Thursday, 14 January 2016
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
Evaluation Question 6: What have I learnt about new technologies from the process of constructing this product?
What have I learnt about new technologies from the process of constructing this product?
Photography:
The first modern day technology I gained skills in was the photography side of my productions. Digital cameras allowed me to take multiple shots and once or any given moment. The lens quality of newer cameras has also improved for example the ability to zoom while maintaining the camera focus is now possible. When comparing this to older cameras of maybe around 10+ years ago the photographer did not have the luxury of this and had to really focus to get a good shot they could use.
Following on from this digital cameras also have various settings to automatically improve the quality such as auto brightness, flash settings and even auto focus for example. It is much more convenient and allows you to choose the best image by simply uploading the image to a computer or even just viewing it on the camera itself.
My contact sheets below are examples of me using a digital camera and how easy it was to take multiple shot in a short space of time and still come out with strong looking images that can be used.
Software:
The two software programs I used to produce my music magazine product were Photoshop and InDesign.
Photography:
The first modern day technology I gained skills in was the photography side of my productions. Digital cameras allowed me to take multiple shots and once or any given moment. The lens quality of newer cameras has also improved for example the ability to zoom while maintaining the camera focus is now possible. When comparing this to older cameras of maybe around 10+ years ago the photographer did not have the luxury of this and had to really focus to get a good shot they could use.
Following on from this digital cameras also have various settings to automatically improve the quality such as auto brightness, flash settings and even auto focus for example. It is much more convenient and allows you to choose the best image by simply uploading the image to a computer or even just viewing it on the camera itself.
My contact sheets below are examples of me using a digital camera and how easy it was to take multiple shot in a short space of time and still come out with strong looking images that can be used.
The two software programs I used to produce my music magazine product were Photoshop and InDesign.
Photoshop
Once I had learnt my way around Photoshop which was new to me when I began my preliminary task, it allowed me to easily edit and improve my images. I could do this by changing things such as brightness, contrast, black & white effect and even cropping. Changing the image to improve it does make it look more professional and magazine worthy.
All current professional magazines do use Photoshop to manipulate their images. Typically it is to sexualise women and give them more of a perfect look. This is to ultimately make it more appealing to the potential reader.
Below is an image I used in my music magazine, you can see the image before being edited in Photoshop and afterwards which is the version I placed on my magazine page.
As you can see from above I used the cropping tool and the black and white effect, below I will display my screenshots of my performing this technique on Photoshop.
Cropping My Image
Adding a Black & White Effect
InDesign
Just like Photoshop, initially to begin with I found it difficult to use as it was the first time I had use such a software. However once I learnt how to use it and the different features it contains I found that InDesign really help me improve the layout to be more organised and not clutter my page too much giving it a professional look.
InDesign provides the user with the ability to add columns and grids to layout your text, images and conventions in a very well presented way making the production look professional and easy to read.
When using InDesign to import and export work it is very easy to use, even when moving images and full documents from one software to another for example a Photoshop images into InDesign there is no real hassle and can be done really quickly which is a fantastic feature about both InDesign and Photoshop. Not only does InDesign allow you to do this quickly, when uploading my work onto my blog for feedback again it is so quick and easy with no time delay whatsoever.
Below you can see how I set my initial InDesign page up in terms of the columns, bleed and the number of pages I actually want.
Below you can see my example showing how I used the grids and guides on InDesign.
First of all you can see how I arranged my text boxes to go down with the columns to continue with a professional looking product. This follows professional magazine conventions and helps me arrange my layout of the page a lot easier.
When placing my title the grids also came in useful as it allowed me to place it somewhere that wouldn't clutter the page, the grids helped me do this.
Overall I think InDesign is fantastic for multi media work, it is very easy to export or import work from another software and it really fast at doing it to. InDesign software allows me to complete all my work from one computer and this type of software also saves money and the digital aspect of it is endless unlike other options that are limited
Internet & Blogger
First of all for this topic I would like to talk about the Internet first. The internet especially is modern times is so powerful and fast it allows me to work so easily and productivity. On the internet it also provides you with some great tools such as prezis or allowing me to post my videos onto Youtube.
It allows me to conduct all my research for producing my music magazine which enables me to produce to best work possible.
Below is just a few screenshot examples of my work using the internet
(Prezi & Youtube Presentation)
The work I can produce using the internet really helps me improve on every aspect of my work. Now the blog...with a blog all this work I do on the internet or even if I work straight from the blog or perhaps uploading work to my blog from word or PowerPoint for example.
It can all be uploading quickly and efficiently without wasting paper and money. I can then receive feedback so much easier for both me and the person who is giving me feedback.
Overall I think the new technologies I have learnt have really helped me produce a very strong professional looking magazine. The work I produced over various multi-media software and programs has allowed me to us a range of techniques which improved my overall work.
