Preliminary Task

After conducting a questionnaire, I concluded the results which helped me to decide what to include in my college magazine for example which masthead and articles and also to define my target audience. It also highlighted how important audience research would be for my final magazine project.

Here is my final front cover for my college magazine for the preliminary task. To create this I compiled a questionnaire and a summary of results with analysis to make sure it would appeal to my target audience. It also helped me to practice and develop my basic Photoshop skills that I had when starting the course.

Throughout the preliminary task I used packages such a Photoshop and InDesign of which I have only ever used briefly. It gave me a better idea of how to use both programs for when I would have to use them for my final magazine pages. The photoshoot that we did was useful as I had never used an SLR camera before and knew that the pictures would have to be of a high quality for the production stage. I faced a few challenges during the making of the college magazine as even though it was a simple task I have very few skills in Photoshop so a lot of explaining was necessary. For example I was taught how to use layers and duplicate them, add effects to the typography, crop out the background behind the image you want to use and how to blend the hair colour into any part of the background that was tricky to remove. The use of image and getting that image was easy as I used a girl from my class and the school help set up the photoshoots for us with a professional SLR camera. Since completing the preliminary task, I think my planning skills have improved as in my evaluation I said that I didn't plan for this task properly where as for the main magazine project I did which kept me on track and organised so I would be able to hand everything in on time. I think the preliminary task helped me to know where I had to improve to make my final magazine pages better as I decided I would complete more audience research and note down their feedback as a way of making sure the magazine would appeal to them therefore I think my evaluative and research skills have been improved throughout the year. Finally, I think my construction skills have also been developed as for this task I had only basic knowledge of how to use all of the programs required but when it came to the final project I could use what I had learnt and build on that so my final magazine pages could be of a better standard and look more professional.