Question 7

Question 7

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Question 6

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

Over the course of creating this music magazine I have used many different desk top publishing software. These include SLR Cameras, Photoshop, Quark Express, Blogger, Windows Movie Maker and Slideshare. In this question I will evaluate how this new technology has helped me to

The first technology that I used was the SLR Cameras.

By using these cameras I was able to get a sharper image (15.1 mega pixels resolution), better focus and overall better quality of picture that I used throughout my magazine. The cameras were important in getting the right image as the sharper resolution allowed all the different colours and shades to show up clearer on the magazine. The technology also allowed me to upload and view the pictures quickly and effectively and, with the use of e-mail and memory cards, I was able to view these pictures at home without taking the actual camera home. The speed and effectiveness of uploading the camera photos allowed me to quickly view them and make any adjustments using the image manipulation software.

Here are some examples of the quality of pictures that I was able to take with this camera;

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe System. It is the current market leader for image manipulation software, and is the flagship product of Adobe System.

Adobe Photoshop was a key part of my media coursework. As I have used Photoshop for around three years-for photography and art coursework purposes- I was already familiar with the program and decided to use it when I designed my front cover. By using Photoshop I was able to upload my photos, which I had previously took with the digital SLR camera, and edit and refine them using the image manipulation software to create my main sell photo. Another thing that I was able to do on photoshop is erase the background of photos so that just the focus of the picture was on what I wanted it to be.

For example:

Similarly I was able to make my colour photos black and white.

E.g.

I chose to use Photoshop over Quark Express as I was able to edit and refine the photos that I had taken more effectively. Also by using the many layers I could document the progress of my magazine from beginning to end. Although I don't find either program more easier than the other I preferred the way you are able to manipulate images and text, turning them black and white or sepia colours, with the fonts and colours there is a greater choice, how I was able to document the progress of my work and lastly because the programme is easy to apply to and work with.

Through completing my magazine coursework, I learnt more about Photoshop, about its layers, font styles etc, the different shapes and line tools that could be used when creating straplines and screamers and how this can be an advantage when making images and backgrounds look more appealing and professional.

Quark Express

QuarkXPress ("Quark") is a computer application for creating and editing complex page layouts in a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) environment. It was first released in 1987, the most recent version is QuarkXPress 8 and it allows publishing in English and 36 other languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.

QuarkXPress is used by individual designers and large publishing houses, primarily to produce any kind of layout, from flyers to complex page layouts required by magazines, newspapers, catalogs, and similar printed materials.

I used Quark express to create my contents page and double page spread. I chose to use this program because Quark has easy accessible tools, simple and effective to use and a range of page formats to start your projects on including A4 and A3. Choosing the correct page for my project (A4) I could immediately start work on the page layout and adding images and text. I learnt very quickly how to add text and images using the correct tools, tilt the mastheads so that they would follow one of the main design features that are shown throughout the magazine and also how to spilt the text up into columns on my double page spread so that the page looks more professional and gives the effect of not having as much to read for the audience. This was especially helpful to me as my target audience of young people don't want to spend their whole time reading a long article. It also allowed the text to follow neatly and more professionally over both of the pages.

I was shown how to move the text around quotations and photos I had around my text (in my double page spread), how to make an overlapping text box for the subscription box (in my contents page) and also how to make the editing look smooth, and professional. At first I found Quark a bit of a learning process and difficult to use yet after completing this coursework I are capable and proficient enough to complete similar tasks and clearly this program was the best to use for my contents and double page spread.

Blogger

I have used blogger as my main record system of what I have done at any date and at any one time when showing all of my coursework. Over the course of my coursework Blogger has been incredibly useful as I have used it to keep a record of what I have done over the course of my coursework. This is helpful if I lose work or forgot where I am as I can look on my blog to see exactly what I was on and what I was doing.

Blogger is a fairly simple program to use and I was able to complete my research and planning quickly and easily. Blogger has especially helped me with my evaluation as I was able to add images, slideshows and embed videos onto my blog, making my evaluation more interactive.

Windows Movie Maker

Windows Movie Maker is a video creating/editing software, included in Microsoft Windows primarily in 2000. It contains features such as effects, transitions, titles/credits, audio track and timeline narration.

I chose to use windows movie maker for my evaluation as I have used the program many times before for previous coursework and feel confident using the program. I thought that it would be different, not just keep doing sideshows all the time and would make my blog more interactive.

By using this program I was able to make a presentation with the pictures and create titles and quotes to break up the pictures. I was also able to narrate my video and create different title effects and transitions between one picture to the other. The most common one that I used was fade in/fade out.

Slide Share

I used slideshare in my evaluation as it provides a go between of powerpoint and blogger. I had never used this site and program before but found it simple and easy to use. After completing my slideshow I was able to upload the slideshow to slideshare and then publish this slideshare onto blogger. This allowed my blog to be more interactive and different.

Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

To begin with I completed some general audience research by asking my classmates aged 16 - 24 what they thought of my magazine in general. Although this only gives me a general idea on what my audience think I wanted to get some initial negatives and positives of my magazine.

Initial research;

Sophie Griffiths,

Aged 18

Student

Loves: Indie music

Hates: Simon Cowell, X Factor and Girls Aloud

1) Does this magazine fit in with the Indie music genre?

Yes it looks like it is an Indie music magazine, not necessarily a rock magazine. However the band does look Indie and the colour scheme works well as it makes you concentrate on the music rather than then actual magazine itself.

2)Would you say the font connotes rebellion?

Yes because it looks different to any other magazine and it shows that it is moving away from the mainstream pop titles.

3) Do you think the colour scheme works or would you change it?

Yes I think it works and I wouldn't change the colours at all. It works because it is not too overpowering and if there was too much going on then I wouldn't want to read it.

4) Would you say that this magazine appeals to a female audience as well as males?

I would say it appeals to a more female audience, mainly because there are females on the front. The overall design also looks like it was designed by a female, however I would also say that males would like to read it as well as they would like to see females on the cover for a change.

5)What is your favourite part of the whole magazine?

My personal favourite part of the magazine would be the double page spread because I like the quotes that you have used seem really realistic and funny. Also the photos look really natural and real not glamorised by soft editing and photoshop. Finally I like the way it's laid out, it's simple and easy to read.

6) Which part is your least favourite?

I don't like the small puff in the top right of the double page spread, I don't know why I just don't.

Pete Nelson

Aged 18

Student

Loves: Gigs

Hates:X Factor

1) Does this magazine fit in with the Indie music genre?

Yes I think it does. The layout is simple and effective and the pictures are great, the band really looks like normal college kids and it relates to the Indie music genre of being real not fake.

2)Would you say the font connotes rebellion?

I think it does as I've never seen this font being used before and I happen to like it. It reminds me of the cool underground gigs that I go to.

3) Do you think the colour scheme works or would you change it?

The colour are simple, effective and more importantly reflect the Indie genre. They stand out and make you want to read it.

4) Would you say that this magazine appeals to a female audience as well as males?

I think it definitely appeals to females as they would relate to the band as just being normal teenage girls whilst males would buy it as they would like to see women on the cover. It gives a change from loads of guys all the time.

5)What is your favourite part of the whole magazine?

I like the photos. There natural and make the band real people not blow up barbie dolls. I also like how it keeps prompting you to visit the website as it allows a different experience for the reader and appeals to a wider audience.

6) Which part is your least favourite?

The exclusive bubble in the top left in the cover could be neater.

Chloe

McPherson

Aged 17

Student

Loves: Guitar and good music

Hates: People who pretend to be Indie

1) Does this magazine fit in with the Indie music genre?

Yes I think it does, the simple and effectiveness of the magazine works well. Also the band seems real, like real people who just happen to make good music. We need more female Indie bands, they all want to be 'The New Girls Aloud!'

2)Would you say the font connotes rebellion?

It different from any other magazine I've seen before and I like the stamped effect. It reminds me of the stamps what you get in gigs and underground clubs. I think that it does connote rebellion.

3) Do you think the colour scheme works or would you change it?

I wouldn't change it. I like the colour I think that it shows the Indie genre and the black and white effect is cool and definitely Indie.

4) Would you say that this magazine appeals to a female audience as well as males?

Yes I think so. Males will like the girls on the cover and I like the idea of women bands making it big in the Indie genre, which is dominated by male groups.

5)What is your favourite part of the whole magazine?

Definitely the photos. They look like real people and I'm glad that you haven't altered or airbrushed them. I can relate to them.

6) Which part is your least favourite?

The exclusive bubble could have been neater on the front cover.

Reading the first initial feedback I gained from my classmates, I can summarize a few clear and overall positives and negatives about my indie music magazine.
It seems that the positives about my magazine is that it fit the target audience, appeals to both males and females and the indie music genre.
However, the negatives seem to be that the puff and the exclusive bubble in the top left hand corner could have been neater or if not, not used at all.

To get a more clear, in depth interview with members of my target audience I am going record their interviews on a digital SLR camera. This allows me to get a closer and more valid view of what my target audience really think about my magazine.

My interview with Beckii.

Name: Beckii

Age: 20

Likes: Music, gigs, hanging out with friends.

Hates: Stuck up people.

Favourite Music genre: Indie.

My Interview with Sam.

Name: Sam

Age: 17

Likes: Parties, Gigs and Music.

Hates: Annoying people.

Favourite Music: Rock or Indie.

After interviewing three people who were part of my target audience, I feel that I have established who they are, targeted them effectivley and overall got mainly positive feedback. The criticism which I did get I could use to explain how I would improve my magazine. This is evidence that I have targeted my audince effectivley.

