Slide show of My Media Product

Question 7 Looking back at your preliminary task (the school magazine task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?

When I compare the two tasks I can instantly recognise that I had a much more advanced thought process and actions whilst contrasting the main task. With the preliminary task, my management was admittedly poor.

When creating my first school magazine, I did not manage my time affectively. I rushed the construction of the image, as I literally took various photographs, during one of my media lesson, of my school friends. At the time, I did not consider the many aspects that should be considered when taking a photograph, and the importance of it. Such as, the props, lighting, angle etc. However, as I took many photographs, I was lucky to receive and use an arguably decent main image/

In comparison, the creation of the main image for the main task had a more in depth thought process. I carefully, decided the mise-en-scene and the lightly, pops, positioning etc. I planned to take the photo on a black background, as I knew that this would give the model a profound and pronounced look. I also decided to solemnly focus on the face, so I did not want any other object/ props in the image. I made sure that the model wore appropriate indie/rock clothing and when taking the photo I knew that I wanted her to an “empty” expression and to be looking directly in the camera. These aspects where all taken into consideration and I managed my time well to make sure the correct photo was produced.

With my preliminary task, I also did not spend much time editing the cover or contents page. This shows in the final results. As I had left everything to the last minutes, I did not have the time to focus on editing the pages, and I also did not have the knowledge of how too. In the main task, I gave myself plenty of time to edit and was fully prepared, as I had watched many training videos.

I also drafted my design for the main task, but did not for the preliminary. This is because by the beginning of the main task, I knew that it would be best to have something to refer to, to keep on track. I did not know this the first time round, when creating the school magazine. I used the drafts of my front page, contents page and double page spread as something to aim for when I was constructing the pages, to help me produce high standard work.

When taking this photo for the preliminary task, you can see that there is not many aspects taken into consideration. The lightingdoes not focus on the subject, the direction of gaze from the model is hidden by the hair style, the poistioning of the model is cut out of the photo etc. I can see that I have progressed since then as I am able to understand the qualities of taking a photograph and how to do it properly.  

Comparing the two tasks I can see that there is many design aspects that are included in the main task magazine, compared to the preliminary task. These design features were interrupted into my main task as I had managed my time well and had a broad understanding of how to use various programs and equipment, such as the camera.

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

Using Photoshop:

I have learnt many things during the process of constructing my magazine. The main aspect, in which I have gained knowledge, is how to use Photoshop, the most popular image manipulation program.

There are many different areas of Photoshop that I have learnt how to use.

In September, when I began this media course, I had not ever, edited an image before. I now feel confident in saying that I am fully able to manipulate a photograph to make it compellingly interesting to look at. I began learning how to use Photoshop through method of trail and error, I would practise with various images, and change the way it looked by experimenting with parts of Photoshop such as, rending the image or using the burn tool. This was my initial approach to using the program. However, later on in the course, we were exclusively given the opportunity to access Kelby Photoshop training. This consisted of numerous amounts of video clips that were put on the computer server for media students to access at any time. The videos teach the viewer how to use each aspect of Photoshop. I watched a few of these videos and believe that these videos enhanced my understanding of Photoshop and enabled me to produce and affective outcome of a music magazine.

On Photoshop I can now:

• Use skin retouch, to make a portrait photograph look flawless, yet realistic.
• Use styles such as render, lens flare, to make an image more enhanced,
• I can merge images together and edit them
• I can use the various tools such as the magnetic lasso tool, eye drop tool etc
• I can use different functions to edit the Photoshop or text, such as drop shadow.

I have also used In Design to create my double page spread.
In Design, I feel is a more challenging program compared to photoshop, but I feel that I have learnt how to use many of the features on there and think that it is a great program for editing things that contain text, as i was able to use the text wrap feature.

Generally, I feel that I have progressed dramatically in the past months on using Photoshop and In Design.

Question 5 How did you attract/address your audience?

The target audience for UnderGround magazine is Indies aged 16- mid 20s. I made sure, in the creation of my magazine that the conventions and features would appeal to this specific audience.

An Indie:

Indie, [ind-ee] noun;, Indineseos Latin – The term 'indie' comes from the word independant, and indies can be recognised by their vintage clothes, abstract art, and love of low-fi British guitar bands.

