Final Note -

Dear moderator, 

I have organised my blog so it is easy to follow from one pst to the other since I started media in October. I hope you enjoy looking through my blog were you will find all my Research and planning posts, finished products and evaluation.

Many thanks, Beth :) 

Final Product

Here are the very final drafts of my Indie Music Magazine CLASH. 

As you can see I have further altered my front cover, rearranging the tag lines and sticker to fill out the page more, as well as adding the extra tag line "Glastonbury Line Up Revealed" to entice my target audience. Above "LAUREN ENTWISTLE"I added "Britain's Indie Queen" in a box above, continuing the box layout most Indie magazines have, as well as giving the readers more information about the main feature on the front cover. All of the new text has been given a drop shadow effect to help lift it off the page more. 

I have made no other alterations on the other parts of my magazine (contents and double page spread page).

Final Evaluation - Question 7

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Final Evaluation - Question 6

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?


I used a Canon DSLR camera to take my photographs for that feature throughout my magazine:


Some techniques I used in photoshop:



Other technologies I have used (this includes Imovie, blogger, prezi, youtube, powerpoint, slideshare, iPhoto, social media, indesign, flickr, make a gif and voice thread):

Final Evaluation - Question 5

How did you attract/address your audience?

https://voicethread.com/share/5598739/

Final Evaluation - Question 4

What would be the audience for your media product? Why?

To the left is a drawn picture of a person I would expect to be from my target audience.
I have drawn Abby, a female aged 16, which is appropriate as that is the age I am aiming for. This girl would be from a working class background, with the occupation of attending college, studying for her A-levels. Because of this, she might not have an aspiration in life as she is still young, but will become something unique and against the obvious.
She isn't wearing any extravagant clothing, only a simple dark playsuit. This is very similar to the outfit my main model Lauren wore, displayed on my front cover.
This person is also wearing docs, a very popular footwear Indie lovers seem to wear, according to my target audience research and everyday encounters with people who like this sort of music.
Another key thing I have drawn to represent someone from my target audience, is that the girl has her hair down (again similarly to all of my models). This could represent her as being easy going and free, through the saying 'let your hair down'. This completely represents my magazine as the name, CLASH, is all about clashing with society and being true to whole you are. This is furthermore illustrated by the tag line 'LIVE. INDEPENDENT.'

Below is a gif that I made through makeagif.com showing some of my own photographs as well as some taken of the band chvrches, showing similar conventions of what a Indie music lover might dress like:

Final Evaluation - Question 3

What kind of media institution might distribute your product and why?

Final Evaluation - Question 2

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Above is a gif I made from the website makeagif.com I have taken a screen shot of a picture in a contents page of NME, as well as my own allowing me to compare them for the similarities and differences they share.

Similarities:

- The photos are Medium shots

- Have props (both are which are instruments, guitars) which also makes them look more musical

- Models are wearing simple clothing, reflecting the mood this genre of music represents

Differences:

- Both my models are females

- Instead of playing the instrument they are looking down at it

- Unlike the guy from NME, who is playing and therefore not able to look at the camera, my models are choosing not to look at the camera reflecting the moody genre that occurs in Indie music magazines

Shot type - Both the models in the photos above are shown through a medium close up, giving off a certain vibe to the magazine. As well as not interacting with the audience much, it also shows the models as being strong and independent. Furthermore, this shot type doesn't seem to give to much away, presenting them as being against the norm.

Expression - Both these artists are pulling the same facial expression, moody looking and not interacting much with the audience. This reflects the entire genre of Indie music as being unique and individual, care free in society. 

Costume/hair/make up - Once again, the representation of the models through the hair/costume/make up is the same. They are under dressed in the sense that you could wear these clothes all most anywhere and their hair is down presenting them as being care free. The makeup however is strong through thick eye liner which can portray my models as being strong and Independent. 

Posture - The posture of both these models is standing, illustrating them as being strong and independent, not needing anyone to rely on. This ultimately reflects the Indie genre as they are known for being alternative and strong (rememberable)!

I asked Maddie what codes and conventions she thought were being represented from the photo above, and this is a short video response of what she thought:

The short answer she gave me came in very useful, as all the things she said related back to the genre of Indie I chose for my music magazine! 

Final Evaluation - Question 1

In what ways does your magazine use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Research and Planning - Front Cover Process

Here is the another draft of the front cover of my music magazine CLASH. I have altered some of the text into a drop shadow effect, so it is more visible against the background.
Furthermore I tweaked the sticker, by altering the size and angle so it fit nicely on the page, as well as altering the written text so that fit well within the sticker. I made the size of the text WIN larger than the other words in the sticker, making it more attractive for my target audience (they a more likely to buy this magazine if they know that they will also be in the chance of winning a prize.)

