Task 11: Evaluation - DRAFT

Evaluation (DRAFT):

1.)    In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? 

(Technologies - SLIDESHARE)

USES/DEVELOP

Front cover:

·         For my music magazine I followed the key elements of the conventions from my case studies. One example of this is my masthead, in which I kept my masthead at the centre-top of the magazine in my front cover page. I also kept my masthead in a simple font like the magazine Q and CLASH.

·         I included cover lines and sell lines since cover lines and sell lines are the main crucial elements for the code of conventions on a front cover. I have made the main cover lines the largest text on my front cover and placed at the bottom just as how CLASH magazine has. I also used different fonts style for the main cover line so the main cover line are distinct within along the sell line, since the main cover line usually focuses on the main cover stars. Since the code of conventions for the real magazine usually uses different fonts style for the main cover lines, so it’ll emphasises more on the main cover stars. In addition, for the sell lines I make sure to use the same fonts on one arrangement and boxes, so the sell lines will relate and links with each other just like how CLASH and Q magazine did.

·         Colour schemes – I designed my magazine house styles by having 3 colours scheme only, since too many colours scheme will looks too cluttered. On the other hands, I followed CLASH magazine by using same colour schemes as the main cover stars from the front cover, contents and DPS; therefore the house styles will looks proficient and stylized.

Contents Page:

·         The contents page titles are usually featured on the top of the magazine just like how CLASH and Q magazine positioned. However, I follow CLASH contents page layout more, for example: In CLASH magazine they used different fonts style for the titles, therefore it’ll looks more stylized and so it’ll make the magazine seem much more creative and arty.

·         I used images for my contents page so it’ll links with the magazine features, and it also reflect to what the magazine features will be based on in which I follow what Q magazine did on their contents page.

DPS:

·         I have used pull quotes for my DPS as pull quotes are the conventional elements to music magazine, in order to do that I make sure the pull quotes are the largest fonts on the page and I also uses different colours for the pull quotes, so it’ll distinct along with the other texts.

·         I followed CLASH and Q magazine arrangement for the texts, as CLASH and Q magazine used structure columns for the continuation of the journalism writing in order to make it clear and readable for the readers. I used three columns in total, as the first page I used two columns but on the second page I used one columns like how Q magazine would usually structure they columns. This specific structured column can be seen in many music magazines; therefore it is part of the conventional elements for music magazine.

CHALLENGE

Front Cover:

·         To challenge my front cover in comparison to the real music magazine, I added more sell lines as CLASH magazine only use one sell lines but in my magazine I used three sell lines. The reason why I used more than one sell lines is because using more sell lines allows bringing eagerness and attention to the audience; therefore it’ll attract the audience into reading the magazine more.

·         In my front cover the main image shot type is Medium close-up, however in Q magazine the shot type used Medium long shot in which you can see the main cover star from the knee length. On the other hand, in CLASH magazine the main cover star did not use direct mode of address but in my magazine I used direct mode of address so it’ll enable to engage with the audience.

Contents Page:

·         For my contents page I added images; however in CLASH magazine they did not use any images, in which they used mostly texts.

·         In CLASH and Q magazine they used an alternative front cover designs to inform the readers of the issue they are reading, but in my magazine I did not used any alternative front cover design instead I added issues number.

·         In CLASH and Q magazine they used only one page for their contents page, however in my magazine I used two pages for my magazine. So it’ll give more details in which it’ll impress the readers more.

DPS:

·         In DPS I did an interview with the main cover star; however I did it in boxes but in structured columns. Nevertheless in CLASH and Q magazine they did not use boxes but instead they continue they journalism writing along with the introduction.

·         In CLASH and Q magazine they used drop caps, however in my magazine I did not use drop caps. This is because my DPS was mainly focuses on interview, and I used text boxes so it’ll look more proficient and organised. On the other hand, I did an introduction which is below the main cover star name; therefore the readers will know that texts are an introduction for the main cover star. 

2.)    How does your media product represent particular social groups? 

(Technologies - PREZI)

·         For my particular social groups stereotypically  it is aimed at a subculture that represents a specific social groups, however I tried to represent both gender and all ethnicities so my magazine so it is very well open in which it’ll attracts the readers more.

