Unit 5 - Visual Project - Evaluation

1. FMP Evaluation
Will Stewart

2. Production Process Evaluation

3. Research
• The primary focus of my research was to identify and analyse the specific
qualities of a magazine layout. This included what kind of style the
imagery and lettering was displayed with, usually specifically coined by the
brand the magazine identifies itself with. By researching these subjects I
was able to deduce the areas that best sell the magazine, namely the
taglines, image placement, type of image, and the surrounding
accentuations that help to catch the reader’s eye.

4. Planning
• As with all of the other previous projects, the latest that I am allowed to
complete the project is the end of the week. Due to this time restriction,
the week needed to be divided into necessary blocks where each part of
the project could be developed appropriately. With the first block devoted
to the front cover, and the second focusing on the double-page spread,
each was a granted a specific time for completion, so that the project be
developed regularly and without confusion.

5. Time Management
• By dividing the time in the week to either the front cover or double-page
spread, I was able to avoid any overlap or conflict between the schedules.
With the first half of the week focused purely on the front cover and the
other on the double-page spread, I was able to securely allot each section
of the project an appropriate time slot that was used for development.
This strict schedule was used to prevent the different sections of the
project from spilling over into each other, stalling production through a
minor slip-up. If I had more time, I would have done more for the front
cover, because I knew how much time double-page spread would take up,
and might’ve rushed so that I could plan it out better.

6. Technical Qualities
Masthead – Large, used to attract
attention, symbol of the brand, made
to make an impression.
Centre Picture – Most dominant presence on the
page, uses easily recognisable and renowned
figures to hook readers by conveying a sense of
glamour and celebrity, by presenting them in a
high-quality fashion it establishes the magazine as
a figure of high quality as well.
The tag lines around
the main picture that
advertise the inner
articles all have a set
style to them, setting
up expectations for
what kind of articles
can be found inside
the magazine.
Backgrounds – Usually
block colours, so that
the reader does not
become overwhelmed,
and the give the centre
models a greater
presence on the cover.

7. Aesthetic Qualities
Large, expansive, eye-catching
backgrounds used to make an
impression on the reader,
attracting them to the article
advertised. By making them as
imposing as possible, the
impact on the viewer’s mind is
greater, but the style in which
this is done decides the type of
impact it has.
The picture the article is
based on sets the tone for
the article as a whole,
displaying the type of
content the article talks
about through a visual
medium. This helps the
reader to decide whether
they care about the article
or not, so the picture must
appeal to a large
percentage of the audience.
The way the text is arranged around the centre pictures conveys how they
are the focus, or origin, of what the article is reporting. By giving them the
greatest page presence, they are the first thing the reader sees, and act as
the main hook that draws the reader in.

8. Audience Appeal
The main target audience are those between 15 – 35, and as such, are millennials, or
those with a similar mindset. As such, I chose to include content that would appeal to
those within that age group, mostly focusing around media or pop culture relevant during
their generation. In order to properly convey this relevance, I chose Beyonce to be the
focal point of the piece, with her quite possibly being the biggest superstar of the
millennial generation, respected, admired and loved by millions the world over. Due to
this, people are immediately drawn to anything that even mentions Beyonce, acting as a
magnet and pulling people into it’s field. The fascination people have with those who
reach megastar status is similar to a somewhat divine reverence, praising their actions and
having thousands upon thousands of followers.

9. Peer
Feedback

10. Feedback 1
• What did you like about the product?
– I feel that the front cover is very colourful and vibrant,
which helps create an eccentric style. The written
style accompanies this well.
– The DPS is written well, and creates a compelling
discussion.
• What improvements could have been made to
the product?
– I feel that Beyonce’s image on the front cover could be
made slightly larger.
– The masthead could also be increased in size to grab
the audience’s attention.

11. Feedback 2
• What did you like about the product?
• I really like the detail of the writing and the
pictures used.
• What improvements could have been made to
the product? I would probably use different
background that are slightly less vibrant and that
would fit into beyonce’s colour tones for her skin
and outfits.

12. Feedback 3
• What did you like about the product?
– I like the colours and shapes that you have created on the
background and it works well with the titles you have created, it
helps to demonstrate to the audience the theme of the page.
• What improvements could have been made to the
product?
• - The front cover is well put together but I would suggest a
bit more content within it to help advertise the magazine,
this will draw the reader in. The double page spread is well
laid out, but the picture is coming slightly off the page next
time I would make sure this is centred.

13. Peer Feedback Summary
• What do you agree with from your peer
feedback?
– The DPS is well-designed and well-written, and the way it has been laid out
perfectly accentuates Beyonce’s style, the bright and bold colouration and text
highlighting Beyonce’s personality. The front cover could have been meshed
better with Beyonce’s style, and I was too focused on making it ‘unique’ to
acknowledge Beyonce as the primary focus.
• What do you disagree with from your peer
feedback?
• I believe that the DPS was as best laid out as I possibly could have made it during
the one-week time limit, especially when concerning the text-based portion of he
spread.

14. Peer Feedback Summary
The factor that needs changing the most is definitely the front cover. The surroundings
need to complement the centre picture, not contrast against it and the way I was so
single-mindedly focused on making it as bombastic and eye-catching as possible that I
completely neglected to take Beyonce’s own personal style into account. To rectify this, I
would change the colour combinations so that they better fit Beyonce’s presence,
complimenting her skin one, hair colour and clothing style so that nothing looks ‘on
edge’, so to speak.