Preliminary task evaluation questions

What have you learnt from completing this task?
From completing this task I have learnt how to analyse media texts and the different ways the media provide information to us using different techniques. I have also learnt about the different conventions that are put on to magazine front covers,contents page and double page spreads this includes conventions such as main images and the masthead. After completing the tasks I have also recognised that they're a lot of features on photoshop that I could develop in order to attract appeal to an audience. My final product for the preliminary task didn't satisfy me therefore In the future I would like to develop my Photoshop skills.

How have you used technology?
I have used technology such as powerpoint to provide information and knowledge regarding the focus point of this preliminary task which has been producing a 'Student Magazine'. I have also used software such as Photoshop to generate a front cover of the magazine. I have had to use certain tools on the software in order to include certain conventions that regularly are also conventions on real magazines such as NME this includes the Masthead and Main image.

What conventions have you used and why?
I have used most conventions that feature on most mainstream magazines. I have used a plug this allows readers, the audience to recognise competitions that will be featured in my magazine. The main image is used for other students to notice that that this is a College magazine and that it could  be relevant to them. Side lines are used to make the reader aware of genre and subject matter of the magazine. The masthead is used to make people aware of the product, it also allows them to acknowledge what genre that magazine is.The barcode is used for sales to be registered if this my magazine was a published product.

What would you change if you were to do this task again?
I would ensure that I developed my Photoshop skills alongside with my photography. If I was to go through the process of producing a College magazine again I would make sure that my Camera shot was a Close up this would allow the audience to have a more detailed image that hopefully would appeal and draw them into reading the magazine.The layout of the magazine was not very precise most of the Side line were placed in different locations within the front cover,personally I don't like the design anymore. The text is illegible which is a downfall to the front cover and under real circumstance would not appeal to the audience. I would make sure that the text/font is clear enough to satisfy any readers needs.

Final Product

Feature Stories/ Magazine name Ideas

Camera Frames

Basics of Photoshop

Mise-en-scène and Location ideas

Digital Drafts

Colour Palette

Mood Board

I made up this mood board in order to provide inspiration for creating the front cover of my 'College' magazine.Many of the images are music related as I think my magazine will be prioritizing music as the main topic. The music theme will mainly be indie themed bands such 'The 1975' and the Catfish and the bottlemen' these are the type of bands that students in general are taking more of an interest in.

LIIAR Analysis Connotation and Denotation

Conventions Research

Brief

To design a College magazine front cover and mock up contents page. Images used on the front cover must be original.