Closing Statement

Throughout the course, I have learned the process of distributing and publishing magazines. I have found that it takes a lot of time and effort into creating a publication in order to suit the appropriate target demographic. I have looked at music magazines genres that fit my chosen genre, VIBE magazine is one I closely analysed. I looked at how they have used their conventions and tried to incorporate into my own production. After numerous drafts I have completed my media production and I am pleased with the results. I have thoroughly enjoyed this year and hope to continue media studies in the next year.

FRONT COVER

 

CONTENTS PAGE

 

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

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

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

3) What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

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

5) How did you attract/address your audience?

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

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

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comparison of double page spread

I like how there is one main image of the artist on one side and an article on the other, I think it compliments each other nicely. The bold capital letter at the start of the article is also another convention I find interesting and will do the same with my own production.

comparison of front cover

 

I closely looked at the layout of VIBE's magazine front cover looking at how it attracts their audience. The bold cover lines are important as they draw you in to the context of the magazine. The image is also important as it is a well known popular artist, and it is directly in the middle.

comparison of contents page

I have been looking very closely at VIBE magazine as it covers the same genre as my own production. I have tried to follow the conventions used on this front on my own, for example I have looked at the big 'V' in the middle, VIBE use this on all the magazines they publish. The way the 'contents' is written is also another convention I have used on my own production, it looks bold and appealing. The simplicity makes the magazine a whole lot more attractive.

 

I took these photos myself after going to a concert, they were included in my first draft of my contents page, but I then decided not to include it in the final product as the images themselves are blurry.

Social Media

 

 

I have noticed that with VIBE magazine they do not advertise their social media, with my own production however I will, by using Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I think it is important to do so because that way you can reach a wider audience and advertise my magazine easily as many people now use social media sites.

I looked at the different conventions used and how I could incorporate it into my own. There is a quote used and enlarged in the top image, although this is eye catching it is not a convention I will be using in my own. I like how the article is presented in the form of an interview. This will instantly grasp the attention of readers. Again however I will not be writing my questions in the magazine but only the artists answer.

PRODUCTION DIARY: WEEK 24

This week I have finally finished my final production. I am very pleased with the outcome of my front cover, contents page and double page spread.  I think it suits my chosen target demographic. Although I am happy with the outcome I think my contents page needs a little more work, and hopefully will upload soon.

PRODUCTION DIARY: WEEK 23

This week I have looked VIBE magazine as it is the main magazine that I am comparing with. Looking closely at the conventions they use and how they lay out their images and text, I need to look again at my own and change some of the fonts, images and the colour scheme.

PRODUCTION DIARY: WEEK 22

During this week I have completed the first draft of my front cover and contents page. Although I am happy there is room for much improvement. I do like the way the colour of the text and the colour of the background compliments each other.

I was originally going to use this image for my front cover but after looking closely at other professional magazine I didn't think the image was appropriate enough, it looked slightly too relaxed and unprofessional, so I went out and took more images.

PRODUCTION DIARY: WEEK 21

During this week I have completed the first draft of my front cover and contents page. Although I am happy there is room for much improvement. I do like the way the colour of the text and the colour of the background compliments each other.

FRONT COVER, CONTENTS PAGE & DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD DRAFT

PRODUCTION DIARY: WEEK 20

This week I have prepared and created notes for my evaluation questions, looking at the different ways I can present each question. Powtoons and Voki are few of the ways I could present my questions.

PRODUCTION DIARY: WEEK 19

After my mock and the completion of my research and planning I started to work on my final production again, I have finished the first draft of my front cover. It isn’t perfect and I do not feel this will be the final one, so I will look at my flat plans and other magazine for more inspiration.

PRODUCTION DIARY: WEEK 18

This week I have focused on my final production for my front cover using Adobe Photoshop. I am still adjusting to the complex features but hopefully after more practice I will learn to use it properly. As I have a mock coming up I will take time off working on my coursework to revise.

PRODUCTION DIARY: WEEK 17

During this week I played around with Photoshop focusing mainly on my double page spread. Looking at older versions and flatplans I am more confident with the finish result. I also looked at other magazines such as VIBE, looking at how they use different conventions to suit their audience and making sure I do the same with my own production.

PRODUCTION DIARY: WEEK 15

This week I finished my interview questions, which are question and answers from the artist I will be including in my article for the double page spread. I also took notes on the evaluation questions which will help explain how my product suit my selected target audience.

COLOUR SCHEME

This is my final colour chart I have produced for my final production for my front cover, contents page and double page spread. I have used a variety of colours to give me a large option of choice for my magazine. For the final product I have used black, white, grey and red, these colours are appropriate for both my male and female audience.

 

evaluation question 7

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

From the preliminary task I have learned how to style a magazine which is appropriate for my chosen target demographic and selected genre. I am more confident when it comes to designing and choosing appropriate images and cover lines from doing researching and planning. Photoshop is another skill I have managed to learn which will help me in future. I have also learnt how a publication should be presented then distributed.

evaluation question 7

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

I have learnt that not all technologies are useful for specific genres and publications as they fit in with a different audience. You are able to do thorough research easily. Also although some technologies are seen in a negative light it is an effective way to gain and spread news.

evaluation question 5

5) How did you attract/address your audience?

I used conventions such as font, text style, and format to attract my audience. Also through the content of the magazine with articles and information on the latest news. The main image was also a key way to attract my audience with the colour and style the 'models' are wearing. The layout is also another way I attracted my audience making it clear and simple to read and aesthetically pleasing.

evaluation question 4

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

My audience is primarily aimed at 17-25 year olds. I decided on this age group through thorough research and planning. Although there is most definitely a younger and older audience than what it chosen, they simply do not have enough money as they are too young, or they do not have the time due to other circumstances.

evaluation question 3

3) What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? 

 

Small retail agents such as newsagents would be the main source of distribution as they are spread around everywhere in all areas so readers will find it easy purchasing my media product, this may also attract a wider audience, for example whose who don't usually listen to my genre may see the magazine and be drawn to it. I would also use newspapers by putting a free copy inside for one issue in order to reach a wider audience. Another media institution I would use to distribute my media product is record labels as they will have features about them and their artists inside. I will also distribute my magazine in food retail stores such as Tesco, The Cooperative and Sainsbury’s because they have departments within the stores for music. Another major way of distributing my magazine would be at gigs, both big and small; this will bring the attention of my product to the selected audience but also introduce other listeners.

evaluation question 2

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

 

My media product uses the main image, cover lines and style of the magazine to represent particular social groups. The genre is the main representation; it will attract mainly those who are interested in the selected genre of music and artists that appeal to the reader.