1. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you
have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
2. Both my music magazine and school magazine have
similar layouts however I have changed:
The amount of cover lines and the placement of those cover lines. The
more cover lines on the magazine improves status and validity as it is
clearly able to cover a range of topics.
The barcodes, cover lines, information, flashes etc. are placed to
accommodate the main image rather than being placed where there is
room.
A banner line is required to deliver the consumer information about the
magazines current status. This is often used to advertise what the
magazine offers which makes them different from others of the same
genre.
Line breaks can be used to separate different cover lines however when
this method isn’t used it is beneficial to show them directly next to each
other of roughly the same width. A list display of cover lines allows the
company to display all features in the same place, prioritising only the
singer, actor, student etc. who has been given the most advertising
space.
3. After the production of the music magazine PLAYLIST
I have learnt about the creation of photos.
The image of the contents and front cover for the preliminary task have
visible and distracting mise-en-scene. I have learnt that props can be
used to develop an 'image' of what a person is like however the
background must be thought about.
Props which contribute to the message of the photo or main image are
necessary for some articles to reveal intent. Off-putting mise-en-scene
can be seen in the school magazine such as the door on the front page
and the decorations in the contents. These could have been used to lead
on to the article. For example after the production of a music magazine
cover I now think the door could have been in better focus and clearer
with the student shutting the door to show the subject of the magazine;
a new year leaving for university. The decorations should have been
completely visible to illustrate the social life's of the students and their
homes.
4. Small cover lines
which are difficult to
read. The different
colours are too bright
and they are centered
which means they are
not seen first.
The oval shape of the
flash and the yellow
contrast with the red.
This would be
improved if it had a
stroke and black text
rather than yellow as
the colours would
compliment the main
image.
A single barcode=
requires more
information as this is the
part of the magazine
which isn’t unique or
noticeable. The date and
price should be placed as
this information is found
by the reader if they
decide to purchase.
The main cover line can’t
be read easily and it is
essential that the can be
understood and noticed
without the need for study.
This cover line is the
advertised benefit of the
magazines issue and
therefore should be larger
and of a black font.
5. After research and design I think my contents have improved
from the preliminary task. The addition of page numbers with
the brand is appealing as it is typical. There needed to be
descriptions on the school contents, this would have conveyed
to the reader the specifics of the magazine. The headings
need to be clear which I have achieved with a large modern
font in my second task. The photos are of a greater resolution
in the second, after the first camera was used I realised I
needed a camera which would give a better image with a
greater brightness. The labels and the type of images are
conventions of magazines. The school magazine would
require certain changes.
6. If I were to produce another school magazine I
would:
Place the contents title on the very left of the page, it will be seen
straightway. I would make it smaller so it is apart of the text rather than
separate information. The images are underneath the contents which gives
the false impression that this would be the same for each page with the
use of the same image.
The space between the photos is disrupting, I would make them the same
width so they fit together.
I have learnt more page numbers are conventional however I do reason
that a school magazine would have less content than those purchased in
chain stores.
The sections which have been underlined are too specific and few vague
heading are needed to improve usability.