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

• For me, it was essential to use real codes and conventions of music magazines in order to create a professional, contemporary and serious media product. The evolution of my music magazine was helped by my analyzing of music magazines; I have analysed both Q and Rolling Stone front covers. In doing this, I could easily identify main conventions that they use, such as mastheads, logos, cover lines, eye levels, shots (type, angle, lighting, white space) etc.

• Analysing contents page allowed me to see more codes and conventions used by the most successful magazines. To vary my analysing, I analysed the Q and NME contents pages. From these, I could see that they both included mastheads on the page, such as “CONTENTS” or “CONTENTS THIS MONTH”. Images on the contents pages were professional and contemporary; they fitted the genre of the magazines extremely well and were recognisable and attractive to the reader. For example, lots of music magazines have a section at the left third or right third (at the bottom) about subscribing to the magazine. Page numbers are clearly shown and in strong, bold fonts, easily directing the reader/audience to the page.

• Also, analysing double page spreads proved very useful. Reading the articles about the artists heavily inspired me; especially Q’s MARCH 2012 issue on Florence+ the Machine; I really enjoyed reading the article and it gave me lots of journalistic ideas for content. Double page spreads which proved most successful in magazines used page numbers, website addresses and pull quotes. For these, I analysed two Q magazine double page spreads, each giving me lots of ideas for layouts, shot types, pull quotes, introductions and mastheads/cover lines.

From analysing my own music magazine; RECORD, it is easy to identify codes and conventions I have used. These include masthead (in front of main image), effective use of main image (no white space, background, mise en scene), cover lines (along right or left third, fonts), barcodes, prices, issue numbers, twitter/facebook accounts etc.

Analysing various cover pages throughout this main task has allowed me to come to terms and understand different codes and conventions that I otherwise may not have spotted. The music magazine industry does have certain codes and conventions that they use, however, the most successful magazines are those that slightly challenge the conventions and be original.

•This is the image I used for my cover page- the shot depicts the Indie Rock

genre of my magazine through use of mise en scene, styling, backdrop,

make up and facial expression/body language. The shots portrays the artist

as confident, edgy and unique, which is further brought across to the reader

through the DPS.

•Along with following codes and conventions of the music magazine industry, I thought it was also important to challenge some conventions.

•In most music magazines, the main cover line for the main artist featured is along the right third, as this is the eye flow and would attract readers. However, I have situated my main cover line (that begins with “MEET THE GIRL BEHIND…”, neither at the right third or the left third, but in the middle third at the bottom. I think since this is directly underneath the words “IVY STONE” it will draw readers in.

•Also, I decided to use the website address/ barcode/issue number/price at the bottom left third, but vertically, to challenge the convention that they are always placed above the barcode horizontally. This makes the magazine appear a bit more proffesional, established and original.

I got inspiration for my contents page in a lot of places; from blogs to music magazines to album covers.

I loved creating a house style through fonts, images (types, shots, angles, lighting etc), logo, web address, subscription details and more.

I think I have adapted and created a recognisable house style that would appeal to the reader and my target audience.

I wanted my contents page to be clearly laid out, neat and contemporary. I wanted it be easy to read and navigate through, without being boring and with still having an original, creative house style.

The use of colour on my contents page (bright pinks, greens, blacks and whites) was in attempt to create a really modern and unique magazine, which would simply be contemporary and something that my target audience would want to read.

I placed my logo “RECORD MAGAZINE” underneath the “CONTENTS THIS MONTH” masthead, to be more original and make the overall appeal of the contents page to be effortless and professional.

Some music magazines do not include editors blurbs, but I think this is a great way to interact with the audience and for the audience to know who is making the magazine, what they are writing and why they are writing it. Not many music magazines do this, but I thought for me, it was important to do.

I decided not to use too much colour, and since most magazines used coloured backgrounds for the contents page such as blue or grey, I wanted to use a plain white background, so that the cover lines, images and masthead would be the main attraction of the page.

Again I have used codes and conventions for my double page

spread that I have learnt from analysing different double

page spreads. These include drop caps, introductions,

masthead, main image, pull quotes, page numbers, arrows

for continuation of pages, website address etc.

I have also placed the introduction about the main masthead which is “WHO’S THAT GIRL?”, it is in bold, green font (OptimusPrinceps) which is clear and concise for the reader, whilst still being creative and original. I have included the name of the journalist; Ellie Bowe, in black, so that her name stands out. This is also challenging a convention.

