Evaluation

For my Media Coursework, i created a R&B magazine. I worked individually, and all the work was produced by me, in the ten weeks i had to do it. Throughout the process, i have gathered lots of research together, in order to make my magazine as realistic as possible. This includes both information on the genre R&B and its target audience, and how it attracts its audience.

In what ways does you media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My Front Cover:
- The title of my magazine is in a big, bold font which stands out above all the other text. This grabs the readers attention.
- I have added subheadings onto my magazine cover, which informs the reader on the main stories, which feature within the magazine. These highlight the main attractions.
- A leading caption has been used, which advertises my feature article with 'Emma Nicholson.'
- Strap lines run across the top and bottom of my cover, advertising free posters. This is to attract a bigger audience as freebies can be won.
- The photo as my background, gives a direct address, which leads the audience into buying my product.
- A bar code, price tag, issue date and price, have also been used to finish of the realism of the magazine.

My Contents Page:
- A range of photographs have been used on this page, to give it some attraction. A number of different artists have been featured to interest the reader.
- The exclusive interview has been written in a larger font, as i want this to be the main attraction. This will automatically make the reader turn to the page were it is featured.
- I have used page numbers to ensure the reader finds all they want to inside.
- I have included the web address again, repeating it so it stays with the reader, persuading them to visit the site.
- Again the title 'contents' is in a larger font, but this time runs across and down the page, making it look jazzy and attractive.
- I have stuck witht the same colour scheme as the cover so it follows on throughout.
- And again i have added the issue date making it look more realistic.

My Article:
- My article starts off with an introduction, introducing my featured star.
- It then goes onto asking her questions and her answering.
- The main title is in large letters, introducing her to the reader.
- The slogan advertises her new single, aswell as describing her. Like a pun.
- The colour scheme again, follows on.
- The main image used is a photograph of her, interesting the reader into reading her article.
- The article itself uses personal and funny facts making it interesting to read.
- Within the article, i have introduced her new single, where it can be purchased and where it can be downloaded. This is persuasive and factual.

Who would be the Audience for your media product?
My target audience would be aimed at both men and women. In my oppinion the genre R&B is for both genders, but my magazine would attract more women. The age group it would attract would range from 15-25, and be aimed at people who enjoy the R&B classics, both old and recent. Also they would need to be interested in knowing all about their favourite stars, and where the latest R&B hits can be found. A little bit of gossip must be liked too.

How did you attract your audience?
The main attraction is my front cover. The title 'Harmony' shows the reader that reading this magazine with be peacful and easy to enjoy. The colour scheme Pink/Blue attracts both genders and the image giving a direct address pulls the reader towards purchasing the product. The brief text shows what can be found inside, attracting, advertsing and showing the excitement that is held inside. The strap lines running accross the bottom and top of the page persuade the audience into purchasing this magazine, as they offer FREE posters. Everyone enjoys free gifts.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of this product?
- When beginning my project i had never used indesign before. This was hard to funtion at first, but as the weeks went on, i picked up things easy and just automatically used them when creating my final product.
- The main thing i have learnt about the most is Blogger.Com. Before starting this project i had never even heard about Blogger. Now i know all about how it works etc...and even have my own personal blog.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
When i created my preliminary task, i had no idea how to use indesign. In my oppinion my first task was really hard and i wasnt happy with the outcome. Comparing my final product to my preliminary task, i can really see a difference in what i have learnt. The progression throughout just got better and better. You can see with the editing and the different elements on the magazine, that once i figured out how to use the system properly, it was a very enjoyable piece of work. The excitment is shown in my final product.

Overall i have enjoyed creating my magazine. Ive had my strengths, such as editing my photos, having a play around with the layout and colour scheme and researching different elements. I have also had my weaknesses such as my work not saving and having to catch up, timekeeping, as i spent alot more time on my front cover than on my other pages and the worry of not finishing in time. I think my magazine is up to a high standard and i would personally purchase it if i was to see it in a shop.