Final Time Management Post

I HAVE DONE!!!!!! I have posted my final pages after developing and tweaking them, along with screen shots of my developments. I am happy now, as all I need to do is my evaluation.

Final Pages

Development of my Magazine Pages After Feedback

Audience Feedback

These are the pages that I showed my audience in the my audience feedback.

Audience Feedback Questions

1. Does my front cover/contents page/double page spread appeal to you, as a member of my target audience? Why/why not? How?

2. Do you think you would be friends with the model(s)? Why/why not?

3. What do you feel about the chosen colour scheme?

4. What do you feel about my choice of image(s)?

5. Do you have any criticisms? If so, what?

Male, 18 years old.

Front Cover

He seemed to like my front cover but said that the blue and yellow text are possibly too much of a contrast, so maybe I should either change the colour or have more of it around. However, others liked the difference.












Contents Page


Again, the page seemed to appeal to him. He told me he liked the layout but would maybe have another image or something to fill the gap on the right hand side. I am definitely considering this but using my research, a lot of magazines that i analysed do only have one image.











Double Page Spread


I found that he liked my double page spread; he said that the images worked well. Unfortunately, he couldn't see the smaller images that well, so I may have to sort that out. He also said that I should maybe I should have the models smiling more.

Male, 17, Female 17, Male, 16

Front Cover

Generally, they liked my front cover and made comments that I hoped for and were similar to what you would find in a magazine, like the ones I researched. However, they did say that I could maybe adjust the barcode, in order for it to fit better.

Contents Page

Like my front cover, my contents page seemed to appeal to them. They found that the way it was set out worked well; I took this layout from an issue of Q magazine. One criticism was that i should move some text, so that it doesn't conceal the image.










Double Page Spread

Again, they liked it and said that the they felt the images worked well. They didn't actually give me anything to improve on for this, other than the fact that I could have some pull-quotes to split up the article.

My second set of videos are not the best quality, as the sound is quite poor and the video is glitchy. However, they are good enough to hear what they are saying, so they are fine. Unfortunately, you often have to rely on technology and it doesn't always work to the standard you would hope.

Developed Audience Profile

My audience are every day youths,
who enjoy music; my target audience is 14-24 year olds, so students and then a little bit older.

They are most likely to be in the C1, C2, D and E demographic groups, as they are students or younger people with lower incomes.

 

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My audience will be explorers, aspirers and maybe, although my magazine is quite mainstream, individualists.

Time Management Post

At this point, I am doing pretty well. I have just over a week to get some audience feedback and develop my audience profile. That should also leave me time to tweak my work a little as well.

My Double Page Spread Development

My Contents Page Development

My Front Cover Development

Double Page Spread

Time Management Post

I have completed both my contents page and front cover, so this shows that I have caught up. I just need to complete my double page spread and then evaluate the task. I am now feeling more confident.

Contents Page

Front Cover

Time Management Post

At this point I should be on week 7. However, I am in fact doing work on week 4, 5 and 6. This may be because I have not worked as well as possible. I will continue to work in my own time to catch up.

Preparing for my Photo Shoot- Costumes

I think that what my models wear is vital, in order to portray the appropriate atmosphere. The models that I have chosen all like the same kind of music as I do and therefore like my sub-genre of music magazine, so I am going to get them to simply wear an everyday outfit of theirs. This will be best, I feel, as it will be real and gives the sense that these people are just normal and influenced by the fashion and style of their favourite music.

Jamie: Jamie usually wears a sort of funky t-shirt with maybe a shirt over the top. This would be good because it gives off a smart-casual vibe, which is very appropriate for for my genre of pop/rock music, as artists want to look good but be comfortable at the same time. He also wears skinny jeans. These would be appropriate, especially for the rock type style, as they are a little stereotypical. I know that he own a few pairs of shoes and they are all quite simple. I like this because it gives a possible get them on and go feel, which might liven things up a little.

