The document discusses technologies the author learned to use during the production of their magazine. They had to learn Photoshop quickly to complete pages, and watched tutorials to develop an understanding of how the program works. The author also learned to use a Canon 550D camera by watching tutorials on settings like shutter speed and exposure. Finally, the author learned how to create and manage a blog using step-by-step guides to promote their work.

2. WHAT HAVE I LEARNT ABOUT TECHNOLOGIES FROM THE
PRODUCTION PROCESS?
Throughout the gradual production of my magazine, it has been required of me to adapt and learn how to use a
variety of technologies. Many of the sites I utilised such as YouTube were of course familiar to me and provided
little in the way of issues. However, I hadn’t used Photoshop and therefore had to learn how to in a short amount
of time in order to complete the most substantial area of production. In order to do so, I spent a large amount of
time watching tutorials on YouTube and reading instructions on how to efficiently use this program. From these
videos and general exploration, I had developed a relatively detailed understanding of how the program works and
have found many shortcuts along the way which have all contributed to producing the pages to the best of my
ability.
A second aspect of production that I had no previous experience in was photography. For my pictures I used a
cannon 550D. As it was completely new to me I had to gain knowledge on how to take the best photos by correctly
formatting all of the camera different features. To do so, I watched a series of tutorials both directly from Cannon
and from public users in order to gauge how simple it really is. Such videos enabled me to get aspects such as
shutter speed and exposure to the levels I required.
Thirdly and finally, the use of blogger was required for the public access to my work. I’d never created a blog before
and had a very vague understanding of how they function and what to expect when managing one. Step by step
guides helped me to quickly learn the simplistic nature of blogging and also expanded my knowledge on work
promotion by informing me of ways to best arrange and order my work. This was perhaps the most important of
the lessons I had learnt as the blog itself would contain every piece of work I had produced in the build up to the
final pieces.

3. WHO WOULD BE THE AUDIENCE FOR MY PRODUCT?
The target audience for my product was somewhat decided by my research into where the biggest
market actually lies, what age group is most likely to be attracted to the product and finally where there
is a gap in the product range. My research pointed towards a young audience aged between 18-24 and
predominantly male. I found that magazines already in the market that shared aspects of my own theme
were strongly aimed at this group. Magazines such as Kerrang!, RockSound and MetalHammer all
displayed content targeted at the teen/student male population.
One key weakness I found in several of the magazines I researched was the narrowness of their content.
Only a single genre was explored in many of them leaving the market for those mentioned extremely
small and niche. By focusing on a type of artist as oppose to the genre of music they produce, I believe
that a greater range of people would be inclined to endeavour into buying it. I think that by building on
the strong fan base my researched companies are capable of constructing, the possibility of an unset
target audience can be achieved. Although I have maintained aspects that would be visually stimulating
and manageable to those with perhaps fewer years behind them, I have also tried to keep the content
tasteful and detailed where necessary.
Conclusively speaking, my target audience is young people aged roughly between 16 and 25. With
regards to gender, this particular edition would suggest that it’s solely a woman power magazine.
However, from a broader perspective I would simply suggest that it’s actually aimed at both genders and
depends on the markets interest in detailed yet visually manageable context.

4. LOOKING BACK AT MY PRELIMINARY TASK, WHAT DO I FEEL
I'VE LEARNT IN THE PROGRESSION FROM IT TO MY FINAL
PRODUCT?

5. TEXT/FONT CHOICE PHOTOGRAPHY STRUCTURE/FORMATION
From my first attempt at design it’s clear to see
that I had approached this task with very limited
knowledge of Photoshop. The font is basic and
without any colour. Furthermore, it’s positioning is
poor and fails to grab any attention from possible
audiences. Not only is it too high up on the page,
but it is also narrow and not bold or eye-catching.
The skills I have learnt on my journey to
completion are displayed in this piece of text. The
title is both bold, colourful and unique. Effects
such as drop shadowing have been employed to
assist in it’s prominence and help with the overall
look I was hoping to achieve. Another important
factor, positioning, has been considered with the
utmost significance. The fashion in which it
cohabits with the central image fits in perfectly
with my ideology.
This front cover is poorly
structured. It fails to
promote the product in an
attractive fashion and has
very little content. It isn’t at
all informative and contains
few visually stimulating
characteristics. I shows very
limited used of editing and
features absolutely no
evidence of effects being
employed to improve the
formation.
This front cover on the
other conveys a strong and
formal structure. The
central image is nestled in
between several small
informative posts. The
magazines title is worked
around the image carefully
not to spoil the
prominence of the image.
My research has aloud me
to utilize empty space to
the best of its ability
accordingly with the
already existing magazines.
At the time this photo was taken, I hadn’t watched
any cannon camera tutorials nor had I ever taken
photos for formal usage. This is made visible by the
disarray within the image. The picture was rushed and
the models are not in their prior informed positions.
The exposure levels are poorly set and not at all how I
intended them to be for the shoot. As a result of the
misjudgement, the image had to be faded to cover the
errors.
After learning how to actually use the
camera I had decided to use, it was far
easier to achieve an outcome similar
to the one I needed. This image is in
keeping with the themes portrayed in
my magazine and fits in well with the
general styling. This success was only
made possible through the lessons I
had learnt after making my initial
mistakes on the preliminary tasks

6. WHAT KIND OF MEDIA INSTITUTE MIGHT DISTRIBUTE MY
MAGAZINE AND WHY?
The most obvious choice for a publisher would be the Bauer Media group. Bauer is a multinational corporation based in
Germany that acts as the publisher and distributor for a large range of highly commercial magazine lines. Upon researching
this company, I discovered that many of the magazine brands that I have included in my initial research were in fact
published and distributed by Bauer Media. These magazines include Kerrang! And Q. In addition to the previous success of
Bauer, they also have a long list of nations in which they distribute and function. The Bauer Publishing Group comprises 300
magazines worldwide in 15 countries, as well as TV and radio stations. Bauer Media Group has a 50% stake in the British
television company Box Television, the other half owned by Channel 4. The great variations in the areas managed by Bauer
make it useful when considering expansion. Kerrang being the best example of this. Connections made through Bauer
media group have contributed to Kerrang! Expanding and creating both a radio station and a Television channel.
Despite the clear benefits that come with working under the Bauer Media company, I believe that the magazines they
promote are far too similar in structure to the magazine I have created. To avoid any risk of my magazine being
overshadowed or buried beneath far longer running magazines, I would chose another distributer and publisher. One
possible option that I would most likely approach is the London based publisher IPC Media. Although they no longer
specialise in music publication, they do have a wide range of highly specialised magazines that all appeal to a vast array of
people within the market. Such an institution might be ideal for me as not only do they lack a magazine with similar content
to mine, but they also have ties with multinational publishers that may prove useful in the future.