EVALUATION QUESTION 1

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge

forms and conventions of real media products?

My media product includes most conventional aspects which are common in other magazines. I have

based my product on my target audience by looking at their likes and what’s common in existing

magazines. Therefore I based the conventions of my product on what would attract and relate to my

audience.

The masthead is the main part of the magazine I wanted to attract my audience. The name had to be

very relatable to the idea of my magazine and the target audience. I wanted to capture the idea of

writing your own songs, having deep meanings, for personal use rather than just to make a hit and

with the purpose of helping people in the same situations. I

also wanted the masthead to be a short word which is easy

to remember because a longer name might get lost in the

media whereas something short but with lots of meaning

could stick with some people, and those ‘some people’

would be my target audience. I wanted to use a word that

related to writing and being expressive, and could also mean the musical side of writing. Therefore I

chose ‘Note’ to be my title because it conforms to writing music notes, writing lyrics, jotting down

life experiences to become songs, and showing the expressive side and being creative in people’s

lives. Everyone has writing in common, therefore the magazine will relate to a larger audience,

however not all of them have actually writing their own songs and

making it big in the world as a passion. This then defines my target

audience in a more personal way as it relates to their aspirations. I

placed the masthead in the top left corner as that is where the masthead

is typically placed in most magazines. This makes it more relatable to the

audience as it conforms to this particular convention. I have used an

NME magazine to compare because this magazine contains the same kind of content and has the

same approach as my product. This masthead is name up of 3 letters, which is easy to remember.

That is why I chose to adopt this function and use a small word to make it easier for my target

audience to remember it. Against the black background the white font stands out. This is useful as it

makes the masthead eye catching which is the function of a masthead. The rugged style of the font

displays the more expressive and untidy side to the genre I am conforming to. It also contrasts with

the rest of the cover as the lines and fonts are more pristine.

The colour scheme and ‘house style’ of my front cover

and contents page relate to each other and it is easy to

see that they belong to the same magazine. The colour

scheme is gold, burgundy, black and white. I chose these

colours as producing my cover before my contents page, I

got the colours by capturing the colour of Katy’s lips to be the burgundy as it also matches Zak’s

(right) shirt. A part of Scott’s (left) hair is burgundy, so this colour related to all three of them. The

gold is taken from Katy’s hair, and goes well against the burgundy. I decided to keep this colour

scheme going into the contents page to make it relatable that they belong to the same magazine;

however the double page spread contains other colour schemes but also has little elements relating

it back to the cover and contents pages.

I chose a blue theme for my double page spread

and kept the font of the title and the pull quote the

same colour. All the arrows are pointing to where

the blue has been significantly used. The title, pull

quote, and the gig dates box at the bottom of the

page all have conform to the blue colour scheme. I

also made a blue effect as the background from the

bottom right corner, and it shows up quite nicely

through the text. I chose the blue colour scheme as

I felt that blue represented this story quite well as

it show’s Kaya’s rise to fame but in a calm way and

how she stuck with her dreams. It isn’t a loud story, so isn’t a loud colour scheme. However, to

relate back to the cover and contents page, I made the corner information the same gold and

burgundy as the original colour scheme. I have done it in this way because then the reference to the

colour scheme won’t obstruct and ruin the rest of the double page. It conforms to typical

conventions of other magazines because the double page spread/feature aritcle is supposed to

stand out as it is a unique story.

This is a double page spread from

Kerrang! magazine. Typically, this

magazine’s cover is so busy and

scratched and has a very loud rock

band effect to it, whereas the

feature article is a lot more calm in

this case and focuses on the artist

only. I wanted to base my article on

this kind of lay out as I wanted to only address one artist.

