Base Magazine Double Page Spread:

Question 7: Evaluation

Q7. Looking back at the preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to a full product?

Since creating my school magazine for the preliminary task, my knowledge using Photoshop has increased considerably from my previous experience, my school magazine for the preliminary task, my knowledge using Photoshop has increased considerably from my previous experience, which was fairly decent. For example, I now know how to make elements of my magazine stand out visually by applying drop shadows and outer glows, which I was not too established with. In addition to this, I learnt how to select parts of photos using the quick selection tool in order to cut things out cleanly and sharply. An example of this would be the central figure himself on the front cover which gives the magazine a more dynamic, 3D appearance than my school magazine front cover. I have also learnt how to download newer and more interesting fonts from the website Dafont.com, increasing the visual appeal of my magazine. As well as this, the complexity of my pages layout has increased as I have learned how to use layers in Photoshop much more effectively. Furthermore, I have also learned how to use Blogger effectively by the practice I had doing my preliminary, which has enabled me to use the programme more effectively.

Furthermore, drafting my page layout and design atleast once enabled me to have a template when creating the real product on Photoshop. It helped in terms of column positioning, text positioning and even image position.

Overall, my understanding of the software has improved greatly throughout this project because at the start, my knowledge was not professional, and now I have produced a professional looking magazine using it.

Question 6: Evaluation

Q6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

This is the Dell inspiron laptop I used to create my magazine on. I did use the school Apple Mac computers during lesson times, but the majority of my work was done on this laptop to hopefully great effect. I found using this laptop more effective as it was simpler to transport around with me in comparison to a computer, so I could do my work in various locations.

I also used aUSB memory stick to transfer the work that I had done on the Apple Mac computer to my Dell inspiron laptop. This was beneficial, as I was able to do the work done in class at home, ever finishing it off or improving on it. I did have some trouble; however, as I had lost my first USB stick which contained my initial front cover. I should have prevented this by backing up my work, either on another computer, or on another memory stick if possible.

When taking the pictures used for my music magazine, I used a Canon camera. The camera had a wide range of lens sizes, lens zoom and shutter speeds which enabled me to take a variety of different camera shots, angles and views. The camera also contained a memory card, which was easily placed into the back of the laptop and assess the images via the desktop.I learnt how to use “Adobe Photoshop CS5” by creating my magazine and editing my photos during the preliminary task. In terms of using Photoshop, I found it reasonable simple as I have great experience using it for other subjects, as well as having the software on my laptop at home. I found using Photoshop highly beneficial, as it is again a software which I had vast experience using, so I could therefore use various tools and application on the programme to great effect.

Furthermore, I created a blog account using “Blogger” to post all of my research and planning for the preliminary and main task activities, as well as my final magazine and evaluation. Using Blogger, I found it primarily a success, as this enabled my work to look more visually attractive and aspects such as losing quality when printing your work was not an issue using this application. However, I found that using Blogger would not enable me to layout my text and images effectively, as well as the restriction of the template designs available which may have made my blog more visually creative. Overall, I have learnt a lot about technology on a whole throughout this project; before creating my magazine I had never used Blogger, an Apple Mac and even a Canon camera. In addition to this, I had never used Photoshop to create a music magazine, however I now feel confident in using the programme for other creative measures.

Question 5: Evaluation

Q5. How did you attract/address your audience?

