Evaluation

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

Before creating my magazine, I analysed a range of music magazine front covers, contents pages and double-page spreads to gather a range of conventions that I thought would enable me to create successful magazine pages that would appeal to my target audience. When analysing the covers I discovered common features that all of the magazines carried. For example, all of the mastheads on the front cover were at the top of the page, either centred for left justified and they each included a minimum of five cover lines. In result of this when creating my front cover, I incorporated these features into my own front cover and positioned my masthead at the top of the page with left justification and had a total of five cover lines positioned around the model. I then included my cover story at the bottom of the page, larger than the other cover lines in order to highlight the fact it was the most important feature on the cover. Although positioning the main cover story at the bottom of the page in a larger font, isn't a common feature of my magazine covers, one of the magazines did and I thought it was an effective way of making sure the audience’s attention was drawn to this specific feature. As well as looking at the layout of the magazine page and the use of text, I also looked at the use of image and colour. In each of the front covers, the colour scheme was derived from the image in some way, for example the spin front cover colour scheme was taken from the artists eye colour. To create this effect in my own magazine, I took a shade of pink from my models dress and used it on my cover lines and masthead, I also took white and pink from the models dress and jewellery and used them in the cover line shadows. By using colours only from my photograph I was able to link all of the magazine features together and make it both professional and aesthetically pleasing. Whilst creating the front cover, I was aware that the pink I selected from the models dress was a stereotypically feminine colour and might not appeal my male audience, however if I was to produce my front cover long term, I would change the magazine colour scheme depending on the front image so that audience would be aware of this and hopefully would not affect who would purchase my magazine. As well as these features, I included certain conventions that made the magazine look more realistic and professional such as a bar code, a price, a date and an issue number. Although these aspects of the magazine aren't as bold and noticeable as the cover lines and masthead, they add to the magazines overall finish and make it appear more realistic.

Similarly, before starting my contents page production, I analysed a range of existing contents pages from music magazines. In order to gather conventions that would appeal to my target audience of people interested in indie music aged 16+, I only annotated music with the same or a similar target audience. After analysing four different contents pages it was clear to see a number of typical features that were consistent through each page. For example two out of the four magazine pages I annotated featured a band index as well as their main contents list, I thought this particular feature would appeal to my target audience so I also included a band list on the right of my contents page. Another feature I noticed that ran through all of my annotated magazines was the use of the same or similar fonts and colours as the front covers, automatically creating a house style for the magazine, in order to create this effect for my own magazine I only used two one font as well as two different colours from my front cover, black and pink. Although I only used one font throughout, I changed the size of the text and put some of the text in capitals to label various sections of the contents page, such as the subheadings, breaking up the contents list and making it easier for the reader to find a page quickly if needed. As well as this, I also included a box with details of how to subscribe to the magazine. This feature was on the majority of my analysed contents pages as a type of self advertisement so I added my own subscription box to my contents page to persuade the readers to subscribe to my magazine. As well as the aesthetic qualities of magazine contents pages that I discovered, I also analysed the contents pages to discover conventions that would help me create a layout that was easy to follow, organised yet still aesthetically pleasing and professional. There were two particular conventions of layouts I discovered when analysing the existing magazine covers which were the use of subheadings to break down my text the use of images to illustrate the special features of the magazine. I used these features to create an organised contents page that would be easy for my readers to follow whilst still highlighting the important parts of my magazine. However when trying to fit these features on one A4 side I found it hard to fit everything I needed in the small space, as a result of this I decided to make my pages over run into two pages and make it a double page spread contents page. I now had the space to include my band index, a main contents list and a special features list. Creating a contents page over two sides is quite unconventional and the analysis I carried out on existing magazine pages didn’t include any double-page spread contents pages but I was still able to apply the conventions onto my own page. On one page, I created a contents list of special features, exclusive to this week’s issue. Beside each special article I included an image which illustrated the article. I took this idea from one of the magazines with the same target audience as mine. I thought this was very effective. When reviewing my contents page and comparing it to the existing pages it’s easy to see which conventions I decided to apply to my own magazine. I think although I had an unconventional set up with a double-page contents page, the stereotypical features I applied from the existing pages made it more typical and also look professional.

After analysing front covers and contents pages I then analysed a range of double-page spreads in order to make it appeal to my target audience and make it as successful as my other magazine pages. Similarly to my contents page and front cover research, I gathered conventions and applied them to my own double-page spread. The first decision I made was about the article layout, I decided to take quite a conventional layout that one of the existing magazine articles that I analysed held. I made my main image take over the left page which allowed my reader to see the artist whilst also setting the mood for my article, in my article, I wanted to create a fun and feminine tone. I also used a technique i discovered from my existing covers which was to place a bar of colour down the side of the large image, the same colour as the masthead which all of the article features together. One of the conventions I discovered from the existing pages regarding the structure of the article, ran through all of my analysed magazines. The magazines set out their right page in three sections, a masthead, a brief description of the article and the actual article. I decided to apply this layout to my own interview because I thought the organised layout was easy to follow and aesthetically pleasing. One other important convention I discovered in the magazines was the use of quotes from the interview presented in different ways. In my main interview I enlarged two quotes and turned them pink, I think this not only linked the main article to the other aspects of the magazine but it also makes the reader quickly read the quotes before the article and will hopefully persuade the readers to read the article. I used this technique again on the left side of the page by putting a direct quote from the interview on top of the picture, to create the same effect. During my production I was aware that my double-page spread has taken quite a conventional and stereotypical look but I included one feature that wasn't present in any of the existing magazine article that I analysed. I placed three separate images of close ups taken in the double-page spread photo shoot. Although this is quite an unconventional feature, I thought it allowed the reader to see more of the artist which creates quite a personal feature.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

