This PowerPoint will summarise all of the technical thought processes and methods I went through as a

product developer to create my music magazine ‘Alto’ and if I achieved the best I could.

Evaluation of my product

Does my product adopt, develop or challenge

conventions of media products?

As a product, I believe that my music magazine ‘Alto’ adopts features

that are conventional for the media sector, whilst introducing original

aspects to establish a unique brand identity. Typical convention such as

using enticing buzzwords and strap lines are crucial in order to attract

magazine readers through subjects they wish to read about, particularly

interviews with global artists. However, for my magazine I decided to

challenge these micro features and adapt them to my magazine. With

my product, thus was done through the use of diverse, young models,

introducing social media and using a quirky, yet simple layout to follow.

In conjunction, these features should create a USP that puts my

Independent music magazine in a

competitive position among others.

How does my media product represent particular social

groups?

Firstly, I recognised that my chosen target demographic

should be young adults between 16-25 year olds. This is

because after conducting my initial market research I

found that most music magazines (e.g. Q and NME) attract

an older clientele with more acquired musical tastes.

Although I had chosen to create and Independent music

magazine, I still wanted my product to appeal to a wide

audience. Within Indie magazines, I found that the

majority of the artists used to represent each issue were

male, hinting at a patriarchal based genre. I decided to

challenge this through the use of using completely female

models in order to not detach my magazine from female

readers. I should have perhaps used a group of both sexes

to model for my magazine, thus maintaining equilibrium,

but due to timing issues and individuality as a brand, I

decided not to.

What kind of media institution would distribute my

media product?

Due to my magazine being targeted at a young

demographic, its distribution must be through

institutions that my target audience uses frequently or is

likely to be aware of. This involves such institutions as

shopping centres or supermarkets which are imperative

to any audience, but particularly shifting my focus on

social media and technology to attaining a young

audience. Not only is having technological forms (Apps)

for the magazine economical for the environment but it is

easier to read, adapting to the consumers needs. This was

featured in my final product where a QR barcode was

placed as a link to my magazine website (my Word Press

blog) which is handy for Smart Phone owners.

Embracing this form of media will be imperative for

future magazines as physical copies are becoming

increasingly expensive and outdate easily.

Who would be the audience for my media product?

As mentioned earlier, my target demographic for my product is 16-25 year old

young adults, of both sexes and from any background. This however changed

throughout the planning process of my magazine where I realised that within the

Indie sector of music magazines women are underrepresented, thus changing my

magazine to a female dominated brand. With this in mind, I used all female models

for the photo shoot for my issue, using a range of mid-shots to close ups to capture

more than is regularly shown in photo journalism. This will positively effect my

target audience as it doesn’t portray women as sexualised or objectified like other

magazine; it is empowering. Using females predominately in my product however

wouldn’t shun male readers, as in the end of the day it remains a music magazine

with useful articles and freebies. My demographic

is also reflected in the pricing of my magazine; I

chose to keep it at £1.50 for a paper copy, with my

App being free to access. This is due to the fact that

the paper copy includes vouchers and freebies that

are useful to have in conjunction with the magazine.

How did I attract/address my audience?

16-25 year old demographic

Social media and

other technologies

such as QR readers

and Apps.

Using a colloquial

mode of address

within articles and

picture captions

for optimum/easy

reading style.

Only females models

within the

demographics age range

to give a sense of

realism

Bright colour scheme to

appear youthful and not

serious; easy-going magazine.

Typography that uses

original sans serif fonts

in order to appear

quirky among other

music magazines.

Articles featuring

artists such as

Mumford & Sons

that are increasing in

popularity among

mainstream and

Indie institutions.

Using bold quotes in articles

highlighted in a different

colour to summarise long

paragraphs.

What have you learnt about technologies from the

process of constructing this product?

During the construction of my magazine I found

adapting to the general use of the software difficult to

grasp. After trialling the Indesign application in both

my preliminary and final product, I found the

composition of the device too complex and time

consuming to complete within the timeframe given. I

then began to use Photoshop, and after following

YouTube tutorials on how to use it, I felt more at ease

with the widgets and tools given, hence using this

software for my final product. I did encounter

difficulties during the making of the product, such as

using the selection and magic eraser tool to detach the

model from the background (as some items in the

mise-en-scene of certain photos did not correlate with

the image I wanted to convey). However, I overcame

these difficulties and thus now know how to configure

programmes such as Indesign and Photoshop.

What have I learnt from the preliminary task and how did

it help with my final product?

From my preliminary task, particularly due to the timeframe given to

complete it in, I found that the overall aesthetic quality, particularly in

the contents page was poor. This is due to micro features such as font

and colour codes not functioning well together; I should have paid

more attention to detail to amend this in order to create a more

harmonious, simple page. In my final product however, I believe I

rectified these issues as I have had more time and was more

accustomed to the Photoshop programme. I have also learnt more

about the meta language of music journalism and applied this to my

product; similarly to MOJO’s journalistic qualities. Overall, with the

use of a preliminary magazine, I have been able to address issues prior

to constructing my final product which had aided the progression of

my media product and helping to fulfil my criteria.

Model superimposes

the masthead of the

magazine; thus

implying more

importance, or

similarly that the

issue is focused on

this artist.

The model is

placed towards the

right hand side of

the cover, which is

an unusual position

to adopt. Her head

is tilted slightly

downwards to give

a more

approachable look

and she is holding a

guitar. She is also

placed on a plain

backdrop to avoid

distraction.

Feature article ‘Meet the

new Flo’ suggests that

the audience has some

prior knowledge to

Indie music as it is

referring to Florence +

The Machine. ‘Flo’ is

also in big letter to

emphasise its aim.

Buzzwords such as ‘Plus’

encapsulate the audience as

it is not only highlighted in

a different colour but it

gives the impression of

exclusivity to the

consumer; they are getting

more than they bargained

for. Also ‘More on’ adheres

to this; listing well known

artists and bands

immediately attract their

in-built audience.

My final front cover

Deconstruction