Q7. Looking back at the preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to a full product?

My preliminary task of creating my college magazine was hardly anything compared to making the music magazine as this one was more crucial and serious, where your weaknesses would be picked up by your audience more and your strengths would reflect how you were able to attract and satisfy them easily. For the preliminary task, this was like an introductory task where I was able to experiment freely with it and play around with various tools and the camera and equipments.

In comparison with my main task, I had to spend much more time on its production, planning and researching. For the equipment and resources, I had to be more aware of my surroundings as I took the pictures in the studio instead of any location around the college where I took pictures of anything that was related to the college ‘look’. With regards to the location, It was slightly more difficult for my main task as the locations to take the images compared to the college ones was limited in places, for example a recording studio, therefore I needed to rely on my models and props to pass it off as a music genre.

For the preliminary task, I used anyone who was in my class as they could easily pass off as a student, but for my main task I had to choose someone who would fit the bill where they had to be of course attractive enough to capture peoples attention and would also suit the genre and look I was going for which is a versatile look. I also needed to gather up as many people for my other images with a range of ethnicities and genders, Although I did manage to do this, it seemed like there were more females compared to males and more Asian populated. My diverse mixed magazine would have worked much better if I was able to make it equally balanced.

I spent much more time than I did with the preliminary task, as I had to compose not just the front cover and contents but also a double page spread meaning I had to write more. Because the music magazine was crucial unlike the college magazine, it really frustrating and time consuming as I couldn’t stop changing the product, unless I was satisfied with it enough to move onto the next page. This was quite difficult as the deadline for all three pages had to be handed in at the same time

For both tasks, I aimed to capture images that would directly relate to college or music, using the right props and settings, be it a student’s locker, listening to music on headphones or the NVC of the model. I wanted to have a really original and creative idea with expressive poses and array of colors and chaotic compositions, but as it was aimed at everyone, I had to limit these as it could be mistaken for perhaps a rock magazine as opposed to an all genre one, therefore my style had to associate with everyone.
With my audience research, I thought that we would share similar tastes especially since some of them were my close friends. However, I was exposed to completely new and different ideas which led on to a bit of a dispute regarding various artists that I should use. Unlike my preliminary task the attention to detail was much graver as each individual of my audience seemed to be attracted to a certain aspect, which meant that every micro detail had to be spot on without any mistakes or inappropriateness that would clash with other elements.

On the verge of completing my final outcomes, I had to make sure that everything on the page meaning colors, images and texts had to match and fit in right with one another and so that it looked cosy, which would draw out good connotations of the magazine and what it has to offer. I printed out the magazine to see what it would look like in my hands as an audience, to see what they would potentially be seeing and holding. Through this, I could easily spot mistakes that I wouldn’t really notice on the computer screen. An example of this would be the size where the texts on the contents page were far too big and didn’t really look as busy as it should do therefore making slight changes this made a huge difference whether it was the font size or type.

With my drafting, planning was key in making the final outcome, as it would save me time and allow me to have less mistakes as I would know what to do instead of just playing around and wasting time like I did with me preliminary task, as the draft would motivate me and help me see how it could look like and see if it worked or not simply by just looking at the sheet in front of me, which I would be replicating and obstructing later on into Photoshop.

Q6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Technology has played an important part in constructing my music magazine in all areas of production, where I had to carry out my audience research; plan my setting and all the equipment I would use to take the pictures. Of course the camera played the biggest role where I used it to actually get the job done. Throughout the whole process of constructing my end product, I learnt a lot about programmes such as Photoshop and equipment that was a first for me and how difficult they could be, but through practice, trials and investigations into them, technology is a handy and resourceful way of constructing a magazine efficiently and effectively

As my target audience were teenagers, I had to reach out to this audience and gather up as many information from them that I could, so that their ideas would help me make a successful magazine that they would like. Through my audience research online via msn, I was able to effectively and quickly take in their answers and opinions from my questions. Seeing as many teenagers constantly go on social networking sites, I thought this would be a more effective way as they were free to debate and type away on this online forum. In my view this is more convenient than an online survey as we were able to feedback quickly to one another and compose a new idea instantly from what we just discussed. 


