Evaluation: The 7 Questions

To evaluate my process of my work during my music magazine, I have responded creatively to the following questions:

1) In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
- I have chosen to answer this in a podcast as voice over.

2) How does your media product represent particular social groups?
- I have chosen to answer this in a video transcript of an essay style response.

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

- I have chosen to answer this in an Xtranormal animation.

If you are struggling to understand her voice or the sound isn't working on what you are listening on here is my

Movie Dialog:

When choosing my media institution; I initially struggled to think of who could distribute my magazine, due to it's quirky approach to regular conventions. I thought about IPC Media, however it's 'traditional' brands and long running titles swayed me to Bauer Media, because they have more brands in music than IPC Media do. Although my magazine isn't the same genre as the ones it already distributes, there are similarities between them such as colour choice, layout spacing and clarity of images that shows some relevancy. The brands Bauer Media does distribute are all successful amongst my target demographic, a key note to making my magazine successful. This would make them a good choice, unlike IPC Media, who show little experience in distributing popular music brands to my type of audience.
I think by choosing Bauer Media, not only would it benefit my magazine because of how well the company does, but also because it would add to the conglomerate's integration, by showing it can expand out and reach a broader audience. At the same time it would also give my magazine it's own gap in the market.Bauer distributes brands such as mojo, kiss, Q, and Box Television. These would synergise well with artists that may be interviewed in my magazine; or my magazine might appear in one of these brands as an advertisement. It's website states thatBauer Media is a multi-platform UK-based media Group consisting of many companies collected around two main divisions – Magazines and Radio - widely recognised and rewarded as being industry innovators. This is something that would tie in well for both of us. And with over 300 magazines in 15 countries, as well as online, TV and radio stations I am confident in my decision. The fact that it is British based is important, as my magazine will be very culture based.
And the artists featuring in my magazine are likely to be from the UK. I want my magazine to keep to its roots and stay patriotic to where it started from, even if it expands across the globe. I know Bauer Media would be professional enough to distribute my magazine, because it has a wide range of successful brands that still remain current today. And that is why I choose Bauer Media. "We choose popular." 

4) Who would be the audience for your media product?
-I have chosen to answer this as an edited film/animation.

5) How did you attract/address your audience?
-I have chosen to answer this as a deconstruction. (The images might be small as the text can be hard to read  so please make this full screen and if the music is annoying then feel free to mute it)

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

-I have chosen to answer this as a SWOT analysis using a template I edited.

7) Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
-I have chosen to answer this as a piece to camera video.

All seven question are to evaluate and deconstruct my final piece and the lead up. All the questions are answered in my own words and are presented as differently as possible. I have analysed my product and criticized and complimented all points possible.

I have evaluated and answered all questions with full honesty.

Research & Planning/Design Work: Checklist

I created a prezi with my reasoning's behind my decisions when completing the checklist of requirement's:

Design Work: The Final Designs

Here are my final three pieces, my cover, contents page and double page spread. I have tried to show my creativity through how I have combined music with photography, fashion, vintage and artistic edge to create a unique style of magazine. I wanted to use classic conventions in a modern way and create something that was dramatic, understated and brand new. I think my pieces show my view quire well and display how I wanted to convey current indie artists for today's culture and put my own stamp of magazine genre conventions.

Here is my final cover design I composed on Adobe Photoshop CS6. This was my step by step process: 

1) I started with adapting my first idea using the masthead and then picked my picture and got it to fit, I did this by weaving the magazine title behind his hat and over his body to make it look my styled and artistic. I was really pleased with how it came out as I think it looks more interesting than if it was just one or the other. I don't think I've ever seen this done before so I think it makes mine more original than magazine's around at the moment.

2) I airbrushed the picture of any blemishes that could be distracting (my friend Kiera had bruises all over her legs and dark circles under her eyes), this didn't take long as I used a professional high quality studio camera and lighting equipment to take my photographs. This also meant I didn't have to edit the photo in any other way, this is just naturally how it looks.

3) I added my main cover line in the center and edited the font, size and centering etc. This was easy to do as I only had to use the text tool.

