My media evaluation course work.

1. The evaluation
By Luke Reeves

2. The questions.
The below questions are the questions that I will be answering for my evaluation
based on my media product of the music magazine.
• In what ways does your media product use develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products
• How does your media product represent particular social groups
• What kind of media institutions might distribute your media product and why.
• Who would be the audience to your target audience.
• How did you attract/address your audience?
• What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the
product.
• Looking back to your preliminary task, what do you feel that you have learnt in
the progression from it the full product.
• How successful do you feel your end product is in fulfilling the task? How well
does it fill the brief?

3. The finished product.

4. The finished product page 2.

5. Question 1- In what ways does
your media product use, develop
or challenge forms and
conventions of real media
products.

6. Throughout the entire process of making my magazine I ensured
and tried to make sure that my own magazine included the codes
and conventions that a standard magazine would use. To find out
what conventions are commonly used I researched many music
magazine including: ‘Billboard’, ‘Vibe’, ‘Q’ and more I also used
this exercise to analyse the effect these conventions had on the
audience. The hyperlink below highlights another time I analysed
a magazine front cover and contents and double page spread.
http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/research-into-
similar-products_9.html
To add to this we also took part in a project called the “layout
exercise”. Here we applied conventions such as cover lines onto a
made up front cover.
http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/layout-
exercise.html
The exercise above really helped me understand how to arrange
the cover lines and various other conventions but also gave me
ideas of supporting areas and stories that I could use to onto my
magazine. The exercise really gave me understanding into how to
produce a music magazine.

7. • So having learned from the conventions of the layout exercise I would try to apply
them to my own magazine:
• I took a look at how I could use each individual convention and use them on my own
magazines front cover in relation to other magazine front covers that I may of
researched or used the similar conventions.
In my magazine it was vital that I used particular conventions to
ensure that my magazine followed the conduct of a actual
magazine. One of the main conventions that was vital that I used
was the left third. This was important as in the sales of magazines
the left third is what consumers see when the magazine overlap
when in sale.
I wanted to make sure that the cover lines were around the cover
star as it allowed for seamless link were the readers eye could
just move from cover star to cover lines.
It was also imperative to me that my main cover line was bigger
then the ordinary cover lines as this is the main story and selling
point for the magazine. It also creates a powerful link between
artist and magazine.
I also ensured I had over 4 cover lines to make my magazine
seem professional and not amateur.
Other conventions that I used was a Puff, Pug, skyline and the
barcode, dateline and price.

8. Conventions that I have
used on my front cover.
Masthead/Left third.
Cover lines
Main cover line
Barcode
Pug
Dateline, price , Url.
Cover star
Puff
Skyline

9. Challenges to conventions and
developments.
• There is one main aspect in which I actually
believe that I challenged the conventions of a
music magazine this is evident within the
convention of direct mode of address. In most
magazines it is common for their cover star to look
directly into the camera and so the audience, I
decided to not follow this idea I did this for a
variety of reasons one for effect and secondly to
make my magazine stand out from other magazines
on the market. I beloved him looking away from
the camera added to his character background and
story.
• From the get go I didn’t want to feature any real
artists as I wanted to create a unique and different
magazine that would spotlight the underground or
unknown gems or music.
• I also perhaps went away from the typical look of
an artist instead of flamboyant and in your face I
went for a more simple pulled back look.
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/dra
fting-and-planning-clothing-for-my_9.html

10. • I was inspired by this
first magazine by its
use of the black and
white colour scheme
of the cover star. I feel
this type of colour
scheme presents a
slick and classical and
professional feel that
just elevates a
magazine to stand out.
When thinking of inspiration I
had for my magazine there wasn’t
a definitive magazine that I
wanted my magazine to look like
or was inspired by, instead it was
a collection of different
magazines that I combined
together to make what I thought
would be a perfect magazine
combing all the conventions and
designs that I liked.
The main reason this particular magazine
inspired me was through its use of its main
cover line. I liked how different it
looked, using the cover stars name in bigger
font then the content smaller, this technique I
used on my magazine. I also liked how the
main cover line was placed on the cover star
instead of above, below or to the sides.
As you can see I implemented the
colour scheme of black and white
on my magazine.
Here you can see how I was
inspired by the main cover line as I
followed the same design.