Also, usually page numbers are along the right hand side, but since I wanted my DPS to be original and unique I used the page number along the left third instead, which I think is a lot clearer to read.

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

From my questionnaires (results and analysis) I found that my target audience were between 16 and 17, and so were teenagers. I wanted to create a magazine that would address this age group, but be contemporary, professional and sophisticated; much like a Rolling Stone for teenagers. I wanted my magazine to be serious about music and include professional photography, journalism, house style and overall impact. I kept my tone quite informal, so that I could reach my target audience, but it was also a serious tone, as my magazine is professional.

My music magazine genre was Indie Rock, which I tried to portray through my cover, contents and double page spread. This genre appeals to both males and females, but the majority were female.

The Indie Rock genre was depicted throughout my magazine, through fonts, shots, language, colours etc.

I think bands such as The Pretty Reckless convey the type/genre of music I wanted to focus on, and I have portrayed this throughout.

Since my target audience wanted an Indie Rock genre music magazine, I decided to focus my analysing on them. Magazines such as Rolling Stone, NME, Kerrang!, Billboard and Q convey this genre.

Even though these magazines are usually associated with older readers, I wanted my own music magazine to be a professional, contemporary, serious music magazine for teenagers.

There are a lot of different genres of music that teenagers listen to, such as Rock, Pop, Dubstep, Folk/Country etc. Since I want to focus mostly on the Rock genre of music, it was important and crucial for me to fit everything I included in the magazine, from photos to font, that represented this genre.These are

album covers of popular artists that teenagers listen to that portray the genre I wanted to depict throughout my music magazine; they include The Pretty Reckless, The Killers, Nirvana, Coldplay and Snow Patrol.

The colour scheme used throughout my magazine will also depict the audience type. As an example, the shade black is usually associated with the rock genre, so I have used the majority of text in this colour, especially for cover lines. My masthead is a dark red shade which symbolises power and strength and a well established, successful magazine. I tried to incorporate colours that my target audience wanted to see, such as blues and greens. I really like the shade of green I used on my contents page, which paired with the other colours I used had a nice effect. These together created a unique, recognisable house style for my magazine, of an Indie Rock genre. These colours created a punky, edgy style that was unique and original.

By using NRS social grade definitions I can see that my music magazine media product falls under these grades:

NRS stands for National Readership Survey, NRS is a not-for-profit company which is funded by the UK Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), Newspaper Publishers Association (NPA), and Periodical Publishers Association (PPA). They use grade definitions to classify and describe social groups/classes especially in consumer targeting and research.

By placing my music magazine in these grade boundaries, I can see that this would apply to teenagers and students in university especially, as they are mostly skilled or middle class. Professional young people would also be interested in the magazine, which is why I chose B. Even though my target audience is 16-17, I think people older than this age group would still be interested in the magazine.

The images I have shot of my main artist represent a social group. Since this artist is a teenage rock star, she would be almost a role model for people of her age. I have included no images of the artist with piercings or tattoos as I want to portray an image of the artist who represents teenagers today. Also, since I want my magazine to be professional etc it was essential to create serious music images.

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

A media institution that might distribute my magazine must first of all distribute magazines. These include:

-Bauer Media

-IPC Media

-EMAP

Each of these companies have been successful and are well established in the magazine industry, distributing a range of media product magazines, with different genres, such as music magazines, fashion, sport etc.

EMAP is a business multiplatform media group, focusing and representing on brands who “inform, inspire and connect”.It’s focus is on content, products

(online and offline), conferences, awards, festivals; but most of all on quality.

EMAP is essential for business professionals who understand that access to people and organisations is key in making their jobs better.

It’s ethos is directed by innovation, making decisions an inspiring the customer; as well as meeting their demands… as well as providing them with things they don’t know that they want.

EMAP previously distribute the music magazine MOJO, which is very successful. This music magazine has a readership circulation of 100, 507; proving it to be a very well established, well distributed magazine.

BAUER MEDIA can connect and engage 19 million consumers every week with

influential brands.

BAUER MEDIA reaches over 19 million adults across the media sector.

They have over 80 influential media products, including GRAZIA, FHM, MAGIC 104.5, KISS 100, KERRANG and 4 MUSIC.

Their business is built on many personal relationships, enabling the consumer to get the most put of the company. They connect with audiences with content, at any time.

BAUER MEDIA have a unique insight into the media industry, allowing them to work closely with their customers.

BAUER MEIDA also allows customers to subscribe to their magazine media products; such as GRAZIA, HEAT AND CLOSER.

