Evaluation
I worked in a group with two other people. We did one magazine but worked on three different issues together, We all contributed different ideas and helped each other throughout the process of making these issues. We researched different genres of music magazines and decided to create a magazine with a urban-pop genre.
In what ways does your media product, use, develop or challenge forms and conventions or real media products?
My magazine follows the conventions that adhere to the genre of a music magazine, On all of our front covers we incorporated the same masthead, and then a different image, strap line and kicker, so each issue had the same house style. Our content pages all have the same layout but have different contents, images and colours, We all kept a black a white background for a familiar colour scheme throughout which will be recognisable for the reader, We then decided to add a different colour to each if the issues to make the magazines slightly individual. We all chose to do different layouts for our double page spreads as magazines rarely have the same layout for every single issue of there magazine, We wanted to show that we had thought about this, but the consistency was obvious through the white and black theme.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
From the research we undertook as a group we found that urban-pop genre magazines undertook the following conventions; they include a masthead, strap lines and a kicker that anchors the main images, also they include pugs and skylines, these were all effective as they attract the audience’s attention with there font and colours. After looking at all this we decided to base our front cover on these conventions: bright colours, bold font, a busy front cover, funky dressed models etc. We started by taking photos for our main image and picking the one that best suited each issue, and which fitted on the page using rule of thirds because that was a convention that was seen throughout all the different magazines we researched. Rule of thirds is when a person within a image is placed in a certain position that helps you structure your composition in a balanced way that pleases the eye. As a group we took a lot of photos to experiment with and decide where the models should be positioned in the photo and what they should be wearing, We all put a lot of thought into the photographs as the main image is one of the most important things on the front cover of a magazine as its one of the first thing that the audience will be drawn to when looking at the magazine. We kept our masthead the same, using a font which looked edgy and retro because urban magazines kept their masthead looking unique and edgy which made the magazine look more interesting and contemporary. The font we used as a group is big and bold to make it stand out and attract the audiences attention, we changed the colour of the font depending on the colour of the background so that it contrasted and make it stand out on the page, Also with my kicker I tilted it to the side slightly to make it look quite untidy, I also added graffiti around the kicker to make it looked messy and rebellious to target our audience. I also The strap lines and pugs on magazines all represent what is included inside the magazine, we followed this convention because we wanted our magazine to look realistic.
Who would be the audience for your media product and how did you attract/address your audience?
Our magazine genre is urban-pop, this is a modern genre which attracts 18-25 years old females who are into fashion, going out, socialising with friends and who are quite rebellious. Our magazines attract this type of target audience because the photographs are funky and modern and are mainly of women who are fashionably dressed in 1980‘s style clothing. Which our audience will aspire to be like. I carefully chose what the model was wearing for my main image. I chose modern and original clothing which would appeal to my audience. I knew that this technique would work as the audience im reaching out to are unique and individual. It also works for many magazines, Especially NME which is magazine i based my Ideas on. I also chose to take a medium shot for my main image as it was direct and personal to the audience. Also my strap lines and kickers are big and bold to catch my target audience’s eyes. The information and details within the magazine relate and attract young vibrant and retro social groups. As a group we attracted and addressed our audience by keeping the magazine busy and full of things that young people like to read about. It also attracts our audience because it looks like you get a lot for your money as the magazine front cover is full and busy. The main image on my front cover is of a solo artist who young females would aspire to be like appealing to their fashion, attitude and career. The interviews and articles that are on my double page spreads include questions and information about my solo artist which people would really want to know, as it is interesting and exciting information, and gossip that everyone talks about. The layout of my magazine has quite a few layers on it, I have over lapped my images onto to section where my interview is, I have also slanted the images to not make it look neat and tidy as this magazine is targeting modern and funky social groups.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
IPC media time ink would distribute our magazine as it is a well known established publishing firm that publishes only popular magazines. Our magazine has all the conventions of a genuine music magazine and would definitely sell copies as its modern and eye catching. Also NME uses this publishing firm which is the magazine I’ve been basing my magazine and issues on.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
During this project I have used different types of technologies for example: cameras and Photoshop. I had a lot of experience on Photoshop before the start of this project as I used it a lot when I was doing my double art and design gcse’s. I have definitely gained a lot of knowledge whilst constructing this product for instance I now know how to upload and process video clips and photographs onto a computer this is valuable knowledge for everyday life. I also used new tools in photoshop for instance the clone tool and lasso tool. I used these tools when I was creating my kicker and straplines. as well as this i tried out new effects on images to help me decide if I wanted to use them on my final piece.Looking back at your preliminary task,
What do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Before creating my music magazine I conducted a lot of research about different genres of music magazines, there conventions, the way they present there front cover, th way things are placed etc. This has helped me and my group create a better magazine as I learnt about new things I wouldn’t’t have known before the research. For example how to attract the audience with things such as what the model is wearing, slogans and colours.