Dear Moderator,
This is my blog in which I've made a modern rock music magazine:
My Research and Planning posts begins at the very beginning of my blog.
My completed magazine is the last post on my blog
My Evaluation begins on Thursday, 12th March 2012
I hope you enjoy looking through my work!
This is my blog in which I've made a modern rock music magazine:
My Research and Planning posts begins at the very beginning of my blog.
My completed magazine is the last post on my blog
My Evaluation begins on Thursday, 12th March 2012
I hope you enjoy looking through my work!
Monday, 26 March 2012
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Evaluation: Question 7 - Looking Back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the full progression from it to the full product?
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Evaluation: Question 6 - What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
I used both Photoshop CS3 and CS5 to:
- Create my music magazine,
- Edit photographs for my magazine,
- Create my album cover which featured on the front cover of my magazine.

I used a Canon and Olympus SLR camera to:
- Photograph my models.
I used Blogger to:
- Create a blog in which to display all of my coursework.
I used Prezi to:
- Create presentations displaying my ideas.
I used iPhoto to:
- Upload all of my photographs to an iMac.
I used iShowU to:
- Create podcasts to show me using different technologies,
- Create podcasts to show what i've done in my work.
This is a podcast of me using all of the different technologies available on a mac.
Monday, 19 March 2012
Evaluation: Question 4- Who would be the audience for your media product? Why?
This is my drawing on how I visualise my target audience. I did this to show my target audience and how I've tried to create my magazine around them so that it would appeal to them the most. The reason I picked this male is because he is the stereotypical representation of the audience related to my genre of music, with a confident, yet laid back look to him. I feel my magazine would be a good choice for him is because of his interest in music, gigs, bands, instruments and technology but most importantly his age, as my magazine is aimed at younger adults.
Evaluation: Question 3- What kind of media institution might distribute your product and why?
The role of magazine distribution:
The role of the magazine distributor is to spread the magazine across a certain area in order for it to reach its target audience. They choose certain areas to sell the magazine so that it both keeps their existing fan base happy by making it easy to buy locally, and also to attract the attention of more potential audiences.

What my magazine is similar to 'institutionally':
My magazine is similar to magazines such as Kerrang and NME as it is a mixture of both Kerrang and NME's music genres as I wanted to give it a modern rock/metal feel to it. Kerrang is distributed by Bauer Media (http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/) which distributes a large variety of magazine genres such as: angling, lifestyle, equine, gardening, football and motoring. These magazines are available on a global scale in areas such as supermarkets (e.g. Tesco, Morrison's and Sainsbury's). NME is distributed by IPC Media (http://www.ipcmedia.com/) which is similar to Bauer Media as it has a wide range of magazine genres that it distributes and it also distributes them on a global scale.

In order to distribute my magazine, I would have to go down the same routes as Bauer Media. However, I would also have to create an website that would allow subscribers to download a digital copy of the magazine to their computer. This could also be achieved by introducing a mobile app which enables my audience to access the magazine from anywhere.
The role of the magazine distributor is to spread the magazine across a certain area in order for it to reach its target audience. They choose certain areas to sell the magazine so that it both keeps their existing fan base happy by making it easy to buy locally, and also to attract the attention of more potential audiences.

What my magazine is similar to 'institutionally':
My magazine is similar to magazines such as Kerrang and NME as it is a mixture of both Kerrang and NME's music genres as I wanted to give it a modern rock/metal feel to it. Kerrang is distributed by Bauer Media (http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/) which distributes a large variety of magazine genres such as: angling, lifestyle, equine, gardening, football and motoring. These magazines are available on a global scale in areas such as supermarkets (e.g. Tesco, Morrison's and Sainsbury's). NME is distributed by IPC Media (http://www.ipcmedia.com/) which is similar to Bauer Media as it has a wide range of magazine genres that it distributes and it also distributes them on a global scale.

In order to distribute my magazine, I would have to go down the same routes as Bauer Media. However, I would also have to create an website that would allow subscribers to download a digital copy of the magazine to their computer. This could also be achieved by introducing a mobile app which enables my audience to access the magazine from anywhere.

