The document discusses the learning and improvements from the author's preliminary magazine project to the final product. Specifically: - Research and planning was more thorough for the final product, allowing the author to understand conventions of pop magazines. - Photoshop skills improved, such as using layers and editing images. - Following conventions made the final magazine look more authentic while also being easy to design. - The project taught the importance of understanding the target audience and appealing to their interests to increase readership.

1. Question 7
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you
feel you have learned in the progression of it to the
finished product?

2. Preliminary Task vs Finished Product

3. Research and Planning
My research and planning played a big part in my finished product of my
magazine.
I did not do much research for my preliminary task, therefore I suffered in not
knowing the typical conventions that a school magazine carried. However, with my
pop magazine I analysed various previous issues of We Love Pop and Top Of The
Pops magazine therefore, I was aware of the layout, colour schemes and other
conventions that these magazines often use.
I was prepared to begin after my research because I was confident that I had an
assured knowledge of not only the style of my magazine but I also had an idea of
the audience and the market that I was delivering my magazine too.

4. I am pleased with the finished look of my product. I feel that my front cover,
contents page and double page spread adhere to the conventions of a pop
magazine. Furthermore, they all look authentic due to the inspiration I have taken
from other successful pop magazines.
To add, I feel as if all of the pieces represent a pop magazine. The bold bright
colours are conventionally what we associate with pop magazine. Furthermore,
the professional, high quality images I have used for each piece make my finished
product stand out with a high quality finish. Additionally, my mode of address also
conforms to the style that real pop magazines are written in. I have used
abbreviations such as “mag”, addressed my audience with “hey girls!” and I
always use slang such as “amaze” language of which my target audience will use.
I have used Photoshop effectively to create an effective layout for my magazine
whilst also being able to edit and recolor pictures so they fit the conventions of pop
magazines (such as using high key lighting and displaying exaggerated gestures)

5. My
front
cover
and
double
page
spread

6. Photoshop
My skills on Photoshop have progressed since completing my preliminary
material.
I have found better ways to organise my work. For each image or shape I add to
my page, I have learnt to name and place a layer. As a result my work becomes
easier to edit as I know where to look and everything is ordered. Previously, my
layers became jumbled and I became unaware of the location of each piece of text
or shape.
Furthermore, I am able to work with picture better too. Effectively, I have earnt
how to make a picture fit into it’s surroundings. For example, the image of my
cover star on my front cover is large, yet I have managed to add sellines and other
secondary images around it so as the image blends in with the surroundings but
not lost on the front cover.

7. Photoshop continued
I used a conventional approach for the style of my magazine. This choice came
with its benefits.
A style that has been created for many of years made popular by We Love Pop
and Top Of The Pops, this style is one of which is able to keep attracting its target
audience each and every issue. Furthermore, due its simplistic shapes and layout
they conventional style is excellent to take inspiration from due to the easy design
methods that arise with it. In addition to this, following a conventional style, allows
my magazine to look extremely authentic as my pieces have taken inspiration
from already popular magazines.

8. Overall
This project has taught me about how to appeal to an audience. From my focus
group, I was able to tell that my target audience appreciated and enjoyed similar
features which was positive as I was able to appeal to a larger readership due to
their similar interests.
I have also learnt that when creating a magazine, one must always take into
consideration the reaction you will receive from your audience. It is beneficial to
question whether your audience will enjoy what you have put into your magazine.
This is why it was extremely important to research and plan what my audience will
be like. My effective research told me, in detail about my audience's’ interest,
personalities and lifestyles therefore I was able to understand the requirements
my audience had from my magazine

9. Overall continued
My creativity has also increased throughout this project. I have discovered new
ways of thinking. For example, I now think of alternative ways in which to change
my work and how I can add to it. I always ask myself does this look right here? Or,
how can this be improved?
Additionally, using a blogging website to upload my coursework has added to my
creative side. I have discovered a new way to present my work in an organised,
clear manner which is beneficial with coursework. Furthermore, it is more
advanced than written coursework as I am able to edit and adapt my work when I
see fit.