DRAFTS VS REAL THING

I've more or less followed my draft however i planned to do a mid shot but ended up doing a long shot to show the prop as well as a full length of the suit. I've stuck to the same color scheme. The positioning of the Masthead and article names is different. 

 The contents page has changed drastically in    that the way 'contents' is split differently to utilize  space. The page features several images  instead of small images on the side.  My original idea was to continue the theme of  orange and red but i changed my mind as i  wanted to keep the contents plain and simple  with the combination of black, grey and white.  Also because my front cover was full of color,  it wasn't necessary to have a colorful contents  page as well. 

My double page spread has not changed that much from my original idea. However instead of one image on the left, i decided to have several images in varying colors to challenge conventions. The faint 'G' in the background is to make readers aware that they are reading 'GRIND' magazine. Originally i wanted my artist to wear casual attire but i decided on a more sophisticated look. I kept the idea of having a quote from the artist, i just changed the font and style to make it look more interesting and to link it to the front cover where that style is also featured (newspaper type style).

To conclude, i have followed my original ideas but have developed them in some aspects such as style and color. I definitely think that my pages progressed and are an improvement from my initial ideas. 

Foundation Portfolio Targets

Research and planning

1.     See new AS deadlines on Fronter and add new tasks. Also use Susana Quinn blog for guidance (on Fronter).

2.     Carry out more detailed research into examples of professional magazines – aim for analysis of 3 covers, 3 contents pages and 3 double page spreads. This can be annotated analysis (See Susan Quinn blog on Fronter). Ensure that examples are recent (last 2-3 years) and from the same genre as the product you will create.

3.     Key conventions - Ensure that examples are recent (last 2-3 years) and from the same genre as the product you will create. Show how this research has informed your final product.

4.     Evaluate focus group video responses – show how this research has informed your final product.

5.     In title block analysis, analyse mastheads from the same genre as your own – show how this research has informed your final product (include your own design and explain choices).

6.     Costume props planning – show how this research has informed your final product.

7.     Drafting – explain choices made (base on professional pages).

8.     Research and planning should show in-depth analysis - this element is worth 20% of the marks, so a lot is expected (see level of detail in Susana Quinn blog on Fronter).

Product

1.     Make it clear what genre your product belongs to. Show that you have engaged with the codes and conventions of your chosen genres.

2.     Find PSD files and I will help you to improve

Evaluation

1.     Use a wider variety of ICT in the Evaluation (not just text, images and slides). This is a requirement in the Marking Criteria. Use a wide variety of appropriate resources in the evaluation, such as Youtube, Prezi, Soundcloud, Urturn, Glogster, Wix etc.

2.     Evaluation should show in-depth analysis - this element is worth 20% of the marks, so a lot is expected (see level of detail in Susana Quinn blog on Fronter).

Overall, the blog should be used as a detailed work in

progress, which highlights the creative journey that you have undergone – post to your blog weekly, showing what you have done, why and what you have learned .

EVALUATION CONTINUED

At first, i wanted to have my double page spread like the image below, however i decided not to go for this layout because the fold would cloud the text.

I liked the layout and the simplicity of having one artist on the page because my front cover is very busy so a lesser busy contents page would be appropriate. However, after being advised, i decided to swallow my creative pride, and include more pictures of other artists.

Q8.EVALUATE HOW SUCCESSFUL YOUR PRODUCT IS WITH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE

I asked three males and one male what they though of my final piece. I asked a girl in order to see if my magazine would appeal to the female demographic. However, although she liked the magazine she thought it was better suited for males.


AUDIENCE COMMENTS

MY RESPONSE

Q7.LOOKING BACK AT THE PRELIMINARY TASK WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE LEARNT IN THE PROGRESSION FROM IT TO A FULL PRODUCT

You can see a drastic improvement from using a few tools at the beginning to utilizing every single Photoshop tool in order to create my finished product. The two magazines are completely different . I have learnt to experiment alot more and to not be afraid to think outside the box. The school magazine is very bland and safe whereas my 'GRIND' cover is very busy, vibrant and busy.
The layout of the two magazines are different. In both magazines i used a variation of pictures and placed the article titles on the right hand side of the page. I learnt to structure my pictures in a more organised and precise manner, this is why i made sure that there was a line to separate each picture on the contents page. 


Time management

I finished all my work before the deadline which showed that I organised my time effectively. I spent a considerable amount of time on my contents page because of my creative stubbornness. I wanted a simple contents page with one image to highlight the nature of the artist, but due to external circumstances i was ‘encouraged’ to change my contents to a page with numerous pictures. However in all honesty, it does look more appealing and busy.

Organisation

I notified all my models about when the photography session would take place. I produced a list detailing what they should wear and how to pose. I provided a variety of props to connote the fact that the magazine is dedicated to music. I also used props in my preliminary task.

Inspiration

I was inspired by other music magazines but mainly my own idea of what i would like my music magazine to look like. Also, my classmates offered suggestions whilst producing my coursework, i sometimes took notice but at the end of the day if you think something looks good then have the confidence to defend your idea and go through with it.

Audience feedback

My audience feedback was very negative, which is understandable but it gave me the motivation to improve.  For example, I was told the font wasn’t appropriate for the type of magazine and the pages didn’t look that exciting this would discourage  people from reading on further into the magazine. 

Draft

I don’t think drafting help because it gave me unrealistic hopes for what i dreamed my magazine would look like. When producing my magazine, the drafts did not help in terms of photos and design but it did help me in terms of how to lay my magazine out

Q6. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT ABOUT TECHNOLOGIES FROM THE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING THIS PRODUCT?

This project has helped me to develop my Photoshop, photography and design skills. It has also given me an insight into what type of person I am, a creative girl who will change something until it’s perfect.

ICTThroughout the process I used ‘Blogger’ and ‘Slideshare’ extensively. I have heard of blogs but never had the opportunity to use one. I was able to upload my work and receive teacher comments through ‘Blogger’. ‘Slideshare’ helped me convert (embedding) the PowerPoint presentation so that I could my work onto ‘Blogger’.





PHOTOSHOP
This program was used to make a professional looking magazine. It enabled me to edit photographs, add text and filter images etc. To remove photographs from their original background, I used the ‘magnetic lasso’, I used this tool for my front cover. To create the columns for the double page spread i used ‘Rectangular Marquee tool’. ‘Healing Brush tool’ helped enhance the quality of the pictures, removing any blemishes to give that clean cut look. ‘Gradient tool’ was used to form the background color.




DA FONT‘DA FONT’ is a free website which enables you to use different fonts. I used this sight to create my magazine Masthead.

PHOTOGRAPHYI learnt how to take a variety of pictures with different shot sizes. I learnt that pictures taken outside, rather than on a white background, look more attractive, natural and realistic. During the photography session, it is important to take a lot of pictures so that you have more choice.

REFLECTION
I learnt that before beginning a task, i must research and plan what i'm going to do, to give me guidance in case i struggle. Also, that it is OK to take a few ideas as long as you develop the idea and make it your own. 

Q5. HOW DID YOU ATTRACT/ADDRESS YOUR AUDIENCE?