In my preliminary task i struggled with the editing software Quark express. I was able to develop my skills in using this programme to create the task successfully.
Planning and preparation was key in such a tightly timed project. Storyboarding saved me time and effort when it came to designing and placing my final product. Performing research into the conventions of magazines front covers was very interesting and helped me prepare for this task. Post production skills were improved after initial practice so doing a preliminary task helped me.
I now have greater awareness of how consideration of the target audience determines the outcome of descisions made during the production process. For example the font choice is very important and is noticeable to people. The language used as well is key something that can attractor deter and audience.
The biggest thing that ive learnt from undertaking this project is that technology is fast improving. With such software already available who knows what the future holds and finally i learnt planning is essential. Without this time management is pointless.
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
6) What have i learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product?
Since beginning my magazine project i have learnt a variety of techniques and skills. Using a digital camera for me was quite easy, i am used to using a camera of around 9Mp but on this task i managed to use a camera of 12Mp and i really enjoyed viewing the better quality. However the professional editing software that came with it, was more of a challenge. Photoshop is a editing programme i had heard of but not one i had used, so this task enabled me to learn new skills and develop my knowledge of the programme and all its features.
Furthermore the professional programme “Quark express” which was used to help make the layout look more professional was a huge challenge, one in which I struggled. After a couple of days of using the software I had learnt the basics and put together a reasonable magazine. After comparing these programmes to other cheaper more basic versions I began to realise how complex constructing a media magazine could be.
For example on publisher you would use a easy text box and drag it round anywhere you wish, with quark express the text box has more importance and you have to swap between the typing tool and the select objects tool.
I firmly believe despite such high quality software available to everyone, amateurs cannot produce material that is reasonably professional. When digital cameras were released many amateurs believed they could become a professional photographer, personally its not true, to be a photographer, you need creativity and natural talent not just high quality equipment, and the same is said for producing a magazine or creating video. You need to have a huge knowledge of the market and have that natural creative edge over others.
I used blogging through blogger.com to help keep track of what ive learnt. It was a reminder for me and whenever I logged on I was reiterated of my newly formed knowledge. By using my blog I was able to present my research and planning in a clear way which meant keeping to schedule was easier than expected.
I have used websites for my research and to help put my ideas together. I went on to recordcollector and uncut’s official websites, to check and confirm my audience profile and see what would be in their next months issues, and what was in previous issues. I also went on the net to use websites in helping research possible tips or advice / manual of quark express to try and learn the new programmes features and benefits so i wouldn't have to waste much time getting used to a new programme.
Furthermore the professional programme “Quark express” which was used to help make the layout look more professional was a huge challenge, one in which I struggled. After a couple of days of using the software I had learnt the basics and put together a reasonable magazine. After comparing these programmes to other cheaper more basic versions I began to realise how complex constructing a media magazine could be.
For example on publisher you would use a easy text box and drag it round anywhere you wish, with quark express the text box has more importance and you have to swap between the typing tool and the select objects tool.
I firmly believe despite such high quality software available to everyone, amateurs cannot produce material that is reasonably professional. When digital cameras were released many amateurs believed they could become a professional photographer, personally its not true, to be a photographer, you need creativity and natural talent not just high quality equipment, and the same is said for producing a magazine or creating video. You need to have a huge knowledge of the market and have that natural creative edge over others.
I used blogging through blogger.com to help keep track of what ive learnt. It was a reminder for me and whenever I logged on I was reiterated of my newly formed knowledge. By using my blog I was able to present my research and planning in a clear way which meant keeping to schedule was easier than expected.
I have used websites for my research and to help put my ideas together. I went on to recordcollector and uncut’s official websites, to check and confirm my audience profile and see what would be in their next months issues, and what was in previous issues. I also went on the net to use websites in helping research possible tips or advice / manual of quark express to try and learn the new programmes features and benefits so i wouldn't have to waste much time getting used to a new programme.
(4+5) Who would be the audience for your media product? How did you attract/address your audience
The audience for my media product would be 35-55 year old men, who are associated as traditionalists. This psychographic choice is appropriate for this target audience because vinyl is an old traditional format and traditionalists like the keep things the way they are, so this format will still be appealing to them.
There life stage grouping is Special interest groups. People who have passions in life for specific areas of interest (in this case vinyl) will cross over every demographic to hang out with one another, regardless of age. This makes it harder for me to be specific to grouping my audience with life stage demographics. However the main grouping you could associate my readers with would be the loner lifestyle, where they have a nice income to waste on themselves, but every vinyl collector is different.
My audience will accept the values and messages intended in this magazine. For example there will be no women or ladies featured on front cover, a value that older men will agree with in that men dominate the music scene.
In order to attract and address my audience I needed to do some audience research. I felt the most efficient way to do this was to use a free room with surrounding computers during lunchtimes and invited 4 people to review my work that was laid out on the table. I chose 2 people who liked the retro type of old fashioned music on the vinyl format (which wasn't easy) and 2 people who didn't particularly take pleasure in the vinyl format. After reviewing the work these 4 people answered an on screen questionnaire so I could see there reactions.
Attached below I have uploaded the 2 out of the 4 questionnaires.
I felt that i was successful in attracting my target audience. When i showed my publication to a group of 17 year olds in a computer room i left six cmoputers on each with a documented questionaire for them to fill out (very informal mode of address). These six members instantly recognized my target audience and genre of my magazine. Many people approved of the clashing font claiming it matched my audience genre and the only form of critcizm was the quality of my photos.
The audience understood my text and read it in the intended manner.
