This is a link to my AS Media Main Brief task: http://bethgricemainbrief.blogspot.co.uk/

Evaluation

Evaluation Questions:

From this task I have learnt a range of skills and techniques, some of these include how to research a magazine, and what different components and conventions go into a magazine. The thing I have learnt the most from (and struggled with the most) is learning how to create a magazine in a short space of time; I found this very difficult as I am not happy with my final product at all, but it has taught me how to deal with small time constraints.  I have also learnt how to demonstrate what I have learnt in a different format (using a blog), I found this beneficial as it has allowed me to see different ways of representing my work . I have also learnt about Mise-en-scene and what processes need to take place in order for a magazine and magazine front cover to be created, such as the location of the main image, and the props and type of clothing needed to make the image suitable for the magazine and the magazine's target audience. I have also learnt some different ways to use Photoshop and some shortcuts in Photoshop that have sped up the production of my magazine; this includes how to manipulate images more efficiently  add text, shapes and alter text and photographs in different ways.

Technology I have used includes programmes such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Publisher and Adobe Photoshop; I have done this on both Windows and Macs, and have also used other technology such as cameras to create my magazine. By using a variety of technology, I was able to do different areas of the magazine and research on the most suitable programme, where as if I had only used one programme this may not have been as suitable for certain areas and components of my magazine, research and planning; I believe this helped my create a more successful magazine due to the variety of programming and technology. 

To know what conventions to use, I used my College Magazine research, this meant I was able to create a similar product; examples of conventions for the front cover include: Masthead, header, footer, price, website, feature stories, main image, plug and barcode. I chose to reproduce these conventions on my magazine, as they are vital for the selling of a magazine and make a magazine more suitable for the target audience, and more memorable as a product. I also chose to use many of the same conventions as 

If I was to do this task again, I would improve the overall look and quality of my magazine, such as adding an issue number; I would generally improve the look of the front cover as it doesn’t look as professional as I would ideally like, such as the feature stories and header as they look basic and unfitting. I would also make the masthead stand out more, as I believe it sinks into the background and doesn’t stand out enough. I would also use different photographs, as I didn't believe the ones I used represented the magazine, and were too dark, meaning the magazine would not stand out in a shop, this means the photograph was unsuitable as the main purpose of a front cover of a magazine is to stand out and sell the magazine. I would also change the masthead to stand out more, as I believe it needs to be more memorable and stand out, as this is the main thing that stays the same on each issue of the magazine.  If I were to do this task again, I would also create a real Contents Page as the one I produced was done very basically, and in very little time due to the time constraints on the project. I would also create a double page spread, as this would show more about the magazine, and explain the components featured on the front cover.

Front Cover

Contents Page

Magazine Making Process

Magazine Creation Process:

I started with a basic Masthead to form my magazine around,which I planned to alter later: 

Second, I added my Main Image:

I then added a bar code, header and feature stories:

Following this, I inserted the Price and Website:

Next, I relocated the main image, in order to make space for a plug, added a footer, and relocated/edited the website and price:

Finally, I decided to change the colour of my plug, as I believed the purple didn't fit with the overall look of the magazine, as it stood out for the wrong reasons (looking out of place):

Front Cover Photographs

These are my possible photographs for my front cover:
Many of these images were unsuitable due to the student being a the wrong angle, looking unprofessional (unsuitable for the magazine), the image being in the wrong orientation (needs to be portrait) or the image being framed incorrectly for the front cover of a magazine.

This is the photo I chose to use, as it was at the correct angle, with enough surrounding space in the image to fit the masthead, featured story lines, plug, price etc. 

Practice Magazine

To create this magazine cover I had to do the following: 

Create a skyline, with an image

Create a masthead

Create a plug

Create feature stories and subtitles

Insert and edit a main image

Insert a barcode

Edit the masthead, so it is behind the Main Image

Insert the price & website