The document discusses skills developed and lessons learned from creating a magazine mock-up. The author learned Photoshop skills like layers and effects and how to use websites like Blogger, Scribd and Slideshare. Strengths included well-focused photos, an effective color scheme, use of strokes and drop shadows. Weaknesses were empty space on the contents page, a non-professional font, and uninteresting photos. The author felt they understood magazine composition better but did not progress as much as hoped. An action plan includes researching magazine design techniques.

1. Skills I have used/learnt
• I had already used Adobe Photoshop before starting the preliminary task, and so I did have some
knowledge of editing photographs using this software. However, during this task I did develop my
skills of how to manipulate layers, and I also learned how to use effects such as ‘strokes’ and ‘drop
shadows’.
• During this project, I learned and developed skills whilst using Blogger. I had not previously used
this website and so during this project I learned how to add text, jpeg images and documents.
• To upload the documents onto blogger, I had to use Scribd and Slideshare. Again I had never used
these websites before starting the preliminary task, and so I learned how to convert documents into
HTML codes which could later be put onto Blogger.
• For all of the writing that I needed to do, I presented my information on a Microsoft Powepoint
presentation, which I already knew how to do. I also used Microsoft Work to creat my risk
assessments, which I had also previously used before starting the task.
• During this task, I have definitely developed my knowledge of the conventional ways of composing
a magazine. I have gained skills which have helped me to decide on the layout of my magazine
pages; the colour scheme for my magazine; the style of photographs I should use in my magazine
and the coverlines and other information presented on my magazine pages.

2. Strengths
• I am pleased with how my photography turned out for my magazine pages, as all of my photos are in focus and I also
managed to successfully take a medium shot of my model for my front cover. This photo also uses direct address,
which is conventional.
• In my opinion, I think that the colour scheme for the cover page was successful. This is because the colour of my text
contrasts strongly with the darker background, making it easy to read. My main image also contrasts with the colours
in the background, making my model one of the main focal points. My colour scheme is also stereotypically gender
neutral, which is important as my target is all students from the college, not just students of a specific gender.
• I think that one of my strengths was my use of strokes and drop shadows, as both of these effects made the text and
images stand out even more against the background. The strokes were especially important, as there were areas of
my backgrounds that were the same colour as my text, and so without strokes the text would be lost in the
background
• I also think that one of my strength was my composition of the front cover. This is because I have followed
conventions and placed my coverlines in the left and the right third, and my main image is in the middle third. I have
also created main focal points by using puffs/starbursts.
• In my opinion, my magazine is very simple and not over-complicated, which makes it easier for the audience to read
as the pages are not too busy. I have also chosen Sans Serif fonts which are very easy to read.
• I think that the fonts that I chose for my masthead and for the quotation on the contents page were successful as they
appear to be handwritten, which would appeal to my target audience as it links with the theme of college. It also
makes it seem more personal.

3. Weaknesses and Areas to improve
• I think that I could improve the composition of my contents page, as there is still a lot of white space,
which makes the page seem empty. I think I could have added more images relating to the coverlines
to fill up some of the space.
• In my opinion, my magazine doesn’t look very professional, which may be due to the font that I chose
to use for the coverlines. I chose to use a font which is very commonly used in different types of
documents, which makes it seem unprofessional as magazines typically use uncommon fonts that
will become part of that magazine’s house style.
• Also I followed conventions by placing my coverlines on the right and left thirds of my cover page, my
masthead does not fit into the top right third, which I think is a weaknesses if the magazine was
placed on a shelf, the masthead would be partially covered by other magazines, meaning that people
wouldn't recognise it easily.
• Although I think that my colour scheme was one of my strengths, The white text did not work quite as
well on the contents page as it did on the cover page. This is because it did not contrast strongly
enough with some of the background, due to the clouds.
• Another weakness of my magazine is the photos I selected to use on my contents page. Although
they follow the conventions of a magazine and relate to my coverlines, they images themselves are
not particularly interesting, and so may not attract the audience to the articles as I had hoped.

4. How I feel about my progress
• During this task, I feel like I have really developed my understanding
of the conventional ways to compose magazine pages. Although I
already knew about the rule of thirds, I did not know how different
features fit into these thirds.
• I also believe that I have improved my editing skills during this task,
and I have definitely developed my Photoshop skills and have
progressed considerably due to these skills
• When I compare my original draft to my finished products, I can tell
that I have progressed in some ways, for example, the placement of
all of the features on my finished product seems slightly more
professional. However, my drafts and my final products look very
similar, suggesting that I have not progressed as much as I would
have liked.

5. Action Plan
• In order to improve my composition, I will research other magazines to gain an idea
of how to use the rule of thirds to my advantage, and to find out where magazines
typically place the masthead.
• I will also look look for less common fonts to use, as I think this would make my
magazine seem more professional. I may use websites such as dafont.com to find
these fonts.
• I will do some research to see how magazines conventionally fill up any white
space, without making the contents page look to crowded, as my contents page
seemed very empty do to all of the white space.
• Another thing I will research is how colour schemes are chosen for different types
of magazines, and how texts are made to contrast the background colour used.
• I will try to take my time when taking photos as this will help me to achieve photos
that are both linked to the coverlines, and interesting and appealing.