What to do for C. Main Task: research
Post 1.
Textual analysis of existing media products.
For this post you will do six textual analyses of existing magazines. Two front covers, two contents pages and two feature articles (double page spread). They do not have to be exclusively music magazines, as many music magazines can be considered to be ‘lifestyle’ magazines as well but you will need to analyse at least one front cover that is of a similar genre to the magazine you intend to make.
The actual analysis of front covers will focus on the genre of music, images used, fonts, colours, layout, cover lines, masthead, selling line, rule of thirds and anything else you wish to mention.
A similar analysis will be used for the contents page along with other information you get about the actual contents of the magazine. Make sure you discuss the conventions used in the contents page – layouts, regular / feature article sections, other conventions used that are specific towards that magazine – e.g. NME always have a band index list on their contents page.
For the feature article you will need to discuss layout, columns, gutters, drop cap, pull quotes, images used, colours, fonts and style along with anything else you wish to mention.
Each analysis is approximately 400 words. You must address forms and conventions and how the magazines you're analysing target their audience and also ensure you use correct media terminology. Use the sheets given to you in class to analyse every element of the texts.
To present them on you blog you can use either ‘flipsnack’ or ‘Issuu’ or another online document viewer, or you can produce them in PowerPoint and upload them to Slideshare. Don’t forget that you will need to convert the finished word document to a PDF file if you want to upload the analysis to Flipsnack or Issuu.
What to do for C. Main Task: research
Post 2.
Music magazine case study
Presentation:
Produce your work as a Word document featuring images and convert it into a flick book at www.flipsnack.com or http://issuu.com/ (you'll need to .pdf it first) and then embed it on your blog.
Case study a music magazine. You will need to discuss the history of the magazine, how long it has been around, any changes over time of the magazine, the music genre/s it covers, the target audience of the magazine and the style of the magazine. It is also worth looking at the multi-platform aspects of the magazine such as web-site, apps, T.V channels and any events it sponsors.
Use the following sub-headings:
- Introduction
- The magazine's content
- The publisher of the magazine
- The typical reader profile
- Layout trademarks of the magazine
- Does the magazine reflect the values of its audience? Within this, discuss the magazines relationship with it's audience (younger target audience = extensive use of technology etc.)
What to do for C. Main Task: research
Post 3.
Magazine industry overview
Presentation:Either as a blog report, with LOADS of images and links or on a Word document which is then put into Flipsnack/Issuu, with LOADS of images and links
Write a summary of the magazine industry in the UK today.
You should discuss:
- the major companies
- the size of the marketplace
- the current trends
- the impact of new technology on this traditionally paper-based industry.
Check out:
http://www.magforum.com as a starting point although it's a bit out of date.
You could also go to:
http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=47732&c=1
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/05/magazine-industry-publishing-recession and
http://www.audiencedevelopment.com/2011/2001+2010+events+shaped+magazine+industry
What to do for C. Main Task: research
Post 4.
Magazine publishers
Presentation:
Present this by completing the task on a PowerPoint presentation and then uploading it to Slideshare. You can then embed it on your blog.
Case study two magazine publishers. Choose a large company and a small one. The largest magazine publishers in the UK include Bauer, IPC, BBC, Conde Nast and NatMags. There are too many small publishers to list here but we suggest you start by finding out who publishers one of your favourite titles. You could also visit: http://www.magforum.com/magazinepublishers.htm
The more in-depth your case studies, the better. As always, add LOADS of images, clips, links etc.
What to do for C. Main Task: research
Post 5.
2.
My target audience research
Presentation:
create a PowerPoint and convert it to Windows Media Maker and then uploaded to this post.
This post focusses on showing other magazines and demonstrating how there is a gap in the market for your particular concept.
1.
Produce a questionnaire using www.surveymonkey.com which you then publish to this post or by writing up a few questions to be used with a focus group.
2.
You will want demographic details about them (age, gender, race, class) as well as psychographic details. For example, are they mainstreamers, aspirers, reformers or individuals? Do they belong to a subcultural group?
3.
3.
You will also want to know who your target audience would like to read about, whether they want lots of text or more images, whether they want a glossy collectible or a 'worthy' publication. Also, try to discover what would make them buy your magazine rather than just get information online.
4.
4.
Find out what other magazines and media forms they use, how often they see live music, what types of music they listen to.
5.
5.
Represent the results using graphs and publish these to this post.