Their selection of over 300 magazines are available in 15 countries, as well as online, TV and radio.

BAUER MEDIA joined the BAUER MEDIA GROUP IN JANUARY 2008. Together, they employ 6400 people.

They are built on influential media brands with millions of relationships with readers and the audience.

IPC MEDIA produces over 60 iconic brands; 2/3’s of their print reaches women in the UK. Their website reaches over 20 million users per month.

They have diverse print and portfolio’s and can offer their customers a lot. They have three main focuses; men, mass market women and upmarket women.

• Their media products directed at mean include: COUNTRY LIFE, HORSE AND HOUND, RUGBY WORLD and NME.

• Their media products directed at women include: LOOK, NOW, CHAT, WOMAN,TV TIMES and TV& SATELLITE WEEK.

• This is IPC’s men’s division. It’s portfolio of 38 brands covers a spectrum of interests and hobbies; from Country Life, to NME.

After researching different media institutions that could possibly distribute my music magazine I have decided that BAUER MEDIA would be best at distributing my magazine.

This company distributes both Q and Kerrang! magazine, which are both in the music genre and are highly successful.

Kerrang! Magazine has a readership circulation of 134,000 and Q magazine has a readership circulation of 130,179.

These readership circulation figures prove that the circulation of these magazines are successful and have well established the magazines.

• From research I can see that BAUER MEDIA has been involved in other media institutions, not just magazines. They have a radio channel also; this could promote the magazine, as they have done previously with Q and Kerrang!

• The genre of the magazine will also be instantly recognisable if it is being promoted through a radio institution, which would heavily promote the magazine to its target audience.

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

Since my target audience expressed that they wanted a Rock Indie genre for the magazine, this is what I have created through the magazine, but use of shots, fonts, colours, house style, layout etc.

My target audience is from ages 16-17 who have a serious, keen interest in this genre of music and want to know everything they can about it, which the magazine will allow them to do.

• I chose my main image to deliberately represent and attract my target audience. Through the use of mise en scene, styling, make up, hair, facial expression etc I have drawn the target audience in, as I have portrayed the genre they are interested in. This allows a connection to be made between the artist and the reader, so they are interacting. This is done even more so by my use of eye level shot, so the artist is making eye contact with the target audience.

I wanted my music magazine RECORD to be professional and serious about music. Since my age group for my target audience is around 16/17, I wanted to appeal to this age group, so I did not use slang language or an incredibly informal tone. I have to assume that the people buying this magazine already have a good sense of knowledge about the music industry and the music genre they are interested in; which is what my music magazine portrays.

I used technological aspects also, such as website addresses, facebook addresses, twitter address etc. I have to assume that the audience are technologically advanced and use social networking and like to interact with the magazine, not like teenagers in past years would have done.

Such as: www.record.co.ukwww.facebook.co.uk/recordmagazinewww.twitter.co.uk/#/recordmagazineThese have all been included throughout my magazine, especially on the

front cover page.

In my double page spread article, I used a serious journalistic tone which presented a story to the reader about Ivy Stone (my artist). I didn’t chose to use heavily informal language as my target audience are serious about music and interested in music, so they know what they’re talking about.

In my article, I mentioned, for example, gigs and concerts that my artist has attended, which the audience who are fans of the artist should already know. I tried to make the journalism as experienced and professional as possible to give the right impression to the reader of the seriousness of the magazine and of the professionalism also.

5. How did you attract/ address your audience?

To find out as much as possible about my target audience and my ideal reader, i have created two questionnaires that i will hand out to 20 people each, so i can see what my target audience expect from my music magazine.

THE FIRST QUESTIONNAIRE IS ABOUT MY IDEAL READER. THIS IS CRUCIAL FOR ANY MAGAZINE, NOT JUST A MUSIC GENRED MAGAZINE; AS THE MAGAZINE NEEDS TO KNOW EXCATLY WHO IS BUYING THEIR PRODUCT. FOR EXAMPLE, THE MAGAZINE MEDIA PRODUCT NEEDS TO KNOW THE AGES OF THE MAJORITY OF IT'S AUDIENCE. FROM MY RESEARCH I CAN TELL MY AVERAGE AGE FOR THE CONSUMERS IS 16/17. IT IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE CREATING OF NOT JUST A MUSIC MAGAZINE, BUT ANY MAGAZINE PRODUCT. THIS WILL HELP ME DETERMINE WHAT TYPES OF ADVERTISMENTS TO PUT IN MY MAGAZINE AND ALSO THE LANGUAGE THAT I WILL ADRESS MY AUDIENCE. THIS WILL COME IN EXTREMELY USEFUL WHEN THEY ARE PAYING COMPANIES/BRANDS TO ADVERTSIE IN THEIR MAGAZINE; FOR EXAMPLE NME FOUND THROUGH AN IDEAL READER QUESTIONNAIRE THAT THEIR TARGET AUDIENCE LIKE FERARRI CARS, AND SO THEY HAVE INCLUDED ADVERTISMENTS FOR FERRARI'S IN THEIR MAGAZINE; WHICH BOTH PROVES A BENEFIT TO NME AND THE FERRARI BRAND.