Alex.C: Alex.C also wears quite smart-casual clothes, with fairly simple t-shirts, slim fit jeans and trainers. This is simple but stylish and again connotes relaxation, but while looking good. Looking at him, it seems he doesn't think too much, and frankly care that much, about fashion but still have a good style that I think is perfect for my magazine.

Alex.P: Alex.P dresses similarly to the others but often wears clothes that are a little duller. This may be  portraying his emotions and therefore would work well because it creates a bigger connection with the reader. It is also quite simple, so suits my magazine, as my magazine won't have too much going on because I want to connote relaxation, as well as enjoyment.

Preparing for my Photo Shoot- Photo Ideas

I want to include a few images in my magazine but i want all of them to be fairly similar. This will be medium shots or medium long shots. I feel that these will work best for my magazine, as they are close enough to create a connection with the reader but far enough away so that you get a sense of mystery, urging you to read the article. I also don't want any variety in shot angles. This may sound bad but I want all my models to be at the same level as the reader, to connote a sense of respect and equality. Which will, possibly sub-consiously, draw readers in and allow them to enjoy it more by creating an effective music magazine of my sub-genre, pop/rock.

For my front cover I will use a medium long shot, or something similar, of a male artist, most likely. The are two main reasons that I chose this. The first is that a lot of magazines, with the same sort of sub-genre to mine, use medium long shots on their front covers, so this shows I am using my research. The second reason is that I think this style best suits my magazine and is a very effective way of showing the artist, as you don't get the whole picture but enough to intrigue you. It almost makes the reader read the article on this artist, as they haven't been given the whole story. I think I will take the photo as if the reader is looking up at the model. This will connote status and authority maybe.

On my contents page I will use one image of a member of a band . The image of the artist will be a medium shot perhaps. I chose this because it will create a deeper connection than, say, a long shot, as you are getting quite close. It adds a personal touch from the model, I think.

For my double page spread,  my main photo  will probably be a group shot of a band, as this gives a fuller story and connotes a sense of completion. I will also use a couple of a fun photos of the band, this will connote excitement.

Preparing for my Photo shoot- Models

Time Management Post

I have finished my flat plans and mock ups, however, I am still behind. I am and will continue to use my free time to get work done, in order to get back on track.

Masthead Mocks

Another reason I plan to use the first and fourth one of the second set is because it is simple but fun, so connotes excitement and enjoyment but also relaxation, which is something I want to do, as I want my readers to feel relaxed. The actual words, 'Fair Play', connote a sense of skill- referring to the slang compliment, 'fair play'- but also respect and equality.

Double Page Spread Flat Plans

These are my flat plans for my double page spread and the more developed one shows possible development of ideas for colour, fonts, etc.

Contents Page Flat Plans

Again, here I have a basic flat plan and a more developed flat plan. They both, but more so the second one, experiment with and give an idea of the sort of things I want to do.

My Front Cover Flat Plans

Here is, firstly, my basic flat plan for my front cover and then a more developed flat plan. The second one experiments with font, colours, and shows more developed ideas, where as, the first one only really suggests a possible layout.

My Magazine Style Sheet

Audience Feedback for my Pitch

Although the students that I interviewed preferred the name 'Shout Out', after developing my idea more and sharing my developed ideas with them, and other students, they all agreed that the name 'Fair Play' would be more suitable. However, the rest of my audience feedback was very helpful and, frankly, what I hoped for. Most of them seemed to like my idea and those that didn't simply listened to different genres of music that my magazine would feature. I could decide to have a few articles that would cater for others. They also gave me a few clues to things such as how much to charge for my magazine and the sort of range of artists that I should include.

My Pitch for my Music Magazine

My music magazine pitch, dan clewlow from danielclewlow

Time Management Post

I am on week 5 of my task but I am working on week 4 of my action plan. However, I do need to post a few things on my blog. This is possibly because of internet connection problems in college but also because I perhaps haven't been working at the rate I should be. Unfortunately, I often don't have access to the internet at home as well, so I will have to come to college in my own time, in order to catch up.

