PRELIM TASK: Consent Pictures.

PRELIM TASK: Self Analysis.

Throughout this preliminary task, I have grown confident in my skills with Photoshop. I began Media Studies with basic knowledge of how to use tools and how to use Photoshop however as I progressed, I developed my skills. I learnt small shortcuts and ideas such as using grid and nudge for accurate layout and using magnetic lasso-tool to cut an image of the student away and bring it in front of the masthead. I had done this as many magazines present today use this method to bring attention to the student. Along with this, I learnt how to manipulate and soften images to preference and understood more of how media in the real world can manipulate us to believe that something is real when it is not. 

Concentrating on my cover and contents layout, I do like the overall product as I think they link together well. The masthead 'Level Up' focuses on Year 12s (target audience) who have transitioned from GCSEs to A-Levels which is said to be the biggest drop. The teasers/coverlines I used relates back to academics and settling into the new life of A-Levels. The background of the contents relates back to the cover as it is a section of behind the student in the cover. I did this because as a plain white background appeared too dull and didn't connect well. The colour scheme is used frequently between both the cover and contents as this will allow the audience to identify that both are from the same brand/magazine. Overall, with all the changes, I am happy with the final product.

PRELIM TASK: Teacher Feedback.

Mr. Varghese.

You need to change your barcode as it is not accurate, barcodes don't go up in consecutive numbers. You need to make sure your price is not a whole number as something like '£1.99' attracts more attention. Along with this, you can also soften the line of your student where you lasso-tooled when bringing in front of your masthead. The coverline 'Locker Woes' is quite immature so change it to something more appropriate for your target audience. Your pull quote should be more specific about 'tackling stress' rather than 'making it work for you'.  Your teaser for 'UCAS' could have some questions under what is mentioned in the article. With your contents, you should fix the spacing and it looks squashed and add a page number to the bottom right because it looks quite empty. Finally, think about different mastheads. This is because 'Busy Bee' seems a bit too immature. I do like the third contents shot as the low angle looks interesting and the second content shot as it looks natural.

Ms. Mottram.

Instead of 'Bee' in 'Busy Bee', you can use the graphic of a bee to replace it.  Your cover layout could be neater, using grid you could do this. With your 'Exclusive' graphic, you can change the writing and use a name for your student. This should be a hand-writing font to make it look more personal. You should also add in a pull-quote to your cover, also in hand-writing font but this can be a different font. I do like your picture you have chosen and also like how it is in front of your masthead.

PRELIM TASK: Audience Feedback.

PRELIM TASK: Contents Layout Decisions.

PRELIM TASK: Final Shots - Contents.

PRELIM TASK: Font Desicions.

PRELIM TASK: Photo Manipulation.

PRELIM TASK: Cover Layout Desicions.

PRELIM TASK: Final Shot - Magazine Cover.

The final shot for my cover of the College Magazine will be this one shown in the blog. I have chosen this shot as I strongly believe that this is not only a clear picture but appropriate for my brief. The school is shown in the background of the glass which makes audience find it easier to identify the photo and magazine as being linked to studies or college. Along with this, the props used make is more apparent of the purpose of the magazine. Books and a backpack signify the idea that this is a magazine related to school which will attract readers and also, she is wearing her own clothes. This implies that she is a Sixth-Former and the magazine is for Sixth-Formers as there are no uniforms. This will in turn attract the right age-group and audience to read my magazine. 

With her body's posture and angle of gaze, I think that these are appropriate as her eyes are directed at the camera which when used in a magazine, makes the cover appear more intimate and draws attraction and profit as more readers will pick it up. Her posture, although straight and posed, appears relaxed and her smile allows the reader to feel that the magazine is friendly and useful. The creates an idea that if the student on the cover is relaxed, reading this magazine with also make them relaxed as well. 

Lastly, the shot allowed the student to be focused while the background is slightly blurred. This is useful as it attracts more attention to the student and nothing in the background will be able to distract it as it is not too busy or alive in the picture. However, looking back at my shot list, the cover image is slightly different. The student is still outside the Sixth Form building though not on the pathway. I had done this as I believe what was in the background may have been to distracting to allow focus on the centre of the image. The idea of her posture also changed as I felt the over-the-shoulder shot would look to stiff and set-up compared to her looking with her body sideways.

PRELIM TASK: Flatplan.

PRELIM TASK: Shots & Angles Plan.

PRELIM TASK: Reader Profile.

Hi, my name is Kylie Williams and I'm sixteen years old, meaning I've just started my first year at Sixth Form (Year 12)! As of right now I attend Norbury Manor Sixth Form and am taking Business Studies, Biology, ICT and Philosophy. These subjects are very demanding, they take a lot of studying and free time. I do admit that this causes me stress and worries at times but I'd love to have some advice from those above me like other students or teachers on how to manage the jump from GCSEs to A-Levels. I do try out some methods to calm myself down like by reading a book or doodling. I find that these relieve me but also keeps my brain occupied in a way so I'm still active. I also like to go out with my friends on the weekend if the week has been tough, maybe for a few hours with shopping or at one another's house. Sometimes the stress of school is too much so I take a breather. 

Not only this but I've always been used to wearing a school uniform so I'm constantly worrying over what to wear the next school day. I want to be comfortable but don't want to look too casual as my dress code is smart-casual so I'd also love to receive some advice in that area too. 

PRELIM TASK: Magazine Deconstruction.

PRELIM TASK: Intro & Initial Ideas.