My magazine
uses many of the typical conventions that are also used in a real magazine.
From looking at the case studies I had done previously, I learned that
magazines typically had a large masthead on the front cover to help people to
identify the brand of the magazine and make it more recognisable to readers by
catching their eye. So I applied this to my own magazine to fit the conventions
of a real magazine- making my magazine eye-catching. Other than the masthead,
the other conventions I learned from my case studies were that in each
magazine, there would be a main cover line. Usually the cover lines would all
be written in the same size so that the main cover line would stand out in
comparison as it was written in bigger font. The main cover lines would also be
controversial lines, talking about subjects people would really want to know
about. Again, I added this to my magazine to gain more attraction to my
magazine. The other conventions I saw that I included were the bar code,
sticking to one colour scheme, the date, issue, price and including some of the
artists that the magazine would be about on the front cover.
For the
contents, I also found out from my case study that again, the main thing that
would stand out again was the masthead. I included the masthead ‘Contents’, this helps people to know what the
page is about. In the contents I also included the headers 'Features' and 'Regulars' I had made them a bigger size compared to the rest of the writing on this page to make the contents easier to look for depending on what the audience wants. I have also used Page Numbers and Sub-Headings on the same line to give the reader a brief on what content to expect on this page. Underneath this I have included a short description explaining more information about that page however being very brief and not giving much away. In my contents page I also included two large images of the main contents of my magazine. They are both exclusive which gives the reader an incentive to read the magazine - as they would not be able to find these interviews anywhere else. The pictures included were relevant to
what the magazine was about for example 50 Cent and Soulja Boy were on the
contents cover of the XXL magazine – they were talked about on the DPS. I had
also used these conventions for the contents; I I included a picture of who I was
talking about in my DPS, making the page relevant.
From the DPS
case studies I done, I saw that in both the magazines I had analysed – they
were written from a Q/A Journalism. I used Q/A Journalism I liked this style as it gave the sense of realism and my readers would be able to know the real thoughts of the interviewee which attracts readers that want to know more about them. I also used the name of the artist and made it very large to add importance and power as his name alone covers a lot of the magazine. I also used a professionally taken image - this picture was taken in the studio and I have covered the whole left page with this picture. Again this shows power and I have used the angle to make it look like he is staring at the reader to make them feel his power. I have also used a pull quote that was taken from the Q/A Journalism - this underlines a key point in the magazine and shows the determination of the rapper which could be motivating to other people. The logo of the magazine included on the top right of the article - this is to show it is an exclusive interview and other magazines would not be able to use this article.
Overall, my
magazine has followed these magazine conventions as I had included many of the
conventions of a real magazine by looking at real magazines and applying them
to my own magazine.
2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
The genre of
my magazine was rap – so my magazine was targeted at people who are interested
in rap. I had tried my best to make sure that my magazine was suitable for this
genre. To do this, I started with the cover star. I told my cover star to dress
in a way that would make him appeal to people that were to look at this
magazine. The outfit he is wearing suits the genre as it is a typical outfit
a rapper would wear. He is wearing a gilet over a knitwear jumper, these contrast and suit each other very well to show that this magazine does not only include rap contents but also about fashion. He has also unzipped his gilet and left it out to make it seem as if he does not care. He also has a serious pose which appeals to the audience
as rappers usually seem serious and from my case studies – this was the case.
My cover
star is also a young adult which is the average age group for people that
listen to rap – this would make people of this age group feel like this
magazine is the one for them as we have the same views and interests.
I have also
used language that would be suitable to the audience, especially using a word
that has been blocked out with asterisks but is still understandable to the
audience as they would be used to this type of language – again this would
appeal to them because it makes an interesting cover line. The contents and features included in the magazine are also aimed at this social group as they include many of the modern day ‘big’ rappers, people would be attracted to this as they would be able to read articles on their favourite rappers.
Looking at my case studies I could tell that the stereotypes of rap were that it is often represented by the use of black males. I have challenged this stereotype as I have used an Asian male instead. I've tried to include content about rappers from many different backgrounds throughout my magazine to appeal to all audiences. Another stereotype I found is that the cover models in rap usually have serious faces and act 'hard'. I have kept this in my magazine as I think that's what people would see at first glance and would immediately be able to identify that the genre of the magazine is rap.
