Evaluation

Final Product

Evaluation Question 7 - Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

My skills became advanced on Adobe inDesign, due to the frequent adaptations I was contributing to my real product - my magazine. As for the first time I went on the software for my preliminary task, I was completely clueless and unaware of what to do. Gradually, I learnt how to use tools like line spacing, paragraph rule, drop cap, spacing and kerning which I used on the text.

I used drop shadow the most to enhance text and images from the background of the page and to differentiate that particular aspect from other matters that are less important such as the subheading or the page number. An example for what I used the effect of drop shadow on is the masthead,'Dynamic' for my final product and 'Haydon News' for the preliminary task, to greatly emphasize it from the rest of the page and to make it the first thing the reader would see on the front page that would reveal the identification of the magazine.

For both the preliminary task and final product, I achieved a consistent colour scheme throughout the pages. The colour scheme I applied for the preliminary task was dark blue, yellow and black - the origins of the colours came from the school's logo as I thought it was relevant and went with the theme. The colour scheme applied for the final product was black, dark purple, dark blue and white which provided a professional, neat quality rather than it looking messy. The colours complimented each other. I chose these particular colours as I thought it appealed to both genders, which would attract a wider audience. The colours weren't biased to a particular gender, the blue and purple were dark almost black - black is a classic colour that appeals to everyone.

For the preliminary task, the images were not of high quality as I used my phone to take the pictures. I realised this made a huge impact to my magazine as it ended up looking unprofessional. Consequently, I made sure my final product had a range of high quality images. For this, I has indoor and outdoor photoshoots with the canon camera, I utilized appropriate equipment such as the white screen and lights for the indoor shoot. This made a big difference for my images to look professional.

Evaluation Question 2 – How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The different matters contributed in my magazine such as the models - make-up, costume, props, body language, facial expressions, the layout of the magazine, language, the colour scheme and so forth all help establish the representation of a particular social group. The magazine my audience is targeted at is ABC1.

For starters, the make-up on Megan (the model I used) was interesting, over the top and different. Much like her supposedly crazy personality of 'Cecile Rose' and the genre she represents, electra-pop. I tried to make her as original as possible. Her make-up associates with the audience, which would mostly be her devoted fans. Young teenaged girls varied between 14-23 years old but due to her apparent superstar status a lot of people would be attracted to the magazine conveying the star. The fact that her make-up is unusual, would attract those who are wanting to be original and are looking for something out of the ordinary or those who find her look to be interesting and are wondering what kind of person she is. The majority would be young teenaged girls who are looking for a role model, to be aspired to have her life. However, the audience can't be specific for the character 'Cecile Rose' it would attract all sorts, like the famed star Lady Gaga does due to the bizarre aspect she carries that interests all. Moreover, I had another model 'Karishma' who played a singer that represented punk rock. I wanted her make-up and look to be like the singer, Avril Lavigne who is also a singer for the genre punk rock. Her make-up had to be punky and bold. This would associate the social groups that are interested in punk music or perhaps rock. She wore bold eyeliner and loud lipstick to establish this.

Their body language was done to the best of their ability to represent their genres. For Megan, 'Cecile Rose', her body language was very flowery, open and airy, again associating the matter of her being out of the ordinary and she is willing to reveal all to the audience in the article. The social group would preferably be those who are aspiring to be her. However, Karishma's body language was loud, explicit and crazy. This would attract the social groups who see themselves as rebels, rock/punk lovers and love being loud.

The facial expressions contributed on the model's faces depended on the articles they represented. For example, the double page spread where it says 'You're reading MY diary', Megan's facial expressions were made to be secretive, possessive which would emanate her passion for music and how she devours for her musical book to never be obtained. This would appeal to those who are passionate about music and those who take music seriously. 'Cecile Rose' would be seen as an inspiration, thus she is seventeen years old and she is already living out her dream. Those who are aspiring song writers or singers would anguish look to her as a role model and would preferably be like her. Furthermore, the facial expressions 'Karishma' emanated were loud, crazy, explicit and slightly bonkers. This would attract the social groups who are not afraid of what they want to do, those who are willing to go all out to succeed in life and live their life to the fullest.

