The document discusses the progression from the preliminary task to the full product for a music magazine. It reflects on areas that improved like understanding of software, research skills, design skills, photography skills, and developing a house style. The preliminary task helped prepare for the main task but many areas could be improved. For the music magazine, more extensive market and audience research was needed. Semiotic knowledge and conventions were applied to make the product look professional. Time was used effectively through research and focus on the end goal. Skills and the product improved overall from increased experience with the software and production process.

1. Question 7: Looking back at your
preliminary task, what do you think
you have learnt in the progression
from it, to the full product
Antony Pettersen

2. How good do you think your
preliminary task was?
I think my preliminary task was a good effort
based on the set of skills and knowledge of the
software I had at the time when I started it.
Despite this I feel that, now, looking back on the
preliminary task I could and should have
probably done a lot better although in
conclusion I think it served its purpose – To get a
chance to design a magazine and as preparation
for the main task.

3. Had you used the software before
this task or was this the first time?
How easy or difficult was it to use?
Before starting the AS media course I had not used
the software programmes Photoshop or In Design. To
begin with it took me time to get used to the software
and all the processes they entailed but after I finished
my music magazine I feel like I have a good
understanding of the software.

4. When you started your main task what did you realise
about market and audience research that you didn’t
perhaps focus on as much for your student magazine?
After starting the research for the student magazine I realised
there was a lot more to focus market and audience research
on then from the college magazine. This was due to the
content of a college magazine being around a wide range of
topics. Also the research for a college magazine could be
easily conducted e.g. in the classroom due to everybody
being a student. The music magazine was more specific to
different types of music meaning that the pool of information
available first hand was greatly reduced. This means I had to
focus more on gaining reliable information from different
resources. On top of this there were a lot more avenues to
research e.g music magazines in circulation meaning that
there was a lot more to focus on.

5. How did you use your semiotic knowledge and
awareness of codes and conventions to produce work
which looked professional?
I used my knowledge of semiotic knowledge and
awareness of code and conventions to make my
final product look professional. As explained in
evaluation question 1 and in my research in
planning I started off by research conventions of
magazines which gave me a good basis to begin my
design from. Whilst designing I continually
referenced my magazine design with magazines
that were in circulation to ensure my product
looked as close to, and referenced, a product
already on general sale.

6. How did you make use of time
effectively?
I used time effectively by ensuring at all time I
was working towards a final goal which would
ensure all my work kept me on track and
focused. I also used my time to conduct research
and through using this research I made sure my
product was fit for purpose. This means I used
the time to lay the groundwork and then used
the information to ensure my product was the
highest quality.

7. Looking at your page designs explain
and pick out examples as to how your
skills and design and photography
skills have improved or altered by
answering these questions:

8. How did you improve your
photography skills?
I improved my photography skills through the
task through researching music magazines and
looking at the photography used as well as just
purely taking photographs and by taking more
time setting up the set, models pose and the use
of props.

9. How did your Photoshop and In
Design skills improve?
When I first started the course I did not have the
skills or knowledge for Photoshop and I did not
have the skills to successfully use InDesign. As I
grew more accustomed to the programmes and
after gaining experience using them my skills
improve and using this set of skills I have
managed to produce a professional piece of
work.

10. How did you develop skills to produce
the article?
To develop my skills to produce the article I
analysed magazine articles and looked at their
mode of address. After I had done this I simply
just used my own imagination and knowledge of
literature to write the article.

11. How much more important was
house style for your final piece?
The House Style of my final piece was one of the
most important aspects. This is because all
magazines are based around a house style which
give the reader the impression everything there
reading is connected to the magazine. It also
makes the magazine look professional due to it
all being of a similar style and due to my brief
being to make the magazine look professional as
possible it makes the house style very
important.

12. How much more professional does
your main product look and why is
this the case?
I believe my media product looks very
professional. This is down to the house style,
photography, layout and design. These features
are very important because if they are not done
to a good standard the final product looks a
mess and unprofessional