Final Post

To the examiner,
I hope you have enjoyed reading all my posts throughout the process of creating and developing my magazine. Each post is labelled and can be viewed via selecting the link from the list on the Blog Archive. I have thoroughly enjoyed the AS Media course and have worked very hard with the task to complete my final product.
Thankyou

Final Evaluation Question 7

Final Evaluation Question 7 by laurenrobertsmedia

Final Evaluation Question 6

6.  What have you learnt about technologies form the process of constructing this product?

I used various forms of editing technology/software:

Computer and iMac
While constructing my media product, i often was working on the computers or the iMac's in school during lesson time and study periods. At home i worked on the project using my Windows Laptop, despite my laptop not having all the required software i did what i could after school hours. I preferred working on the task using computers at school as this was a place where i was extremely motivated and had access to all required software and better quality hardware, particularly on the iMacs. I used my free study periods and lesson time effectively, ensuring i was working on the project and getting all the work done.

Adobe Photoshop CS6 Extended

This is the software used to construct and edit my magazine on the school computers, as i do not have this software at home installed on my laptop. At the start of the project when using Photoshop for the first time working on the preliminary task, i was not a confident user and only knew the basics of how to operate the software. After lots of practice, i developed my skills using this software which allowed me to use it to my advantage and create a good quality final product through editing and attention to detail relating to the design.

                                         

Microsoft Word 2010

I used this software to create my article which i featured on my double page spread inside the magazine. This enabled me to check for any spelling errors, monitor my word count, structure appropriately and make any necessary alterations before inserting the article into Photoshop where i was creating my double page spread. This ensured my double page spread was professional and avoided any mistakes.

I also used many forms of presentation software during the process of constructing my magazine:

Blogger

I used Blogger frequently throughout the task of constructing my magazine. All stages were 'blogged' to provide evidence of completing and justifying ideas etc. This was how all my work was presented. My blog shows the process from start to finish. Before i was involved in this media course i hadn't previously Blogger, but after using it regularly i became more familiar with its functions and how to use it effectively in presenting my work including research, drafts, feedback, weekly targets, final product and evaluation.

  Animoto

I used this video creator for my 25 word pitch during the early stages of the task as part of my research and to give insight into the direction I aimed to take with my media product. This was an effective way to get the message across and viewers were able to engage with the animations and images which did not require much explanatory. Previous to this,

 I had never used Animoto however I found it very easy to use and a good way of presenting work in an appealing and interesting manor.

Flickr

After taking both test shots and a second shoot for the final product images after doing research to gain ideas of what I wanted to achieve, I uploaded some of my favourites
on to Flickr, creating a 'feed' which I embedded into a blog post, allowing others to visit my blog and view these images easily and in high definition.

Scribd

During the research stages involved in the coursework, I used Scribd as a different form of presenting my work; I was able to upload Word, Publisher and PowerPoint documents onto this software and present it in a more professional way than a standard post on Blogger. I researched and analysed pre-existing magazines and posted this onto my blog by using the embed code for this particular Slideshare document, creating media variety on my blog and different ways of presentation.

SoundCloud

I used this when creating an 'Inspirational Playlist' for my chosen genre of hip hop and posted it onto my blog through embedding; this is a different way of presenting work using a different form of media, perhaps something more interesting than a standard blog post. I knew how to use this before coming to create this playlist as I already had my own account and used it regularly for streaming music, therefore I was confident in using this and had no issues.

 


For the research involved in the task i used technologies including:

Internet Explorer/ Google Chrome

The internet was essential for my research. This  system enabled me to find out about pre-existing magazines, collect images, access various software's (mentioned above), access information throughout the process, developing ideas and finding inspiration from various sources online allowing me to create a good quality final product.

Survey Monkey

I created an online questionnaire using Survey Monkey as I thought it would be useful to gain insight into the pubic and audiences. I asked relevant questions to ensure I gained useful feedback from peers after embedding and posting onto my blog for others to see and proceed to complete the survey. I had never used this before but found it easy to use and a good way of finding out about your audience quickly and
easily.

Practical hardware used included:

Nikon D30200

This was a camera owned by the media department of my school, I decided to use this rather than my personal camera as it is of better quality and more credible, capturing images in high definition. I used this for all images featured on all pages: cover, contents and double page spread. As this camera was not my own, I had never used it before and was not familiar with all it's functions so during the test shots I was unable to use the camera's specialist features to my advantage- achieving images of a respectable standard but I felt there was room for improvement in shots and angles of images. I was then more confident when using the camera for a second time in a different shoot with my models, learning skills and appropriate settings after my first attempt (zoom, angling, flash, etc.)

  Artificial Lighting

 I used two soft lighting boxes when photographing the models in the AVS studio at school. This created a perfect level of brightness for the images to ensure the focus was on the model and the image itself rather; without the lighting the image would appear unprofessional and unattractive to the audience as it could be seen as something 'ordinary' and 'boring'. The lighting emphasises expressions and contributes towards achieving a flawless image.

Tri-pod

This was used to stand the camera on when photographing models in the photography stages, it stabilised the camera and allowed a level position achieving a professional and well balanced looking image. Without this piece of equipment, images may have appeared unprofessional and disorientating for the reader as angles and shots would not be on one level and appear unattractive as a result.

White screen back ground

A professional look was created through the use of this piece of equipment as the screen was placed behind the models, achieving a simplistic look and avoiding the appearance of untidy mise-en-scene shown in the shot. This is regularly used by magazines as it is attractive and ensures the audience's attention is drawn to the important contentions of the magazine such as cover lines, image and masthead. This allowed images to be featured effectively on the page and other aspects of the magazine stand out appealing to the audience and encouraging interest and sales.

Final Evaluation Question 5

Final Evaluation Question 4

Final Evaluation Question 3

Final Evaluation 2