Magazine Evaluation: Question 6 + 7

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

While working on my magazine, I have learn how to use two different technologies which were Blogger and Photoshop (these two were the main ones). When using Blogger, it made me more responsible to make sure that I display work all my work that I have done for my music magazine. By using this, this helped me make sure that I have all my work in one place and so that it can be easy to organise my work and clearly see what I need to add as I put my plans on there. Also, I did use, Prezi as way to make my presentation look presentable.

When I first started out on Photoshop, I had a very limited use as i could only add a picture and text. As I progressed, I learnt how to use different tools like the "Gradient Tool" to help my make my backgrounds and "Eyedropper Tool" to make sure that I have the correct colours for my scheme. I as continued to make my magazine, I have development my Photoshop skills which has help me improve and construct better version of my front page and contents page.

Looking back at your preliminary task (the continuity editing task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product? (Q7)

When I first started out, didn't have any knowledge of about music magazine and their conventions, let alone on creating one of own. When we finally got started on everything, I did find it difficult because nothing was going right and when research the conventions of from current magazine cover, some did have them but some didn't I didn't want to screw up. After a while, I started to get into the rhythm of things was apply to take some conventions from existing and apply them to create my own music magazine.  Finally knowing about the convention, I started to improve on my Photoshop skill to create better pieces of quality work as my skills increased. If I was given work again, I do think that I could improve because of the skills the I've picked up. This project has taught me so good skill that I can apply in other project around the Photoshop area. But overall, I do think that I have improved compared to when I just started.

Magazine Evaluation: Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

When talking to my target audience, I asked if they could give me some feedback on what they liked about my music magazine. When looking at the front page, they said that they liked the picture I used because it made the  think about the rawness that comes with acoustic music and everything is stripped back to the basic. Also they liked the fact that I used the colour scheme from the artist to use as my writing and the boxes. They though that the colours show the lightness that come with acoustic music have. They also included that the light colours that I used make it more pleasant to look at that other magazine because they fell like they something they of over clashed with different colours which they think that it can be too much.

They also liked the way that I used a photo of the artist on the front cover with her playing the guitar. They thought that the was I captured her looking away from the because they said it made her look mysterious and wanted to make them read about about her. They comment on the way I include an instrument in my front cover because they already know what kind of magazine and know that it's all about live music. To make sure that I used the right picture for my front cover, I did do a tally from my classmate to see which was the best photo. This helped me connect with my audience because I'm letting them know that this magazine is for them. They thought it was clever that I used a pun for my slogan of "Electrical Not Included" because it was a smart was to explain my magazine.

When I did my double page, what my audience like is the fact that I positioned my image because it make it look like she is looking at her name. They also liked the way I used the space on my page by adding red strips. They thought that it really made my article pop out of the page which attracted them.

As I made my music magazine cheap price of £2.99, they thought it was reasonable. I made sure that I didn't over price my magazine because my audience are still in school/university and still dependant on their parents to give them money.

Magazine Evaluation: Question 4

Who would be the audience for your product?

When looking at my target audience, it would be 16-20+ years and open to all ethnicities because I didn't just exclusive to only one ethnicity so I wanted to makes sure that I was open to everyone. I think this will help widen my audience as my target audience are the type of people to read and keep up with all different types of music trends. At times, my audience does like to step away from the electrically produced music and step into the acoustic version of songs. The reason for this is because they want to hear to emotion that the artist really have because they feel like you lose it because of the overcrowding the loud noises.

Due to their age, they are still current on school or university and when they are ready, they would like to work in a world, connected media like being a reporter, interview, music blogger. The reason for this is that they like to be in the centre of music from all music from all areas of genres up close and personal. Their social class is working class as both or single parent will be providing for them.

Magazine Evaluation: Question 3

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

Due to the fact that my media product (music magazine) is based around acoustic  music, I think that my magazine would be distributed in festivals like Coachella and BBC Radio 1 and concerts. I think this is one of the best ideas for this because my target audience would attended these events frequently as they are around 16-20+ years. The reason for this is because they are at that age where they can prove for themselves and go to these things. My product would also be sold as a webpage as a subscription for they can have access to all the latest new about their new live artists. This help me get to more international audience to get them close to other different international. Also, because of their age, I would make an app to access my music magazine via smartphone or tablet because they are always on the move so I want to make sure that can read it everywhere they can go, without having a physical copy. My magazine would be distributed during music concerts as the would be special magazine about that artist and that would attract my audience people, as they are everything they need to know right there and then. making it more popular. If my audience like it then  my magazine can become noticed for be up close and personal with the music. When looking at the company to help me distribute my when in the USA/Canada would be Festival Distribution as they look at acoustic style of music.