Research and Planning - Target Audience Feedback Via Twitter

To help me with my target audience research, I posted this tweet (screen shot on the left hand-side) on the popular social networking site twitter, which included a picture of the up to date version of my music magazine, asking for audience feedback. The reason I used twitter for this is because many of the people I follow and follow me back are fans of Indie/grunge music, so they would be the perfect audience to ask for feedback from.Below is all the feedback I got from the people that responded to my tweet, which includes both positive and negative feedback.

Positive:
- The layout of the magazine was popular, as they said it conveyed similar conventions of an everyday music magazine (e.g. the band index on the contents page).
- The pictures I used fit well with the magazine.
- The double page spread was well thought out, and gave a grown up and mature sense to the magazine.
- The photograph on the front cover reflected the story of the girl, which helped intrigue my target audience.

Negative:
- One person said they were unsure of the use of the colour pink, as they had just never seen it in any Indie music magazine. However, others said it made the magazine look unique.
- The same person also said that their were too many females photographs, as Indie magazines such as NME and KERRANG usually had more males than females.

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread Process

Here is the up to date version of my double page spread for my music magazine; Clash. 

One of the first things I changed when improving my double page spread was the layout of the text on the right hand side of the page. I rearranged some of the text so all the columns lined up with one another and moved all of the text down so it fit neatly at the bottom of the page. I further went on to change the size, font and colour of the quotes "FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE… SHE IS BASICALLY QUEEN!" and "I WOULD LOVE TO DO A COLLABORATION WITH THE 1975" to help both texts stand out more, so the readers know it is a quote and what to expect in the interview. 

Because of this, I moved the title "LAUREN HITS HIGH NOTES" and the name of the magazine in a different opacity down too. This left room for me to add "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW" in the same font and colour as the title "CLASH" in the top right hand side of the page. This simple text helps make the magazine look much more realistic. 

Another thing I altered was the text on the left hand side of the double page spread. I changed some of the words in the quote to the colour of pink, to help continue the three colour rule of pink, white and black. Also, I changed the colour of Lauren's name in the very start of the interview to pink, to help this further.

Research and Planning- Contents Page Process

Here is the up to date version of my contents page for my music magazine; Clash.

                               

Firstly, I have removed the photograph of my main model and added one of the new photographs taken from the 1975's interview. The picture is of Matt Healy talking, which completely reflects the name of the article 'The 1975 TALK'. I added a boarder around this and positioned it on the right hand side of the page so I could place the title (with the opacity changed) above it just like in the top photo. This creates a box type layout, similar to other Indie music magazines such as NME. 

I have also added boxes underneath the headings "REGULARS' and "FEATURES", to continue the box layout, and help the two titles stand out more as well as separating them more so it looks like separate columns.

One of the final things I have done is added another box in grey underneath the "BAND INDEX" (changing the name to white) which makes this much more like a indie music magazine, as the band index in other magazines are usually a different colour to the rest of the page.  

Research and Planning - Front Cover

Here is another up to date version of my front cover for my Indie music magazine; clash. Since the last time I updated, I have made many changes in the process of making my final outcome. 

I have altered the positioning of my model, so she is now on the right hand side of the page and a bit bigger. This helps the page fill out more and over all look much better. I also placed the model above the name of the magazine, which is a common appearance in most magazines. Because of this, I had to move the barcode and pricing into the space above the H rather than below. Furthermore, I brightened the photograph of the model, making the magazine itself look more colourful and appealing to my target audience.

Deleting the tag lines that were once on either side of my models head, I created another banner on the bottom of the page which includes two features of the magazine. This is much more effective than my previous tag lines, as it looks much more intact with the rest of the magazine and continues to demonstrate the three colour rule of pink, black and white. 

I have added the drop shadow effect to the text "LAUREN ENTWISTLE" and "THIS IS JUST MADNESS" to create a more realistic effect that an everyday music magazine would have. This also helps the story stand out, intriguing the reader further. 

On of the final things I have done in the process of finishing my music magazine is add a sticker on the left hand side/ centre of the page. Without it the cover still felt quite bare, and didn't have enough stories either. Once again, this continued the three colour rule using white for the text and pink for the sticker, as well as adding a drop shadow effect to give the sticker a more 3D effect, lifting it off the page to catch the readers attention. This is exactly what I wanted, as this text is about a competition, which might influence the reader massively to buy the magazine so they can win the chance to win the 'exclusive' prize being offered.

Research and Planning - More Contents Page Photographs

Here are a couple of photograph from a shoot taken of the band The 1975. These are medium long shots taken during an interview where the guys were answering questions for a local radio station.  

                             

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread Process

For my double page spread I have edited the first paragraph on the left page next to my models foot, as it was two worded and cramped together. The font is also bigger so it fills the box and looks nicely fitted.

