Saturday, 27 March 2010
Final front cover college magazine
This was my final college magazine that we were asked to produce. I have posted this to a later date to my other blogs because i did not post this earlier. Previous research and planning can be found earlier on down my blog.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
AS Media studies project evaluation
AS MEDIA EVALUATION
For my AS Media studies course work I was asked to produce several areas of a music magazine issue. These areas consisted of a Front cover, a contents page and a double page spread containing an interview. I was also asked to produce a electronic collection of research and progression on a Blogger profile. At the end of this project I was asked to produce an evaluation containing an overall review and progress or the task that we were given.
During the project that we were set for our AS Media studies course work we were expect to learn the known codes and conventions of a music magazine, or any magazine for that matter. Codes and conventions are the features that are expected to be seen on every single magazine. This is included and enlisted with every page of the magazine, including the contents page and double page spread. Once I conducted a large range of research i learnt the codes and conventions of current magazines and I was able to apply these to my project so I could make my magazine look both professional and official.
Codes and conventions exist in all official published magazines. They are essential to make the magazine liable for public purchase. There are a range of codes and conventions, these consist of the following;
Mast head - A masthead is printed in all issues of a magazine or a news paper to help show the publication of the magazine or newspaper.
Cover lines - one-line descriptions of articles found on the cover of the magazine. Their purpose is to entice the reader in to picking up the magazine.
Barcode - This is the digital image consisting of numbers found on the bottom of each magazine to define the particular individual item.
Sell lines - These are short written blurbs to attempt to interest the reader in to buying the magazine. These are similar to Cover lines.
Date line - The date line is a brief explanation of text that displays the date. Often found on a contents page.
These are some of the simple codes and conventions of a magazine.
During this project there was a lot of planning to be conducted in order to complete this project at a reasonable standard. We were asked to analyse several different types of magazines including music magazines, hobby magazines, gossip magazines and other common genres of entertainment magazines. This was to help give us and understanding of the typical magazines and what it should include (codes and conventions) so that it would be as easy as possible to produce our magazine when it came to it. I conducted a large range of research to help give an understanding of what the typical music rock magazine looked like. This was because I had chosen to do the rock genre for my magazine. I had deconstructed different types of magazines. Deconstruction is the process of picking out the codes and conventions of the magazine and also to get a more clear understanding of why the magazine was presented in the way it was. My planning process was very individual in the sense that I did more drafts then research. I focused on the presentation of my front cover and made sure to include all the possible conventions that had been on pervious magazines. I had organised a chart to how I would approach this project and what I would complete first. I was first going to attempt the front cover once my research had been completed. I would then complete the double page spread and then leave the contents page until last. I decided to do the contents page until last because I felt that this was the hardest page to complete. I decided to wait until I had some experience in photo shop on my front cover and double page spread. This turned out to be a useful plan, as I picked up some useful techniques in editing images and text that I applied to my contents page. I intended to keep constant updates on my Blogger to ensure that all my work was kept safe as well as up to date.
As part of producing the magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread, using text in an appropriate way which is both attractive and conventional. On my front cover I used simple methods of text which was attractive and conventional to the genre of my music magazine, rock. For the mast head I used a simple pre-made font on photo shop and edited it with a black stroke around the text to give emphasise on the darkness of the text. This helps to promote the idealistic convention of a rock magazine. Other text fonts on my front cover seem to be damaged and scratched. The text is made to look distorted and cracked which once again, promoted the ideal of an idealistic rock magazine. Text in other parts of my magazine is different to the text on my front cover. On my double page spread I have used a broad simple text with a large font size. This is to create emphasis on the page. I have used a contrast of black and white to help the text and image stand out from each other. I have mainly used photo shop to create the text on my magazine and I have then copied and pasted separate parts on to publisher where I then organised and positioned the masthead and images.
All parts of the magazine had to consist of a range of several images. I took all of my images on the same day. Me and my friend, who featured in the magazine, walked down to an old graphited metal container. As a background image, I though this helped to create the effect of a grindy rough magazine due to the vandalism in the backdrop. I took these images using my personal digital camera. I took 28 pictures which gave me a wide range of images to play about with and choose the best one. I edited these images to suit the surrounding environment. I did this on photo shop by distorting and darkening the image to give the grindy look. Once I had decided on the image to use I then edited it on photo shop and pasted it in to publisher were it was then re arranged.
During the process of making my magazine I did not have to use vary many programs to create the pages I wanted. I mainly used photo shop to create individual images and text pieces such as my masthead and main backdrop image. Once I had edited these on photo shop I then imported them in to Microsoft publisher were I then rearranged them until I was satisfied with the layout of the magazine.
I have asked both my mum and dad for their opinion on my magazines front cover, contents page and double page spread. I was pleased with the feedback and found it helpful. This is what there opinions were.
