1. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
MEDIA EVALUATION
QUESTION 7

2. Looking back at my preliminary task, I can see that I’ve learnt a lot especially
about the layout of a magazine and how to position the cover lines properly.
School Magazine:
When I first started, I didn’t know a lot about the layouts or fonts used on any
magazine cover. Being honest, my first version of my main cover image for my
school magazine was rushed as ‘I just needed a photo’ and I didn’t really think
about the position or the mise-en-scene. As school magazines aren’t really
popular, I couldn’t do a lot of research but those I found proved to be very
helpful. I ended up changing my school magazine, The Chosen, several times.
I decided to retake my main cover image and to take care with the positions
of my model/s. I think my final version is definitely a lot better then my first
design. The main cover image works better and looks more natural, However
looking back, I could of done something to the background.
LOOKING BACK:

3. MY SCHOOL MAGAZINE PROGRESS:
START TO FINISH

4. MY MUSIC MAGAZINE PROGRESS:
START TO FINISH

5. WHAT I’VE LEARNT:
I think one of the main things I’ve learnt is that image is everything. Once you have a good
image, the rest ‘falls into place’ in a way. From the image, you can work out where to put
the cover lines, usually around the body or side, and you can see how much space you
have to cover.
Since the beginning of the Media course, I’ve become more and more familiar with the
technologies used such as Photoshop, InDesign and even Adobe Flash. I’ve become more
confident with what I’m doing and I know how to edit my images effectively. Carrying on
the topic of images, I’ve also learnt how to position my models to suit the magazine. For
example, in a men’s magazine, the typical pose would be a seductive, sexy woman. In rock
magazines, it’s usually close ups of the band or singer with heavy contrast.
Another important factor of any magazine is the colour scheme. This helps the magazine
look professional and make it all link together. When I first started my school
magazine, The Chosen, I chose random colours that looked nice, but when I researched
some more and got into more depth with my magazine, I chose colours that related to it.
The colours I chose were black, green and white, resembling the school uniform. With my
music magazine, Wonderful Disaster, I chose the colours red, black and white because they
were symbolic in a way and were gender neutral. For example, white –
purity/innocence, black – death and red – blood/romance/love.

6. WHAT I’VE LEARNT:
I’ve also learnt more about the layout. By researching similar music magazines, I have
learnt the typical layouts and how to use my space more productively. A lot more thought
goes into where I place my cover lines and what fonts, sizes to use. Each font gives off a
different ‘feeling’ For example: Wonderful Disaster Wonderful Disaster
Below is my very version design for my school magazine, The Chosen and beside it, is my
final version of my music magazine, Wonderful Disaster.