Question 1

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

I answered this question in the form of a Youtube video which can be viewed below: 

Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I made this mindmap on MindView 3.0, below is a screenshot of my map and I will zoom in on the sections so they are legible.

Question 3

What kind of media institution would distribute your magazine and why?

I did this question in Powerpoint format and then screenshotted each slide to place on my blog, I have the original powerpoint saved.

Question 4

Who would be the audience for your media product?

Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

I addressed my audience mainly through my focus group, but also talking to my friends and family who were also part of my target audience and just casually discussing the topic of the magazine and seeing their responses.

On my front cover, I presented my fictional duo, CD, as upcoming artists. During our focus group, this is what everyone was keen to see, so I made sure to this when I created my magazine.

These are the colours that people felt that suited an R&B magazine, and the colours they expected to see on one. I used gold throughout my magazine in response to this.

I made the price of the magazine £1.50 even though the people I asked said max. £1.20, this is because further on they said "it would actually depend upon a variety of factors" such as free gifts. Following this, I included a promise of free Itunes downloads and also discount codes, for clothing and game sites. I didn't want to increase the price of the magazine too drastically, but I felt 30p was an adequate and fair price to increase too, given the freebies and discounts I had added. 

My focus group, also said that interviews on the double page spread were very important, so I took this into consideration and did an interview. 

The group were confident on the idea that there should only be one main image, so as to not create clutter. They also stated this image should be of the artist featuring in the magazine. When creating my magazine, I reflected their opinions by only including one image of the duo CD, who also had a main feature in the form of an interview.

In conclude, to attract my audience, I incorporated the various things they asked for/ expected to see on a typical R&B magazine. The people in my focus group, were people who would be in my target market, so the feedback they gave me was relevant and I took on board a lot of it and used it when creating my magazine. 

Question 6

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

My response to this question, is in the form of a Prezi. The link is below:

chttp://prezi.com/drpp8royaq0e/what-have-you-learnt-from-technologies-from-the-process-of-c/

Question 7

Looking back at your preliminary task, what have you learned from it in the progression to the final product?

On the left is my school magazine front cover for my prelim. task and on the right is my finished music magazine front cover. To start with, I learned how to flatten images onto layers and the importance of doing this. On the prelim. front cover, I didn't flatten the masthead to the main layer so it appears raised and not completely part of the magazine. Also flattening the image, reduces the chances of someone opening my work and changing it so it keeps it safe. I flattened the masthead on the music magazine and you can see it looks better. 

When making the music magazine I also found the importance of using high quality images. For the prelim magazine, I used the camera on my phone which didn't provide as good quality photos as the DSLR I used for the music magazine. When editing on Photoshop, I couldn't manipulate the prelim. magazine image as much as the music magazine, because it would lose quality and the image would be blurry. 

I also learnt how the use of different colours and the arrangement of the colours and texts on the page affected the overall look of the magazine. On the prelim. magazine, the text is harder to read, for example the masthead is in red which clashes with the image as a lot of books are also red. The image I chose for the cover also meant I had to reorganize the text, because it was very difficult to read against the image. On the music magazine however, I figured I could change the colour of the text to black or white where it would be difficult to read and chose an image that allowed me enough space to add text wherever I wanted. 

On my music magazine I also learnt that adding features such as a bar code and QR code make the magazine resemble an actual magazine.

By completing my prelim. task I also found out the quick keys to performing certain tasks which made the construction of my main task a lot easier and quicker. For example, I now know I can use Command+t to free transform an image, as opposed to going to the Edit tab and scrolling down to find it. 

By the time I produced my main task, I had now researched more magazines so I was aware of the conventions of contents page. Using this knowledge I was able to make my music magazine appear much more professional. When I was constructing the contents page I had limited understanding of Photoshop, so I did not manipulate the image much, aside from just choosing pre-selected effects. However, when doing my contents page for the music magazine, I could now with ease, do more complicated image manipulation such as using the marquee tool to select specific sections and darken them as opposed to the entire image, this is what I did to darken the image of my model to create an almost silhouette. 

Although I didn't create a contents page for my DPS, I was able to apply the skills I had learned from my prelim. task to create it. Again, I understood the importance of little details, such as page numbers and how they helped to make the magazine look like a real copy.
To conclude, I feel my prelim. finished product was awful and very tacky. However, I feel this enabled me to develop my skills and show a degree of progression to my main task. Had my prelim. magazine been very good, it would have been difficult for me to comment and there would be little space to show improvement. At first, I saw the prelim. task as a waste of time, but now I see it was very important and had I not completed it, I feel my main task would have looked a lot worse. 

