The document describes the evaluation of a coursework project to create a magazine. It discusses how the magazine covers various conventions of real magazines in its cover, contents page, and double page spread layout. It also addresses how the magazine represents teenagers and the middle class. The intended audience is described as older teenagers and young adults of lower to middle class interested in concerts and music. The document reflects on the technologies and skills learned in creating the magazine project.

1. By James
Holder
EVALUATION OF MY
COURSE WORK

2. IN WHAT WAYS DOES MY MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR
CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA
PRODUCTS?
 The Cover – I followed the majority of the conventions for the cover. First of all I have a large
masthead at the top of the page, however much like the “ Kerrang!” cover that I analysed, the splash
image is in front and covering some of the masthead, this is done to suggest that the magazine is
well established and that the artist on the cover is now more important than the brand name. I also
included a tag line on the cover stating “who needs normal?” which is another convention in
magazine covers e.g. “ kerrang!”’s is “Life is Loud”. I also included a puff piece on the page in order
to advertise a competition in my magazine which is also a very common in magazine covers use
these to advertise their content. Other conventions I've used are top and bottom strips, these are
where you have headlines and advertisements for other content in the magazine at the very top and
bottom of the cover. The colour scheme of the magazine was inspired by the 1 st week on noveber
2015 issue of kerrang and the usual Q magazine colour scheme.
 Contents page – first of all I categorized all the different stories into sections, therefore making it
easier for the reader to find certain stories. I have pictures placed around the contents page in order
to advertise some of the bigger stories in the magazine. I also noticed that most magazines have
their name in one of the top corners of the contents page so I followed suit and put mine there as
well as it’s a common convention.
 Double Page Spread - I used a large image on the first page of the double page spread as this is a
common convention in magazines, this went along with a short introduction about the band and a
large headline to introduce the story. The other side of the page is the Q and A section. I included
the actual conversation that would have taken place instead of just the questions as this is common
in magazines like Kerrang and Rocksound. I also took a quote from one of the answers and placed in
the middle of the page in a large font of a different colour to make it stand out to entice the reader
to read the article.

3.  Teenagers are often represented by the media as either lazy and
unmotivated or ambitious and passionate. I have decided to go with
the latter for my project. I achieved this via involving a lot of news
stories and interviews within the contents page suggesting its
orientated around the passion of the reader. It challenges the lazy
stereotype by young, up and coming bands showing motivated
teenagers following their ambitions. The magazine is orientated
around the middle class, it shows this via showing concerts and
other activities as rock concerts nowadays are often represented as
for middle class while in the past they were seen as for the lower
class. My magazine doesn't represent gender as much as I designed
it to be more androgynous to appeal to everyone.
HOW DOES MY MEDIA PRODUCT REPRESENT
PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS?

4.  My magazine would probably by a media institution like Team
Rock or Bauer Media as these both these media institutions
have shown interests in publishing for niche markets. Bauer
Media publish both Kerrang and Q magazine. Team Rock also
follow this trend, however they specialise in niche markets are
their main project is Metal Hammer. This tells me these 2
institutions are interested in that audience. Team Rock may
be the better choice because, while they publish many rock
magazines, they all stick to a certain sub-genre and I believe
a magazine that covers all sub-genres for readers who like
multiple genres. Bauer media might be good because while
they publish kerrang, it’s a weekly magazine so they can miss
out on news story developments. My magazine would be
monthily, thus having more fleshed out content, which could
cause more people to want to buy it.
WHAT KIND OF MEDIA INSTITUTION MIGHT
DISTRIBUTE MY MEDIA PRODUCT AND WHY?

5.  After reviewing my magazine, I have decided that it would be
aimed at an androgynous market of older teenagers/young
adults (16-25) of the lower to middle class. Would tend to
have a decant amount of money (self made/parents) as there
would be a lot of concerts/events/merchandise advertised
within it, which can usually be fairly expensive. However
competitions and free items would also entice those of a
lower class, for a chance to see their favourite artist for free
or allowing them to find out about new bands without
spending a lot of money.
WHO WOULD BE THE AUDIENCE FOR MY
MEDIA PRODUCT?

6.  I used many special offers to get the reader to but my product
e.g the competition to win tickets to slam dunk festival. I also
had the most interesting headline on the front page in
noticeable places on the cover. I had the tagline and a section
on the cover mentioning other bands on the left side of the
page because outlets that sell magazines tend to stack them
with the left side showing, making these parts visible to
people looking through the magazine section in shops, in the
hopes of seeing a band/artist they like.
HOW DID I ATTRACT/ADDRESS MY
AUDIENCE?

7.  I used a lot of hardware in the duration of this project. I have
learned how to use a professional digital camera to both take
photographs and videos (my audience interviews). I also
learned how to use recording devices and how to upload the
files from both these devices from a SD card to the computer.
 I also used a lot of software in this project. I used photoshop
to create the cover and contents page and learned how to use
a lot of the tools (e.g the blur tool) to make the cover look the
best I could. I also used Adobe premier pro (a video editing
software) and learned how to edit videos and sound to make a
smooth, organised video. Finally I used Adobe InDesign to
make my double page spread, this was a software that I
hadn't used before but now I know how to used it effectively.
WHAT HAVE I LEARNT ABOUT
TECHNOLOGIES FROM THE PROCESS OF
CONSTRUCTING THIS PRODUCT?

8.  I believe that I have learned how to create a professional
looking magazine since then. I have learned how to use
conventions effectively and how to pander towards my target
audience. I know how to take more appealing photographs
that look aesthetically pleasing. I've learned how to place
aspects better so they are easily seen by people who aren’t
properly looking and how to make them aspects look a lot
better.
LOOKING BACK AT MY PRELIMINARY TASK, WHAT DO
I FEEL I HAVE LEARNT IN THE PROGRESSION FROM IT
TO THE FULL PRODUCT?
Before After