29/03/2012

Evaluation: Question Seven Response

Question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full producte?


I feel that I have improved quiet a lot and am impressed with the amount of knowledge I have gained when it comes to using different types of technology. 

I used two different art programs to get a range of different technological skills. With the preliminary task I used Adobe Ind. It was good working out all the different layout tools and finding out what I could use to align and get a professional look. On the final magazine I used GIMP 2.0 a free downloadable manipulation software, similar to Adobe Photoshop.

On the preliminary task there is a clear difference in alignment and the issues with them. Uke's mast head is behind the head of the model Lucy but still can be read. Downsouth's mast head prints right over the top of my model Chloe's hair which takes the attention off her and isnt very good. My alignment of the mast head is so much better on my final outcome as both the mast head and the model are clear and defined both draw in attention.

The third left is something I have improved on greatly as well. The preliminary task has words all over the model which looks messy and takes the audiences gaze away from her. On the cover of Uke the left third is neatly arranged around Lucy, this makes it look more professional and tidy.

I am pleased with both of my main cover lines as they are both placed neatly, on the Uke cover I explored more with different filtres which allowed me to get the text two colours instead of one. 

I have learnt many lessons on producing a product professionally and modern. I learnt the importance on not overcrowing the front cover to arange neatly and keep the audiences focus on all of the points of the front cover not just the words. The models selling power is just as great as the contents.
I have improved the most when looking at different filters and effects.

I feel that my final magazine would sell well if it went into production as it can stand out when alongside other magazines yet still have the proffesional feel and vibe. Wheras my first preliminary is rusty and wouldn't be something I would concider putting into print.

Evaluation: Question Six Response

Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product?

I have used a prezi to respond to this question:

Evaluation: Question Four Response and Question Five Responce

Question Four: Who would be the audience for your media product?
Question Five: How did you attract/address your audience?

The audience for my media product is the Ukulele playing community.

The Ukulele has always been culturally popular in Hawaii as it is it's birth place. It then spread across to the States and is making a name for itself in the music world.



The Ukulele is a small underground movement which is gaining respect and the fasination of the main stream music wave. It has taken a long time for the Ukulele to gain respect as a professional instrument globally.
 
This is why I chose the audience for my media product to be the Ukulele community as they are fresh, exciting and unique. I moulded my magazine around bringing the Ukulele into a professional modern light.
I specifically wanted to challenge media coventions when making the magazine just as the Ukulele players are challenging the rest of the 'modern' music scene.

I had to include several attracting features about my magazine which could hail back to the origins of the Ukulele yet still modernize it and specifically design the issue I picked for women.

Looking at the 'Generic' or 'Stereotyped' female:
Women are all different and can be anything or anyone that they decide. When looking at what society conciders to be a 'generic' or 'stereotype' of a woman it's exactly what you would expect, sooft features long hair and holding a relaxed posture. They always usually are portrayed happy and with a wide smile.

Here is a quick scrapbook of some women:


Looking at female Uke players:

When looking at the modern female Uke players they look pretty much the same as the average woman. Most sub-cultures of music have different looks that define them clearly. This is one of the most desirable aspects of playing the Ukulele anyone and everyone of all ages can pick up a Uke and play.


Here is a quick scrapbook of some female Uke players:


Uke Moodboard:


Readers of Uke Magazine and attracting them:

I had to take in all of what I had looked up and then be able to create a profession magazine for this wonderful community of musicians, while still focusing on a female specific magazine.

To explain each of the attracting features I have posted the image of my magazine front cover:

Hawaii influence: I wanted to stay true to the origins of the Ukulele, this should also draw in the more traditional Uke players. The influence was the use of vines surrounding my model Lucy and the rest of the magazine.

Female influence: As I designed a female specific magazine issue I changed the colour scheme to pink and featured a female model conveying what I had found about the female Ukulele player.

Proffesional influence: I used Q magazine's layout and models to base mine around, this brings the modern aspect which attracts a wider demographic.

Below I have images to show a young female reading this edition of Uke in her own enviroment and an image of Uke being displayed on a bus stop advertisement. This shows Uke being able to fit right into the demographic that I have chosen. It can be shown on a wide advertsing scale and blend right in yet stand out at the same time.

Evaluation: Question Three Response

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

I chose to answer this question via a video here is the responce to this question:

 I have decided to market my magazine UKE to IPC Media
IPC produces over 60 iconic magazine brands. Two thirds of women in the United Kingdom and 42% of men in the United Kingdom are included within IPC's branding. That is almost 26 million adults within the United Kingdom! IPC also have several online websites linked to their magazine media, these websites collectively reach roughly over 20 million users every single month.
Although I have gone more towards the style of Q magazine published by Bauer Media Group
I decided IPC have a wide enough market and a strong sence of background when it comes to a musical and female audience.
Playing a Ukulele is a hobby talent as well as a carreer path and IPC cater for the hobbiests and the workers of the magazine world.
The gap that Uke could fill for IPC would be the merging of their female and musical magazine readers. Also the only music magazine that IPC currently produce is NME so it would widen their musical based products.
The stylish look and feel to my magazine would draw the audience in for IPC as I have designed it speicifally with the readers gaze in mind.
IPC are very professional in what they do and have been around for 150 roughly and this huge background knowledge in working in the media industry will provide justice for my magazine and the company itself when marketing Uke.


Evaluation: Question Two Response

Question Two: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

For question two I have used www.scribd.com to upload a powerpoint responce:

ukeevaltwo

26/03/2012

Evaluation: Question One Response

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

For this evaluation task I have produced a prezi which goes into detail on my magazine's construction and Q magazine. I looked specifically at the construction of the two front covers and the way they use different magazine conventions.