I used a variety of techniques to try and attempt to address my target audience. The main technique, and most effective feature, of the magazine was the use of colloquial language – “Street Slang”. This in particular would relate to the target audience as they more than likely will hear the same language day in and day out, as well as using the language itself in there own daily lifes. The particular use of language, such as “Sickest”, “Crew”, “Cruisin’” and even “Thug life” are all phrases and words that the reader of this magazine will hear and use everyday, and for this, will look to buy this magazine as they can relate to what is being displayed and the genre itself. In addition to language, the use of costume and props where pivotal in addressing and attracting the target demographic. Two models in the contents page are wearing woolen hats, as well as hooded jumpers and large bomber ajckets. These all fit into the particular stereotypical outfits worn by people who both rap and listen to rap, which is something that I particularly wanted to emphasis this point to the readers so they can engage and read into something that relates to there gratifications. When looking at the figures used, they are all young; between the ages of 16-17. This further would attract my target audience as they too will be around the similar age group and gender and will therefore want to pick up the magazine and read into something that they can relate to its artists – being a teenager and male. Moreover, the non-verbal communcation used by the figures appears to be in some cases quirky and somewhat cheeky. This again relates to the target audience, who are stereotypical both quirky and cheeky, which furthermore will engage with the target demographic. It is beneficial to remember that 40% of all magazine purchases are determined by the content of the front cover, instead of brand loyalty. This is why the sue of a colloquial register, urban clothing and props as well as non-verbal communication all help the magazine to engage with the target audience.

Question 4: Evaluation

Q4.Who would be the audience for your media product?

The target audience for my music magazine is primarily aged between 16-21, predominantly male with a lower/middle class social background that can afford to purchase a music magazine weekly/monthly.

Typically, the ideal male would match to the one used in my “Base reader profile”. The male will have ideally just begin or left sixth form/college and has a vast knowledge and interest in UK based and American based rap and hip-hop. They class relaxing with their friends whilst listening to artists such as Lil-Wayne, Drake and Wiz Khalifa as a social hobby. Their free time may also consist of recording their own sub-type of rap music, such as "Grime" and "Acapella". Even though most of their money is spent on new albums and mix tapes, they do have some extra money to spend on clothing influenced by their favorite artists, such as baggy jeans, puffer jackets and chunky basketball shoes, although they would primarily be from cheaper stores such as JD Sports, TK Maxx and Nike town.

Question 3: Evaluation

Q3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I think that a media institution such as IPC Media would be the best to distribute my magazine. This is because, although it already distributes music magazines such as “NME”, “Uncut” and “Guitar and Bass” which do not follow my musical genre, my magazine is aimed at a much younger audience than these, therefore there is a gap in the market for it. In addition to this, the fact that it already distributes such well known music magazines means that they have the necessary experience and loyal consumerism who might be interested in a new branch of music magazine – “BASE”.

I did initially consider Bauer Media to distribute my magazine because it has over 80 influential media brands amd reaches over 19 million people. However, it already distributes music magazines with a very similar target audience and genre, for example “Kerrang”, even though it does not fit into my media genre. Therefore, it would be unlikely to distribute a competitor to one of its existing successful magazines.

Question 2: Evaluation

Q2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I have chosen to compare this image of Eminem from “VIBE” magazine with my front cover photo from my magazine to explain how my magazine represents a particular social group.

The postures of both men are similar in the sense that they have both got their hands positioned in front of them, either crossed or near to their face. They also share similar facial expressions – both serious and staring straight into the camera, although my central figure appears to be smiling faintly to provide a less intimidating appearance. Furthermore, both men are displayed showing tattoos (in which my central figures where edited on). This provided a representation of this particular social class, the urban appearance, as tattoos are normally associated as a “trophy” of your time in prison and something that is somewhat rebellious. In addition, both men have the same use of lighting applied, a mid-shine which makes the faces appear brighter and visually appealing. Unconventionally, however, they appear to have different hairstyles – my central figures in longer, darker and slightly gelled up from the back, whereas Eminem has shorter, lighter and more severe hair. Overall, I think that these elements of the photos represent a normal young social group that my magazine reflects throughout – the people featured in my magazine are quite normal looking – there is nothing extreme or obscure about their appearances. Finally, I have chosen to select a white male, just as “VIBE” has done. Quintessentially, a black male rapper is normally situated at the front of a rap based music magazine, so I have unconventionally used a white male to break this particular stereotype.