AS Media Studies

EvaluationG321

Foundation Portfolio

By Charlotte Palmer

Question 1.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of

real media products?

Front CoverThrough out my magazine I used a variety of generic conventions. I became familiar with these through the generic conventions task:http://charlottermpalmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/instyle-magazine-cover-analasis.htmlThen I put this into context by using existing magazines as templates in order to familiarise myself with these features: http://charlottermpalmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/magazine-covers.html

As a result of these exercises, I had a clear understanding of the layout of a magazine as seen through this example:

I took into consideration how each convention (circled) should be typically displayed therefore following the rules of conventions. This is achieved with the ‘left-third’ rule for the masthead (Tap Tap masthead) and how the main cover line should take the attention compared to the cover lines. Additionally the important conventions such as barcode and price are laid out in a familiar way. However I decided to merge the URL with the masthead giving it further interest to the design.

Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions

Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions

Challenges and developmentsSome of these conventions I challenged and added my own interpretation to give the magazine it’s own identity. Instead of the URL being displayed separately on the cover, I made it a part of the masthead therefore giving it extra purpose to the design.Unfamiliar to a music magazine, I provided a flower branch as a prop in order to give the cover star some beauty and character as well as emphasis to the colour red. This is not common for a music magazine therefore it gives the cover something iconic.The main cover line is given a black border and an underline which is not often done. This again gives the magazine an uniqueness as well as providing emphasis on the main cover line.

InfluencesThe layout of my front cover came from a variety of magazines including NME, Karrang! and Rolling Stone. This also upheld my genre of magazine (Rock and Pop). I liked the design of NME’s masthead with a bold white outline providing it with a strong attention. The design of Karrang!’s cover lines I adapted into my magazine’s top cover lines.

In addition to this, Rolling Stone’s layout gave me inspiration of how the cover lines frame the cover star as well as the main cover line’s positioning. My magazine cover also supported the use of direct address which provides a connection between the cover star and the audience.To give the cover star enhancement, I placed her in front of the masthead, this is used within NME and Kerrang!.The background in Rolling Stone and Karrang! typically is a single colour therefore providing emphasis to the star and cover lines. This I also used in my magazine which also became a part of the house colours.

Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions

Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions

ContentsThe layout of the contents was initially inspired from aspects of Q magazines’ and Empire magazines’ contents. Then I began drafting my contents page as two designs:http://charlottermpalmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/by-drafting-2-different-contents-pages.html

The large numbers, bold titles and organised structure was what I liked about these two magazines. I also adapted the red, black and white house colours into my own contents page. The variation and sizes of the photographs made the contents pages stimulating and attractive which I also included in my contents page.

Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions

My contents continued the house colours and the cover story which links with the front cover. The addition of advertisements based on the magazine and special effects on the headings was what made the contents page different from those that influenced me. However, Q and Empire influenced areas such as the idea of the issue number and date information being displayed, the variations of fonts and number colours. To keep the attention focused on the cover star, I grey scaled the additional photo’s so that the house colours stay consistent. I decided to develop the contents heading to ‘What’s inside?’ which lingers the question in the readers mind and at the same time it remains clear that it is a contents page.

Question 1. Use, develop or challenge forms and conventions

Double page spreadMy first influence of the layout of the double page was from Empire magazine:http://charlottermpalmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/double-page-spread-research.html

I planned that my double page will look similar to this since I liked the idea of a large image and columns of text. Though this is not from a music magazine, it was something that I could develop into my own.

The cover stars name is laid out as a large black and white title with the addition of a quote from the article as a quick preview for

the reader. The article is written as a Q and A format with an introduction and concluding paragraph. Similarly to the Empire magazine, the beginning of the article is introduced with a large

letter. I made my letter not so large since the title should keep the engagement. The house colours of red, black and white stay

constant within the DPS which brings together the cover and contents page collectively. Instead of one column, I used two with

the image at the centre which differs to the Empire magazine layout therefore developed into my own version. In addition, the

props of flowers is consistent with the cover star therefore keeping her the icon of the magazine.

