Evaluation: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

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

When I started this project I had no knowledge of how to use a Mac, Pixlr, Blogger, Camera, Uploading and Pages. However through taking part in this project I have now learnt to use all of these things and more. For example, I edited a lot of my images on Pixlr, by learning how to layer images and turn saturation down then erasing parts of the saturation, to bring out the colour. Learning how to master this was key in my project, as I had no prior knowledge of how to edit photo's and then create the images that I did.

I use Blogger every week, multiple times a week, and I have been able to upload drafts and edited images of my magazine and of other things things I felt were relevant. At first I found this slightly difficult because of the layout, deciding what was worth blogging (all of it) and because of having to upload images but I quickly overcame it and I have now produced a blog I am proud of.

The Macs have been a real struggle for me, as I do not get to use them often, I found myself falling behind on how to operate pages and to use them to create my magazine. However, through practice and a little more time, I now feel confident on the macs and I think I can use them effectively, and to their full potential.

I was worried about the images that I would get from my camera, as it is only a simplistic and basic thing, with not many mega pixels. The images I took however turned out exactly as I hoped, and through the enhancement and adjustment of Pixlr, I am really pleased with the finished result.

I used safari and internet explorer to their full uses as well. I was already confident with both of these and have used them both throughout my project, for research, planning and a general source of information.

I think that I have benefited greatly from all of the new technologies I have been introduced to, and after having had thorough practice, I think I have developed an understanding for them all, and that, as I was able to learn all of the above and more, I could easily learn new technologies that may be introduced to me in the future.

Evaluation: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I think my text is aimed at a recently turned mass audience. Indie Folk was never as popular as it is today and I think that IPC is the publishing house I would choose to publish and distribute my magazine. Also publishers of the NME magazine, I think it would make sense to be published by them, as NME is of a similar genre to my own and is incredibly successful in the UK. IPC has three publishing divisions, and I think mine would be included in IPC inspire. This publishes lifestyle magazines, including NME so I feel this would be the best fit for my magazine. I would like my magazine to be distributed to shops like WHSmith, HMV, Newsagents and supermarkets like ASDA and Sainsburys. These are popularly visited places by my TA and are the most likely and expected places to purchase  music magazines. IPC is also well known for its digital market. This would be very beneficial for my magazine, as my target audience could access it anywhere, on their phones, tablets and computers for example. This would help my magazine to reach all corners of my TA. 

Evaluation: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I think I have represented my social group of male and female, Indie Folk lovers, in a positive way. I think the images and style of my magazine, represents these men and women as quite cool and alternative. For example, the front cover image, has several effects and adjustments in place, like a light chemical burn and decreased saturation, to make it look similar to an album front cover, something that would not look out of place in a music store, which is a primary place for my TA and social group to spend time.  
However, in my text there is an unintentional signifier  in that I think the magazine represents this social group as being quite effeminate. I believe I have unintentionally let my own preferences influence the style of my magazine slightly, therefore making it appeal more to women and disrupting my preferred reading slightly. I wanted the magazine to appeal equally to men and women, but looking at it I can see that it may not be something a male would be very interested in upon first look. I still think that it would be a popular magazine with this social group however, because I have still included what both genders preferred in the questionnaire I distributed before starting my magazine.  

Evaluation: How did you attract/address your audience?

I used intelligent vocabulary and friendly/inviting language within my text to address my audience. The interview that I carried out used informal language, and was written exactly as the artist responded to the questions, helping the interview to feel more like a conversation between friends than a stilted and edited piece that is purely fact without giving any insight into the artist's personality. The image used on my DPS is of the featuring artist, lounging on a park bench in a natural setting, she is looking directly at the camera, providing eye contact for the readers. It often happens that the set-up, purposely shot for effect image, is used as the glossy front cover to provide the initial appeal, and that the images of the artist in a more comfortable and personable setting are included inside the magazine, to make the readers feel more engaged in the interview. This is what I did with my magazine to attract my audience. I think the photos I used represent my audience exactly as I want them to be, - relaxed, cool, authentic and alternative. My model was displaying exactly the style of my TA and the final images put her in a setting that my audience can relate to and feel comfortable in.

Evaluation: Who would be the audience for your media product?

Evaluation: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?