Evaluation- Presentation

Evaluation presentation 2

View more presentations from Westhatchmediastudies.

Evaluation- Analysing my finished product- Double Page Spread

 It obvious that this double page spread is very unique and when compared to current magazines holds an individuality due to it's manipulation of photos, collecting them in a collage. A collage is used to encode the youth and relaxed attitude of the music, as there is no order to the photo's and also collages are created as a memory for the youth to look back on in the future.  

 Each photo comes from a different collection of images, grunge rock, glam rock and festival rock. Everyone of these images code an important factor of the indie rock, girl culture and reflects a chosen celebrity for inspiration. This reflection allows the reader to make a connection and establishes the bands identity within the culture. The costume in each photo encodes the relax approach of the music, and some of the glamourous side of it in the 'Glam Rock' photos. 

 A convention of magazines are interviews, like this one on this double page spread, using different colour fonts to establish between the interview and the bands responses. Also the colloquial language used within the interview codes the bands relaxed, youthful identity. This language is also easier for the target audience to read and enjoy. 

 Again the same font is used consistently on this double page spread, as used on the contents pages and front page. This establishes and reflects the bands identity, for example the font used for other rock bands such as Nirvana and Fall out boy. 

Evaluation- Analysing my finished product- Contents Page

Through the process of anaylising current contents pages of music magazines it is clear that they some use and cram the page with pictures and text, whereas others use them more effectively providing key information to allure the audience to read certain pages; this is what I have tried to achieve. 

 Like the front cover the contents page uses the same colour scheme of pink, black and white. Using the same colour scheme through a music magazine is a convention of the magazine and company as it establishes their identity. However the pink within this issue of the magazine encodes the issue theme of 'Girl Power'. The colours black and white are also a convention of rock music as it codes the anarchy reported to come along side with the heavy rock music, however it also codes some sort of sophistication compared to the bright primary colours used on pop magazines. 

 Also the theme of the use of paint tool (paint splatter) codes the rebellion and art work associated with rock music, i.e. graffiti. 

 On this contents page only one picture is used of the cover band, showing that they are the main topic of this issue. This use of one picture or minimal images is a convention of magazines which I have chosen to exploit. By using the same font for the band that was on the front cover shows the consistency and establishes the bands identity.

 Compared to the content pages I have analysed, I have chosen to have minimal pages shown in the contents. This is so the audience is allured to read about these specific topics highlighted and associated with the issues theme. By using bold fonts for each title of the pages codes the importance of the pages and the topics.

 Editors columns are apparent in all magazines, either reflecting a light hearted topic to do with the issue or something that has occurred in the week or the process of production. In this editors column it has been constructed to be related to the theme of 'Girl Power' dwelling in past bands and artists that the target audience have knowledge of creating humour and a relaxed feel of the magazine. 

Evaluation- Analysing my finished product- Front Cover

 Snare! magazine clearly codes the indie rock music genre through the media language; body language, costume, facial expressions, colour schemes, and font styles. The facial expressions of each band member are moody and quite sincere. This codes the rebellion of the indie rock culture and youth, also this kind of facial expression is also apparent on other indie music magazines such as NME the issue with Lily Allen on the cover. This sincere facial expression is also a clear contrast to any cheesy smiles found on the covers of pop magazines such as the Top of the Pops cover I have analysed, reflecting the attitude and mood of the music genre. 

 The body language also codes the attitude of the indie genre as each member looks very relaxed and unposed compared to the artificial smiley, posed covers of pop and the controversial, provocative poses found on R'n'B covers. This codes for the relaxed approach the artists of indie music has to their music, as their lyrics are based on 'real life' everyday situations. 

 To relate to the target audience of girls aged between 17-25, it was important to highlight a key aspect of girl's culture within this 'Girl Power' issue, fashion. The costume chosen for the front cover is very recent and a current image in fashion of the indie culture. The lace tights and shorts are also quite provocative highlighting that the band also use a small idea of 'sex' to sell themselves in this chart. The costume of the band is predominately black which is very dark and usually codes the gothic genre/culture, this one aspect that indie rock has adopted. 

 The colour scheme of the front cover links to the theme of the issue 'Girl Power' as pink is associated and is universally used to code girls and their femininity. However combining the colour pink with black now encodes the idea of 'Rock Chick' which is what is being achieved through the whole colour scheme within the magazine. 

 On the cover there are many different font styles used, each style is very bold. This bold font used for the conventional title of a magazine, achieves the audiences attention. Also as each font used on the cover codes the rebellion of the indie rock culture as none of them are aligned or straight, and reflect handwriting. 

 As a magazine made for media coursework compared to other current products uses and exploits the conventions of magazines effectively, as straplines, titles, puffs and the photo manipulation are all present on this cover of Snare!. 

Production-Double Page Spread

The final product of the double page spread featured in my music magazine Snare! is as above. To achieve this product I went through many stages of production on the programme photoshop, which I will show below.

As I decided to create a collage for my double page spread I had to use the polygonal lasso tool to cut around each image used, removing all the backgrounds.

