Evaluation.

In this project our aim was to research and plan, using a scrapbook and Blog, firstly the front page and contents page of a new College magazine and then secondly the front page, contents page and Double-page spread of a new music magazine, and then we had to create both using our own photographs and ideas.

To begin with I had to start by researching the different components that make a magazine, and by using this I created a Mock magazine, to show evidence that I know the elements well. I then started to research the college magazines in circulation in today’s market, such as ‘Ridgewater’; I did this by reading hard copies and then looking on the Internet for the front pages.  I then went to take photographs for the college magazine using my friends and objects around the house. From that I then brainstormed my ideas in a Mind map of my ideas and from this I concluded what I was going to put into my college Magazine.

For my Music magazine, I had previously read music magazines of the genre I was basing my magazine on, so I picked my old copies of the magazines, such as Kerrang! And Rocksound and re-read the to see what the contents of the magazines are and to see the layout. As I continued to do this research and create the magazines I filled in my scrapbook with the research and work and my blog as well.

Although I was quick to create the magazines using the software, and print each stage off, I didn’t stick the hard copies of my work straight into my scrapbook furthermore I did not write about them straight away, therefore I was left lots of writing to do when I had completed the music magazine. But as I had finished my magazine quite quickly I was able to catch up with the writing to finish. However I may have finished my scrapbook on time, my Blog seemed to have suffered, I had forgotten that I had a blog to write as I am no used to writing one, therefore I was behind with my Blog, so I rushed to finish it on time.

If I had to do this project again I would have used my time better, by keeping my scrapbook and blog up to date with each stage of my magazine instead of rushing at the end.

I did not face many problems with my coursework, but the problems I did have were at first the blog confused me, but the more I went on it, the more I became confident with using this.  Another problem I faced was with the software Quark Express, I had a crash course in the software at the beginning of the year, but I had forgotten how to use several parts, but to solve this problem I just asked my classmates and the tutor for help if I became stuck.

In the course of creating my foundation portfolio, I learnt new skills such as; I developed knowledge on how to use photo-editing software, to enhance my photographs and to make cool effects, I also learned how to use Quark Express to create a magazine. Furthermore I learned how to use an Apple Mac, which I have never used before; it has a different layout from P. C and so I was unsure where different software was and how to get things to print, but like the blog, the more I used the Mac the better I became at using the computer;  but the moments I did become confused I asked my tutor for help.

I believe that blog has been set out in a way that is easy to read and has a simple layout to understand. I have provided evidence of my work on the blog in the form of pictures, to get some of the pictures I had to scan pages from my scrapbook but overall I think that is a decent blog. However I do have some criticisms of my blog the first being, that I left a large gap between posts because I forgot about my blog, also I don’t believe that I had enough posts for my work. And finally I would have like to have had more polls and people opinions on my blog so I have more of an idea on what the general public thought.

For my college                 I wrote an evaluation of it my scrapbook, but if I had more time I would have took different pictures to use on the front cover, maybe of a student outside, and not when its dark and in a house. Also I would have probably changed the colours used on the front cover, from pink and yellow, to different colours that are more male friendly, like red or green.

Overall I think that my music magazine is a great representation of my work over the past couple of months. With my first design of my music magazine cover I was unhappy with the layout, and design, so I decided to redo it until I happy with the results. The only thing I think I would change would be the Picture at the front, I think I needed a better quality of picture, the picture I have used looks a little blurred.

In my scrapbook I would have wished it to made a little neater, in the layout and perhaps in chronological order. I would have also liked to have more work put in to the book in terms of research and public opinion, such as surveys and questionnaires, but also I would have liked to have used a more varied use of different media, like videos.

Overall I am happy with my foundation portfolio and the work I produced within it..

Finished Article

My Finished Music Magazine project:

Double Page Final Stage and Article

Final Draft:

The article ends mid sentence on purpose, so it looks like it carries on, on the next page which is the look I wanted; and not because the words have been cut off, like some people thought.