I would make sure that I would distribute it in shops because I'm keeping the price of my music magazine at the minimum of £2.99 to make sure that my target audience can afford it because they are the working class and I don't want them spending to much

Magazine Evaluation: Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social group?

I think that my music magazine doesn't really represent a social group that much but I do think that people who are hipster or indie maybe attracted to my magazine. The reason why I think this is because they are all about listening to music that is unappreciated and is bored of the same old electrical beats.

The clothes that I made my model wear help me think about representing social groups.  I wanted to make sure that I had a pattern. I think that the flower pattern helped because my theme for my music magazine is acoustic/folk and this theme of music is all about the music being natural. Flowers are seen as being apart of nature so I wanted to connect my music to be striped back to its natural components. This links to my background because it is basic and that connects with the theme because it's about being basic to putting it together to make something beautiful.

Also, the colours that I used shows the calmer side of the social groups. The white, pink and green shows the lightness of the music and not always about being in you face but feeling the flow lead you there. When I used the red, it shows that sometimes acoustic music needs to have that attention because they have emotion that gets the audience to notice them, just like social want society to see them.

Magazine Evaluation: Question 1

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

Front Page

For starters, when looking at my front page, I made sure that I had the normal traditional conventions of this media product and for this it's a music magazine. When I did my first attempt at a front cover, I realised that there was too mush going on as the bright colours of the background clashed with the white sell lines to had to start over. For my second attempt of my front page, I only had the title, slogan and sell lines. This looked very boring as most of the writing was in with and I didn't use the space on the page to make it seem like a real music magazine. However while making my improvements, I made sure that I made sure that I use the space around my page and the colour scheme that I made which is the white, green and pink yo use it around the page . An example of this is that I added pink and green box around some of the sell lines to make my audience know that are the important stories that are inside my magazine which made my front cover stand out more. I added a logo so that they know that when they see this symbol, they know its linked to "Natural Tones".

Contents Page 
For my contents, applied the conventions of having different images on my page. The reason for this is that I wanted to make it seem that those images are like the poster that my audience can have if their rooms. Also have the other content that will be in magazine followed by the page number to my audience know where go.

Double Page Spread

When creating my  double page spread, I made sure that I had one main image of my artist. This is because to make my artist seem like they are confident and they know what they are doing. This helps make may artist seem inspirational and my added a quote on what she has said in the interview make her seem wise. When constructing my interview, I made sure that it was going in columns just like a normal music magazine. I used the colour scheme of the pink to use for the background and the green for my logo (including the pink "NT" text).

I added a small introduction about my artist before my interview, this makes the audience what to get to know if they know the song and if they want to learn more about the artist being interviewed. When looking at my contents page, you can see that I have added red to make it stand out against the white and pink background.

Front, Contents and Double Page Spread

Front Page Comparison/Improvements

Due to finishing my double page spread, I thought that that there is still improvements that should be made. One of the changes is that, the work "over" is in the same colour as the title. the reason for this is that I needed to make sure that use the same colour scheme so that it doesn't make it look odd. I addition to this point, I made sure that "taking over" are on the same line. as you can see that the work "taking" is hanging of the guitar so putting on the same line makes it make sense.

Another improvement that I made is the sell lines. The reason for this is that in my first one, it didn't stand out to grab my readers attention. Now, by me adding a same box around them makes the audience to that these are the main stories that going to be in my magazine. Also I space out my stories to fill out my magazine more.

Some smaller improvements were made like for the barcode area and the logo. When looking the barcode, I made it smaller so that I can place how much it costs and the date it had been issued. I made sure that I did do a logo so that makes like a real magazine to show its brand.

Magazine Development: Double Page Pt 2: Text and Improvments

1) Text

This is the full article that is now on my double page. I made that they had the same length that as much as I can to make sure that they all looked even. For the question, I made them bold so that they can stand out more against the white. For the intro, I made sure that the name Abigail West is in a different colour so that it can grab the readers attentions.

2) Image

I wanted to make I have at least another picture to have on my double page spread. So I made sure that I made a place so that it can fit in. I made an small frame around it so that  it  can be sen clear against the background.

3) Lines

As I thought that it looked bare and plain without anything to grab my audiences attention, I thought it would be a cool idea to add lines. The reason for this is that it make my double page spread to look full. For my intro for my interview in it own little box to show where the intro is and when the interview starts.

