My Final Media product and preliminary task

Here are some images of my final media product; and my preliminary task; school magazine.










My Music front cover







My Music contents page










My Media double page spread








My Preliminary task front cover

and contents page.

Evaluation - Question 1

1. How does my media product use develop or challenge forms and conventions of other published magazines?

My magazine follows the codes and conventions like other published magazines such as NME and Q etc. Here is a copy of NME magazine and how it follows the codes and conventions along with my media product.


Nme magazine

· Title is always situated in the top left hand corner of the page where the audience begins to read.

· Prices are shown on cover.

· One main image, medium close up of usually a band or singer - image slightly covers title, never title covering main image.

· Cover line (main cover line) – always text that goes with the picture. Anchors the meaning of the main image, which is the largest on the page.
· Positioning statement is always positioned either above or below the title.

· Most Title, Positioning Statement, Date, Price – Masthead

· Most cover lines are on the left hand side of the cover.

· Buzzwords – exclusives, inside peek to magazine.

· Strip at the bottom of the cover – gives a list of names, bands and Typography is consistent throughout. Only a few fonts are used.
· Two types of font - SERIF (Hook) T, a (Most commonly used and traditional)

· Cover lines frame the main image

· Barcode is kept in the bottom right hand corner, because a paid for advert is on the back page.

Here is an image of an NME magazine;














This media magazine follows most of the codes and conventions and I had to apply the codes and a convention to make my work look professional and compete with other published magazines. Here is my media product and how it follows the codes and conventions.

My magazine front cover

· The title is always one word or letter long, and is the width of the full page.
My title is one word (strum) and is the full width of the page.

· Barcode is kept in the bottom right hand corner, because a paid for advert is on the back page.
My barcode and issue price and date are situated at the side of the page.

· All have a plus list of what is contained inside.
Yes I have a plus list situated at the bottom of the page.

· Prices are shown on cover.
Yes my price is shown at the right hand side of the page next to my barcode.

· Puffs - freebies included something extra; gives value for money.
Yes I have given my audience a free mixed guitar legends CD.

· The title is a unique font, and the largest text on the cover.
My title font is Britannic bold and is the largest text on the page to catch my audiences eye.

· Consistent colour scheme, only few colours used.
I have only used three colours throughout my front cover which are red black and white.

· One main image, medium close up of usually a band or singer - image slightly covers title, never title covering main image.
Yes I have taken a medium close up of a male playing guitar giving the audience direct address to invite them into the magazine.

Direct address – main image taken so that the person/people are looking at the reader.
Yes my image is giving the audience direct address as he is looking straight at the audience.

· Cover line (main cover line) – always text that goes with the picture. Anchors the meaning of the main image, which is the largest on the page.
My cover line anchors my main image as it is a singer called Mellow .D. who is the person featured on my magazine front cover.

· In most cases the main cover line will be two lines long.
Yes my coverline is only two lines long Mellow.D. Melting Charts.

· Cover lines are usually two or three lines, showing information about the contents to intrigue the audience and provoke interest. It is kept to as few words as possible.
Yes I have followed this giving my audience a little insight to the articles i.e. how well do you know music? - test your knowledge.

· Connotations of the front cover reflect the target audience and subject of the magazine.
· Yes my magazine is about music and guitars and I have made my front cover reflect the target audience with my image of a male playing a guitar, the title name Strum and the coverlines i.e. beginners guide to guitar.

· Cover lines frame the main image
· Yes my coverlines frame the main image as they are all relevant to guitars ,music and bands/singers.

· Positioning statement is always positioned either above or below the title.
· My positioning statement is positioned below the title towards the bottom of the page.

· Most cover lines are on the left hand side of the cover.
· My coverlines are mostly to the left hand side of the cover.

· Title, Positioning Statement, Date, Price – Masthead
· My magazine has all of these.

· Buzzwords – exclusives, inside peek to magazine.
· Yes I have used buzzwords such as plus and exclusive.

· Strip at the bottom of the cover – gives a list of names, bands and topics included.
Yes I have included this at the very bottom of my magazine i.e KT Tunstall.

· Typography is consistent throughout. Only a few fonts are used.
Yes I have only used a few fonts including brittanic bold and myriad pro.

Here is an image of my front cover.














Nme codes and conventions of a contents page

Picture of contents with page number

Title placed in left hand corner

Subscriptions included

Index list

Headings to divide contents

Black/white background

Page number then text arrangment

Text one or two words mainline bold slightly larger than the other text

Regular content appears in every magazine issue

Features one off articles

Same font used

Bottom of page – page number, title, issue date, website.

Contact details, website address.

