The Final Double Page Article.

The Finished Contents Pages.

The Final Music Magazine Front Cover

Question Seven

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

Looking back at the images from my school magazine task I almost feel embarrassed, and I can definitely see a noticeable difference between it and my completed product now.

In my initial task, I was learning to use InDesign for the first time and was still unsure about how to correctly use all of its functions. I also did not use Photo shop or any programs to edit photographs; I didn’t create very effective images either. Whereas now I know how to use these programs and how to take effective photographs.  I also have taken a lot of time to research and view real magazines for my final product, to ensure that I could follow typical media conventions. In doing this I learned how to make my magazine look far more realistic. I achieved this in ways such as branding it, improving the layout and using better imaging.

In the preliminary task my front cover has the background of the main image from it. The masthead does not give the idea of a real brand and there are no subsidiary images. These are all extreme flaws in the layout and design. The font and colouring also make it appear unconventional and messy.

My preliminary contents page was also extremely amateur looking.  The gaps in page references make it appear unrealistic, and as though there is little content in the magazine. Again, the colour scheme is also unconventional.

I do however see why this preliminary task was necessary. It allowed me to practice using these computer programs as well as letting me identify what I was doing wrong. At some points during designing the pages I knew that I wanted it to look different, but at that point was still unsure about how to achieve it.

I now feel that I have learnt how to successfully design pages of a genre specific magazine product. By practicing and learning how to use the given programs, I have identified how to use them appropriately and create conventional layouts.  I have also learnt that though typical conventions need to be conformed to, I can still express my own creativity by capturing unique images and mixing and matching different learned conventions to create designs that are different to other magazines, whilst still looking realistic.

Question Six

QUESTION SIX

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

-Firstly I learnt about cameras for the photography element of this project. I used a Fujifilm 14 megapixel camera and a tripod to balance it when taking my images. I made sure to use a white wall background and kept the room in good lighting in order to create bright, clear images.


 -I used the computer programs Adobe InDesign and Photoshop to construct my pages. I found using InDesign much easier after some practice. I had used it to produce my preliminary task, however at that point I was still finding it a little challenging. I enjoyed testing different features as I became more confident; noticing what did and didn’t work. I used Photoshop to remove the background from my main image. I learnt how to remove it and how to insert onto my front page. 

   

- I also used the website Photo bucket to edit my photos. I learnt that I could create some really eye catching effects, such as flames (as used in my contents pages) and stars (as used in my article.) I enjoyed using the effects to make my photos stand out more. 

-I used the website “survey monkey” to conduct some market research on my product. I learnt how to construct my own online survey through this.



 -I also have obviously used websites such as blogger,Slideshare and Prezi to present my work. Through these I learned how to upload my work to the internet, how to add photos and insert mini-presentations to my blog. I found that it enabled me to create explanations of my product in a more unique way.

Question Five

How did you attract/address your target audience?

How did you attract from jessica_m12

Question Four- Who would the target audience for your product be?

I had a clear idea of who my target audience would as soon I began planning the task.  I aimed my product at a target audience of young alternative music listeners from the ages of 16-25. From secondary market research on readers of Kerrang! And other rock magazines, I could create some assumptions about my target market. For example, the fact that they would be regularly attending gigs and purchasing music.  I also found it to be more likely due to this research that they would be primarily male with around a reader ratio of 60% male and 40% female.

I also thought about the kinds of things they would be interested in. Hence why I featured information about “Download Festival” as a cover line, knowing that this age group are more likely to be festival goers. I’ve also used photographs which I feel appeal to my target audience as well as informal language.

As a result, my product would most likely feature advertisements for clothing brands which suit this audience as well as gadgets and gigs. I have also thought about the clothing and brands that my target audience would be interested in. From my own observation at gigs I know that band merchandise is regularly worn by them, as well as skinny jeans. My target audience are more focused on bright statement clothing such as neon or ripped jeans or alternatively dark clothing. Brands such as:

Criminal Damage, Converse, Vans and shops such as Blue Banana would be probable advertisers within my product as a result of my target audience.