1. Evaluation of my Media Product Daniel Riley

2. In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? When creating my media product I used the typical conventions of a music magazine which include: Front cover: Barcode Issue date Price of the magazine Magazine Title Competition Free giveaway Features (what the magazine consists of) Image of the artist

4. Title

5. Enlarged letter to start of the article

6. Balance of imagery and textSo I didn’t challenge any conventions as I felt the market for the magazine is unique in itself.

7. How does your media product represent particular social groups? For my media product I created a music magazine that focuses on the Electro/House/Dance genre. I decided to represent a young dance scene as I wanted to identify with a target audience who were between the ages of 18 – 30. I chose to represent them through an artist ‘DJ Stimulus’ that I have chosen to feature in my music magazine. My target audience demographic that I tried to identify with was creative, experimental, non-materialist and has a hint of rebellious / anti-authority which was also represented. I represented these demographics through codes i.e. creative / experimental was coded through graffiti and anti-authority / rebellious through paint splatters

8. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? In terms of music magazine publications, Bauer leads the way so I thought that this company would be able to distribute my magazine. After researching Bauer I found they have a gap in the market for my chosen music genre ‘Dance’ so would benefit me as well as them by reaching out to a wider audience. Where it would be distributed is another matter, probably the typical magazine sellers such as newsagents and WH Smith. Those are the places readers go to buy magazines. Other places could include supermarkets as this could reach out to more potential customers when you think millions of people go into supermarkets every day.

9. How did you attract/address your audience? To attract my target audience, I had to identify with their demographic (creative, experimental and non-materialist) through codes and conventions. Electro/House/Dance music is quirky in itself through its beats so I was inspired to make my magazine quirky. To add to the quirky feel I used paint splatters which also identifies with the creative, experimental and non-materialist demographics as this is the lifestyle that fans of this genre of music have. I used Bauhaus 93 font as it has a quirky style which adds to the theme of the magazine. I used a retro font called ‘MEXCELLENT’ which also fits the theme. The codes I used enforced the creative, experimental and non-materialist style.

10. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this media product? When constructing my media product I used editing programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Fireworks. I was familiar with both programs as I have used Adobe Photoshop to a basic level. When constructing my media product I gathered a clearer understanding of how to use it. I used Adobe Fireworks to edit and manipulate images for my magazine, I had previous experience in using Adobe Fireworks so I found it simple to use. I also used an Apple Mac for the first time to create my media product on which has enabled me to gain new skills in ICT as now I am able to use both Apple Mac’s and a PC.

11. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product? I feel I have come a long way since the preliminary task of print. I feel I have learnt more in the terms of layout, representation and essentials in a magazine through my research. The music magazine looks more professional than the preliminary task as the contents has improved in terms of layout, color and consistency. My front cover has improved dramatically as there is more on the front cover not looking bare and boring. My front cover also has a kicker on the front cover suggesting to the reader what's inside the article. I feel I have a better understanding of media concepts in terms of codes and conventions as I have had to use them in my magazine such as lifestyle and representation, I have represented experimental and anti-authority through images in my magazine where in the preliminary task I put no thought into the audience demographic and how to identify with it