The mis-en-scene and technical code of my main cover image to other images is shown through

making a certain image I want my cover band to portray. I wanted my band ‘Iridescence’ to portray

an idea of being the idols for undiscovered artists to look up to and follow. Therefore the word

‘Iridescence’ showing a sort of glowing and aspiring image to follow is suitable for this purpose. I

placed Katy in the middle as she is the lead singer and this is typical for most bands to have their

lead singer in the middle. She is also the only girl therefore makes her more unique and gaining the

most attention from the audience, in the sense that she will be

the face of that band and will be remembered more for it. I

wanted to keep this

image in all the photos of the band, being confident and inspiring. The eye contact with the camera

involves the audienceand promotes the message of being confident. Addressing the audience also

helps promote the message of the magazine itself regarding believing in yourself, write your own

stuff and make it big.

However the images of Kaya I have constructed to make it look like she has struggled with her claim

to fame. This is definitely relatable to the target audience because it helps them realise that it is in

no way easy to become famous. It also helps make the image of this star

more down to earth and promotes the message that she is only human, as

are all famous people. However her images also show that she has stayed

herself and hasn’t changed. Her confidence comes from her and not the

message she is showing to the audience. I have done this through her body

language. Smiling, hands on hips in some of them, and addressing the

audience. This all shows that she is engaging and very focused on what she

wants to do. In regards to the other images (cover and contents) Kaya’s

images are relating the message of the magazine as well as them all.

The drop cap I have used in the double page spread has only been used once and

that is at the beginning of the whole article. This is typical of most articles as it is

an indication of the beginning of the article/paragraph. I have used a different

font as it makes it more eye catching and interesting for the audience.

The pull quote used in the double page spread consists of a saying that I came up with which

represents the reality and the relatableness to the ‘artist’ in the sense that no matter

where you come from, if you try hard enough then you can do whatever you want to.

The repetition and easiness of the pull quote makes it easier for the audience to

remember and makes it easier to relate to regarding the fact that people who live in

small not-well-known places still have an equal chance of living their dream.

EVALUATION QUESTION 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The group I was aiming to present my media product was to Pop Rock fans. This genre consists of

music which isn’t too loud but can be loud where it needs to be. This genre includes powerful songs

which people can relate to more often than most, and is on a more Earth related level. By this I

mean that traditional rock and metal bands write with such deep lyrics that people who are truly

into this genre will be able to relate to and understand. However the genre I was conforming to is a

more modern rock genre which the lyrics consist of sayings which are commonly used by youths and

other sub-groups. This then creates a target audience who will be influenced but this genre of music.

Bands which I was trying to conform to and particularly use as a guide are The Script and Maroon 5.

These bands were chosen because the majority of the content in their songs are about love and the

struggles of love. There are other factors included in their songs which will particularly relate to

teenagers and the youth sub-group. One of these factors is sexual needs and wants, the need to feel

wanted and loved. Another factor would be about inspiration. These two bands particularly focus on

the idea of inspiring young people (and older) to pursue what they want in life, and to follow

passions and generally inspire them to do well in life. A common message in indie rock music is to

live young as much as possible, to take opportunities as they come and to enjoy all the pieces in life

and this message has reached quite a large population.

My Front Cover

To appeal to this group (pop rock fans) I needed to

include colours and images that will stand out to the

audience. The colours need to stand out and be either

bright or just bold. This is to conform to traditional rock

being loud and attention-grabbing, but also get the

audience’s attention to inspire them to make it big and

stick to their dreams and be excited about it. I made the 5 stripes in the

background the signature pattern for this magazine on the whole as I used

it in the Contents page too. I think this conforms to Pop Rock fans as it

makes the magazine cover look quite busy in the sense that if it were just a

black background it wouldn’t nearly have the same effect as it does with

the stripes. I wanted the band on the front to represent a passion and how

they make the most of what they have and the time to do it in. I used my friends and kept their

names the same, that way I could relate them to a lot more people as they

actually are people who aren’t famous (yet). This means that the band can

symbolise and represent how people who work hard can achieve their dreams

and they embody that message into their band name, their appearance and

their text. I found it a lot easier to create this band when I kept their names the

same as I could relate how they actually are into the band which worked really

well and seemed to fit the role. I tried to conform to the stereotype of how

rock bands stand and pose by placing my models standing in a line with serious expressions looking

