- The preliminary task helped the author learn new technical skills in InDesign and gain confidence in using the software.
- Comparing the preliminary and real magazine covers, the author improved the masthead size, image editing, and inclusion of more cover lines.
- For the content page, the author learned to select colors and include images that better match the genre, and reduce subtitles for a more visually appealing layout.
- Through the preliminary task, the author was able to broaden their InDesign knowledge and apply skills to successfully plan and create the real magazine.
2. • Looking back at my preliminary task, I think
that I have learnt a lot and have improved a
lot on my technical skills and I think that the
preliminary task has given me a boost to make
my magazine and gave me a lot of preparation
and without it, I would of struggled a lot when
constructing the magazine as the preliminary
task introduced me into the InDesign software
which I have never used before which I am
now confident with.
3.
4. This is a comparison of my preliminary task and as you can see, there is a huge difference between the two front
covers. This could possibly be because they are completely different genres but the both have a link to the
genres. My school magazine looks very basic but the basics have helped me a lot when I was creating my real
magazine pages and the preliminary task allowed me to add all the features which were needed to be placed on
the front cover for example, the mastheads of both magazines:
As you can see there is a big difference in terms of colour and shape, the school magazine masthead is very thing and
doesn’t stand out with the background well and plus it has white outline which also makes it harder for the
audience to read. What I have learnt from the preliminary task is what I should add to my real masthead. As you
can see I have selected the most appropriate colour which would suit the genre and the background. The size of
the masthead of is quite small and what I have seen from real life magazines is that their mastheads goes across
the whole of the magazine page .
The image on the preliminary task had helped me to construct a better picture for my front cover on the real task. The
main image on the preliminary task was with out any edits as I put in straight on there when I took it. What I
learnt from this part of the task is that I should edit the image for my real task to remove any distractions and
that is what I have done for the real task on my front cover images
In my preliminary task I have included some quotes which are placed near the image. For the school magazine, it
didn’t look that professional as it didn’t have much where the audience can feel attracted to the magazine, so
what I have decided to do for my front cover is to include more cover lines which would interest the audience
very much and to keep them engaged to the magazine front cover.
Front cover
5.
6. Content page
There is a huge difference for my content pages on my preliminary task and my real task. For example
the language and typography that I have used are completely different on both pages. I did this
because I wanted this to have a realistic approach to it and make it suit the genre of the magazine.
One thing that I've learnt from my preliminary task is the colours that I have used did not match the
genre. I only chose those colours because I though they look good but the didn’t match my genre, so
what I have learnt this preliminary task is I had to apply the correct colours which suited the genre a
lot. Again by doing the preliminary task it had allowed me to know the basics of the content page and
made me understand what features I should add which would make my content page look
professional.
Another thing that I have learnt from the preliminary task is the use of images. On the content page ,
I have used only one image which shows a grade of someone passing a subject and getting full marks,
yes this does link to the genre but it makes it look quite boring and wont attract audience as much as
having a model on the page.
The amount of subtitles on my preliminary task were too much and I thought that if I did this on the
real task, it would make the magazine look boring since it is a rap image it needs not a lot of text and
good images to make it stand out. So for the real task I have reduced the amount of subtitles on the
sides and put in a big image which the audience would clearly see.
7. Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe that I have improved massively in the process from the start . When I
started the preliminary task, I didn’t have much knowledge on InDesign as I have never used it
before, but doing the preliminary task has allowed me to broaden my knowledge on the
programme and it s features and apply all if the skills which I have learnt on the real task. For
crating my magazine, I had to do a lot of research and planning which I have did bit by bit. This
helped me massively because I didn’t need to rush my magazine as I followed the steps correctly
which I have set for my self. I take this as a useful experience with a lot of new skills gained.