What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

I have gained more experience in using Adobe Photoshop and using a blog to record research on the music press and to document the process of making a music magazine. I have also used desktop publishing software such as Pages which I used to set out the magazine’s feature article. In using software specifically designed for Apple computers, I have learned how to save my work in a format that would allow documents to be opened on both PCs and Macs.

On my blog, I used Slideshare to upload a Power Point presentation and Scribd to present a PDF file to show information in a more dynamic way. Scribd shows PDF files in different formats, but the slide/book views allow the feature article to be read as if it were a physical publication.

ICT

Uploading and downloading files

I used dafont.com to download fonts for my cover and feature pages. The sans serif fonts reflect a sense of modern sophistication which I felt fit in with my layout design, also.Using SlideShare, I was able to upload Power Point presentations on the evaluation questions. I received audience feedback in video format and made an iMovie video of the responses. In the program I learned how to add titles and rearrange clips to make a short film. The video was then uploaded to the blog.

Using Pages• In the process of making the

product, I learned how to use a desktop publishing program, Pages. It was necessary to use this type of technology as it is specifically designed to be used in making publications, and other software I used in the production lacked the features it has, for example the ability to create columns for text.

• The article’s layout was based on existing feature articles I saw in magazines that had a similar target group: they were aimed at young adults and therefore had a more sophisticated layout that publications which catered to younger teenagers.

Using Photoshop• I created the magazine front

cover, contents page and images in the feature using Photoshop. Although I already have used it, I learnt some techniques to make the cover and contents look more interesting and professional.

• Using the layer styles function, for instance, I could add shadows to images and text. Linking/grouping layers allowed me to move separate images (the three different pictures of the actors) together.

• The layer highlighted shows the person in the middle on the contents page. This screengrab shows that I have also used the drop shadow effect

• I used the Magic Eraser and the Background Eraser tools to make the background of the image transparent.

• I then copied the image on to the contents page and placed it on top of the grey background and behind the text box giving information about the feature article.

Photography

• I used a digital camera for all the photography, and I have learned more about manipulating photos. I also got some practical experience in photography, setting up a backdrop and using studio lighting. The backdrop and lighting were instrumental in creating the mise-en-scene as well the direction I gave the people being photographed.