straight into the camera. This is common for front-page bands as this means they have a ‘direct

address’ to the audience. Shows by The Script on the previous page, there are three of them in the

band, and the lead singer is at the front and a lot bigger than the other two, not out of importance

but in memorability. Therefore I made my lead singer (Katy) a big bigger using Photoshop and placed

the boys, Scott (left) and Zak (right), a little more behind her to conform to this convention. Also

with the ‘Hot Press’ cover, the members of The Script have serious expressions giving the impression

that they’re serious about what they do. I wanted to capture this with my models so I made them

look serious and directly into the camera. I also supported this effect by naming their new album

‘Shout for your passion’, showing that they’re serious about what they’re trying to portray.

Another way I have conformed to my target audience is through the purpose of having a lead singer

who is the only girl in the band. This is quickly recognised and

related to Paramore and Hayley Williams being the most popularly

used rock girl on the covers of rock magazines. In this example she

is a lot bigger than the boys and is in the middle of the cover, with

a serious facial expression. I have conformed to all of these factors.

Their hair colour is also similar as I tried to capture this essence of

how famous she was, it could help Katy get the publicity and boost

the band. The convention of having a female lead singer being the

ONLY female in the band was an interesting effect, so I tied it into

mine.

EVALUATION QUESTION 3

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product

and why?

I think that the media institution that would most suit the distribution for my product to the

appropriate audience would best the Bauer Media. I think this because of the size of my target

audience will be able to recognise this institution as it has supported and distributed many

successful magazines. I think that my product is similar and conforms quite

well to the other magazines already distributed with Bauer Media. Other

products under the distribution of Bauer are well known magazines such as

‘Q’ and ‘Kerrang!’ which are widely recognised and appreciated and already

have their own target audiences on a wide scale. My product is aimed at

attracting the same kind of audience of both of these magazines, and being

under the same media institution shows that my product will be a reliable

source as their other leading magazines have been such a great success and

are trusted by their audience.

My target audience will grow as the genre of people I am trying to attract is quite a hybrid group of

people. This is because the music as approach of this magazine relates to rock fans, and pop fans,

and new music fans. These audiences take up quite a lot of the music buyers’ population; therefore I

need a media institution that will live up to the expectations of delivering to the

large population a magazine which will appeal to the majority of it. The existing

magazines under the distribution of Bauer Media are well-known and are very

successful. ‘Q’ magazine is a good example of the more official side of the music

industry as this magazine appeals not only to rock fans but new music fans too.

My magazine is a Pop/Rock magazine which relates to a large quantity of music

fans in general, therefore if my target audience notices that Bauer has distributed

‘Q’ magazine and knows it is a trustworthy magazine that delivers reliable content

to the readers then my magazine will be boosted in popularity and the fans will be

more willing to trust it.

I wanted to go with a multi-distributional institution because it helps with the advertising of each

other’s magazines. The variety distributed by Bauer Media helps loosen the tension of being so loyal

to one magazine or genre of magazine. Broadening the options of advertising and taking on new

magazines to distribute can be beneficial as the public may notice a new magazine is supported by

the same institution as a regular subscription they get,

therefore willing to try out the new one. Independent

magazines and institutions such as Clash magazine are

successful on their own, even more so than IPC media.

However it is a gamble, due to the fact that it may not be so

successful and there will be nothing to support it.

To assist with the distribution, I would like to consider selling online and in paper editions either in

monthly subscriptions mailed straight to the reader or available in shops. I am considering selling

editions online as the use of the internet is becoming more and more used at an alarming rate. My

target audience is aged 15-25, and this age group has become increasingly reliant on the internet

and social media. Therefore I would like to make my product available to them in this way as it

would attract them to buy, or even briefly view. The word will spread

and my product will expand.

The use of the internet and selling in shops/subscription will be a key use

of synergy. The online version of the magazine will be among others, and

will have easy access to all. This method can help other magazines get

noticed if mine is and vice versa. This will hopefully increase sales.