•From this questionnaire I was able to find out who exactly would be my ideal reader. I gathered what age this reader would be, what they would be interested in, what they enjoy doing, their favourite shops, music interests etc.

•From the ideal reader questionnaire, I was able to gather the qualitative data and organise it so I could create my IDEAL READER. MY IDEAL READER FOR MY MUSIC MAGAZINE PUBLICATION: Ivy, 16, likes a variety of music from Pop to Rock to Indie. Her favourite artists are Katy Perry, Rhianna, The Script and Snow Patrol; she has also seen a few of these in concert and at gigs. In her spare time she loves reading fashion magazines, listening to music, watching 90210 and shopping. Topshop is her favourite place to shop and her ideal holiday destination is New York City. She listens to Cool FM regularly. Ivy prefers to travel by car, and in her spare time enjoys eating at Nando’s and drinking Coke. She also loves watching films such as The Hangover. In the future, she would love to live in America.

THE SECOND QUESTIONNAIRE I MADE WAS TO HELP ME DISCOVER WHAT MY AUDIENCE WANTED. THIS WILL COME IN VERY USEFUL, AS I WILL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT COLOURS, LAYOUTS, ARTISTS ETC MY TARGET AUDIENCE WANT! THE TARGET AUDIENCE ARE THE REASON FOR THE CREATION OF THE MAGAZINE, SO THEY ARE CRUCIAL. WE MUST GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT, AND ALSO CONTENT THAT THEY WONT EXPECT BUT THAT THEY WILL LIKE. IN MUSIC MAGAZINES, SUCH AS NME OR ROLLING STONE, THE TARGET AUDIENCE ULTIMITELY DECIDE IF THE MAGAZINE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL OR NOT!

•From this quantitative closed ended questionnaire, I got an insight into exactly what the audience wanted to see in the music magazine. This gave me a train of thought to follow, so that I could decide what I should put into the magazine that the audience would like and would want to see.

•(copies of both questionnaires I created for my target audience)

•From this questionnaire, I was able to see exactly what my target audience wanted and expected in the music magazine.

WHAT MAKES YOU BUY A MAGAZINE?

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

the

free

item

the

artis

t/arti

sts

on th

e co

ver

the

mas

thea

d

the free item

articles mentioned on thecover

the artist/artists on the cover

the colours/layout

the masthead

WOULD YOU PREFER...

a band on the cover

a solo artist

other

WHO WOULD YOU BEST LIKE TO SEE FEATURED ON THE COVER?

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

male artist female artist

Series1

The majority of people I asked in this questionnaire said they would want a solo artist on the cover, and I highly took this on board and so used a solo artist. Also the majority wanted a female solo artist, which I did as well. It is important to create something that your target audience will want as they will not purchase your media product if it is uninteresting or irrelevant to them.

•I also found out about colour schemes, fonts, prices, genres they wanted…and more.

WHAT CONCERTS HAVE YOU BEEN TO IN THE PAST YEAR?

The Maine

Never Shout Never

Bring Me To the Horizon

Olly Murs

Rhianna

Snow Patrol

Mumford and Sons

The Script

Kaiser Cheifs

Eminem

Katy Perry

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN UP-AND-COMING BANDS IN YOUR AREA?

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

yes no

Series1

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE FILMS?

step brothers

taken

scott pilgrim v's the world

hangover

twilight

a cinderella story

harry potter

shawskank redemption

toystory

pearl harbour

elf

I have also found about my ideal reader. I have created a character from the majority of results which should portray my ideal reader.

I have found out about the main films that the reader likes, what they like doing in their spare time, what concerts they go to, who they listen to and more.

This will help me mould my music magazine around what the audience wants and likes, as the audience and magazine will therefore be able to connect and interact.

