Preliminary Task- Flatplans

Before creating my preliminary task, I designed some flat plans to follow.

On the front cover, I wanted a happy image of the model, aged 17-18, to appeal to the target audience. I also included the college logo and theme colours to create a professional feel. By incorporating these colours, such as orange, blue and green, instantly connects with the pupils and they will know that this is their college magazine. Furthermore, I would use college related articles for the coverlines, to entice the specific audience.

Front Cover Flat Plan

Contents Page Flat Plan

On the contents page, I wanted to use the same colour scheme as the front cover, and make sure the colours I did use were impressive and indulged the students to read on. If I designed this preliminary task using non-college colours, or just black and white, then I don't think it would attract an audience, never mind the target one. I illustrated a graphic at the bottom of the page, so it wasn't boring and have different aspects included. 

Target Audience Research Results

Time Management- Week 4

This week I managed to start my preliminary task in my media lesson, but from the preciseness of my work, was not able to finish it. Therefore, I will complete it tomorrow. However, I did manage to publish this time management post. In my opinion, I feel like I am managing my own time very well, and have gone above and behind to finish all tasks set.

Preliminary Task

Front Cover

For the preliminary task, I had to create a front cover and contents page for a college magazine. I had to use as many different tools and conventions, to appeal to the target audience of 16- 19 year old, males and females.

Contents Page

I used lots of tools on 'Photoshop CC 2015' to create the front cover and contents page. For example, I used the brush tool to edit my models makeup on the first page. I then dropped the opacity and blurred it so she didn't look too fake and harsh. I brightened her teeth and lipstick, to add to her femininity and appeal to the target audience. I chose this image because the model was smiling and looked happy, this connotes that Sunderland College is a nice, cheerful environment to continue furthur education in. By using the eyedropper tool, helped me incorporate the same colours from Sunderland College's website and posters for this magazine. Therefore, I created a running house theme through out, which made it more like a professional magazine. Furthermore, the text for the masthead and cover lines were from a typography website called 'dafont.com'. I could choose which I thought best suited this product, hence the one I picked was called 'College Boy'. In my opinion, this worked well with the type of magazine I was creating due to the squareness of the text, it reminded me of a school football team or school club font. Moreover, I included language that would appeal to the target audience, like 'Win' and 'Exams'. Most teenagers notice these words due to being around them so frequently. Not just young adolescents, but adults too, are always up for being in with a chance to win something free, especially a prize like an iMac or a new iPhone 6s. That is why I chose these products, as they would come in handy for teenagers. On another note, exams are always brought up with 16-19 year olds (my target audience), especially ones sitting their GCSE'S and A Levels.

I really liked creating the front cover as it allowed me to get back into using photoshop after my long Summer off (I studied Media Studies at GCSE and got an A* in my coursework, hence why my skills on photoshop are advanced). I thought using this programme was easy due to my past experience, and find helping others with it rather enjoyable. The only thing I disliked about designing the preliminary front cover was choosing a main image, as I had quite a few to pick from. Although I think I  ended up with the right decision on the picture I used. I didn't really think anything was too hard about designing the front cover. Conclusively, I think the conventions I have made such as the puff and adding effects like 'Stroke' will help me when creating my final product, if I decide to add them onto my front cover page. (However, I think using the 'Stroke' effect really developed a school vibe, so maybe for a rap genre this really wouldn't fit.)

On the contents page, I added a new font for the headline 'Contents', as I thought it looked fun, which is how many teenagers are nowadays. I added a lime green banner around the page to make it professional, which is where the headline overlapped over. I created a graphic at the bottom of the page using the 'Rectangle' tool on Photoshop, and altered the transparency so they blended well together and was able to see through each shape. I again used the eyedropper tool to use the precise colours. For my own music magazine, I will try and make a illustrated graphic as I think it really identifies what organisation/ magazine the page belongs too and makes it stand out from others. The main image is of the model posing towards the camera, with her own camera in her hand. I think this promotes photography at the college, and could interest many people reading the magazine. I thought this would attract the target audience due to the women looking fashionable in her 'Dr Martins' and holding a camera (thus many teenagers are taking photos of everything and anything nowadays).

