Media A2 Coursework Evaluation Question 4

1. Evaluation Question 4
How did you use media technologies in the construction, research and planning and
evaluation stages?

2. Google
I used Google multiple times for my research, for example looking at existing media
products including their websites and images. Doing this allowed me to quickly access
copies so I could find out the common conventions of similar magazines to mine. Without
Google the process would have taken me much longer as I would need to look at print
copies of magazines.

3. Issu
Issu also helped with my research as sometimes the contents of the regional magazines
were harder to find. By using this I had access to hundred of regional magazines and
could flick through page by page allowing me to see the whole magazine instead of just
the front cover. It also allowed me to get inspiration from a wider range of existing media,
some which I have never come across before.
Without the use of Issu I would have struggled to find the relevant pages for my analysis of
the codes and conventions of regional magazines, therefore my time would be consumed
merely on searching the internet for copies of the magazine or looking physical copies.

4. Blogger
Blogger is the site which I have been able to present all of my work, it was simple and
easy to use and I could access it from home or school. The layout of Blogger is very
organised and effective as it shows the progression of my work as more posts are added
each time.
Using blogger was very time and cost affective because having physical copies of each
section of my work would’ve taken much longer to prepare, Blogger also allows my work
to be organised so the Research, Planning and Production can be found at the click of a
button instead of wasting time and energy with physical copies.

5. Facebook Messenger
I used Facebook Messenger throughout the process of researching and producing my
magazine. This was a key factor in how I obtained information from my Focus Group,
creating a group chat allowed me to get fast responses and would be free compared to
other potential platforms of communication such as phone calls, or if I was to meet
members it is very time consuming and as we were such a big group peoples plans would
clash therefore Facebook Messenger being a cheap quick affective way of
communication.

6. Weebly
‘Weebly’ is the site where I designed my website. Weebly has many website templates to
chose from which can be edited and styled to your specific needs. This made it efficient
and quick to use as I could add images, text and tabs with ease, and wherever I felt was
appropriate to allow my website to look up to the standards I wanted them to. This allowed
me to continue my house theme on my website as well as my magazine which creates
consistency throughout my productions.

7. Photoshop
I used Photoshop to edit and design my pages for my magazine including editing all the
images, such as vibrance, brightness and adding text. Using Photoshop was extremely
effective as it gave me a variety of tools to use to help me create the best possible
outcome exactly how I wanted it, just in one program. Without Photoshop I would have had
to use a less established editing site resulting in a poor quality final product.

8. Camera
In order to obtain the best possible quality images for my production and ancillary tasks. I
used the EOS 550D Canon. This camera was incredibly good at capturing detail and the
quality of my images reflected this, furthermore this device was very quick and easy to
use. The camera also allowed me to remove the SD card and simply plug it into my
MacBook and simply transfer all my photos at no cost or time at all.
Without the use of this camera the process of taking photos would’ve been rather long
winded, and the quality of my images would not of been up to the standards at which I
had hoped.