I used the search engine Google to access the web to search for various different magazines in different genre’s, by simply typing in ‘music magazines’ and additionally the pages that I wanted for example ‘music magazine contents page’, as this was the easiest way of finding many magazines instead of going out and buying a magazine or standing around and comparing them all to each other. When researching about the case studies the internet was the biggest and most helpful source as I could browse through magazine websites and publishing houses. Although I created my drafts by hand I also used the scanner which enabled me to upload these drafts into my blog.

For the production I used a Canon EOS 400D digital camera. This was the first time that I used this camera where I learnt about various technical elements that make an image and how to produce high quality images by putting it on focus with good angles and lighting. The aperture I used was F 5.6, this number indicates a large aperture which means as I took the photos the lens allowed it to take in a larger amount of the light, meaning a higher quality and natural light so that my model and the image quality looks clearer. The shutter speed also took affect on the image quality, where some of my images were out of focus due to the movement of my models alongside the low shutter speed which could also have been the result of the red dot targeted on the wrong area which meant that some of my photos were out of focus. 

There was also the ISO speed that determined a good quality picture, where some of my images differed where they either had a smaller ISO, meaning that the pictures I took of my group models on a different day was much brighter than the one I took of my main model which appeared darker as it had a bigger ISO. Therefore I could have changed the settings on the camera or used Photoshop brightness and contrast in order to keep the brightness in all images similar to one another. 




Through all my mistakes I was able to improve and try again and have learnt that the best way to take a good photograph depended on having the aperture, shutter speed and the ISO in the correct settings. For the lighting it was crucial to have all the equipment (the flash unit, radio trigger, softbox and a circular reflector) in the right places and that as I took the picture I wasn’t too far away from the model as both the lighting and angle wouldn’t be as effective.


For the post production, I edited all my pictures on Photoshop and put all the text and shapes onto my pictures to look like an actual magazine. As a beginner to Photoshop, the first things I could really do to my pictures was sort out the image quality if they didn’t deem clear or sharp enough and therefore I used brightness and contrast. As I developed over my time with Photoshop, I was able to use other tools and tackle my model’s face to smooth over her face and hide unwanted spots using the spot healing brush and the smudge tool to hide these and to blend in the colours so it seemed natural.

Q5. How did you attract/address your audience?

Using my audience research, I was evidently able to see what attracts the audience the most and what are the main features they look at the most, in order to judge the magazines worth

Using the left third I placed various well-known and most popular artists’ names in order for them to see who would be featuring in this magazine and would therefore make them want to read it due to the popularity of that particular artist and I therefore made sure that the artist I chose was favoured and a good enough name that the audience I researched on would be intrigued by. I also placed eye catching words such as ‘plus’ so that they would instantly know what the magazine can offer them. 

For the design of the pages I tried to keep it clean and neat therefore aligning the cover lines, selling line in a straight line. I chose the colour of white and black as these were the most common colours in clothing, gadgets for teenagers – a popular colour couple. The hint of yellow which is a bright sunny colour attached, connotes happiness and hope which is what teenagers need in their life, but also it brings a bit of a zest for life almost within the music. I’ve also added a hint of blue in some areas so that they would pop out of the magazine but would also seem calm and soft alongside the yellow

My photographs consist of various pictures of my main model who is an attractive young female- the same or similar age to my intended targeted audience; whom could draw in male readers but also female readers, whom may look up to her or think she is cool which would make them approve of the magazine. The fact that she is of an oriental ethnicity wouldn’t exclude the audiences as she doesn’t look like the typical ‘cute anime’ type Asian but instead more of the urban type female. The fact that she isn’t of a white or black ethnicity means that the audience wouldn’t just be either rock, hip hop people or R’n’B, soulful people, but instead could be a mixture of all as she doesn’t really fall into a particular category. Therefore, many people could connect with the model and therefore the magazine. I’ve directed her poses of listening intently with the headphones, to biting chord wires to express her as the cool type of person who has swagger. This can also be seen through her costume- a giant mobile phone button jumper, her stylish quiff and her simple make-up showing that she is trendy and in style and therefore connotes the magazine itself.

