AS Media Coursework Evaluation:
Pre-production:
For my AS Media coursework I worked alone in order to create
a printed product. I decided to design a magazine cover and sample pages for
the magazine. The magazine I designed is called ‘Horse & You’ which is a
horse riding magazine as this is something I am interested in and frequently
take part in.
Before starting to design my magazine cover and sample pages
I researched and analysed existing products. My aim of this research was to
gain an idea of the codes and conventions of a magazine cover and identify if
different genre of magazines used different layouts. Carrying out this research
allowed me to gain a thorough understanding of the codes and conventions before
beginning my production work. It also allowed me to realise that the layout of
magazines remains the same regardless of the genre. I looked at two contrasting
magazine covers, a Vogue magazine cover and a Empire magazine cover. Although
these two genres are very different, the codes and conventions remain the same
for both. The masthead is central at the top of the cover and is instantly
recognisable. In some cases, the masthead is partially covered by a models head
which allows us to infer that the magazine is well known and does not need to
display the full name in order for people to know which magazine it is. The
feature article photograph is always the main focus of the cover and links to
the main article of the magazine. The date, the price of the magazine and the
barcode are also essential on a magazine cover. I then took my research further
and analysed an existing Equestrian magazine, Horse and Rider, as this is
specific to my genre. Analysing the three existing magazine covers allowed me
to become familiar with the codes and conventions and then I could easily
identify what was needed to be included when creating my own magazine cover and
double page spread. I knew that I wanted an earthy colour pallet to communicate
to my target audience that the magazine was about natural content, I wanted the
language to directly address the audience so that they felt it was personal to
them, for example the word ‘you’ and ‘your.’ I also decided that I wanted a
plain white background in order to make the images and words stand out.
I carried out audience research by interviewing a typical
member of the equestrian target audience, someone who owns a horse themselves.
To begin with I asked the interviewee what age range she fits in to, which was
25 – 40. This helped me to decide what
my target audience could be for my magazine. I also asked general questions
about what she thinks attracts people to a magazine cover, the response to this
was that a colour scheme is needed. This influenced my choice of colour when
creating the magazine cover. I further asked what she would prefer to read in
an equestrian magazine, from this I gathered that a large range of different
areas can be covered rather than just one aspect of the equestrian genre.
Following this, I carried out research into the regulations
of magazines in order to guide me when doing my production. I looked into the
Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) so that I was aware of the
boundaries when creating a magazine. IPSO state that everyone is entitled to
respect for their private family and home life, this meant that in my
production I made sure when including a photograph, I respected their privacy
and did not make any intrusions into the individual’s private life without
consent. IPSO further states that sources must be acknowledged. Therefore, when
creating my production if I used information or photographs from somewhere else
I was aware that I had to report the source in order to avoid claims of
inaccuracy.
After carrying out several research tasks I created mock up
magazine covers on Photoshop for my pre production work. This involved taking
my own photographs to use on the covers. I created two contrasting covers one equestrian
magazine cover and one fashion magazine cover. Therefore, I used my own camera
to take photographs at the farm and get pictures of horses from different
angles and close up shots of horses heads that could be used on my cover. I
took multiple pictures so that I had a large sample to choose from. For the
fashion magazine cover I took a photograph of a friend wearing a dress so that
it was suitable for the cover. I then started to design my front covers and be
creative with Photoshop, manipulating images with the range of different tools.
Doing this task allowed me to become more confident with the codes and conventions
and experiment with different layouts, fonts and colours ready for the final
production.
The target audience for my equestrian magazine is both male
and female aged 25-40. I attracted this audience by using a natural colour
scheme for my magazine cover in order to make it appear organised and
professional. Rather than overcrowding the page with information and lots of
different colours I have kept it neat and simple which will appeal to the older
target audience.
Production:
My pre production has significantly helped me with my
production. Experimenting with different fonts and colours allowed me to pick a
certain colour scheme and style which now runs throughout the magazine front
cover and the double page spread which was completed for my production. This
organised look will appeal to the target audience.
My product would be distributed in a range of different
places. Firstly, mainstream retailers such as WHSmith as lots of people are
guaranteed to be there and consuming the product. However, I would particularly
distribute my product in specialist horse shops such as Naylors, Equine Mania
or Hackworths as people who are interested in horses and people who own horses
will shop and browse there so can be directly targeted. My product would
further be advertised online and available to order off equestrian websites as
this means the product is available to a wider audience.
On my magazine cover and double page spread I have
represented people in a positive way. I have represented the horse rider on my
photographs as skilled and knowledgeable in the horse riding techniques. The
focus is on the horse, as the main image on the front cover and the double page
spread is a close up shot of the horses face. The rider is placed in the thumb
nail images, the camera angle is a wide shot, showing the full length of the
horse and rider. The rider's face is not identified, allowing the audience to
focus on the rider techniques rather than the person. This is also done on a
Spring 2013 edition of The Horse And Rider magazine cover which I previously
analysed. The horse is portrayed as well looked after and groomed, giving the
magazine a professional image.
Planning allowed me to progress to my production
confidently. Using Photoshop improved my ICT skills and meant I could be
creative in what I designed. I learnt how to manipulate images in many
different ways and how to layer different items. I could also be creative in
how I displayed my text. From the research I carried out during my planning I
became much more aware of the codes and conventions of a magazine and therefore
could confidently do my production work.
Strengths and
Weaknesses:
My magazine cover and double page spread works well as it
follows the general codes and conventions of a magazine, such as the masthead
being placed at the top of the cover and the feature article photograph being
the main focus of the magazine cover. The earthy colour scheme gives the
magazine a professional look and the text is organised making it easy to read
for the audience. Taking my own photographs went well as I managed to get many
different pictures which were all suitable for my magazine. I believe the
magazine cover and sample pages I have produced appear professional and
suitable for the genre. The mode of
address and colour scheme I used are suitable for both the genre and the target
audience. The language used on my magazine cover is light hearted and chatty
which highlights the magazine is made for leisure purposes. The natural, pastel
colour scheme appears delicate perhaps targeting a more feminine target
audience. If I had a bigger budget I would do some things differently. Firstly,
I would use a famous Olympic rider such as Charlotte Dujardin in my photographs
which would link to one of my secondary articles. I would also give the
magazine a glossy finished print in order to make it appear more professional.
