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

For the preliminary task, I used Microsoft Word to produce my magazine, as Publisher wasn’t available to me at home. I found Publisher was much easier to use as the text boxes moved easily and photos were applied quickly and able to be changed edited to some extent, which Word didn’t allow., as well as changing 'order' of the pages and different publications. I was able to include more content on a page and the variety of tools and options meant it was much quicker than getting frustrate at Word for not placing a photo in the correct place.

I have further developed my digital photography and the images produced in this magazine are to a much higher quality to those in the prelim mag. I made sure to include a variety of shots and distances and varying the costumes and setting to make it appropriate and interesting. For this task I realised I need to take more photos and to do multiple photoshoots allowing for a greater variety in photos and their content and style, giving me more choice when putting the magazine together. I had two different models, allowing each shoot to showcase their personality and the location and costumes also had an effect on this. For the preliminary task, I took one big shoot and then smaller, random photos to add in. With the current task, I took almost all the photographs in one space of time.

For the prelim task, I used PhotoShop to edit my photos but wasn’t very adventurous as I wasn’t very experienced with that programme. For this task, however, I used Paint.NET which I have been using for a while and this meant I could do more as I was more confident on it. My skills in this area have developed quite a bit as I discovered how to blur the background and make the figure stand out more. I used the lasoo tool to cut around the figures and then copy and pasted these cut outs onto a new layer (above the first). I then returned to the background layer and used gassian blur to make the background out of focus. I am more experienced with altering the levels now, as well, and used this feature more than I had in the preliminary task.

In this task, I have used Dafont.com a lot for new and interesting fonts as I felt the ones that came with publisher weren’t as artistic or interesting to be the masthead for a music magazine. I used much more fonts in this task than the last, though maybe too many at some points, but this has made the magazine look unique and less WordArt-like.

As I was creating a school magazine in the preliminary task, there were few magazines I could look at for convnetions and styles but wiht the music magazines, there are loads to choose from and compare. This means that I had to do more research into the different genres and used the websites much more to find information about the music magazines. This also meant that there is a wider audience for our magazines to appeal to, and therefore I was able to norrow down my target audience to be more specific than 'School kids ages 13-18'.

Overall, I feel my music magazine has a proffessional finish, compared to my school magazine and that overall it is a lot more niche and effective in targeting the audience.

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

In the process of creating this magazine, I have constantly been using different and new technologies, such as publisher, paint.NET, the internet and digital cameras.

Internet:
When researching I found a few new magazines that I wasn’t familiar with and it was interesting to look at their websites and compare them to their magazines. I also looked for a lot of covers online to find conventions and dafont was very useful for collecting different fonts. I found that you could get barcodes as well as other symbols and interesting fonts on dafont and really took advantage of this site to make my magazine unique.

Photography and Editing:
When taking the photos for my magazine with my digital camera, I tried out the different settings, using the portrait feature to focus on the face as well as suppressing the flash so a natural look could be created. I used the grid for the rule of thirds so it was easier to compose the shot and frame my shots better.





When editing my photos, I learnt that you could blur out the background if you cut around the figure and paste a copy into a new layer and then apply a blur to the original layer. To smooth the lines I used the rubber to get close to the figure and make it less messy. There were also different ways of saving the photos. By saving them in BMP (the better quality) you couldn't upload them onto the blog or other areas of the internet. However, by saving them as a JPEG or GIF, you are able to upload on the internet, but the quality is reduced.

Publisher:
I hadn't used publisher much before this task so wasn't very familiar with it. I found it quite easy placing the images on the page and learnt how to make wordart look less like wordart but more like a font on a magazine. I learnt how to use the tool that makes your images transparent, and as I was overlapping my images over the side, this was useful in seeing where the outline was. It was useful to creating more pages to track the process of creating the magazine.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

The front cover uses soft colours that are calm and contrast with the low angle photo that shows superiority. These softer colours may attract a more female audience or the older portion of the audience and the sophisticated black and sleek look on the contents page would also attract this proportion of my audience. However, the proud stance, creating a powerful and superior character and general headlines of the magazine would attract a younger audience, as they are to do with younger music and independent artists starting out. It is also quite a cluttered and the flashes of bright colour suggest youth, as their personalities are full of life and business.