Likewise, I enjoyed making this contents page, due to the fact it was fun to design and experimenting with the different college colours. One thing I would add would be the masthead on the contents page. On all experienced magazines, the name of the magazine is placed on the contents page again, which is what I forgot to do. Additionally, when making my actual product I will make sure all of the sub- headings and page numbers are placed in the same layout and are the same size. If this is not done, I feel like it would make my magazine less effective in looking realistic and well made.

Overall, I really enjoyed creating this preliminary task. I feel as though it will help me when creating my own music magazine. I know where I can improve and what I would do differently for a different genre of magazine.

Work Progress and Feedback

Magazine Analysis for Audience

When enrolling for this AS Media Studies course, I was given a starter pack to complete. This would show what skills I already had on the subject and what the course would entail. I was recently given back my work, therefore can understand what I did well and what I need to improve.

The first part of the work was to research three music magazines, and analyse who the target audience was, and how I worked this out. To the right is an image of the work I did:

The next task was to create an essay and magazine front cover, for a company called 'Natmags'. See below for this.

The grade I received was an A, however, I know where I can improve now, therefore next time I can maybe get a better grade. By completing this task, helped me gather information for creating my own magazine, and that I am on the right course.

Time Management- Week 3

This week I feel as though I haven't progressed as much as I would of liked. In the lesson, the class viewed a powerpoint, which our lecturer showed us and made us copy down notes. We also had to take images for our prelimenary task, which was done around the college. Even though there wasn't many tasks for me to do this week, it allowed me to go back and touch up/ improve any work on my blog that I thought needed to be done.

Time Management- Week 2

To make sure I complete all of my coursework on time, I have created a deadline for each piece of work. I feel as though my 2 and 3 quarter hour lesson isn't enough time to finish all of the tasks we have been given to thoroughly finish in the detail I would like to do. Therefore, I have took my own innovative and finished two pieces of work on Tuesday and Wednesday instead of rushing on my Monday Media lesson. See below my timetable for this week:

Research into Other Student's Work

I have looked at several other AS Media Studies blogs, to understand what I liked and disliked.

The first was http://laurenwainemedia.blogspot.co.uk, even though the genre of music she had picked was a lot different to mine, the presentation of her blog was at a good standard and I liked how she included a lot of media such as Facebook surveys, Prezis, and Youtube videos.
However I feel as though her final product was a little childish for it being a teen music magazine, the colour scheme and black/ white borders around everything made it look as if the target audience would be aged 8-12. Furthermore, the barcode and issue number lacks professionalism, as it doesn't really fit in where it is positioned.
Another blog I viewed was http://alyshastirlingmedia.blogspot.co.uk, again, the presentation was superb, and the media she had used really showed off her skills. Despite that, I think her photoshopping skills could of been better, because on the front cover, the masthead, headline, and some cover lines were pixelated/ blurred and could of been clearer. When making my front cover, I'll make sure that everything I present is clear.
Unlike the others previously, I disliked http://courtnielouisekerr.blogspot.co.uk blog layout, (even if the colour scheme did fit her genre of music), I think she could of chosen a better blog template to present her work. I really liked her front cover and double page spread as it was designed with care and I couldn't see any faults.
Lastly, I looked at http://nataliehoweymedia.blogspot.co.uk blog, and really loved her set out and presentation of her work, the content she included was really detailed and she deserved the grade she got. Her photoshopping skills were good, but I didn't think her contents page was up to the standard as the front cover and double page spread.

Research into the Target Audience

Female, age 17, Audience Profile

Male, age 19, Audience Profile

I wanted to research males and females around my age, 16-19, for their hobbies and likes, dislikes, and what they are musically interested in. They are all in the same socio-logical group, and socio-economically similar as they are students. This would help me when deciding on who my target audience is for my own magazine. See to the left for their audience profiles.