Evaluation Question 5: How did I appeal to and attract my target audience?
Audience Research
Before I began producing my magazine I conducted some of my own research into my target audience to find out what they look for in a magazine and what is essential for them to buy it. I did this in order to make my magazine match my target audience as much as possible.
Below are links to research I conducted myself.
To produce evidence of audience feedback I made some questionnaires for a group of people from my target audience to respond to. The questionnaires are basically there to find out what they thought about my magazine.
Below is an example of a questionnaire response that I received.
I asked 5 questions:
1. Does my magazine layout look like the type you would see in other magazines?
2. Do you find the content matches what you look for in a magazine?
3. Are the images used relative to the magazine design and content?
4. Does the front cover stand out to you?
5. In brief detail, can you describe what you like most about Respective magazine?
The questions were asked in order for me to find out from a group that are my target audience if the magazine attracts them and if it is suitable for them. This allows me to understand my audience even more and if I have headed in the right direction in terms of my magazine design and content.
Summarising my main findings from my research
Evaluation Question 4: Who Would Be The Audience For My Media Product
Audiences Within Media Products
No matter what type of media product, weather it be a newspaper, TV program, Website or Magazine, they are aimed at a specific audience. Depending on what type of audience they are aiming their product at does effect how the product is designed and presented to the consumer as well as the content within that product.
In order to fully understand who their target audience is VALS and Demographics are used. This gives them a detailed idea of what they audience want and need when they look for these products.
VALS and Demographics can be based on factors such as age, sex, and social class. For an example if a new magazine was going to be aimed at 15-25 year olds (age factor) then that magazine company/designer would make sure that it would suit there needs...therefore it wouldn't be too expensive as younger people may not have a lot of money to spend and they may make it more images than text because younger people don't want to be reading big long full articles about something.
Overall I would say that VALS and Demographics play an important role in the production of a magazine as they ultimately effect everything about the product.
During the planning stages of my music magazine I produced a readership profile for the type of reader that would buy my magazine. Ultimately it was to show the type of person that would fit in my target audience.
Below you can see my music magazines readership profile.
No matter what type of media product, weather it be a newspaper, TV program, Website or Magazine, they are aimed at a specific audience. Depending on what type of audience they are aiming their product at does effect how the product is designed and presented to the consumer as well as the content within that product.
In order to fully understand who their target audience is VALS and Demographics are used. This gives them a detailed idea of what they audience want and need when they look for these products.
VALS and Demographics can be based on factors such as age, sex, and social class. For an example if a new magazine was going to be aimed at 15-25 year olds (age factor) then that magazine company/designer would make sure that it would suit there needs...therefore it wouldn't be too expensive as younger people may not have a lot of money to spend and they may make it more images than text because younger people don't want to be reading big long full articles about something.
Overall I would say that VALS and Demographics play an important role in the production of a magazine as they ultimately effect everything about the product.
During the planning stages of my music magazine I produced a readership profile for the type of reader that would buy my magazine. Ultimately it was to show the type of person that would fit in my target audience.
Below you can see my music magazines readership profile.
Summarising My Target Audience
Demographics:
My music magazine is aimed at 15-25 year olds both equally male and female. The social class of these is classed as ABC which means that it is suitable for all social classes.
VALS:
The VALS for my magazine which is basically 'What type of person is my typical reader?' and that is a 'Reformer' and 'Explorer'
Reformer = This type of person is young and really has no huge responsibilities and is usually in education. This does match my demographics and planned target audience.
Explorer = Again matching my demographics this person is a younger person and is interested in trying or listening to new bands which is what my magazine contains.
My target audience is also part of a music sub-culture. This is because my music magazine is a 'indie mag' and has music and bands in that are not really heard of and it is usually only real intimate music lovers that go to festivals for example that would buy my magazine. This is reflected in my colour choice which is quite dark and mysterious.
My music magazine could actually be targeted to an even wider audience in theory but that would depend on the specific person looking at the magazine on a shelf. What I mean by this is my magazine could appeal to tradition rock or even pop music follower if they were looking for a new magazine to try. I say this as I planned my music magazine to be affordable for anyone to buy which does increase the chances of people buying this product because it is not too expensive.
Overall to conclude who my target audience is, it is both male and female in the age range of 15-25 who perhaps may not be able to afford expensive products and it is they type of person who is young and wants to try new band and music. Indie music follower would also be my main target audience.
Evauluation Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
This Prezi shows what type of publisher and distribution company would best fit my magazine and the reason behind that. Below are some links in which I found out more information about these companies.
Thursday, 7 January 2016
Evaluation Question 2: how my product represents social groups?
Question 2 for evaluating my music magazine is all about how my product represents social groups.
I also explained how the conventions I used are able to appeal to certain audiences such as age and gender as seen above.
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