The document summarizes the author's progress from their preliminary magazine project to their final coursework magazine. When they started using Photoshop for the preliminary project, they found it difficult. However, through the coursework process their Photoshop skills improved dramatically. Their final coursework magazine featured professional-looking edits, well-designed coverlines and masthead, and incorporated magazine conventions compared to the randomly placed images and plain design of the preliminary magazine. The author believes conducting research and planning was key to their improved work for the coursework magazine.

1. Preliminary Coursework
When looking back at my
preliminary task, I definitely
feel as though I have
improved dramatically. When
I first started using Photoshop,
I found it fairly difficult.
However, as time progressed,
so did my Photoshop skills.
Towards the end of the
magazine construction
process, I was able to
improve, add or change
parts of my front cover,
Overall, I believe the planning and research that contents page or DPS with
I conducted was my biggest achievement as I out much difficulty at all.
put a lot of effort and detail in it, which helped
me create a professional looking magazine.

2. When looking at my preliminary task, I see that it looks a lot less professional
than my coursework magazine does. The picture is edited, but badly, and it’s
not a big enough picture. The other pictures are randomly placed as well as
looking out of place. There is only one coverline, with an unprofessional
looking text. The masthead looks plain to say the least, on my preliminary task,
I haven’t used any features or conventions.
However, my coursework front cover looks a lot more professional.
Immediately I notice the picture which looks a lot more professional, and it is
also well edited. The coverlines have been added with a lot more care and
attention to detail, as well as adding effects to them to give a more
professional look. Also, there is now an obvious colour scheme, again to give
a professional look. My masthead skills have also improved massively, as I
have now created a far more sophisticated looking masthead. I have also
used conventions such as a barcode and the date to add to the professional
aim. My preliminary task was conducted before I had started my research
and planning, so after I had gained a wider knowledge of magazines, my
ideas and Photoshop skills improved dramatically.

3. Obvious improvements have also been made to my contents page. I have
definitely improved dramatically since my preliminary task. I have gained a
lot more confidence with my Photoshop.
Quite simply, my preliminary task looks absolutely awful next to my
coursework. It looks really plain, boring and dull. My coursework has a lot
more structure and planning to it. Things have been edited to a good
standard and I am really pleased with my final drafts of my coursework.