Evaluation 7- looking back at preliminary task

Evaluation7 from nicole_g56

Evaluation 6-What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Blogger is something that I've used  briefly in the past however, I have learnt a lot more features such as, that blog posts can be scheduled to be up at time of choosing and also, I have learnt how to change the order of blog posts (of which I have had to do many times!). Very easy to use in recording and displaying work. This platform also, allows you to present in a variety of forms to allow your blog to be interactive and different.

I use microsoft powerpoint and word regularly and i am very used to using it. They both allow me to type down information instantly as there is no internet needed to use them and both enable to present information. Powerpoint was used to create mind map of key ideas and where I analysis other magazines easily all in one place. It also, allows a slide to become an image as it is the only way it can be presented on another platform/ software.

I have never used iPhoto and did not know how to use it before.It is a software on older versions on apple desktop/ laptop of which allows photos to be seen and downloaded from an memory card. I used this software to create a digital contact sheet which allowed all the photos from shoots to be all clearly displayed.

I have no experience in using slideshare however, it was very easy to use and a much easier way of displaying a powerpoint on different platforms instead of having to change all slides into a picture. I also, learnt how to display the slideshare onto blogger via a embed link resulting not just having a link to the presentation.

Another way of effectively displaying information similar to slideshow is Prezi which enables information to be active and is something different to other forms of presentation. One of the main difficulties I found is ensuring the end text in the edit is visible and clear but I resolved this by keep looking at the main edit and changing the font size so it is no longer an issue.

Picmonkey is what i use to display photos in the form of collages and is very easy to use and is accessible to editing photos when photoshop is not available. It is very easy to use and has a range of effects to provide when it comes to editing.

Pages is a application of which i have never used and is now I've developed knowledge in using as the magazine mocks and content pages I made were using pages. It becomes quite easy to use once it you use it regularly. I learnt using templates can be useful in establishing a border and formatting the work.Font is avaliable to download to use and also, there are many different shades to use. The photos widened do not make the photo look pixelated or stretching. I have become more comfortable with using this than when i first used it and is now is something that I would use for other work.

Photoshop is something i use regularly for photography however, my skills only extend to the simplistic of tasks but throughout this task i have learnt new skills and been able to experiment with them.

I believe that many  I watched tutorial videos on youtube of which i have learnt to experiment and use certain tools that i have never used before.




Here is one of the many tutorials i watched:

Using photoshop

One of the editing hacks I have learnt is duplicating the changes on an another edit to enable all the photos to be edited the same way this ensures that they are all coherent and look well put together on the page and allows the effect to not permanently effect the picture which enables to experiment and remove the change instead of restarting.

The photo in which i duplicated editing paths

Example of editing 

original photo

Attempting to remove the background by using the magnetic tool to draw the outline of the model.Which I have learnt watching a tutorial and now attempting to achieve.The aim was to remove the two models from the background as i hesitate about the background being included in the magazine.




Of which i had to create separate layers for both the outlines and pasted them into pages.


These photos were going to be used as a contents page however, I have disregarded the idea as the photos clearly looked cut out and was not in the right position to enable the photos to look like that of a rock magazine however, the experience allowed me to experiment with photoshop and learn more about the different things that it allows you to do of which i have never had the opportunity to fully spend time on.

I was very fortunate to have access to many to many programmes and technology at home and school.School had difficulty with the Internet as a result I was unable to access many applications but I was able to go and complete the work at home.I also,at home researched different forms of presenting my work such as presenting my work in the form of a prezi.

Evaluation 5-How did you attract/address your audience?

I attracted my audience by using bright colour in the mast head and other main headings and also, using an ironic and catchy statements to capture the readers and be able to ask questions and build interest in the theme of women in the rock magazine. The use of gender neutral colours addresses to the audience that anyone can read and be included in the magazines community. This is important as it enable that magazine to build up a loyal readership and would also, appeal to those looking for some entertainment as the magazine looks inviting and interactive because of the use of tag lines promoting the posters included and competition mentioned in the table of contents displays how much they are going to get for an affordable price. £2.20 was the chosen price as it is an amount that would not cause strain on a students finance which will convince people to purchase it instead of other competitors.

I used attractive models with good chemistry also, included photos with them displaying a funny and laid back showing there personalities which will draw readers into the article along with feeling an connection with the artist. The artists could be looked upon as role model and some on they can aspire to be like. The models are also, within the age range of Rock Centrals target audience which appeal to the audience as being relatable. As artists and magazines both use one another as a form of promotion this allows the artists fans to buy the featured magazine if they are perceived as being themselves and revealing in the interview unique information as well as, readers may become fans of the band if they are being presented in a positive light of which is something my group and I have displayed within the choices of photo, article and general design.

A number of unique fonts were used to attract the audience and be bold away from the images   instead of using boring fonts that do not stand out and also, enable to be differentiate from other magazines. This allows part of the focus to be about the content of what the magazine is about as well  as still maintaining focus on the photo. Choosing the font is imperative that many other rock magazines such as Rolling Stone and Rock Sound have a signature masthead and use recognisable font so, it is important to choose something different to avoid being the magazine being a duplicate or looking unappealing to readers. Achieving this by researching different fonts and downloading them onto the computer instead of using the fonts provided onto programs which are familiar but are very dull and simple.

