article which was oversized (such as the NME dps) and written in a different font. This would draw the reader into reading the article as the quote was quite an interesting one and therefore the reader would want to know more. I included a fact file which was not in any of the research that I had conducted. I feel that this was a good addition as it would get the reader to be on a more personal term with the artist and it would also give people who may not know the artist more information. The font I used was simple and clear to read, and it was a decent size also. The text wrapping which was also used towards the bottom right of the double page spread was another thing which would attract the reader, as it seems that the text is being pushed out and this would stick out from the page.

• How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My media product is aimed at males, aged 14-30 who like rock music (as shown by my questionnaire results). Because of this, my main feature (Dom Norman, male aged 16 who plays rock music) fits particularly well with my target audience and therefore it represents particular social groups by interacting with the group and expanding their knowledge of music. The fact that my main feature fits in with the social group may encourage people from this group to buy the magazine and therefore mean that my magazine has a better effect on my target audience.

• What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I believe that my music magazine would be distributed by IPC Media, a leading consumer magazine and digital publisher. IPC Media are responsible for the distribution of magazine such as NME, Nuts and Woman & Home. I think that IPC would distribute my product because they already distribute NME, another music magazine, and I believe that my media product has the same codes and conventions as this magazine and therefore I feel that it is a perfect candidate to be distributed by IPC Media.

• Who would be the audience for your media product?

As shown by my questionnaire, my audience would be males between the age of 14 and 30. Although I have stated males, there is no reason as to why females cannot purchase my magazine. I believe that the main feature of my magazine will attract my audience well as Dom Nroman fits into this target group. There is space for more people to be in my target audience, perhaps people who like softer music as not only this age group can enjoy this sort of music. If this were to happen and I noticed and increased number in older customers, I would probably change some of the contents of the magazine to fit in with this age range by possibly adding older bands which have been around for a while instead of the newer bands.

• How did you attract/address your audience?

I attracted my audience by using a bold and differently coloured mast head. This straight away distinguished my magazine from others as the mast head was different to most and therefore would be an attraction. I also used the black outline of Dom to make him stand out more from the background, and this would therefore make him seem to jump from the page. This would, again, draw the reader's eye to the page. The green background is another change from original magazines and therefore it would stand out from the ordinary black / grey backgrounds. As with the NME front cover where there were different colours flying around the page, I tried to use different colours, with black, green, orange, yellow and white predominantly featuring on the front cover. I feel that these colour changes are attractive. Finally, the outer glow around the straplines of the front cover will also attract the reader as it makes the words look bolder and more important, therefore pushing them to the front of the page.
I addressed my audience by using the correct terminology associated with my target audience. I used simple words which cannot be confused and therefore this made my magazine easier to understand and read.

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

During this project, I have been using Adobe PhotoShop and, of course, Blogger. These were two new experiences to me as I had never used either, however I have become accustomed to both and I feel I can use both to a high standard now. With PhotoShop, I have understood the use of layers which, before this project, confused me. I have also learnt how to use the various tools which come with PhotoShop, for example the clone stamp tool and the magnetic lassoo. I used various adjustments to the fonts, and I used a variation of a brush to create the outline of Dom on the front cover. I feel that I can now use PhotoShop to a decent quality now. With Blogger, I thought it would be a simple concept where you write and it automatically saves, however throughout this project I have learnt how to add imagery and video clips, and also how to change the layout of your blog. I also included a mini questionnaire in the top right of my blog which was a new experience for me.

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

Throughout this task I feel that I have progressed a lot since the preliminary task. I have learnt how to use the tools and features in PhotoShop better, and I feel that is evident from the work I have produced. I have learnt how to use PhotoSop to a much higher standard. I have also found out what makes a good magazine, and I often find myself thinking about how a certain advert, whether on television or in a magazine, can be progressed to be a better advert, what works well and what doesn't. Overall I feel that I have learnt how to use PhotoShop better as I now have a much better understanding of the principals of it. I have enjoyed this task and I feel that it has been a valuable experience which I will be able to replicate in later life.

Audience Feedback

I asked fellow class mates to evaluate my project, pointing out the good and bad aspects of the front cover, contents page and double page spread in turn. The results I got were fairly pleasing, as most were complimentary of my work, however there were some points which were raised and there were parts which could have been improved.

Front Cover

The general feedback from my front cover was that it was average to good, with people pointing out the black outline around Dom as the particular highlight of the page. Parts that they didn't like about the page was the writing down the side; they said it could have been a better font, colour and size. Also some of the straplines were not attractive enough to draw in readers. Another criticism, not necessarily about the front cover, was the name I chose for my magazine. People criticised the name, MAN, as being easily misinterpreted and they said that it should have been a different acronym. Overall, the feedback I got for the front cover was good, however the criticisms could easily have been avoided if I had consulted before going through with the procedure.

Contents

The feedback for my contents page was average at best, with some people praising the use of imagery, and some criticising it. I got mixed reviews for this specific page, as class mates had differences in opinion with some liking the layout and imagery, and some disliking how it was set out. From this, there is not a lot I could change about it as altering one part would lead for the other group to start disliking the page. I had to settle with about a 60-40% split, with the majority liking the page as it was, however this is too close for a contents page, as the majority of all pages should be 80%+ in favour.

Double Page Spread

This is the page where most of my praise came from. It seems that the majority of my class liked my double page spread, which was a good thing to hear for my work. It seems that they liked the layout and the article which was written. The only criticism was that the image of Dom when he was 6 was too tight a fit and therefore looked out of place, however this was only a minor flaw. I am pleased with the way people responded to my double page spread as it seemed that it was about an 80% split, which is how I think every page should be.

Overall

Overall it seemed that the majority of my class liked my project and how each individual page turned out. I am pleased with the work I put in and how each page turned out, and therefore I believe that this project has been a useful task for me as it has made me realise the potential of PhotoShop.

Outer Glow

This video clip will show you how I made the outer glow effect which surrounded my front cover straplines.

Magnetic Lassoo Tool

This short video clip will take you through how I worked round Dom's body to get a solo image on my front cover.

Gradient Tool - How To Use

This short video clip explains how to use the gradient tool which turned an ordinary font colour into a colour which would certainly attract the reader's eye.

Double Page Spread Final

Contents Final