Finally, write a brief summary of your findings and explain how they will be useful in your planning.
Here is an example: http://enorfasmarsdenhille.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/target-audience-research.html
Finally, write a brief summary of your findings and explain how they will be useful in your planning.
Here is an example: http://enorfasmarsdenhille.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/target-audience-research.html
What to do for C. Main Task: research
Post 6. Moodboards
You will need to create 2 ‘mood boards’ to supplement your research. Mood boards are essentially a montage of images which can be used to represent a social, demographic or psychographic group or some kind of thematic idea.
It is relatively simple to make mood boards in Photoshop, but these can also be done in Word.
You will need to create TWO mood boards and each mood board needs to be accompanied with a written analysis of approximately 200 words explaining the choices you have made and giving more information about your intended product and the target audience for the product.
1 – Target audience: any magazine will target a specific demographic and psychographic. Use images to show a clear representation of who the target audience is for the music magazine you wish to create.
Think about your typical reader as magazines do in their media kit; the best way to approach this to think of a day in the life of your typical reader. What clothes will they wear, what will they eat for lunch, what car might they drive, what will they watch on T.V, what bands will they listen to, what technology might they use, where would they go for an evening out, their job, their favourite holiday destination, anything that helps to build a visual representation of your typical reader.
You will need to create 2 ‘mood boards’ to supplement your research. Mood boards are essentially a montage of images which can be used to represent a social, demographic or psychographic group or some kind of thematic idea.
It is relatively simple to make mood boards in Photoshop, but these can also be done in Word.
You will need to create TWO mood boards and each mood board needs to be accompanied with a written analysis of approximately 200 words explaining the choices you have made and giving more information about your intended product and the target audience for the product.
1 – Target audience: any magazine will target a specific demographic and psychographic. Use images to show a clear representation of who the target audience is for the music magazine you wish to create.
Think about your typical reader as magazines do in their media kit; the best way to approach this to think of a day in the life of your typical reader. What clothes will they wear, what will they eat for lunch, what car might they drive, what will they watch on T.V, what bands will they listen to, what technology might they use, where would they go for an evening out, their job, their favourite holiday destination, anything that helps to build a visual representation of your typical reader.
2 – Advertisers: advertising is a key revenue stream for any magazine and the companies that advertise in a magazine are chosen specifically to target the right audience. Create a mood board to show which companies you would be targeting to advertise in your magazine based on your target audience.
Some obvious ones to start you off would be technology companies, cameras, mobile phones etc. Music stores, car companies, clothing brands. Have a look at some existing magazines if you need some inspiration.
What to do for C. Main Task: research
Post 7. Media Kit
You should present your audience profile like the ones in the IPC Media Packs - take a look here. You will see that they describe the demographic characteristics of their audience and show lots of brands that their audience might be attracted to.
Here is an example from a previous AS submission - the media kit is probably best left until after you have finalised the designs of your main products as you should be aiming to use colours, fonts and images from your main products within your media kit.
You should present your audience profile like the ones in the IPC Media Packs - take a look here. You will see that they describe the demographic characteristics of their audience and show lots of brands that their audience might be attracted to.
Here is an example from a previous AS submission - the media kit is probably best left until after you have finalised the designs of your main products as you should be aiming to use colours, fonts and images from your main products within your media kit.
What to do for D. Main Task: planning
Post 1.
Original ideas statement for a new music magazine.
This is your chance to describe and explain your intentions for your new music magazine. Relate to your target audience, potential publisher (independent or mainstream), genre as well as indications towards colour, fonts and design traits and potential ideas for your double page spread.
This is your chance to describe and explain your intentions for your new music magazine. Relate to your target audience, potential publisher (independent or mainstream), genre as well as indications towards colour, fonts and design traits and potential ideas for your double page spread.
Presentation:
This should be produced as a basic Prezi presentation. Include images and links where relevant - specifically remember to include examples of existing media products as your inspiration for design ideas or conventions that you intend to use in your own work.
An example Prezi is embedded below to give you a starting point of what to do.
An example Prezi is embedded below to give you a starting point of what to do.
What to do for D. Main Task: planning
Post 2 - Product Designs and Rough Drafts
The initial draft ideas for your magazine should be done by hand. Sketch ideas showing framing, image mode of address, layout and colour scheme and include as much detail in the sketches as possible.
