Draft 6

6.  What have you learnt about technologies form the process of constructing this product?

Editing technology/ software:

Computer and iMac
While constructing my media product, i often was working on the computers or the iMac's in school during lesson time and study periods. At home i worked on the project using my Windows Laptop, despite my laptop not having all the required software i did what i could after school hours. I preferred working on the task using computers at school as this was a place where i was extremely motivated and had access to all required software and better quality hardware, particularly on the iMacs. I used my free study periods and lesson time effectively, ensuring i was working on the project and getting all the work done.

Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended
This is the software used to construct and edit my magazine on the school computers, as i do not have this software at home installed on my laptop. At the start of the project when using Photoshop for the first time working on the preliminary task, i was not a confident user and only knew the basics of how to operate the software. After lots of practice, i developed my skills using this software which allowed me to use it to my advantage and create a good quality final product through editing and attention to detail relating to the design.

Microsoft Word 2010
I used this software to create my article which i featured on my double page spread inside the magazine. This enabled me to check for any spelling errors, monitor my word count, structure appropriately and make any necessary alterations before inserting the article into Photoshop where i was creating my double page spread. This ensured my double page spread was professional and avoided any mistakes.

Presentation Software:

Blogger
I used Blogger frequently throughout the task of constructing my magazine. All stages were 'blogged' to provide evidence of completing and justifying ideas etc. This was how all my work was presented. My blog shows the process from start to finish. Before i was involved in this media course i hadn't previously Blogger, but after using it regularly i became more familiar with its functions and how to use it effectively in presenting my work including research, drafts, feedback, weekly targets, final product and evaluation.
  Animoto
I used this video creator for my 25 word pitch during the early stages of the task as part of my research and to give insight into the direction I aimed to take with my media product. This was an effective way to get the message across and viewers were able to engage with the animations and images which did not require much explanatory. Previous to this, I had never used Animoto however I found it very easy to use and a good way of presenting work in an appealing and interesting manor.

Flickr
After taking both test shots and a second shoot for the final product images after doing research to gain ideas of what I wanted to achieve, I uploaded some of my favourites on to Flickr, creating a 'feed' which I embedded into a blog post, allowing others to visit my blog and view these images easily and in high definition.

Scribd.
During the research stages involved in the coursework, I used Scribd as a different form of presenting my work; I was able to upload Word, Publisher and PowerPoint documents onto this software and present it in a more professional way than a standard post on Blogger. I researched and analysed pre-existing magazines and posted this onto my blog by using the embed code for this particular Slide share document, creating media variety on my blog and different ways of presentation.

Sound Cloud
I used this when creating an 'Inspirational Playlist' for my chosen genre of hip hop and posted it onto my blog through embedding; this is a different way of presenting work using a different form of media, perhaps something more interesting than a standard blog post. I knew how to use this before coming to create this playlist as I already had my own account and used it regularly for streaming music, therefore I was confident in using this and had no issues.

Research:
  Internet Explorer/ Google Chrome
The internet was essential for my research. This  system enabled me to find out about pre-existing magazines, collect images, access various software's (mentioned above), access information throughout the process, developing ideas and finding inspiration from various sources online allowing me to create a good quality final product.

Survey Monkey
I created an online questionnaire using Survey Monkey as I thought it would be useful to gain insight into the pubic and audiences. I asked relevant questions to ensure I gained useful feedback from peers after embedding and posting onto my blog for others to see and proceed to complete the survey. I had never used this before but found it easy to use and a good way of finding out about your audience quickly and easily.
  Practical/ Hardware technology:

Nickon D30200
This was a camera owned by the media department of my school, I decided to use this rather than my personal camera as it is of better quality and more credible, capturing images in high definition. I used this for all images featured on all pages: cover, contents and double page spread. As this camera was not my own, I had never used it before and was not familiar with all it's functions so during the test shots I was unable to use the camera's specialist features to my advantage- achieving images of a respectable standard but I felt there was room for improvement in shots and angles of images. I was then more confident when using the camera for a second time in a different shoot with my models, learning skills and appropriate settings after my first attempt (zoom, angling, flash, etc.)
  Artificial Lighting
 I used two soft lighting boxes when photographing the models in the AVS studio at school. This created a perfect level of brightness for the images to ensure the focus was on the model and the image itself rather; without the lighting the image would appear unprofessional and unattractive to the audience as it could be seen as something 'ordinary' and 'boring'. The lighting emphasises expressions and contributes towards achieving a flawless image.

Tri-pod
This was used to stand the camera on when photographing models in the photography stages, it stabilised the camera and allowed a level position achieving a professional and well balanced looking image. Without this piece of equipment, images may have appeared unprofessional and disorientating for the reader as angles and shots would not be on one level and appear unattractive as a result.

