Final Evaluation

Evaluation
In my evaluation I will look at the development process of my music magazine, my target audience and how I aimed to create a successful media product through use of language, institutions, ideology, audience and representation.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My rock magazine ‘Rocket’ develops and challenges the forms and conventions of other real media products in many different ways. I created my music magazine through researching and analysing other music magazines such as ‘NME’ and ‘Q’ which benefitted my understanding and knowledge of conventional music magazines.

I studied different genres of the magazines such as ‘Blender’ which has an ideology of hip-hop and RnB and ‘NME’ which has an ideology of the rock/indie music genre. Looking at the different genres enabled me to have more of an idea towards creating my rock genre music magazine, mainly inspired by ‘NME’.
My music magazine ‘Rocket’ uses a bold masthead which has rough and rugged edges representing the rock genre, it also creates a house style for the magazine. It would immediately capture the readers attention as it is located in the top left corner which follows the conventions and therefore it would compete well against other music magazines. I have also conventionally used a colour scheme of red, black, white and yellow, a dateline, price, barcode, issue number, an edited main image, cover line, sell line, headline and a ticker tape sell line. I have used these conventions when creating my music magazine as these are all necessary elements required.

On my contents page, I also followed the conventions of a real music magazine such as headlines that section the contents, a band index, a dateline, issue number, a main edited image, a title and an advertisement at the bottom of the page. My double page spread also is conventionally created as it has a large image of the artist, a secondary image, a by-line, an introduction informing the audience what it’s about, a series of questions and answers, a pull quote headline and informal language. I believe that my magazine looks and acts as a professional as other leading music magazines, for example, ‘Kerrang’. I also used props on my front cover and contents page such as, the gun, the lighter and the bible to give the magazine a controversial feel to match the ideology of individuality, alternative and rebellion which the audience could relate to.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?
The social group my music magazine represents is men and women between the age of 16-22 who are interested in listening to and participating in rock and indie music, along with fashion and individuality. The models I used within my magazine depict definite attitudes and an ideology of rebellion and individuality which related to stereotypical youth culture- the target audience. The models style and dress sense are stereotypically designed to fit in with the rock genre which will also attract the target audience as it may reflect their own image. They will also be influenced and inspired by these artists styles as most youths are interested in being ‘cool’ and fashionable. Use of informal and taboo language enabled my magazine to relate to my target audience of teenagers and young people.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
My magazine could be distributed by the institution ‘IPC’ as this published ‘NME’ magazine which I based my magazine on. As the music genre I have chosen to base my magazine on is one of the biggest in the music industry, it would be sold in local newsagents as well as large supermarkets where other types of magazines are sold, as it targets such a wide ranged audience. ‘IPC’ has already successfully published ‘NME’ magazine therefore I believe that my magazine would also be successful as it is the same popular genre. I would also sell my media product in music stores which would attract their attention to the magazine as it would feature their favourite artists on the front cover and inform them on the latest news and events of rock/indie artists. I could sell my product on the internet with a subscription offer to promote the magazine sales further as they would be more likely to buy it if it was cheaper.

What would be the audience for your media product?
My target audience for ‘Rocket’ magazine would be 16-25 year olds of mixed gender. This is because this age range are most likely to relate to rock and indie styles, such as the fashion and the way they portray themselves. The artists could also be role models and influence and inspire the target audience. My magazine could also attract more of a
mature older audience who may be interested in rock/indie music due to informal and taboo language used with in the double page spread, also, they can relate to their style/personality through use of the mise-en-scene such as costume used to represent her style and stereotype of being individual and alternative.


How did you attract/address your audience?
I used a lot of different techniques to make sure I attracted my target audience. I asked my friends and siblings, with in the age range of 16-25 , questions like ‘Would you be interested in receiving a free poster pack of your favourite bands/artists with a magazine?’. I used their answers, ideas and opinions to create the perfect balance for my target audience. This includes using an attractive and sophisticated colour scheme and simple and informal language so it was easier to follow, understand and relate to. I used stylish and recognisable typography which stands out. My main image on my front cover has been edited black and white to make the artist look more unique and appealing as well as representing a dark and rebellious side to my artist which creates a connotation. She is also looking directly straight at the camera enabling the audience to become involved with the artist. The name of my magazine is ‘Rocket’ which is a catchy, memorable and funky title. It is also a play on words as it should be ‘rock it’ but as a ‘rocket’ takes off it relates with the success of the artists in the magazine as well as containing the genre in title which will scream at the audience if that interests them, also creating a connotation. The medium long shot of my artist also shows her piercings in her nose and ears which shows the ideology of being a rebellious and unique character who the audience could relate with as well as giving the magazine an individual rock effect. I also used informal language to interview my artist on my double page spread, with use of taboo language which the younger aged audience could relate to.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
I feel as though I have learnt a particularly wide range of skills from the process of creating my music magazine. I used ‘Adobe Photoshop’, ‘Microsoft Publisher’ and ‘Paint’ throughout my process. I have learnt how to edit and refine photographs in Photoshop by changing the contrast to get the correct lighting effect to fit my colour scheme. I learnt all of the main elements on Microsoft Publisher which greatly enabled me to create my media product. I also used publisher to do my ICT drafts. I used http://www.dafont.com/ to get an eye catching font that would attract attention and also set a house style for the magazine. Paint helped me edit this font by being able to crop it so no white edges could be seen. It was also easy to use as I only had to copy and paste this from paint to publisher. I also noticed that colour scheme and font style can make or break the magazine. They played a massive role in terms of making my music magazine and I experimented with different types and styles to see which look the best until I came to a final decision. Without learning these technological skills throughout this project I
believe my magazine would not look as professional as it does.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
When both looking at my preliminary task college magazine front cover and my music magazine products I believe there is a clear increase in creativity, knowledge, understanding and skill. I feel I have developed a lot since the preliminary task as I have taken a lot more time and effort to research a clear understanding of magazine conventions, styles and genres. In the music magazine task I have become a lot more confident in using different programmes and challenging different ideas with good use of time management. The preliminary task benefitted me as it was helpful preparation towards progressing in my music magazine. In conclusion, I am very pleased with my final product which I feel looks professional and creative. I also think I have excelled since the preliminary task.