4) I then used my previous cover as inspiration for my cover lines. I used the type tool to create individual text layers for each cover line. And then using the rectangle tool create the black labels for them to go on to create my vintage record look. This took the most time as it was all about aligning them correctly, getting the spacing exact and fitting the text within the frames. I also had to re-position the layers so the text could be seen over the top.

5) I then added final details that you would find on a real magazine such as the bar code which I made in a bar code generator then saved as an image and placed it onto the magazine cover. I added the dateline with the issue number underneath to fulfill the conventions of a real magazine.

6) I altered and touched up any bits that I thought needed to be changed, only minor things and then screen grabbed the page to show the tools I used to complete this cover. 

Here is my final contents page design I composed using Adobe Photoshop CS6. This was my step by step process:

1) I started by creating the double page and placing my main image on the right page. I chose this image as I wanted a strong plug to go alongside the image. 

2) I then added the title 'contents' in the same style as my mast head on my front cover. The reason I chose to have it going down the side again in the same font, size and colour is to keep the continuity of my design and show my magazine keeps to a style like a conventional magazine. I then made sure that like my image overlapped and had the same layering effect as the cover, so I then spent some time making sure the hair wasn't covered by the title. 

3) I then worked on the text and what I wanted the contents to say. Using the text tool I formed the paragraphs that would be in every issue. I started with the 'FEATURES' (which are on my cover) to show that I had thought about my contents and that I was linking the cover lines to what's inside. I then moved onto 'REGULARS' which fulfill the conventional articles that would be in an indie magazine to show my understanding of the genre and how I can relate that to my magazine.

4) I then made sure that my fonts matched the cover and showed a link. I edited the sizing and positioning to make sure it looked even and neat to show a sense of professionalism. I also added the black rectangles around the two headings to make them stand out and fit the chosen style I used for my front cover. I aligned them so they would evenly match and then changed the font colour to make it stand out and look more visually appealing. I used the same sky blue as I did on my front colour to show a link with the issues main star and how her article fitted into the magazine. It showed the consistency of my layout and design as well as looking better from an audience perspective. 

5) I then added my smaller images along the top that I took during my planned photo shoot. I added the left image first as it fitted best with my text layout and looked most like the style of my double page contents design. I chose this one because the posing reminded me most of a musician of an indie band, it was like a font man's sort of stance. The picture on the right took a lot more work and effort because of the size it needed to fit and the style it had to match. Because I had so many photographs to choose from I struggled to decide quickly on which one I thought would look best for my contents page. I decided on this one because of the natural look she had and how soft it was facially. I think it really went with the design scheme and although I changed my mind a few times I'm happy with my final choice.

6) I added the social media element in the bottom right hand corner to show target audience and how my magazine would reach it's readers and how I have thought of other media devices to interlink with my media product. I used the same opacity, colour and font type as my masthead and contents title to show cohesion and the then added the page number in the same style to form a sense of unison within my layout.

7) I then added a quote from my main star on her photograph under her picture to act as plug/caption for her feature in the magazine and show I was able to follow professional magazine conventions. I used the sky blue font again against the black boxes so it showed a link to her cover line on the front cover and also linked the colour scheme to her being the main star of the issue. I was really pleased with my cohesion, I think I made it look interesting but keeping the continuos design idea that is shown on my cover, contents page and DPS.

Here is my final design for my double page spread I composed using Adobe Photoshop CS6. This was my step by step process:
1) I started by creating my double page and making sure I the right dimensions of two pages. I then added the size of my text column I wanted for the article introduction before the interview (the interview would be over the page) to make sure it looked in proportion for the text to be placed.
2) I then decided on the first images I wanted to use for my collage inspired idea and placed the first 4 pictures and sized them accordingly. I couldn't decide on what photographs I wanted to use to fill it in a finish it off so I started writing my text so I had an 'angle' for how the stars would be represented so I could match my pictures accordingly.
3) I started with the article/interview title and underneath the heading gave it a sub heading to give some intel into what the rest of the text is about. I also included a by line for the words and photographs (taken by me) and the 'website address' to show a digital link between the reader and the magazine. I then continued with the text and wrote a brief bio/into article to the interview (which would be on the next page) about them and what they have done to make them the subject of my DPS.
4) I then added the rest of my images and edited the colours of some of them to make sure that the page wasn't all grey and didn't come across to boring and plain. I liked the choices I made because I think it went well colour scheme having the light almost pastel colours. It gave the strong photographs a softer and more gentle look.
5) Once all my images were done I could start to tweak there positions, size and ordering. I changed my mind many times but I am pleased with the results of my DPS above.
6) I finished off with the page number and a brief caption that linked to my social media element/interactive slant by putting a plug to the following site addresses for behind the scenes footage of the photo shoot, as I felt this would be something my readers would be interested in as proper fans of the artists. I wanted to keep an element of conventional magazines with this, as using this draw in method has been used in lots of modern music magazines. I wanted to show I could understand and interpret the way in which magazines are designed by creating my own version of this.
7) A few final touches later I had successfully completed my front cover, contents page and DPS.

