Photoshop Task

Photoshop Trial Front Cover

I was asked to create a music magazine on Photoshop, to develop my skills further and prepare me for my own final magazine.

I decided to create a multi-genre front cover, to show my diversity, as I don't think my final product will look similar to this. Moreover, I used lots of different tools to produce this cover, for example, the eyedropper tool, and the text tool. I wanted to try using different layouts than a regular magazine, to show that I can design for different genres, and not just do the traditional sort of positioning, with the masthead at the top of the page. Instead here, I have used a large 'V' and placed it in the middle, this initial represents the name of the magazine which is 'Voice'. I also placed this above the letter, just to make readers aware. If I was creating lots of issues of this magazine, I would design it where not every issue follows the same colour and font theme, due to the 'V' complimenting the colours from the image, however, I will make sure that it is easily recognisable due to the large 'V'. I also used the same font throughout this cover, although made 'Selena Gomez' in a handwritten typography, to suggest it was herself that wrote it. I also changed the height and width of the text on left hand side of the page, so it was easy to read, and not interfere with the image of Selena.

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.

Deconstructions of Rap Genre Magazines

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