OCR Media Studies – AS Level

Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media

Preliminary Task, Log Book and Evaluation

Name: Liam De CostaCandidate Number: 6146Center Name: St. Paul’s Catholic CollegeCenter Number: 64770

Set Brief - Print

Music Magazine – Production

Preliminary Task Progression, Log Book and Evaluation

Preliminary Task Progression– EvidenceFront CoverStep-by-step

Firstly, I added a black overlay to my background layer.

I created a new layer then added a rectangle shape, from this I added a gradient overlay with a purple to white colour scheme.I then used the pen tool to create an arch to which I then used to create a vector mask. This left me with the selected area revealing the gradient.

Using the pen tool to create a line across the arch, I added a stroke path and simulated brush pressure to give the effect

By adding a blue outer glow and changing the spread and size I created a glow to the line.

I inserted the school badge and added a outer glow to make the image stand out on the purple background

By visiting the site dafont.com I downloaded the font ‘Broken Detroit’ and applied the font to my masthead. I rotated ‘The’ to match the height of the word ‘Saints’

I took a picture of my brother and removed the background using the quick selection tool and quick masking. By adding a layer mask, I was able to remove and add parts of the image using the brush tool.

I included the main story headline by using glow effects. For the ‘Exclusive Interview’ I duplicated the layer and overlapped them with different colours to give the effect.

Using the pen tool to create a box that wrapped around the main image, I was able to place text which didn’t overlap the image.

Instead of a competition I included a promotional gift that would benefit a new student

By using the same technique for my first set of cover lines to wrap the text around the image, I added a quote that would appeal to parents as well as students.

I added a strapline above the masthead, encouraging the selling point of the magazine.

Because of the interaction of social media nowadays I included a Facebook and Twitter reference to the magazine.

I imported a barcode image from a folder within the media studies dpt. Above the barcode I added the price and date of the magazine.

I duplicated the masthead and decreased the size of it to be placed above the social media references.

I changed my brush preset to ‘Assorted brushes’ to have access to the ‘starburst’ brush to add a shine to the main image’s earring

I placed a rectangle to the corner of my magazine with a gradient overlay. I then placed the issue number text inside.

I created a layer mask to smooth the corner of the rectangle.

FINAL RESULT!

Preliminary Task Progression– EvidenceContents PageStep-by-step

I started by adding a banner to the top and bottom of the page with a maroon and black gradient.

I used the brush tool to briefly mark out where my boxes would be as it was difficult to distinguish the different areas with all the ruler lines.

By using the same font as my masthead, I created the contents title of the page; I also included my masthead which I duplicated from my front cover document.

I then added the page number and the website in the bottom right of the page which is easily visible. I also created a box where my editorial would be with the line tool.

Inside the editorial box I placed a photo of myself and my message to the reader. Underneath I included a scanned image of my signature and included a contact email.

With the use of the ruler, I was able to create two boxes which would separate the images to the rest of the contents. I used the same gradient as my banner and font of my masthead.

I placed another picture of my person of interest of my magazine using the quick selection and mask tool. By using a layer mask, I was able to make the image appear to ‘step out’ of the page.

I then added some text detailing the cover story using the pen tool to make the words surround the image.

By using the same font style as the words in my cover story image, I created more cover stories for my contents.

Here I used the same method as the main image before, hiding the map underneath the border.

Lastly I duplicated the social media links from my front cover to my contents page

Section 1) – Log Book

Music Magazine – Genre research

As of June 30, 2012, Vibe has a circulation of 300,943, of which 202,439 was paid, and 98,504 was non paid. “Hip-hop gave a generation a common ground

that didn't require either race to lose anything; everyone gained.” -JayZ

“The thing about hip-hop today is it’s smart, it’s insightful, the way they can communicate a complex message in a very short space is remarkable.”-Barrack obama

Established Magazine for my Research

Large masthead which is visible to promote the magazine from the shelf.

Cover stories separated by contrasting colours to be easily readable. Also, the different font sizes grab reader’s attention from the shelf.

Large main image of iconic UK singer Adele.

‘Blows us away’ a sense of exclusivity of the interview with the celebrity.

‘300th issue’ a promotion that this issue is something ‘special’

Target Audience – Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-economic needsThe target audience for Q magazine can be denoted as readers who like to increase their ‘personal relationship’(Katz) with their favourite artists. Q magazine offers exclusive interviews with many artists from many sub genres of music, so readers will be able to keep that ‘close’ bond with their desired artist. ‘Age’(Hartleys) effects Q’s target audience as some artists are from an older generation which my not appeal to a younger generation. The target audience would also be in the ‘survivor’(Maslow) category as Q magazine offers the latest information on various artists from all sub-genres of music and an insight into their personal life.

What is the USP of this magazine? YOU MUST refer to specific conventions/stories from you researchFrom the research completed into this media product, the USP of Q magazine is the exclusive information that they get from interviews with major artists in music. Frequent words used in the main headline include ‘untold’, ‘revealed’, ‘unseen’ supporting the importance of the main cover story. The word ‘exclusive’ is nearly always shown on the front cover, separated from the main image by colour, font or size of text.

Publisher research

http://miaspicerx.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/picture2.png

According to the statistics shown in the image, around 75% of customers are Male and the remaining 25% are Female. The average age of a customer who reads Q magazine is 29. However, although this information is correct, it is not accurate to the past year statistics.

During the months of January and June of the year 2013, there was a circulation of 58,980. Also in the year 2012, Q magazine had a reader base of 377,000.

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/brands/q#magazine_Q

Conventions of a Music MagazineMain image - Rap artist T.I. represented on front cover. A large icon in the hip hop genre, which informs the audience of the main story.

T.I. referenced in bold and colour is differentiated from rest of sentence. It emphasises the main image by supporting the importance of the main image.

Hip Hop and RnB artists mentioned to give the audience an insight into the other articles to be found inside the magazine.

Bounce music, typically related as energetic hip hop music originated in 1990’s. Both audiences who may or may not have heard of this type of music will be intrigued to find out more.

Target Audience – Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-economic needs

The target audience for XXL magazine can be denoted as Personal identification(Katz) because readers will want to have the same clothing or items as their desired artist. Age(Hartley) would be strictly for readers above the age of 16 due to the content inside such as bad language or female artists wearing revealing clothing. Social climbers(Maslow) reading the magazine will be attracted to information regarding their favourite artists allowing them to increase their social status.

What is the USP of this magazine? YOU MUST refer to specific conventions/stories from you research

From the research completed into this media product, I think the USP is the interviews with major artists in the hip-hop sub-genre and also the products that are advertised by artists inside the magazine.

Publisher research

Harris Publications Inc.

Harris Publications is an American consumer-magazine publisher in New York City. Harris Publications publishes over 50 magazines and special-interest publications serving consumers and professionals in Fitness & Health, Quilting, Men's Interest, Guns & Knives and other markets.

Harris Tactical Group, a division of Harris Publications Inc., publishes Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, Special Weapons for Military & Police, Combat Handguns, Tactical Weapons, Tactical Knives, Guns of the Old West, Pocket Pistols, Urban Warrior's Black Guns annual... and many more.

Harris Publications Inc. titles include Juicy, XXL, King, Dog News, 0-60, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, Small Business Opportunities, Men's Workout, Exercise & Health, Celebrity Hairstyles, and many more.