Analysis of a Double Page Spread 2

- The main colours used are red, black and white. These colours could connote excitement and fun. However, in this particular case, I think it connotes more of a rebellious vibe. There are a few different font types used and the headline is big and bold and mostly in capitals in order to stand out. The headline catches the eye of the reader because of this but also because it is different, with some letters lower case and with the block, black background.

- The article seems to be organised but then with the headline just thrown on. This connotes a rebellious feel, while still keeping the article quite simple, so it is easy enough to read and a bit sophisticated. I think, like many music magazines, the language and mode of address off this magazine is very chatty, at the same time as being quite formal.

- There is only one image and this covers the whole of the page on the right and edges a little onto the other page too. This layout connotes an easier read, as it makes the reader think there is less to read, with there being half and half text to image. The image, similarly to the whole article, connotes rebellion and a sense of the term YOLO.

- The audience for this magazine is quite a wide audience of older teenagers and young adults, as Lily Allen is, one, quite popular and, two, she fits into a sub-genre of music that a lot of people listen to. Although Lily Allen is a female artist, I think this article appeals more to males, as it connotes a rebellious feel and the text relates to this. I think the audience would be mainly D and E, as most readers would be students.

Analysis of a Double Page Spread 1

Analysis of a Contents Page 2

- The main colour scheme is red, white and black and this is continued from the front cover, as is the Q logo. This is the typical colour scheme of Q magazine. These colours connote fun and enjoyment but also a sense of sophistication. The fonts are very simple and some are bold, in order to stand out from the less important text. The simplicity of the fonts add to the sophistication of the house style and also make it easier to read, possibly connoting relaxation. The sense of sophistication and easy to read feel of the house style connotes that the target audience is older teenagers and people in their twenties, students perhaps.

- There is only one image and that covers almost the whole page. It is a close up of James Blunt and it connotes possibly sadness or seriousness but in a light way. This could add to the sophistication of the magazine. Apart from the Q logo, the page title and the issue date of the magazine at the top and a little bit at the very bottom, all of the text is down the right hand side. There are the names of several artists and bands and articles with the page number at which you can find the articles about them. There is also a few words about each artist and article. The percentages of images to text is about 65% images to 35% text.

- The  is very organised, again adding to the sophisticated feel. This makes it a lot simpler to follow allowing you to not have to concentrate constantly while reading, letting you relax more. Although the magazine comes across in a very sophisticated manner, it still has that chatty feel, which again allows you to chill out a bit more. I think the magazine talks about formal topics in an informal way.

Analysis of a Contents Page 1

Analysis of a Front Cover 2

Analysis of a front cover, dc from danielclewlow

Analysis of a Front Cover 1

Q Magazine, Coldplay.

Institution Research

Classic rock magazine, daniel clewlow from danielclewlow

Action Plan

Week 1

- Post initial ideas

- Post institution research

- Analyse other front covers

Week 2

- Analyse other contents pages

- Develop pitch using Prezi

Week 3

- Complete pitch

- Complete further research

Week 4

- Present and post pitch and audience feedback

- Complete mock-ups

- Produce a style sheet

- Organise models, locations, props, locations, photoshoot and blog progress

Week 5

- Develop front cover

Week 6

- Develop front cover

- Make adjustments to magazine design in response to feedback

Week 7

- Develop contents page

- Make adjustments to magazine design in response to feedback

Week 8
- Develop double page spread
- Make adjustments to magazine design in response to feedback

Week 9

- Develop double page spread

- Make adjustments to magazine design in response to feedback

Week 10

- Finalise design of all pages

- Begin evaluation

Week 11

- Evaluation

Week 12

- Develop evaluation

Week 13

- Complete evaluation

Initial Ideas for Main Task

I will have unsigned bands featuring in my magazine, in order to give them the push they need to get signed. I want to create a music magazine for quite a wide audience, so my sub-genre(s) will be mainly alternative pop and rock, with some classic rock but I will publish about pretty much any sub-genre of up and coming bands/artists.  As well as featuring unknown artists, I will include a few articles about big artists. Some popular artists that I could include are AC/DC, James Blunt and Coldplay, as they fit the main sub-genres. I have chosen these sub-genres because they are my favourite type of music and I know others who like it too.