The costumes the models wore were expressive for their characteristics and music. Megan wore a number of interesting outfits. In one shoot she wore a white flowy dress that connotes purity and innocence. This was applied to promote the idea that there is another side to her, she's not 'all bad' like the media portrays her to be. Whereas, Karishma wore loud, colourful leggings or all black to establish her genre of punk rock. This illustrates two different sides to her personality. Which may perhaps interest readers as she is typically seen in all black. This may attract those social groups who are confused to who they want to be, preferably teenagers, and it suggests an idea that you don't have to be one matter, you're allowed to have two sides to you - no matter how different they are. This would also attract a wider variety of audience, where she wears black clothes she would stereotypically attract 'emos' those who convey themselves to be depressed and emotional. It indicates an idea that she is like that. But where she wears loud colourful clothes would highlight that she's not always emotional, depressed and solemn.

The props introduced in the shoot had to be linked to music. A microphone, headphones, drum sticks, drum stool and an electric guitar was utilized to again inflate the fact that 'Dynamic' is a music magazine and not a celebrity gossip magazine. For Megan a microphone and headphones were used to emphasize her passion for music and her singing ability. Whereas, Karishma used the drum sticks, drum stool and electric guitar to promote her punk-rock genre. Some of the photos taken were made to look like she was smashing her electric guitar, to display the craziness of her being like most rock legends do at the end of their shows and photo shoots.

I based the colour scheme on the front cover image and the audience the magazine is targeted at. The colour scheme ended up being indigo, dark purple, black, dark blue and white. This would attract both females and males as there is a mix of masculine and feminine colours. The colours are very dark almost black, black is a colour that typically appeals to everyone. Obviously, the actual colour black is distributed into the magazine as it is a classic colour that is bold and emphasizes matters. The masthead is white and stands out boldly from the front cover image and the other dark colours surrounded by it in the front cover layout. I used a drop shadow to highlight and define the masthead even more.

The layout of the magazine is classic but has an interesting bold effect to it, it contributes an interesting aspect to its classic orginal layout that would make it differ from other magazines. For example, most of my layout may be basic but then the images and font are shaped or positioned in a certain way that makes it more appealing and makes it look distiguished. The fonts are in different sizes positioned randomly on the cover but it would look neat and not in a basic format. The images would not be placed in a certain point of my magazine, it would be in various places on the page - it might be tilted with different sizes. The layout also depends on the singer/band's personality - for Cecile Rose, the layout would be quirky attracting her target audience and reflecting her personality.

The language is proper but slang words are contirbuted depending on the artist/band it's based on to make it attract to the modern day audience who mostly use colloquial language and it would create a personal connection with the audience. As it is a monthly magazine, the language has to be proper and long. This will mostly be in the content of the text but titles or pull quotes may entail slang to attract a vast audience. The aim is for it to appeal to everyone as the target audience is big.

Evaluation Question 6 - What have you learned about technologies from the process of constructing the product?

Evaluation Question 4 – Who would be the audience for your media product?

My magazine is targeted at females and males from the ages of 13 to 30 years old - typically this is the age modern music is most appreciated. There won't be a particular social group or type of person my magazine is targeted at as its multi-genre, therefore it will cover genres from rock, pop, punk, country, rap, indie and so forth. However, the music will hold a comparison of popular and current music, what's currently in the music charts. The audience would entail a comparison of a love and passion for music; they would be the person that is aware of the music industry's current affairs within their peers and groups, they would be classified as mainstreamers. They would preferably be advanced in technology and would socially interact a lot on their devices. Social interaction is important, thus it is the most important way for the news of the magazine to spread. The audience would fit under the demographic category of ABC1, they would have to be able to afford the slightly pricey monthly magazine and appreciate the exclusivity of it. 34% of the readership would be working full time, 18%  would be working part time and 26% are of full time students.

My magazine contributes lengthy information in its content, it sustains an exclusivity aspect to its pages and it's very official and professional. All these aspects were contributed to sustain a successful monthly magazine. This is why the target audience would have to be ABC1, as they would be able to afford it. Also, due to the large amount of content and information the audience would obtain, they would have to be of a higher education which falls under the social category I have concluded on.