Question 2.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Question 2. Representing particular social groups

My magazine’s focus is towards teenagers, old and young, who enjoy popular pop music or rough rock music. The magazines Q, Karrang! and NME helped me to understand how to fit this genre into my magazine as well as how to target it to a teenage audience.Cover starThe cover star ‘Love and Death’ demonstrates a sweet, unique yet strong willed young lady who’s very opinionated and won’t often give up nor be told what to do. This shows similarity to typical teenagers who can be rebellious and adventurous. However this character challenges the stereotypical female image as a small, fragile lady who is often protected by a strong male.

Question 2. Representing particular social groups

Other photos used gave the magazine a youthful, mysterious and rustic sense which continues this ‘Rock and Pop’ trend. The females and the males show equal attention therefore the images of females become very shady and intense. This will fit with my target audience since the images will imitate similarly with their usual appearance.

Question 3.

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

Question 3. Media Institution

The genre and audience of TAP TAP magazine is similar to ones of NME and Q which are from major distribution companies. I can see TAP TAP working well for a major distributer as a fresh type of magazine displaying a lot of new visions and new faces, therefore a top seller.

I researched on major distribution companies including Bauer media. Many popular music magazines are produced by them including Karrang!, Q magazine and Mojo. They’re involved in a range of media like radio, internet, phones, TV and magazines. Though they are involved in a variety of magazine brands, I feel that this is not the company I’m seeking.

The distributer I’ve chosen is IPC Media:http://www.ipcmedia.com/

I have chosen them for their range of magazines, including NME, and their variety of ways to advertise on different platforms including websites, printing and on modern technology such as mobiles and tablets. TAP TAP magazine can merge well with this modern company as a new magazine for young music lovers.

Question 3. Media Institution

Question 4.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Question 4. The audience for your media product

My magazine will target both boys and girls between the ages of 16 to 20 years of age. The link will display my questionnaire with responses. I asked people between 16 to 20 years old relevant questions involving their thoughts of music magazines:http://charlottermpalmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/magazine-questionaire-analysis.html

The result helped me with the development so that the magazine will aim at this audience.

NME also has a similar target audience to my magazine as their audience surrounds teenagers and 20 to 21 year olds who enjoy a variety of the latest music.

Question 5.

How did you attract/address your audience?

Question 5. Attract/address your audience

MastheadThe name TAP TAP is a catchy reference to a beat or rhythm therefore it can appeal to various types of music. As for the target audience, the simplicity and memory of the name works well for older teenagers during their hectic lives. The colour black with the white boarder encourages the name to stand out, plus with the shadow effect supplies a modern lift to the masthead. Additionally with the long black lines being formed, they could be a base to add extra information on such as the URL, Slogans, season specials, designs. This gives the masthead purpose and visual interest.

ColoursMature colours of black, red and white appeared to be the end result of my questionnaire: http://charlottermpalmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/magazine-questionaire-analysis.html

Similarly to NME and Rolling Stone, the colours chosen suited my target audience for it’s clarity, contrast and uses. For a Pop and Rock magazine: black provides a dark, sinister meaning; white gives purity as well as a good base colour; and red can be used for text needing special attention plus to give a sense of romance or warning.As a theme to each issue of the magazine, another colour shall be used to give it identity and added curiosity. In this case, I used blue.

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Question 5. Attract/address your audience

Cover linesThe cover lines show persuasive phrases like ‘Exclusive’ and ‘New’. Emphasis is given to certain words through colour and size which gives another element of influence. The register is informal, to the point, quick to read and with the addition of a quote from the cover star leaves the reader interested.The language of the magazine fits with the age group being easy to understand, a down to earth tone and enjoyable to read due to some creative imagery. The attitude is encouraging and informal but not too rebellious therefore it keeps open to new Rock and Pop readers as well as regulars.