Introduction to Main Task

My main task is to create a front cover, contents page and double page spread of a new music magazine. All images and text that I use have to be original, produced by myself. I must use a minimum of four images.

Evaluation of Preliminary Task

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Before completing the preliminary task of designing and producing a new student magazine, I analysed and researched other student magazines, such as Aspire and Campus Life, in order to find typical themes and features that I could include in my own magazine. I found that there were certain elements that all students magazines seemed to like to use. Most of the magazines I looked at had a central image of a student/students or something student related. This creates a bigger connection with the reader, even if they don't know it, as it shows somebody of a similar age to them. They also all seemed to have similar mode of addresses by being quite formal but in an informal manner. They did this by giving information and news about serious things in a rather chatty, light-hearted way. This makes it an easier read and so, for that reason, would appeal to students as they probably want to read to relax. Another thing I found was that the colour scheme and house style should catch the readers eye but shouldn't be to in your face as that may be annoying.
After doing my research I had a better idea of how my magazine should look. However, I did try and stay away from a completely typical student magazine. I chose to have a central image of a student, in order to get my magazine to relate to the reader more but also to introduce a story that will hopefully interest the reader. I chose 'Ntertain' as the name and masthead for my magazine, as it says literally what type of magazine it is but it is also unique, and that will create a connection with some students. The colour scheme and house style that I chose, of mainly pink and blue colours and quite organised sections, relates to both males and females and is also eye-chatching but quite simple. The fonts that I used connote fun and enjoyment but also maturity. This, I feel, is great for students, as they are at the stage where they want to enjoy both childhood and adulthood.
How does your media product represent certain social groups?
I chose the target audience of students at my college. So this is both male and female teenagers between, typically, the ages of 16-18. From completing my audience research I found that students don't want to pay very much for a student magazine. Possibly because they cant afford to spend loads on luxuries and things that are not necessities. So, taking my research in to consideration, I chose to charge only 99p for my magazine. My colour scheme and house style represent male and female students, as it is quite simple and fun. However, it does represent them in a bit of a stereotypical way, as there is pink for girls and blue for boys. On the other hand, my central image appeals to all genders, as it is a picture of something everyone enjoys someway or another - music. The image is also simple and so connotes relaxation and enjoyment.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
I would have the magazine produced and sold in college, as it contains local information as well as bigger news. It could become an enrichment choice, for people interested in media and producing media products. It would be a great experience for people who want go into a media based career.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
My audience would be all genders aged 16-18, maybe older for people doing longer courses or started college late, and would be anybody interested in gaming, movies, music and more, as well as college life/news.
How did attract/address your audience?
I attracted my audience by using images, fonts, colours, etc that would interest and appeal to them. My images, especially my central image, showed events and news that would interest a lot of students, so these attracted them. The fonts that I used were simple but bold and eye-catching and this catches the readers eye at the same time as connoting relaxation and easiness. I didn't use to many, which gave a sense of consistency to the magazine, adding to the easy feel. My colour scheme and house style give a similar effect to my fonts, as it is simple but eye-catching, in the way that it isn't in your face but draws your attention to the magazine.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
To design and produce my magazine I used Adobe InDesign, which is a little similar to Microsoft Publisher but just with more possibilities. However, this does make it a little complicated at times, especially as I had never used it properly before. But, all in all, InDesign is relatively simple and very effective in the production of a magazine. the skills I have learnt with this programme will most definitely help with my main coursework task of creating a new music magazine. Another programme i used was Photo Booth. Photo Booth is very simple to use and was an effective way to record information and research for my task.

Front Cover and Contents Page of Student Magazine