Here is an example of an Indie'!
In the video Amy (the indie) states, "I listen to indie music. A lot. And when I'm not listening to it, I can usually be found reading about it in the NME."
I feel that my magazine would appeal to the target audience as the look and content of the magazine is very similar to nme and contains information and images of indie music, bands and singers.

On the cover of my magazine, the model, I feel is the main attraction to the audience. The front cover image, is very attractive to the indie/rock genre as charlotte is dressed appropiately for the indie genre and her hair and make up also subside this genre. Her unique beauty would appeal most to the target audience.

Also, the content contains information about various, current indie/rock bands and singers. This is another attraction to the target audience and would be the main reason as to why they would buy the magazine.

The colours of the magazine also would appeal to the audience, as the colours are mainly, red, white and black. These are typical appealing colours to the target audience, as they are neutral and do not sway to one gender i.e. pink or blue and red is quite a prominent colour in the music scene.

This subscription feature is another attraction as it gives the reader an opportunity to 'save 40%', this would attract and appeal to, many people.

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

The target audience for UnderGround magazine are young adults that have a key interest in indie/rock music.
This is how I would imagine my target audience for UnderGround to look and be like:

The magazine is specifically aimed for the ages of 16-mid 20s and both genders, I feel that the design and colours of my magazine fit this specification, as the magazine attracts both male and female and the content is not too complex and is layed out in a visually appealing way for the target age.

A typical target audience member would:

Listen to: artists such as, Bloc Party, Muse, Florence and the machine, Artic Monkeys, Kasabian, Laura Marling etc etc.

Shop at: Quirky, vintage shops such as Beyond Retro or charity shops, so that there clothing range has an distinctive look to the normal high street branded clothing.

Interests: Their main interests would be fashion, what they wear and how they look would be very important to them and obviously music, new bands and singers would take a key interest in their lives.

Watch: They would watch typical trash TV programs that do not generally serve any educational purpose such as the program ‘Cribs’ on MTV and they would also flick between music channels such as MTV, NME, 4Music etc.

Look out for: They would also keep their eyes peeled for any new and upcoming artists, to ensure that they know as much as they can about them before they are known to others.

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

I believe that IPC media would be the best media institution to distribute Under Ground magazine. IPC media produces over 85 iconic media brands and there diverse print offers something for everyone. As this institution offers a ‘huge spectrum of interests’, I feel that my magazine would fit comfortably in this brand. Under Ground is a unique music magazine that should provide interest to young adults, who have a key interest in indie/rock music.

Therefore IPC media would be a fantastic publishing company to support Under Ground magazine, and the popularity of this company would prompt the popularity of my magazine. Enabling many magazines to sell.

Information about IPC Media

Question 2 How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My media product represents the indie/rock genre and fits into this type of social group. NME magazine also represents the indie/ rock scene. NME magazine is the source of inspiration to the creation of my magazine and I feel that the overall look of the two magazines is quite similar.

The models used on both covers are conveyed in a similar way. Their clothing is quite discrete and casual. This type of clothing is used as they are presenting the indie genre, which is supposedly an effortless look. They also both have an untidy look to their appearance, again an appealing feature to those of an indie/rock social group.

The make up of the models are also of a minimum and not at all dramatic. As my model is female, it is obvious that there shall be more make up used but nevertheless the make up is extremely discrete when compared to other magazines that completely manipulate the image to give an almost false look, for example the Glamour magazine on the right, this magazine represents a completely different; glamorous social group and the image reflects that. My image has been edited in Photoshop to make it visually appealing but the make up has not be used dramatically as this would represent the wrong genre.

I feel that my main image reflects the careless, untidy attitude of indie/rock personas. The expression on my models face is quite serious. This suggests that she finds music an important and significant subject. And the indie/rock social group take music very seriously.

Another important aspect that both images contain is the direction of gaze. The images have both carefully been taken so that the model is looking directly into the camera. This is important, as the reader is able to engage with the model, which instantly attracts the reader at a more personal level, more so than if the model was looking at a different angle.

Question 1 In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

CHANGE ALOT

My media product uses forms and conventions of real media products. I have researched in depth current music magazines and used many aspects from the research to create my own music magazine.

The nine elements shown (to the left) are all examples of aspects of my magazine that relate to the real magazines.

