3. Research
When I started to research magazines, I chose one particular magazine called
‘Billboard’. I picked them as they do magazines differently each time and depending
on the main subject on the front cover. This helped me as it showed me different ways
to put text or images on to the front cover. Some weaknesses of choosing one
company’s magazine is that I didn’t have any other variety of what other companies
magazines are like. I also, chose Billboard because there magazines are very simple but
effective, this is how I wanted my magazine front cover to look like. If I were to do this
again, I would choose other magazines. I looked at what kind of audience would read
my magazine. In this I looked at the age which was 16+, the gender that is both
genders, psychographic which was achiever/emulator and the social status which was
groups B – D of the audience that would be interested in reading it. I chose these kind
of people as anyone can read it but half of them won’t because they probably aren’t
interested in music magazine but some other kind.
4. Planning
I created two mind maps. One was about all three ideas I can do and the second one
was my final idea. By doing two mind maps, it gives you more ideas than just what is
on the first mind map. I talked about what I would do for each or what I would write
about, e.g. key topics or gossip etc. For the first mind map, my main ideas were
Entertainment Magazine, Film Magazine and a Music Magazine. Out of all them, I
chose Music Magazine because I had more ideas for this one. This helps me by writing
it down with pen and paper instead of using the computer. It helpful because you have
more ideas and you can quickly write them down. A weakness is you might not have
enough ideas so your mind map would look blank. One other way I planned was by
making a mood board. This way, its visual and I can see the colours, the styles and the
different fonts for my own magazine. The mood board helped me as it gave me ideas
for my own magazine.
5. Time Management
It felt like we have had longer for this project than others but we didn’t. This just
shows that we have done are work to the dead lines. I don’t think I have handled my
time badly for this project as I have still have time left. At the start, I did all the
PowerPoints that were needed for that week. On my schedule, I put in that I was going
to use the studio for my front cover but I didn’t. I didn’t do this because I thought my
time would run out but in the end I realised I could have done the studio. Instead, I
took an image from the internet of Adele and edited it on Photoshop. After, I made
the double page spread on Photoshop but I researched Adele’s life and then wrote an
article about how she became famous. So when I came into college I added the article
to the double page spread and added the mast head and the sub heading. If I were to
do this again I would go to the studio and have my own front cover image.
6. Technical Qualities
I have chosen a similar magazine with Adele on to show the
differences and similarities of both. The difference between my
magazine and the Billboard magazine is there is much more
colour use on Billboard. Also, they has used a bolder mast head
than mine to make Adele stand out more. Whereas, mine has a
elegant touch to go with the image of Adele. Billboard has no
text on their front cover to show you what inside is about while
mine does at the bottom. One similarity is Adele as we have
used her as the focus of the front cover. The colour schemes are
quite similar, Billboard has used black and white but added
colour to the design to the page and to the word ‘MUSIC’ in the
colours they use for the word Billboard. The colours are dull and
because Adele is wearing black clothing, it means the ‘MUSIC’
will stand out with the design on the page too. With my
magazine, the colour scheme is also black, however Adele is
wearing a red, green and white dress with corset on top to make
her look slimmer. This is to make Adele stand out more. The
background of mine is also very subtle as it looks like she is sat in
room on an old fashioned sofa.
7. Aesthetic Qualities
My front cover magazine will appeal to my audience (16+) as
it will stand out to those who like Adele. I have made my
magazine simple with the text. This shows on the image as
there isn’t a lot of text on the page. I have made it effective by
putting the text at the bottom of the page where it is black
and dark so it will stand out. To make it look like a magazine
cover, I have put the title behind her head so then it looks like
she is laying on it. In this image, Adele is dressed up and got
her hair and make – up done for this. She is visually appealing
to the eye which will want people to buy the magazine.
The double page spread has an image on the other side so
then you know who the artist is. I have chosen a very elegant
and sophisticated font for the mast head to match in with her
image and how she looks. Again, to make it look like a
magazine, I have written the quote that I have used by her
face and wrote who said it as well. Then, I have used a
different font for the sub heading and put that in white which
then matches in with the quote. On the word ‘Adele’ I have
made it stand out more by using a different colour and putting
a black border around the word.
8. Audience Appeal
I have done a front cover and a double page spread
about the artist Adele. I now know a lot about her
after researching about her life and her fame. It would
appeal to my target audience (16+) because they
would know who the artist is as she has been in the
top charts. If people who are interested in Adele and
are a fan of her, then there is a big chance that they
will go for this magazine and read about her more.
When I was doing my audience profile, I talked about
the gender of the people who could read my
magazine. I have made this magazine so then both
genders can read its there is no colour to go to that
particular gender. Its mixed. The psychographic for my
magazine are achievers and emulators because they
want to be more successful in life. Finally, the social
status of my magazine is B-D because if I had put it any
lower it would depend on their welfare state and any
higher, they would be too professional and probably
already have a particular magazine they prefer.
10. Feedback 1
What did you like about the product?
I liked the font of writing and the colour of the double page spread.
What improvements could have been made to the product?
The name “Adele” on the double page spread blends into her shoulder pad so
it looks off.
11. Feedback 2
What did you like about the product?
I like the colour choice and the text was very detailed.
What improvements could have been made to the product?
Editing could be better as there was a dimple/hole in her face.
12. Feedback 3
What did you like about the product?
I liked how all the detail gone into the editing of the pictures. I also love the
front cover the picture is perfect and really draws the attention the magazine.
What improvements could have been made to the product?
Maybe another picture on the spread to look at making it less just writing.
13. Peer Feedback Summary
What do you agree with from your peer feedback?
I agree with the rest of the feedback as they thought it was good and the
article was well written too.
What do you disagree with from your peer feedback?
I disagree with one bit of the feedback which is the ‘Adele!’ written on the
shoulder on the double page spread. I don’t think that the name blends in
with her shoulder as I have done that text in a different colour and made it
bold with black around it.
14. Peer Feedback Summary
From my feedback, I think next time I do a magazine front cover and double
page spread, I will make sure my editing is on point so you cant tell that I
have edited her face and made a hole in her cheek. I also would have
added more images to my double page spread as there was more writing
than images. I just put in one big image of Adele because I didn’t want to
make it look like I have filled the page with images hence why I wrote more
than I should have. However, I do not agree with the ‘Adele’ that is written
on her shoulder as I think it is alright there. It is a different colour so it
wouldn’t blend in with her shoulder. Next time, I will ask other people if it
looks alright before I use a particular colour. This way, I can change it if I
need to. Also, I feel like I should have gotten more feedback and why it was
good and the improvements so then I could improve on it next time.
Editor's Notes
What were the strengths of your research? How did your research help your product?
What were the weaknesses of your research? What could you have done better/improve? What effect would this have had on your product?
What were the strengths of your planning? How did your planning help your product?
What were the weaknesses of your planning? What could you have done better/improve? What effect would this have had on your product?
Did you manage your time well? Did you complete your project on time or would your products have improved with additional time?
What would you have done if you had more time to produce your work?
Compare your work to similar existing products and discuss the similarities and differences
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page alongside an existing product
Use text boxes and arrows
Does your work look good? Was it creative? What aspects of your game’s visuals do you like? What would you improve? How would you improve it?
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page and analyse them
Use text boxes and arrows
How have you appealed to your target audience? What specific bits of content would appeal to your target audience.
Refer to your findings from your questionnaire.
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page and analyse them
Use text boxes and arrows
What changes would you make to your product based upon your peer feedback and why?