-Opinion from Dad
At first impressions I found the magazine front cover attracting to my eye but I was curious about the use of font on the masthead. I feel like the masthead did not fit in with the rest of the magazine design. I found the image on the front cover very professional and found the background interesting and natural. I feel like the text displaying the main story could of been more attracting because it didn’t catch my eye as first. ‘It wouldn’t look out of place on a magazine shelf’
When I first saw the contents page I thought the high contrasting images were attracting. I found that the date was easy to understand and I found that it was laid out very professionally. I found the images to be attracting and the was they had been cropped and shaped around the text. I found it easy to navigate through and the text although the main heading could be easier to understand and more prominent.
At first glances I found the double page spread to be very imagery pleasing. I found that the image and text blended in with each other very well. The images were very colourful and clear. The model was well positioned and the use of black and white text helps o make the contrasting images on the page.
-Opinion from Mum
At first glances the magazine was imagery pleasing but I straight away noticed the fault on the masthead. I thought that the text font used did not blend in with the rest of the magazine. Possible over edited. The image produced was very professional and looked sharp and clear. The clothing of the model helps to describe the genre of the magazine. The text used was well set out and easy to understand.
I found he contents page to be overcrowded but yet informational. I found it easy to navigate due to the amount of text and numbers used. I thought that it represented a rock / indie magazine very well due to the contrasting images.
When I first saw the double page spread I found it very pleasing to look at but at he same time very effective in the sense of informational. I personally I look for more text then images because I am interested in the information. I found the article interesting and well written which was suitable for both fans and general first time readers.
Throughout this project I have found it to be both interesting and challenging. I found that the process of making the magazine was the most challenging because I was new to programs such as publisher and photo shop. I managed to overcome these problems and produce a high enough standard magazine. The pros of my magazine would very clearly be the use of imagery and text. The images that I took were up to a professional standard and there was a large range of them to choose from. The downside to the project would be simply down to the amount of written analyses. Overall, I think that I have produced some good quality work and have conducted a wide range of research and planning. If I were to do the project again, I would spend less time on planning and more time on my contents page.
Word count - 1873
For my AS Media studies course work I was asked to produce several areas of a music magazine issue. These areas consisted of a Front cover, a contents page and a double page spread containing an interview. I was also asked to produce a electronic collection of research and progression on a Blogger profile. At the end of this project I was asked to produce an evaluation containing an overall review and progress or the task that we were given.
During the project that we were set for our AS Media studies course work we were expect to learn the known codes and conventions of a music magazine, or any magazine for that matter. Codes and conventions are the features that are expected to be seen on every single magazine. This is included and enlisted with every page of the magazine, including the contents page and double page spread. Once I conducted a large range of research i learnt the codes and conventions of current magazines and I was able to apply these to my project so I could make my magazine look both professional and official.
Codes and conventions exist in all official published magazines. They are essential to make the magazine liable for public purchase. There are a range of codes and conventions, these consist of the following;
Mast head - A masthead is printed in all issues of a magazine or a news paper to help show the publication of the magazine or newspaper.
Cover lines - one-line descriptions of articles found on the cover of the magazine. Their purpose is to entice the reader in to picking up the magazine.
Barcode - This is the digital image consisting of numbers found on the bottom of each magazine to define the particular individual item.
Sell lines - These are short written blurbs to attempt to interest the reader in to buying the magazine. These are similar to Cover lines.
Date line - The date line is a brief explanation of text that displays the date. Often found on a contents page.
These are some of the simple codes and conventions of a magazine.
During this project there was a lot of planning to be conducted in order to complete this project at a reasonable standard. We were asked to analyse several different types of magazines including music magazines, hobby magazines, gossip magazines and other common genres of entertainment magazines. This was to help give us and understanding of the typical magazines and what it should include (codes and conventions) so that it would be as easy as possible to produce our magazine when it came to it. I conducted a large range of research to help give an understanding of what the typical music rock magazine looked like. This was because I had chosen to do the rock genre for my magazine. I had deconstructed different types of magazines. Deconstruction is the process of picking out the codes and conventions of the magazine and also to get a more clear understanding of why the magazine was presented in the way it was. My planning process was very individual in the sense that I did more drafts then research. I focused on the presentation of my front cover and made sure to include all the possible conventions that had been on pervious magazines. I had organised a chart to how I would approach this project and what I would complete first. I was first going to attempt the front cover once my research had been completed. I would then complete the double page spread and then leave the contents page until last. I decided to do the contents page until last because I felt that this was the hardest page to complete. I decided to wait until I had some experience in photo shop on my front cover and double page spread. This turned out to be a useful plan, as I picked up some useful techniques in editing images and text that I applied to my contents page. I intended to keep constant updates on my Blogger to ensure that all my work was kept safe as well as up to date.
