Finished Music Magazine.

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

Front Cover

I think that I have progressed quite a lot from my preliminary task as it looks much more effective, professional and is more appropriate for the genre that it's for. The way the photo is placed looks much more effective as the main focus of it is not covered by all of the text. The photo on my music magazine is also a lot better quality, as I used an SLR camera which allowed me to adjust the focus and zoom. The photo on my college magazine is stretched so doesn't look very good, this is because of the camera I used wasn't very good and the quality of it is poor.

The text is placed a lot better on my music magazine as it fits around the main focus, whereas on my college magazine is obstructs the photo, taking away from the main focus. The text in the pink text box makes it look quite unprofessional. The font I have used on my college magazine isn't very effective, although it does suit the genre/use of the magazine, but I could have used it better. On my music magazine, the text I used looks effective as it is noticeable, without ruining the main focus. The font I used on it is simple, but works for the magazine as I didn't want it to look too fussy.

I have learnt how to use colours, font sizes and how to make the layout look more professional. The colours didn't really suit the genre for the college magazine, whereas for the music magazine, the colours suit the style much more and look effective for the genre. The text sizes are much more appropriate on my music magazine as I have made the main features, the masthead and name of the band, bigger therefore they are the main focus. The layout is more professional in the way that I have placed the tag lines at the sides and they don't just look randomly placed, which is what they look like on the college magazine.I also think the way I have put the price onto the college magazine looks quite tacky so I decided not to put it on in a big bubble on my music magazine. I think the music magazine looks much more professional.

Contents Page

I have learnt a lot in the progression of this as you can see on my contents page.
The layout looks much more professional as I have positioned the text in straight columns so it looks more structured and I can fit more text on. I have used the space a lot better as you can see the college magazine has a lot of white space, whereas the music magazine has no empty space as I have put much more on it, as I know that the contents page needs more information.

I have learnt how to use photos more effectively as on the college magazine, I have positioned them at the bottom of the page, when it is important that the photos are seen so would be better positioned at the top or in a more noticeable place. The photos also aren't in line so it doesn't look professional.the use of photos in the music magazine are used much better as they are placed more effectively and are more informative. The content in the photos are also better, and even though they college magazine ones give information about the college, they are poor quality and I didn't think about anything, such as mise en scene when I took them.

The colours on my music magazine look much more effective than the college magazine as they suit the genre more. They also make it look as if there is more going on on the page. The fonts on the college magazine and simple and work, but don't look professional, whereas the fonts in the music magazine look like the type of font you would find in this genre of magazine.

I have learnt that the structure and layout of the magazine is very important when making it look professional, and you have to think about the genre of the magazine to make it look effective to fit the style.

Evaluation Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

I used Photoshop to make my magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread.

I used Flickr to show and talk about distribution of my magazine and one similar to it.

I have used Blogger to show the whole process of learning about new programs, all of my research on magazine and the actual production of my magazine. By creating a new post after every new thing I have done, I have showed the progress throughout.

I have used Prezi to create a presentation for my magazine production and evalutation.

I have used Iphoto to import the photographs from the camera onto the computer.

I used an SLR camera to take all of the photos for my magazine. I used SLR because the photos are very good quality on this camera.

I used IShowU to create a podcast to show what I have done in my research and evaluation.

Evaluation Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience?

How did you attract/address your audience? on Prezi

Evaluation Question 4: Who would be the audience for your media product? Why?

My target audience member would have an indie style which is the style of the magazine, so the audience member would be interested in the magazine as it suits them. Typically, a person who would dress in this style would listen to the type of music that I have included in my magazine.

The name of the person I have drawn is Luna Edwards, she is 17 years old and a college student, studying media. Her favourite bands are You Me At Six and Fall Out Boy, these bands are very similar to the style of music I have included in the magazine. Her favourite TV shows and films are True Blood, Twilight, and her favourite channel is Kerrang. These shows, films and channels are quite typical for someone of this style to be interested in as they are violent at times and involve vampires.

Her aspiration is to be a magazine editor, showing that she is interested in magazines, therefore would be more likely to buy my magazine, as she also reads Kerrang and Q which are quite similar to mine. She enjoys alternative rock music, which is the genre of a lot of bands/music in my magazine.

Evaluation Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your product and why?

Click on images above to be taken to Flickr.

Evaluation Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your product and why?

Click on the photo to be taken to Flickr.

Evaluation Question 2: How does you media product represent particular social groups?