ARTICLE:

It has been a while since we have seen the Scottish lads from Kilmarnock down in

Norwich, but the atmosphere they bring with them an indescribable atmosphere, that just engulfs the venue, passersby unaware of the magic that will be made before them. The cold night agitates the crowd, they desperately want in to the venue, and finally they are granted their wish the doors open and an

Avalanche of people surge through the door and the all familiar clash of the elbows ensue, for the holy grail of views - the front row.

The lights go down and the room hushes, it is now time for the first support band to grace the stage. ‘Pulled Apart by Horses’ is a four piece alternative rock band who, hail from the north, Leeds to be precise. They jump around the stage, interacting with the crowd at any given moment. Tom Hudson the front man leaps into the galley between audience and stage and struts with microphone in hand, high fiving the gig-goers while singing the songs, to the melody of heavy guitar riffs and pounding drum rhythms. They rile the crowd better than most support acts, which, is an achievement to be proud of. The next band to entertain the UEA crowd is The Manchester Orchestra, which as the name suggests, is not an actual orchestra but an indie-rock band from the southern American state of Georgia, Atlanta to be precise.  They let out pounding beats and melodies, and the soulful voice of Front man Andy Hull brings the music together. However, the crowd although enthusiastic, were growing impatient, waiting for the band they came to see tonight, the crowd almost seem bored, much like the look of the bassist who seems to be in his own world away from the stage and the impatient crowd.  Eventually the 20 minute set ends and The Manchester Orchestra exit the stage.  The men in black, the roadies, come to change the instruments along and create the stage, to which Biffy Clyro will perform. The odd person hurls an insult towards the roadies, who always seem to take the flak from the forever weary and impatient crowd. Then the stage goes dark. Suddenly music begins the instrumental to ‘Living is a problem because everything dies’, the crowds erupts into screams and shouts as each member of Biffy Clyro graces the stage.  And then Simon Neil opens his mouth and sings his lungs out while keeping his eyes shut like a child with stage fright. Songs old and new are performed, with a continuous surge of passion radiating from Simon Neil, as if he is singing from the depths of his soul. To accompany the brilliant music is a fantastic light set, strobe lights flash to the pounding of the drums, Lights flash blue and white to the riffs and melodies strummed out by James Johnston .The band interact with the crowd as if they are all one, the microphone into the sea of bodies, as a scramble to grab the microphone breakout as one lucky girl emerges singing her lungs out to “Saturday   Superhouse”.  Finally the band declare this is their final song which is met with cries of  distress.

Double Page Spread Stage #2

Double Page Spread Stage #1

Double Page Spread so far:

 

In this stage I have added in my title ‘Mon the Biff’ which is a phrase chanted by fans of the band Biffy Clyro, which the article is written about. It is I have used this colour scheme due to the fact that the band is Scottish and are proud to be, so the colour s are representatives of the Scottish flag, blue and white. Although I couldn’t make the “Mon” and “Biff” the same colour as the two words would not stand out so I had to differ the shades of blue.

The pictures on the left had page have been ordered to look like they are scattered and disorganised, it is meant to represent the chaos of a gig, and how there are, but also they are set out like someone is looking through then  and left them on the table, which is what I wanted to aim for.

Basic layout of Double Page spread.

The basic layout of my D.P.S is half way down the left page is two columns for the text. On the next page, at the top is a space for the pictures, and then there is a space underneath the picture box for a quote, which is often done by magazine, as to draw in the audience into reading the article. In the last third of the page are two columns for a little more text.

Double Page Spread Research.

Music magazine contents pages:

 

 

Double page spreads tend to vary depending on the contents of the article they are based upon,  most are set in columns and grid, they contain photograph or illustrations and depending where the double page spread is on the article it will have a title.

After reading some music magazines as well, I think I can start drafting my double page spread confidence.