My ideal reader questionnaire and design decisions questionnaire are both on my pbworks blog! My analyse of both are also on the blog.

•Since most of my target audience said through the design decisions that they wanted a solo female artist this is who I featured, which I then named IVY STONE. They also said that the image on the main cover was what attracted them most to purchase a magazine, which is why I had to make the image appealing, attractive and portraying the genre of the magazine easily. Since the artist is around the same age (19) as the target audience she can easily connect to them and appeal.

•The contents pages also had to reflect what the audience wanted. Although in my questionnaire I didn’t ask any questions regarding the actual shots many people mentioned to me that they wanted professional shots that would look realistic in a professional, serious music magazine.

•I addressed my audience through the use of my solo female artist. Since the artist is around the same age as the target audience they can easily connect and probably have a lot in common, like most teenagers. Although my artist is a teenage rock star, she gives off a good impression to the audience; serious about music but still “living the dream”. Her persona is edgy and unique, yet welcoming and friendly.

•I didn’t use slang or colloquial language as I wanted to connect to my audience on a serious, proffesional, musical way. This was done through the journalism on the double page spread article. My audience are old enough to know about music and the music industry and they need to be treated seriously, as young adults. This way, I was able to use sophisticated vocabulary and so attract the audience. I also used music definitions and terminology, which would already be known to serious music fans.

•On the cover I even included a cover line regarding The Rolling Stones, who were a famous rock band from the past. Serious music fans, even younger teenage fans would know about this rock band as they changed the music industry.

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

To create my media product I had to use lots of various technologies and software's; some of which I had used before and some of which I had not. Either way, I found the process of learning how to use different software's very enjoyable and worthwhile, as this, in the end, allowed me to create my music magazine as best I could.

First, our media class had to learn to use PBWORKS.COM, which allows us to upload our work; process and evolution of the music magazine we each created. At first this was slightly confusing, learning how to create pages and upload images and documents. Eventually it became easier to use and was simple to upload and edit anything we wanted. This also allowed the class to comment on each others work and deliver feedback to the group. My blog comes under three headings on the sidebar:

•Planning & Research

•Construction

•Evaluation

I also used Photoshop for the majority of my main task. Before this task I had used Photoshop many times so was very familiar with it; the tools, processes and availabilities that could be made with the software.

Photoshop allowed me to create exactly the media product I wanted. I was able to use different tools, settings, colours, effects, etc that would make my music magazine original.

It came in extremely handy when I needed to edit images. For example, I used the blur tool in the background of several images, which portrayed the sense of rush and excitement, and also in turn made the images more professional and serious.

I was also able to use tools such as the sharpen tool, smudge tool, crop tool, magic wand tool, rubber tool etc to make the images as best as they could be.

Overall, Photoshop was the best software I could have used to create my music magazine; it allowed me to do exactly what I wanted with the media product, and although it was frustrating at times, it was extremely useful and worthwhile.

FOR EXAMPLE: (editors image on contents page)

Original image change saturation film grain effect

Use elliptical marquee tool sharpen tool+ contrast+

brightness

•I also used WINDOWS MICROSOFT WORD, PUBLISHER, EXCEL and POWERPOINT.

•I used Word for making my questionnaires, keeping track of my evolution of the music magazine as I went along. As I went along creating my music magazine, I have kept a record of everything I have did- from what I edited on Photoshop and how, to what I would include in my questionnaires before I had created them. I used excel once I gathered results and statistics from questionnaires and surveys I made for my target audience. PowerPoint was used effectively to portray results/ information.

•A program I used for my main task which I had not used before was ANIMOTO. On this website, I created a video to portray my genre of my magazine, which was Indie Rock. I was able to include pictures/images and sound/music to convey this.

HTTP://ANIMOTO.COM/PLAY/ZV3ZYGEOR0BE9VXYACIRAA

Each of these programs/ softwares that I have used have proved extremely useful in helping me create my music magazine media product!

•I also used PREZI. This is an online- brainstormer/ mind mapper. It allows you to collect your ideas and make a presentation via brainstorm online. This came in extremely useful when I was collecting my thoughts on what to include in my magazine! It was really simple and easy to use, and created a very effective outcome, which was a lot more interesting than could have been done on paper! For example…

http://prezi.com/bzd-wj3hczou/more-ideas/

•DIGITAL EQUIPMENT I HAVE USED:

I used my Canon EOS 40D camera to take the shots for my music magazine cover, contents page and double page spread. I really enjoyed using different shot types and angles to portray my artist in different ways. Overall, I took more than 300 photos which I then narrowed down to less than 10!