The contents page uses primarily blacks and blues creating a sophisticated look. The whitetext stands out, though this 'white text on black background' is harder to read, but creates an asthetically pleasing look that is streamlined and effective in presenting the contents of the magazine. The photo is stiking but the fonts are quite unqiue and 1920s(?), attracting an audience with a keen eye for detail.

The double page spread, however, attracts a younger audience due to the content and it being about a young artist.The colours are quite plain and the layout quite simple, making it easy for readers to read. It is written in an editorial style and as it takes place as almost a story over a few days and this style was used to grip the attention of the audience so they will finish the article. Pull quotes were used to grab the attention of readers if they were flicking through and hopefully they intrigue the reader about the music artist in the article.

The text uses a chatty and colloquial tone ''hiding away', 'surfacing for air', 'what's hot, what's not!' and 'fight to the top', using rhetorical questions and answers and metaphors, giving the magazine a more relaxed feel and as if it were speaking to the readers on their own terms. The magazine links to folk and lounge music through the coverlines 'folk blokes and lounge gals' and through the double page spread of the folk/indie artists, thus attracting listeners of this musical genre and includes the names of popular musicians to those who watch the charts and want to read about their favourite artists. The plug, 'Free Cd inside', is aimed at those who are always looking for that giveaway or free items, whatever it may be (as I know I do) but also students who look out for offers and deals, and this is at the top of the page, so easy to see after reading the masthead.

Though the magazines such as Q, NME or Kerrag attract a young audience, I didn't want to use the same genre, as a lot of this is seen in the industry at the moment and I wanted to create something for the other young magazine readers who don't want to read these. I really like Mojo, Classic Rock and Q, however, my magazine would be for a younger audience as this is an audience that is easier to write for, as I would be part of it. I produced a magazine that could be seen alongside Mojo, but for the readers who haven't yet moved on to it. It turned out more classic and neatural than I had expected, but I really like this effect and how it is different to other titles on the shelf today.

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

The audience for my magazine is for music listeners or musicians ages 14 to late 20s. It is targeted towards independent artists who are starting out in the industry or fans who are interested in experimental or new alternative/rock music. The genre of the magazine is folk/indie and is quite similar to the style of Mojo but would attract a younger audience than that magazine. As it would be sold online and in select stores for only £2.50 it would probably be bought by students and Myspace users. As the look isn't as sophisticated as music magazines such as Mojo or Classic Rock, it would attract a younger audience.

Although this is only one edition, the front cover would suggest that males would be more likely to buy this magazine, as it is shown with a rock genre, but the content of folk/indie music and female artists suggests that a female audience is more likely, though this issue with a strong male image, may attract the male audience. By including a variety of artists, some that have been around for a while (Sarah Slean), may attracting older readers, whilst including more recent music (Imogen Heap, recently in charts) with have a wider audience.

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

There are two possible routes to marketing my magazine.

As my magazine attracts and features independent artists, an independent music/magazine company might distribute this magazine. It would be distributed from select newsagents and stores but mainly sold online where most of the audience would be (ie myspace). The magazine would have its own website where it would sell and publicise the magazine and as it deals with artists who come from an interent background (myspace, their own websites, browse the web a lot), it could include much more than just writing, videos and audio clips.

However, if a known pulisher were to house this magazine, as part of the magazine is stable, it may be Bauer Media. This title would compliment the existing titles (such as Mojo) and build market shafe. Edge readers would be younger and then may move onto Mojo. This magazine would attract a whole new group of people and would gain profits from online and in store.

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

Readers:

The magazine represents part of the readers, as they buy the magazine as an act of themselves. My product represents an audience who seem very independent and are trying to make their own future as well as those who enjoy knowing about the alternative artists who aren’t always on the charts. The photos used in my mag are quite powerful and the stand shows a very independent nature, reflecting the readers who are independent artists or who like that music. The readers may be musicians themselves or just enjoy that music but they are being represented in a way that shows they are inquisitive, artistic and enjoy music.

The musicians:
I have chosen to represent the softer side of music (Sarah Slean, Imogen Heap), rather than the taboo heavy metal or rock style that magazine such as NME, Kerrang or Metal Hammer have represented. Ideally, I would have represented a slightly older social group in the folk/indie music industry, however due to the age of the models, it changed from being 20s to teenage. The models have worn quite normal clothing that they are comfortable in, creatinga relaxed mood and allows them to be themselves. Jack's hoodie and the way he is standing in the front cover suggests strength yet youth and the contents page and Double Page Spread shows the model looking quite inoccent but confident in her expression.