Do not just write in 'image here' when it comes to the images on your magazine - be descriptive as to the type of shot that you intend to use. Shot type and distance, composition and framing, angle etc. are all elements you can discuss and consider.
Don't worry if this changes slightly during the design process as this is normal in the developmental process of the work.
Look at some previous blogs for exemplar work - this is an important part of the planning process so make sure you complete this in some detail.
The initial draft ideas for your magazine should be done by hand. Sketch ideas showing framing, image mode of address, layout and colour scheme and include as much detail in the sketches as possible.
Do not just write in 'image here' when it comes to the images on your magazine - be descriptive as to the type of shot that you intend to use. Shot type and distance, composition and framing, angle etc. are all elements you can discuss and consider.
Don't worry if this changes slightly during the design process as this is normal in the developmental process of the work.
Look at some previous blogs for exemplar work - this is an important part of the planning process so make sure you complete this in some detail.
What to do for D. Main Task: planning
Post 3 - Pre-production Documentation
Prop and costume list
Equipment list
Location recce and description
Location release
Talent releases
Risk assessment
Production schedule
There are proformas available on the college system should you need to use them - your tutor can direct to you them if needed. These are quick and easy forms to complete so make sure you include them - they are industry standard processes!
Location / Props / Costumes
This post will obviously differ depending on your plan. You need to detail where you will be taking your images and any props or costumes you will be using in order to create the right image for your readers. If you are using a studio then say why you feel that this is the better option, if you are using a location explain why you think this is a good location. Do the same for any props and costume you use, why have you used them and how does this reflect and connect with your target audience?
Prop and costume list
Equipment list
Location recce and description
Location release
Talent releases
Risk assessment
Production schedule
There are proformas available on the college system should you need to use them - your tutor can direct to you them if needed. These are quick and easy forms to complete so make sure you include them - they are industry standard processes!
Location / Props / Costumes
This post will obviously differ depending on your plan. You need to detail where you will be taking your images and any props or costumes you will be using in order to create the right image for your readers. If you are using a studio then say why you feel that this is the better option, if you are using a location explain why you think this is a good location. Do the same for any props and costume you use, why have you used them and how does this reflect and connect with your target audience?
Production Schedule
This post simply explains when you plan to make your products and how long you will spend on each one. It also needs to include all your photo shoots. (remember to save all your images as they need to be uploaded onto your blog as a separate post. You can make a contact sheet in photo shop and upload your images to this)
A construction schedule may look something like this or could be in the form of a monthly calendar:
Week 1 (date) Work on drafts for three products
Week 2 (date) Photo shoot for front cover image/s
Week 3 & 4 (date) Construct front cover
Week 5 (date) Photo shoot for contents page and feature article
Week 6 & 7 (date) Construct contents page
Week 8 & 9 (date) Construct feature article
Week 10 (date) Final changes to finished products
Include as much detail as necessary and you have 10 weeks in which to plan out and organise your construction schedule.
What to do for D. Main Task: planning
Post 4 - Contact Sheet and Unedited Images
This is simply an A4 sheet with thumbnail images of all the photos you have taken for your coursework.
DO NOT DELETE any photos you do not intend to use as they will go on your blog. A contact sheet is very easy to create in Photoshop and is basically an automated process.
Select FILE – AUTOMATE – CONTACT SHEET – navigate to the folder where the photos are stored and hey presto!
You should also keep unedited, full resolution versions of your photos that you intend to use on your coursework to add on to your blog.
Discuss why you like the images you will be using and how you think these images will attract the target audience.
This is simply an A4 sheet with thumbnail images of all the photos you have taken for your coursework.
DO NOT DELETE any photos you do not intend to use as they will go on your blog. A contact sheet is very easy to create in Photoshop and is basically an automated process.
Select FILE – AUTOMATE – CONTACT SHEET – navigate to the folder where the photos are stored and hey presto!
You should also keep unedited, full resolution versions of your photos that you intend to use on your coursework to add on to your blog.
Discuss why you like the images you will be using and how you think these images will attract the target audience.
What to do for D. Main Task: planning
Post 5 - Layout Design and Further Draft Work
Block out pages using Word or Photoshop as an initial extension from your paper draft work. Utilise the guides in Photoshop to aid the layout process - you can screenshot this using the snipping tool and add that as an image to your blog if needed.
This should be a starting point and during the construction process, you will inevitably make changes to the work that you create. This evaluative process is vital for the planning process and should be recorded on your blog. You will receive continual feedback from your tutor on your work, so the best process to introduce into your work is to make sure you save multiple copies of your work as you progress.
