4. Progression
From my preliminary task , I think I improved in many areas, for example I learnt how to use a camera
properly to get high quality images. I went on to use tutorials and advice from them to overcome any
issues, or things I was unsure so I didn’t have to rely on raw automatic settings for things such as the
ISO or focus. I also used tutorials to learn how to appropriately edit images to get the necessary effect
for each.
In my final production the images are much better lit and I spent time planning the images I wanted to
achieve (eg. mise en scene, positioning and lighting).
Throughout the process I learnt how to manipulate images using Photoshop to edit features such as
contrast, brightness and saturation which had a big impact on my images.
5. Research
I did a lot more intensive research into my production than I did the preliminary task. This would allow me to cater for
the needs of my target audience and use typical codes and conventions to draw and entice the reader.
By doing this, I have managed to associate the relevant theories (in particular uses and gratifications theory- such
as direct mode of address with the models, and reception theory- images conveying a story equaling men to
women) to different aspects of my magazine.
This overall allowed me to create a production with the audience more in mind and have influence on final outcome.
This then had a huge impact on my knowledge surrounding the wants and needs of my audience, therefore made
the production more targeting and specific to my audience eg. the masthead had a dramatic change from my
preliminary to production.
6. Masthead
For my preliminary task, I feel I dramatically improved my masthead. This was first due to the positioning of it - the
masthead in my production fitted in with the page only taking little attention away from the image, where as in my
preliminary task, it was the main point of attention even though it was in a basic serif font and didn’t reflect my
audience.
In my production my masthead was much more appropriate for my audience in the sense it was reflective of them,
more than my preliminary one.
Furthermore, the cut out letter in my production made my masthead more intriguing and recognisable creating
brand awareness, whereas my preliminary one was very generic and bland.
This was achievable through my research into mastheads of similar magazine eg. NME.
7. Fonts
Since my preliminary task, I have been able to incorporate the use of styles of fonts more suitable. This was
achieved through my research int my target audience more so than my preliminary, in turn me having a better
understanding of my target audiences wants and needs.
This had an effect on the style of my chose font, for the majority of the text a bold san serif font was more
appropriate for my audience. This is noticeable on my Front Page and double page spread. Continuing from this,
the size of the text was something I improved on.
I made specific words and texts larger or smaller depending on their importance so certain things would catch the
readers eye more than others which were less important, this is evident all through my final production.
8. Layout
From my preliminary task I feel I improved significantly in designing the layout for my production. This is because I
have arranged things on contents page so they are in line, contributing to an overall organised effect.Furthermore,
subheadings allows my audience to go directly to the category of interest which allows them to fulfill the needs of
the individual (uses and grats), whereas in my preliminary task I did not do this.
I have also included more columns in my final production, something I learnt from researching the conventions of
contents pages, this gives my contents page an overall professional organised feel unlike my preliminary task which
looks basic and simple.
In my production, I learnt to balance out the images on the contents page so the contents page looked more
organised and included a variety of different shots, I feel this incorporated the page as a whole, compared to my
preliminary and so resulted in a more effective end product.
This was all due to the research and planning into how layers work on Photoshop, something which I didn’t know
about whilst doing my preliminary task.
10. Progression - double page spread
Text - From my research I kept to codes and conventions of a typical indie magazine, using the effect of pull quotes sell
lines and chose necessary language to grab the readers attention, the artists name is bold and draws attention and reflects
the magazine. Furthermore, the language used would act as a sensualisation to the audience as it was hyped up and
exaggerated in order to generate an interest for the story. This was an improvement on my preliminary task as this is
something I didn’t consider into how I could reflect my target audience and aim in more so at the particular type of person
who would be reading my magazine.
Layout - After researching existing media, my knowledge allowed me to produce a fairly simple yet effective and easy to
read double page spread which would cater for the needs of my audience. This included having the columned text on one
side of the page and the main focus being the image, which is a common convention which I followed. However, after
researching the double page spread for CLASH magazine, the layout was slightly different in which the text began halfway
down the page instead of two straight columns, I liked this idea and thought it reflected my target audience as they don’t
always abide to societies expectations.
Image - After learning how to appropriately use the camera, I took a long shot in focus of my
model and went on to edit my photo in a way to really grab the reader attention by using
Photoshop. In comparison to the preliminary task, I was more focused on the mise en scene
which gave my image a better vibe and suited my magazine more, and further adding a better
atmosphere to the page and magazine.
11. In Conclusion...
My final production was heightened in quality due to the skills and techniques that I
learned from the progression from my preliminary task to the final outcome. These
included using lighting to help enhance images, how to use the manual settings on a
digital SLR camera which meant that my images would be of a better quality for my fianl
production in comparison to my preliminary task.
Research was also key into finalizing my choices in my production due to the more in
depth knowledge of the codes and conventions of similar magazines to mine, in turn,
creating a more realistic outcome for my target audience which would satisfy them.
Without such aspects, my final production would’ve been far less professional and not to a
high standard.