The outcome the audience would receive from reading the magazine is the knowledge they would have learnt which would allow them to relate and talk to other people who share a common interest. This would build people's relationships with each other. Furthermore, the reader would be able to find their personal identity, especially the 26% of students of the readership who would typically be confused of who they want to be and what they want to do in the future as an occupation. The artists in the magazine would be seen as inspirations and the content revealed about their struggles would allow the readers to relate and solve their own issues.

The plug plays a huge part for the consumers to differentiate the magazine from others on the shelf. Ultimately, the reader would be influenced to go for the magazine that provides the prospect of a big prize. My plug says ‘free four track acoustic download –Cecile Rose’. The plug could be perceived as a reward for the reader buying and reading the magazine.

My magazine has a website, a twitter, facebook, youtube, instagram and soundcloud account to convey that the magazine is flexible and up to date with the current technology. It also emphasizes to the reader that social interaction is important, thus I think that word of mouth is the most useful method for the magazine to become famed and a huge success. If the audience interacts with the magazine, their followers, friends and family would be able to see this interaction and know of the magazine. 

Evaluation Question 5 – How did you attract/address your audience?

My magazine would appeal to the audience due to its exclusive singers and bands that are featured in the magazine, social networking, the plug, the regulars, the matter that it's not all based on music but it includes gossip about the stars too, articles/content, the fact that it is multi-genre appealing to a wide mass of people in different social groups and the technology the magazine advances in.

The exclusives stars that would be featured in my magazine would be from a range of genres - the only similarities the singers and bands will hold, is that they have to be current and popular in the music industry. This would appeal to a wide mass audience from different social groups, to those who like rap, rock, indie, alternative rock to pop and so forth. I think the matter of the magazine being multi-genre immediately puts the magazine in an advantage compared to other magazines as the audience would be much greater, preferably males and females form the age of 13 to 30 as this is the age modern music would be most appreciated.

The magazine would not only feature exclusive information about the stars musical status but it would also contribute gossip about the stars that is turning heads in the business. Also, the other content has to be flexible for the range of people in the audience, for example I have featured a top 40 chart which would convey popular music that would appeal to a modern day audience and I have also featured 'record collection' which would provide mega hit oldies songs, which would appeal to a modern day audiences who like old songs and those who are older in the target audience. Although my magazine may feature 'old songs' it would have to be mega hits that my main demographic can relate to. The main purpose of my magazine is to promote current, popular music and feature little of the old hits to expand and appeal to the audience even more. However, new occurring artists or bands may feature in my magazine but it wouldn't be the main feature.

As my magazine is a monthly magazine it would contribute a lot of information which would attract the audience my magazine is targeted at. Those who like to read, would be attracted to the full articles, however the regulars section would appeal to those who don't like to read or those who are young. The monthly magazine would provide a lot of exclusive, relevant content.

I used direct address for my audience, using words like 'you' or 'we' to create a personal connection with the audience and the magazine. As if the magazine is speaking to them, enhancing the audience's curiosity and responses for the content entailed. Also, another distribution of creating a direct connection is direct eye contact of the stars looking into the camera, creating the illusion that they are looking at the reader. The artist featured in my magazine, 'Cecile Rose', is looking straight into the camera, her target audience or her "fans" would feel guilty if they go past her page especially if it is made that she is looking at them.

The plug would be a major contribution to appeal to the audience. On my current issue, the famed artist featured, Cecile, it says 'free downloads four track acoustic'. Those who are aware of the buzz in the music industry (target audience) and especially Cecile's fans would jump at the opportunity to receive these free exclusive downloads. This allows the consumers to be influenced to buy the magazine.

On the pages of the magazine you will be able to see different logos from popular social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SoundCloud. This lets the reader know that they can interact with the magazine from these social sites that are widely used. My magazine is targeted at those who are advanced in technology therefore it would create a bigger appeal for them. Also, my magazine contains a website 'Dynamic.com' which you will see on every page, emphasizing that the magazine is advanced and up-to-date with the 'now'.

Evaluation Question 3 – What kind of institution might distribute your media product and why?

The institution company that would preferably distribute my magazine will be IPC media. The reason why I have chosen this hugely famed company over other companies such as Bauer Media Group which is also successful, is based on the fact that it already distributes a number of music magazines such as Q and Kerrang, thus they are less likely to provide the attention my magazine deserves and I would not like my magazine to be constantly compared to the other music magazines they have distributed.