The title 'UnderGround' is in bold font and covers the entire width of the page. The style of the font is quite 'rough' and unsophisticated. This is similar to the title design for Kerrang Magazine. The top of the main image, the models head, also covers part of the text. This is a commonly used design convention. It suggests that as the magazine is popular and well known, the full title does not need to be shown, as the reader will instantly recognise it.

The advertorial feature is another convention that I have used to make my magazine seem very realistic. The feature has a small copy of two UnderGround magazine covers and boldly states the promotional deal in bright colours. This is similar to most magazine subscription deals and works affectively, I interpreted my design with the design of of the subscription feature in the nme magazine (as shown underneath), I then slighly adjusted the size and colours to compliment my own magazine.

The use of the small image is another convention that I have interpreted into my magazine. I have an action shot photo, of a model playing the guitar. This is similar to magazines that have a small insert image of singers and bands in action, for example at a concert. This attracts attention and is an appealing feature to look at.

The words 'first interview' attract the potential reader more so than having the interview as one of many. As it is the first interview it seems more appealing and excluisve to the reader, making it more appealing to buy the magazine. Other content used in my magazine is similar to other magazines such as the 'plus' feature that I have used at the bottem of my front page, this shows that there is so much inside the magazine, that it can not all be portrayed on the cover lines, so it has to be written at the bottem, in this instance, plus: top ten hits etc. Also the contents page lists all information with the page number beside them, this is exactly the same design to the NME magazine. This is a quirky feature that is different to the way most contents is shown.

There is also the use of the object on the cover that is created to look like a sticker. This draws attention to the magazine, as it is bright and attractive. The sticker on my magazine states, "Free! La Roux poster p18". This is appealing to the reader. The sticker is a common convention of any magazine. It is an intriguing way of showing a piece of information, instead of just using cover lines.

The double page spread uses conventions of real media products. I was inspired by the double page article of Lily Allen in NME magazine, I liked the positioning of the image and the text used.


Here you can see that I have interputted the style of the text in my own way:

have also used text wrapping which is a common feature of real magazines. The text wrap, simply wraps around the image, instead of being placed on top of the image, this was quite difficult to do on In Design, but affectively is worth it as it goves a better finishing look.

Overall, I feel that my magazine represents music magazines affectively as it contains many funtions of a real media product.

Under Ground Magazine

Alteration to front cover

After looking at my front cover and reciveving various feed back I decided that there needed to be more cover lines, as there were a few too many blank spaces, which from previos research, other music magazines do not include.
Before:

After, final piece:

Double page spread

To finalise my work, I am going to adjust the colour of the font to make it all white and enlarge the 'Eclusive to UnderGround' text in the top left corner.

Now that the text is all white, I think is looks quite muted. To make it more interesting I am going to change the colour of some of the text...

I am pleased with the final product of the double page spread. I feel that it looks professional, as there is the use of InDesign features such as the text wrapping and I think it uses similar conventions to real music magazines, as the design relates to the research I did for double page spreads.

Change to the Double Page Spread

I have completely changed the look of the double page spread as i felt that the previous look was not acceptable as for a music magazine.
This look is much more appealing and realistic. I feel that the image is more attention grabbing as the lighting colours are different to the other photos used.
The text at the top left of the page is another alteration to the spread. This text resembles the text used in real music magazines, such as the double page spread of Lily Allen (shown in a previous post).
However, I do not like the poitioning of the photograph and feel that it should be placed on the right hand side of the spread as this is more logical and should hopefully fit well.

Image moved to the other side:

I prefer the main image on this side of the page as it is easier to look at. It is most likely that the reader will look from left to right of the page, therefore, it seems logical to place the main aspect of the page (the photo) on the left hand side. This will appeal to the reader. Also the subjects direction of gaze is now towards the writing, giving a sense that the she is looking at the words, this encourages the viewer to read the article.

Now that the main image is place in the correct area, I shall alter the postioning of the text and other content to fit in with the image.

Beginning the double page spread

I have quickly created a double page, background black, with example text and an uploaded photo of charlotte...

I feel that the background colour should be white, as researched magazines use this colour often.

The text is also too stylized. The type should bot be in italics as this portrays sophistication which is incorrect. It should as be quite bold and simple.

The image should be edited, to look more appealing and interesting.