AS Coursework

Q 1)

My magazine front cover follows the conventions of a Music magazine as my magazine consists of a title block, central image, slogan, anchorage text, puffs and buzz words. However my colour scheme for the front cover challenges the typical 3-4 colour scheme, as my magazine consists of warm colours like red, orange, yellow and white. These colours have been used to create this aura of heat which links to the central image and anchorage text. However, the background challenges the colour scheme as the background contains cold variations of colours like green and blue. The purpose of the background was to be an intertexual link to Jason’s past as he was abandoned to the streets at a young age. This background resembles old tattered wallpaper in a abandoned house. Furthermore, I have followed the conventions as I have used a graphic feature for the buzz words to emphasise that something of interest is inside. The central image is placed in the middle and the artist has a direct mode of address.

My contents page does follow the conventions of a contents page as it consists of images and page numbers. Furthermore, the layout of the contents page displays the look of a contents page as it has the column of pages on the right. Here I have still followed the house style of red, white & black. This demonstrates that there is consistency in my magazine. The pictures have been layout in an organized manner and I have given the edges of the pictures a gritty rough edge to still attain the gritty feeling of the magazine. I have given the title of the contents page a banner as this gives it more attention. Furthermore my magazine has the categories like Features to Prizes.

In my 3 page article we can see that there is a consistent colour scheme of red, black and white. Also the format of the article follows the conventions as the text is in columns. Also what brings the article pages together is the background I used the background is made from various postcards and letters. The reason, for this background as this has a intertexual reference to Jason’s story of travelling around when he was on the streets. The background represents the various places he’s been to. Furthermore, the article follows the conventions of an article page as it has the title of the article, images, quotes and correctly placed page numbers. Finally, I have used colour to organize my interview along with the use of columns. When the interviewer is talking or asking a question it indicated with a red colour and when the artist talks it is indicated with a white colour and behind it black rectangles with a low opacity have been placed to make it stand out from the background.

Q2)

The social group that my magazine represents are a unisex group aged from 15-24who have an interest in rock music. How my magazine represents social groups is due to the house style I have used of red, black and white. These colours might be one of their favourite colours or appeals to them. Also in my magazine I have kept in mind that my magazine is targeted to a Modern young adult group so in my first issue it will contain an iTunes card as they are more prone to getting their music digitally. Finally, in win section there is a chance to travel to India with a friend or partner. This would appeal to my social group as various rock artists have gone to India so this might appeal to the social group. Also my magazine has a chance of winning tickets to the Skillet’s concert. I have chosen this band as they follow the genre of the magazine and will appeal to my social group.

In addition the images I have used consider my social group to an extent through appearance, costume and body language, as by looking at my central image we can see by appearance that the artist has a medium length hair. Also, by looking at his costume we can see he is wearing a grey hoodie with a gothic design in the centre and gothic font, he is also wearing a navy stylish jacket and black trousers. Finally his body language is confident. In addition it is established in the interview that Jason is a talented, hard working & believes in his ethics and himself. Some or most of these aspect will reflect my social group. From looking at the content of my magazine I understand the social group like to go out to events and explore places.

Q3)

The kind of media institution that would distribute my magazine is the company future as they are a popular publisher who releases Guitar World which is the world’s biggest guitar magazine. Furthermore, the publisher is modern in the sense that they are accustom to the use and purpose of apps and websites. This would broaden my target audience with the use of these technologies. In addition, it would be more appropriate for my magazine to be published by a modern publishing company as my target audience are young modern people.

Q4)

The target audience of my magazine are aged from 15-24, are unisex and have are mixed variety of races. Finally, the interest of the target audience are that they like listening to rock music, the films that they would prefer are the Dark knight and the games that they are interested in are Call of Duty games, Gears of War games and the Dead Space games. The reason why the magazine is open to wide variety of races and is unisex as it will therefore is open to a wider audience and this will gain more sales. Furthermore, my magazine isn’t a niche magazine and wants it to be as open as possible.

Q5)

How I attracted my audience through my central image, is by placing the image in the centre. In, addition the face has captured strong light this will attract an audiences eye also I have applied fire on the artist. This will alert & intrigue the audience as the fire will cause the thought of danger it can also link with hell. The anchorage text is in a bright red colour with a contrasting black background this makes the message stand out. The colours used further attract the target audience as the background colours are cold greens and blues. This contrasts with the warm colours used in the foreground which are the reds, yellows and oranges. This in addition creates contrast and attracts attention. The design of my title follows a rough, coarse, rock like theme. Surrounding and imbedded in the tile is there is a red lighting effect. This gives the title emphasise in design and meaning of the title. The colours used in the title are black, white and black. This follows the house style theme and the white really stands out. I have addressed my audience with a casual formal language. I have used this form of language as it is appropriate for my target audience.

Q6)

What I have learned about technologies from the process of making my magazine is from using a digital camera, I have learned about the use of focus blur to add importance to a subject in a picture. I have also learned how to convey a story through composition in the shot. In using the technology of using a blog to present my work, I have learned how to upload content and linking with other blogger users through the gadget tab. The software that I used for editing images and designing the layout in my magazine. Firstly I have used photoshop for the editing process, what I have learned from using this software was the use of brushes to create interesting textures and edges in addition I have learned to use the sharpen tool to add some focus to a subject and blur tool to remove focus from an area. What I have learned from using Adobe Illustrator is how to give an image a soft edge by giving it a feather. I have also learned how to change the opacity of an object in Illustrator. Finally I have learned about how to use a website like survey monkey to gain answers to my questions related to my magazine.

Q7)

What I feel I have learnt from the progression from the preliminary task to the full product for my front cover I can understand the use of puffs and buzz words. I have also learned the convention of the central image of how it should have a direct mode of address and the artist or band should be placed in the centre, as this gives this makes the artist the focus which will capture the audiences eye.. In addition I have learnt how to the use of website links with a younger audience and I now recognize the importance of issue number and release date. In addition I understand the importance of colour scheme of the front cover.

From the progression task from the preliminary task to the full product looking at the contents page I feel that I have learnt how to demonstrate consistency in house style. And how to design a layout that is appropriate for a contents page. Furthermore I have learnt how to organize a contents [age more appropriately.