1. What have you learnt about
technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
2. The technologies I used
• When producing my coursework I used many software's.
Some of which I had already used before such as Microsoft
Word and Power point. I used these when writing up my
research for my blog as I knew how to use them so it was easy
for me to present what I had learnt.
• I then also used many software's which I hadn’t used before.
These being; Photoshop, InDesign, Slideshare, SurveyMonkey
and Blogger.
3. Photoshop
• I used Photoshop during the process of
creating my final product. It was used for
the cover page and the contents page,
Because I had never used Photoshop before
I had to learn how to use it to create my
product.
What I learnt to do and how it affected my final
product?
Whilst learning to use Photoshop I did learn
some useful things which affected my product.
Firstly, It was useful to use the ruler tool. This
meant that I could get my pages in the right
proportion by making a grid.
4. • Secondly, I learnt how to blur images.
I did this by using the Eraser tool. I
blurred my sub-image of the Led
Zeppelin Vinyl because the edges
looked rough. So by using the eraser
tool I made sure the edges looked
smooth, which gives a more
professional look. Making it look like it
wasn’t just placed on the page.
• Another thing I used was the quick
selection tool. This is what I used for
my cover page and sub-images. I used
this to cut out certain parts of the
image. For example the head of the
model on my cover page was cut out
so I could place the Masthead behind.
5. Blogger
• This technology was one which I had heard of but one which I
had never used before. When producing my magazine this
was one of the most important platforms to learn how to use.
This is because I had to present all my coursework on this.
What I learnt to do?
At the start I did struggle using Blogger. However over time I
figured out how to use it. The most important thing I learnt was
how to add links to my Slideshare presentations. I learnt that I
had to copy the link from Slideshare and paste it in the HTML
area, them click back to compose and the presentation will be
shown. Before I didn’t know this and couldn’t get the
presentation to show.
6. Slideshare
• Slideshare was a website which I used often throughout this
coursework but I had not heard of it beforehand. I used it to
get my power points onto my blog. As there was no other way
to get them onto blogger.
What I learnt to do?
I made a LinkedIn account and then that meant that I could use
Slideshare. I uploaded my presentations onto Slideshare and
then published them. By scrolling down afterwards I noticed a
“Share” option. Which had a link, I copied this onto blogger and
my presentation was then shown.
7. SurveyMonkey
• During my research I also used some new technology.
I went onto the website survey monkey and created a
range of questions to do with magazines. This meant
that I then had a working questionnaire which anyone
could answer.
What I learnt to do?
I learnt how to create a questionnaire and then learnt
that I could post this questionnaire onto my blog by
using a link. I also published it on the college website
using the link. This meant that I could get loads of
answers.
Social Media
Facebook Messenger was also used, as I sent a link to the
questionnaire via group chats.
8. InDesign
• To create my Double Page Spread I used InDesign. I had not
used this before, but I realised that it is quite similar to
Photoshop. I used this for my Double page spread as it was
easier to write the article on.
What I learnt to do?
I learnt how to set up columns which was important for writing
my article. I set it for 4 columns as
this meant that I would get the 2
columns on the right hand side
which is what I wanted.
9. • I also learnt that the images look blurry when you first place
them onto the page, and that the reason for this is because
InDesign works as a preview of what the real thing looks like.
So it looks blurry whilst making it. But when published this is
not the case.
• I also learnt that the two arrow tools work differently from
each other. The first arrow moves the box
which is the outside shape around the image.
Whereas the second arrow moves the image
Inside it. This was important because when moving my images at
the start I didn’t realise that the two arrows did different things.
So my images for my double page spread didn’t fit properly at
the start.
10. Photography
• Finally, I used cameras for my images. I had used a camera
before but not one in a studio setting. I also used tripods and
lights.
What I learnt?
I learnt how to set up the lighting in the studio and I made sure
that each of the 4 lights were at the same brightness level. I then
set up a tripod at the correct height corresponding to the models
height. I then learnt how to alter the image such as how to make
it black and white etc. Which was useful when shooting my
double page spread images. Overall, I learnt how to use most
things within the studio and this let me make sure my images
were as good as they possibly could get. Which made sure that
my images looked professional like ones included in a real
magazine.
