Evaluation

So now that I have finished the foundation portfolio here is my evaluation

1. How does your media product represent particular social groups?


My Media product uses the same conventions as a real media product as it uses similar layouts to existing magazines. 

My Magazine

Example of an existing magazine 

I used conventions such as a colour scheme running through my magazine,I have my contents page split up into sections and a main story and caption on my cover

It also has a contents page which is conventional in most if not all magazines. My magazine also has conventions such as a website, address and email address on the contents page like most magazines do.

However it challenges conventions of existing media products as my magazine cover only has one photo the cover which most do but some magazine covers have a number of images that relate to the stories. I like the idea of having only one picture on the front cover as it is simplistic yet effective.I also challenged conventions such as the way in which my contents page is set up. Instead of having a lot of pictures I only have 2. Again although it is simplistic I think it is also effective.

2. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

My magazine would be distributed in all shops,newsagents and by ‘Beatz & Vibez’ through their website using magazine subscriptions. My magazine would be widely available in shops  throughout the country so, anyone would be able to purchase it. It would also be accessible online for those who may not be able to go out and buy the magazine. This has become very popular with existing newspapers such as The Guardian and magazines such as Billboard, although this service is free. For Beatz & Vibez magazine however the viewer would have to buy it for a small fee in order to create enough revenue to carry n this service. If this service became popular then it viewers would be able to access it for free. 

Here is an example of a website where Billboard magazine is available to read online. 

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=4RQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA4&source=gbs_toc&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

3. Who would be the audience for your media product?



My media product would be for people that enjoy RnB and Hip-Hop music, this is shown as the name of the magazine 'Beatz & Vibez' reflects language used in these genres of music. Also the mise-en-scene used in the photos used in the magazine shows an urban environment which again reflects the genres of music.

Here is a voice recording of who the audience for my media product would be. 

Here is some music from the artists I mentioned on the voice recording.

Here the artist websites 


Kanye West :http://kanyewest.com/


Lupe Fiasco: http://www.lupefiasco.com/

Lil Wayne : http://www.lilwayne-online.com/















4.How did you attract/address your audience?

My answer to how I attracted my audience 

This video gives an idea of how I attracted my audience using examples of existing magazines and audience feedback. 

From audience feedback I was able to see how much people would purchase my magazine for and what sort of things they would like in the magazine. 

Here is the website I mentioned in my vlog:

http://www.vibe.com/

Here are some examples of Vibe magazine covers.

Cover of rapper Kanye West

Cover of rapper Nelly

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


From constructing this product I have learned how to use Adobe Indesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Before this task I had never used these programs, doing this task helped me to improve my skills on these programs especially 
Indesign as this is the program that I used to construct and make my magazine. I enjoyed using Indesign although it took some getting used to. I also learned how to to use a digital camera properly by using the right lighting and constructing the layout properly. All in all I have learnt that technologies are a big help in constructing and making a magazine and without them constructing a magazine would be very difficult. 

Adobe Indesign

Adobe Illustrator 

Adobe Photoshop

6. 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 my preliminary task I have learnt how to arrange and manage my time much more effectively, I also learnt how much work goes into making a music magazine. I have improved my skills in Adobe Indesign, Illustrator and Photoshop. Also my skills in photography have also improved greatly. All in all I think the task has went well. Although if I could go back and change anything I would maybe spend more time constructing my actual magazine. 

My final vlog