Magazine Evaluation

1.      In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Before I designed and created my magazine, I researched and looked at different examples of student magazines, which gave me inspiration for my own. I noticed that there are various key things to put on the front covers of student magazines as well as suitable content throughout. It had to include what the audience wanted, which in my case, was college information. My magazine also had to appeal to students through the use of language, layout and appearance. To resolve this I made sure the magazine looked quite informal otherwise if it was too formal students wouldn’t want to purchase it. I also included more images than text so it looked more appealing and not boring.

2.      How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My magazine is aimed at teenage students. This is why I have included more images than text as the majority of teenagers would be put off if they saw a lot of text. Also the text that is included in my magazine is simple and informal to resemble student language.  All of my images are of students to emphasise that the magazine is about and for the students.

3.      What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

My magazine is specifically for college use and therefore would be only be on sale in the college. This is also where most students will see a college magazine. It would most likely be made in the college itself, to keep the manufacturing cost to a minimum.

4.      Who would be the audience for your media product?

My audience is students ranging from ages 16-18 who study at Ludlow College. It is aimed at all genders so more people will buy it.

5.      How did you attract/address your audience?

I attracted my audience by the use of colour, layout and the central image on my front cover. The colour scheme I used was black, white and blue and even though these colours may seem to be aimed more at males, the use of a female for my central image balances out the gender aim. Also by using a student from Ludlow College as the central image on the cover of the magazine, shows that the magazine is aimed at students from Ludlow College. The font I used for the mastheads is quite funky to appeal to students to, it is also quite bold to catch people’s eye.

6.      What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Before I started making my magazine I had never used Photoshop or InDesign and wasn’t sure if I would be able to use it, but with time I gradually became used to the software. Also when I was taking my photographs I had to think how they would appeal to a student audience and how to make the pictures look natural. I had also never created my own blog before, therefore I had to learn how to use blogger and make my blog look appealing.