There life stage grouping is Special interest groups. People who have passions in life for specific areas of interest (in this case vinyl) will cross over every demographic to hang out with one another, regardless of age. This makes it harder for me to be specific to grouping my audience with life stage demographics. However the main grouping you could associate my readers with would be the loner lifestyle, where they have a nice income to waste on themselves, but every vinyl collector is different.
My audience will accept the values and messages intended in this magazine. For example there will be no women or ladies featured on front cover, a value that older men will agree with in that men dominate the music scene.
In order to attract and address my audience I needed to do some audience research. I felt the most efficient way to do this was to use a free room with surrounding computers during lunchtimes and invited 4 people to review my work that was laid out on the table. I chose 2 people who liked the retro type of old fashioned music on the vinyl format (which wasn't easy) and 2 people who didn't particularly take pleasure in the vinyl format. After reviewing the work these 4 people answered an on screen questionnaire so I could see there reactions.
Attached below I have uploaded the 2 out of the 4 questionnaires.
I felt that i was successful in attracting my target audience. When i showed my publication to a group of 17 year olds in a computer room i left six cmoputers on each with a documented questionaire for them to fill out (very informal mode of address). These six members instantly recognized my target audience and genre of my magazine. Many people approved of the clashing font claiming it matched my audience genre and the only form of critcizm was the quality of my photos.
The audience understood my text and read it in the intended manner.
3) What kind of media institution might distribute my product and why?
Institution is essential when producing a successful magazine. My target audience are older and more up market. Therefore my audience would shop for magazines in specialist distributors. A efficient way I could do this is by selling and promoting my product in the towns and villages specialist music instrument stores, generally the people who visit these stores are keen passionate enthusiast about music often men . Possibly Hmv could stock my magazine as they have a wide range of audience visit their store.
The content is important when related to the publishers especially for my generation. Older people are more likely to look for a good music magazine at a traditional place rather than a general store.
The publishers of most magazines are newsagents and supermarkets. Plastered across the shelves it is often hard to distinguish new magazines and hard to get them rolling.
However I see my magazine as a true independent label. It is more difficult to survive when restricted on advertising. On the contrary the benefits are huge. The brand and product becomes more appealing to its audience by being a rare label on its own two feet. You can deter certain audience types and just focus on your own individual one satisfying there needs. By using controversial remarks and interviews and exclusives then the audience will be lesser but more appealing.
There are major drawbacks to being an independent label, firstly you would be limited in multi platform distribution meaning you are lessening your target audience. Secondly with a major publisher you have a guaranteed space of two three months to prove yourself. Selling a new magazine could be difficult for the opening issue as you need to prove its worth, if you were solely independent you have limited funds to keep the magazine going if the first issue is a disappointment. With major labels you are more likely to get three issues worth and have more time and chance for your product to work.
The content is important when related to the publishers especially for my generation. Older people are more likely to look for a good music magazine at a traditional place rather than a general store.
The publishers of most magazines are newsagents and supermarkets. Plastered across the shelves it is often hard to distinguish new magazines and hard to get them rolling.
However I see my magazine as a true independent label. It is more difficult to survive when restricted on advertising. On the contrary the benefits are huge. The brand and product becomes more appealing to its audience by being a rare label on its own two feet. You can deter certain audience types and just focus on your own individual one satisfying there needs. By using controversial remarks and interviews and exclusives then the audience will be lesser but more appealing.
There are major drawbacks to being an independent label, firstly you would be limited in multi platform distribution meaning you are lessening your target audience. Secondly with a major publisher you have a guaranteed space of two three months to prove yourself. Selling a new magazine could be difficult for the opening issue as you need to prove its worth, if you were solely independent you have limited funds to keep the magazine going if the first issue is a disappointment. With major labels you are more likely to get three issues worth and have more time and chance for your product to work.
2) How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My magazine has a mainly dominant representation, There is a male on my cover holding his guitar. In music magazines it is mainly men who feature on the magazines of my retro indie music genre. However Vinyl's are an alternative representation. In my magazine they are being associated as being cool and still new, something many people should still be collecting. In the United Kingdom there are still many collectors, however the vast majority of people have updated to listening to cds, and mp3 files. When constructing my products i wanted to match the stereotypes given from rival magazines. It was aimed at wealthy men aged 35-55 years old who enjoy music, who have money to waste and to some extent are without a heavy social life.
Generally the readers of my magazine on the jicnar scale will be B (Intermediate managerial, administrative and professional) C1 (Supervisory, clerical, junior administrative or professional) As mentioned before they generally have a state of disposable income and will be able to waste it on such luxuries.
My media product presents residual ideology. Vinyl's are a left over format which by many is still believed / used by some people but not others. Over recent years the sales of Vinyl’s have fluctuated, however in 2007 there was information released suggesting 7inch single sales were up 13%. (http://digital-lifestyles.info/2007/07/17/vinyl-sales-soar-new-turntables-from-ion/) that figure is supposed to have risen in 2008 respectively.
Generally the readers of my magazine on the jicnar scale will be B (Intermediate managerial, administrative and professional) C1 (Supervisory, clerical, junior administrative or professional) As mentioned before they generally have a state of disposable income and will be able to waste it on such luxuries.
My media product presents residual ideology. Vinyl's are a left over format which by many is still believed / used by some people but not others. Over recent years the sales of Vinyl’s have fluctuated, however in 2007 there was information released suggesting 7inch single sales were up 13%. (http://digital-lifestyles.info/2007/07/17/vinyl-sales-soar-new-turntables-from-ion/) that figure is supposed to have risen in 2008 respectively.
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