As part of producing the magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread, using text in an appropriate way which is both attractive and conventional. On my front cover I used simple methods of text which was attractive and conventional to the genre of my music magazine, rock. For the mast head I used a simple pre-made font on photo shop and edited it with a black stroke around the text to give emphasise on the darkness of the text. This helps to promote the idealistic convention of a rock magazine. Other text fonts on my front cover seem to be damaged and scratched. The text is made to look distorted and cracked which once again, promoted the ideal of an idealistic rock magazine. Text in other parts of my magazine is different to the text on my front cover. On my double page spread I have used a broad simple text with a large font size. This is to create emphasis on the page. I have used a contrast of black and white to help the text and image stand out from each other. I have mainly used photo shop to create the text on my magazine and I have then copied and pasted separate parts on to publisher where I then organised and positioned the masthead and images.
All parts of the magazine had to consist of a range of several images. I took all of my images on the same day. Me and my friend, who featured in the magazine, walked down to an old graphited metal container. As a background image, I though this helped to create the effect of a grindy rough magazine due to the vandalism in the backdrop. I took these images using my personal digital camera. I took 28 pictures which gave me a wide range of images to play about with and choose the best one. I edited these images to suit the surrounding environment. I did this on photo shop by distorting and darkening the image to give the grindy look. Once I had decided on the image to use I then edited it on photo shop and pasted it in to publisher were it was then re arranged.
During the process of making my magazine I did not have to use vary many programs to create the pages I wanted. I mainly used photo shop to create individual images and text pieces such as my masthead and main backdrop image. Once I had edited these on photo shop I then imported them in to Microsoft publisher were I then rearranged them until I was satisfied with the layout of the magazine.
I have asked both my mum and dad for their opinion on my magazines front cover, contents page and double page spread. I was pleased with the feedback and found it helpful. This is what there opinions were.
-Opinion from Dad
At first impressions I found the magazine front cover attracting to my eye but I was curious about the use of font on the masthead. I feel like the masthead did not fit in with the rest of the magazine design. I found the image on the front cover very professional and found the background interesting and natural. I feel like the text displaying the main story could of been more attracting because it didn’t catch my eye as first. ‘It wouldn’t look out of place on a magazine shelf’
When I first saw the contents page I thought the high contrasting images were attracting. I found that the date was easy to understand and I found that it was laid out very professionally. I found the images to be attracting and the was they had been cropped and shaped around the text. I found it easy to navigate through and the text although the main heading could be easier to understand and more prominent.
At first glances I found the double page spread to be very imagery pleasing. I found that the image and text blended in with each other very well. The images were very colourful and clear. The model was well positioned and the use of black and white text helps o make the contrasting images on the page.
-Opinion from Mum
At first glances the magazine was imagery pleasing but I straight away noticed the fault on the masthead. I thought that the text font used did not blend in with the rest of the magazine. Possible over edited. The image produced was very professional and looked sharp and clear. The clothing of the model helps to describe the genre of the magazine. The text used was well set out and easy to understand.
I found he contents page to be overcrowded but yet informational. I found it easy to navigate due to the amount of text and numbers used. I thought that it represented a rock / indie magazine very well due to the contrasting images.
When I first saw the double page spread I found it very pleasing to look at but at he same time very effective in the sense of informational. I personally I look for more text then images because I am interested in the information. I found the article interesting and well written which was suitable for both fans and general first time readers.
Throughout this project I have found it to be both interesting and challenging. I found that the process of making the magazine was the most challenging because I was new to programs such as publisher and photo shop. I managed to overcome these problems and produce a high enough standard magazine. The pros of my magazine would very clearly be the use of imagery and text. The images that I took were up to a professional standard and there was a large range of them to choose from. The downside to the project would be simply down to the amount of written analyses. Overall, I think that I have produced some good quality work and have conducted a wide range of research and planning. If I were to do the project again, I would spend less time on planning and more time on my contents page.
Word count - 1873
Final double page spread
This is my final double page spread design. I think this is the most succesful design out of the three pages we have been asked to produce. I think the simplicity of the white contrast helps the image and text to stand out.
Final magazine front cover
I have altered the Masthead to make it stand out more. I personally think that the old masthead looks slightly better but it doesnt stand out like other magazines i have looked at in my research. the colour scheme has worked well with the new masthead due to the brown colour of the models jacket and the brown colour scheme of the new masthead.
Current progress with contents page
This is how i have progressed so far with my contents page for my AS media coursework magazine. I plan to add a list of regular features within the magazine and then fine touch the contents page on bits that i am unsatisfied with.
Current front cover progression
This is how i have progressed so far with my front cover. i intend to change the masthead to make it more attracting and hope to make it stand out more then the rest of the magazine.
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