Evaluation

What have you learnt from completing this task?
I have learnt many things such as, how to analyse media text and pull it apart by using LIAR to understand why it was created and the effect on the audience. I have learnt how to use Photoshop to manipulate an image by scaling, changing the colour/contrast and adding shapes or test to it. I have learnt what semiotics are and how signifiers are used to create indirect effects.
I have learnt the names for different shots and experimented by taking shots with different angles. I have learnt what Mise-en-scene is and learnt about all the different parts and names of a magazine front cover such as the masthead, footer and plug.
I have even learnt how to create a blog.

How have you used technology?
I have used Photoshop to create my magazine front cover. I firstly scaled my image so it was the appropriate size and to ensure the image was of a good quality. I added and adapted my mast head so it was a strong colour and large visible font. I used the shape tool to add a oval box as the background for my plug, this ensured it was separate from my main image and stood out. When adding my articles I had an issue as they couldn't be seen over the back ground, however I used the polygon lasso tool and filled in the box to apply a background to the text to allow it to be clearly seen.

What conventions have you used and why?
I have used a mast head as my magazines title, this allows the audience to get a view of what the magazine is and the theme it represents, as mine is 'The Wyke Way' to reflect the idea that the magazine is how Wyke students live.
I have used a plug, my plug is a competition to win the new iPhone 6. I used this to attract my customers and to provide a added bonus to my magazine.
I have used cover lines to give an insight of what articles are featured in the magazine and I also added a barcode to the bottom of the front cover to try and make my magazine more authentic to a real magazine front cover.

What would you change if you were to do this task again?
If I did this task again, I would use more pictures on my front cover as well as the main image. I would use images to illustrate my articles inside the magazine as I think that would be more attractive to customers.
I would also change the colour scheme maybe use brighter colours and organise my main image to be the same colours to compliment the text.
I would also maybe add the Wyke logo and use the same font as the wWke website just so it matched the Wyke image.

 My final front cover:

 

 

 

 

My draft contents page:

 

 

Screen shots of the process to put my front cover together

 

 

 

 Here is my first step: I chose a purple oval box so my plug will stand out over the main image.
I added my cover lines to the right hand side so the layout was easy for my text to be seen.

 Step two: My feature stories had blended into my background and were not bold enough to be seen, therefore I added the polygon lasso tool over the text then filled in the background to green so my text was able to stand out and be separate to my main image.

 Step three: I wasnt happy with my the mast head font as I wanted it to really stand out, so here I changed it to a really stong bold font, that now can be clearly seen.

Step four: The final thing to add to my magazine front cover was the barcode, this made my magazine look more authentic.

Here are the photographs I have taken that didnt work out so well and will not be chosen for my magazine.

I will not choose this photograph as I had an issue with the
lighting. The camera specifically focused on the person and therefore the background cannot really be seen.
There is also not a lot of room around the centre image (The person), and this would be a disadvantage when adding the text.












I will not choose this photograph as here I also had an issue with the lighting which made the image come out very fuzzy especially around the head.
I also cannot choose this image as my front cover as, the background is shown purposly as the notice board however once my mast head and articles are added, this will be covered.












I will not choose this image as the background showing the Wyke sign, once I have added the masthead it will be covered.
I have also photographed this image quite close up therefore once I have added my articles and sell lines the main image (The person) will be hard to see.

Here are the photographs that I like and may be featured in my college magazine.

 I like this Image as I chose a 'Frame left' image, this is ideal as it gives me room on the right hand side to display my articles without covering up to the main image.
I also like the lighting in this image as it correctly highlights my main image and the background so it can be seen clearly.
This image is also in focus which makes the image seem high quality.

 I like this image as it is not a typical shot, the person is looking away instead of looking straight towards the camera. I also like the fact that they are looking at their work, which shows a 'studious' student to reflect the idea that Wyke students study hard, this would also pair with my article on Wykes good alevel grades.
The lighting is also good in this image as it makes the image very clear.
The main image is also central, this can also be useful as it means there is space around the image to add articles and features without blocking anything.

I like this image as there is a lot in the shot, as well as the main image. In the background you can see other students socialising, this fits with my magazine as it is based on the social side of college.
The lighting and focus in this image are both good as you are able to see passed the main image.
There is also a lot of space above the main image which is useful when adding my masthead.

Here are the pictures I took for my college magazine. 