White screen back ground
A professional look was created through the use of this piece of equipment as the screen was placed behind the models, achieving a simplistic look and avoiding the appearance of untidy mise-en-scene shown in the shot. This is regularly used by magazines as it is attractive and ensures the audience's attention is drawn to the important contentions of the magazine such as cover lines, image and masthead. This allowed images to be featured effectively on the page and other aspects of the magazine stand out appealing to the audience and encouraging interest and sales.

Draft 7

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

I feel one of the most important and valuable progressions made is the learning and development throughout the task experimenting with various software and technologies. E.g. Photoshop CS6 and  In most cases, during the early stages of the task, I was of a beginners level with little knowledge on how to effectively use all the technologies in a way which would allow me to achieve professional outcomes. This contrasts with my level of skill and confidence now, after completing the full product as i became more familiar with features and functions to allow me to use the applications to my full advantage a my knowledge had significantly increased. However, the prelim product lacked fine tuning and attention to detail which is essential in order to produce something of a professional standard which is taken very seriously and is ensured through quality control checks in the real print media industry as products have to be flawless and appealing to entice and attract target audience. The prelim student magazine also lacked editing and style; Photoshop was the program used to construct both the prelim and final magazine, i extensively edited images and the page designs as well as incorporating effects into all pages of the final product, where as this was kept a minimal when creating the magazine for the preliminary task as i did not know how to function the software effectively at this point of the course due to little experience using this previously. Through practice on Photoshop CS6, i was able to include better quality and complex features in the final product in terms of images, use of layers appropriately organising and structuring accordingly and formatting each page, compared to the basic prelim product which was basic due to my basic level of skill and knowledge on how to function the software.
Development can be seen clearly through looking at both my prelim and final product pages in comparison; higher skill, better design, detail and layout can be recognised.

Also, i have gained knowledge on media industries since the prelim task; research and planning was an important stage in the task as this allowed me to find out about conventions of print media magazines, enabling me to reflect on findings and create an overall good quality final product which appeared professional and attractive. I did not carry out this extensive and analytic research on successful pre-existing magazines previous to the prelim task meaning i had less understanding of conventions which could lead to creating a successful, appealing and good quality product. Due to the large amount of research and planning i carried out, i feel my knowledge of the nature of print media products and industries was hugely enhanced, giving me an advantage when designing my final product- something i did not have when  creating my preliminary product as minimal research and planning was done in preparation for this. Before research, i was not aware of how to effectively attract or appeal to audiences as well as how to present a particular gere of music, conforming, challenging or developing common conventions.The draft versions gave me better knowledge and an  insight into the work involved in creating a magazine, after completing research and planing and basing around the hip hop genre, which i would later be doing in a more professional and complex form for the final version  of my media product. Feedback from the draft version of Bass Junkie given from peers and teachers gave me improvements and a better understanding of how to produce a good quality, successful magazine.

Progression since the prelim task up until completing the final product would include knowledge and skills related to photography. I only captured five images for the prelim task magazine, these shots were very simple with a standard mid-shot used to display the model. I used my friend to model for 'Dare To' magazine as she was available at the time i required the image to be featured on the prelim cover; i had made no considerations of choosing a model which suits a specific criteria when selecting the model. Therefore progress was made in the final product as i was very specific in my model selection; i knew exactly what i aimed to achieve and based decisions on research into artists and the hip hop genre itself. Photography research influenced my decisions at the photography stage as i was inspired by Ellen Von Uwerth's bold style and aimed to achieve similar outcomes with my images which would then be featured on my magazine to create mood and style to appeal and attract  the target audience. For the final product i captured over 100 images for different purposes and to give me variety when choosing the images to feature on each page ensuring i got this right was important as the image is a key convention which makes a statement on the page and is something which has strong influence on customer's opinions on the magazine itself- reputation is on the line. Images captured emphasised expression/attitude to set the mood and relate to the themes and content of Bass Junkie.

The prelim product featured no images on the contents page, creating a basic and boring design and structure. This is something i have largely progressed on and improved in the final product as this features a large, statement image to interest and grab the attention of the reader. Aesthetics have been improved and the difference between the two are clearly identifiable- the final being to a much higher standard than the prelim and appearing extremely professional. Progress in terms of formatting pages and improving layout is an achievement clearly noticeable. I am unable to compare double page spreads as this was not required for the preliminary task therefore i did not create one however the same as above would apply in terms of skills and confidence on the editing software (Photoshop) therefore i was able to produce a double page spread incorporating unique style using my improved level of skill at this stage compared to the prelim stages. Even when compared to the draft version of the double page spread, there are clear differences which i had worked on and improved dramatically when designing the final double page spread.