Design Work: Using Photoshop (The Process)

When designing my front cover I had the idea of simplicity and clarity. Easy to read fonts, evenly spaced and a well captured front cover image to stand out and sell my magazine.

 Sadly, my chosen font and fun animations and transitions have not been recognised by the software so cannot be shown. My font however was carbonated gothic.

The transcript for each slide can be found on my slideshare profile if you click on the link. 

Design Work: My Chosen Images

These are the final images I chose to be in my magazine. I chose these images because I felt they fitted the classy and stylish consistency of my magazine. The models look like real artists and not people posing for me.
The costumes I chose because of the genre of music being indie I needed to reflect this through my images.

• The first shot I used was a two shot for my front cover, I chose this because I feel it looked artistically composed with harsh lighting to give the deep intelligent meaning to the artists. The mise-en-scene I styled to look like a music video or stage set up with the equipment and wires casually lying about. I shot it in black and white because when I evaluated my student magazine that was something I looked at and compared it to the quirky take 'COMPANY' magazine had on an online digicopy. The use of a bowler hat for my male artist gave him that individuality that is seen within the indie genre, I tried to contrast this with a simple T-Shirt as I didn't want something over crowding and distracting on the front of my magazine to make it look amateur or out of place.
• The main image I used for the contents page was a strong pose. The close up side profile was striking to look at meanwhile the dangling hair looked soft and feminine, something I didn't want to lose. I gave her a white top to wear which fulfilled the conventions of a professional magazine by having different outfits for different appearances in the magazine. This made it look more thought out and planned, and showed my efforts. It also gave her a different look to the bold and dark front cover image we saw. Having her in white added a certain innocence.
• I used my idea of having the set like mise-en-scene in the background for my image on the contents page featuring my male cover star. Without the hat looked more natural and the pose was very relaxed, this showed how I wanted my artist to be seen and presented. I think it meets the expectations of an indie/acoustic fan's personality being quite chilled and happy in their environment.
• I liked the softness of my female artist that was there for my left hand page, so I wanted to reuse that when I placed her image next to my male artist. Using the black from before so they co-ordinated side by side, the close up of her face displayed her soft expression and girlish charm.
• For the DPS I didn't want it to all seem too serious as that wouldn't have captured the spirit of my young target audience and keeping them in mind I used a fun shot to connect to them. The way her hair spun round adds a lot of life to her look and it shows my creativity as a photographer. I think it embody's the youthful appeal I wanted to sustain and keeps to the quirky look of my indie genre.
• I used a second two shot in a medium close up to show their relationship being connected by music. It displays both their faces well and gives a moody/straight attitude that they would have for their writing. I think it projects them as established artists and gives the photograph a sense of professionalism. The co-ordinated black outfits shows the thought behind it and not randomly strung together.
• Again using the set like mise-en-scene I posed my female artist on an upturned box to create a platform, showing she is a high achiever through physical leveling. I really like how bold and in control she looks, the delicate placing of her leg doesn't shy away from her representation on the contents page but doesn't present her as a silly little girl. I think it gives off a head strong impression readers would assume to see from an indie musician.
• I wanted to display her unique outfit more and take the fashion side of it as part of the shot focus. Her individual choice of dungaree styled pinafore dress was something that clearly fulfilled the indie and individual aspect of the genre and representation of artists. Using the box again as a prop really makes her stand out in the shot and shows I am not afraid to use props and set to aid the visual appeal of my photographs. It's the type of idea that would be expected in a real magazine and using this wooden box meant that I could recreate the contents page image to show her link and that it was her in the front of the magazine. It reaffirms her soft sweet edge popular with female musicians.
• I really liked the two shots and in a conventional magazine with lots of imagery you get similar shots that have subtle differences to show it was a full working photo shoot. This gives my DPS collage a more professional edge because it's almost like it's off a proof sheet or photo reel. I really like the way the lighting captures the expressions and creates shadows on their faces. The low key lighting and center framing captures the dark and light effortlessly.
• The close up styled shot of my male artist posing with the bowler hat uses a prop to show his style and keep the British feel I wanted the magazine to have. I think this higher key lighting works well for the closer shots of the face and this one clearly displays how the shadows draw you into his bone structure. Having him look away gives him a shy quality that connotates to 'indie boys' and makes it less daunting or intimidating for the reader.
• For this medium close up I used a horizontal shot rather than a vertical like previously and gives a more spaced out feel. Having my female artist look down the camera lens gives her control, and my male looking at her reaffirms she's the main star of the magazine. It also reinstates his soft representation as shown in the previous image. The lighting picks up their cheekbones and catches their hair in a way that makes the photograph seem as thought it could be in a conventional magazine.
• I finally used a softer shot for my female artist to avoid confusion of her being dominating and in demand. I had her look down and seem thoughtful to show a sense of reflection that she would have in her work (her music) and how she feels as a person. This connects to how the female readers will be feeling as the age they are and shows she is on the same level as them, giving her a likability factor needed to sell magazines and her music. By doing this I have shown I am able to relate to my readers feelings and aspects of their life that they would seek some kind of similarity or resemblance from those they admire or aspire to. This connection makes sure I met the conventions of the genre and shown my artists in a way the media stereotypes them in society as hard working and philosophical of themselves and the aspects that surround their lives. 