EVALUATION QUESTION 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

The kind of magazine I wanted to make was a pop/rock and new

music magazine which is quite a popular genre of music in

circulation currently and attracts quite a lot of the young people

in high school/college. I wanted to use pictures of my friends

because I know for a fact that they listen to the same music that

I am trying to capture in my magazine, and I loosely based the

magazine around them. I also based the magazine on two

bands, The Script and Maroon 5. I chose these two bands because they are my favourite bands and

have been for years, which means I know a lot about that them and their style and representation of

the genre.

According to the pictures, the demographics of the people I am

trying to attract are young (15-25), middle class people, both

genders. This shows how wide my audience is due to being aimed

at both genders, not just one, and middle class people as that

seems the most common class to attend college and who I would

know to base the magazine on. The psychographics of this group

of people would be aspirers. This would be because the music

they listen to and what I based my music magazine on is the kind

of music that inspires people to follow their dreams and to not

give up etc. I also included on my front cover that the name of the band’s new album is called ‘Shout

for your passion’. This shows that my audience will be inspired by my magazine and my bands just as

they are by the bands we’re in to already. This idea helped with the production a huge amount.

We had to carry out audience research in our production research leading up to the production of

the finished products. However, I changed my mind on the kind of magazine to do and my audience

to aim it at. I was originally going for Indie/Acoustic music, but felt I didn’t connect and know enough

about that genre of music from the bands to the actual music itself to write about it and produce

and good piece of work conforming to that genre. Therefore the mood-board showing the

demographics and the products associated with my target audience is no longer relevant to my

finished products.

The advertising used for my target audience I feel would be online advertising. This is because of the

growing use of the internet for particularly this generation, and also the ease of access to see the

magazine and putting the magazine up there in the first place. I think that my target audience is a

viable audience for this kind of advertising as it addresses them directly through the internet,

however some of them like the feeling of having the magazine in person and will be more willing to

buy the real edition through either subscriptions or buying in the shops. This could show the need to

keep things for sentimental reasons and be able to re-read editions again and again.

EVALUATION QUESTION 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87581505@N03/8468628738/ here is the link to my flickr

annotations of my cover and all the elements used to attract the audience.

The point of sale for my magazine would be in common shops

associated with my target audience. These would be HMV to be

the most popular, and WHSmith because being young people in

college, WHSmith is a key shop to supply stationary and more

essentials for this age group. This means that the attention of my

target audience will be turned to the magazine.

The language used in my cover and contents page is written in a

way that relates to the target

audience. I have done this by using

commonly used words used by my

generation, and that my target

audience will understand and relate

to. Like ‘scoop’ meaning inside story. I

have also written the content in a way

that relates to the magazine itself, by using words to relate to ‘Note’ and

song-writing and dreaming and believing.

I wanted to create the magazine to act as a best friend in the sense that it

shows support, links to help and methods to use to help the audience

achieve their dreams. I wanted to adopt this approach because of the

bands and music genre I have based the magazine on like The Script and

Maroon 5 expressing the same message of achieving your passion. I wanted to do this because it

makes the magazine less formal, and more helpful towards my target audience.

The unique selling point of my magazine is that it has a retro style to it, and it combines both the

rugged side of music to the slick, pristine and tidy side to music. This retro effect using the burgundy

and gold colour scheme will attract my target audience because they relate to the retro effect as it’s

coming back into fashion. It is interesting and something which will catch the eye as it is bringing the

past back into style.

EVALUATION QUESTION 6

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of

constructing this product? Before After

I have learnt a lot of techniques

to do with Photoshop to help me

construct my product, from the

shapes, colours, and text. But

what I felt that I most focused on

in the construction of my product

was the editing of my images. I

spent most of my time editing

the faces of my models for the

front cover, as I was

experimenting how light I wanted

their faces, how their makeup

should be done, what colour their eyes were, and if I wanted to change their hair.