4) Page Numbers

I made sure that I added the page number along the bottom. The reason for this is that I want to make sure that the audience know what page they are on. I did it in different colours so that it make them more notice.

5) Quote and Additional Text Boxes

I have added a quote to make it see that my artist is very inspiration and by using a black box, I can made it stand out. I did the same thing to tell my audience that the interview continues 

6)Logo and Colour

I thought that it was important to have my logo on my double page spread. the reason for this is that it made sure that my audience know that it still connect to my magazine. It stand out, due to the different because of the green and pink text. The reason why I made the lines and other text red because I wanted to that it doesn't look overused and boring if I kept the pink.

My "Interview" with Abigail West

Meet the new face of acoustic music, Abigail West. She is slowing take the world by storm with her number 1 single “Chasing Times” reaching all over Europe and some parts of America. We are lucky enough to be able to have a chance to get  and exclusive interview this new upcoming star.

It’s great to meet you Abigail, How are you feeling?

It’s nice to meet you guys too and I so feel great to be here

So tell us, How does it feel to have a 1# song around Europe and America?

Just so amazing, I don’t even know how to feel about waking up one morning, writing and record a song that suddenly is number 1 everywhere. I’m so grateful for all my fans who actually bought my song. It’s so un-real!  [laughs].

Your fanbase is growing at a rapid pace. Any thoughts and feelings?

The thought of having strangers who like my music and want to support me every step of the way still shocks me now. I remember when I was just a person with a small soundcloud account with hardly any fans to start with. I would find it lucky if I got more that 10 comments on my songs [smiles] and now due to this song release, I have people in their thousands really connecting my music is a big deal to me and I love it.

I know that there are many fans supporting you, we can clearly see that but are there any celebs joining the AB ship?
There have been some celebrities that seem to be enjoying my music. I can’t even believe that there are celebs enjoying MY music. I get their feedback mostly on twitter so I favourite them. Sam Smith, Adele and Jennifer Hudsun were some of them. To me the biggest one thatI still fangirl over is Years &Years! They gave me shout one about one of my songs being a can’t get out of my head tune and followed me back on twitter. I think I nearly dead of a heart attack.

Looks like you have a slight obsession on the Years & Years guys. Have you meet any crazy fan during your gigs? 

I haven’t really experienced a weird  fan yet but I’m looking forward to them. i know that my fans love to photoshop me with alll my celebrity crushes which can be really fun or really strange. [laughs]. I have came across some fans that warned me to stay away from the fanfiction. So I’m gonna take that advice and have a miss on the fanfictions.

So, how does it feel getting this successful and famous? 

I wouldn’t say that I have reached that point yet. I’m not famous or as successful as Beyounce. Being successful or famous is just like a lottery. What I mean is that some people make it, some people don’t. Some people get small breakthroughs, others big. I think it’s all about chance and kept going at it otherwise you won’t accomplish anything if you give up to easy. I know it can get really hard at times but just keep going and you will make it. The whole point of this is to make sure that you can’t give and just move forward with the right crowed with you for support.

Wow, they were some inspiring words of wisdom, where did you get your wisdom from?

My mum. She has always been there for me and always seem to know all the right thing to say to me when I’m going through a rough time. I don’t I would be here right now, if I hadn't a 

amazing mother like her. [smiles]

Finally Back (Update)

Now that I'm back in school, I will be able to finish the double page and complete it with my  developments and progress for my double page spread.

Easter Term/Holiday (Update)

For the next two will be Easter half-term and I'm unable to complete my double page due to the lack of Photoshop. When I get back to school, I will be able to finish the double page and complete it to some the developments and progress.

Magazine Development: Double Page Pt 1: Layout

1) Background

Create this simple background, I use the Gradient Tool" to make this could merge together. Also to make sure that I have used the right colour of pink but using the "Eyedropper Tool" to help get it from one of my pictures in my photos.

2) Image

I like that I have used this picture of my artist, who is looking right at the corner of my page. The reason for this is that it give me place for my title to be and make it look like she knows that I'm talking about her and her raising ing her music.

3) Title

I like how I have put my title in between 4 black as I thinks that it it to stand out and makes it more bigger to show her raise in fame. I put the word "meet" in a slight angle as I think it gives it a slight edge to it.

Double Page Spread Plans

To help me planned out before constructing my double page. I've look through my current 3 designs and I really like the second one. I think that when I start putting it together then it will look good. I'm still keep the first design in mind so that it have edit it then I can work from that.