When creating my magazine pages I designed and created it around a particular target audience which was people interested in indie music, aged 16+ both male and female but primarily women. Throughout my production I tried to keep my target audience in mind however when looking back over my magazine I think I may have made it appeal to the female audience more than the masculine audience. When analysing my magazine pages, I think the only social group I represented was females. The representation I chose to send to my readers of females was very positive and was presented strongly in my double page spread, particularly in the main interview. I personally think the representation of women in magazines and other media products is often false but by presenting a real representation of women I would appeal to my target audience more. To do this, I used a model that is not as stereotypical looking as might be seen in other magazines, I also chose to wrote things in my interview which didnt show the stereotypical attitude of women. By the artist being modest, not vain and liking the way she is as apposed to self centered, vain and fake this presents a positive representation of women. Other than that, I dont think I have represented any other social groups in my magazine pages yet I don't think I have excluded any social groups by making the choices i have made in my magazine pages. In my article I chose to ask questions that would not sway the artists answers to discriminate or exclude and social groups. As well as this I chose not to draw attention to the artists regional identity and sexual preference becuase I didn't think this was relevant and could have led to a change in the readers opinion.

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

Each magazine is distributed by a specific media institude. After analysing my finished magazine pages and also reviewing the genre of my magazine, who I wanted to represent and who I wanted to target, I decided on a media institute that I thought would help me fulfill these specific points and enable my magazine to be as successful as possible. I decided on Bauer Media to distribute and represent my magazine. This particular media institute is responsible for successful media products such as 'Kerrang!' magazine and television channels such as '4Music'. Due to the fact 'Kerrang!' is a successful music magazine with a similar target audience as mine I thought Bauer Media would benefit my magazine especially with their promise to 'Connect audiences with compelling content' I think this particular point is cruicial to create successful media products.

Who would be the audience for your media product?/How did you attract and address your audience?

Before starting the design and production stages of my magazine pages I decided on a particular target audience that I kept in mind throughtout and made decisions to make my pages appeal to my target audience. I decided to target my magazine at people interested in indie music, aged 16+ both men and women. I thought it would be easy for me to create a magazine for thie particular target audience because I fit into my chosen target audience myself. To make my magazine appeal to this particular audience I used a range of techniques. On my front cover I included a range of cover lines that would appeal to my target audience such as including band and artists names from my chosen genre such as 'Darwin Deez', 'Flamboyany Bella' and 'Adrian Orange'. I also including cover lines about festivals and articles about guitars. I used these cover lines in hope that the large cover lines grab the readers attention by giving them someone or something to recognise. On the contents page I used features that would appeal to my target audience such as a band index and sub headings that would appeal to the audience such as 'band news' and 'live reviews'. In double-page spread, I used a conventional layout as well as a range of smaller images to appeal to my audience. The conventional layout makes it easy for the reader to follow because they will be familiar with the layout where as the smaller images give the magazine a personal touch and allow the reader to see more of the artist. Although I think my magazine pages do appeal to my target audience becuase its easy to read for anyone over 16 and holds lots of features and articles that would attract and appeal my target audience, I think my overall finished appearence might not appeal to the male audience as well as it does the female audience becuase of my use of stereotypically feminine colours and a female model. When creating my front cover I selected a colour from the models dress which links the photograph to the text and makes it look more professional but I think the pinks may attract the female audience but not the male audience. To create a house style, I carried this colour scheme through the rest of my magazine with the use of my female model and stereotypially feminie colours, the male audience might be put off. However, this is only one issue and my colour scheme would change depending on the front cover image. So hopefully people who were familiar with the magazine wouldnt be put off. 

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

Previous to this project I have had two years of experience creating media products of a similar genre so the programmes I used in the production of my magazine pages were familiar to me however I did have the opportunity to get to know certain programmes and explore their tools. During my photo shoot I used basic equiptment such as a camera and bright lights to create high quality photos but after my photo shoot I was able to use different programmes to create different effects. I edited my photographs using Adobe photoshop then manipulated them to work with my magazine layouts on Macromedia fireworks. Although I was able to edit my photos with photoshop easily, I wasn't as familiar with fireworks so i encountered some problems whilst trying to change the brightness of the background but with practice I was able to learn how to use the programme quickly and end up with high quality images. For the actual production of my magazine pages I was Microsoft publisher and with my two years of experience creating similar media products I was able to put my knowledge of the programme into practice and create my magazine pages up to a professional standard. Although I had quite a bit of experience using publisher I learnt to use various tools more during my production process particularly with the fonts and creating shadows.

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

When comparing my finished product from my preliminary task and my finished product from the music magazine its's easy to see the dramatic difference between the units. Since creating the school magazine I think I have gained more knowledge of what makes a good and successful magzine. As well as extending my knowledge on programmes such as fireworks and bettering my ability to create the media products, I have learnt what knowledge I need to make my magazine successful, such as a specific target audience and what they want from certain media products. I feel since I didnt carry out much research during the preliminary task I wasn't able to understand what my audiences want. In comparison during the production of my music magazine I was able to carry out both primary and secondary research to get a better understanding of what my audiences want. By carrying out a questionnaire and research on existing media products, I was able to create my product specifically to my audience. Due to this, I am able to understand the importance of research on my product and my products audience before creating. I was also able to use my knowledge of my target audience to build my magazine including my fonts, images, colour schemes, cover lines and layouts. I used all of my conventions from my existing magazines as well as my knowledge of my target audience to make all of my material appeal to them for example making sure the main image was of a certain model with a direct address.