Finished Products

Construction of Contents Page

1) I took the photo from the front cover and enlarged so only half of Marzi's body could be seen.

2) Using the Rectangle Marquee tool, I created a rectangle and filled it with the foreground colour of the image I previously pasted to create an even background. I then used the Blur tool, to remove the harsh line that could be seen from where the sides of the rectangle were. 

3) Next I darkened the image of Marzi's body. This was to create mystery, as to who it was which would be revealed on the DPS interview. Then I added text and changed the colour of the text as it overlapped the image so it was still readable. I used this same technique on my front cover, this helps to show a correlation between the cover and my contents page. 

4) I then cut out sections of the masthead again like I did on the front cover. Next, I added text down the right hand side, using gold as the accent colour as I did on the cover.

Construction of Double Page Spread

1) Firstly, I made the page A3 size and made a line down the centre using the Paint Brush Tool. Then, I used the Clone Stamp Tool to clone the background of my single image of my model to fill the rest of the A4 side. I used to feathered brush, so that no harsh lines would appear.









2) Next I added Marzi's part of the interview by copying and pasting it, then editing it so it could follow the outline of her body. I again cut out sections of the word 'CD' so it followed the pattern of the title.

3) Then I scaled down the photo of Fatou and used the Clone Stamp tool again to fill the background. Next, I copied and pasted her interview from my blog and changed the colour scheme to match Marzi's.

4) Finally I re-sized the text to fit around Fatou's body and added another quote from her interview to fill the space at the bottom of the page. I also changed the colour of her earrings from green to gold to match her necklace and the colour scheme of the magazine. 

Writing Copy for DPS

For my DPS, I'll be doing an interview with both the artists:

1st Interview with Marzi

Interviewer: Hey Marzi, thanks for joining us today! We're really excited to have you with us!

Marzi: Thank you so much for having me, this is our first really big interview so I'm kinda nervous haha

Interviewer: Aww, don't be! So let's start, when did you first get into to music?

Marzi: Umm, I've always been really musical since I was little, so it just felt really natural to be honest

Interview: That's great, so did you always want to be in a group?

Marzi: Well starting CD was my first real go at music, I met Fats in year 7 and we both enjoyed singing and just started recording stuff I guess

Interviewer: And who are the artists that inspire you or any stuff you're loving at the moment?

Marzi: I think we're greatly inspired by the old school R&B like TLC, Destiny's Child and Aaliyah, but like at the moment, artists like Beyoncé and even strong women like Nicki (Minaj) who are really rocking the industry.

Interviewer: Nice, I know you guys have just started out, so in the future what artist do you hope to become as big as?

Marzi: Wow, that's such a good question! But like I said before, with our vibe and style, I like to think we could become a modern day Destiny's Child, but that's way in the future haha

Interviewer: I like your ambition hun! Okay so as great as your music is, I want to find out more about you

Marzi: Sure

Interviewer: So other than music, what else do you like to do in your spare time?

Marzi: Umm, I actually love reading, I read a lot, but sometimes it's hard to find a spare minute to grab my book but I try haha

Interviewer: Reading, yeah? Any genre in particular? 

Marzi: I tend to reach for the crime books, they're so interesting! haha

Interviewer: Okay, if you could choose to be in any other career what would it be?

Marzi: Hmm, probably a forensic scientist, it seems really cool haha

Interviewer: I'm beginning to think you're leading a double life, first crime books and now forensic science...

Marzi: (laughs) I know right I'll quit my day job shall I?

Interviewer: Oh no, don't! And last question for you, what's your full name?

Marzi: My full name is Maryam, but I've been called Marzi since I was younger and it just stuck I suppose. I think Marzi is sweet and fun, but Maryam has more of a sophisticated, mature tone to it, so whatever fits at the moment really (laughing)

Interviewer: Aww Marzi, time's up now! It's been so nice having you, I'm so excited to see what you guys have to offer and hopefully we might catch you on an episode of CSI in the near future eh?

Marzi: (laughs) Bye!

2nd Interview with Fatou

Interviewer: Thanks for being so patient Fatou 

Fatou: It's fine, I've just been admiring the studio it's so cool!

Interviewer: Yes it is quite isn't it? But we're here to talk about you Fats, not the room decor. 

Fatou: Oh yeah sorry!

Interviewer: So music wise, who or what inspires you?

Fatou: Everything.

Interviewer: Everything?

Fatou: Yup, like I draw inspiration from everything surrounding me. Music wise, I like variety, but I can't stray from my love of Afro-Beats, you know with Wiz Kid and D'banj throwing in some good tunes.