11. • I also took inspiration from the billboard
contents page. I showed this by having
my main cover star featured on the
contents page to create a link between the
three pages and to also show the
importance of the cover star.
• Furthermore I also was inspired by
billboard in how they split their contents
page into individual areas and had more
then one feature to them. This is shown
by me using: “Album reviews”, “in every
issue”. I also followed the splitting up of
my page shown by the fact that I used a
simple line splitting the page and that I
put “Also in this issue”.

12. • Within my double page spread I was
influenced by the top double spread through
its use of the borders at the top of the page
that brings in the “Most successful
newcomer in music”. I was also influenced
by the bottom magazine as I liked the way
that the text wraps itself around the artist
creating a unique and stylish feel to the text.
I accomplished this on my magazine shown
by how the text wraps around the artist.
• I started working with the idea of having the
text wrapping round the artist even in my
page plus task shown here:
http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/
page-plus-exercise_20.html

13. • Overall I am happy with the overall layout of the
magazine and how I've used the conventions
within my finished product. I believe my
magazine appeals to my audience because of its
genre it look incredibly laid back at the same
time makes a statement.
• I believe my front cover is good as I used a
variety of conventions such as the 5 cover lines,
left third, skyline, main cover, puff & pug and
more.
• I can say the same for my contents page as I
believe it honestly looks like a magazines
contents page, I have my actual contents which
goes up to 88. I featured my cover star as well
two supporting stars. I added in some additional
features that really pull the magazine together
like the album reviews and the in every issue
box.
• Finally I am also very happy with my double
page spread. I felt the pages simplicity in terms
of its background as it allows the star to stand
put perfectly. I used a variety of pull quotes to
really bring in the reader and sell the article
before they even read it.

14. Question 2- How does your
media product represent
particular social groups

15. • My magazine is aimed towards the male and female sex and also
to the age group of 15-20 year olds, I felt this was the best
audience to focus on reaching for this age group as this is age
group that is more likely to listen to this genre of music. I took
inspiration then from billboard as they particularly focus on this
group with its slick colours and laid back style. I chose fonts that
weren't too busy or too childish but instead looked cool and trendy
and simply.
• I represented this social group on my front cover through its use of
cool, slick and professional colours that’s not too colourful or
boring. I used colours that aren't bright but colours that are
powerful like gold, black and silver.
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/reasearch-into-
target-audience.html

16. • I also wanted to make my cover star to appeal to
this social group. Because of this I wanted the
person who would be representing this social
group to be of that age. I wanted my artist to be
relatable and to also be seen as an inspiration. I
wanted to display my artist as a everyday guy
who is just doing what he loves and is living his
dreams.
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/d
rdting-and-planning-artist-identity.html
• It was important that my artist was of this age as
the audience wouldn’t be able to relate to him.
• The actual look of my magazine was another way
I tried to represent my social group. I didn’t want
to make something that was say childish with big
bright text and colours but at the same time I
didn’t want to over bore it and make to much
considering the social group is teenagers.
Throughout the magazine I used the colours of
gold, black and white this I felt was perfect for
attracting the social group.
• Within the double page spread I spoke about
school and home life but doing I brought a
connection between cover star and the readers
showing them that there is no stereotype.
http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/20
16/12/drdting-and-planning-artist-
identity.html

17. Question 3- What kind of media
institution might distribute your
media product and why.

18. • When thinking of who would distribute my magazine I wanted
to something that of course actually went with the genre of my
magazine and so would actually understand it.
• I looked at some magazine publishers that could potentially
publish my magazine.
• "Time inc UK"- Responsible for a large media portfolio,
known for publishing NME which has a link to the younger
audiences which is the type of audience I was going for.
• "Immediate media"- Publishes bbc top of the pops
• Prometheus global media"- Publishes billboard- music and
entertainment brand.
• Egmont- leading uk childrens retailer.
http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2
016/12/drafting-and-planning-
publication-plan.html

19. • The distributor I decided to go with for my magazine was
"Prometheus". I chose this because it’s a popular and
well known brand that publishes billboard which attracts
the same audience. Also this company I think would work
well with my magazine.

20. Question 4- Who would be
the audience for your
media product

21. • The audience I wanted my
magazine to have would
be both boys and girls
between the age group of
15-20. I chose this age
group as this is group is
more socially inclined to
listen to the pop/indie
genre.
http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/20
16/11/remake-and-remodel-task.html
My remake remodel task helped me with this as the magazine company
that I used has a similar audience for its magazine I believe. This helped
me understand how to construct a magazine that tries to grab that
particular audiences attention.