NME Magazine contents arrangement differs for bands index, as it is a weekly magazine, so band index is shown as band/artist title then page number – shows what page each artist review is on, makes it easier.

My contents page

My contents page follows these codes and conventions.
· Pictures of contents with page numbers.

· I have included these.

· Magazine title is placed in the tip left hand corner.

· Yes my magazine title is placed to the left hand side.

· Date and Issue numbers shown.

· Yes the date and issue numbers are shown.

· Headings to divide up contents.

· Yes I have included two titles including regulars and features.

· Consistent colour scheme, only a few colours used.

· Yes only a few colours are used which are black and red.

· Page numbers shown on the pictures anchor image to written contents.

· Yes page numbers have been included to anchor the images to the written contents.

· Plain/white backgrounds.

· I have a plain white background.

· Word “Contents” at the top of the page.

· I have included this next to my magazine title.

· Page number and then text arrangement.

· Yes I have applied this to my contents page.

· Text (one or two words, mainline – bold, slightly larger than the other text).

· Sub line – smaller text.

· My subline is smaller font .

· Regular content – appears in every single issue of the magazine.

· I have included this i.e. interviews

· Features – one off articles which appear only in the one issue.

· I have included this i.e. beginners guide to guitar.

· Same font used as on the front page.

Yes I have used the same font
· Bottom of page – page number, title, issue date, website.
· I have included these at the bottom of the page.

· Contact details, website address.
The website address is at the bottom of the page.

Here is a screen shot of my contents page;

Evaluated work - Question 2

2. How does you media product represent particular socials groups?
My media product represents a particular social group of people who are musicians/guitarists. I wanted to create a magazine that is suited to me and my type of social group which includes popular bands/singers that use instruments and include articles on different guitars and that relate to guitars and music such as interviews and advice i.e. "Beginners guide to guitar" and "Chris Martin in the hotseat" . People in my particular social group look for certain things within magazines i.e. a free CD or posters etc in every issue so I have included a free CD as I and my social group enjoy music and my questionnaire also stated it was the most popular type of free gift rather than a free dvd or book. My title represents my social group as the title name is "Strum" and this is relevant to guitars as well as my stand first "simply guitar" which makes the genre stand out to the audience as i have used music relatred words. The image I have used appeals to my particular social group as it implies that the magazine is about guitars and musicians as the male is holding a guitar and he is giving direct address to the audience inviting them into a world of music and guitars. The cover lines I have used are effective as well because they intrigue the audience with relevant and fun articles which they can be involved with and enjoy i.e. "how well do you know music?" "Beginners guide to guitar" and "top 10 legends"! These cover lines link with the image I have used as well as they are all about guitars and music and offer a variety of different things i.e. advice,interviews free gifts and fun. The colours I have used will appeal to my audience because when I received my questionnaire back it told me that people of my particular social group enjoy magazines with the colours that I have used which are red, white black and purple. These colours are eye catching and make my text stand out as they are well known colours and they go together well as they stand out when mixed i.e black and white.I used a purple background as it is a popular colour to females so my magazine appeals to any type of audience male or female becuase it uses a range of different colours. The language I have used for my magazine is simple and straightforward with short sentences with a simple design and layout i.e. my contents page has two headings "regualr and features" to help the audience find an article easily and divide my content in different cateroriges. I found that lots of similar magazines apply this and it makes it suitable for most types of people and ages espically people of my particular social group

Below are some videos of my audience talking about magazines;

Evaluation - Question 3

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

I think that IPC media would be the institution because it has over 85 iconic magazines with lots of different genres including music and lifestyle etc.
IPC's diverse print and digital portfolio offers something for everyone, with a focus on three core audiences: men, mass market women and upmarket women.
IPC would be the most ideal as it is the United kingdoms most leading consumer magazine companies and would get a bigger share within the market and increase their coverage of music magazines.
My magazine will also create competition to similar magazine types from other companies i.e. Q magazine.
IPC magazine produces magazines such as NME Look Marie Claire and TV and Satellite etc. Here are some images of these magazines;

Evaluation - Question 4

4. Who is my audience and why? Character profiles.

Profile 1
Name; Rachel Carter
Age 18
Interests; guitars and music including Coldplay, Owl city and KT Tunstall.
Hobbies; Reading, Listening to music and going out with friends to parties and gigs.
Education; sixth form
Family; 2 brothers 1 sister

Rachel is learning to drive and hopes to go to Sheffield University in September 2010.
Photograph of person;










Profile 2
Name; Louise Marshall
Age 17
Interests; music and guitars and plays in a local school band.
She likes bands including Pink Floyd, KT Tunstall and Texas.
Hobbies; swimming, tennis, reading and playing gigs with her band.
Education; sixth form
Family; one brother one sister

Louise hopes to attend UCLAN University in September 2010 and wants to become a school teacher.
Here is a photograph of Louise;

Profile 3

Name; Emily Roberts

Age 18

Hobbies; Listening to music, driving, parties and gigs.

