Evaluation...

Evaluation
For my main task I had to construct a music magazine from scratch. As this is my first time doing a task like this, I faced a few problems. These problems occurred throughout the whole process of the magazine production, from planning, to construction of the final magazine piece. However, I adapted to the media production, and slowly began to turn to alternatives in order to over come the problems I faced. I had to create a front cover, contents page, and a double page spread. In this evaluation I will focus only seven main questions, which focus on the whole of my media production.

• In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
In order to gain knowledge of common forms of convention of real media products, market research was conducted. This market research showed me common conventions that magazines use (particularly hip hop magazines). This was beneficial for me, as I could apply this knowledge of common conventions to my magazine. However, I did not what to simply follow them, and create a magazine which looks like every other one. For this reason I developed and challenged the forms and conventions. A common feature I kept coming across in my market research was the colour scheme. My mood board shows few hip hop magazines, a common feature they share is red and silver. I used this by keeping bright complimentary colours, but developed it by choosing my own colours which appeal more to my target audience. Other conventions such as the layout of magazine I did at first follow. However, I thought it would be better to create something more creative and so changed the layout so it differs from ones I have already seen.

• How does your media product present particular social groups?
My media represents teenagers, both boys and girls, from 14 onwards. The issue of the magazine I constructed does however; represent a more male than females. This is because of the masculine colours I used, as well as the bold font. However, I did try to over come this by using a male image. The male image would be appealing to both sexes. Boys would find it appealing as it reflects their interest in hip hop music, whereas a female’s reason could be the same, as well as the fact he can be seen as literally attractive. This weighs it out, and helps notify the audience that the issue is for both sexes.

• What kind of media institution might distribute you media product and why?
The institutions which might distribute my media are institutions similar to IPC Media. This is because it is a successful institution which already distributes music magazines. As my media piece is a hip hop magazine it would fall right in to the category.
I would also like to think my media could me distributed via web 2.0. This is because by using the internet and having a website for my magazine would make it a lot more interactive and modern, and defiantly appeal to a lot more consumers, as not everyone now physically goes and buys a magazine. Also because of the many features which I could have with a web 2.0 distribution. The features I would include are numerous hyperlinks, which link to the different features of the magazine as a whole.

• Who would be the audience for you media product?
The target audience I have chosen for my target audience is , for both boys and girls. The market research I conducted helped me to choose my target audience. Market research was conducted to find out what people wanted, this has helped me, as I have regularly referred to the results as I could include the specific factors in my magazine. Also the fact that I am a part of that age group, I think, makes it very beneficial. This is because, the target audience would be in to similar things that I am into, as we share the same consensus as we are of the same age group.

• How did you attract/address your audience?
I used a range of methods to attract my audience for my magazine. I used my own knowledge, as well as market research to come to a final decision on how to specifically attract/address my audience.
For example, I used a range of colours (but not too many), to catch the readers eye. This is important as the audience I selected are into bright, standing out features. Because of this, I have included this feature in my magazine. The colours I chose appeal to both boys and girls, I haven’t focused on just one, such as just using masculine colours. For this I had to think carefully on which colours to use, so I experimented on a range of different colour layouts, before finding one which compliments each other. So that my magazine would look attractive.
I also used conventional features which my target audience would appeal to. For instance on the cover of my magazine I included a freebie button. This is known to be a successful feature, and as it specifically directs to the audience, makes it more successful in being appealing.
In addition to specifically address my target audience, I was careful with the word choice I chose. I chose to use slang as a way of addressing my target audience. By using slang it makes my audience feel the magazine is specifically for them as this is the type of language they use in every day life. This helps makes my magazine successful, as it directly attracts my target audience. I felt this was an important feature. This is because by using the right language styles, it makes the magazine seem better planned out. Readers would appreciate this, and possible regularly purchase the magazine.

• What have you learn about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
In the beginning of this media production I was an amateur at producing media using technology. Given the chance to create a magazine allowed me to adapt/advance my skills with a lot of technologies.
For instance the software photo was extremely frustrating at first. I found it very hard to use the programme as I was new to it. However, I did get used to it. By using photo shop on a regular basis it allowed me to adapt my skills with the software. At first I knew very little about it, but during the production I got used to editing images, and create a good layout so the text can be seen. Photo shop was useful to me as I had to edit my photo. For example, I had to crop out backgrounds, and apply certain effects such as the transparency of my images.
Using the internet for publishing my media was also something I improved at. Before this task, I have never blogged. Using the suitable website on internet allowed me to challenge my amateur skills and adapt them. By using the blogger website I have learnt that the work I upload can be seen by others. This allowed personal feed back, which I then used in order to improve my magazine.
My use of cameras before this task was also at an amateur level. Through the process of constructing my product, numerous photos had to be taken, and so this allowed me to learn more about the technology. What I learnt was how exactly to take a picture, and all the factors you have to consider, such as lighting and mise en scene. The research I conducted on photography allowed me to apply them to the construction of my magazine. This was beneficial to me as it made my piece look much more planned out, and attractive.

• Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
The preliminary task compared to the main task, now feels as though it was very simple. For my preliminary task, not much effort from me was put it. This is because I thought constructing a magazine is an easy process where photos are taken, and bold text is applied. I have learnt that a lot more consideration needs to be taken when constructing a media piece, specifically a cover, contents page, and a double page spread.
For example, hardly any planning was put into the photographs I took for my preliminary task. For my main task, and argued for weeks, on the type of photo I should take. The things I considered where a lot more beneficial, such as the shot type/angle, mise en scene, and lighting (as well as many other factors). The photograph research is a very important aspect which needs to be taken into account for a magazine. With my preliminary task, I knew very little on images. For my main task a load of research was conducted so that my magazine could be attractive. For instance the photograph research I conducted was extremely helpful. I learnt things which were very beneficial to me such as the rule of thirds. This was a very important aspect for me. With the preliminary task I had no knowledge of the rule of thirds, but with the research, it made it much more clearer on how to take the right photo for the message you want to convey.

Final double page spread...

Final cotents page...

Final cover...

Double page spread ideas...

Double page spread ideas

For my main task I am going to create a hip hop magazine. I have decided to use my market research in order to make it as successful as possible. Because of this I have two main ideas which will be on my double page spread. This will be either fashion, or new music (I will also try and incorporate other ideas such as lifestyle, but would do so, so that it doesn’t confuse the reader as to what the article is about). Additional research (looking at other hip hop magazines), has shown me that these two topics are commonly seen in hip hop magazines. Therefore, it would be a good idea to use one of these.

Ideas of hooks, teasers, & buttons...

My choices of hooks, teasers, and button flashes have to be relevant to the magazine. By this I mean they need to relate to the genre hip hop. They also have to be creative, and eye catching. As my target audience is mainly 13 to 20. For this reason I have to develop ideas which will relate to this age group.

Ideas of hooks
A hook is a clever phrase used to capture the customer’s attention; it plays a big role in advertising, as it has to be something which will attract the reader. The hook I will use will be an interview with a hip hop artist. The hook reads; ‘What’s Bizzle got to say…”. This hook contains limited information. Customers would find this appealing, and they would want to read on and find out what exactly the article is about. This is why the hook I’ve chosen would be a successful one for me to choose. By keeping the hook short and simple, it has a bigger effect on the reader, which leaves them in suspense and makes them want to read on.

Teasers
I will use to teasers for my magazine. Like the hook, the teasers used would not give away a lot of information, and be quite limited. My first idea for a teaser is ‘What is hip hop?’ This teaser is a question. This will add to the effect, and definitely make readers want to read on and find out. This is another key role to advertisement, as it would be one of the first the readers see (it will be on the cover), also it would be attracting the readers through the choice of words used.
My second idea for a teaser is ‘Latest swagga on scene’. These choices of words have been chosen because it is language that my target audience understands, ‘slang’. It is important to choice the right words when deciding on a teaser. This is because the words chosen specifically relate to the specific age group. This is important because they immediately feel apart of the magazine as the same language is being used which is used by them. Swagga meaning fashion. I have also decided to use limited information, as raveling too much would give away what the article would be about, and not make the readers want to read on.

Buttons/flashes
As a button idea I have decided to use freebies. From my research I have noticed that freebies are a common convention on hip hop magazines. For my idea I have decided to use; ‘FREE VIP TICKETS TO BIZZLE’S TOUR’, (which also relates to my hook idea). My second idea is; ‘FREE POSTER OF NIKKI NIMAGE’.
Both these ideas link to hip hop fans, though they would most likely appeal to different types of fans. The first idea would strictly link to Bizzle fans, and those wanting to go to a hip hop tour. The second idea links to mainly male readers, who find Nikki Nimage attractive (though females who are fans of Nikki Nimage would also appeal to the button).
These ideas would attract customers to buy the magazine as they realize straight away they are getting more than their moneys worth.

Typeography/font ideas...

This Font is an ideal one to use on a hip hop magazine. I have also considered my target audience when choosing my fonts. From my market research, I have decided to aim my magazine at mainly 14 to 17 year olds. This writing font seen above would be ideal because it does not portray a serious, formal atmosphere. This is through the soft looking texture, and bubble writing. It is also a simple font (it isn’t something too chaotic). This is important because my market research showed that a majority of the people I interviewed did not want a busy/chaotic cover.
http://www.1001freefonts.com/KatyBerry.php




This font is a much more expressive font than the one before. The reason why this one stands out is because of the effects used, it gives it a 3D look. This font can also be linked to the hip hop genre magazine. This is because hip hop features are usually those that stand out. For example, the stereotypical jewelry (‘bling’) worn by numerous hip hop artist. This directly links with that, as this font is instantly noticed for standing out, just like other hip hop features.
http://www.fontspace.com/2-the-left/blockbuster




This font is a much more contemporary/modern. This would be useful because it is very creative, which is what I want my magazine cover to look like. However, this font is a bit unclear, which may cause my readers a bit of distress. Never the less, my target audience is the younger generation, so they may be more used to seeing fonts like this.
http://www.urbanfonts.com/fonts/daqscircle.htm