Evaluation

Evaluation

For my preliminary task, I had to create my own front cover and contents page for a school magazine. In order to do this I used Photoshop, which I have not used therefore I found the task more difficult than others. By using Photoshop I have been able to improve my skills on the computer as well as widening my understanding on how to design my front cover and contents page. Therefore when making my magazine, I will find it easier as I am more familiar with the how to design it and what needs to be included.

Looking back at my front cover, I can see that parts of it could of been improved. Although I am happy with how it looks , the font makes it look unprofessional due to the boldness and outline colour of each cover line. This makes the front cover look childish, which is a disadvantage because the magazines target audience is teenagers not young children. I am also not pleased with the layout as some of the text is not in the right place and therefore clashes with the background colours. As I was not familiar with photoshop, I feel as my lack of skills was the reason as to why my front cover wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. However, I am satisfied with my image as it represents what my magazine is displaying, which is secondary school teenagers working at school.  I am also glad with the title name I chose which is "Break Time", this is because it will attract more readers as it shows that they shouldn't spend there whole time working, as they deserve a break as well. My front cover does appeal to the correct target audience as the colour scheme is bold and bright which will engage the reader, as well as this the text on the front cover will encourage them to carry on reading, as they will want to find out more information.

Now looking at my contents page, I am satisfied with how it ended up. Although I could of improved the layout by only using one or two images as it makes the page look too busy which I didn't want as the contents page is normally one of the simplest pages throughout a magazine. The text should stand out the most so the reader can see whats on each page, but in this instance I feel the images drag the reader from the main point which is what the pages contain. Furthermore, I am pleased with how I used the colour scheme as it matches the front cover which makes the magazine look more professional and sophisticated. 

Overall, I have learnt that even though there is room for improvement on my front cover and contents page, this is an advantage as when it comes to making my real magazine cover I will know exactly what to the change and improve. I will make sure to make my text and images clear as well as ensuring I use the correct colours and fonts which will attract my target audience.

Preliminary Task

For my preliminary task I had to create a front cover and contents page for a school magazine. In order to do this, I used Photoshop which I was not familiar with and have never used before. I was able to work out how to use it with the help of my teachers and the internet, this therefore improved my skills within Photoshop and I was able to design my front cover and contents page how I wanted to.

Conclusion of Research

My research has been very beneficial as I have learnt about Textual Analysis, Genre, Target audiences and Background/Context of music magazines. I have completed 22 research tasks, by doing this I now know enough knowledge which can help in the process of making my magazine.

The background/context part of my research was very important as it enabled me to gain a large insight into the history of different genres. By researching different music genres, this helped me to decide which genre I wanted my magazine to be on. 

The next part of my research was Genre, this was very significant because I had to decide what genre I wanted my magazine to be on. I chose to do Pop, because I found it the most interesting genre and it was an advantage that I was already familiar with it. By completing this I was able to gain a further insight into the Pop genre which is beneficial when designing and making my magazine.

For my textual analysis I researched pop magazines. I looked at two different front covers, contents pages and double page spreads. My textual analysis was helpful because I now have a better understanding of what needs to be included in my magazine. For example on a front cover there is always a large image of a well known famous singer/band. 

My target audience research was beneficial because I am now aware of who my primary, secondary and tertiary audience are. I also know what to include in my magazine to satisfy the right audience, which means when it comes to making my magazine I will be more confident when designing it. 

Target Audience Profile

In this task I used emaze to create a target audience profile, which displayed who my primary, secondary and tertiary audience were. To do this task I used avachara to create an animation character. This task will help me when creating my magazine as I know exactly who my target audience are, therefore I will know what they want my magazine to contain.

Apply Uses and Gratification to Pop Magazine

In this task I have applied the Uses and Gratification Theory to a pop magazine contents page. This task has enabled me to understand the theory, as well as being able to apply it to a contents page when I make my own magazine. 

Uses and Gratification Theory

In this task I have created a Powtoon video which is about The Uses and Gratification Theory, this has enabled me to have a clear understanding about the theory. Therefore I know what needs to be included when it comes to making my magazine as I am familiar with all the aspects of media. This task will help me as I know how to apply the theory and will use it in the production of my magazine.  

Summary of textual analysis

In this task I will summarise what I have learnt from completing tasks 14-19. The textual analysis tasks has been beneficial to me as I have learnt new skills such as how to use different web tools like emaze and powtoon. 

The analysis of my front cover, content page and double page spread was useful to do as I now know every aspect that needs to be included in my magazine. For my title page I know to include a Masthead and a main image which is most likely to be off a pop singer/group. On the contents page I noticed that there is often a few images that surround the text which engages the audience, therefore I could apply this to my magazine. Lastly on the double page spread there is always a large bold image which attracts the audience, and different sections of text surrounding it. By completing these tasks I have a further insight on how to design my magazine and the information that it needs to contain. The analysis of these different areas has given me a better understanding of specific key terms and information that I can include in my magazine when it comes to designing it, I will be more confident when doing it because I will be familiar with the layout. 

The uses and gratification theory helped me to apply my knowledge from the theory work into applying the theory to a pop magazine, this includes Information, Personal, Social Interaction and Entertainment and why each of these are included in a magazine. It also advanced my understanding regarding why people consume media.  Therefore by doing this task I can use the theory i learnt and put it in my magazine when I design it which effective because my magazine will contain the correct information.

Content Page Analysis

In this task I have used two different magazine content pages and analysed them both. One contents page is from Billboard magazine and the other is We heart pop. By analysing both magazines, I am familiar with the contents page layout and what information it has to contain.

Title Page Analysis

In this task I have analysed two different music magazines, one Billboard and the other We heart Pop. I have done this so I know what my title page has to contain when I make my own magazine. This task was beneficial because I will feel more confident when I design my own magazine, as I will know exactly what needs to be included. 

.

Double Page Spread Analysis

In this task I have analysed two double page spreads from pop magazines. One from Billboard magazine and the other We heart pop. This task has been useful as i now know what my double page spreads need and what information it should contain when it comes to me creating my own magazine. For example I know that my double page spread will have a striking image of a famous/well known person, with information about them or their career. 

Subgenre/angles

In this task I have looked into the sub genres of Pop, the genre that I chose was Britpop, my powtoon provides in depth information on the genre. This task will benefit me as when it comes to making my final magazine, I will be familiar with the genre therefore I will find it easier to apply the information I need to my magazine.