Interests; Instruments,bands/singers including KT Tunstall and Taylor Swift.

Education;Sixth form

Family;Two brothers

Here is a photograph of Emily Roberts.

Here are some videos of these people talking ablout magazines.

Evaluation - Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

I did a number of different things to address and attract my audience I used on main image on my front cover of a male playing the guitar. The male was looking at the camera this is making eye contact with the audience and is inviting them to buy because of direct address. Also my main image is against a plain purple background so there is only the main image to focus on as the background is not distracting just like other published magazines this is an important feature to most magazines.

I used an effective relevant title name called strum which relates to guitars and music as well as the stand first (simply guitar) this catches peoples eyes as it invites the audience into a world of guitars and music .I used relevant cover lines such as top 10 legends and how well do you know music? Etc this addresses my audience as they enjoy music and gives a sense of the magazine genre my coverlines also offer variety i.e. free CD, quiz interviews and advice. Variety is found on most magazines to keep the audience interested in the magazine and for their enjoyment.

The font that I have used may attract my audience as it is the width of my magazine with a big, bold font called brittanic bold as my main cover line Mellow d. I used little subheadings under my cover lines to give my audience an insight to the article i.e. “test your knowledge!”

I included popular bands and artists to help attract my audience such as Coldplay. I got this information from my questionnaire. The artists stand out at the bottom of the page with short words such as PLUS which makes the audience feel involved and getting good value.

I used included a free CD as people like to feel they are getting good value and feel part of the magazine so I included a free CD to make people feel like this.

I used popular well known colours including red black and white because my questionnaire told me that it gets my social groups attention and magazines with these colours appeal to them.
I spoke to my audience throughout my magazine with simple language and short sentences as music magazines are aimed at any audience who enjoy music so anyone can read and understand the magazine.

I also attracted my audience by making my magazine a certain price which is suitable and affordable. My questionnaire told me that on average people like to pay £2 to £3 for a magazine so I made my magazine this price and it appeals to my target audience as it is an ideal price.

Evaluation- Question 6

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

I have learnt lots about the technologies from constructing my product as I have gained more skills in certain areas including Adobe Photoshop, quark express and my camera skills. Firstly when it came to using abode Photoshop I only had a little experience about the things it could do but throughout this project I have learnt that it is a program which is capable of doing lots of different things like creating shapes and boxes, it contains lots of different fonts and blending options to help you create an effective font and cover lines with added tools i.e. gradient overlay. I have learnt that Photoshop can manipulate images in a number of different ways i.e. different size or with a patterned background or you can crop an image or use the different lasso tool which can change any image.
When I had to use quark express it was completely new to me but I found it quite easy to use as it had a simple layout of everything that I required i.e. text box/image box. I found quark express easier than Photoshop as it has a simpler layout and is more straight forward. It took me a little time to find all the different things that I needed and to get the right setup on the pages then I found it quite easy. When I started my preliminary task I found using the camera quite hard as I could only do the basics but when I started my evaluated work I experimented with the camera and found all the different shots and effects that could be added compared to just the normal images I was taking at the start of the two tasks.

Here are some images of me using these programs including Adobe Photoshop quark express and Mircosoft word along with some images of the different programs and the tools i used to help me create an effective media product.

Evaluation - Question 7

7. Looking back on your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learned from it in the progress from it to the full product?
· Creative skills
· Writing skills
· Photography
· Meeting deadlines
· Coming up with ideas

I feel that I have learnt a lot in the process of my media coursework because my skills have developed and I have learnt to widen my knowledge in certain areas. I have also learnt about desktop publishing and the roles of different people whilst creating a magazine. I have taken on the roles of 5 different jobs including being a journalist and a photographer.

My creative skills
I wanted to create a media product which contained lots of variety and provided an essential fun magazine that my audience will effective and interesting. to do this i had to work on my creative skills this includes the fonts i have used,images,colours,relevant coverlines and titles.
I had lots of different Ideas whilst deciding on my magazine including taking a variety of different photographs i.e. my first idea was to take a photograph of somebody sitting on the grass playing guitar surrounded by flowers. This was my original idea of a hippy music magazine. My second idea was of somebody sitting by the fire surrounded by candles playing guitar. This would have added to the effect of an acoustic magazine because the picture suggests calm and relaxing music. When I looked at other magazines I realized that the images they used where not so complicated and are of a close up of a certain person or band so I applied this to my own work of a close up of a male playing guitar which suggests the magazine genre to the audience. when creating my media product i tried a number of different fonts including IMPACT,BRITTANIC BOLD,WIDE LATIN AND FINALLY MYRIAD PRO. When i used some of these fonts they looked to complicated and did not suit the genre of my magazine.