Overall i feel i have made lots of progress from the start of the task up until the completion of the full product incuding skill, confidence, understanding/ knowledge, etc

Final cover

Final Contents

Final double spread

Cover Idea

 
I tried putting the image over the masthead, as many successful, pre-exisitng magazines such as XXL, Dazed &Confused, Vibe, etc. use. I had difficulty managing the model's hair on the Photoshop programme and therefore the end result was untidy and is not something I feel would appeal/ attract the target audience (male and female 16-24.) Despite this, I felt that experimenting with different ideas helped me achieve a better final result of the front cover as I knew what ideas worked and what would not.

Inspiration for cover

Tracking progress on the double page spread

I took inspiration from examples of double spread pages from XXL and Vibe magazine. I aimed to have a total of three separate images of the male artist individually and edit the opacity on Photoshop software to get the intended look. I feel this is something which presents a strong image of attitude, particularly with the central image being the male showing a hand gesture, which would be perceived by some as rude and inappropriate.

I inserted the second image and reduce the opacity to contrast with the central image and make a statement on the page.

A third image was then inserted and placed appropriately to achieve an effective, appealing and interesting statement image page.

The page on the right was previously untouched and block black. I took the idea from Vibe to place the header in the centre of the page, crossing over the two pages and overlapping images. I also used a common convention of print media- i included a pull quote which was a small section selected and picked out of the article and emphasised to interest the reader into reading the article. I made the half of the text as the heading on the images side a fill colour of bright red to contrast with the images and colours used on this page, also to fit in with the colour scheme as well as to stand out on the page and attract the reader into reading the article.

I then inserted my article onto the right page. I used the font colour white as this contrasted and complemented the black background of the page allowing the article to stand out, express attitude and represent the urban theme as well as fitting in with the colour scheme followed throughout. The idea to have the text in two block columns came from an example of an article inside of Vibe magazine.

To complete, i included page numbers, magazine website and the date appropriately, and details of the photographer and article author. The above shows the final double page spread.

Tracking progress on the contents

Using an example of a contents page taken from style model XXL for inspiration and ideas, i created the basis of my contents page.

I then developed these ideas by adding more details to make it seem a more professional and realistic example of a contents page which represents key themes and hip-hop nature.

I featured pages inside the magazine which are labelled with a header which suits the hip-hop genre. I ensured everything was aligned perfectly to achieve a professional appearance. Page headers listed on the contents page have an urban, informal feel whereas this contrasts with the description underneath these headers which is written in a relevant amount of detail.

I then added an image of the duo. This makes a statement on the page and would attract/appeal to the reader. It is also relevant that the image is related to the cover story and includes both members of the group. The image works well on the page and fits in with the colour scheme for the magazine which is red, black, white and grey; consistency.

The final product is shown above. A professional and appealing page.

Tracking progress on the cover

After comparing this to XXL's cover which I used as inspiration, I decided it did not look appealing or interesting enough; therefor I decided to change some elements to improve the look/design of the cover. I put together the names of many famous hip-hop artists and groups who are well known and famous for their hip-hop music. I followed the convention of an example cover from XXL where the barcode is placed in the bottom right corner.

I did not feel the masthead looked appealing and was not something which would make a statement and catch the audience's eye. I then changed the design and look of the mast head outer box shape and colour to resemble XXL's masthead. I then added the name of my magazine: Base Junkie, which was the masthead name.

I inserted the band name as a big and bold cover line: Paradox. This would attract the audience and grab their attention. I filled the text in white as i planned to place an image of the male model from the duo who would be wearing a black hoodie, to contrast with the white fill colour and stand out further on the page.

I wanted to give off a positive message about the magazine to the audience, i decide to change the end section of the tag line ' and defeat' to a more appealing and interesting 'and urban culture'. This covers themes which are presented and explored in Base Junkie and is therefore suitable.

I then move the barcode to fill open/blank space on the cover page, challenging conventions. As the top right of the cover page was previously blank and appeared 'spacey', i decided to place the barcode more appropriately and effectively in the top right of the page. This filled the gap and seemed more aesthetically pleasing foe the audience as nothing seems out of place and everything works well together.

I then inserted the image i wished to be featured on the cover. I placed in the centre for a more direct approach when targeting the audience and encouraging them to buy a copy of the magazine. I ensure the model's head was placed in the centre as this is the main focus point and creates a more professional design and layout.

The above displays the final product of the cover page. I arranged the cover lines text layers to ensure they are visible over the image. The design looks appealing, professional and conventions each complement each other nicely to create a final cover page which would interest my target audience.

Photography (just some)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/123416464@N05/