Evaluation: Question 2- How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My media product represents particular social groups through the use of:
Clothing:
As you can see from the models from both photographs that they are wearing similar clothing which gives off a modern-rock feel. This is effective as it links well to this laid back style associated with the social groups that are represented by my magazine.
Positioning of models:
My models are also positioned in a similar way which shows off the importance of a certain band member. However, I decided to keep my models relatively close together as I wanted them to be shown as more of a team rather than individuals.
Model's facial expression:
As you can see from both photographs, the models in the foreground have a laid back look. Yet, the models behind them have more of a serious look. Showing how the social group they represent are laid back but can be hard faced and tough if they want to.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Evaluation: Question 1- In what ways does your magazine use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Areas of my double page spread that I have used:
The areas of my double page spread that I used from the Kerrang spread are: The way the photograph also acts as the background for my text, putting my masthead design next to my page numbers to give it a more original look and also to link it to the rest of my magazine.
Areas of my double page spread that I've developed:
The areas of my double page spread that I developed from the Kerrang double page are: the photograph that I used for my models was inspired by this image. However, I decided to only use two models and make them pose in a similar manner to that of the models, Linkin Park, from Kerrang's photo. I also decided to make my photograph larger so that it was a medium-longshot. This was so my models became the main focus of my page and also so I could put my models slightly in front of my title, "Brickin' It", to add a layered look to my double page spread. I also took the banner in the top left hand corner of the double page spread and changed it into and arrow banner so that it matched the rest of my magazine.
Areas of my double page spread that I've challenged:
The areas of my double page spread that challenged is the way that I've added extra photographs of my model down the right hand side of my page, whereas Kerrang's uses only one photograph. I felt that these were effective as the filters I've added to the pictures really helps to add to my bands genre of music.
Evaluation: Question 1- In what ways does your magazine use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Areas of my contents page that I've used:
The areas of the NME magazine contents page that I used are: the general layout of the page and also the colour theme throughout. I also used the positioning of the main title, "RAGE CONTENTS", as I wanted it to be a key area of my contents page.
Areas of my contents page that I've developed:
The areas of my contents page that I have developed from the NME contents page are: My contents banner, as I decided to set out the banners differently in order to keep them clear and easy to read. My band index is slightly different to that of the NME contents page as I decided to put it in a red arrow banner so that it contrasts with the rest of the page. My subscribe advertisement is positioned to the left of the page and, in order for it to tie in well with the rest of the page, I decided to keep it black, white and red. The centre area of my contents page features photographs, which are in a similar position to that of the NME magazine. However, I decided that there should be more than just one or two photographs in there in order to give the magazine a more professional look.
Areas of my contents page that I've challenged:
The areas of my contents page which challenged that of the NME contents page was the use of a story in the centre of the page, instead of just a teaser for viewers to read on. I decided it would be a good idea as the story is only short and is also the to shock readers, making them want to see the rest of the content. I also decided to add an editors note to my contents page as I thought it was a good idea for magazines to connect with their readers, along with competitions and subscriptions.
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Evaluation: Question 1- In what ways does your magazine use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

The areas of this magazine that I have used are:
Placing my models' heads in front of the masthead in order to let readers get a clear image of them, without any obstructions.
I used the banners and header/footer showing promotional features, however I did add my own bands and information in them.
I've also used the colour scheme of black, white and red throughout my magazine as I felt this was the best choice for my genre of music magazine.
Areas of my cover that I've developed:
The areas of this magazine that I have developed are:
The banner styles, as I decided to take the block red banners and use the smudge tool to stretch the boxes, making them look like they're wearing away or dripping I felt that this was a good idea as it targets my audience well and adds to the masculinity of my cover.
For my masthead I took a simple font, like that of Kerrang's but it had more of a distorted look, added red background with a drop shadow to add to the layered look of my cover. This ties in well with my colour scheme and genre of music magazine as it still has that alternative rock/metal look to it.
I used a slug line for my title "Crimson Bypass" but I kept it quite small, unlike Kerrang, and used a dymo-style font to, once again, add to the layered look of my cover. I also took used a bar code similar to Kerrang, yet i turned it on its side and, like Kerrang, added a date, issue number and price. I also included, however, a code that can be scanned with a mobile phone, such as a Blackberry, as an opportunity for readers to gain exclusive content. I thought this was a good idea as it appeals to the age range of my target audience.
Areas of my cover that I've challenged:
The amount of models I used for my cover is only two, whereas Kerrang used three, I did this as I wanted to be able to make the image large enough to get a decent percentage of the page filled with my models and with three characters, I wouldn't have been able to make it as large as I wanted to.
Research and Planning: Tweaked cover
As you can see, I have removed the slug line from over my models face and placed it under the first edition banner. This was because I didn't want my model's faces to be covered by anything as they wouldn't stand out as much.
Research and Planning: Tweaking my cover
I decided to make a video of me tweaking the front cover of my magazine. I did this as I had text covering part of my model's face.
Research and Planning: Tweaked Cover

For my tweaked cover I managed to slightly stretch the bottom of the photograph to fill in the gap around the bar code. I then made the masthead bigger so that it stood out more and put my models head in front of it. This was so my magazine cover had a more professional look and had some of the features an established magazine would have.
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Research and Planning: Tweaked Double page spread

Here is my tweaked double page spread, I've changed the colours of my text to highlight quotes throughout my interview, this helps the page to tie in well with my house style. I also added two RAGE symbols to my page numbers to link the three pages together. I then added an "Interview" banner along the top left hand side of the page to show what my double page spread is about.
To improve the usage of space, I've enlarged both my background and also my pictures running down the side.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Monday, 23 January 2012
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Saturday, 21 January 2012
Friday, 20 January 2012
Thursday, 12 January 2012
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