Comparison of Old and New Double Page Spread

This is my new double page spread against my old one. (The one on the left being the newer version) I think there is a much clearer difference from the two. I think having a main image taking up the whole left side of the page is much more appealing and intriguing. Furthermore the clarity of my older picture compared to my new one shows exactly how much more realistic my newer double page is. I feel the colour is highlighted specifically when comparing the two pictures in the fact that my older version looked extremely dull and boring. Having two bright but contrasting colours has made me realise that it is far better to make the reader want to stay on the page then be put off it. The feedback further helped me realise that colour is one of the most important aspects of a double page as the reader, especially my target group of teenagers, are more appealed to the style and layout then the actual detailed information.

This links in heavily with the text I have used. My older version was more of a story rather than an introduction to the information and so this had to be improved. My updated version shows a much smaller but relevant introduction, in where the reader can get an idea of what the interview will be about, rather than getting bored with the amount of text their is. Changing the story completely was also   something I had to consider because of the realism. Although original, talking about issues that are linked with some music artists, such as drugs and alcohol, was much more realistic. When sending off my older version I was extremely frustrated with how I failed to use a title. 

Although the quote helped supply this, there was not clear title that the reader could find and they would have no understanding of what the story was going to be about/ Therefore, changing this has made me much more confident in that it is realistic and also appeals to the reader. 

New Double Page Spread (14/03/13)

This is a screenshot of my new double page. I feel a lot happier with my new double page, especially the image. Previously, I used an image which had very little relevance to the story, and also wasn't c;ear enough to make out. I feel after realising this the image links to the story a lot more, and looks very professional.

The text is also an improvement that I am more confident with. Using contrasting colours at the top of the page makes it look effective but I also used this to make it appealing to the reader. I may ask for more feedback about the colours I have used for the more detailed information in which the story is presented.

 I used that colour to make the text stand out, but when reviewing it, I feel that it looks less realistic. As for the story, although it wasn't my primary focus, I am happy I have came up with something original. I think that this shows clearly what my thought was and how I wanted to represent the singer.

New Contents Page (14/03/13)

This is my new contents page that I have been working on. After getting feedback from classmates I realised that my previous contents was not modern enough and lacked realism. I think the colours I used were too strong and didn't invite the audience in a good way. Using this I now have a much more simple contents page, but I think that this is the most effective because the text is easier to read and the images are also easier to make out. I think that my title is modern and this is what I was trying to achieve. I am happy with my main image because it links with the music genre and it is evidence i have used my own photos.

Updated Double Page Version 14/03/13

This is my most updated Double Page Spread (14/03/13).  After receiving further relevant feedback, it was clear that I needed to have one side of my double page for the main image, and the other for text and information that makes the story realistic. I think that the feedback for this, has made me realise that having a main image taking up one side of the double page, then it would be more appealing to the audience. Especially given the fact that the person I am using is apparently a famous person, the audience would respond quickly to the main image and be intrigued to read what the other page has to say.

I have changed the colour and text completely. I think that my previous version shows clear signs of dullness and that it doesn't have much appeal to it at all. Having a contrasting colour on the right page makes it more interesting, appealing and intriguing for the audience then my previous version. I am happy with the story I cam up with and want to keep this throughout my updates. I feel it is original and different to most stories and so could give me an advantage.

The main image I will use will hopefully make the double page spread come together. I am currently thinking about applying a white background with the singer either posing or singing in action. White would be the colour I want to use because I think, Red, Blue and White are all very different colours and so therefore would make it a very appealing double page spread.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Looking back at your preliminary task,

what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

From the preliminary task, I have increased my knowledge massively in terms of the layout of my magazine, the tools I use, and most certainly the colours I must use for my magazine.

Firstly, the layout from my preliminary task was very  plain and didn’t look similar to any current music magazine. The background I used was very pIain and lacked any signs of intriguing the audience. I had sub-headlines at the side of the page rather than under the main headline, which I now know is the best way to present a magazine. My main headline, on my preliminary task was very small, and didn’t look like the main headline. Developing this into the full product, I made my music magazine masthead standout clearly and take up a large quantity of the upper half of the music magazine.

Secondly, the tools I used have developed remarkably since the preliminary task. For the preliminary task, I used Microsoft Powerpoint tools, which were then transferred onto my preliminary magazine. Looking back at this, I cannot believe how much I have progressed. The full product has all the tools from Adobe Photoshop, and when comparing this to the preliminary music magazine, it looks much more technical and professional.

Finally, I feel the colors I have used are much more relatable to a music magazine. I used very dark brown colors for the preliminary task , and now, when I think that it was a college magazine, I have come to realise it was the opposite of what I needed. Using this experience in my full product and having a better understanding of contrasts of colors I have developed on this massively, and I have realized that it is better to stick to a certain amount and good quality of colors rather than have a quantity of colors.

In summary, I personally feel I have developed massively since the preliminary task, and that my full product has a much more appealing look than that of the preliminary music magazine.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Looking back at my preliminary task, I feel I have learnt an awful lot. My preliminary ask was to make a college magazine. When comparing both of the magazines, I feel I have developed my skills of using Adobe Photoshop.

Prior to making any of the magazines, I had very little idea of how to use Adobe Photoshop. I knew the basic tools but didn’t know many technical aspects of the program. The preliminary task was beneficial for me to develop my skills, and get used to using Adobe Photoshop. I could have used Microsoft Publisher, yet I wanted to challenge myself, and If I could develop and improve my skills on Photoshop, then it might be beneficial to me later in my life. When doing my music magazine, I didn't’t realize how much more I had learnt, and how many tools I could now work well.

Editing was one of the tools I used the most in Photoshop, and using this on my own preliminary task, didn’t have a very positive out come. Yet after developing these skills in Photoshop, I feel my music magazine looks a  lot more professional.

Doing this music magazine has made me realise that, in my opinion, Photoshop is the easier software to use rather than Microsoft Powerpoint.  Some of the tools on Photoshop are very technical and I feel that this is what makes the product look the most professional.  

How does my magazine attract/address the target audience?

My music magazine is aimed at teenagers appealing mainly to 15-21 year olds. Any teenagers that are interested in music will be attracted to my magazine due to the images I have used, the phrases I have used and the colors I have applied to my pages.

Firstly, I have used many images that can be relatable to a teenager. My front cover image will attract my audience as he is aged in the range of my target audience. Teenagers interested in music are usually quite laid back and tend to be cool’. To attract more teenagers to my magazine my front cover main image shows this type of theme.

Secondly, I have used relatable phrases and sentences that could be relatable to a teenager. My front cover even includes the word ‘teenager’ and so will attract a teenager to continue reading. Words that are used in the modern day, are the type of words I have tried to use in my own work, for example, ‘teen heartthrob’. Although this is aimed females particularly, it immediately attracts the audience to this story, and other headlines in the magazine. Furthermore,

The colours are and modern, which could be an attraction to the audience. Researching magazines helped me do this. Firstly, I wanted to research a magazine that is out now and aimed at teenagers. When researching ‘NME’ the colors were very strong and bright, and immediately caught my attention. I tried to use some of these colors in my own magazine work.

Prior to even beginning the work on my magazine, modern words and phrases that are used in the modern day as my aim for attracting the audience. ‘Epic Music’ is the name of my magazine, and ‘Epic’ is an extremely modern and teenage-related word that means awesome, and huge. This highlights exactly who my target audience are, and the word ‘Epic’ will catch-the-eye of the teenage audience immediately. This word is also very informal, which again implies who I am aiming my magazine for.