The progression from the preliminary task to the final product involved improvements in several key areas:
1) Images were more carefully shot and edited using techniques learned from tutorials to focus on elements like lighting and composition.
2) Text layout and design was enhanced with a bold font choice, varied text sizes, and greater attention to content and structure.
3) Overall magazine layout became more complex, creative and professional through increased Photoshop skills like layering and editing photos and text with different colors.
4) Elements like the masthead were made more prominent and eye-catching based on research into magazine design conventions.