The other models I have used consist of two females who are half white and Filipino, a cool tom-boy, a black male dressed in baggy dark clothing and a white boy who has an indie, punk rock presence in order to tie in with my versatile genre. Each individual model could relate to an individual audience as I have tried to cover a range of ethnicities in my magazine



The cover lines I’ve used are in bold colours against the black background and would therefore grab the audience’s attention. The most important component which would do this was the puff where I have made the ‘Free’ stand bold along with the bright circular shape which is also attached with two images on top of the main image and therefore would keep them engaged and drawing them straight to something they can get for free which is what all teenagers love to get above all.

My most dominant font used throughout was ‘impact’ which creates a bold effect which easily keeps their attention. I’ve also added simpler fonts like Verdana which is simple and smooth instead of looking enduringly difficult to look at and read. To make it easier I’ve also used a low register with the occasional street slang but not too many as I didn’t want it to fall into a particular social group, but instead the type of lexis teenagers often speak with so that they have something in common and can relate with the artist and this would therefore draw the audience to this magazine as it could reflect their personality and interests

Q4. Who would be the audience for you media product?

My targeted audience consists of teenagers whom listen to music on a regular basis or have an interest in it without too many limitations to a genre or style of music, therefore this allows a mass market as my audience.

·         Presumably they would be teenagers aged 14-18 as they seem- through my audience research- mostly interested in the music industry and would be fond of reading about the latest music news and notes.

·         They would consist of both genders and of any ethnicity and most likely to be urban teens who have a profound taste in popular, modern music and who are loyal fans to artists and music all in all.

·         Of course they would have to be interested in music and would therefore be interested in reading about it, where they would have access to all areas within the music industry.

·         They would have to be intent and keen on the lifestyles of music artists to be able to give the magazine a chance to be read.

·         Their lifestyle would probably have a background still in education where they would be in secondary school, college/sixth form or universities. They would either or also have a full time or part time job and their social life would be productive with friends where they could explore the adventures of shops, leisurely activities, going out to parties and clubbing. I say that they would have a productive sociable life as they would be able to share their interests with friends and listen to these music on a daily basis whether if it is at home doing work, watching the television or hearing their music wherever they go through their mp3’s, iPods or from a shop.

·         They would be teenagers who live locally in London and would appreciate urban, loud, modern music and would be up to date with the music buzz.

·         They most definitely wouldn’t be people who live in and grew up in the countryside as they wouldn’t really appreciate this lifestyle where they may have been influenced by the quietness and simplicity which contrasts completely with London’s style of music, which is more ‘street’ and ‘urban’.

·         As they are from London and would be students, they would not be high class but more middle class as they would be unable to afford many luxuries such as high status people who live in upper state areas who wouldn’t fully appreciate the music lifestyle and therefore music magazines as they have more things to worry about.

·         Ethnicity would not be an important issue so long as they are the types whom are not dedicated to only their cultural music but would be those willing to explore various other genres and are likely to be interested in giving other genres a chance.

·         For a music magazine or any magazine, the audience would have to enjoy reading and adapting to a magazine and able to give it a chance therefore they wouldn’t waste their money and would appreciate its content and could also therefore in the future, become dedicated in making subscriptions and would be fans of the magazines and therefore would buy it and help bring in profits for the publisher and help the success of the magazine.

·         It would also be resourceful if they do go to school therefore they could publicise and advertise the magazine to their friends and it would become widespread and therefore would lead to the success of the distribution and marketing of the magazine due to this particular audience

Q3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

My chosen publishing company was ‘Bauer’ who distribute a range of magazines including MCN, Heat, and Grazia all of which are magazines aimed at particular audiences. As well as those, they also have a sister company who distributes women’s weekly magazines and TV listings.

Bauer would be a suitable publishing company to use as the only music magazine they really distribute is ‘Kerrang!’ which is a music magazine with the genre of rock therefore, although it may be competition within the same publishing house because of the music themed magazine, it will only effect and compete in a minor way, as my magazine is a completely new and different form of music magazine including all the genre’.

Although my magazine does essentially include rock, this does not mean ‘Kerrang!’” target audience would avert to my magazine more, because it is simply a magazine comprised of a balance between the entire genre’ and doesn’t focus on one in particular, therefore ‘Kerrang!’” target audience wouldn’t be affected as their audience wouldn’t be interested in an all rounded genre type of magazine as they would be loyal to their specific genre. The benefits of my magazine would bring in a variety and larger audience whom are young, music interested and intent on versatility and will invest into Bauer.

