Media evaluation coursework

Media Evaluation CourseworkPhil Whitehead

Name- Philip Michael WhiteheadCandidate Number- 3079Centre Number- 33435 Aquinas College

AS Media Studies OCR G321: Foundation Portfolio

Who would be the audience for my media product?

I aimed my magazine at…

Mainly male readers from 16-30 but female readers also if they’re interested.

Who like to shop at… Educated

Who enjoy football, gigs and festivals and socialising.

Influenced by…

Who listen to…

Who spend money on…

Who live in towns or cities…

In any social class…


I feel my magazine would be very similar to magazines such as NME, Q and Kerrang! and the audience which buys them magazines, however my magazine will be more sub-genre specific than NME, Q and Kerrang! as they include a range of music genres in their magazine. I felt therefore due to the variety of music genres many magazines use, there is a gap in the market for a indie genre specific magazine targeted mainly for males. This provides my magazine with a unique selling point.


Based on audience research, I have found that there is a gap in the market for a indie genre specific magazine which differs from the other magazines from this genre like NME, Q magazine and Kerrang! This is because these magazine focus on a range of genres, whereas my magazine will be extremely genre specific due to my audiences interests. I have aimed my magazine at mainly males aged from 16-30 as people of this category have the most interest in my magazine sub-genre.


Magazines from the indie sub-genre are very popular, such as NME, Q magazine and Kerrang! NME magazine has been published since 1952, it is the best-selling music newspaper and has been through many stages in genres over the years and through different editors. Q magazine was first published in 1986 and has a monthly issue. Kerrang! was first published in 1981 and became the best selling British music newspaper in the early 2000’s. The reason people enjoy reading these magazines is because they’re reader about their interests. It means the reader relates to the magazine and enjoys reading the content. My magazine will therefore be successful as my magazine is based on audience research.


The primary audience would be mainly males between the ages of 16-30, this is due to the bands within my sub-genre being mainly all male bands. Also males 16-30 enjoy reading the features included in my magazine as they are interested in up and coming indie music as well as the more recognisable figures within the genre. Although some females would be interested in my magazine I would say they were mainly the secondary audience of my magazine. I have picked this specific age range as a large percentage of people of that age listen to type of music included in my magazine. I have included the features in my magazine to fit the interests of my primary reader such as gigs and reviews of bands they love.

The secondary audience would be people who would not necessarily buy my magazine, but would read it when partners, friends or family members had purchased it. I would aim my magazine at 16-30 year olds however this may not be the onlyage range who would read it. I would aim my magazine at a demographic who are interested in the popular indie music suchas those who play at festivals. I would say my secondary audiencewould mainly be women and people not between the age range ofmy primary audience. However, these people can still read and enjoy my magazine.


The demographic for my product would be anyone who is aspiring or desires to become successful in a band, who maybe play a musical instrument and are influenced by the most popular bands of my magazine sub-genre such as; Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes. My readers will have icons they look up to and aspire to be such as the front men of the bands or the person in that band who may play the instrument which they play. I researched into stars within my genre and found people such as Alex Turner, Julian Casablancas and Albert Hammond Jr, these will be the types of people in my magazine. I did not include any stars who do not relate to my sub-genre of the magazine or do not appeal to my target audience such as Beyonce and Katy Perry.There also will be the indie style conveyed across my magazine in the dress sense’s of various people in my magazine, this will be examples of ideology with leather and denim jackets, skinny jeans, long hair and pointy shoes.


The most similar product to my music magazine has to be either NME or Q magazine. Both these magazine are of the same genre as my magazine and use similar features to those included in my magazine. However Q magazine is published monthly and includes some editions where they are a range of genres. Also NME does this and is not genre specific as they often have a range of genres within an edition of the magazine.


The ideal reader of my media product is someone who aspires or is certainly interested in stars relating to the sub-genre of my magazine. People such as Alex Turner, Miles Kane, Julian Casablancas, Dave Grohl and Karl Barat. These are people who are or have been very successful in producing indie rock music. The ideal reader will enjoy to keep up to date with all the latest news and music within my sub-genre of my magazine. They may also like the same leisure activities as the stars and wear similar style clothing. My ideal readers interests are shown in my mood board.