 Images: The cover star is a female teenager that’s representing the social groups within the target audience. The cover star costume tends to give off a grunge but yet feminine feels and the image are not too sexual as many female in music magazine front cover tend to pose provocatively. Since this female cover star is teenager, therefore it is kept minimum and simple so the cover star can reflect her ages also reflect to how other teenagers in the social group would wear. The model is Caucasian therefore it also represents the niche audience as mainly Caucasian audience tend to listen indie genre music.

Clothing: Clothing is another way to represents my target audience as it also represents how the social groups within my target audience would dress.  The cover star’s clothes are reclaimed as ‘vintage’ style, and the vintage style represents my idea of the modern indie music as much indie music now targeted to contemporary culture in which many contemporary culture would dress really fashionable. In order to make my cover star’s outfits fashionable, she also wore a beanie to give off this mixture of vintage but modernistic looks. The cover star’s clothing also give off a grunge and feminine looks, since the cover star is a female teenager therefore the floral around her jumper give off this feminine aura, as it also reflect on her pure and innocence. 

Journalism: Although my music magazine is targeted to young audience, however there is a lack of slang since my target audience is also targeting to higher further education readers; therefore the language needs to be well fit and suitable for them. In addition, I used mainly friendly language for the journalism writing since it’ll fit within the young audience and higher further education readers, on the other hand I also included explicit words since my audience is not too young and it also allows the readers to engage with the cover star as explicit words are only used if you are comfortable with each other.

Positivity/Negativity: I tried to presenting my music magazine positively, and have added positive elements for instance I have written about how the artist is the 21^st century ‘Teen Sensation’ and how her debut single was number 1 in the UK charts for several of weeks. Although I portrayed my magazine positively, however through the Q&A in my DPS there was also negativity as there are controversial issues in which the cover star has to go through. 

3.)    What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? (Technologies - EMAZE)

·         In my proposal I had stated that my intend publisher for my magazine is IPC Media, however I had did some research before in order to make decision on which publisher would be more suitable for my magazine.

Bauer Media Group: Bauer Media Group is a large European-based media company, and it is a multinational media company that publishes 38 million magazines per week. The Bauer Media Group acquired a collection of media brands, including Q and Kerrang. 

IPC: It is a consumer magazine and digital publisher in the United Kingdom, with a large portfolio selling over 350 million copies each year. In April 2012, IPC Media won an award for Best Production Team of the Year at the Professional Publishers Association Production and Environment Awards 2012. They have published successful magazines such as Teen now and Marie Claire.

CondeNast: It is a mass media company and the company attracts more than 164 million consumers across its 20 print and digital media brands. Successful magazine such as Vogue, Vanity Fair and GQ are published by CondeNast.

NatMag: It is a magazine publisher company that operated in the UK selling over 18 magazines, successful magazine such as Harper's Bazaar and Cosmopolitan are published by NatMag.

-          So what Media Institution is suitable?:

The media institution that is suitable for TUNES magazine is IPC Media, because IPC Media is known for their advertising solutions in using different variety of platforms and UK is known for their iconic 'indie' scene and many famous indie artists/bands. This is a good opportunity to represent UK iconic music culture to the world, as TUNES magazine is indie-based genre.  TUNES magazine will be different from other magazines in IPC Media because IPC Media has not publish any music genre magazine, and this a good opportunity and great honour to be the first music genre magazine that’s publishing in IPC Media. On the other hands, IPC Media has published different variety of magazines; therefore, they are targeted to different ethnicity, nationality and age.

-          UK & Overseas Market:

Publishing and distributing TUNES magazine from the UK would further enhance IPC Media presence within the magazine industry. TUNES would become their first music genre based magazine, and by publishing TUNES magazine would bring awareness for IPC Media in overseas market due to the facts that UK are known for their ‘indie’ scene, and many indie music magazine are published independently in which they do not have the opportunity to publish their magazine in overseas market. 

-          Distribution Methods:

IPC media tend to uses postal/electronics subscription and it is very useful because the technologies are more advanced now, therefore people would carry their electronic device with them everywhere and it'll be easier for them to read magazines via smartphones, tablet and kindle anywhere they go. Other electronic ways such as social networking will be extremely useful, as it the magazine will reach out to more readers in general this will appeal more to the younger audience in which mainly of my target audience are aimed at younger readers.