My writing skills
I feel that my writing skills have improved as I had to think of my own cover lines, contents articles and double page spread. I looked at other magazine to get ideas but the work was my own including my double page spread which I had to use my own knowledge and research skills to create an effective article with instructions and give advice to my audience and make it sound professional. Within my double page spread I had to imagine I am a journalist and write to an audience and include myself and the audience in the article. i feel that i have learnt to gather information more easily and effectivly by creating questionnaires to ask my audience questions.
Firstly i created my double page spread text on mircosoft word where here i can spellcheck it etc here is some screenshots of my work in mircosoft word;

Here are some screen shots of the audience research for my double page spread;

I have learnt to write in the style of magazines producing lots of different articles for my contents page that involve music and guitars including my coverlines with intriging article insights.
Photography
When I started my preliminary task I was not sure how to use the camera properly but when it came to taking my images for my media product I was more aware of the camera and the things It could do therefore I have gained more knowledge as I had to take lots of different photos and learned by getting experience from my preliminary task. Here are some photographs of my preliminary exercise;

The types of photographs i was taking whilst working on my preliminary task to the quality of the evaluated work photographs have changed because when working on my evaluated media product i have learnt to take a variety of good quality relevant photos i.e. getting a clearer image and focusing better.

Here are some photos i used for my preliminary task and some i have used for my evaluated media product,

Here is an image that i used for my preliminary task as you can see the image not very good quality and slightly unclear.

Here is an image that i used for my contents page and you can see the difference in the quality.


Meeting deadlines
When I was doing my preliminary tasks I missed some deadlines as I did not organise my time properly but with this task I have meet most deadlines I have organised myself and used my time wisely including free periods, lunch times and at home.

Coming up with ideas
Whilst working on my media tasks I had lots of different ideas like front covers images and cover lines. My first idea was to create a hippy music magazine featuring old popular bands as a special edition but the photograph I wanted to take was really complicated and if the photo was not taken right the image would not look effective and professional. The second Image that I wanted to take was of somebody sitting by a fireplace surrounded by candles playing a guitar but again the image is quite complicated. At this point I was looking for some new ideas so I looked at a range of different music magazines to see what type of images they use and I found that mostly it is one main image of a band/singer looking straight at the camera. So I applied this to my work as the close up looking forward shot invites the audience into the magazine. Also when it came to taking the photo it could not go wrong as it is quite a simple photo then I just edited it on Photoshop without the background using different tools including the lasso tool and crop tool to create a smooth image for my final front cover.

Here is the photograph i have edited;

I looked at the background on other magazines and found that the background is mostly plain with some colour so I applied this to make work as it makes the image stand out to the audience as the image is the main thing to focus on.

I created a number of documents in Mircosoft Word to help me with ideas here are some screenshots,

Here is my preliminary front cover and my final front cover;

There you can see the difference betweenmy preliminary cover and my final music front cover.

Final images used

Here are my final images from all the images i have taken these are the final ones used.

The front cover image;

I decided on this image as it meets the codes and conventions as it is one main image giving the audience direct address.

This image is relevant and relates to my magazine genre also it is eye catching to my audience as it advertists a band/singer holding a guitar. This is what people from questionnaire like to see.

Contents Page;

I used this image for my article Mellow .D. Melting Charts on my contents page as it is the same person as my main front cover image and it represents the main headline.

I used this image becuase it relates to my article 20% off any guitar chord books. this image is relevant to the article and the image shows two of the artists featured on my front cover which are KT Tunstall and Coldplay.

This image is used becuase it relates to my article beginners guide to guitar. this is an effective image and gives the reader an idea instandly of what the article contains and features.

This image reflects my article top 10 guitar legends. this image is relevant and catches the audiences eye becuase it is a guitar.

double page spread

I used this ine main image as the reader with focus on it more than a page with lots of different images. this images shows somebody holding a plectrum to a guitar. this image suggests a number of different things that involve guitars i.e. The strings the plectrum the guitar and finally the hand which suggests involving another person which is the reader.

Images i have taken for magazine

Here are the pictures i have taken throughout my media coursework i have not used all the images but this shows my work in progress.