The document discusses the learning and improvements from a preliminary magazine project to the full product. Key points include: - More in-depth research was conducted on conventions, audiences, and genres to better align the product. - Feedback from a focus group helped refine and evolve the ideas and ensure they would appeal to the target audience. - Time management, photography, design, and production skills all improved, resulting in a more polished and professional final product.

1. Looking back at your preliminary task,
what do you feel you have learnt in the
progression from it to the full
product?

2. Planning & Preparation
• This time around I did far more in-depth research towards conventions of existing
products, as well as more detailed audience research. I frequently uploaded ideas
onto my Facebook focus group page in order to gain some initial responses from my
focus group, to see whether these ideas we worth expanding on or not.
• I also used YouTube to research into the conventions that the acoustic/folk/counrty
music genres have by looking at music videos and film trailers. I found this really
helpful, and I took a lot of what I saw on board, and I think that is reflected in my
final product.
• I also re drafted a lot, in order to make my production more suited to the target
audience. I think this process helped my product evolve into being something that
my target audience would be more likely to buy and enjoy. I didn’t do this type of
thing particularly in the preliminary product, and I think had I done, the overall
preliminary product would’ve been better as a result.

3. Time Management
My experience of the preliminary task showed me the
importance of effective time keeping. As I was slightly
disorganised first time around, it caused a lot of inconvenience
to both myself and those I’d asked to be in my photos. As a
result, this time I planned my time a lot better- updating my
blog far more frequently with time management updates and
adding all my potential plans on my diary and reminder app on
my phone. This ensured I met necessary deadlines and stuck to
initial arrangements with my models when possible.

4. Technical Photography
• Although I used the same camera for both products, I
definitely think that I learnt a lot from the preliminary
task in terms of photography, and as result the photos
for Folk This are for more effective than those of
ESS, my preliminary magazine. For Folk This I
attempted to use lighting to generate an atmospheric
vibe. I think this went well, as I think the sunlight rays
in the cover and double page spread photos definitely
enhance the images, and make it more folk related.

5. Conventions
• I think that my more developed research into existing
products in comparison to the preliminary, had a knock
on effect on what conventions I included in Folk This. I
think I paid more attention to detail to conventions than I
did for ESS, including things such as pull quotes and more
sub headings in the contents etc this time around. My
more developed research into conventions also enabled
me to challenge them in some cases to suit my target
audience. For example, the use of photographs as
complete background as opposed to manipulated images
on a artificial background.

6. Post Production
• Although I did not manipulate my images that much, I did use
some Adobe Photoshop effects to create a more professional
look. For example I altered the contrast on the photos to create
a more stylish looking image. However, I didn’t think it would
be suitable to rely on Photshop too much as I wanted to create
a more natural and organic looking product that suits the folk
genre.
• InDesign was very useful to me as I was able to create a better
looking contents and double page spread. Being able to create
equal sized columns and justifying text gave the magazine a
more professional look. I was also able to create circular shapes
that I used on the cover and contents to advertise the
competition.

7. Target Audience
• My focus group played a massive part in what I did in my production
to appeal to my target audience. For example my decision to use
photographs as the entire background was down to my focus group.
They argued that nearly all magazine they had come across, didn’t use
photographs as the full background, and how they recommended that
I do it in order to challenge conventions and appeal to the target
audience in the process. The age of my target audience also affected
my decisions, for example- my choice of Folk This as the title was
mostly down to having a young adult target audience, who would
interpret it the preferred way, whereas as older audience may be
offended. Also the fact that my target audience were female,
encouraged me to use a close up for the cover, as they liked that it
resembled a fashion magazine layout a little more, rather than a mid
shot- which my research showed me were typical of music magazine
covers.

8. What have I learnt?
• In this process I think that I definitely developed my
understanding of image manipulation software such as
Photoshop and desktop publishing software such as InDesign.
• I also learnt the importance of audience feedback and how it
can massively alter my final decisions towards my product, and
therefore how important it was to take all feedback on board in
order to create the most suitable product possible within the
time frame.
• Finally I developed analysis skills and how they are important to
ensure that my choice of fonts, images, colours, shot angles etc
connote the right thing to target audience, resulting in a
preferred and favourable interpretation of my work.

9. Did I achieve my targets?
• - I will develop my analysis in my evaluation regarding the technological process.
- Use more developed IT skills to show technological skill.
- Maintain a more organised blog, with clearer titles etc.
• Those were the targets I set myself after the preliminary task.
• Firstly, I definitely think that I increased my level of analysis regarding the
use of technology, as it was relatively basic in my evaluation of the
preliminary task. This time however I went into detail about how technology
enabled me to adapt my production to suit the target audience, and therefore
create a more appealing magazine.
• Secondly, I feel that I did progress with my technology skills in comparison
to the first task. Once I got used to the basics, I felt more confident and
therefore could achieve more advanced tasks that wouldn’t have been
possible in the preliminary task.
• Finally, I think that I did maintain a better organised blog, as I made sure the
titles with more coherent titles. I also contributed to it more regularly than I
did in the preliminary.