Question 4

Question 4

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Question 3

Question 3

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Question 2

Media Evaluation Question 2

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Evaluation Question 1

Audience Research Update

To gain some basic audience research I asked three people who fitted the Indie/Rock music genre to answer a few questions on what they thought of the magazine.

1) Does this magazine fit in with the Indie music genre?

2)Would you say the font connotes rebellion?

3) Do you think the colour scheme works or would you change it?

4) Would you say that this magazine appeals to a female audience as well as males?

5)What is your favourite part of the whole magazine?

6) Which part is your least favourite?

Finished Production Work; Double Page Spread

This is the final finished copy of my double page spread interview of my cover band The Blank Canvasses for my magazine; Unplugged!

Finished Production Work; Contents Page

This is my final copy of my finished contents page for my magazine; Unplugged!

Finished Production Work; Front Cover

This the final copy of my magazine front cover that I have named Unplugged!

Photo Update

My audience have said that they like these photos for the double page spread;









They say that these photos connote a fun and informal side to the band which also reflects the Indie music genre. As my audience is aged between 16-24 and may be college students, they like the idea that some one who is just like them can make it big in the music industry.

The simple background makes the reader concentrate on the people (subject) of the photo itself rather than the background behind. This also reflects the Indie music genre.

Photo update

These are the choices for the photos for my double page spread.

Production Update

Front Cover - I will try to make the Exclusive! bubble in the corner neater and more rounded.

Contents Page - I will alter the small spelling mistakes (three).

I will complete these alterations tomorrow morning before moving onto my double page spread.

Time Keeping Update: As we missed a couple of lessons due to the snow, and recently exams, I am around on lesson behind. However I will write the double page spread contents at home ready to type up either tomorrow or Monday.

Production Update

This is a completed copy of my contents page.

Production update

In my first copy of my contents page, that I completed on Quark Express, the font sizes for the text and page numbers were too big and took up to much room on the page. Similarly I didn't know how to add a semi-circle in the top left hand corner, drawing the attention to the exclusive preview of the next issue on the back pages. For this issue I had to make one in photoshop before transfering it over into Quark express.

Other issues that I have had is the size of the pictures inside the contents. Some lose their quality when they get smaller. To rectify this issue I have altered some of the frame sizes so that each photo is different sizes. This also links in with Indie genre of being rebellious and going against the mainstream.

However I have managed to follow my main design feature of yellow and black as the main colours for the magazine. These also stand out to the audience as black on yellow are two easiest colours to see against one another (even over black and white). This is why they are used on hazard symbols and therefore gives the reader a sense of danger and rebellion, linking back to the Indie genre. I have also followed the diagonal masthead idea onthe front cover which connotes a level of similarity and could be seen as the magazines trademark.

Photo update

My target audience said that they liked this picture the best;



They said it was because it shows the band smiling and pulling faces. This connotes the informality, fun and youthfulness of the magazine; thus reflecting the target audience and Indie genre. However they said that it might be interesting to cut around the group so that it didn't have any of the background in it.

Photos for contents page

These are the selection of photos that I will show my target audience to see which one they prefer on the contents page of my courserwork. I took the band in the photography room with the plain background behind them.

They will then give me their feedback and I will decide which photograph I want on my contents page.

Production Update

This is what my front cover looks like after I moved in into Quark Express.



However the cover shot prints out too dark so I will go back to photoshop to edit the photo so that it prints out correctly. I also had to edit out the background so that it looked more professional and neater. I did this by choosing by chopping out the background by using lasso and then finding a similar colour to the bottom part of the background and painting over the white background.

Final draft of cover

This is my final daft of my front cover, after making final changes that my audience suggested. I will then move this over to Quark Express from Photoshop and neaten the lines and edges of the masthead and Exclusive bubble.

Photo Update

My audience said that they preferred this picture for the front cover;

However when I tried to use this picture with my drafted background the masthead and the exclusive bubble covered band member Leah's head and face. As shown below;

Their second favourite picture was this one;

that I now have to use on the front cover design.

Also I showed my audience the full preview of what my front cover my look like and whether they thought it reflected the indie genre.

They said that the colours were too bright for the indie genre and thought that the picture would look better in black and white. This matched the white main sell and coverline along with the black masthead. They also said that as Indie music connotes a more metallic look that the purple could be replaced with either a gold or sliver and maybe with dark colours for the font i.e. black and white.

They also said that the font may be more of a girly type font and should be more plain to reflect Indie genres idea of focusing on the music. Similarly they also said that they would prefer a normal circle for the win! bubble instead as it seemed almost childish and took attention away from the music.

Photos

These are a selection of the photographs that I took of my cover band, The Blank Canvasses, on the 21st January in the college's photography studio. These will be the choice of which pictures will go on my front cover, I will then ask a group of my target audience which photo they would prefer on my front cover and why.