Then after to add a misty pink transparency over the collage I used the shape tool and added a layer. I used the colour pink to add feminity (the theme of this issue) then changed the transparency so all of the images could be seen still. After this I added two other rectangles for the background for the text, also adding some transparency effect.

For the next step I added the title of the pages 'The Lovless- exclusive interview', to add consistency I used the same font for the bands name that is on the front cover and contents page. I also used the apint tool to add the paint splatter effect, adding colour and youth to the font.

Then I added the interview using the text box tools, keeping to the layout of interviews in other magazines having two collumns of text in the one box. To define between the interviewer and the band I chose to use two different fonts, black for the interviwer and pink for the bands response.

For the final touches I have added pull quotes within the interview, an arrow to show that the interview will carry on the other pages, page numbers and a heart which is associated with the band 'The Loveless'.

Production- Contents Page

Above is the final product of the contents page of my magazine Snare!, like the production of the front cover I will show every step of production through screen shots.

The first step of producing the contents page is to put in the rectangular shapes for the editiors collumn and page catergory titles. Also like for the front page I chose a photo of the band and used the polygonal lasso tool, to cut around the bodies and getting rid of any background of the image. 

After I added the titles by using the font tool for the page catergories, magazine name and 'this week'. I chose to use the same font for the magazine name, page catergories titles and the 'this week', this codes the theme of the magazine which will be used through the magazine. However I chose a different font for 'Girl Power' as it is the title of the issue, and it looks as if someone has wrote it. 

After I added the text of the page numbers, titles and brief summary of the contents to the page. I made sure that the allignment was all the same and that the all the fonts are readable. Also I added the font layered across the image of 'The Loveless' stating what page it is on, which is apparent in most magazines.

The final detail of the contents page was to add the editors collumn which are always found in a magazine whether it is in on the contents page or further in the magazine. Within the editors collumn I chose to use colloquial language and a light hearted feel making it easy for the readers to read.

Production- Front Cover

Above is my final version of the front cover of my own music magazine Snare!, however I will show how I have accomplished this product by using the programme Photoshop and exploiting it's tools to their full potential. The way I will show the production is through print screen shots of the programme and the stage that it was at.

The first step of making the front cover was to make a descision of what colour the background is going to be of the front cover, like many other indie rock magazines I chose the colour white, and then create upon this blank canvas. After I chose the photo I wanted of the band, then use the polygonal lasso tool to cut around the bodies of each member.

I then chose the to layer the pictures, for one member to be in the foreground and the other in background, this choice adds dimensions to the front cover and composes a better front page. After this I added the magazine title 'Snare!' in the chossen font, transformed it to fit in the corner on the diagonal layered over the bands images. I found a good paint tool effect and how I have used it has given the effect of rebellion as it looks like paint splatter acorss the front page, which codes for the youth and it's artistic culture.

The next step was to add the barcode, puff (pink circle) and strapline to the cover. To achieve this I simply used the shape tool, then added the effects of emboss to make it look more professional.

Then I added the contents of the strapline and puff, by using the text tool. I chose to use quite simple language which will communicate to the audience easier.

The last step of production of the front cover was to add the last details of text, cover lines, date, issue number and website. These final details reflect current magazine covers, as they are a convention of the magazine production.

Production- Font Styles

To give my magazine and band their own identity I have researched and produced a range of font styles for both.
Snare (magazine name)

This font style is very young and creative, which is part of the magazines identity. Also some of the effects on the letters reflect sound like the sound-waves. 

I like this font as it is bold and the effects used on the letters are very creative. However bubble writing is usually associated with pop magazines, therefore I shall not use this font.

This font clearly conveys the Indie rock genre, however I do not like the difference of boldness of each letter.

This is the font i have decided to use as it's simplicity conveys the genre of the magazine but it is also bold and will stand out on the cover of the magazine.


Band Name - 'The Loveless'

For the bands name I have decided to use a handwriting effect as it gives character to the band and their name. However this specific font style is too italic and is not youthful enough for the bands identity.

This font is more youthful but is does not convey the genre of Indie Rock very well.

This is the font that I have decided to use for the bands name as it identifies the band and music genre. 

Production- Images from photoshoot

For the production of my music magazine I have taken a wide range of photo's in all of the different styles discussed. Here are a selection of the photo's I have taken:
Grunge Rock

These images all consist of costume and make-up that code the grunge rock aspect of Indie Rock. In each photo the body language is very relaxed, coding the aspect of teenagers to be very relaxed and to take everything easy. This whole relax feel is shown withn the facial expressions and attitude of each photo.

Glam Rock

To give these photo's a glamourous feel the models are either pouty or with a slight smile. The bold print on each of the dresses, is very eye-catching to the glamour. Also the varied use of camera shots highlight either the whole costume, or show the band in a more stunning feel.
Festival Rock

To achieve the fun aspect of festivals and their culture, each image has a sense of quirkiness. This is reflected through the body language, smiling facial expressions and composure within the shot.