This document contains an evaluation of a contents page for a media product. It discusses how the contents page uses or challenges conventions of real media products through the use of images and layout. It represents particular social groups through two images showing different types of teenagers. However, it does not clearly address the intended audience of older teenagers and music fans. The document reflects on what was learned from creating the preliminary college magazine contents page and how it informed the creation of the full media product. It finds the full product contents page could have been more successful by better clarifying the audience and fitting with the style of the other pieces.

1. Evaluation of contents page

2. Question 1, In what ways does your media product use, develop pr challenge forms and conventions of real media products?This part of my media product, I believe that it does not challenge real forms and conventions of real media products. I believe this because of the quality of this part of my product, the images used and the layout of this page shows that not much thought has gone into the detail and therefore this part of the media product has been rushed. In other ways, this part of the media product challenges the conventions of real media products by having two images placed on the contents page, and no explanation to go with it, i.e. slogan, sentence that interests the audience into reading about them. I believe that this convention will immediately interest the reader, of the curiosity of who these artists. Or it could go the other way, with losing the interest of the audience. The bright colours used on the font, again establish colour onto my page, making the text stand out. Another convention I have developed to challenge conventions used in real media products, is using different colour fonts, to establish each section in my magazine. I believe that this is a success as it clearly sections the different sections of text and makes it easier for the reader to pick out certain parts of information they wish to read. Bright colours of this image, grabs the reader’s attention straightway. . Use of the lighting, merges the image and page together. Image used as this image can be represented with the audience. By not having a by-line with this image, creates a sense of mystery around this image. . Use of the lighting, merges the image and page together.

3. Question 2, How does your media product represent particular social groups? Again, this part of my final media product, represents the particular social groups through images. The image of Jasmine, ( Top right image)creates a sense of identity. Her pose and outfit shows that she is a ‘misfit’ rebellious teen, leaning on the wall, stating the fact that she is in fact alone, creates the identity of a ‘misfit loner’, ‘her against the world’. The audience could immediately connect with her, if they feel that they are a ‘misfit’ and alone in the world, hence boosting the magazines readership profile. The other image placed on this page is of Steph (bottom right) lounged on a sofa surrounded by balloons and holding a can of fosters. This image clearly shows that Steph is at a house party, enjoying life. Steph also represents the ‘rebellious’ teen however, in a more fun crazy lifestyle. These two images are so contrasting, yet link together so easily. Both images show the different aspects of a teenagers life. Jasmine representing the emotions, alone, ‘me against the world’ scenario, while Steph is representing the fun easy going lifestyle every teenager experiences, parties, gigs etc. Jasmine representing the dark side of teenage life, while Steph representing the bright side of teenage life. Lighting in this image has been changed, due to the image not fitting in with the idea of the contents page. Information, makes sure that the audience stays loyal to the magazine (

4. Question 3, Who would be the audience for your media product? I believe my final product would have two target audiences, a Niche market audience, an a general audience. The Niche music audience would be indie and alternative music, these two contrasting music genres are represented by the two images placed on the page; Jasmine (top right) representing alternative music and Steph (bottom right) representing indie music. As I explained earlier in question 2, both images represent the different elements surrounding a teenagers life. Emotions, life style etc. The ideal audience for my media product would be teenagers interested in new music and indie music. Teenagers wanting to have a crazy fun lifestyle and teens who want to escape from the aspects of reality. From this part of my final media product, it can be hard to decipher who my target audience is and by first looks, it can be overlooked as just appealing to a female audience, however this is not the case. My media product is targeted for older teenagers, particular college and UNI students, even young adults of all genders. I believe that this part of my final product, does not clarify that, as it does not show aspects of an older teenagers music lifestyle. To change this, I could have added the image of a music festival, Crowds, tents, live bands etc. I also could have added images of Live bands on stage playing to an audience. This would have clarified who my audience would have been and made it more appealing to my target audience. List of what is inside the contents page, different colours for different sections. Contents page does not have a particular house style, bright colours of the images used, attract the audience.

5. Question 4, How did you attract/ address your audience?Again, I believe that I did not address my target audience correctly in this part of my final media product. I added images which represent teenagers on a basic and deeper level, this being one of my major points in addressing the audience. I added different colours for different sections, this attracting the audience, making it easier for the audience to find what they are wanting to read, more easier. This attracting my audience. Overall I believe that this part of my final product has failed in attracting and addressing my target audience correctly. Question 5, What have you learnt about the technologies from the process of constructing this product?The conventions I have learnt from using certain technologies are fairly complicated however, after having past experience from my years in secondary school, I find certain technology software easy to use . I used the software Photoshop to construct and produce my final design of this part In my final media product, using Photoshop to design my layout and manipulate the images to fit in with the design of the page. I used the internet site Blogger, to record the research I constructed in order to complete this part in my final media product. This site was very easy to use and I found this part of my project quite successful. To complete my Photoshop I used the digital camera software in order to get the results and images I wanted and needed for my final design. Question 6, Looking back at your preliminary task ( the college magazine), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product? I have found the editing and layout to be challenging in my main product. I found It hard to place certain images and text to create the certain effect I would have liked to achieved. By producing my preliminary task before my music magazine, it taught me some of the methods I later used on my music magazine, for example, manipulating some of the images so comparing my Preliminary task to my main media product it showed me that the Preliminary task wasn’t so complex. The layout of my contents page is completely different to the contents page in my final media product. For the preliminary task, I decided to use an image of the college entrance, this showing the audience which college the contents page is acterually based on. The image used is very bright, contrasting with the dark black background of the final media product. This wasn’t what I intended to do with the background of this contents page, however I did not spend enough time on this piece of the final product. The main skills I have learnt in this progression would be the cutting out of other images, Steph (bottom right) has been cut out of her background to give the image more of an effect. This I believe has worked considerably well. This preliminary task, was a taster of how I would be producing my final product, i.e., how I would be adjusting images to fit in with the layout of my contents page, how I would make the final product appeal to my audience etc. In conclusion, I believe that this part of my final media product was not as successful as the front cover and the double page spread. Yes In some aspects, I believe that my contents page delivered messages and appealed to my target audience, emotional and appealing levels however the contents page does not fit in with the layout of the other two pieces and also looks amateurish.

6. Question 7, Looking back at your preliminary task ( the college magazine), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product? Images of students so the audience of my contents page can relate to the contents page. Two images, audience can relate. Images show different music genres placed in the magazine. ‘Contents’, warped to give the page the text an effect. Black colour used as an dominant background Different sections of the magazine, different colours to make it easier to find certain information in the contents. Use of the dominant image for the background of my contents page. Use of star shape, used instead of buzz words, attracts the audience’s attention, also shows the separation of the information. preliminary task college Magazine (Contents page) Final media product Music magazine. (Contents page)