ImagesMajority of the images are of the cover star in her strong, proud and confident character. Other images taken relate to cover stories but also fit the young, striking attitude of the magazine. I made this the cover image as the way the flowers frame the face and provide the girl a ‘warrior’ impression; as if she’ll fight for her objective. The use of direct address enhances this idea of aggressing to be the best as well as connecting with the audience.

Question 6.

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

Question 6. The technologies from the process

During the process, I used various programs to construct my magazine including Paint.Net, Photoshop and Microsoft Word.Here are the strengths of each program:

Microsoft Word Photoshop Paint.Net

Easy and logical to use. A variety of ways to transform and manipulate images.

Easy to use and understand.

Able to transform and add text or images onto the document.

Able to add text, shapes and effects.

Able to change images with effects and tools.

Flexibility with changing fonts, sizes and colour.

With the use of layers, you can return to a layer and change, edit or delete it at any time.

Able to add text and add shapes.

Prevents mistakes with the use of spell check.

Additional tools such as zooming in and out, paint brushes, gradient and paint bucket.

Clear and accurate print previews.

Able to save as JPG or PSD so you can return and change the file.

Question 6. The technologies from the process

Microsoft Word Photoshop Paint.Net

Unable to save document as a JPG or image format.

Inexperienced users can find it a complicated program to use.

The effects do not appear as good a quality.

Difficult and fiddly to change image or text placements.

Can be difficult to ‘lasso’ sections of an image.

Unable to edit text after unselecting layer so it can be frustrating.

With a wide choice of effects, it is likely to over use them.

Limited choice of shapes and brush effects.

Weaknesses:

Each program had its uses in the development of my magazine, like Microsoft word was helpful to add text to the DPS and the effects on Photoshop helped me to create a professional impression to the cover.

Question 6. The technologies from the process

Drafting and PlanningDuring the assembly of my magazine, I took snap shots of features that I liked or used. This is featured as drafting and planning: http://charlottermpalmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/features-of-my-magazine.html

A variety of situations was dealt with before the cover, contents and DPS was completed. Through comparing with existing magazines and forming a layout, my magazine began to take shape. A difficulty I had to face was contrasting colours with the background ensuring that the text was still clear and readable. Additionally, to provide the effect of the cover star over lapping the masthead meant a detailed process with the ‘lasso tool’.

Question 6. The technologies from the process

Photographic choicesBefore I focused on taking photographs for my front cover, I began drafting different ways I could lay out the cover star with the cover lines, I also did this with the contents page.

By doing this allowed me the freedom to make changes without effecting the final piece and to become familiar with the cover layout.Eventually I discovered a design and reasons for the photos I selected. Little improvements were made to the photo’s such as brightness and colour adjustments.

Question 6. The technologies from the process

BloggerBlogger became a way to display the process of my magazine and an effective method to upload and search for my work. I can access my blog anytime and compared to storing and organising my work in a folder, it is a much lighter and simpler form. Additionally the freedom to post, delete and edit post is much more efficient compared to re-writing or erasing written work.

Question 7.

Looking back to your preliminary task, what do you feel that you have learnt in the progression

from it to the full product?

Question 7. Looking back to the preliminary task

PRELIMINARY TASK MAIN TASK FINAL

In the preliminary task, the cover lines do not surround the cover well and it appears very simple yet a severe layout; not a lot of freedom with the cover lines.

Question 7. Looking back to the preliminary task

PRELIMINARY TASK MAIN TASK FINAL

Considering I used 2 different programs (Microsoft word for Preliminary and Photoshop for main task), I think I’ve done well for a first attempt. But I can tell that I have improved with the layout and positioning of images in the main task which created a professional appearance.

Overall

Overall I am very happy with the final result and I think I have fulfilled the brief of making a music magazine. Through my tougher research of music magazines and with the help of coming to terms with what attracts older teenagers; I had created a Rock and Pop magazine with a unique appearance, a bold style and a brand that flows from page to page. I feel my strongest page is the contents due to the bright colours and, in particular, the photography which I feel turned out very successful.