Q2- How does your media product represent particular social groups

The mode of address of my product communicates so my ideal reader can relate to what is being said. The use of profanity in my language is an example of this as this is language my primary audience can relate to but not really language of which my secondary audience can relate to. This is the idea of intersexuality in my media product.

The cover star on the front cover of my magazine represents the ideal reader. My star is in the centre right of the mise-en-scene with a direct ‘gaze’ at the audience. The stars looks and clothes link directly to the ideology of the indie sub-genre. His look connote a careless lifestyle and a cool ‘rock ‘n roll’ lifestyle. As my ideal reader can relate to the language and looks od the star, they therefore will aspire to be like him.


To appeal to the correct target audience, my star would have to represent an idealised version of the reader. In order for my magazine to appeal to as many consumers as possible, my cover star must appear relatable to my ideal reader by looking indie and careless. These are conventions my target audience will expect to see on the front cover of a music magazine of my sub-genre.

On the following slides I will show how Alex Turner (a star from my sub-genre) filters his appearance and performance depending on the audience.


An indirect ‘gaze’, no eye contact with the audience.

A natural, fixed facial expression, not conveying any emotion

Rings, showing a stylish as well as showing his engagement.

A black and white image, conveying an old fashioned style man.

Very neat, slicked back, stylish hair, showing pride and care in his image.

smart, formal shoes are classy and sophisticated, so to is the suit, but stylish.

relaxed body language, leaning forward shows confidence, posing for the camera.

trying to appeal to the young male audience as a role model in style as well as music.


A direct 'gaze' at the audience

An unnatural facial expression whilst he exhales cigarette smoke

Messy but stylish hair

Posing with a cigarette shows a lack of care, stylish look with the rings on show

Leather jacket shows rock and roll casual style and skinny jeans also

Black and white image shows the old fashioned nature of the man

Relaxed body language shows he doesn’t really care, low shoulders

Belt buckle of the eagle shows aggression


COSTUME : Both outfits the star is wearing convey different feelings and represent different images. The suit connotes smart, classy and sophisticated, whereas the leather jacket and jeans connotes scruffy and uncaring feelings about the star. Both of these images would appeal to different audiences and were taken to convey different messages of the star.

The suit is an outfit Alex would wear on stage as more recently Arctic Monkeys have dressed more smart on stage at live events such as at Glastonbury 2013. represents the more recent look the band is going for.

The leather jacket is also an outfit Alex would wear on stage. This was more in the past of the band but this is an outfit he would wear on a more day to day basis


In the two photographs of the star in my music magazine, I tried to make sure it was aspirational and attractive to all my readers. I did this by making sure the star was the between the same age as my ideal reader and was the same gender, this would appeal more to my target audience as they would be able to relate more to the star. The mise en scene of the star creates a careless attitude and a rebellious lifestyle with both a direct and indirect 'gaze' in the images and no facial expression or emotions. The clothes connote the indie style which the audience would expect to see. I also used a range of camera angles to mix up the images I used of the star.


These are images of the social groups represented across my music magazine, these are the types of people who would read and relate to my magazine.

Q3: What kind of media institution might distribute your product?

Minor

Weekly£1.90

I researched magazines such as NME, Q and Kerrang! magazines in order to get ideas of different media conventions and how I should use and develop them for my music magazine minor. These 3 magazines are similar genres to mine so I could develop the conventions and ideas from these magazines in order to make minor a better and more appealing magazine to my target audience.The taglines for Kerrang! Magazine is 'the worlds biggest selling weekly rock magazine' This helps attract the audience to the magazine and helps sell the brand as it uses statistics so the audience are more likely to believe the facts over opinion in Q magazines tagline for example 'The worlds biggest music magazine'. I therefore adapted the tagline for my music magazine from looking at music magazines similar to my sub-genre so it appeals greater to my ideal reader and target audience. The publisher of my music magazine will be IPC media, IPC media is the producer of over 85 iconic media products including NME magazine which is a magazine very similar to mine. This is why IPC media would be the most suitable producer for my magazine, because of the size of the producer and the experience they have in music magazines from a range of genres. With help from IPC media the brand identity of my media product would increase.


