Evaluation 7 : From preliminary task to full product - what I have learnt

From the preliminary task to the end of the main task, I have learnt how to use different programs, such as Photoshop and InDesign and how to utilise their various features. There’s been a variety of skills picked up and developed along the way, including understanding tools in Photoshop like Eyedropper which allows you to as an example to copy a colour and drag it onto another layer. InDesign was a new program that I had never used before, so it was a skill in learning how to operate it and has given me a confidence boost in adjusting to new programs.

I have learnt a lot about the different uses of fonts and how they can catch the eye. Framing photographs in the right position was something important which I discerned, as they have to fit within the overall context, work with the text around them and catch the eye of the reader.  

Ensuring Techno Beat’s cover, contents page and double-page spread look professional was necessary, so I did research into covers and contents pages and the outcome was having experience in knowing what the forms and conventions are and using that knowledge to work on my preliminary talk to improve it. An example is the convention for a cover having the model photographed in close up or a head and shoulders shot, and a form is a pug, which are either at the top left and/or right-hand corners and consist of the price, logo, a promotion or a freebie.

Researching different covers, contents pages and double-page spreads gave inspiration and encouraged creativity, as I had inspiration from a variety of sources and music magazines. The double-page spread in particular helped with organisation skills because it was a complex program, and in learning how to use it, encouraged me to be able to organise work and understand all the work that goes into making the final page work. Working from the preliminary task, to the final task helped me to develop independent working patterns.

The preliminary cover was far less professional compared to the final task. One example is the coverlines are mainly in the form of a strip but much less organised and everything feels bunched together, plus the typography is too colourful and isn’t so clear to read, in contrast to the final task where the colour scheme’s balanced and there’s more consistency in font. The masthead is okay but not looking too proficient, it doesn’t catch the eye or anchor the page. None of the coverlines appear to anchor the main image, so the mode-of-address isn’t clear.   

The preliminary contents page was more refined than the preliminary cover, but there was still a lot of improving to be made. Some of the typography was sorted out, including the font for the page number, date and masthead in the top and bottom right corners, albeit inconsistent and the green text is hard to read and some of the first lines and sub lines, although its not clear which articles the images relate to. Some of the colour scheme for the text was set out, with the colour purple, but there was still a lot to be done, including having the firstlines in bold and adding boxes around the sub headings ‘Features’ and ‘Regulars’ and to ‘Contents’. I also put vertical and horizontal lines that divided the sections for the final product, making it more professional and before, the background was quite transparent, so the decision was made to add a white background around the ‘Features’, ‘Contents’ and ‘Review’, and the result, made everything look more fluid.    

One of the similarities between the preliminary cover and final task is the issue number, date and price are centred in the top left in the form of a strip and the masthead and coverlines are the same, as well as the puff. There’s a barcode in the bottom-right. Differences are the main image is different, as well as all of the fonts, and with the exception of in the puff and for the web address, the colours for the typography are different.  

Similarities include the same photos are there on the contents, and Hannah’s still dominant, in the centre and framed in relation to the first cover line, and the images are the same and remain the same shot type (medium). The colour of the masthead’s also the same (purple), as well as for the page number and issue date (purple). Some of the information below the headings, the sub lines, is the same, one example is ‘Interview with Hannah: Interview with an upcoming techno star’ and the sub headings ‘Features’ and ‘Regulars’ have been kept.

Differences include the photos of Hannah and Paige have been cropped and positioned against a white background to allow more space for text and vertical and horizontal lines are split around the page, dividing the page into four clear sections and making the contents page easier to follow and before the background was the image of Hannah and it looked quite simple. The banner at the top also anchors the page better. A web address was added below the issue date as I grew to understand the forms and conventions more.

I have added the Techno Beat logo twice around the page, which is better branding for the magazine. The sub heading ‘Review’ has been added again relating to forms and conventions. Originally the images had page numbers, but this changed when a white background was added and it no longer seemed relevant to have page numbers. As well there was a black box added at the top representing more style. The ‘Contents’ and masthead were re-arranged so the masthead came first, and they were positioned next to each other.

Evaluation 6: What I have learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this magazine

Photography: While taking the photographs, I learned a lot about what works with positioning, in terms of how to position models, and about the different effects being able to create through the use of different angles such as close-ups. I also learnt about lighting, for example whilst doing the photo shoot with Hannah and Samantha, it was outdoors and I had to think about where to position them, to take advantage of light as the first few places we tried came out too dark. Another thing I learnt was regarding shutter speed, how to use it effectively as it has an effect on the appearance of moving objects including increasing the background blurring and if a photograph’s taken at a certain speed such as 1/500s, the blur can be removed. 