Female, age 16, Audience Profile

Male, age 17, Audience Profile

Furthermore, to research what target audience would be best for my own genre, I have created a Facebook page, to invite people to answer honest surveys and questions regarding magazines and music. However, I have yet to post any questions.

Deconstructions of Rap Genre Magazines

Created with Padlet

Created with Padlet

Created with Padlet

Time Management- Week 1

Throughout my first week of AS Media Studies, I think I have managed my own time very well. At the beginning of the week, my media class was very hectic and I did not get all of my work finished in college, therefore I took it home or to the college campus library to complete. I have now finished all of the work I have been requested to do, and feel confident that it is done to the best of my ability. It is very important that I use my own initiative and am responsible for my own time keeping skills, as if I fail to do so, it could result in me falling behind with my coursework, not being able to do my future tasks and achieving the grade I wish to get.

Magazine Conventions on a Front Cover

I believe it is very important to include a number of conventions on a magazine front cover. Below I have inserted a magazine that employs a lot of techniques in order to attract their target audience, and encourage them to buy and read on.

Masthead- The masthead is the title of the magazine, and informs the reader on what they are reading. For my magazine, I will include a large prominent masthead, that follows my colour scheme, so I have a running house theme throughout all of my pages, this will help develop a professional feel. The audience will also recognise the magazine due to the masthead I create, as it is important for branding, and is always used for things like logos (however following an urban theme to it).

Main Image- The main image is the photo on the front cover that takes up around two thirds of the page. In most music magazines, it features a popular artist that the most important article is about. This dramatically increases the number of sales a magazine has, due to devoted music fans, being interested in a specific artist, and going out and purchasing the magazine, even if its not one they usually read. The image has to be clear and a head shot for the magazine to look professional, the model must also look straight into the camera lens, for the most effective front cover. I will feature this on my own page, and remember that is the angle my model needs to stand. For the genre of music I have picked, and after a little bit of research, I have come to the realisation that most rap stars look into the camera for CD covers, posters, videos etc. Thus, it would only be best for the model to do this pose on my cover.

Tagline/ Sell Line- A tagline is a small amount of text that is associated with a certain magazine. For example, ‘Mixmag’s tagline is ‘The World’s biggest dance music and clubbing magazine’ and ‘Q’s is ‘Discover Great Music’. These sell lines will feature on every issue, therefore viewers will become accustomed to which magazine it is is, just by hearing their slogan. The audience will also find out information in a quick, single sentence. For my magazine, I need to make sure it sums up my genre and ‘vibe’ well, to attract my target audience easily.

Cover Lines- This convention is short sentences that describes articles inside the magazine. This catches the reader’s attention and leaves them wanting to read the full article. On a traditional front cover, there is normally a main cover line connecting with the main image, and then several sub- cover lines. For my magazine, I aim to have 3-6 cover lines representing what can be read inside, this will also broaden my audience.

Barcode- A barcode is key for sales of the magazine, and not only keeps track of the amount of sales, but makes it a lot quicker for cashiers to scan the code. Magazine companies can keep track of where the most issues were sold, and at what time, this helps them narrow down the type of audience they have and who they are catering for. I will feature a barcode on my own magazine, therefore adding to the professional feel.

Magazine Conventions on 'MixMag'

Issue Number- An issue number helps keep track of what issue a reader is on. The more number of issues, usually suggests how long the magazine has been published for, if its a long time, this normally demonstrates that the magazine has a large target audience, and has interesting topics that keeps people going and buying their magazine again and again. I will include this convention, because it allows the readers to know what issue they are on, and which they might have missed.

Date- Similar to the issue number, this really establishes when the magazine came out. Nevertheless, it does offer more information. For instance, music fans may know when a new album/ song is out, and watch out for the date on the magazine, as the new music may be featured. I will use this convention as I think it connects with the audience and really lets them know key information.

Left Third- The start of the masthead and cover lines are important to the left third, and must be seen in shops where the full magazine is not shown. This indicates whether or not a reader would be interested in buying the magazine, therefore it needs to present thought-provoking stories and fit the genre they are looking for. I need to keep this in mind when creating my own front cover.