 
 
When taking my pictures I had several factors to take into consideration:
- If the picture reflects my magazine articles
- Lighting
-Setting
-Must be a medium close up

 
 I decided on some areas where I wanted to take the shots:
- Near the lockers
-In front of the notice board
-On the actual campus
- Stood near the steps in Oak
The reason I chose these areas are because the
focus of my magazine is 'college life' and the areas chosen are the 'social areas of the college.

Photoshop test 12/9/14

I learnt how to use photoshop as it was my first time using the aplication. To get to know the basics of how to minipulate an image we found four images from google; a bear, sand dunes, the Effiel Tower and an Astronaut and applied them into one image.

First we learnt how to 'scale' an image this means to change its size, bigger or smaller. To do this you select the image you want to scale by selecting its layer, then click edit on the menu bar, then go to transform and select scale, this then creates a box around your selected image, which you can then hold the 'shift' key and drag the image by the coner as big or as small as you wish.

We then learnt how to use the Polygon lasso tool, this allows you to cut out an image from its background. To do this select the ploygon lasso tool from the tool bar on the left side, then go around your image using the left click and join it back up again to where you started. The bit you want is now selected, next inverse the selection and click delete to cut out your image.

We also learnt about how to edit an image by using brightness/contrast, saturation and levels. All these tools are found on the menu bar by selecting your image then click image then adjustments and use the scale to adjust it to how you like.

 1) Extreme close up

 2) Close up

 3) Medium close up

 4) Long shot

 5) High angle

 6) Low angle

 7) Two shot

 8) Image framed to the left

 9) Image framed to the right

10) Central image

Magazine name ideas:

- The Wyke way
-Life on campus
-Wyke life
-Wyke college magazine
-Wyke weekly
-Campus life


All these name ideas tie into the focus of my magazine as it is going to be about the 'social side' of college, therefore my masthead should reflect this.     

Colour scheme ideas:




I have chosen 'Purple, Green and Blue' as these are the Wyke colours and the same colours displayed on the Wyke website therefore I thought it was appropriate and fitting to choose these colours.

Mise-en-scene: The arrangement of everything in front of the camera

 - Medium close up
-Holding a folder
-frame left
-frame right (to allow writing around the main image)
-Background to be seen
-Person to be looking straight at the camera


Location ideas

-Near the lockers
-In front of the canteen
-In front of the notice board
-Stood on the stairs in oak
-In/outside of Library
-Outside on campus


Feature story ideas

-Frat party (Pictures are on now)
-Study tips for mock week in December
-Last years good results
-Fashion tips, how to get ready quick but look good for college
- New food in the canteen?
- Upcoming events, fruit?
-Student invasion night



Mood board: 

As my magazine is focused on college 'social life', my mood board was chosen to reflect what college students are in to, this also helps give me an idea of what should be featured in my magazine.                                                  

Semiotics 

semiotics is the study of signs in a media text. Semiotics allows us to explore the meanings behind an image and understand why signals and signs are used, such as the colour red may be used to signify danger. 

Semiotics comes in two parts the signifier, which is how the sign is represented and the signified, what it actually represents. 

when looking at semiotics in class we began to analyse some media text, here is the advert we looked at : 

Here are just some of the points we discussed:

Semiotics suggest reasoning behind the positioning of the main focus (the man), he is looking straight at the camera, this ultimately engages the audience. The shot chosen is  a medium close up this is ideal as it highlights the mans hair, advertising the product. 

Colour is also a signifier, in this image soft red and orange tones are used to represent lust and also a rich feel. 

The pool table connects with the play on words 'high precision' and 'score.

The conventions of a magazine

 

Conventions

Definition: Expected and predictable signs that we read and that create expectations in the audience.

 

 

Conventions of a magazine


Masthead- The title written in large font usually across the top of the front cover.

strapline- A text of phrase that is short and memorable to catch the readers attention.

cutline- One line used to descibe the illustation or photograph next to where it appears.

pull quote- Phrase out of an article featured, put in medium font to attract readers.

Images- Used as a visual representation of the main feature of the magazine.

date of issue- The date when the magazine is released.

colour scheme- Specifically chosen to compliment the main image and font colours.

plug- such as a free gift, something to attract to audience.

main feature- The focus of the magazine.

Brief

To design a collage magazine front cover and mock up contents page. Images used on the front cover must be original.