When constructing my product, I have learned a lot of new skills such as using photoshop effectively, using blogger etc. I have also learned about websites that I had never heard of previously, such as slideshare and prezzi.

Throughout the process of making my product, I used Blogger to document my progress. I used blogger, as I feel it gives an organised structure to my coursework, making things easy to find. During the construction of making my product I learned how to use this website properly, and how to upload photos, prezzi’s and slideshares on to it.

I used Photoshop to making my contents page, front cover, and to edit my images. I had never used Photoshop beforehand, so I developed a number of skills in this area. I now feel I can effectively use Photoshop, and to a high standard. I chose to use Photoshop, as I feel it provides a professional finish to the product.

Before After

I used Microsoft Publisher to create my double page spread. I used publisher instead of Photoshop, as it handles large quantities of text better. I followed a template for a double page spread as well on this software; this allowed me to create columns, change widths of borders and move everything into the place I wanted it- which I didn’t know existed. So I have broadened my horizon of knowledge in this platform.

I used Microsoft excel to create graphs for my results to questionnaires giving a professional feel to my blog. This enabled me to develop my skills in this area as I had never used this program to make graphs before. I would use excel again as it was easy to use, and gave off satisfying results.

I used a website called dafont.com to get new fonts for my magazine. Before this product, I had never come across this website- so in the process of making my magazine, I had learned a new way of getting exciting fonts other than the basic Microsoft fonts. The fonts I chose were then downloaded into my Photoshop and publisher programs enabling me to use them. This showed me what the internet has to offer when designing products, as I though I would be limited to a small selection of fonts, where using dafont.com- I actually saw there were 1000’s.

I used Firefox and Google when researching prior to making my magazine itself. When doing my searching online, I was exposed to many sources of information I had never come across, websites with all magazine demographics as well as magazine websites themselves. I also used google to obtain a barcode to use on my magazine- which there was a huge choice of. This showed me how useful the internet it when researching and that possibilities are endless.

To upload videos of audience response, I used YouTube. I had never used this before so when making my blog, I developed the knowledge of how to use it and upload videos to my blog. I used YouTube as it deals exclusively with video and handles larger clips better than just importing them from my phone. It also allowed me to use an extra platform on my blog which makes it more interesting to read .

Like I am doing currently, I used Slideshare to present many of my blog posts. I had never come across this platform beforehand, so while constructing my magazine, I had learned yet another skill that I can develop further in the future. I also learned how to embed these slideshares onto my blog.I enjoy using slideshare as it enables me to create longer blog posts without making it look messy- and it gives a professional feel how I can have more than just text on my blog.

As well as slideshare, I also came across a feature called Prezzi, which lets you create online mindmaps and embed them into your blog. I again had never heard of this- but once using it a few times I soon picked up how to use it correctly. I enjoy using this as well, as I feel it adds more depth to a blog, and makes it more interesting to read.

When taking my main images I used a Nikon DSLR, and for concert pictures, I used an iPhone 4S. I had never used a high quality camera before, so while making my magazine, I had learned many photography skills such as zooming, blurring and using a flash. I also learned how to use a white background and how to use lighting to create shadow. I feel this camera was the right one to use and it delivered me with good quality pictures that look professional.