The end of my Media Studies Foundation Portfolio

THIS IS THE LAST POST.

I thoroughly enjoyed the coursework, 'media studies foundation portfolio', particularly as it was focusing on music, which, I happen to adore. I would also like to personally thank the amazing Aaron Tiley, for his very professional modelling for the photo shoot. Without his gorgeous looks and amazing charismatic flare, this would not have been possible. 

I hope you enjoyed browsing through my work from October-May

Thank you,

Nicola Bound

Foundation Portfolio Evaluation

Foundation Portfolio Evaluation

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Progress

Progress: Complete

This is my final finished double page spread. I am extremely happy with the final result, and feel it was the 'rocky' and rugged but simple look I was going for.

After carrying out some audience feedback on my double paged spread, the majority felt that I had created a very successful double page spread.

This was the verdict:

Positives:
+ The magic eraser tool works well, makes the subject look like part of the page
+ The lines used make it look more professional
+ Black and white picture
+ Colour scheme
+ 'News' heading makes it look professional and stands out - emphasises "Alt-Wave"'s information
+ The two columns look good and is nice and easy to read

Negatives:

- Left hand page black, right hand page grey, would have been good to possibly blend these.

(My reply to above comment: Possibly, but I also feel that the difference in colour helps to emphasise the article)

- Possibly make the call-out quotes red instead of white

(My reply to above comment: I wanted to draw the reader's attention mainly to the main large image and the main headings, and making the call-outs red too would lessen that attention)

- Might look better if the brands of speakers were not visible

(My reply to above comment: I thought of this too whilst I was manipulating the image, however, I felt that they connoted the music genre, and were representative of music, therefore were fitting to the music magazine)

I feel that the comments I recieved enabled me to view my double page spread from a different perspective, and am greatful of the feedback.

When looking at my three pieces of work, front cover; contents page and double page spread, I do not want it to be seen as my double page being of a lesser standard. Before I created my double page spread, I wanted to follow a very simple format (an idea I assumed after researching, in particular finding a 'My Chemical Romance' double page which I felt was exactly what I was aiming for: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zfVfSvJj8TQ/Swm7PLxi9QI/AAAAAAAAATM/pyqtYK3Az5U/s1600/Kerrang+Double+Page+Spread+1.jpg I loved this double page spread, as it connoted a rock genre immediately by the mise-en-scene of the clothing, the microphone and music recording equipment. This idea struck me, and I feel this gave me a great insight into the mise-en-scene of my double page spread. I, too, used music equipment, the speakers, and again the rocky/casual clothing is representative of the rock music genre, and this style of rock band. I also admired the colour scheme. Mine is different as I used black and white effect, however on the 'My Chemical Romance' example I found, the editing was not quite black and white, but followed a rusted sepia colour. However, I wanted mine black and white as it follows the black colour in my colour scheme and looked very good.

Here, I have enlarged each page of my double page spread so I can individually assess them.

For the first page, I decided to use this as the side for my main image. I chose to do this as from the majority of my research into magazine double page spreads, this is the format they followed, and I was aiming to follow a similar professional style. I also feel that your eyes naturally go from left to right, just like reading a book, so for the main image to be on the left, this is what I wanted the reader to be attracted to first, and not the article. I feel the image is the primary feature of the double page spread, and the article the secondary; the main image should help to entice the reader into reading the article. Therefore, I feel the article benefits from being on the second page. I used a 'magic eraser' tool on PhotoShop to manipulate the image and encorporate the subject and speakers into the page, and I feel this worked particularly well. With the 'News' box, I made this read to attract the reader's attention too. It adds to the professionalism of the page, highlighting this is an important article to read and it also promotes the 'Alt-Wave' website. Finally, I included a 'Gig Review' horizontal column at the bottom of the page, which supports the article as it is two fans' opinions on the gig by the band 'The Killers.' The small minor pictures help to catch the reader's gaze and supports the reviews.

For the second page, I chose for the article to be displayed here, for the reasons I stated above. I chose to write an article on Alt-Wave's exclusive interview with Brandon Flowers. It informs the reader of his highs and lows, being a rockstar and how he got to where he and his band is. I felt this was a particularly strong article to write, as fans of the band would be intrigued as to how their favourite band got to being big. I used lines particularly on this side of the double page spread, as I felt it helped to divide the page up and add structure, whilst also highlighting the call-outs from the article. I used a red 'T' to begin the article, typical of newpapers and magazines today. It also shows the reader where the article begins and follows the colour scheme of my magazine. I chose to angle the headings at the top of the page to make them catch the reader's gaze and introduce the article. The angling is also representative of the rebellious rock genre.

