Question 7-Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to your final media product?

Final Production

Preliminary Task

Final Production

Preliminary Task

ProgressionThe improvements I wished to change from my preliminary task to my final

product are as follows:

The differentiation between both my contents and front page in my preliminary task was very minimal, with the two models being maintained for both documents. This didn’t follow conventions as the same model rarely appears twice as the main image throughout the magazine. Similarly, a serious lack of lighting and other features was prominent. With the only technology used being the camera, the image was basic and relatively unprofessional. Also, due to a lack of experience with Photoshop, I was unable to use any adjustments on the image (e.g. Brightness & Contrast) meaning the amateur aspect of the images were enhanced.

Changes were made in my final production, otherwise it would have been a very unprofessional. Firstly, obviously you can see I used different models and therefore gained two completely separate and unique images. Also, enhancing the image quality was important, so lighting and adjustments from Photoshop were used, this enabled me to create a professional image which embraced the use of shadows. A final crucial point of improvement (besides the general improvement of the product) is the use of fonts, as I carefully chose multiple variations to follow conventions and create a professional product.

Improving my skillsOne of the most influential, crucial and changeable skills I had

to use was the ability to use Photoshop. For example, effects on texts were relatively important, as often the text didn’t suit the background contrast, so an effect like “drop shadow” needed to be used. Similarly, stretching the font and changing the size of the gaps between the letters was vital, especially on my front cover.

Also, as mentioned on the previous slide, the use of the adjustments tool was a very useful one. Changing the contrast was important in order to create a fully professional and eye catching image, as it meant the image would stand out from the background. Finally, the use of the spot heal tool was useful as it eliminated the chance of the images looking unprofessional and also enhanced the idea that the audience could perhaps idolise these artists.

The complexity of my layout has changed also, as I learnt how to add and move layers. Before I was clueless of the concept, which meant I kept as few as possible, now I included more and produced a final product of structure and different layers. The complexity has increased also by learning how to include conventions which I never knew during the preliminary task. The techniques I wished use I was able to learn how to include, for example quotes and minimal text in the columns of the contents page.

By following my own advice from the preliminary to the final production, I managed to stick to a structure when creating, always referring to research, as I learnt that going with the flow creates a mess that includes no conventions or any professional image. To do this I spoke to a target audience on decision making so I didn’t differ between options.

Effectiveness of MastheadsIn my preliminary task, the masthead was

poor and didn’t follow the conventions of (hip-hop) magazines. It was a bleak colour, the font wasn’t eye catching and it lay nowhere near the image. I realised the importance of a masthead once researching into the conventions, I realised that this was the icon of your magazine, and would be important for it to be eye catching and professional. So i therefore used appropiate fonts, contrasting and vibrant colours that appeal to both genders and located the masthead according to the conventions.

All the things I learnt from producing my preliminary, final front cover and final contents page I was then able to take on board and include in my double page spread.

In conclusion the final production had a much increase in quality compared to my first preliminary task. This was mainly because of the skills I acquired and the techniques I learnt and included. For example the lighting and use of manual settings on a digital slr camera meant I could produce a better image once learning how to do so from tutorials. Other factors contributed including the learning of conventions, variety of fonts, consistency in colours, timing, pre structural and design planning and all in all learning how to use the software Photoshop to its full extent, as I would not have been able to produce such a fine quality product without learning these attributes.