1. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

2. ICT I have gained more experience in using Adobe Photoshop and using a blog to record research on the music press and to document the process of making a music magazine. I have also used desktop publishing software such as Pages which I used to set out the magazine’s feature article. In using software specifically designed for Apple computers, I have learned how to save my work in a format that would allow documents to be opened on both PCs and Macs. On my blog, I used Slideshare to upload a Power Point presentation and Scribd to present a PDF file to show information in a more dynamic way. Scribd shows PDF files in different formats, but the slide/book views allow the feature article to be read as if it were a physical publication.

3. Uploading and downloading files I used dafont.com to download fonts for my cover and feature pages. The sans serif fonts reflect a sense of modern sophistication which I felt fit in with my layout design, also. Using SlideShare, I was able to upload Power Point presentations on the evaluation questions. I received audience feedback in video format and made an iMovie video of the responses. In the program I learned how to add titles and rearrange clips to make a short film. The video was then uploaded to the blog.

4. Using Pages In the process of making the product, I learned how to use a desktop publishing program, Pages. It was necessary to use this type of technology as it is specifically designed to be used in making publications, and other software I used in the production lacked the features it has, for example the ability to create columns for text. The article’s layout was based on existing feature articles I saw in magazines that had a similar target group: they were aimed at young adults and therefore had a more sophisticated layout that publications which catered to younger teenagers.

5. Using Photoshop I created the magazine front cover, contents page and images in the feature using Photoshop. Although I already have used it, I learnt some techniques to make the cover and contents look more interesting and professional. Using the layer styles function, for instance, I could add shadows to images and text. Linking/grouping layers allowed me to move separate images (the three different pictures of the actors) together.

6. The layer highlighted shows the person in the middle on the contents page. This screengrab shows that I have also used the drop shadow effect I used the Magic Eraser and the Background Eraser tools to make the background of the image transparent. I then copied the image on to the contents page and placed it on top of the grey background and behind the text box giving information about the feature article.

7. Photography I used a digital camera for all the photography, and I have learned more about manipulating photos. I also got some practical experience in photography, setting up a backdrop and using studio lighting. The backdrop and lighting were instrumental in creating the mise-en-scene as well the direction I gave the people being photographed.