In the article, I was almost telling a story about Elosie and her past and her present. I have written her character to be confident and relaxed and really down to earth. It represents some artists positively as other artists can become really big headed, and represents a group of people who aren't as popular but are equally talented. I have represented females by using the soft colours, the feminine fonts and descriptive writing in the article.

I feel I have successfully represented the calm and relaxing elements of music that these people produce, however as the name suggest, represent them with an 'edge' and shows that they aren't boring, but have what it takes to get you to listen to them.

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

For this piece of coursework, I chose to create a music magazine as this would allow me to develop my photography and able to show my English skills through the article. My magazine is of an alternative/rock genre that has been inspired by magazines such as Q, Classic Rock, Uncut and Mojo, which are successful magazines in the industry.

These magazines tended to have a house style that could be seen over every issue and creates reader familiarity. As I was only creating one issue of my magazine, this was harder to create so I tried to keep a similar look and style over the pages to make it seem as if it were from the same magazine.

Front Cover:

A typical from cover consists of a masthead, selling line, issue number/date, price, website, coverlines, main coverline, main image and extra plugs or puffs and well as structural features eg banners.

The masthead that I used it quite typical as it is a similar size as the mastheads on Mojo, Uncut and Classic Rock, however, theirs tends to be that of normal writing whilst mine has a background (grid). It is positioned in the top centre of the page, however an extra part has been added on, making it off centre (the extra 'The' vertically). This extra part of the name isn't very conventional as it is positioned in a different direction to the rest of the writing on the page, however, it fills the gap well and creates an extra piece at the top to make it more unique.

To start I didn't have boxes with the coverlines in, I just had the fonts against the background, however after looking at Mojo's cover, the boxes made it easier to read and tidier. I also started with a few too many fonts; not a convention of magazines who usually have around 4, so cut them down so it was less messy and cluttered and there wasn't too much going on.

I have included the typical issue number/date and price and website address and didn't challenge these conventions as readers assume this information will be in a similar place on most magazine and want it easy to find and read. The slogan that I have used it 'bringing you all the new music, with an edge' including the title in it, but this may be a bit lengthier than slogans in that of Mojo (The Music Magazine). I have conventionally used the plug 'Free CD Inside!' in the top right hand corner, as this is seen on many music magazine that are trying to get the audience to buy them.

The photo used on the cover is a mid-long low angle shot of Jack, who is playikng the part of 'The Pow', who are the main coverline in this issue. I chose his to play this part as he likes rock music and his image seemed to fit the part. He was able to pose as if he were a new musician and was really enthusiastic, his expression were also priceless and gave the feeling of confidence and superiority which I really liked. These long shots are less conventional (medium close ups are more likely) but I liked the power created here. The low angle makes Jack seem powerful, as if looking down on the camera and his stance takes up the whole frame, the guitar not making it fully into the shot. This long shot allowed so much more text could be added without it looking too busy and cluttered. The main cover line 'THE POW: HIS FIGHT TO THE TOP' is across the middle of the page, drawing attention to itself straight away as well as it being a different colour to the rest of the text. Magazines generally use a different colour to add a little more effect to the cover and make certain things stand out more with a pop of colour that contrasts with the rest of the page.

The coverlines use colloquial language 'gals', 'blokes', commonly featured on magazines for younger audiences. Rhyming is also feature 'chill picks' and small attempts at catchy headings is present, though perhaps don't work as well.

Contents page:

The contents page uses one strong photo of Abs. I chose her to photograph as she is really natural in personality and can pull off the serious, yet elegant exppression that I wanted to portray. When holding the guitar she seemed quite folk, so I have to change her genre slightly, but the effect was still great. This image sets the page which is quite conventional in magazines such as Mojo and Classic Rock, but unconventional compared other magazines such as Q or Uncut, where they use a selection of images on one page. I limited the fonts to 3 as it looked too busy otherwise and used the 'regulars' and 'features' element as a convention of magazine. My contents page does show a house style in comparison to the front cover, but the style of the images and the use of the 1920s font are continuous throughout the magazine.

Double page spread:

Double page spreads are typically interviews, reviews or editorial style articles (the latter which I chose to do). Mojo and Uncut tend to use one strong image to set the page, using a relevant font and complimentng colours to finish the page with text. Others use more of a collage of images that have been collected and present in a corner or across the page. Pull quote are usually present on the page as they break up the text and provide that little bit of reading for those who don't want to read the entire article. The title is usually on the first page and the image on the other.

