Media Studies - Evaluation Question 7

1. Preliminary Task to Actual
Magazine

2. Mastheads
As you can see, there has been a huge improvement from the prelim (left) to the real thing
(right.) They both look completely different. I found how to employ more effects for my
music magazine to make it fit to my genre and target audience. I included a drop shadow and
an emboss to it to make it really stand out. With my prelim masthead, I didn’t have much of a
title, and it looks pretty basic. I created my left one on word, while on the right I had learnt
how to use Photoshop to edit my new masthead professionally.

3. Front Cover
The front covers are completely different and you can see very visible improvements. One of the most obvious of
changes is the image. The image on the prelim is very unclear and non-professional as you can only see a back of a
head. My new magazine has a clear image of the model in the center, directly addressing and attracting the
audience. The image both matches the genre and the attitude of the magazine. The other obvious improvement is
the use of colour. The main colour on the prelim is the blue which matches to the school uniform and logo. However,
I have only used one colour which isn’t very attractive. This has dramatically changed to my real task as I have used ¾
colours, each showing different connotations and each representing the genre of the magazine. The colours stand
out to the audience and pops out the page, engaging the audience. The text is also much better on my new
magazine, standing out and making it clear and visible. I have also done a variety of imaginative shapes to make the
magazine fit conventions of rock magazines. There are similarities between the layouts, as the artciles are featured
down the sides and also has a bar at the bottom. Overall, the cover looks so much more professional in my real
magazine and stands out so much better. I am very happy with my new front cover and you can really see the
progress I have made.

4. Contents
The contents pages are similar to some extent. Although I didn’t add any images to my content page
for my prelim, you can see written where I would have added one. I have also used a big picture in
my new magazine, but I have used it much more effectively. The layout of my prelim task is very
simple, may be too simple. My new magazine is organized as well as jam packed, making my
contents look exciting, drawing in the audience. You can see there would be a lot of things featured
in my magazine, and this helps selling the magazine. The page heading has defiantly improved on
my new magazine, using the use of font and colour to make it stand out more than anything else, as
well as fitting to the genre. I have also added an editorial pic to my new magazine, again making the
magazine more successful and real. To me, my contents page has dramatically improved, and you
can see how my skills have developed as well as my imagination and creativity.

5. Images Used
I think the image on both my front cover, contents and DPS beats my one on my prelim. My
prelim one on the right was rushed, and you cant see the students face, its not very clear at
all. The ones for my DPS, contents and front cover however are all very professional with a
good use of light. The image is also much more interesting and exciting, portraying the genre
of the magazine as well as the positive look of the music. The cover is the thing people
would see first, so I made sure I used the right image to attract the audience. I did this
carefully and I think I did this very effectively. The images are a huge improvement, and my
new magazine images perfectly hit every connotation and convention I was aiming for.

6. Overall…
In my opinion, I have progressed massively from my prelim task to the
creation of my music magazine. This improvements can be seen throughout
my blog, even in my attempts of my magazine that I have carefully planned
how to change my magazine to make it fit to my genre and look much more
professional. I feel as if I was able to pick up important things through the
creation of my prelim task, allowing me to make my magazine a stronger
piece of work. I have learnt so much over the past months which I will be
able to use in the future. It has given me so much confidence. My
understanding of all the technologies and editing skills has improved,
allowing me to make my magazine a much better piece which I am proud of.