I will not just use the print version of my magazine to distribute my product, I will be using other media institutions in order to promote my product in as many ways possible to create a larger brand identity and a more popular product. My magazine will rival other magazines of its sub-genre such as NME and Q magazine by using its unique selling points. These will make my product different and more attractive to the ideal reader of all my magazines rival products. I intend to steal the audiences of these magazines. My music magazine will be published weekly unlike Q magazine but similar to NME magazine, however i intend to make the quality of the magazine as high as a monthly issued magazine. This may make my product less niche, but more popular with weekly publishing and emphasis on quality. The price of my magazine will stand at a highly reasonable £1.90, cheaper than both NME and Q magazine, in order to attract a wider range of classes.


Has the brand identity of the product so the audience will recognise it straight away.

Includes the main news headlines, which are included in more detail also in the print version of the magazine to create relations across the media platforms. These stories will attract the audiences attention.

Moving tabs so the audience can find what they are specifically looking for.

The 'news' section on the online version will be updated as soon as a new story comes in, 24 hours a day. Showing the audience the latest gigs, features, reviews etc.

The ‘gallery’ section is a video/ picture section of all the latest news and songs bands have published, this will use social networking sites such as YouTube and will create synergy across the media platforms.

The print version of the magazine will be shown also shown so the audience can look at some of the features which they can relate to in order to persuade them to buy the issue of the magazine.

A subscription link is also available where various offers from the magazine will be available to those subscribed, this creates audience participation.


I will also create various merchandise for my media product in order to publish the brand identity further than just the print version of the magazine.

Minor Minor

Minor

Minor

MinorMinor

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=FdVQ6VDe8FvkuM&tbnid=sKmCi6_vsP4sMM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.zazzle.com/plain_white_mug-168428695981433960&ei=N9PKUtbpIIXz0gWetoGQCg&bvm=bv.58187178,d.ZGU&psig=AFQjCNHxXi8hzdBx23JRgr-EuCGvAaq87w&ust=1389110445804631

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=ldZfOwVpCMzGSM&tbnid=bcVY2O_afqqlbM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.southafricab2b.co.za/default.cgi/action/viewproducts/productid/220922/productname/T_shirt/&ei=RtXKUvKaLuOl0AWiv4GwDw&bvm=bv.58187178,d.ZGU&psig=AFQjCNGSBGZG8cFJkdAoQoKla04WfhkwYQ&ust=1389110977699731

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=Ib0hFAmD3fjV0M&tbnid=DAFLI472kvtaLM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.oliverbrown.org.uk/accessories-and-gifts/socks-and-underwear/pantherella-socks-short.html&ei=htXKUriqDKeH0AXr74GYDg&bvm=bv.58187178,d.ZGU&psig=AFQjCNHWfjyrEphIIP_AhentLGHxWPvTCg&ust=1389111043235318


M

I will create a downloadable application for minor so the latest news can be with you at all times.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=qXNj4VX4iM8WpM&tbnid=R6nXL8te-fqjIM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/iphone-4-694980/review&ei=RdjKUpSLBsW00QWuzYDADw&bvm=bv.58187178,d.ZGU&psig=AFQjCNGs_eLKMt72TghU7_8e24lEGDA74Q&ust=1389111737754540


Billboards

Q4: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Front Cover


My media product uses various codes and conventions similar to which other music magazine of my genre/sub-genre use. An example of this is the masthead I use on the front cover of my music magazine, my masthead is itemed in the top left of the front cover and is in a large, bold font in order to make it stand out to the reader. It also uses a different styled font in order to create a brand identity for my music magazine in order for the audience to recognise the product. This is very similar to other media products of my genre. For example in both NME and Q magazine they use this idea of creating a brand identity for their media product by using a masthead located in the top left of the front cover, this is therefore what the audience expects to see. However in Kerrang! The masthead is across the top of the page, therefore my magazine is challenging the idea of Kerrang!