For example, if you think you have completed your front cover, and your tutor gives you some feedback on how to improve what you have, save the file as it is at that stage and then re-save the file under a different file name (front cover ver.2?) and then make changes to the new file to keep the original file intact. When the work is complete, you will be able to upload the old version onto your blog and make some evaluative comments on why you changed it. This process is an important part of the construction process. THESE SHOULD BE POSTED UNDER LABEL B!
Block out pages using Word or Photoshop as an initial extension from your paper draft work. Utilise the guides in Photoshop to aid the layout process - you can screenshot this using the snipping tool and add that as an image to your blog if needed.
This should be a starting point and during the construction process, you will inevitably make changes to the work that you create. This evaluative process is vital for the planning process and should be recorded on your blog. You will receive continual feedback from your tutor on your work, so the best process to introduce into your work is to make sure you save multiple copies of your work as you progress.
For example, if you think you have completed your front cover, and your tutor gives you some feedback on how to improve what you have, save the file as it is at that stage and then re-save the file under a different file name (front cover ver.2?) and then make changes to the new file to keep the original file intact. When the work is complete, you will be able to upload the old version onto your blog and make some evaluative comments on why you changed it. This process is an important part of the construction process. THESE SHOULD BE POSTED UNDER LABEL B!
The Brief
Your chosen topic: Print
Preliminary exercise:
Using Adobe Photoshop produce the front page of a new college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally you must produce a Photoshop mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate your grasp of the program.Research and Planning:
You must present your research and planning in a digital format (although it can be produced on paper so long as it is uploaded to your blog).Each of you will conduct research into the audiences and institutions within the magazine industry and you will also develop plans that show consideration of your own ideas that will lead into the construction task. Additionally, you will need to plan shoots, book locations and draft layouts of your products.
Construction:
You will create the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine.All images and text used must be original and produced by you. A minimum of four images must be produced (per candidate).
Evaluation:
You should see the evaluation as a creative task and the potential of the format chosen should be exploited through the use of images, audio, video and links to online resources. Marks should be supported by teacher comments and may be supported by other forms such as audio or video presentations.Mark Scheme:
G321 is marked out of a total of 100 marks: 20 marks for the presentation of the planning and research; 60 marks for the construction; 20 marks for the evaluation.
What to do for E. Preliminary Task: planning and finished products
Post 2.
Evaluation of my college magazine pages
Presentation:
Option 1 - Flickr
Option 2 - Prezi
a) IF YOU WANT TO USE FLICKR WRITE, "Click on my college magazine cover and contents page to read my analysis on Flickr" and IF YOU USE PREZI
Use Flickr or Prezi to annotate the pages for their denotations (first level meanings) and connotations (second level meanings). You could address elements such as colour scheme, font choices, choice and quality of images, props, lighting, choice of features and regulars, type of language used, style and choice of masthead, layout and graphic elements.
b) An explanation of what you think is successful about your products, and what you think is less successful. Include critical/valuable feedback from your target audience. You should clearly explain why your products are appropriate for your target audience.
c) An account of what you have learnt and what new skills (e.g. photography and Photoshop) you have developed as a result of undertaking this Preliminary Task. Try to be detailed here.
EXTRA: If you have copies of draft ideas, use these to show how your ideas developed.
Presentation:
Option 1 - Flickr
Option 2 - Prezi
a) IF YOU WANT TO USE FLICKR WRITE, "Click on my college magazine cover and contents page to read my analysis on Flickr" and IF YOU USE PREZI
Use Flickr or Prezi to annotate the pages for their denotations (first level meanings) and connotations (second level meanings). You could address elements such as colour scheme, font choices, choice and quality of images, props, lighting, choice of features and regulars, type of language used, style and choice of masthead, layout and graphic elements.
(this is just an example of how the post can be presented - it is not an example of the content)
b) An explanation of what you think is successful about your products, and what you think is less successful. Include critical/valuable feedback from your target audience. You should clearly explain why your products are appropriate for your target audience.
c) An account of what you have learnt and what new skills (e.g. photography and Photoshop) you have developed as a result of undertaking this Preliminary Task. Try to be detailed here.
EXTRA: If you have copies of draft ideas, use these to show how your ideas developed.