I picked up about the advantages and use of props, where to place them and what to use, in addition how important the background can be, as it’s needed to need to think about where to place the various elements, and whether certain things should be cropped out of the final image. For example both the swings were originally present, but I decided it would detract from the model, so they were mainly cropped out. I also learned about the advantages to the final image of the models having makeup or not and the different effects this can create.

Skills learned include using Photoshop, using the lasso tool properly, how to select various elements and move them around and the magic wand tool with learning how to select various colours and tones and using it to my advantage, in terms of adjusting the image. I had never used InDesign before so I was pleased with the final result and learnt many skills such as such as the selection tool and eyedropper, which copies attributes including colours that you can apply to other objects and also elements from text, so to make text look similar.

Challenges included learning how to operate the shutter speed of the camera.  I overcame it by learning step-by-step.  Also using InDesign was a challenge as this was a new program that I had no familiarity with and overcame this by asking for assistance and tips from experienced users.  I also found Photoshop a challenge as I had only used it a little before and never to create a complete product, I overcame this challenge by learning how to use all the elements.

I’ve learned a variety of things about technologies. One of these is how to use different programs that I haven’t learnt how to use e.g. InDesign and Blogger. It’s helped give a fuller understanding of what technologies are used in Media, and how to use them effectively.

Regarding other technologies, things learned include how to publish a post in blogging as well and editing the blog, brightening it up and editing the layout and so on. Screen Record, a video/audio recording software has been used for the evaluations and this is the first time I’ve used a programme like this, so it’s been a steep learning curve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fobodIiw5k

Evaluation 5: How I addressed my target audience

Evaluation 4 : Audience

Evaluation 3: What kind of media institution might distribute my magazine and why?

Evaluation 2: How my media product represents particular social groups

For the cover of Techno Beat the photo represents the model (female), DJ Caitlen in a stereotypical female fashion as she’s lively, for instance in terms of body-language as she appears straight, clearly stood up and in one of her hands clings to the wire of the headphones and this may relate to her social group, the “in-crowd” as they’re a laid-back bunch. The typography surrounding varies in terms of contrast and it can be argued for instance the masthead is purple so this exhibits women in a lively fashion and most of the content doesn’t appear female-focused but a woman is featured the main cover line, so this anchors the main image.

DJ’s hair is let down, which connotes to the “in-crowd” as in their crowd they care less about what people think, and she appears content. No make-up is applicable; a comparison to the “in-crowd” as in the gang, a lot of people would be wearing make-up. The costume she wears is a short yellow shirt and within her circle, people like to show off more so this is apt. Regarding mise-en-scene it’s set in a studio, against a red background and it’s possible it’s talking about the “in-crowd” as people who are more confident can turn out to be models.

DJ’s facial expression is a smile and this connotes confidence, relating to the “in-crowd” as they’re a confident bunch. The colour scheme appears to be a mix of red, yellow and white and these are bright, well suited for the circle as they catch the eye more.

The photo represents young people as enthusiastic because DJ’s body positioning is standing up and because of how she holds the headphone wire and her smile and clothing.

The text surrounding is bold, in terms of font and shape, which is a representation of youth and it’s arguable the brightness of the lighting and colours highlight’s youth as they’re a contrast and the content shows young people as ambitious, such as ‘Britain’s most audacious new talent blows us away with her beats’, proving DJ wants to provoke a reaction.

None of the following, sexuality, race, disability or nationality and so on appears to be illustrated. The genre of techno is portrayed through the various elements, such as the masthead and the brightness, combining to give a powerful reaction.

I have equated the appearance of DJ with techno through the design of everything such as the font, everything relevant overall relating her to the genre and it says she wants to put on a show.

Groups such as the male gender are notable for missing as it’s a female-dominated cover, perhaps to give the female presence more power, although it could be said as Prodigy’s a male band, the male gender has a presence.

The photos represent women in different ways. Hannah’s dressed in an attractive way and positioned clinging against a pole, representing women in a provocative manner, which is stereotypical, but Paige Harris appears more genuine, as she’s stood against a wall and not provocative like Hannah.

The text presents women as bolder, considering the bright font and again the content shows women as equal and different, seeing as Hannah’s an “upcoming techno star” and Paige is “usually reclusive”, meaning she’s different from most people.