Double Page Spread Research

These are some of the double page spread from other current music magazines. I made sure that I have a range of different double pages that I can clear see the styles and techniques.

I like this because I like the way that the editors have changes the way that they have change one of letter for each word. I think that it would catch their audience as it looks different and unique.

I think when constructing my double page spread, I need to something that this to make my double page more interesting.

With double spread, I like house that they have used a around of different picture. The reason for this is because I think that it helps explain to stories of their artist that they are interviewing living their moment.

For mine, I think that should maybe get my photo of my artist of them living their moment.

The element that grabs me the it the big letter "L" that is right in the middle of the article about her. This make the artist seem important and make the colour red associated with her.

When creating my double page, I think that I should have a colour that would be associated with my artist.

With their double page, they have add a little caption of their artist that they are interviewing.

With mine, I might that element so that can help me form a relationship with my audience about the new artist that they are going to be. 

Double Page Change

Previously, I was going to make my double page spread to be about artists that you should be on the look out in my pitch but I've change that idea and go with a interview style approach for my double spread instead.

Contents Page Comparison

This shows the clear differences and the improvements that I made to make sure that have made my contents page better that before. 

                                 First Edit                                                      Final Edit

I think that one of the improvement that makes my new contents page better that my old one is that you can clearly see the anchoring text around the the pages. By changing the colours of the background and changing the colours of the text make them stand against page. With my older background, I think that you lose the eye-catching part of it.

Another improvement that make my contents page stand out even more is that it looks less crowned and more organised. I realised that by looking at other contents pages, they have less write and have a smaller writing. So, I did the same thing and made sure that I put different font for my headers and then another font for my stories so that you can clear they that they are separate stories.

I change the way I put my page numbers because in my old contents page, I kept on repeating the same again with the "pg". By putting the number right at the front and in a different colour to make my audience know where the new stories are going to before they even know what the stories are going to be about. With the new way that I have done it gets it straight to the point on where everything is going to be instead leaving it to the end.

Magazine Development: Contents Page Pt 3: Development

After looking at my content page with my teacher and my classmates, I have realised that there is room for improvements to make my content page better than before.

1) Background

The reason why I changed the background because my class thought that it was just too much having two colour. So by using the "Gradient Tool", I made it only one colour form my previous background (which is the green) and let it fade out toward the ending. 

2) Taglines

My class found that the previous way that I did my listing of my content's stories were to crowed, so my teacher suggested that I should make it smaller and put my stories in a box to help organise them. By doing this it has allowed me to make more available for more ideas to be fit in. This as help make my contents page look less crowed and have a neater look. I change the colours of my numbers to make a clear to show that they are different stories for each stories.

3)Anchoring Text

Due to the colour change in the background, I have change some of the colours of my anchoring text. to keep with the theme colours of the green, white and pink, I made my artists names in pink to make them stand out against the fading green. Around the top left and bottom right corners of the page, I have added the page number and the title of my music magazine on there. I did this as it follows the same idea of other music magazine contents to have their symbol and page number on their contents pages. The "connect with us" is along the bottom along with the other social links and this make it look like other music magazine to have their in clear but small space.

4) Title

Change the title just to say "contents" because my audience already that it's about what's going to be inside due to the number on some of my stories. I changed the colour so that it can stand out more.

Magazine Development: Contents Page Pt 2: Text

1) Anchoring Text

I have added simple anchoring text to clearly show that I am introducing the model as the top musical celebrities. The "new artists" stands out against the white background, just like the artists names against the main green and pink background. 

2) Title 

With the title, I made sure that it has the biggest front size and still kept the front colour with as I want to make sure that it stands out against the green and red background. I like that I have your a simple front style as I think that it links to my stripped back acoustic sounds idea.

3)Taglines

For my taglines, I like the way that I have underlines the the article as I think that it makes it clear they are the title of the new articles. In addition to this, I have made sure that I have titles the different parts of the magazine stories with different titles and using the space effectively. I think that it shows the division that magazines have when showing what other things that they have inside.  

Magazine Development: Contents Page Pt 1: Layout

These are the stages that I followed when making my content page: This post it just looking at the layout 

1) Background

I want to make sure that I keep the same colours as my front cover. I like how I have used the "Gradient Tool" to create this effect to make the my colour seem to fit together. This will make it easier for my to put my white text on because it make it clear to see.

2) Pictures

In most magazine contents pages, they have mini pictures of the aritst that they included so who else in the the magazine. I wanted to create the same affect, so I added pictures of my models because I'm going to do an interview of them for my double page. I added the the white box to make the pictures stand-out a lot more.