Evaluation
What have I learnt from completing this task?
By completing this task, I have learnt many things, such as the basics of Photoshop. I can now use different tools to edit my images, such as levels, hue/saturation, contrast, layers and transformations, which I did not know how to use before. I have also learnt the conventional themes which are used on most mainstream magazines, such as a footer, masthead, skyline, plug, main features and side features. This will help me in completing my further AS media coursework, when I create my music magazine. I now know to use medium closeups when choosing images for my front cover, as this will allow me to include everything necessary into my mise-en-scene, also leaving room for my masthead and features at the side of the image. I have now learnt that color themes are important when designing a magazine, and I have changed my mind many times on the color scheme I would like for my magazine, but I think that my overall choice suits my magazine. I have also learnt to use Photoshop to create my magazine rather than Microsoft Powerpoint or Microsoft Publisher which i originally tried to use as it is more user friendly, however Photoshop makes my product have the best professional finish. I now know how to use denotation to analyse the semiotics used in media texts such as film posters and magazines, which will help me in my media AS level coursework and exam. I have also learnt that different images can be used, such as a close-up, a medium shot, a long shot, a high angle and a low angle. These will affect the mise-en-scene of media texts.
How have I used technology?
To capture my images, I have used my phone (a Samsung Galaxy S5). I have chosen this camera instead of one more professional because it had a 16 megapixel camera which takes photos which are easy to access. I used a cable to transfer my photographs and then I used a 16GB memory stick to transfer the images onto my college account. Once in my files I used Photoshop to edit my images, using specific tools such as hue/saturation, levels and contrast. My drafts, my semiotics piece of work, and what I thought would be my final product were completed on Microsoft Publisher, however Photoshop proved better as it had tools that wasn't included on Microsoft Publisher, such as the layers tool which proved effective when editing my cover. I used Microsoft Powerpoint to create my mood boards which worked well as it is very user friendly and easy to use, however it has some very professional tools which I have used to edit my mood boards.
What conventions have I used and why?
I have used many conventions in my cover of my college magazine, such as a masthead. A masthead features the magazine title, so it is obvious that I needed to include this, or people would not know the title of my magazine (which is "aspire.). I have used images, such as a medium close-up, which is used in most mainstream magazines, with the top of the head overlapping the masthead, which I have done to produce a more professional finish. I have included a main feature, and side features which are in different fonts and colors which contrast with the background so they can be easily seen. I also have included a footer which has the text "INSIDE: ARE YOU WYKE'S NEXT RISING STAR?" which will make the audience want to buy the magazine to find out if they are, in fact, "Wyke's next rising star". Finally, I have included a bar code with information of the issue of the magazine, which is conventional of mainstream magazines.
What would you change if you were to do this task again?
If I were to do this task again I would firstly add more features to my cover which will attract more of an audience. Secondly I would add a plug, such as "free coffee with this magazine", which is conventional of magazines to include. Thirdly I would change the circles in the skyline of my cover into stars, which I did not know how to do, so I left it as circles, however I could have researched on how to do different shapes on Photoshop. I would also include brighter colors such as yellow which will catch the eye of the audience, and make them look at my magazine. I would also use a wider range of fonts which will interest the reader. I would include graphics around the top of my magazine cover, which at the moment looks bare, and would have looked more professional if I had filled the spaces.