Hannah’s body language is shown as posing, in terms of being careful about positioning, speaking to her social group, 20-year-olds as if they posing for a photo, they’d care more about how they stand and where. Paige is closer to 30 and seeing as she’s just hanging against a wall, this shows more commitment, appropriate for her age group.

Hannah has dark brown hair, which says she cares more about her image and this fits with the social group she’s in. Paige on the other hand has light brown, potentially closer to the social group she’s in as people like to dye their hair.

It’s clear Hannah has some make-up and a lot of 20-year-olds are liable to have make-up, whereas Paige wears none, less professional as her crowd would be expected to make more of an effort. Hannah just wears a shirt, shorts and some boots, fitting in with the female gender as they like putting on a show.

Paige wears a purple jumper and some jeans, showing she wants to make an impression. The setting where Hannah had a photo-shoot is by a swing, embodying her age more as people who are young go on the swings and Paige has been shot in an urban environment, relating to techno, as it’s a trendy genre. Hannah’s smile relates to the gender, as females tend to be enthusiastic, Paige’s expression is sombre, a contradiction.

The colour scheme for the photo of Hannah is aglow, in terms of how things are lit and this talks about her gender. In the photo of Paige, there’s more of a mundane scheme, more representative towards her age. The first photo represents young people as eager from the smile of Hannah to her clothing and the second represents young people as shadowy, seeing as Paige has a dour expression and the graffiti provide evidence.

In the text it shows young people as definite, because there are some varied fonts and colour and the content displays young people as rising, with Hannah’s as “Interview with an upcoming techno star, whereas Paige’s cover line shows young people as different “Usually reclusive, the techno artist opens up”.

Sexuality, race, disability, nationality, religion and so forth aren’t displayed in the contents, suggesting this is more of a standard magazine.

Techno is represented as varied and colourful as Hannah’s shown content and there are some appropriate fonts including DS Digital and there are varied cover lines, such as “Features about upcoming music technology” and “The Techno List”.


I’m equating the appearance of Hannah with techno as she lights up, in terms of clothing and so on and this suggests her as a positive person. Paige’s appearance relates to techno as she wears a purple jumper and jeans, giving an overall impression but appears more down, suggesting her as complex.

Groups including males and other age groups aren’t included, implying this as a different magazine, further proved with the techno genre.

The photo for the double-page spread presents women in a calm way, in terms of who Paige is, not appearing special and this isn’t stereotypical. Paige’s body language is placid, saying that females are complex and her hair is light brown, likening to techno as this is a hair colour, which is representative because it’s showy. Paige doesn’t have make-up, making her look more average and perhaps less suited to the techno genre. Her costume is the same as the photo in the contents and the colour of her jumper, is purple which is representative towards techno, as well as the dark blue of the jeans.

The setting is the same as the photo of her in the contents, in an urban environment and it’s a contrast because she’s nearing her 30s, so a different environment might suit her. Paige’s facial expression is similar to the contents, sombre, signifying more towards later 20s. There’s a mute colour scheme, less representative of the techno genre as usually the colours are brighter.

The photo appears to present young people as offbeat because of how its lit, the way she’s positioned and the clothing, the elements combine to give the impression that people who are young tend to stand out more. In terms of text its bold and the colours are black and red, also bold in terms of font, such as Georgia, disclosing that the young crowd like to stand out. Disability (Aspergers) is presented in the double-page as Paige talks about it during a couple of the questions.

Overall the genre of techno’s represented being colourful, with the variety in text and the jumper Paige is wearing, as these give the right impression. I’m equating the appearance of Paige with techno because the genre varies but it’s about being distinct too and what she dresses is different from what’s usually expected. This connotes she intends to be colourful.

With the exception of the female gender and 20-year-olds, as well as techno, no other groups are present.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x0DfWBWdjM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtPH5wjwnIU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj4UhDnI53I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPKXQwbnMQ4

Evaluation 1 : In what ways does my magazine use, develop or challeng forms and conventions of real media products

Introduction to evaluation

The magazine 'Techno Beat' has been completed.  It's a techno music magazine that's targeted towards people aged 16 plus, working class and the consumer characteristic of mainstreamers. There isn't a specific gender that's targeted.

The genre of techno was chosen because it's a genre that's lively. Research was done into some other music and techno magazines to get the magazine looking professional.  This helped me to understand the codes and conventions of magazines and how a techno magazine should look. From the preliminary task to first draft I gained experience in the processes involved in creating a magazine so the overall product will look brilliant.

An evaluation will be carried out that analyses seven questions.