On the front cover of my music magazine I also have a header and a footer, located at the top and bottom of the page. This is in order to give an introduction to some of the features or bands included in the issue which my ideal reader and target audience will be able to relate to. This front cover convention is used in Kerrang! magazine also, giving the reader information of what is in this issue. My music magazine challenges Q magazine, this is because Q magazine has neither a header or a footer on the front cover of its issue. I have therefore developed on Q magazines front cover. Also I have developed on this issue of NME magazine, this is because the issue of NME includes a footer but it does not include a header.


My front cover also includes a tagline located below the masthead of my music magazine. This is in order to persuade the audience to buy the magazine and also create a brand identity for the magazine. This convention is used in Q magazine but however is not used in these issues of NME and Kerrang! Therefore my magazine challenges both NME and Kerrang! and develops the front covers of these magazines because my front cover consists of more codes and conventions.

My front cover also consists of a Pug, pugs usually are special offers or features in an auto-shape. These attract the audiences and persuade them to buy the magazine in order to get these offers. NME, Q and Kerrang! magazines all have pugs on their front cover, this is therefore a convention which is used by all 4 media products.

Another convention which all 4 media products have is a main cover image. All the images used across the media products are also medium long shots in the centre/right of the mise-en-scene. This shows that these types of images are appropriate to the sub-genre of the music magazine so are used throughout. The ‘gaze’ of the image is also direct on all of the products.


A main cover line and a strapline is also used across all 4 media products. The main cover line consists of the band/artists name and the strapline introduces why they are the cover star of the magazine in the issue. This persuades the audience to buy the product, if they can relate to the band/artist and is very typical of the sub-genre, as it used often in this sub-genre of music magazines.

The front cover of all 4 media products also has a pull quote from the main cover star of the issue. This pull quote attracts the audience’s attention and gives an incite to what the feature on the cover star may be about. This therefore persuades the audience to buy the magazine. This is a convention very typical of this genre/sub-genre of magazine and is used in NME, Q and Kerrang! as well my media product.

The front cover also has main cover features located on the left hand side of the page on all 4 media products. These features show the audience what else the magazine consists of inside, this is something of which the target audience’s of the media product can relate to, in order to persuade them to buy the issue. This convention is very typical of this genre/sub-genre of magazine, and is very unusual without this convention. This is used in my front and across NME, Q and Kerrang!

Another convention the front cover of my magazine also has a price and issue number and a barcode. This informs the reader and are conventions which every music magazine of the sub-genre should have and is very typical. Therefore all 4 media products have this convention on the front cover of their magazine


Also a convention my front cover consists of is contact information (website) promoting different media platforms across my product. This is a feature used in all of my examples of media products I have used as well as mine.

To finalise, the last convention my music magazine front cover has is a house style/ colour scheme. In my media product this is the use of black, white, red and yellow. This house style is very similar to the style which Q magazine uses and the style which Kerrang! uses in the issues. However it is very different to the style of NME in this issue, with the use of blue, red and white as a symbol of the American flag in the issue. My product therefore challenges NME in this issue as it goes against its typical house style.


Contents Page


My media products contents page consists of various codes and conventions similar to which other music magazines of my genre/sub-genre use. An example of this is the masthead/heading at the top of the page. The font of this is kept the same as on the front cover of the magazine in order to create that consistent house style and brand identity across the magazine. It is also shows the reader what page this is with ‘contents’ in my contents page and Q and Kerrang’s also. NME says ‘this week’ which conveys the same message.

All 4 media products’ content page have a blocked layout in order to make the page look professional and easy to follow. This layout is used across the images and the features on the page. This is very typical of a contents page to make the page easy to read so the reader can find easily what they are looking for in the magazine. This is used in my contents and the examples of media products of the same genre.

