Preliminary task Evaluation

What have you learnt from completing this task?

By completing this exercise I have been able to apply the same skills I used in GCSE Media and some new terminolgy and software in order to achieve a professional looking magazine front cover. I have also learnt how to use various new technology devices and apply them efficiently which therefore developed my understanding of these areas further.
In addition I also learnt how to manage my time effectively and manage the time I was given to the best of my ability. Therefore these skills will help me in the future of media but also in education and as I develop through life. I have learnt other life skills like sticking to deadlines and meeting certain briefs and becoming an independent learner which will help me complete tasks quicker, efficiently and to the best of my ability.
Another thing I learnt was how to analyse different media texts and genres to expand my media knowledge in order to achieve my best possible grade and to help me in the future of media.

How have you used technology?

I have used various technology and software to achieve my final outcome, these include photoshop, a camera and more. It was my first time using the basics of photoshop and I did struggle yet I am still happy with the outcome I achieved. I also used the camera on my phone for my main image in order to make it quicker to upload onto the computer as I was running out of time. I would of liked to use a college camera in order to understand the functions more and expand my knowledge of new techonology that I am yet to use.
 In addition I also used a new form of software that I was unaware of until this task; we used blogger which is a site where you can display your work and ideas in a creative and neat fashion. You can choose your own layout and display pattern so you can show what sory of personality you obtain without making your work look less professional.
I also learnt how to transfer my images for my front cover onto the computer and make them look professional and meet the genre of my front cover.

What conventions have you used and why?

I used most of the main conventions of a front cover such as the skyline, masthead, main image and many more. I also used a simple yet effective colour scheme in order for my main information and text stood out and attracted my chosen target audience. I also added in some feature stories that would of been included in the full magazine to make it look believable and to fill up empty space, yet not make the cover look confusing or busy.
In my main image I made sure my model is giving a direct mode of address to the audience which makes the audience feel like their getting attention and like they are the main focus.
I also made sure my feature stories linked in with the college magazine genre; I did this by adding feature story titles based on univercities and revision tips, yet I also suggested make-up, fashion, sport and music to interest the consumer both about the educational side of college yet also feed into what they do in their free time in order to attract the vast amount of audience possible.

What would you change if you were to do this task again?

If I was to redo this task I would of used a professional college camera for my photos in order to achieve a high quality and focused image, I would also play around with differemt amd more adventurous colour schemes to make my product stand out and make it look one of a kind.
I would also of liked to manage my time more effectivly as I almost missed the deadline and I would of liked to of spend more time on certain aspects of my front cover in order for it to be the best of my ability. I enjoyed this task and I would of liked to do it again so I can learn from my mistakes and my feedback given in order to improve my final outcome and achieve a higher grade overall.
I also would of liked to personalise my blog more and also make it more presentable and easier to follow, as I think it is important for my blog to look at its best as it is what all my work is displayed on and it should look uniformed and show exactly what piece of work is what and it should show that I put time and effort into each piece.