Interviewer: Ooh! Love me some good Afro-Beats. So I asked Marzi earlier if she'd always wanted to be in a group and she said "Nope, never" comments?

Fatou: Ouch! Haha, I hope she was joking

Interviewer: I just made that up, I was hoping for a catty reaction, but you're just too nice, such a shame. But seriously?

Fatou: Yeah being in a group is great, kinda like being with your best friend 24/7, doing something you love the most and both share, it's a great feeling.

Interviewer: So where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Fatou: (thinking) Ooh I don't know, hopefully selling out the O2 and Times Square? Nah, that's a big dream, realistically just having our music reach more people would really be something

Interview: You guys are so cute and modest! With that grounded mindset I'm sure you'll make it! 

Fatou: Aww thanks!

Interviewer: And when you're not working what other interests do you have?

Fatou: I'm really big on fashion, I love experimenting with different prints and incorporating different cultures into what I wear. 

Interviewer: Would you say yours and Marzi's styles are different?

Fatou: Yes, definitely, Marzi is more grungy and edgier with her style. But I think it's good because it would get boring if we had the exact same style.

Interviewer: What have your family and friends said about all of your success so far?

Fatou: Omg, they are really proud! My mum can't stop crying, whenever anything to do with us comes up on the TV she just starts screaming. 

Interviewer: Aww, I can imagine, and what about your friends back at home, what are they like?

Fatou: They get really excited too, I can't help thinking they're waiting for me to change, like blowup or something, but I'm still the same girl I was before anyone knew my name!

Interviewer: Do you have a plan B career, or something you would have done if you hadn't got into music?

Fatou: Umm, I did always want to be a doctor or any other job that was about helping people

Interviewer: So a beautiful voice, face and caring, perfect combo!

Fatou: Aww thankyou, you're making me blush!

Interviewer: And before you run off Fats, when does the debut album come out?

Fatou: March 4th, so make sure you grab it, it's amazing!

Construction of Front Cover

1) I cropped the front cover image, as I did not like the floor pattern and on R&B front covers there is rarely a full body shot. 

2) I then brightened the image by 42%, as I thought it looked quite dull and it also improves the lighting 















3) Using the Clone Stamp tool, I cloned a section of Marzi's hair and stamped it in the areas where gaps could be seen in her hair. This made her hair look fuller, which enhanced the image. 

4) I then added the title "PULSE",  but at this stage, I realized the magazine cover wasn't actually A4 size so I had to re size it (see step 5 below)

5) After re sizing the canvas, I then enlarged the main image itself, as when I looked back on the R&B covers that I had analysed, I saw the majority of the front cover shots were either mid shots or close ups. 

I then began adding text to my cover and on the parts of the image that were black I used white and vice versa on the lighter areas. I chose the colour gold as my accent colour as I feel it complimented the models skin tone and jewelry and also the warm tones of the magazine. On the masthead, I used the block eraser tool, to rub away sections of the title, I feel it added some edginess to the magazine that was missing. 

Mock Ups

FRONT COVER

There will be one main image of my fictional R&B duo that will cover the entire front cover, so all the text will be on top of this image. In each"TEXT" box, I will write something that relates to what my magazine has to offer. The "HEADLINE" box will contain information about my duo, so something along the lines of "Exclusive interview with_______" . My masthead will be in a large and bold font, as this seems to be a trend among the R&B magazines I have researched. 

DPS

For my DPS, I have decided to do an interview. As my artists are a duo, I want to a mini interview on each page, so during my photo shoot, I took individual shots of both models for this purpose. So on each page there will be an image of each girl that covers the entire page with text on top of it. 

CONTENTS PAGE

For my contents page i will have a column of the page numbers and a very brief summary of what will be on that page. I will have one main image that covers the whole page, this may not be an actual image, I may use a section of the background from the front cover and just blow it up to cover the contents page. 

Photos

 For my magazine I got two of my friends to pretend to be an upcoming R&B girl group. when researching R&B front covers, the main image was usually of the featured artist and the background was plain and studio like. Of course, finding a studio would have been expensive, so I opted to find a plain wall which I could later manipulate in Photoshop. These shots were taken in Jacob's Walk in Reading Town as I decided the white walls and the illuminated lighting from the lifts opposite would proved a nice setting for the look I was going for with my photos. 

I told my friends/models to wear all black, as black connotes mystery, and as they are an upcoming duo, not many people know of them yet, but this issue is the issue where they "come out" through their interview and feature in the magazine.