for the Foundation Portfolio in Media Studies

1. What have you learnt about technologies from
the process of constructing this product?
What software/hardware did you use in the process of producing your media text?
RESEARCH:
• Internet (Google Chrome)
• Blackboard (resources such as magazine media packs)
• Microsoft Powerpoint (market research, analysis, survey
results)
• Adobe Premier Pro (editing of interview)
• Youtube (uploading interview)
• Survey Monkey (creating survey)
• Slide Share (transferring powerpoints onto blog)
• Social Media (sharing survey)
• Photoshop (preliminary exercise)
• Microsoft Word (Contents mock up)
• Blogger (storing all work)
PLANNING:
• Microsoft Powerpoint (Pitch Document/Photography plan)
• I used coloured pens and paper to create mock-up dummies
and then scanned them onto a computer
• Microsoft word (Reader Profile)
• Blogger
PRODUCTION:
• Photoshop (editing photographs, construction of cover and
contents)
• Adobe In design (Double page spread)
• Adobe Bridge (Cover sheet)
• Photography studio with lighting/camera
• Blogger
• Microsoft Word (construction of double page spread article)
EVALUATION:
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Blogger
• Microsoft word
• Slide Share

2. What have you learnt about technologies from
the process of constructing this product?
Throughout the process, there was a lot of technologies that I was already fairly familiar with (e.g Powerpoint, Word, Youtube etc).
However, there were some programmes which prior to this task, I had no experience with. After using them for many ways
throughout my coursework, there are many things I have learned about different technologies.
When I started the process, I had no experience with blogger or how it worked. I had to learn how to
post, change the layout of the blog itself and embed html codes that linked to things such as my survey
and powerpoints uploaded to slideshare. The layout of blogger is very different to programmes such as
Microsoft word and things such as changing the font took me a while to get used to. I now feel
confident with blogger as it has been the basis of my coursework and I have become a lot more
confident at using it.
Before the production, I had no experience of photoshop apart from the creation of my preliminary
task, so my skills were quite limited. Through the process, I learnt how to edit levels of photos in order
to make them look more effective, use the blemish tool to hide any imperfections my model may have,
use the selection tool to duplicate layers in order to either have the model over the masthead or
duplicate layers of hair in order to make it thicker and voluminous. I also learnt in the final stages of my
production to convert the format of my image from a psd (photoshop document) into a JPEG in order to
be able to post it onto my blog. In the production of my contents page, I learnt how to use the
transformation tool to change the size of an image without altering the proportions and to use the
guides in order to help me keep my text in a 3 column layout.

3. What have you learnt about technologies from
the process of constructing this product?
In Design was also key to my construction process as it was the programme I used to construct my
double page spread. This I found more complex than photoshop primarily because I had had no
experience prior to starting. The main things that I learnt on in design was to set my layout into 6
columns and link the text boxes so my text flowed through the columns as I typed it instead of having to
cut and paste. The other important thing I learned with in design is that to change the colour of the text,
for example, you needed the specific CYMK code. To do this you could link the programme up with
photoshop and use the colour picker tool to find the CMYK code and transfer this to In design and get
an exact colour match. This was key in my construction to find the shade of orange I had chosen as the
primary colour for my magazine as it was important that it was consistent throughout.
Using Premier Pro enabled me to edit my interview and upload it to youtube. Before I completed
this part, my editing knowledge was very basic. I could add different clips together in order to
create one video and was able to trim footage, however I could not alter sound levels, add
transitions or edit brightness levels in the picture itself. I learnt how to add in title sequences in
order to be able to have my question on the screen so it is easier and clear to understand. I then
edited sound levels to mute my voice as I asked the question on the original recording then restore
the levels when my subject began to answer. Using premier pro helped me present some of my
market research in a more concise yet more exciting way.

4. What have you learnt about technologies from
the process of constructing this product?
I also developed my photography skills throughout the process. I knew how to work a
camera and use flash however that was as far as my knowledge went as I am used to taking
pictures on devices such as mobile phones. This process enabled me to select the right
mode on the camera (e.g automatic) and be able to get my pictures in focus in order to
make them clearer and of better quality. I used studio facilities in order to get the best
lighting possible for my cover shot but shooting on location meant it was key I knew how to
adjust things such as the flash and zoom in order to get the best quality photograph.
Survey monkey was a site that was new to me however enabled me to collect and analyse
research very easily. I learnt how to create a survey and decide whether I wanted to have
multiple choice answers or written answers etc.. I then shared it on my social networks
(twitter/facebook) in order to collect some responses. Survey monkey then presented my results
through statistics and bar charts, enabling me to analyse my results quickly and easily.
Slide share was another site that was a new experience. I learnt how to upload powerpoint
presentations onto the website, I did this because you cannot transfer them directly to
blogger as they are not saved as JPEGs. I then learnt how to transfer the embed code into the
html option on blogger which meant that the powerpoint showed up on my blog, instead of a
link that directs you to another site.

5. What have you learnt about technologies from
the process of constructing this product?
This process has taught me a lot about many different areas of technology which have helped me to construct a media product to the
best of my ability. I don’t believe that this task would have been possible without the various types of technology used because
technological convergence is key in the media industry is key in order to create the best possible media product. I feel that using my
knowledge and the skills that I have gained has enabled me to produce something that I am proud of.