 

 Posture-

The posture of the artists in both photos are quite similar as they are both close up to the camera, showing that they are confident. The camera is close up on their faces showing that the articles they are featured in are personal and about their lives. The artists are close together in both photos, showing that they have close relationship, and although the models I used aren't sisters like The Veronicas, you can see the relationship between them as they are confident with each other.

Gesture-

The gesture of the models shows a similar meaning of confidence with them being close up to the camera and ties in with posture as the gesture and posture are the same in these photos.

 Camera Angle- 

The camera angle for both photos is an eye level shot. This makes a personal connection between the artists and the audience, as it doesn't give the impression that they are more or less powerful, but it gives the impression that they are equal with the audience. This also shows confidence and strength in both artists.

Shot Type-

The shot type for both photos is a close up. This is good for the audience to connect and again shows how personal the article is by the camera being up close and personal. The close up shows the artists facial expressions and detail in make up which helps get their style across. This shot also conveys the type of artists that they are by again being personal.

Lighting-

Although the lighting in both photos is quite bright to show the colour of hair and makeup, the lighting in my photo is more vibrant which shows their makeup and brings out colours well, showing that their attitude is quirky and different, whereas The Veronicas are more serious. The vibrant lighting on my photo makes the photo the main focus of the double page spread so the reader will automatically focus on them first.

Costume-

On the photo of The Veronicas, their costume can't be seen, but on my photo you cant see the costume. One model is wearing a white short which is unbuttoned, showing the lack of seriousness. She is also wearing a hat, which you wouldn't normally see a girl wearing, this also shows their confidence and that they are not afraid to be alternative. The other has a patterned dress on, showing a creative side. 

Expression-

The photo of The Veronicas shows quite a moody serious attitude, and the way that one of them is looking away from the camera makes it look as if there is a slight lack of interest, this also shows attitude. The photo of my models shows different expressions, they are both looking at the camera which makes it seem more personal, but there is then a more comedic side of slight smile and scrunching up of the face of one model. The other model is pulling a face which makes her look shocked, and although she looks more serious than my other model, this shows that there are two sides to the band. The pose also shows that they are fun and quirky, whereas a lot of female musicians pose for photos to bring sex appeal. By the way my models are looking into the camera, it gives the impression that there is something interesting that they are looking at.

Hair/Make-up-

The hair of both bands is similar, as they both have a member with dark hair and a member with light/blonde hair. This shows the difference in each of them and that they don't follow a crowd or go with the latest trend and have their own style. The Veronicas both have straight hair, which conveys more serious attitudes, whereas my models have curly/wavy hair, which could demonstrate that they have more free and open attitudes.

Evaluation Question 1: Use, Develop, Challenge Double Page Spread.

Use
Heading-
I have used the heading by making it big, bold and making it take up the top of one of the pages. It is one of the main features on the page like the compared 'Kerrang' magazine.

Information Paragraph-
I have used an information paragraph similar to the compared 'Kerrang' magazine. Although the way it is set out, the positioning and colour is different, it is a typical feature of an article in a magazine to give information on what the article is about and to get it started.

Text Columns-
I have used text columns like the ones in the compared magazine. This is quite typical for a magazine article as this is the set out usually used for a story/article.

Develop
Font and Colour of Heading-
Although I have used the heading so it is similarly set out and placed, I have developed it by totally changing the colour and font. I have made mine not as rugged as the font on the compared magazine is made to look quite worn and eroded and the text is canted, but I have made mine look neater by using a tidier font and making it straight.

Number of Photos-
I have developed the number of photos used as the compared magazine only uses one photo, whereas I have used three. Two of my photos are faded and behind the text, but they still show the band members and they give information about their characters by the way they are stood and the fact that one of them has an instrument in the photo shows that they are musicians.

Challenge
Colour-
I have challenged the colour of the compared magazine as the colour scheme is different. The 'Kerrang' magazine uses a black red and white colour scheme, whereas I have used a indigo back and white colour scheme. As 'Kerrang' is more of a rock magazine the black red and white works for the genre, but as mine is indie/rock using a lighter colour makes it less rock and adds the indie side to it.

Image Placement-
I have placed my images quite unusually for this type of magazine. Not many double page spreads have the photo right in the middle of the two pages, so the compared double page spread was hard to compare mine to. Also, the photos behind the text are unusual and there is nothing like them on the compared magazine, so I have challenged the image placement as the set out of the whole magazine is around the photos, so the whole page looks different.