My contents page also consists of an editors letter on the page, this is a message direct from the editor of the magazine to the reader, thanking them for buying the issue and explaining to them what this weeks issue consists of. This is typical of the genre however is not used in every magazine. It is used in Kerrang! but not in NME or Q magazine. This therefore shows my contents page developing and challenging NME and Q as they did not believe an editors message is important. I believed that it is an important message in order to get consistent buyers of the magazine as it shows the magazine appreciating its readers.


My contents page also has more than one image, it has a selection of images showing the selection of features my magazine has to offer. This is an idea used in Kerrang! and Q magazine also in order to show the reader visually what else this issue has to offer, this is very typical of this genre. However, this is not used in NME magazine and its contents. They use one main features image instead of various. My idea challenges this as I believed it makes the page look more professional and also gives the reader more to relate to.

Along with the NME and Kerrang! Contents pages my magazine contents page has a subscription offer. This is very typical of this genre of music magazines as it attracts the reader as it gives them a promotion which persuades them to buy the issue and see any other offers in the magazine. Q however did not choose to include a subscription deal but this may be due to the fact there magazine is a monthly publication unlike NME, Kerrang! And Minor magazine.

In the contents page of my publication there is also a footer at the bottom of the page, this contains more information of features in this issue of the magazine and is not really typically used on a contents page. It is similar to the ‘band index’ NME use in their contents pages which is where I got the inspiration for this. This is not used however in Q and Kerrang! Contents pages, I believe this convention is useful as it informs the reader and helps promote the magazine to different and wider audiences.

All 4 media products have the convention of page numbers on their contents page. This convention is basic for a contents page and helps the reader look for specific features which they can relate to.


Double Page Spread


My media products double page spread consists of similar and different codes and conventions which other media products of my genre/sub-genre use in their publications. An example of this is the main image on the left hand side of the page, this is technique used by all NME, Q and Kerrang! Magazines in the examples shown. This is a feature which the audiences’ eye is attracted to and it represents the style and genre of the feature. The ‘gaze’ of my star in also indirect which promotes different feelings and emotions which is also different across NME, Q and Kerrang! As there stars all have direct ‘gaze’s’ at the reader.

HeadlineStand FirstDropped CapBy-Line ColumnsPull QuoteSecondary Images with CaptionCredit to PhotographersPage Numbers

Need to add these in paragraphs.

Q5: How did you attract/address your audience?

Masthead

Tagline

Pug

Pull quote

Features

Header

Footer

Main cover image

Main cover line Price, issue

number and barcode

Website

House style

Strapline

The ‘gaze’Anchorage


GenderMy music magazine is primarily aimed at males, however this does not mean females can not read and enjoy my magazine if they are interested in the genre of music. The cover star of my magazine is male however he is casually dressed which will be more suitable and relatable to my target audience and ideal reader.AgeThe target audience and ideal reader for my music magazine are between the ages of 16-35. I made sure the cover star of my magazine is between these ages in order more my target audience to be able to relate more to the star and the magazine.GenreThe indie sub-genre of my magazine is certainly portrayed through the front cover of my music magazine and in the cover star, it is shown on the stars clothes with the denim jacket and also with the name of the bands shown. The indie genre is also portrayed throughout the magazine.


The word ‘win’ attracts the reader as it shows the offer is free, this means the audience has nothing to loose when entering the chance to win the competition. I also made sure the competition is one which my audience will be able to relate to and interested in winning by making the prize specific to the sub-genre of my music magazine with the use of the band ‘The Strokes’.

The word ‘love’ in my tagline grabs the attention of the reader as it shows the magazine meeting the audiences expectations in providing them with bands and features they will ‘love’. The use of this word along with ‘listen’ creates the technique of alliteration to extend the meaning and attract the audience even further.

The masthead also stands out to the audience as it is in a large bold font. Also the use of other colours (red and white) behind the ‘M’ of ‘Minor’ creates the magazines own brand identity so the magazine is recognisable to the audience. The masthead is also not all in capital letters which breaks magazine conventions as usually the masthead is all in capitals which is not typical of magazines.

