question 6

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

2. Before this project was started my digital skills were
limited. To begin with I was not comfortable with using
Photoshop, the software seemed complicated and far
too advanced for me to understand. When I began my
preliminary task of creating a magazine for a Sixth Form, I
found it difficult to crop images and I struggled with
designing a look that gave my magazine authenticity.

3. This image (on the following slide) was the one I used for my
preliminary work. It was apparent that I was already unaware
of the conventions of a magazine. The image taken as a
medium shot would have worked better as a medium close-
up as the audience would have been more attracted to buy
the magazine because of the cover star.
Furthermore, the confusing background detracts attention
from the cover star. I learned from this mistake and used a
plain white background in my pop magazine.

5. The following two images show my development of my skills throughout this project.
I have been able to analyses what my target audience would like and in y final piece of work I
have used bold font for page numbers and a smaller font for text therefore the reader will be
able to make the best out of the magazine. On the other hand with my preliminary tsk
everything is written in a bold font as a result the audience will not be able to access the
magazine to the fullest extent.
Furthermore, due to analysing past issues of We Love Pop and Top Of The Pops magazine have I
managed to re-create a successful style that is apparent in these respected magazines. My
layout is clear and organized ad the reader will be able to navigate with ease through the
page.
In addition to this, I have realised the conventions for a magazine too. My preliminary task looks
boring due to the lack off different colours and recurring font. On the other hand, my final
contents page is bold and striking due to me using two colours that adhere to each other. I have
also learnt the conventions of a pop magazine from my research and have been able to
implement these into my contents page e.g. clear layout, colours etc.

8. However, after moving on from my preliminary
task and beginning to work on my pop
magazine, I found it easier to access Photoshop
once I started experimenting with the software
available. It took me awhile to get to grips with
the software however the tools became more
accessible as I toyed with them over and over
again.

9. I feel after this project that I have become more confident
with media studies. I have learned about professional
software that I will use throughout my time studying A Level
media studies and although I have learnt how to use
Photoshop there are still certain skills that I am yet to master.
To upload my work, instead of using handwritten coursework,
I used a blogging site to present my work. Effectively, my work
looked extremely professional and I was able to characterize
my page the way I desired. Furthermore, it was much easier
to make changes and update pieces of work whenever I
wanted and I would have struggled to do so with
handwritten coursework. In addition, the blogging website
allowed me to become more organized with my coursework.