22. Question 5- How did you
attract/ address your
audience.

23. Colour scheme/ House
style
• I wanted my colour scheme to reflect my
audience. Because of this I went for a strong,
powerful but also slick colour scheme. I
wanted my colour scheme to have boldness
and a certain edge to it this is something I feel
perfectly represents and attracts my audience. I
feel as though the gold part of my magazine
represents the edgy and premium of my
magazine. The white represents the simpleness
and acts as a balance between the darker and
lighter colours. I decided to use these colours
as they are colours that I believe are closely
associated within the indie genre.

24. Masthead
• The mast head was a very important aspect to
the magazine as its usually the first thing the
reader sees when they pick up the magazine.
• I picked the name “Dusk” I picked this name as
its short impactful that gets straight to the point.
I felt the name “Dusk” perfectly represented the
genre of indie/pop because of its mysterious and
deep and dark feel that automatically makes sure
its sticks it because of its simple colour and
design.
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/
final-masthead-designname.html
• Within my masthead I asked people of my age
to what masthead they thought they were more
attracted to…
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/
audience-research-social-media.html

25. Images
• When picking the images I wanted for my magazine I thought very
carefully.
http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/organisation-
photos-that-will-be-used.html
• I wanted my artist to look strong and relatable. My contents image
of Kai holding the guitar. This was a good use of imagery as I was
using props and adding a layer of musical mise en scene adding a
layer to a personality the cover star and adds a personal story to
him. I wanted my artist to look ordinary so I didn’t put him in
flashy clothes but simple ones I felt this allowed him to perfectly
relate and attract the audience. I also looked at various effects I
could place on the photos that would expand the impact of the
image:
http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/organisation-
effects.html
All of the images were documented through the blog:
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/organisation-
results-from-photoshoot.html
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/organisation-
location-and-date-for.html
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/organisation-
location-research.html

26. Question 6-What have
you learnt about
technologies from the
process of constructing
the product.

28. Blogger
• Using blogger allowed me to document the entirety of my
journey of making the magazine, showing the positives,
negatives and my overall progress of coming together and
finishing the magazine.
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk
• Blogger enabled me to access all my information in seconds
and post freely any time of the day. By having all work online
meant I would not be weighed by carrying all the work.
• Blogger enabled me to post anything I wanted such as
progress, changes and work done which allowed me to be
creative with my work.
http://lukereevesblogas.blog
spot.co.uk/

29. Question 6
• While creating my magazine I did blog posts on how I
have changed certain aspects of my magazine from
certain stages:
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/changes-
from-first-to-final-draft-front.html
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/chanages-
from-first-draft-to-final.html
• http://lukereevesblogas.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/changes-
from-first-draft-to-final-draft.html

30. Question 7:Looking back
at your preliminary task
what do you feel that
you’ve learnt in the
progression from it to the
full product

31. • As you can tell there is a huge
difference between the preliminary
task and the final product.
• As a whole the preliminary task was
basic and didn’t highlight the skills I
had.
• My cover lines are small and
insignificant on the preliminary
task. My main cover line doesn’t
attract the reader and looks basic
and boring.
• My front cover on the preliminary
task has a lot of negative space that
makes it look amateur and doesn’t
look professional.
• The design is simple and I didn’t
use all the conventions that make up
a magazine.
• I missed out on using a price and
dateline and skyline.
• Compared to the final task the
preliminary task the final product is
much more advanced and slick and
represents a magazine much better.
http://lukereevesblogas.blo
gspot.co.uk/2016/10/prelim
inary-task_4.html

32. • Although my first
contents page is not
necessarily bad it is still
incredibly basic and
amateur.
• However you can see
the massive
improvements I've
made instantly. I've
added more structure
and more features. I
also added more photos.
My magazine now
looks more real.

33. Question 8- How
successful do you feel
your end product is in
fulfilling the task

34. • From when we first started the course I had a very vague idea
on how I wanted my magazine to look and feel. Of course as
we started to do this over 6 months some ideas have changed
but overall looking at the final piece I can honestly say I am
proud of the work. I believe my work fits the brief and also
fits into its genre perfectly and reflects the indie/pop genre.
Furthermore I know that I have stuck to all the conventions
that a music magazine should have and finally, I feel my
magazine looks like a magazine and the year long work has
paid off rewarding me with what I think a professional and
slick magazine that shows off my dedication to this course and
its course work.