4.)    Who would be the audience for your media product? 

(Technologies - INFOGR.AM)

·         Target audience:

The age group I am aiming for is young adults readers aged 16-25. My targert audience are readers who listen Indie, Indie Rock and Contemporary R&B that live in UK which mainly in England or East of England. In terms of social class, my magazines is aimed at ABC2 both male and female. My magazine are aimed at any ethnicity and nationality readers, as I want my audience to be open in all races.

Ø  Age – 16-25 (younger readers)

§  Demographics =

16-18 – 30%

19-21 – 40%

22-25 – 20%

26+ - 10%

Ø  Gender – Male & Female

§  Demographics =

2010 – Female: 45.5% / Male: 54.5%

2015 – Female: 47% / Male: 53%

Ø  Locations –

§  Demographics =

UK – 45%

Europe - 25%

USA – 15%

Asia - 10%

Ø  UK readers –

§  Demographics =

London & East - 45

North & Yorks - 30

Wales & South West - 15%

Midlands - 5.5%

Scotland - 4.5%

Ø  Ethnicity –

Readers of Soul Navy according to their ethnicity

§  Demographics =

White 

Asian 

Black

Other ethnic groups

Ø  Educational Status –

Average number of TUNES readers according to their educational status per issue

§  Demographics =

University – 50.3%

Sixth Forms/College – 41.6%

Secondary Education – 8.1%

Ø  Music taste, GENRE –

Average number of TUNES readers according to the different genres of music they would listen or preferences per issues

§  Demographics =

Indie – 55%

Contemporary R&B – 37%

Rock – 2%

Underground – 4%

Hip Hop – 2%

Ø  Gig –

The average number of gigs TUNES readers has been to in 2014

§  Demographics =

1-2 

3-4 

5-6 

7+ 

Ø  Buyers Locations –

Stores in the UK TUNES readers buy their copies from

§  Demographics =

WHSmith 

Tesco 

Rough Trade 

Other Stores 

Ø  Social Networking –

Social networks that TUNES reader weekly likes/follows/subscriptions

§  Demographics =

Facebook 

Twitter 

Tumblr 

Youtube 

TUNES Website 

5.)    How did you attract/address your audience? 

(Technologies - Prezi)

·         To attract my audience I made sure the cover star mise-en-scene reflect to the audience, in which the concept of the cover star clothing was vintage/grunge style since my target audience are mainly from the contemporary culture especially in the East of England (Brick lane, Shoreditch etc.), therefore many of my audience dress fashionable or are in trend with the fashion.

·         Masthead – My masthead title is simple and easy to read, and it is relevant to my target audience because it shows how my magazine will provide good quality

·         Colour schemes – My colour schemes for the magazine was appealing to the audience because it is suit the genre and it contrast along with the main image, also I made sure to have 3 colour schemes as too many colour schemes will looks too cluttered and in order to make my magazine looks as professional as possible, I’d made sure to stick to only 3 specific colour schemes. On the other hand, I used analogous colours in which it made my magazine looks very artsy in which it’ll appeal to my target audience more as many of my target audience come from artsy background.

·         To address my audience I made sure to not use slang as my target audience are also targeted to mature young adults therefore it will not be appropriate for them, as not many of them will know any current slang. I’ve also made sure to address my audience by using friendly formal language as many indie listeners tend to speak formally, in addition I included explicit words as my magazine are target to mature young adults.

6.)    What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? 

(Technologies - PIKTOCHART)

·         Camera: For my media product it was required that I must take photos within a photography studio. Although I have used DSLR Camera before, however I have not used DLSR Camera along with other photography equipment. I learnt the 3 point lighting system as when using the studio it was required me to adjust the lighting. During the photography I’ve also learnt more photography techniques for example, shutter speed, ISO and depth-of-fields in order to make my photo-shoot looks more professional.

