The student learned about desktop publishing software like Microsoft Publisher and image editing software like Adobe Photoshop through completing tasks to create a school magazine and music magazine. While Publisher allowed basic layout and design, Photoshop provided professional tools for complex editing and customization that improved the quality of the final magazine. Additional technologies used included a digital SLR camera to take high-quality images, memory cards to store and transfer files, and both a laptop and PC for creation and research.

1. Question 6
What have you learnt about
technologies from the process of
constructing this product

2. Desktop Publisher
 For my preliminary task I was asked to create a school magazine for Kings Norton
Boys using the Microsoft Desktop Publisher software, Before starting the course I
already had a brief understanding of the capabilities Microsoft Desktop Publisher had
in store. I Knew the basic functions and tools meaning my preliminary task wasn’t to
difficult.
 I Was able to finish my Magazine in a short amount of time due to the accessibility I
had with the software; meaning I could use it in school and also at home. However
this also had its disadvantages; My final product was very basic and unprofessional, I
also had no understanding of any magazine conventions.
 Overall Desktop Publisher is a good piece of software to start of with however is not
ideal for the creation of high end magazine production.

3. Desktop Publisher
This is my Magazine I
made for my
preliminary task, as
you can see there is no
great detail. I was able
to create basic shapes,
letters, insert a range
of colours and images.
I added a range of
Coverlines by using
the Autoshape tool, a
very simple tool
however looks quite
effective. Then I
added the text by
using the text box
button.
Inserting text was easy
and so was changing the
colour and size
Adding the image was
also simple as there was
a tool to select which
images you want
selecting to be inserted.

4. Adobe Photoshop
 For my final task I had to produce a Final High standard music magazine, I was
advised to use Photoshop as it is used within the music magazine industry to produce
professional magazines. So I did, before starting I had a very little idea on how to
even use the software. However thought this is needed as I want to make my final
product to the highest standard possible. To gather a better understanding of the
software we started by making a practice magazine with the help of our teacher, I
began to pick up the general use of it and then started learning the more complex
tools such as how to use filters, blend images, use of brushes, etc..
 It took me extremely long to completely finish my magazine as I was not able to
access the software at home also the fact I was still learning whilst making my
product would of slowed down the process. However overall my final product is to a
standard that I was hoping for, in my opinion and I guarantee
like others Photoshop is the ideal software to use in order to
create a good quality magazine.

5. Adobe Photoshop
There are many tools and
buttons which can be accessed
on the left hand tool bar, these
are usually used to insert
objects or free hand draw
Below is a tool bar which
contains many different task,
ranging from copy and past to
adding filters to images
Here are the tools
that allow you to
add adjustments
to layers
This is where
your layers are
organised, you
can group
layers, rasterize
them, flatten the
image, etc..

6. My final cover page using Adobe Photoshop
Overall my final product is
to a quality standard, there
are many professional like
features and effects
throughout it.
Photoshop allowed me
to do things no other
software would, for
instance by the use of
brushes I was able to
add a rocker style
border to this
Coverline.
It also allowed me to
add borders to the
text, also the width,
opacity and colour of
the border could be
changed.
It allowed me to edit my main
image with the use of; filters,
contrast, curves and the use of
noise.
Finally it allowed me to add a
drop shadow on the pug, this
helps it stand out and look
professional. Without
Photoshop none of this would
be possible

7. www.dafont.com
 When using Photoshop I realised there was only a small range of fonts available, so
In order to come up with a final masthead I wanted to look for a range of different
style fonts. So in order to find more fonts I went to www.dafont.com, the website
contains thousands of fonts however are only available if you are a member so in the
mean time I had to print screen any fonts I thought would fit my genre.

8. Camera
 To take the images for my final task I used a Nikon digital SLR D3100, with 14.2
megapixels with new EXPEED 2 image processing engine to produce highly detailed
images containing rich tonal gradations and faithful colour. Before starting the task I
had a great understanding of how to use the camera: especially to do with focus, rule
of third and zoom.

9. Memory Stick
 I used a 32GB memory card to store and transfer any files I made, I also
was able to back up any files I made if they were to get lost
Laptop and PC
 I used both a laptop and computer throughout the course; the laptop was
mainly used to create the magazine as my home computer did not have
access to photoshop. Whereas I used the computer to conduct my
research.