What to do for E. Preliminary Task: planning and finished products
Upload your completed college magazine cover page and contents page here, e.g.
 |
| Preliminary Task: College Magazine Cover for 'The Student Mag'. |
 |
| Preliminary Task: Mock-up for the Contents Page |
How to do H. Evaluation: skills development
Evaluation Question 7
Looking back at your preliminary task (the college magazine task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?
Presentation:
Use Prezi and embed on your blog.
 |
| Comparison of college magazine front cover and music magazine front cover |
 |
| Comparison of college magazine contents page and music magazine contents page |
1.
Grab some frames from both tasks and put them on the blog and show what you have learnt about photography, layout, fonts, modes of address, audience etc.
2.
What Photoshop devices did you use and how did they improve your work? Mention 4 Photoshop techniques that you used and the effect they had.
Tools and techniques you could mention include: text alignment and space reduction, blending options such as stroke and drop shadow, text wrapping, image manipulations, text box sizing, using Photoshop rulers, colour picking, quick selection tool, feathering edges, varying the opacity, layers.
For example, one of your 4 points could be:
 |
| I learnt that using the clone stamp tool to remove unwanted pictures on my model's T shirt improved the cover image because the viewers eye was not distracted by this unnecessary detail. |
3.
You should also discuss:
- Audience appeal (choosing a layout design concept, fonts, mode of address and type of feature article)
- Your need to research existing texts/magazines
- Your need to seek feedback and share creative ideas
- Your need to be attentive to detail
- Focus on written skills/journalism, proof reading, etc.
How to do G. Evaluation: technologies
Evaluation Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
Presentation:
Using Windows Movie Maker, create a timeline of images showing the various equipment and software that you used (logos etc) and record an audio commentary to place over the top.
1.
Save images of the various technologies (software/equipment etc) you have used and, if you can, you using them too - you could pair up and take a picture of each other holding the kit you have used. This might just be the camera and tripod, the lights and a PC but there may be other things you want in the shot. Do some screengrabs of techniques you used in Photoshop. You could use the logos of Blogger, Flickr, and the online graph maker you used.
2.
Put these images into Windows Movie Maker in the order that you will talk about them and then write a script about the following:
- what you used each technology for
- details of what you learnt about each technology (your written text need not be too long, but should be specific, e.g., describe some of the tools you have used in Photoshop.
- the advantages and disadvantages of each technology (consider some of the disadvantages to relying on free internet applications like Blogger and Flickr, especially over the College network).
How to do J. Evaluation: addressing an audience
How to Answer Evaluation Question 5
How did you attract/address your audience?
Presentation:
Option 1 (preferred)
Interview a member of your target audience/ a few members of your target audience on your finished work and present it in the form of a short video, uploaded to YouTube and embedded to your blog. Your teacher will help you with this and it will get you good marks.
You will need to add the details below as either a 'selfie-style' interview at the end or as a short written piece below your video.
You will need to add the details below as either a 'selfie-style' interview at the end or as a short written piece below your video.
Option 2 (if you run low on time)
Create a Prezi to highlight the ways in which your magazine is designed to attract and address your audience. Why would they buy it and what would keep them interested?
1.
1.
Begin by thinking about the ‘point of sale’ (ie a shelf in Asda, WHSmiths or whatever). What element of the front cover are designed to ‘grab’ the target audience and attract them to pick up the magazine in the first place? Does the main cover photo use a direct address (eyes to camera)? Do the cover lines use second person pronouns (‘hey YOU!’) or command or question sentences which demand action or an answer (‘You MUST see this!’)? What other elements would attract the TA – masthead, colour scheme, font styles etc? Explain why. And don’t forget you can think about the CONTENT of the magazine implied by the cover lines. Are there competitions with prizes that the TA will want, etc?
2.
Now move on to thinking about how the CONTENT and LANGUAGE is appropriate to your TA. Concentrate on your use of language, photos, colours/graphics. What ‘mode of address’ does your magazine adopt towards the reader and why would this be appropriate for your target audience? Is the magazine trying to be like a best friend? A knowledgeable older brother/sister? An expert in its field? Analyse in particular the language of your DPS article – does it use slang? Is it relaxed or more formal? How is its attitude appropriate for the audience?
3.
What is the Unique Selling Point of your magazine, which you expect to attract your audience? Refer to the fact that you constantly asked for feedback from your audience throughout the production process.
2.