My double page spread uses pull quotes to break up the text 'Music is all about the sound and community...' which I have presented in a different colour to add that pop that the page needed to prevent it from being too dull. They were originally placed in the corners of the pages, but this looked unnatural so I moved the further down.

I have used one strong image on the opposite page to the title to frame my text around. It is a long shot but have also used close-up shots as a selection in the corner of the first page as more than one image is usually viewn on one double page. I haven't included a caption with either of the images (the main one and the selection of smaller ones) as it should be clear that they are from the interview and general photoshoot, like most image in magazines, unless it is of a live gig, for example. I used conventional columns, however, the text could have been leveled off on each side to look tidier. The font type for the text is simple and easy to read, whilst the title font is cursive handwriting and more difficulat to read, but of an artistic style.

Most editorial and interview pages have an introduction that includes the name of the writer and the artist and what is going to happen in the interview or article. I didn't use my own name though, nor did I use the artists name, as it was in the title, but I made it clear that it was her who I was talking about. It wasn't neccessary for my nameto be included either as it was written from my view and felt quite personal, even without names.

My double page spread and article were inspired by Mojo's Corrine Bailey Rae article which I found was really effective and interesting to look and and read through. Compared to that article, mine follows to general conventions though may be slightly formal in structure.

Audience Feedback

As my magazine is aimed at an audience aged between teens to early adults, I asked around the sixth form for people's views and critisisms on my magazine. Some provided a good amount of detail about it and gave me some points to think about whilst others provided more general comments, though still useful.

1. Really good images and front page, looks really good! Maybe change the background for the final two pages, it’s a bit plain.

2. Really, really great magazine – good for all genres. The language of the interview is really good and natural sounding. Good artists close-ups.

3. Eye-catching title. Looks like a real magazine, nice and aesthetically pleasing layout. Font is hard to read in places.

4. “Free CD” hard to read, professional, too much writing on double page, could do with bigger pictures. I like the title.

5. Very good professional images, some writing hard to read, would expect writing to be ‘neater’ (structure) – The paragraphs to be straight at the sides, not varying in length.


6. Really nice writing, especially on the double page. DON’T like the ‘THE’ on the front page- makes it look off. Red pull quote (double page) is really interesting and stands out. Writing looks professional- maybe for main article you could change it to make it edgier/funkier. The pictures are really good/professional- lots of different angles and the photo montage on double page looks really effective as the pictures go well together and you’ve also places them together really well too (this could be bigger though, it looks a tad small). The coverlines are really good but you could make them snappier- use rhetorical questions etc. The writing on contents page is a bit boring but page numbers and contents title look good- 1920s – could have kept them theme throughout. Front page is great, very effective. Great colour scheme. Isn’t really a house style, but photos are a similar style and it looks ok without being very obvious.

7. Good, consistent style all the way through. The ‘Free CD Inside’ could stand out more, but overall great!

8. Genre: Folk? Alternative/rock? I like the logo ‘The Edge’ and the fonts that are used as well as the tagline at the top. I like the clear crisp image of Jack and there is a good amount of info on the cover. Some parts seem squished- maybe it isn’t long enough? Font colour looks good as it matches his jumper and logo. It is nice and spaced out.
Contents is clear and writing is easy to read (good font) Clear, distinct picture and it’s good that you have the logo inside as well. Maybe need a bit of text jargon at the bottom? Eg copyright and fine print.
DPS: Good font! Good that you have pulled out quotes. Nice background for easy to read text. Good pictures. Font easy to read. Different colours are good.

Audience Feedback- In progress

What do you like /what could be improved?

Title:

• Love the title and name- really interesting and makes you think of the sort of soul singer.

Colour scheme:

• Suits/matches clothing- could use more shades of blue- 3 colours.
• Good and mellow, I like it.
• Looks good, I like the wall backgrounds.
• Grey is a bit boring- more colour!

Language:

• Like the 'Eloise Smith' name- very hippy sounding and suits the music.
• Agree- nice name.

Fonts:

• Brill.
• Good, maybe some more but I like the ones you've got.

Images:

• Like the birds eye shot of Abs.
• Like the close up of hand on guitar.
• Like the shot of Abs with guitar looking up.
• Abs looks lovely- nice shots.