Evaluation

• Question One

 In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? 

Before creating my own student magazine I researched the key elements of student magazines. From my research I found out that for most magazines the central image is of a student, a similar age to the target audience or a band/singer. I found that a lot of the features were similar.I also found out that three or four colours were used in the colour palette and they appeared to be bold and mainly bright as these connote energy and youth. The mode of address used in student magazines was informal and chatty to relate to the target audience. The layouts and mastheads of the magazines appeared to be simple which connotes grown ups. 

After doing my research I then went on to use this in my own magazine. I chose four main colours which were black, white, blue and pink to create the house style because I thought they were eye catching and appealed to both boys and girl's while connoting youth and energy. I found that these colours were appropriate for my target audience because they weren't childish. For the puff I used black and white so that it would stand out and catch the readers attention against the other colours used for splash and the cover lines. I photographed a student for my central image which again relates to my target audience as it shows that my magazine is aimed at students.By photographing a student it used the generic conventions associated with with student magazines. The image was a medium close up which was stated in the brief. I chose the name 'Unique' for my magazine because it connotes originality and it suggests that it's different to any other student magazine that is already available.  The font I used for my masthead connoted youth and energy and was informal to connect with the audience.

• Question Two

       How does your media product represent particular social groups?

       My student magazine represents student social groups between the ages of 16-24 both male and female which I am also part of. I asked students in the age range my magazine appealed to what they would like to see on the magazine and what colours they think should be used as they would be the ones buying the magazine. I have shown this through my central image by photographing a student and keeping the colours aimed at the age range of 16-24 using simple colours such as white which is a fresh colour while using pink and blue to target both genders. Even though my central image is only of a girl, my magazine is still aimed at boys and this is shown through my colour scheme. From my target research I found that students weren't willing to pay alot of money for the magazine especially if they were going to buy frequently and they said they would pay about £1 maybe more if there was loads of content and it was good quality. I eventually chose to price my magazine at £1.00 as this is affordable for students especially if they will be buying every issue which is a good price for the amount of content.

• Question Three 

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

 My student magazine would be best distributed in a college or university as the content within my magazine is targeted at students and contains useful information on student life with vouchers and prizes which would benefit students. The magazine is only £1.00 and so isn't expensive meaning it appeals to most students with an interest in fashion, music, gaming and student life. 

• Question Four

        Who would be the audience for your media product?

      The audience for my magazine would be male and female students aged 16-24 because the content includes tips for students and articles about things relating to students. The vouchers and competitions are included in the magazine are aimed at students. They would need to be interested in music, films, fashion, books, student life and achievements.

• Question Five

     How did you attract/address your audience?
     I attracted my audience by using a fresh, simple and unique central image on the front cover which was easy to understand and wasn't cluttered. The image was also of a student from Ludlow college and this allows other students to relate to the image as they are the same age.  I used a fun, informal and bold text for the masthead to attract the audiences attention as it stands out. I used white text as it's fresh and simple to stand out against the blue and black. For my cover lines I used white text on a blue background so that it would catch the readers eye. I used white on a black background to draw the reader to the freebies and competitions so that when the reader picks up the magazine it will attract them too it. I used clear and easy yet informal fonts on my contents page so that there was continuity. I addressed my audience with an informal chatty style so that it relates to students. The splash is larger font to automatically attract the readers attention to it.  

•  Question Six

      What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
   To bring my ideas to life and create my magazine I used Indesign. I was not familiar with this and so I had to learn how to use them so that I could create my front cover and contents page. I found indesign effective and fairly simple to use. Everytime I wanted to add something to my magazine I had to use layers, deleting and adding things as my magazine developed. The one thing I found most difficult was placing my images as I struggled to get them how I wanted but I eventually learned. I now know that I will effectively be able to use indesign when creating my music magazine for my main coursework task and it will be very helpful.