Now move on to thinking about how the CONTENT and LANGUAGE is appropriate to your TA. Concentrate on your use of language, photos, colours/graphics. What ‘mode of address’ does your magazine adopt towards the reader and why would this be appropriate for your target audience? Is the magazine trying to be like a best friend? A knowledgeable older brother/sister? An expert in its field? Analyse in particular the language of your DPS article – does it use slang? Is it relaxed or more formal? How is its attitude appropriate for the audience?
3.
What is the Unique Selling Point of your magazine, which you expect to attract your audience? Refer to the fact that you constantly asked for feedback from your audience throughout the production process.
What to do for E: Evaluation: target audience
Evaluation Question 4
Who would be the audience for your media product?
Presentation:
A PowerPoint presentation uploaded to Slideshare and embedded on your blog.
1.
1.
Take a photo or find an image online of a representative of your target audience and profile them in terms of demographics, psychographics (and use these terms), lifestyle choices, tastes in music, films, shopping habits, etc.
2.
2.
You could use UK Tribes links and you should find an image or do a drawing of a typical member of your target audience (remember to post it to your blog) and give an explanation of who they are, where they would shop, what music they would listen to, what their favourite tv programme would be, etc. You must also refer to your audience research here.
3.
3.
Look at the type of content featured in the media kit for magazines (sometimes called the audience profile) which you can find on magazine websites (or look back through your notes) and be sure to include similar details about your planned target audience.
4.
Write a few lines on why your TA would buy/subscribe to your magazine.
5.
5.
Make sure you think about the AUDIENCE AS A PRODUCT too – what sort of advertising could you attract through your audience. Are they a viable audience for a magazine to target?
What to do for D. Evaluation: institutions
Evaluation Question 3
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
Presentation:
Do this as an illustrated blog post.
Look back at the work we started with this year, and decide on a company to produce and distribute your magazine. Think about what sort of magazine it is and which company would be best to sell the idea to. You need to refer to actual company names and processes. If you think you could get your magazine produced by a big publishing house, like IPC, Bauer, Dennis, Future etc you’ll need to justify it in terms of the size of your target audience, the advertising pull they would have, and the company’s existing range of magazines.
Consider whether it would be best placed with a major, medium and small/independent publisher because there are advantages and disadvantages of each route. Clash is the only magazine published by Clash Magazine Ltd but actually it is more successful than NME which is published by IPC.
What would be the advantages/disadvantages of going with a big company (e.g. IPC) compared to self-publishing (e.g. Clash)?
Similarly if you think you could get it distributed by one of the big UK distributors, like MarketForce, WH Smiths, Menzies or FrontLine, and into the major retail spaces like WH Smiths and ASDA, you’ll have to explain why.
Also remember that digital distribution is possible, or selling through subscription, or even giving it away and relying on advertising revenue. The key here is to consider all these issues and name some real companies and their products. And be realistic about the potential of your magazine - don’t be naïve! Can you remember how many titles fail within their first three years? (Bonus marks if you can, and put it on your blog!!!).
Finally don't forget to reflect on the need for synergy e.g. there will probably be an online version of your magazine, there might even be sister products such as a radio station. Some magazines get involved in sponsoring awards ceremonies. Maybe there are tie-ins with iTunes, Spotify, etc depending on the scale of your venture, the genre of music and your target audience.
Note: Don't forget to use company logos and images of related magazines to illustrate your post.
What to do for C. Evaluation: representation
Evaluation Question 2
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Presentation:
Do this as an illustrated blog post or as a Word document, uploaded to ISSUU/Flipsnack (you will need to go to file, then save as, and select PDF if you have used Word) then embedded on your blog.
Media products take the world and RE-PRESENT it to us. In doing so they make choices about HOW to represent different sorts of people. For this post you will need to use LOADS of images and clips to back-up your points.
1.
Discuss how you have represented, say, male youth, or early teenage girls, or heavy metal fans, or indie music fans, or your target audience generally (say who they are demographically and psychographically).
2.
Discuss what qualities you have implied that this group of people possess? You have represented them through your photos, your choice of language, your use of colours, your writing, and even the things you have LEFT OUT and assumed they are NOT interested in. For example, let’s say your magazine is aimed at early teenage girls. What sorts of personalities and interests does your magazine suggest teenage girls have? Have you reinforced stereotypes (eg interested in clothes, makeup, boys, etc)? Have you challenged stereotypes? (Eg aggressive poses in photographic shots, or use cover lines about ‘unusual’ topics such as politics or fast cars?)
