Evaluation Question 7

Looking at the preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to a full product?

To make my college magazine front cover and contents page I had to take pictures that were going to feature in my magazine. To do this I learned to use a Canon EOS 1000D camera, this was my first time handling this camera so it took me some time and practise to take a decent picture for my front cover. After gathering all of my pictures I had to use the Adobe Photoshop CS3 software to edit my pictures and produce my product. This had also been the first time using this however; I learned how to use a number of tools in order to make my magazine with the help of my fellow peers who have used it before.

Since this was my first time using the camera and Photoshop, I found that my academic skills were not on point such as, meeting deadlines and organising work load in order to make my magazine to the best of my ability. I conducted my audience research on time and used my classmate as the model on my front cover. This was quick and easy to do because I did not have to search anywhere else for a model.

I chose the best image for my front cover which is a medium close-up shot of a female student with her earphones in. This image represents the typical appearance of teenagers and the fact that it’s a medium close-up of one person, means less attention on the surroundings and more focus on the subject. I like that she’s wearing dark clothes so text can easily stand out in contrast with the darkness. Also, I managed to take this picture in my College so it didn’t take up much time to find a specific location. Therefore, I learnt how to frame camera shots with the help of my teacher.

However, there are several ways in which my college magazine could have been improved. For example, I didn’t label the different images with page numbers on my contents page so that readers can go to the specific page without trying to find it. I’ve also learnt the different magazine conventions of real media products such as page numbers which I applied to my own magazine.

I was pleased that I completely my work on time and to the best of my ability. If I had the chance to do it again I would have made sure that the model was standing more away from the wall so it does not create a shadow effect. However, my teacher seemed to like the image regardless of the shadow but recommended this as an improvement. Also, looking at the image on my double page spread I would have made sure the camera was properly focused to create a more defined image.

I feel that I have improved since doing my preliminary task, I have developed my skills further using Photoshop and the camera. I actually found it more enjoyable creating a music magazine than a college magazine because I am big fan of music myself and adding my own creativity into the design was a lot more fun.

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK:

It was important to find out what other people thought about my main media product of a music magazine, so I asked for feedback from my friends on Facebook by messaging them privately. I done this and only messaged certain people because they are roughly the same as my target audience who are 15 to 17 years old. The responses I received were mostly positive; they liked the colours and fonts I used and coverlines on my contents page looked good. But, a boy suggested that if the model was to wear fewer clothes then the magazine would have been better. I reckon that if I had done this, it would have attracted more male audiences because sex appeal highly draws their attention.