They also a
variety of ways to distribute their contents to the consumer e.g. print,
online, mobile, tablets and events. This increases the markets the magazine
would appeal to; also making it more convenient for some people and would help
to maximise revenue for the magazine and spread the name of the magazine
around.
4.
Who would be the audience for your
media product?
Another way that I attracted my audience was by using an appropriate cover model. The picture is large and covers most of the space on the page, this helps to catch the readers eye at first glance and interest them. Also, the way the cover model dresses fits the stereotype of a typical 'rapper' look which would help to make people be more attracted to the magazine as it helps to empathise the 'rap' feel.
Adobe Photoshop:
I used Adobe Photoshop to create the Front Cover of my magazine and to finalise my Contents Page. This allowed me to be creative with my front cover. I found it useful to add pictures, of which I had taken in the studio to great effect. I was able to rub out some bits of my model to give him a 'smoother' effect and was able to size the picture to make it big and recognisable whilst also filling the front cover. I also used PhotoShop to add text using the text box. This allowed me to create mastheads and resize them, I also found a font I liked on PhotoShop which I used consistently throughout my magazine. I was also able to layer using this program so that I could layer my text in before my background picture so they could be seen. I also found it useful for removing backgrounds using the 'Magic Wand Tool' which I found very useful when trying to give my magazines the effects I wanted.
Adobe InDesign:
I used Adobe InDesign to create the Double Page Spread. InDesign was the perfect program to create this Double Page Spread. It allowed me to place 2 A4 papers together to give the Double Page effect. I used InDesign to add a picture, again; of which I had taken in the studio. InDesign allowed me to resize the photo perfectly to cover on side of the A4 which gave the Double Page Spread an authentic look. In InDesign I was also able to create columns for my question/answer type DPS which allowed me to lay out my DPS to make it look professional. InDesign also gave me a variety of different fonts to use and like photoshop, allowed me to layer which I had found useful for adding text in front of the A4 picture.
Adobe Illustrator:
I used Adobe Illustrator to begin making my Contents Page. I found Illustrator useful for adding pictures and creating a good layout for my magazine. I was able to create a good feel to my Contents Page using Illustrator by using my colour scheme to great effect. I used text boxes and coloured it black with white writing to make the text see through. I also used it to place my text on my Contents as I found it very useful for that.
However I felt it was difficult to include pictures on Adobe Illustrator as I could not remove the backgrounds of my pictures on Illustrator. I had to save my contents page as JPEG and convert to using Photoshop to finalise my Contents Page because of this.
Other types of technology I have learned how to use while construction my product are:
- Photo Studio: I used the Photo Studio in Leyton Sixth Form College. I had to fill out my call sheet and make an appointment to arrange a time. Here I learned with my cover models how to take different kind of shots, close up, medium close up, full body shots to create different effects. We also learned how to manipulate lighting for different effects and learned how to use a DSLR camera.
- SurveyMonkey (www.surveymonkey.co.uk): I used Survey Monkey to gather audience feedback on my work. I was able to ask questions and they would respond written, or in option form. I found it very useful as I could view all the feedback on one page and look at the statistics of my audience.
- Blogger (www.blogger.com): I used blogger as my blog. I found it very easy to use and it was a very good way of presenting my work. I was able to do many things on blogger. I could edit my posts whenever I wanted to, edit the date and time and work to my own leisure at home; it was very convenient. It also helped me to keep track of my work - it also allowed other people to check my work and give me feedback.
- Prezi (www.prezi.com): I used prezi to present my proposal. I found that using Prezi was a very good way to summarise my work and make it more interactive for the watchers - also making my presentation more fun to watch. It also gave me a variety of layouts and styles to use which I found good.
7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Throughout this task, not only have I learned how to use many programs, I developed a lot of skills along the way. From looking back at my college magazine you can see there is a clear difference in skill and knowledge on how to create the 'perfect' magazine. I realised a lot of effort goes into how to make the magazine stand out, conventions such as masthead, cover lines, cover stars all have to be thoroughly thought out. However from the case studies I had done and with some guidance I was able to produce my magazine just how I wanted it to be using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator. I feel like this task has been very successful in teaching me how to create a magazine and is a skill I would be able to use in the future. Looking through my blog you can definitely see the progression and the clear difference in skill from start - to finish.