Therefore Bauer will become more mass in its marketing as my magazine will allow a new type of audience to purchase their media products, rather than just the adults and will be able to draw in many audiences who won’t be a niche market comprising of audiences who like just rock, pop and R’n’B but instead people who listen to a range of music who from my findings seem to be a majority of the people. Therefore, beneficially if it is able to bring in new audiences, the magazine will still increasingly keep ‘Bauer’” magazines status as Europe’ most successful publishing company.

Of course if it is able to bring a larger audience in, then financially it will draw the profit margins up also as ‘Kerrang!’ is also Bauer’s music magazine they could subscribe and advertise other magazines who are underneath the same company, therefore this would help ‘Bauer’ save a lot of money when it comes to actually distributing the magazine.

In the case of subscribing the magazine, this would be useful as they will be able to keep their audience loyal into buying and keeping in tact with the success of the magazine as they would receive it on a regular basis. With other magazine competitors it would be useful to distribute it in shops as this would probably be the easiest and most popular way for the audience to retrieve the magazine. Like other magazines it would be sold in places like WHSmith, corner shops, newsagents and stations so that it’s not limited in order to obtain it.

Looking at the competitors however, it would be a wise choice to distribute it in other places that still have a large audience but would also be quite unpopular and an unusual place to be sold like a nightclub because it would have little competition and therefore the audience may pay their full attention on it. Seeing as there is a particular audience who are young and music interested, it would be most advisable to distribute it in places like a concert, youth club, the 02, arenas etc. because these places are most likely to house the intended, targeted audience

Q2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My magazine focus was for all genres of music including rock, pop and R’n’B. Therefore, my magazine included a mixture of content aimed at a diverse group of a particular age group – teenagers. For my representation, I therefore tried not to focus the look on one particular genre and instead, tried to adapt on a look which could incorporate a variety of genres where one genre would not dominate another too much as this would not follow my idea of a mixed, versatile and diverse magazine. 

In order to make this look versatile, my colour scheme and style needed to incorporate a range of contrasting and different aspects including typography and artists’ names, which would include different types of groups in its own and unique way but together. Although I used one colour in the masthead, I used individual shades and tones of that colour on each letter used as a connotation, where the yellow targets all teenagers, yet the light yellow for example could be aimed at  teenagers interested in hip hop, whereas the pastel yellow for example, could be aimed at the rockers instead. 

In the masthead I have made the ‘I’ in infectious in a non-capital unlike the rest as it almost replicates ‘iTunes’ use of it’s non-capital ‘I’ and this therefore relates to music as well as my generation of teenagers, who are dominated by their iPods and could therefore connote the ‘hype’ of the apple generation alongside my ‘INEFECTIOUS’ magazine which represents the social groups as the new generations of new technology and music. The masthead’s name itself represents this social group as it is a connotation that everyone should be intertwined together into my magazine, as anyone can read this and get ‘infected’ by its strong and powerful ‘infection’. 

For all of the components, be it is the selling line or a cover line; they are all presented in a new typeface as I wanted to keep that versatile look which affects the typography also. The use of light and bright colours against a dark black represents the social groups of teenagers as young, edgy and modern. The contrast of the neon, mellow and dark colours put together contrasts against each other symbolising teenagers as what they are – rebels.

For the model, I’ve used a young female who is of an Asian ethnic background who could pass of as someone who looks as though she listens to any type of genre and therefore wouldn’t exclude too much of an audience as a result. Her long dark hair which is held up in a quiff could tie in with the ‘Emo’ look of the deep dark look with an almost rude and threatening NVC which could also relate to the rock look as her NVC is her biting the wires which connote rebellion and danger. It could also relate to hip hop fans as she is standing in a medium shot standing bold and expressive and looking directly at the camera in a high-key lighting which could show her zest for the music life. I didn’t want her expression to be too expressive or too revealing where her being ‘sad’ would only connect with the Emo’s, whereas her smiling would connect with hip-hoppers but contrast with the Emo’s completely.