Music Magazine Double Page Spread Progress

Progress: Incomplete

This is my double page spread article that I have created so far. I produced this on a program called 'Ind. Design', which meant I was able to accurately and effectively make the double paged spread compared to the previous program 'PhotoShop' I used. I have continued to follow my black, red and white/gold colour scheme, and feel that it is particularly effective for this area of my magazine. The article is an interview with Brandon Flowers, the subject of my cover, and talks of his life and career and what it is to be a rock star. I felt having two columns was effective as it follows the simplistic theme I have used throughout my magazine. I like the simplistic theme as I feel that rock music speaks for itself and has so much power and intensity that it does not need to be emphasised by a complex format. For the background, I created it on PhotoShop and stretched it to fit the double page. I used a spotlight effect on photoshop as well as 'render' and 'distort' effects. These effects together created a rustic and battered style, which is effective and appropriate for the rocky and rebellious genre of music, also the lighting represents gigs. I used angling on my titles at the top, as this enabled them to stand out and catch the reader's gaze as these are the titles I wanted to draw the reader's attention to as they encourage the reader to read the article. For the text, I used 'bold' to make specific words stand out more and catch the reader's gaze even more. I included the minor images I took, and here I am contemplating formatting these down the left hand side vertically. However, I think I may change this layout and display them at the bottom of the left hand page. The red box down the side is where the two minor images would go, however, if I change my mind, the box will go; I feel the red is quite over powering for the page, as I want the reader's attention to be drawn mainly to the main image and callouts.

This is the photo I took for my double page spread. It was a photo shoot I carried out with my friend Kerhys, and we both agreed I should use this image as it was exactly the look I was going for. I also asked other class mates who felt this was a great image for a double page spread. This audience feedback was valuable for me, as an age group of 16-17 years is in my target group and are an age I aim to target. I also then confirmed this with my teacher who is also in the age range (late 20's) and she too agreed the image was perfect.

Minor Images for Double page spread

Progress: Incomplete: Photo shoot

These are just photos that I have taken in preparation for my double page spread. It is not a definate decision over the photos, as I feel they should possibly go for a upbeat rocky idea instead. These images would be very small, down the right-hand side of my second page, and would be used for the gig reviews/album review (undecided). The photo of the reviewee would have a small statement beneath with their verdict.

Double-Page Spread Research: Kerrang Magazine

After carrying out some research into double-page spreads, this is a definite favourite that I found. I feel the composition is really well displayed, and the main image on the left page highlights the band, if 'MCR' wasn't a big enough indication. The colour scheme works really well, as the red text stands out against the black and white images. This technique would be really effective for my double-page spread, as it follows the same format that I have chosen for my magazine. 

My Final design: Music Magazine Contents Page

Progress: Complete

I have since included an arrow, instructing the reader to turn to a particular page. I feel this is an effective and useful item to use as it is helpful for the reader, suggests that there are interesting features to read and it also adds more colour and interest for the page. I also included the date that the magazine will be distributed as this is useful for the reader and was included on most popular music magazines: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xWIN2w4uXgY/SRQxk8ttb8I/AAAAAAAAACY/Blpmgeyd3DQ/s400/q+contents.jpg
Overall, I am very pleased with my contents page. I am particularly happy with my simplisitic format and the clear divisions for my composition. It is clear where to look, and I feel this is particularly useful for a contents page, as these are used so you know where to find features etc in the magazine, therefore a simple format is needed for ease. I included lines in my contents page, as this helped to divide the page up and add to the simplistic format. Lines are also seen on popular magazines, which is good connotations for my magazine.

Audience Feedback:

Positives:
+ I like how the images are on one side and the text on the other
+ Interesting and appropriate photos used
+ Easy to read
+ Really effective use of another issue for the subscription
+ The subscription article in grey highlights it compared to the rest of the page
+ Looks good how the central line goes through 'Alt-Wave', as if representing the divide of different styles of rock
+ The angled small issue image for subscription, very realistic and draws attention to the image

Negatives:
- Arrow looks very slightly pink instead of red
.............
But NO OTHERS?! Wow...