4. What I have learnt in the
progression
After looking back at my preliminary task I feel as if my Photoshop skills and design
techniques have improved greatly. For example, In my preliminary task I did not use
any airbrushing techniques on my model, whereas during the process of editing my
main image for Surge magazine, I was familiar enough with Photoshop to
experiment with these tools for a more professional look. My progress with
Photoshop is shown in the planning section of each of my pages – screenshot below.
5. My progression in my Photoshop skills also meant I could manipulate images and
produce professional looking effects such as the one shown on my double page
spread.
I also learnt to use fonts which I downloaded from
the internet which has helped to ensure that my
magazine looks more unique and individual while
still targeting the niche audience. My Photoshop
skills have meant that I could manipulate these
fonts further to create the glowing sign effect on
my front cover.
I did not have these skills while working on my preliminary work, therefore the design is
basic, using boxes and shapes pre-set in Photoshop, as well as using the basic font and
solid colour pallets.
6. I have also learnt a lot about the codes and conventions of a professional magazine. Fro
example, in my final product, I have superimposed the main image over the masthead of
the magazine cover. I have learnt that this is a common code and convention used and it
shows that the brand is well-known and recognized by the consumer. This has therefore
meant that my final product appears more professional and follows the codes and
conventions of magazines, whereas my preliminary task looks more amateur.
I also found that throughout the magazines that I researched, the puffs on the cover
are often minimal and do not appear to close to the model’s face. I believe this is
another reason why my preliminary task looks more amateur than my final product, as
my final product uses minimal puffs to appeal to a more mature audience due to the
sophisticated look, despite the grungy style of the magazine.
7. I also feel as if my photography skills have improved from my preliminary task, as I now
have more experience with using the professional DSLR cameras and my images used
in Surge magazine are more posed and individual, compared to the generic shots which
I have used in my student magazine.
I also feel overall that my skills in analysis have
improved, as I was happy with my student
magazine when I finished it. However, now, I can
see a lot of improvements and can see that it looks
very amateur. For example, the text is not clear
enough on the contents page, due to the poor
lighting in the image behind. I feel the montage of
pictures do not have a purpose in drawing the
audience in to the magazine.
I also noticed that in my preliminary task, I did not
use elements such as a barcode, web address, issue
date, page numbers etc. Therefore from my
research into music magazines, I have learnt about
the micro elements and have used them to make
my final product look more professional.
8. I have also found that I now have a clearer understanding of how language addresses
and appeals to the audience. Through my use of puns and genre-specific language in my
final product, I have appealed to my niche target audience effectively. Whereas I did not
think about language in my preliminary task, and have therefore not appealed to my
audience and have made the content of my magazine seem dull and boring.
My use of sub-sections within my final product’s
contents page has followed the professional
codes and conventions and ensure that my
content is clear and organized to supply the
reader with the information they desire.
9. Overall, I am very happy with my final products and the progress that I have shown
from my amateur-looking preliminary task. Throughout the process my research and
planning was vital in gaining background information on my genre and targeting the
correct niche audience while challenging or conforming to the codes and conventions
displayed by the existing music press.
Without carrying out my preliminary task, I would not have been able to evaluate my
progress and how my skills have developed. I could not have done my final product
without this as I would not have had the experience in software such as Photoshop,
and therefore would not have been able to experiment with tools and effects to create
my unique style and tone of Surge magazine.
