Final Front cover

Final Contents page

Comments i used for improvement

(N)=Negative (P)=Positive 

1- 

front cover:

- too much unused space. (N)

- Looks quite professional. (P)

contents:

- an image needs to be used, it is very plain even though there is some colour. (N)

- the layout is very clear to understand, there is no confusion. (P) 

2-

front cover:

- the colour and content is very feminine - limited. (N)

- it is an eye catching image. (P)

contents:

- it needs to be more interesting you could do this by adding more things to the page. (N)

- the colour scheme is good throughout. (P) 

3-

front cover:

- the main cover line is not clear enough. (N)

- Its colourful, linking with the image. (P)

contents:

- a completely different font has been used from the front page. (N) 

- it is very well set out, nothing overlaps or clashes. (P) 

Evaluation

If I were to do this project again I would organize myself better so that less time was spent on the design and more went towards the other tasks and the evaluation as now I understand it is about completion and not necessarily quality. An aspect of the front cover that I would change would be the limited amount of detail in the cover lines. After looking at it critically I think that this makes the cover a bit too simple. Also another thing I would change is the supporting two images, I think it would be beneficial to the appearance of the magazine if I edited them to fit in better rather than them just being square.

The contents page is still quite bare even after the progression. I would position the image in the bottom right corner better. I would change the color scheme because it is quite feminine and I went off track by limiting my target audience. I automatically linked the colors in with the central image, which looks effective but is not fitting with the both genders in my target audience profile.

My media product challenges the form and conventions of average school/college magazines as they are laid out almost in leaflet form with a lot of detail on the front cover. I have used the forms and conventions of the average fashion magazine with the rule of thirds layout, a main artist image that overlaps the masthead and several other conventions. I did this so that my magazine would appeal to the younger generation as they are usually put off by too much information.

My media product represents the typical girly girl that tends to also be interested in opportunities. I think it represents this due to color scheme, content (prom image) etc. This is far from my target audience profile therefore I was unsuccessful in meeting their needs. I did however meet the interests of an average teenage girl.

A type of media institution that might distribute my media product would be IPC media. I think this because they distribute many magazines that have the same target audience as what my magazine has unintentionally been aimed at which is teenage girls. ‘Look’ is an example of a magazine IPC media distribute.  Also Bauer media may be suited to distribute my media product, they distribute magazine such as ‘pop’, ‘closer’ and ‘heat’ which are all aimed at women.

If I did this again I would not change the target audience of the younger generation because I can relate to them and the style they are interested in. I would typically choose an audience of teenage girls next time because I know I can suit their interests. I would use the same format and color scheme because it was successful in attracting this particular audience. 

Attempt 2: finalisation

Attempt 2: finalisation

Attempt 1 - annotations

1st attempt - annotations

Original images

Layout

Target audience profile

Age: 11-18.  

Gender: male/female.

Ethnicity: multi ethnic groups such as white British, mixed, Asian British, African, Caribbean, black British etc.

Political: not applicable / parents political views or at the age of 18.

Lifestyle: All choices – bisexual, asexual, heterosexual, homosexual.

Social grade: D-E.

Education: Non – A levels standard education.

Media usage: high amount of media usage as they are young and up to date with technology. The internet for social networking.

Occupation: part time job or child benefit money from parents 

Research

Action Plan

Week	Focus	Tasks	Needs
1	Planning and research	- Outline the Brief - Annotate 3 front covers and 3 contents pages of current/existing school/college magazines. - Show initial thoughts and ideas – aspects of the magazine – good and bad features	- Access to the internet - Analytical skills - Show organisation in planning and presenting my initial thoughts and ideas.
2	Production and audience needs	- Questionnaires + photography	- Audience. - Book space to use the green screen. - Get a camera.
3	Editing and drafting	- Image manipulation - Produce a mock-up and outline the content – basis for development.	- Access to IT.
4	Feedback and redrafting	- Consider other’s opinions and listen to input, then redraft to improve.	- Access to IT.
5	Editing and completion	- Develop a final piece and insert original images etc.	- Access to IT.