Hampshire QuarterlyHow did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Technology

The primary hardware used in this project was a Sony DSLR camera that assisted me in the photography process and ensured that my photos would be of a high quality, allowing them to speak for themselves. Through this, I learnt the importance of capturing a good image as it can really ‘pay off’ in the long run and enhance the overall quality of the magazine.

After extensively studying other regional magazines, I decided to focus on a scenic, bucolic subject matter that would showcase the natural beauty of Hampshire and ultimately appeal to viewers. I decided to use a digital camera as it was more reliable, more portable and produced high quality photographs.

Technology

Another important aspect of the magazine construction was the post-production software. This technology is used included Photoshop, InDesign and Wix, all of which worked well to create the best possible product. I used Photoshop for the majority of the tasks and, as seen on the right, it enables me to create many layers and add various effects to my work, creating depth and meaning. It allowed me to experiment with different editing techniques and ultimately showed me what was successful and what wasn’t. InDesign worked in much the same way, allowing me to flexibly design my double page spread. The ‘guides’ feature was also helpful in helping me to keep the dimensions regular and conform to the codes and conventions of a magazine article.

Technology - Wix

Wix has been a fundamental resource during this project; not only was it used to create my magazine’s website, it is also where I have presented my coursework.

It is a valuable tool for displaying information in the form of both a blog and a website as it has a vast array of templates, tools and options to choose from, allowing you to personalise it.

Moreover, it is clear and easy to use and simplifies the most complicated of tasks, whilst maintaining a stylish appearance, which was beneficial for both me and my project.

Conclusion

Overall, the technology used over the duration of this process has only helped my work; although technology can be temperamental at times, I feel that without it, we would be stranded. Without the hardware and software that I have used, my magazine, billboard and website would not exist in the same way and would certainly not be of the same standard.

It has been a vital component in the making of my magazine and has enabled me to explore different techniques that, without technology, would have been unavailable.