Overall I used a total of 12 photos to give a variety and show my ambition with this project. Having a range of shots too choose from gave my more time to experiment and create a collection of beautiful images that meet the requirements for my target audience. I think I successfully managed to obtain a series of images that meet the brief's needs.

Additional Photos: Dom

Although I have taken over 800 photographs for my magazine using a professional camera and studio, I felt I needed some more down to earth a natural shots of a male indie musician. Going off of looks and style I chose my friend Dom to pose for me. I was going for a more urban, real life, street kinda theme, however the mise-en-scene of the photographs location didn't work for me as well as I wanted it too. I was disappointed with the outcomes of my shots as I don't feel I did enough to make them look interesting or current. I think I posed them too 'boring' and although I planned to have them looking quite static and plain, my vision hasn't come through in these shots here. Another issue was due to the poorer quality of camera, touch ups and editing was far more difficult to do and looked very fake and unrealistic to the conventions of a magazine. 

My Photography - The Full Shoot

For my magazine shoot I used my friend Kiera as my model. I chose her because she has the 'look' that I was after for the indie/acoustic genre with her long hair, simple makeup and skinny frame. She's skinny which in the photographs came across as really artist and looked how I wanted it. I chose her outfits, hair styling (I did want to use a heavy plum/dark lipstick to make her ice blue eyes stand out. However Kiera would have had an allergic reaction to the makeup so because of health and safety I decided it wasn't worth it) poses, set, lighting - everything. I did want my male model's T-shirt to be tight fitting however we picked up the wrong T-shirt and it was too late to go back and get the one I wanted. 

These photographs have not been edited or changed, the lighting and effects you see are what was captured on the day. Some parts may be slightly cropped out because of the software I used to upload them with, not because I cannot frame my photographs correctly. Anything that looks obscure like it is missing a section is the programmer not myself as a photographer.

There has been no post production work, the photos are of the highest quality possible to take photographs with, however the edited video (sorry about the length of it) means that the HQ of them might not be as good as if I had individually shown them on my blog.

I used a professional studio and a camera worth £2,780 to take my shots, the set and tripod were all at the studio. 

This was Kiera's first proper shoot so I had to give a lot of direction. The shoot took roughly 3 hours to do and I took around 700 photographs. The only ones I haven't uploaded are those where she blinked in the shot so her eyes are odd.