The pull quote from my magazine is very controversial, this is because it uses a word of profanity. This is very specific to my ideal reader as men between the ages of 16-35, usually do not mind profanity and use it themselves which means they can relate stronger to the magazine and specifically the cover star. This may shock some audiences which may attract there attention to the magazine. The use of the gradient also attracts the readers eye.


ColourThe use of black and white is due to the fact they are contrasting colours which stand out against each other, also this is very typical of a music magazine from my sub-genre such as NME, Q and Kerrang! The use of these less exciting colours also make the use of yellow and read stand out even further.The use of red has the connotations of danger, this brings excitement to the front cover of my magazine and relates hand in hand with the rock side genre of the magazine. The red also stands out strongly against the contrasting black, white and yellow colours also used on the front cover of my magazine.The use of yellow brings the happy connotations to the front cover of my magazine which is the opposite feeling of red. It does not just contrast in feeling though as both colours stand out strongly against each other. Yellow also works strongly against black.Extra ArtistsThe use of the extra artists listed at the bottom of the page supplies the audience with more information on what this issue consists of. It means if the audience does not like the main featured artists on the front cover they still could be interested in the other bands the magazine has on offer. This therefore widens the depth of the audience. Main FeatureThe main cover feature stands out amongst the other cover features as it is in much larger font and also the pull quote is situated in a black box so the contrasting white stands out more. The name of the band also has a white coat around the word.


By giving the reader offers and discounts, this will appeal to the audience and draws them into buying the magazine. Including the offer on the contents page reminds the audience where the offer is and reminds them of the offer as the contents page is the second page the reader will look at.

Using images emphasises the main features in the issue of the magazine, they make the features look attractive and interesting to the reader so they will want to find out about what the article is about. It also provides the reader with information about what the article may be about.

The heading is the same colour and the same consistent font as the front cover which promotes a house style across the magazine. This creates a brand identity for my media product and makes my magazine flow more to the reader. The heading is also in a larger/bolder font so the audience is clear on the page.

The yellow colour against the black box keeps the house style of my magazine consistent throughout but also makes the features stand out against the white background. This draws the readers attention to the features and so they will read through the magazine.


The use of a secondary image of the whole band ‘Moors’ shows the audience the style of the band as a whole and shows them in action. This is so if the reader wants to look like the band members so the use of the secondary image means they can copy the stars.

The tab used in the top left corner of the page comes in very useful when the reader is flicking through the page of the magazine and is interested in various specific features. This tab will help them find what they are looking for.

The use of two colours in my pull quote attracts the readers attention to the quote and the main word of certainty ‘absolutely’. It gives the reader an insight of what the writing is going to be about.

By using columns it makes the DPS look more appealing and a lot more professional to the reader. It also guides the reader through the writing so it is a flowing read

The title of the piece attracts the audience into reading the article as they will want to find out more about what is ‘off the rails’ as the title alone is a bit of a cliff hanger, making the reader want to read on and find out more.


• A repetitive colour scheme/house style of black, white, red and yellow• The black and white colours are more dull colours whereas the reds and

yellows are bright and powerful so they contrast strongly against the shades, so the important features stand out.

• The feelings the colours also create are contrasting in order to create a mix of emotions throughout my magazine.

• The colours appeal to a range of people and my ideal reader.


I chose to address the ‘Indie’ genre by using language of profanity such as ‘S***’ and title such as ‘Off the rails’. I used this language so they can relate to the slang and other techniques in order to appeal to the audience effectively as possible. I believe males between 16-35 will find my magazine easy to read as it is aimed at them as my primary audience. Also the cover star is someone of that genre and age group which should also appeal to this group of people.

The bands I also included on the front cover consist of males between these ages mainly, again so the sub-genre of the magazine is reflected by these bands as well as making it relatable to the audience.

The fonts used within my front cover also are acceptable in relation to the target audience of my product, they are sharp, classy and easy to read so my audience can follow it easily. It is also kept consistent across the magazine.

My magazine has similar music to NME and Q magazines, the also have similar styles, bands, dress and appearance. to these being similar to my magazine I could use both ofthese magazines and compare them in order to improve my product.

