The document reflects on the progression of the author's skills and understanding in creating magazines from their preliminary task to the final product. Initially, the author had little knowledge of magazine layout and used basic software like Publisher. However, they learned Photoshop skills and about magazine conventions. Their final music magazine showed higher quality layout and design that included more images and elements following the genre. The author is pleased with their growth and learning over the course of completing different magazine assignments.

1. Evaluation Question 7
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel
you have learnt in the progression from it to the full
product.

2. School Cover Page
• This is my preliminary task, as you can see it is very
basic and lacks in conventions magazines follow.
The reasons behind this is because at the beginning
of the course I had very little understanding of how
magazines are laid out and produced, also as I did
not know how to use Photoshop I decided on using
publisher which as shown can not produce high
quality magazines. However I did use some media
conventions for instance I included a pug in the top
right corner, a clear masthead and a range of
Coverlines. In my opinion if I was to recreate this
product I would create it on Photoshop and include
more information, images and conventions.

3. School Contents Page
This is my School Contents page, this product is
extremely simple, lacks any great detail and
magazine conventions. I produced this on
Publisher and also again had very little knowledge
on how to position my contents page and what it
should contain. The only knowledge I had was
from my own experience from reading magazines.
However from this knowledge I knew my contents
must contain; Page numbers, A main Contents
title and some form of images, so I used this
knowledge to produce what I thought was a good
design of a contents page. If I was to recreate my
contents page then I would make it on Photoshop
and also include much more magazine
conventions and better quality pictures.

4. Music Magazine Cover Page
After seeing the quality of my magazine
publisher is able to create I decided on using
Photoshop to create my final product. From
looking at the image I am glad I did so, the
finished quality of my final Cover page is a lot
better than previously. Photoshop gave me
more choice on how to create my product, the
software contains hundreds of tools and
buttons to edit, create and insert items and
images. Also my understanding of Music
magazines had improved significantly. I knew
what I must include to produce a good quality
magazine and also how to do so. The only
thing I would change about this, is that I would
include more images and perhaps a pug
offering free posters.

5. Music Magazine Contents Page
After seeing what Photoshop is able to
produce I tried to push my understanding of
the capabilities it is able to perform. So after
creating my Cover page I had a good
understanding of how to use the software
meaning I was able to create my contents
quickly and in good quality. I included many
conventions and good quality images which
relate to the genre. Also another thing I did
was follow my colour scheme from my cover
Page, this is something I did not include with
my school magazine but is an important part
in the creation of a music magazine.
At this point if was happy with the
progression I had made and was
enthusiastic into creating my Double page
spread

6. Music Magazine DPS
For our school magazine we was not
entitled to create a double page
Spread, this meant we had no
experience of creating one apart
from the template we made before
Hand. Before making the DPS I
researched into previous NME
magazines to see what content they
included and how it was positioned. I
came up with this idea and stuck with
it, personally I am glad I did so as my
final outcome was really good and
Included most conventions of a usual
DPS. In my opinion there is nothing I
would change about it and I also
think it appeals to its genre.

7. Overall
After looking back at my School magazine compared to my more recent music magazine
it clearly shows how much my understanding of the topic has improved, this also includes
the skills I have learnt using professional software and my understanding of magazine
Conventions. Personally I am proud of the 3 pieces I have created, especially compared
to my previous attempts at making a school magazine. I would not say I am disappointed
with any specific piece but if I could would include some changes or minor tweaks.
Overall I am happy with what I have accomplished over the past few months and feel I
have learnt a huge amount.