On this blog, you will find my research and planning which was produced to help me create my college and music magazines. The evaluation of my music magazine will then follow on.
I hope you enjoy my blog and the work I have produced.
During the process of making my magazine, I have used several types of technology whether that be hands on, or computer based technologies. Some technologies I have used have been completely new experiences and others are technologies I have good knowledge of how to use efficiently.
Canon DSLR camera:
The DSLR camera was one of the key pieces of equipment in producing accurate and crisp photos of models and props used throughout the cover, content and double page spread pages. A camera is a use of technology I am useful with, however a few good features such as auto focus and flash helped with generating the professional looking photos of my models.
Apple MAC's:
Using a Mac was a completely new experience to me and I found them tough to use at first because their files and programs are stored in different ways to other softwares such as Microsoft which most users are comfortable using. Therefore, in the beginning, out teacher helped develop my skills using tutorials which slowly made me more efficient in using a Mac. After seeing what great power and potential is within the Mac, I could then develop my skills in programs such as Photoshop and Indesign where designing and building my magazines were based. Without the technology of a Mac, I couldn't use Photoshop as half as well therefore meaning my magazine would have suffered.
Computer based technologies and softwares:
- Adobe Photoshop
My skills have considerably improved using Photoshop as many tools I used to create my magazine, didn't exist to me in the beginning but steady improvement allowed me to use the software and the variety of tools it contained. I will show a little tutorial of how I used some tools in Photoshop:
- Adobe Indesign
This software was another new experiencing in using and tutorials were needed to get me up to scratch in learning how to use the tools included. The technology was helpful in portraying text and images in a easy and professional manner such as contents pages and posters but wasn't as helpful in terms of a creative side used for covers as manipulating and editing tools weren't as advanced as they were on Photoshop, and if they were, they are much more difficult to use.
- Blogger
Blogger was a key website because this allowed me to portray my research of magazines and express my designs for my own magazines to the public. Blogger was not a complicated website to use, however, I did learn how to add HTML's and links to blogger and changing the settings to allow the link to turn into videos and hyperlinks. This skill was necessary especially in my evaluations so I could add Flickr and Prezi documents. To help show how I used blogger, I am going to show you a little tutorial of how I created a new post:
- Flickr
I used the website Flickr in another evaluation question as a means of using it as a publication document where the public can see my cover, contents and double page spread pages and comment on them. This website deals with professional high quality images and photos that other social media websites such as Facebook couldn't handle.
- Prezi
Prezi is another publication software which produces creative presentations in which I used to express another evaluation question. I had never used Prezi before but my skills improved quickly as it is a simple software to use. I have learned that instead of simple powerpoints created on Microsoft software, there are other means which can produce better results in portraying information in more of a creative way.
- ishowu
Ishowu is a screen recording software created just for Macs. It allows the user to record whatever the user has on the screen which is especially useful for creating tutorials and producing evidence in research. Instead of using camera's, technology has advanced greatly to allow screens to record themselves with no expensive equipment needed.
The image above is a drawing of typical target audience member. I believe the character to be a stereotypical metal music fan.
The character I have drawn is around 19 years of age. He will be a usual university student looking for a good time with other students. However, every student is looking for a unique look to stand out and metal fans have a distinct advantage as their music taste is unique in itself with the songs and style of artists. This means merchandise outfits, piercings and medium long hair.
A metal fan would typical shop at places which express their love for music such as Pulp.
"Music and pop culture influences have always been at the very heart of youth culture"
Pulp are a store which like to clothe the younger generation in cultures and influences that teens and young adults like whether that be music, films etc. This shop fits perfectly with my target market as it is young, fresh and sells merchandise my target audience would love to wear.
The tattoos and piercings are an expression of pain and individuality, the medium long hair shows carelessness and the merchandise is to highlight their love for music. Each feature of my target market helps express themselves and become unique and a 16-21 year olds strive to become individual.
The typical target audience member will be influenced to buy my magazine because my magazine simply includes everything they want to read about in the metal atmosphere such as interviews with their favourite artists, stories, posters, tour information, artist know-how and even competitions. This is the only reason why people buy magazines, however the colours, design and layout will appeal more to my audience therefore guiding them towards my magazine over others.
If you Click the Flickr link above, it will take you to my FLickr page and slideshow presenting the reasons why I have chosen the specific publisher and distributer.
posture, gesture angle, shot type, lighting, costume. espression and hair
I have created a photoshop document placing an image of one of my models located on the double page spread of my magazine, next to an image of the Linkin Park lead singer found on Kerrang cover. This helps to create observable comparisons when the two images are next to each other, aiding in evaluation.
Gesture: The two models are using a similar pose of placing their hands around their heads. The difference is that my model is placing his hands on his ears to create the impression that their is a sound deafening him. Metal music is very loud especially at gigs therefore I wanted to express actions and emotions that my target audience feel, by using them on a model. The audience will see him and notice that famous artists experience similar things to them and see they are like each other, making them feel there is no difference between great artists and their audience.
Costume: The obvious difference is that my model on my double page spread is wearing a black jumper whereas the Linkin Park lead singer is completely shirtless except for a cloth wrapped round his wrist. The reason behind choosing a black jumper is because black is the colour that represents darkness and death, which most metal songs are based on therefore I thought this would portray through the costume. However, by choosing to go shirtless, the Linkin Park lead singer is expressing his many tattoos which give the look of toughness especially when his tattoos are of skulls and flames which all add to the "Bad-ass" look. Although, he is wearing a black wrist band therefore the connotations of black are still found. My models tattoos can still be seen however they aren't as obvious therefore he doesn't look as tough compared to the Kerrang model.
Shot type: Both photo's use the medium-close up shot type where you can see a little torso as well as your head. I used this shot type because this type of shot allows to focus in on the models face which is important as the facial expression (screaming) is vital to be noticed with the arms pose to complete the deafening look. This is another reason as the shot type also allows easy viewing of the arms.The Kerrang example has used the shot type for a similar reason as the model is also expressing a pose that is important with the design therefore with a close-up of the face, as well as wide image for the arms, the screaming and arms arched is effective.
Expression: The two models are portraying a screaming expression. I decided to make my model choose such a facial expression because screaming is an action that all metal fans can relate to when they are singing. This helps for when my target audience notice the magazine as they will see the model is screaming and associate this with the metal genre, therefore knowing the magazine will be based on metal music.
Lighting: I took my images outside as natural lighting is bright and creates little glare. However, the images produced from Kerrang would have most likely taken place in a studio meaning many artificial lights surrounding the studio, I believe the Kerrang image looks better as the artificial lighting has created little shadow on the model where as the natural lighting used in my image comes from one angle therefore shadows appear on the models lower face which is unprofessional.
Hair: I believe my model looks to have the better head of hair to represent the younger metal scene. This is because most "moshers" prefer to have their hair longer because they like to wave their hair about, up and down which is a lot more extravagant compared to short hair where their head is mostly just shaking with little excitement. However, Linkin Park are an older band therefore they are more likely to represent more of an older generation of fans which may have receding hair lines common in middle aged people.