Q6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of

constructing this product?

I used various technologies throughout the process of creating my music magazine publications, such as; Photoshop, Microsoft Publisher, Digital Camara, Altering and Manipulating Photos.I mainly used the Adobe Photoshop which is also where I altered and manipulated the images. This publication helped me make my product look professional and appealing.


constructing this product? Photoshop, Altering andManipulating images.

I altered and manipulated this image by using the ‘magic wand tool’ to crop out the background of the image to just leave the star.

After selecting all the unwanted space in the image I simply deleted the space

I could then select the image and move it onto the frame I wanted.

I then made my magazine around the main cover image.



I chose font to use for my product which was unique and easy to read.

I added a tagline to my magazine in order to draw the reader in and promote my product. It also gives the magazine individuality.

I then surrounded the ‘M’ in my product with a red glow which represented the house style of my magazine as well as creating its unique brand identity.

I then surrounded the further ‘M’ in a white glow, which represents the house style of the magazine even further and also gives my product its final brand identity.

To get the out ring of red around the black of the ‘M’ I used the stroke tool.



In order to create this button/pug I used various tools on Photoshop.

I used the text tool and rotated the text to create a gradient on the text which appeals to the audience and makes the front cover looked interesting.

I created the button/pug by using the ellipse tool, I chose the colour black so I could use contrasting colours as the text.

I changed the colour and size of the text in order to attract the audiences attention. I did this by using the colour tool and the text tool.



In order to make the header on my front cover of my music magazine I had to use various tools from photoshop.

First I used the rectangle tool in order to create the shape of the background of my header.

I then cropped on the Reading and Leeds festival logo, matching the colour of my existing rectangle.

I then added each individual band/artist which played at the festival and are suitable for the sub- genre of my magazine.I did this by finding the logo of each band on the internet.

I then changed the colours of each of the logo to either black or red in order to match the house style of my magazine.



I created a black frame which would contain the pull quote from the star. I did this by using the rectangle tool.

I then added the text to my piece, I did this by using the text tool.

I changed the colour of the word ‘absolutely so it stood out more to my audience. I also put a stroke on the word so the word draws the readers attention to the quote.



0Going to add more, ran out of time.

Q7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the

progression from this to the final product?

This is my preliminary work.



These are my final products



I felt that my standard of work has progressed a great deal throughout this unit and is shown in these 4 images. By developing my photoshop skills I could use more tools in order to make my magazine look more professional and more appealing.

I have also learnt more magazine conventions which is reflected across my front cover and contents pages, as my minor work consists of more conventions in a professional magazine.



Technologies used:Microsoft PublisherAdobe PhotoshopDigital Camera and Altering and Manipulating photos



Header at the top of the page encourages the reader to read inside the magazine with a chance to win the prize.

Larger font and highlighted features ensure that the text stands out so the reader is attracted to what is inside the magazine. The change in the font colour also attracts the audiences attention but keeps the house style consistent.

The word ‘free’ grabs the audiences attention and encourages them to buy the magazine in order to collect the free poster, it shows they have nothing to loose if the poster is free. The capital letters attract the audiences attention.

The words ‘win’ attracts the audiences attention as it means the audience has nothing to loose when entering the competition, the prizes also made clear and a suitable for the target audience so they are more likely to buy the magazine and get involved.

Uses the same consistent font as the other features on the front cover but attracts the audience as the font is larger and emboldened. It also supplies anchorage to the main cover image. The gradient of the text is used to make the text stand out more and look more professional and interesting to look at.

This shows anchorage with the whole magazine and the main cover image as they overlap and show the image is suitable, also the fact the masthead changes colour to go over the hair of the star so the importance of the star.

The pug is relatable to both male and female audiences as it is a prize which is not gender specific. This will encourage a wider range of audience to read on.

The strapline shows an extra feature in the magazine, against the darkness of the cover image makes it stand out.


progression from this to the final product?Photography

The cover stars eyes are central and vertical in the mise en scene of the magazine front cover and the ‘gaze’ of the star is direct into the camera. I used this ‘gaze’ to show the audience that the star is confident so the feature page on him will be a better read, so the audience is encouraged to read the magazine.