Research and Planning - Contents Page Process

Here is the up to date process of my magazine.
I have changed the font of whats in the magazine and the band index so they now match, making the page fit more together. I have arranged what will be in my magazine into two columns (regulars and features) just as any other magazine would do.
Furthermore I have added borders around the photographs and changed the picture of Lauren to a medium close up where her face is visible, as in both my other photo's we can't see all her face. I will add the page number at the bottom right of that photo.
I still need to add one more photo to the bottom right hand side of the page, preferably of a boy/boys.

 

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread Process

Since the last time I have arranged my text so it fits neatly on the page. I also added quotes into the interview in a bold font, so people know what to expect. The beginning paragraph has been repositioned next to my models foot, filling out the page a bit!
Another thing I have changed is the positioning of the title, including the title in the background in the same font but a different opacity.
Also, the quote on the left hand side is much bigger than before, gaining the readers attention straight away. This is the same font that has been continued throughout my magazine!

Research and Planning - Contents Page Process

This is the recent up to date version of my contents page. I have added the page number at the bottom right, as well as another photo of the main feature underneath the photo labelled 'Naughts and Crosses'. This gives another inside scoop of what to expect for the main feature (Lauren Entwistle Interview) before the reader gets to that page.
I will be adding another photograph underneath Lauren's (most likely of a male) to fill the gap and keep males interested in the magazine, because of the mixed gender photographs!

Research and Planning - Front Cover Process

Here is another update to the process of my front cover.
I have added the main feature of the magazine 'Lauren Entwistle', with the caption 'This is just Madness' underneath it. This is a quote from the interview, which also reflects the photo of Lauren on the front cover.

Research and Planning - Contents Page Process

Here is another update of the process of my contents page. I have added all the features that will be in the magazine, as well as their page number. Furthermore I have added the quote "Music was the one thing that kept us going" to the picture, and the band name and page number below. This reflects the mood that the picture portrays!

Research and Planning - Contents Page Process

Here is the updated process of my contents page. I have added one of my photographs, which very much reflects the mood of my chosen genre. Furthermore, from the guitar we could guess that they are a band, relating further to my magazine as their is usually a picture of a band in the contents page.
I have also restructured the title CLASH at the side of the page so it is still visible with the photograph there.

Research and Planning - Contents Page Photographs

Here are some of the photographs that I might be using for my contents page!

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread Process

I tried to continue some of the conventions that this magazine might have, such as the A being coloured in a vibrant pink. Therefore, I experimented with this on the double page spread title, but am unsure of the choice (whether to add pink to all the gaps, just the A, or none at all). To solve this I will ask my target audience to see what they think!

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread Process

I have added the title "LAUREN HITS HIGH NOTES" onto my spread. The font size is large and eye-catching, inviting the reader to go on and read the article.
I have aslo used the same font as my front cover, continuing a similar feature of the magazine throughout it!  

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread Process

Here is the process of my double page spread. I have placed guides along the page so when I added the text of the interview I could easily place it so it lined up neatly.
Also, the font (serif) is size 11 and 12, which according to my research is what the majority of any magazines text would be like, not taking too much room and easy to read!

Research and Planning - Double Page Spread Process

Here is my up to date version of my new double page spread. I have added one of my retaken photographs to the left hand side of the page, which reflects the genre of Indie. Furthermore, I added a quote from the double page spread story (the interview) in the main font on the front cover, to make the magazine pages relatable to one another. I will be continuing my double page spread in a simple format (a white background with a black font and columns), as less is usually more when it comes to indie music magazines. Below is a an example of my Idea!    

Research and Planning - Front Cover Process

Here is the up to date version of my front cover of my magazine! I have photoshopped certain parts of my models face (hair) to make it look more realistic.In this next lesson I will be adding the cover lines of my magazine to the cover.

Research and Planning - Front Cover Process

Here is the up to date process of my contents page. I have added on my model, who is pulling a funny face catching the audiences attention. This photo makes her seem independent and 'out there', not caring what anybody else thinks, which is exactly what my genre of music is about!

Research and Planning - Retaken Photographs

Here are the retaken photographs for my Indie Music Magazine! I have altered my models costume design as well as hair style and setting which helps identify the genre of magazine more.

 

 

 

Research and Planning - Contents Page

Here is the redraft of my contents page for my music magazine. 

Taking inspiration from NME, I have created a band Index at the side, and will continue the box style on the rest of the page. I have also added the name of the magazine 'Clash' faded on the page, so it's still on there but not in an obvious way. 

Research and Planning - Front Cover

From my feedback from my classmates, I have decided to take a different approach to my Music magazine. Below is my working progress of the front cover, as well as a simple example of an Indie magazine.
Firstly I have changed the name from 'Chocolate' to 'Clash'. The name straight away highlights the genre of the magazine, and further widens my audience as 'Chocolate' was a very narrow choice, (only The 1975 fans would understand that its the name of one of their songs.) The name also reflects the idea of Indie, as suggested by the tag line in the H; 'Live. Independent'
The fonts on my working front cover also highlight the genre, as well as the simple neon pink in the middle of the 'A', giving it a punk Indie look to it.