By using YouTube I was able to research different bands that I wanted to convey to my audience, such as Death Cab for Cutie, The Pretty Reckless, Snow Patrol, Bon Iver and many more.

Google proved extremely useful for the creation of my media product. This was the main tool for my research; from researching music magazines, to companies and distributors, to researching artists and bands, and lots of other elements which helped me create my magazine.

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

I feel I have made a massive improvement since my preliminary task. Then, I was only getting used to softwares and programs on the computer, but since completing my main task I feel that I have learnt a lot about softwares. Even though I was very familiar with Photoshop beforehand, I feel I have learnt even more about the software which really helped me throughout the main task. Using programs such as Prezi and Animoto allowed me to see that there was other various ways of presenting information and that they were available on the internet for anyone to use, they came in very handy.

I feel I have made a significant progression from preliminary task to main task. I think my media product this time around was a lot more serious and professional, as well as realistic. Before, I was just getting used to using such softwares and so didn’t get the full benefit of them.

The work this time around was a lot more complicated, in depth and serious than before- which I enjoyed. I found out things about the magazine industry that really interested me and so it was a very enjoyable task to complete. Through research I discovered that I had to maintain a professional look about the magazine, throughout.

•From these images, I can see how my photography skills have improved from preliminary task (left) to main task (right). I have learnt to use different shot types and angles, and also how to edit images better using programs such as Adobe Photoshop.

This is the progression from my preliminary task to my main task. These are both my final products. I think my main task media product looks a lot more professional, as I was able to research and learn codes and conventions that I was then able to put into place for my music magazine; such as the importance of a masthead, cover lines, slogan, main image, barcode, audience interaction and more. My backdrop in the main task is a lot clearer and concise; it also portrays a genre of Indie Rock to the readers through fonts, colours, images etc. The image I have used for the main task is also a lot more professional and realistic.

This is the progression from my preliminary task to my main task on the contents pages. My main task is a lot more professional and realistic as well as sophisticated whereas my preliminary task does not look as professional. A house style is evident in my main task product by fonts, colours and shots. The main task overall looks a lot more realistic. I have used a lot more codes and conventions for my main task, whereas on my preliminary task I haven't used as many.

I have been able to see my work progression from preliminary task to main task. I have also acquired different various skills that came in extremely useful in helping me create the best media product I could. I leant how to improve my Photoshop skills, learnt to use Prezi and Animoto and also increased my Microsoft word, excel and PowerPoint skills.

I think looking back at my preliminary task I can see that it doesn’t look professional or contemporary as much as my main task does. I think that completing the preliminary task instead of going straight into the music magazine task was essential as I was able to learn and acquire skills that would help me throughout.

If I could go back and improve me preliminary task I would. I would make the overall impact bigger by changing and varying fonts, using more colour and taking better images. If I had used and varied my shot types and mise-en-scene in the preliminary task, it would have been a lot more professional. Also, I would have made my cover lines smaller and easier to read, and made my main cover line stand out a lot more. Throughout my main task I used these skills when designing and creating the music magazine. In comparison, the school magazine looks basic and weak compared to my music magazine. I think I have made a very significant improvement.

•I think connecting to your target audience is essential. For me, it was very important to see what my target audience thought of my work so that I would know how to improve and change it. I did this especially in my main task; I had to constantly ask people in the 16-17 year old age group for feedback to make sure they liked the product and it would be something they would spend their money on.

•Working with class members and sharing advice also proved very helpful for me, as I could see what my class members thought of my work and if they had any ideas to improve it.

•As I researched the music magazine industry, I began to learn things I never knew such as the codes and conventions. These include mastheads, cover lines, price/ barcode/ issue number, drop caps, page numbers, sub headings, aspirational cover lines and more!

•I have also learnt a lot more about the companies that distribute the magazine products, such as EMAP, BAUER MEDIA and IPC MEDIA. These also branch into different media institutions such as radio and television.

•Before this task I was unaware and oblivious to how much time and energy and effort is put into creating a magazine. This gave me a real insight into the real world of the magazine industry, which really interests me. The magazine must fit the needs of the audience so that their magazine media product is successful and will make a successful profit, becoming a well know and established magazine! (Such as Rolling Stone, NME or Q)

•I have also gained a lot of confidence in editing and analysing, which before I was unsure about. I know now how important it is to use codes and conventions of the real life magazine industry, which proves very useful while making this type of media product.