The background behind the image of the star is bright which creates negative space and emphasis on the star in his darker clothing.

I used Adobe Photoshop to crop the image of the star to create the background which will allow the colours on the picture to be emphasised as much as possible.



I felt that the photo of the star not looking into the camera did not represent the personality suitably and would delude the audience from the real nature of the star.

I felt the distant photo not in the centre of the mise en scene was not a suitable image of a cover star for a magazine front cover, it made the star seem small and not powerful in the magazine

This is why I chose this image as it is a large, powerful image with the star looking directly at the reader.Which represents the confident personality of the star.



Technologies used:Microsoft PublisherAdobe PhotoshopDigital Camera and Altering and Manipulating photos


progression from this to the final product?I used columns and blocked the text around the images I used to make my magazine look more professional and appealing to my audience.

I made the page number of my main cover feature a lot larger and also used a pull quote from the feature so the reader is intrigued as they do not know what the article is about. The picture is also a lot larger and in the centre of the mise en scene to show the reader that this is the main feature.

The page number is in a different colour than the feature in order to make the information more clearer to my reader. There is also different types of features so the content is more organised so the reader can find what they are looking for quickly.

I kept the same masthead as on the front cover of the Aquinas magazine in order to make the brand identity of the product clearer, it also keeps the house style and colour scheme of the magazine consistent across the magazine.

I chose this image of the main feature star as it is a low angle shot which portrays power of the star, this makes the reader want to find out about the star by reading the article. It fits with the layout of my contents page and also creates negative space.

I wrote an editors letter for my music magazine so my reader could relate to the writer of the magazine and also to find out more information of what is in this issue of the magazine.

I used secondary images on my contents page also so the picture attract the readers eyes to features which interest a wide audience.


progression from this to the final product?The progression I have made is fairly obvious in the standards of my work.

Aquinas Magazine

Minor Magazine

Aquinas Magazine

Minor Magazine


progression from this to the final product?I chose this font which in my opinion was the most unique font, a font which my ideal reader could relate to and a stylish font. It is also clear and easy to read.


progression from this to the final product?Strong, bold font with outer colours on the M of minor creates a brand identity for my product which match the house style of my magazine.

Features which appeal to the audience of my product as they are representing the ‘indie’ genre of my magazine. The changes in colour and size emphasises the features in order to attract the audiences attention.

The use of a pug will stand out to the audience also the word ‘WIN’ in a capital letters and in a larger font will attract the audiences attention. The colour changes also will stand out as the are more bright to promote the offer strongly.

The banner/header draws the reader in by using bring powerful colours and showing bands of this genre which my ideal reader can relate to.

The main feature is a larger and glowing font which is what the audience will see at first glance at the magazine. It reflects the personality of the star with the use of balck and white and the star is looking very careless and boring in the photo.

The footer at the bottom of the page ensures the reader has more information on the magazine form the front cover as it showing other bands which relate to the sub-genre and ideal reader.

The tagline draws the reader in with the word ‘love’ showing passion.


progression from this to the final product?The large bold heading is kept consistent from the front cover promoting the brand identity of the product. Also representing the house style colours.

I wrote an editors letter for my music magazine so my reader could relate to the writer of the magazine and also to find out more information of what is in this issue of the magazine.

The page number is in a different colour than the feature in order to make the information more clearer to my reader. There is also different types of features so the content is more organised so the reader can find what they are looking for quickly.

I used columns and blocked the text around the images I used to make my magazine look more professional and appealing to my audience.

I used various images across my contents page in order to make the page look attractive to the audience and also to give the audience more idea of bands which will appear in the issue of this magazine.

I also had a footer at the bottom of my page this is to inform the reader of more bands appearing in the magazine.

Also the opportunity to subscribe to the magazine was available, this attracts the audience as it is an offer from the magazine which may persuade them to buying the issue.

Media evaluation coursework

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