Moreover, the success rate for IPC media is high; it is one of the four most popular distribution companies as well as being the UK's leading consumer magazine publisher. Therefore, I think that it is appropriate for my magazine in terms of determining the magazine's success. Additionally, another added benefit would be the company's reputation; the audience would be attracted to the magazine for the company's well known status which would make my magazine look established as it is associated with the celebrated company.

Also, the company already distributes the famed magazine 'NME', highlighting the matter that they can produce a magazine well. I think that it is important for the company to manage a successful magazine already as it builds on the company's reputation and enhances their experience and stability of accomplishments onto your magazine. They distribute a range of more successful magazines from Marie Clare and InStyle that covers the fashion and beauty category. As a result, I have no second thoughts on the company that I have decided on.

Moreover, IPC media would be able to promote my magazine through the utilization of print, online and mobile. I know this because NME can be held as an example for the company’s promotional skills which was a huge triumph. NME also has a radio station and their own award ceremony which I hope to achieve for my magazine too in the near future. This emphasizes the fact that my magazine will contribute similar opportunities for it to gain the recognition it deserves from people across the world.

Evaluation Question 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Front Cover
The house colours I used of dark blue, black, dark purple and white is conventional as professional magazines only use 3-4 colours in their colour scheme otherwise the magazine would look disorganised and childish. The colours are neutral in terms of appealing to the male and female audience.

The masthead that is emphasized by it's drop shadow and size on my front cover is conventional as makes it the first matter the reader would see on the magazine - revealing the identity of the magazine's brand. The basic, bold font is appealing to both target audiences due to its simplicity. The colour white stands out from the dark background. Also, my magazine is multi-genre, thus my masthead cannot be particularly made to look in support of a particular genre otherwise it would isolate audiences and music that is contributed in the magazine.

The full-bleed image of the main artist is usually plastered on the front cover, which allows the audience to have a clear indication of who the magazine is featuring.  The image will typically support the artist's genre. For my magazine the artist 'Cecile Rose' supports the genre of elctra-pop. This genre is unique and not common, thus the full-bleed image is unique with the unusual make-up and pose. This would make the magazine stand out from others as it is different and made to appear interesting.

The sell lines surround the full-bleed image of the artist allowing the readers to differentiate both matters rather than them overlapping, making it looks messy. I separated the sell lines in a neat fashion where the main headings are in a size larger than the little descriptive text below it. This is conventional as magazines would put a sell line which they consider to be appealing to the audience. Also, I used the shape tool to create a circle that consists of the plug - this would highlight the free gift the reader would receive if buying this magazine. This is conventional as it influences the consumer to buy the magazine or not.

Other conventional matters on the front cover of the magazine is the bar-code, price, date and issue number. This is small information that may be useful for the reader and are typically on the front cover of every magazine.

Contents Page
The layout of my contents page is conventional as it is organised in columns. This is evoked in numerous magazines as it is a well formatted way to present the content to the reader and it is easier for the reader to read. The different subheadings I contributed were 'editor's note', 'features', 'regulars' and 'exclusives'. I used these subheadings as it is common to be on most contents pages in magazines. The audience would be familiar with these particular subheadings.

I placed the page numbers next to the images and headings that related to the article located on that page. Making it easier for the reader to locate where each matter is in the magazine. Also, above the title 'Contents' is the name of my magazine as a reminder of the brand - most magazines do this.

Furthermore, I provided a multi-media section where it included popular networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This is conventional as it is important to keep up-to-date with new media which makes the magazine appear technologically advanced. The growth of social media has led to the promotion of magazines.

The website for my magazine is consisted on every page for those who prefer online to print and perhaps find it more easily accessible rather than going to a shop to buy the magazine.

Double Page Spread 1
The majority of articles take up two pages due to the amount of content they have written about the featured artist and also the images of the artist takes up a lot of space. A conventional double page spread is for one image of the artist to take up a whole page and the next page would be filled with text. However, I decided to contribute two images of the artist on one page (medium sized) and three on the next page (small sized) with the text. I thought I would go for something different to a basic layout, to make it more appealing.