·         Photoshop: This software is the key essential for my media product, as I need to use this program to create my front cover. I’ve used Photoshop before therefore it wasn't that difficult for me, however as week went by I’ve gained more knowledge and skills. This program was very effective as it help me re-touch my images since my model’s had blemishes; also I learnt different variety of tools do different techniques, for example the clone tool enable to help me neutralise the background by cloning the darker areas of the image onto the lighter areas of the image, in which the lighter areas of the image will blend in with the darker areas of the image.

·         InDesign: I was introduced to InDesign for the first time, and I personally found it difficult to use this software as it had various amounts of editing features, which can be too complicated and confusing. However, this software enables me to use text boxes and columns to make my page layout alignment looks more proficient and professional. On the other hands, as week went by I was confident in using this program as I’d learned how to use different variety of editing features to make cover lines, pull quotes and many more.

·         Blogger: When it came to using Blogger, I personally found it simple because it is a straightforward website in which it doesn't involve the needs of editing requirements. I’ve also found blogger to be extremely useful because it is an interactive website as it allows my classmates to give me feedback and opinions of my works in order for me to use it and make improvements according to their feedback. In addition, blogger was very useful in terms of organisation purposes as it allows me to organise my tasks so it won't be too confusing and messing.

·         Bridge: This software was also introduced for the first time, and I personally found it very useful as it help me arrange a contact sheet for my photo-shoot, since I took more than 100 photos therefore it help me organise my photos in a rows and it give me a option to pick which photos I like and would use for my magazine. In general, this software was easy to use as it is straightforward and simple. 

·         Prezi: Prezi is another programme I had not used or known before, but this programme was very helpful in terms of presenting my works such as the magazine proposal for my classmate, as I learnt how to add texts, images and set things in the right order for organisation purposes. On the other hands, Prezi is very effective when it comes to presentation because it is interactive and it illustrate straight to the points.

·         Timetoast: Timetoast is also another website in which I had not used before, however this website was very helpful as I learnt how to make production schedule by setting dates on it, so I can meet my deadline during the coursework process. 

7.)    Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? 

(Technologies - PREPZI)

·         Front cover:

Looking at my preliminary tasks and my controlled assessment music magazine, I had made a numerous improvement. My TUNES magazine was seen more proficient and professional than the student magazine for example, the fonts, masthead, cover lines, colours schemes and the typical code of conventions of a magazine front cover.

For my front cover in preliminary tasks and my music magazine, it was essential to use Adobe Photoshop. By looking at both of my magazine I can tell that I added more features in my music magazine, such as more font’s style and shapes. Despite I've used Photoshop before I can tell that I'd gained more knowledge and skills.

As you can tell that there is a huge difference between the cover lines used in both magazines. In my music magazine I had added more sell lines and changed the font style and colours to match the colour scheme and main house style, so it will looks much professional. In addition, I had filled empty spaces on the magazine for the sell lines whereas the college magazine had too much spacing within the sell lines therefore it looks incomplete and unprofessional. As you can tell I had also added anchorage and main cover lines for the music magazine, while the student magazine did not had anchorage and main cover lines, on the other hand anchorage and main cover line are the main elements for code of conventions in magazine therefore the student magazine does not looks proficient as my music magazine. 

 

Ø  Basic fonts style used for the masthead

Ø Too much spacing within the cover lines

Ø  Imprecise fonts colours

Ø  Too much colours schemes going on, it looks too cluttered

Ø  Unprofessional background

Ø  No main cover lines and anchorage 

Ø  Clear and distinct colour schemes

Ø  Less  spacing within the cover lines

Ø  Main cover lines and anchorage included

Ø  Barcode included

Ø  High resolution images

Ø  Mise-en-scene follows up the genre

·         Contents Page

There is a huge difference between my contents page in my preliminary tasks and my music magazine. In my preliminary tasks there was too much basic and simple fonts, this is because it was my first time using InDesign. Also there was too much colour schemes going on, in which it was too cluttered; however, in my music magazine the colour schemes seems more organised as it follow the front cover colour schemes and the main images. In addition, the quality of the image in my preliminary tasks seem to be rushed and did not meet the standard of professionalism; however in my music magazine the quality of the images seem  more proficient due to the high resolution as I used better camera and used professional photography equipment, therefore it looks much more proficient.