3.
Illustrate your answer with clips from your products to show what you are talking about, and compare them to clips/images from ‘real’ media texts. Take one photograph and compare it to a photo of a similar person taken from a real media text. How are they similar, and how are they different? When discussing photos of the group you have represented you should consider posture, gesture, angle, shot type, lighting, costume, expression, hair, etc. Outline the social group you are representing using demographics (age, gender, class, where they live), psychographics (mainsreamers, aspirers, reformers, individuals), sub-cultures and tribes (goths, steam punks, hipsters, ravers, geeks, townies, metalheads, etc.
What to do for B. Evaluation: forms and conventions
Evaluation Question 1
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Presentation:
Use Prezi for your analysis of your three pages and embed the Prezi on this post.
1.
Make a Prezi analysis, containing explanation and illustration of at least ten conventions drawn from your three finished products.
Make a Prezi analysis, containing explanation and illustration of at least ten conventions drawn from your three finished products.
2.
Write about what the conventions are for, and how you have used them to create your own house style and brand identity, and to attract your target audience.
Write about what the conventions are for, and how you have used them to create your own house style and brand identity, and to attract your target audience.
3.
Add clipped images of similar conventions from real magazines too, if you can, to show how your use is similar to or different from professional products. Try to choose similar or contrasting examples from real media texts (but if you have based your designs very closely on a real product DO NOT USE THAT PRODUCT!!)
Add clipped images of similar conventions from real magazines too, if you can, to show how your use is similar to or different from professional products. Try to choose similar or contrasting examples from real media texts (but if you have based your designs very closely on a real product DO NOT USE THAT PRODUCT!!)
Conventions to explore:
- masthead and title
- mise-en-scene and technical code of your main cover photo and other images
- Cover lines
- Graphic and other layout devices
- Puffs
- Colour scheme and ‘house style’
- Kicker
- Drop Caps
- Pull Quotes
- Cross-heads
- Column structure
- Use of white space
- Use of other layout conventions like rule of thirds, ‘z’ reading patterns
- End signs/jump lines
- The journalist style of the written content
- The division of your contents page into regulars and features
- Techniques to connote the excitement and business of the magazine on your contents page (inset photos with drop caps etc)
- Remember, some magazines are more conventional than others, depending on the subject matter and the audience.
Cover page terminology:
DPS layout:
Explain what genre/hybrid genre of magazine you produced (rock, pop, glossy lifestyle, etc) and discuss some of the magazines that you took your influences from. Add some pictures of these.
What to do for A. Main Task: finished products
Insert your final images here, all on separate posts.
Each product should have a title that states what the product is, e.g., 'Final Magazine Front Cover'.
Make sure that when you click on them they open up as large images.
Each product should have a title that states what the product is, e.g., 'Final Magazine Front Cover'.
Make sure that when you click on them they open up as large images.
What to do for D. Main Task: planning
Post 6: Moodboards
For the planning of your magazine, you will need to create an additional 2 mood boards to show what fonts and colours you intend to use or are considering using on your magazine. These should relate to the genre and target audience of the magazine as well as including a range of design ideas.
Don’t forget to look outside Photoshop for examples of fonts. DaFont or any other online font websites can be much more effective in creating an individual look for your magazine.
For the colour mood boards, look at various shades of the colours, and include these as well as the mood is merely an indication of intention. It may well be that during the design and construction process you will experiment with colours extensively so by including various shades, you cover this with your mood board.
Each mood board needs to be accompanied with a written analysis of approximately 200 words explaining the choices you have made and giving more information about your intended product and the target audience for the product.
For the planning of your magazine, you will need to create an additional 2 mood boards to show what fonts and colours you intend to use or are considering using on your magazine. These should relate to the genre and target audience of the magazine as well as including a range of design ideas.
Don’t forget to look outside Photoshop for examples of fonts. DaFont or any other online font websites can be much more effective in creating an individual look for your magazine.
For the colour mood boards, look at various shades of the colours, and include these as well as the mood is merely an indication of intention. It may well be that during the design and construction process you will experiment with colours extensively so by including various shades, you cover this with your mood board.
Each mood board needs to be accompanied with a written analysis of approximately 200 words explaining the choices you have made and giving more information about your intended product and the target audience for the product.
Some further examples:
This was a font idea for a cover line and can also be included within your font mood board ideas:
Another example aimed towards a guitar orientated magazine:
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