Pose-
The poses of the band members on my magazine are totally different to the band members in the 'Kerrang'. On the compared magazine, the band members are shown in a still image so it looks like they are in action, in the middle of something. They are also presented as quite violent in this photo, whereas in my magazine the band members are actually posing for a photo and don't look as if they are in action, so they are presented calmly. This means I have challenged the poses as the poses in my magazine are totally different to the ones in the compared magazine.

Number of Band Members-
In the compared 'Kerrang' magazine, there are four band members, but I have used only two band members in my magazine. I have challenged this by trying to still achieve an effective band, as it is difficult when you have less people. By using more people, an effective image can be created as each one adds to it, but by using two band members that are vibrant and individual, it creates a strong image for the band and makes each one stand out more.

Evaluation Question 1: Use, Develop, Challenge. Front Cover.

Use
Strap lines-
I have used the strap lines similar to the ones on the 'Kerrang' magazine at the top and bottom of the page. This is effective as it provides more information for the reader before they read the magazine.

Masthead-
I have used the masthead in a similar way to the 'Kerrang' magazine. The placement is similar as it is at the top of the page, being one of the main focuses on the page. The size of the masthead is similar, I used it like this because it is effective, and so the audience know what the magazine is. The font is also quite similar, as they are both quote unusual and have the eroded effect which makes them look more like the rock genre.

Band Name-
The way I have placed the band name across the middle of the page is similar to the compared magazine. Having the name placed across the artists themselves makes it known that the artist is the main feature and is important in the magazine as they are the main focus of the page and their name is big and bold.

Posters/Extra Photos-
I have used the extra photos similar to the 'Kerrang' magazine by using two photos and advertising them as posters. This makes the magazine more appealing to the audience as they will feel they are getting more out of it by using the word 'free', and it makes them magazine more interesting. They are also placed in the same place, their placement shows that they are not the most important on the page as they don't take the focus off the main photo.

Placement of Bar code-
I have placed my bar code and price in the same place as the 'Kerrang' magazine. The place that it's in makes it not too obvious, but it easy to find when it's being bought.

Develop
Shot Type-
The shot type I have used on my magazine has been developed from the 'Kerrang' magazine. I have used a long shot as opposed to a medium close up. I feel that the long shot I have used on my magazine is effective as it gives a full view of the band, whereas the 'Kerrang' magazine only shows part of the artist, making them seem less accessible to the audience.

Number of Band Members-
I have developed the number of band members by using two instead of one, which is on the 'Kerrang' magazine. By using a photo of two people, it makes it more difficult to decide the rest of the layout as there is two people to position the text and everything else around. It also shows a slightly wider range of people and personality within the magazine.

Challenge
Colour-
I have challenged the colour by using a totally different colour scheme. the 'Kerrang' magazine uses a red, black and white colour scheme, whereas I have used an indigo/blue, black and white colour scheme. Although the indigo/blue colour, is a softer colour than the red, I have used it in a way that still works for the genre, by not using too much of it, and making the rest of the page colour with the photo. I used the colour to emphasis on point on the cover, like the 'E' in 'Indiego' and the '&' sign, showing that they are important and should be noticed on the page.

Pose-
I have also challenged the pose of the artists in the photograph. The 'Kerrang' magazine shows Hayley Williams putting her fingers up to the camera, which makes her look more 'hardcore' and portrays her rock look. By using a more serious, neutral pose on my magazine, it contrasts with the photo on the double page spread, but shows the feminine side of the artists, making the magazine unusual and interesting to the audience as they may not be used to seeing females looking serious on the cover of this genre of magazine.

Evaluation Question 1: Use, Develop, Challenge. Contents Page.

Use
I have used to positioning of pictures on my contents page similar to the magazine I have compared it to. I have placed them in the top right corner so the text can fit around them.

Develop
Use of more pictures-
I have used photo's on my contents page, and although they are positioned similar to the one on the compared contents page, I have developed them by using more.

Subheadings-
I have used subheadings on my contents page similar to the ones on the compared magazine, but I have developed them by using more, which provides more information and more in the magazine.


Challenge
Colour-
I have challenged the colour of the compared magazine by using a totally different colour scheme. Although the colours are different, both colour schemes work for a rock magazine as they are both simple and only use two colours.

Size and positioning of title-
I have challenged the size and positioning of the title of my contents page compared to the Q magazine as I have made it much bigger, therefore it stands out much more, and by positioning it right in the centre, it also stands out much more. Also, by using the word 'Inside' rather than just calling it the contents makes it different from most other magazine. The font also makes it stand out as it is the same font as the masthead on the front cover, and it is different from the rest of the text on the page.