The colours used were consisted through out the cover and content page making the magazine look well put together and formal within sticking to the rock image.Allowing the rock fans to immediately identify the magazine as a rock magazine instead of a gossip or pop music magazine, within the image of the magazine in itself with the artists wearing what they would be known to wear as their fans would be able to recognise them and also, the potential readers will get an essence of what the magazines about.


In the positioning of the texts and images were placed tactically to ensure the audience can clearly read also, be able to find the content. Which is why we structured the contents page and cover in a simple format to allow readers to be informed and get a preview of what is in the magazine which will entice the audience to find out more. Placing the page numbers and sectioning different parts of the magazine in the contents page lets the reader easily find what they are looking for. The magazine social networks are placed at the bottom left hand corner in which the reader has to go to turn the page which allows focus on them this also, allows the reader to communicate with others on the different platform and find out more about the magazine. Inaddition the placed of the images on the double spread allows the article to be split up and also, keep the readers engage with the photos and the article.

Evaluation4-Who would be the audience for your music magazine?

Many rock artists have now charted on mainstream music charts and have a large teenage following as a result magazine specifically about these artists and others like them will appeal to that demographic of which with conformation from the questionnaire results decided that young adults would be our main marketing point as my group and me fit into the age bracket the magazine will be created in relation to what we and people we know can relate to and be attracted towards.

Evaluation 3-What kind of media institution might distribute your music magazine and why?

I believe the type of magazine institution would distribute my music magazine is Bauer Media Group who already distribute many other successful music magazine similar to our magazine Rock Central such as, Kerrang and Q who are in the top 5 selling music magazines sold in the UK and are of the same demographic of our magazine almost guaranteeing Rock Centrals success.

Bauer media also, has multi other media platforms such as radio stations such as Planet Rock and Rock FM which allow music artists to be found to through these mediums and featured in Radio Central and also, potentially in reverse and magazine could report on new talent which could be unique feature in the one of those radio stations that could ultimately benefit them.

The popularity of rock music would also, be a massive reason why the sales are so high for rock magazines as rock artist are now entering mainstream charts more than ever before and these are the artist that would feature in Kerrang and our magazine.

Evaluation 2- How does your music magazine represent particular social groups?

  Video answering this question is following the linked below:
http://goanimate.com/videos/0UhAyuo-tuZU/

Another fitting in with our social economic group is being able to create an affordable price as the readership is students as well as generally.

Evaulate 1-In what ways does your music magazine use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real music magazines?

Changes made from mock up to the final piece

Final cover, table of contents and double page spread

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Double page spread mock ups

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Content page mock ups

Cover mockups

Rock well extra bold, stencil, american captian
1st mock up-

2nd mock up

Photo development

Original photo

Attempting to remove the background by using the magnetic tool to draw the outline of the model.

Of which i had to create separate layers for both the outlines and pasted them into pages.

These photos were going to be used as a contents page however, I abandoned the idea as the photos clearly looked cut out and was not in the right position to enable the photos to look like that of a rock magazine.

Third Photoshoot

Second photoshoot

First photo shoot

The last three pictures on the bottom row would be un-useable because they are out of focus.

The poses that are used when the two models are together are effective of creating an element of being in a band and displaying a attitude that rock artists use on magazines. However, will  require a re shoot as many of the photos are over exposed meaning it would cause the photo to be of low quality thus, not a good enough quality for the magazine.

I have annotated three of the pictures i particularly liked:

Location exploration

For our first photoshoot, we used the Manor House in our school.
The pros of this location are:
 - It was a unique area, which hadn't been used for any other magazines;
 - Lots of natural light
 - Lots of unique angles

The cons of this location are:
 - The images require editing due to backgrounds and walls.

Another location we used was a music room, in our school too.
The pros of this location are:
 - Gave a good look, as in the background there were musical instruments

The cons of this location are:
 - There was no natural light, and the artificial lighting provided was of a bad quality.


The final location we had was the foyer, also in our school.
The pros of this location are:
 - Some natural lighting
 - Unique area

The cons of this location are:

 - Natural lighting is only in certain spots, and those spots aren't the best for a magazine.

Planning the images and model's poses

Photography shoot plan including costumes, props etc..

All female models due to the topic of the magazine.Planning to wear all wearing dark items of clothing to be versatile with any colour theme that magazine with have also, rock/punk magazine models are dressed in dark attire to fit their image and genre.

A couple of clothing ideas that the models could potentially wear:

Band merchandise:
Looking at other magazines, I noticed that many of the cover artists were wearing other bands merchandise and I thought it could be a good sentiment to other bands and attract readers.

Flannels 

I chose to include flannels as its a staple of the fashion/ music of grunge which was alternative rock that emerged in the mid 1980's in Seattle and continues to reemerge in modern times and is often associated with young people and rock music. 

I really like the pose of the model as it is casual and also, natural which is something I might choose to try.  

Ripped skinny jeans 

Choose to include black skinny jeans and also, ripped jeans as they are signature to many artists look and are very in fashion at this moment in time. This also, fits into what young people wear which will make the model look modern and realistic.

Crop top

Something that is also, fashionable and could be relatable to the target audience and would look good with jeans and a flannel.

Leather/bomber jackets and boots

They both add an 'edgy' feature of a persons an would be fitted to the style of the magazine.

Props 

Instruments

The instruments would intertwine effectively with a bands or artists music with the magazine as it shows the readers more about them and as the magazine is mentioning the artists ('s) music in which shows connection