Her costume is a simple dark jumper with a hint of some yellow which again would not contrast with any social group but could tie in with all teenagers as they have a fond liking of the dark colours as it could make them appear ‘slim’ and stylish. I have used these clothing and the prop of a wire from the headphones so that it fits in with all subcultures of music.

Q1. In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Looking at many music magazines, I believe I have: followed many of their conventions, adapted them into my own magazine and also changed a few of these forms in order to illustrate my own design of a music magazine in order to suit my intended audience, yet at the same time not altering too much of these conventions as it would not pass off as a music magazine.

Out of all my products, I have applied all the conventions accurately mainly for my front cover magazine, including the masthead, cover lines, dateline and so on as I believe that all these conventions put together are highly significant on the way it is able to catch the buyers attention and is able to easily sell all the glory details of this unique magazine. I also decided to add a puff- attached with two images as my audience research evidently showed it as a vital ingredient.

In order to make it big, bold and unique, I’ve applied this aspect onto my masthead which is spread across the top, designed in a typeface incorporating a blend of tones from the same colour alongside rectangles behind in order to make it recognisable. Its composition as well as my cover lines and dateline develop the forms of a real media product as it follows the rule of the left third significantly consisting of famous artists’ names in the cover lines, which real media products do, in order to stand out and to sell the magazines main and intriguing features.

My main image is of a single model in a medium shot with her NVC and body language looking directly at the camera which dominates the page. This allows the audience to connect with the ‘artist’ which is an important factor as the magazine needs to entice the buyer. I’ve taken the conventions of a magazine further and have placed a selling line above the masthead which is short and sharp and therefore, alongside the masthead, it would be easy to spot and is attention grabbing. As my magazine is aimed at a diverse group of teenagers and music tastes, instead of having one or two different fonts, I’ve used several in order to engage the audience visually as well as connoting the magazines versatility in terms of genres and availability. 

I have taken more risks with my contents page and double page spread than the front cover, by either developing the conventions further, or getting rid of them completely. I’ve been consistent with the colour scheme, fonts and the main image as it is important to have a dominant connection with the front page and therefore wouldn’t clash in terms of style as it wouldn’t make it unique 

Instead of having ‘contents’ at the top I’ve allowed the masthead to stand by itself making it bold as a brand. To make it appealing to the eye and easy to read and to actually pass it off as a contents page, I’ve followed the conventions by adding a mix of images, text and columns and categorised headlines, so that the arrangement would allow the audience to easily follow it through. Therefore, there is no need of the indicated ‘contents’ as it should successfully be distinguishable as a contents page. Although it is small, I have included the issue date, contact info, web address which is placed directly at the top and would subtly blend into the page and therefore wouldn’t add too many distractions, alongside the other features which already do this.  

Instead of a white background I’ve used a grey/black background in order to match the front cover, making it a unique magazine as well as enhancing the contrasted lighter texts more. I decided not to use text-boxes and a sub-line to anchor my images as I thought there was already too much going on, on the page and therefore, I have challenged this convention to avoid too much chaos and untidiness on the page.

My double page spread also challenges the conventions slightly as I have excluded a by-line and a strap-line for the same reasons as I did for the contents page, as all the other features are more important. Although, to make up for their absence, I have instead used conventions such as the subject matter and the stand first which partially adopts the purpose of the excluded conventions, providing visual encouragement, to read the article further.

The convention of the main image consists of the subject posing in a direct address which I have challenged in order to connote her genuine love of music. Also in my view, the fact that we can’t see her eyes makes it more attractive as it almost makes you want to read and find out more about this hidden, serene artist. I have also attached a smaller image on the opposite page into the interview so that there are more visuals instead of the plain, dull and long text.
           
My double page spread follows the same colour scheme and has therefore followed the conventions, as they all look as though they belong to the same magazine, which is the whole purpose of the colour scheme. The subject name has been placed on top of the image as an overview of the whole article, which I have placed on top of the image and both pages so that there would be a balance of colour on both sides of the pages making it consistent. In the interview I have placed her quote directly in the middle as a ‘pull’ and this follows the conventions as it is enlarged and stands out from the whole article. I’ve followed the conventions in my text by beginning with a stand first as a summary of the interview below and a drop capital is included- not only to indicate where they should read, but also brings a little more depth to the page due to the arrangement, different font, size and colour, in order to make it more ‘abstract’.