The end!

So i guess this is it for now! I have finished my pre-lim task. This task has helped me too learn a few new techniques which i can use in my main task. I have used a lot of different programmes and they have helped me too develop my abilities. Thankyou for all the comments you may have given me :)

My Evaluation

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

We looked at a student magazine; the main conventions were the masthead and the picture. The majority of student magazines include subjects like; college and media. The contents page in student magazines usually consists of a brief summary of everything that is in the magazine itself, including main features. I tried to include as many of these as I could in my magazine. The main things I included were the bold masthead on the front and the mid shot for the picture on the front cover. I made my magazine quite simple as it doesn’t need to be overcomplicated to work well.


How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The social groups that I have represented in my magazine are older teenagers or college students. I have represented them as fun and tried to include things that I think will appeal to them. The picture on my front cover is a mid shot of my friends jumping off a stage; this image evokes fun and enjoyment. In this magazine cover and contents page there a number of pictures but mostly text. The pictures are used to break up the text in the contents page.




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

My magazine mainly focuses around music and fashion. There are a number of magazines like this already on the market. I think my magazine has a lot too offer as all of the magazines on the market aimed at teenagers aren’t even written by teenagers. I think my magazine would be suitable for the college magazine as it features all kinds of things that interest teenagers. I think my magazine could be sold by either the college or small shops.


Who would be the audience for your media product?

The audience I was aiming for was 16-18 year olds as they are more mature and appreciate music and fashion articles more than say a 12 year old would. Either gender would be suitable for this magazine, as it features articles and information suitable for both.


How did you attract/address your audience?

In order to attract my target audience I used colour and pictures. My front cover is quite simple but it summarises what is going to be in the magazine and would hopefully make them want to buy it. I spent a lot of time considering the name because I believe that this is one of the most important factors in the magazine. I think someone would want to buy my magazine because it is heavily associated with teenagers as it features things that they like and it is written and designed by teenagers.


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

I have learnt a great deal about designing magazine covers. For the most part I used publisher to create the main designs of my cover and contents page. I used paint to edit the title to make it more prominent.









As you can see each letter has had a small bit moved slightly to the left. This makes it more unique and also more fun, which was the main aim of my magazine, to be fun.
I also used effects such as colour to make my magazine more attractive. I used blogs in order to upload all my research and to also post polls on ideas like front cover layouts.

Contents Page

This is my finished contents page. I like the simplicity of this page. It is easy to read and navigate.

Magazine Front cover

This is my front cover for my magazine. Any feedback would be welcomed :).

Magazine Front Cover Ideas

I have created 3 designs. Each one has the same information on it although they have a different layout.

I am not sure which one to ue so your input would be helpful.

2nd Textual Analysis

The magazine to the left is called Smaart Talent. The magazine itself is aimed at Black and minority ethnic students. Its mainly a careers magazine. The title of the magazine is bold at the top of the magazine

The picture features 'Miquita,' as it shows in large font. The photo itself is a mid shot and she is staring right at the camera. The sentence 'Miquita goes pop' is appropriate because she is chewing a piece of gum. As well as this she used to present a show called 'pop world.' She may be used as a role model as she have achieved success in her career.

The magazine is based around careers and the cover lines all feature some sort of job or university course. The font used is a kind of graffiti font.

Textual Analysis

Obviously the first thing that catches your eye is the name of the magazine, 'First Car.'

This magazines colour scheme is simple and quite effective. The main colours are yellow, black and white. These colours are good because they stand out and attract the eye but aren't in your face.

This magazine appeals to students because, on the front cover are the members of the show The Inbetweeners. This show is very popular with students, and people of our age.

The headline of 'The Inbetweeners, Interview inside.' The whole headline is at a slant this breaks up the horizontal lines across the whole front cover.

The picture is a mid shot of Will who is the main character. The shot is also a group shot featuring Will and the rest of the characters. The picture is on a slant which provides a good effect I think. It is unusual to see on a magazine front cover. The picture is also appropriate to the magazine as well, as they are all around their first car. Which evidentally isn't the best car in the world but that is good because it is realistic and down to earth.

Questionnaire

What would you be looking for in a magazine?

Do you read any student magazines?

Yes No

If so what draws you to these magazines?

Colour Headlines Title

Are you partial to any colour schemes?

Green Red Pink Orange Black White

What topics interest you most?

Music School Sports Arts & Crafts

How much do you think a new magazine trying to make a name for itself should cost?

25p 50p 75p £1 £2 £3

Action Plan- First Lesson

For my Media coursework I have been asked to create a Magazine aimed at Teenagers or Students. I have to create a front cover and a contents page. My idea for the magazine was something based around Music, as this is an area that a lot of studets are interested in. In order to ensure that my magazine is appealing to this audience I am going to use a variety of techniques. However seeing as my main task is also a music magazine I have to make sure that the two aren't too similar.

I have devised an action plan so that i can tick things off as i go.

Week 1,

• The first thing I am going to do is research other magazines to gain ideas and look at their layouts. My magazine will be quite original as there aren't many good student magazines around.
• I have decided to aim my magazine at 16-18 year olds. This is a suitable age to aim at because generally 16 to 18 year olds will be at college so their interests might be quite similar.
• In the first week I need to consider what font and colour schemes I am going to use. As well as this I need to consider what I am going to put on the contents page.

Week 2,

• In my second week I am going to start designing the front cover. I will need to take some original photos to use. I think I will create two different front covers and post a poll too see which one people prefer. Ultimately the final decision is my own, although the people who vote on my poll will be of the target age so their opinion is useful.
• In my second week I am going to focus mainly on my front cover.
• I will need to think of an appropriate name for my magazine as well.
• Then I will decide on the font and colour scheme.

Week 3,

• My third week will be based around the contents page, I will need to decide on the font and colour scheme although I will use the same font and colour as I have used for the front cover.
• I will need to decide on a few subjects for my contents page, and write the sentence underneath that is seen in some magazines.

Week 4,

• This final week will be used to evaluate and make any changes or finishing touches that are required.