The original photos were taken in the studio with professional lights to illuminate their faces.

However they didn’t give the exact effect that I wanted for my front cover, so experimented with the

lighting to make them brighter.

I did this by experimenting with the levels first of all, by going into

‘Adjustments’ and then ‘Levels’. This allowed me to get the exact

balance of lighting and brightness I wanted my models to be. Using

this helped me learn how to look more closely at my product and

look at the detail of what I had the power to change, and how

precise I could be with my final product. The only negative point is

that it was time consuming.

I then decided that I could either change or enhance the eye colour of the models, so I zoomed in to

avoid any over-lapping or messy work. I advanced on my skills of the tools I was using, and used a

range of outlining tools such as the Magnetic Lasso. This helped me outline the specific pieces I

wanted to edit with a lot more ease.

To edit the spots and blemishes on their faces, I zoomed in

and used the ‘Spot healing tool’ on the left side bar. That

vanishes any unwanted marks or spots on the faces and gives

a smooth finish. This was essential as on all magazines,

whatever type of magazine, the models have been edited to

look perfect. This effect was most useful to me in the creation

of my final product.

As well as focusing the most on the editing of my product, I also learnt how to use online sites to

help with the publishing and formatting of the presentation of my product.

I particularly saw how significant the use of Blogger was to this course, as everything we produce

and research goes onto Blogger and is done online. This is done because of the ever-growing use of

technology and the greater audience having access to these sites. As well as the easy access, it is a

lot more efficient than having paper files that are easily lost. Having everything online makes it

easier for tutors to view them and also allows more inventive and imaginative ways to present the

work.

Also the use of Issuu was helpful. This site helped change the format of looking at work from just

scrolling a page to acting like a book and being able to turn the pages. This adds an interesting effect

to the work and displays the imaginative aspects of knowledge of certain sites.

EVALUATION QUESTION 7

Looking back at your preliminary task (the college magazine task),

what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full

product? The college magazine which I produced at the beginning of the year was the product of being very

new to Photoshop and being very

shy with most computer editing

software. This was because

previous classes didn’t require

being familiar with editing

software, so I was very distant in

knowing what to do and lacked

confidence to experiment.

My college magazine displays basic

Photoshop skills which are very

underdeveloped. It is obvious that

I was very new to Photoshop as

the lack of confidence is clearly

presented through this magazine.

The photography hasn’t changed,

however the editing has much

improved since the final front

cover of my music magazine.

The masthead is thin, not as bold and not an outstanding font. It

also isn’t placed onto a background to make it stand out more; it is only relying on the fact that the

colour of the font is different to the coverlines and text. However for the target audience (college

students) the font and style should fit the genre which is an educational information/gossip

magazine for a working environment. Therefore it fits well with the scribe kind of style relating to

the college audience.

The coverlines and anchorage text stand out well which is the purpose, however the editing could be

much more tidy and fit the page. For example where the arrow is pointing is a prime place where I

could have edited the text to fit around the model’s face. This would have made it more professional

looking and much neater.

The puff is off centre and looks very quickly put together. This shows how much I have focused on

the detail in my final pieces as the lining up is much more accurate. A border would have made it

stand out more, and I could have changed the colour of the font to make more of an impact. The

effect that this magazine cover is showing is boring.

With the photography, I could have edited the photo in much more detail. Such as zoomed in on the

face and enhanced the eyes and skin. I focused more on this in my final magazine cover. The hair

colour could have been changed and the lighting and background could have been softened or even

completely changed. This all could have been done in more time, which shows that the college

magazine was produced in a much shorter period than the music magazine.

My final cover has a much clearer colour scheme than my college magazine. The colour scheme for

the music mag came from colours which the band on the cover has in common and what worked

well together. The colour scheme of the college magazine was established by colours that I felt were

associated with college and work and what would grab the audience’s attention. Due to the intense

research carried out since the production of the college magazine, I was able to find out what my

legitimate target audience would be looking for, and this knowledge was carried on into the final

product.