Evaluation – Q7: Looking Back at Your Preliminary Task, What do You Feel You

Have Learnt in The Progression From it to the Full Product?

By Gregory McLaney

Preliminary Production

Final Main Task Production

My mast head for my preliminary was very basic with a coloured background. For my main task I developed my skills and produced a 3D text, positioned behind the artists head using Photoshop.

For my original production all my cover/sell lines were positioned on one side. On my main task I carefully positioned them for the best effect. Plus, I used Photoshop to manipulate the typography. This created a more outstanding and bold effect making the sell lines more viable for the reader.

My contents page for my preliminary production was very basic and there wasn’t very good positioning in the overall composition. I used grids on my main task to split the sections of my magazine up creating two columns either side and a middle section. This worked well and I could create a clean and easy to read contents page.

The original preliminary task was lacking colour and Photoshop manipulation. During my main task I edited all of my images and made them link with my social class and genre. This made my compositions strong and created a large contrast between my original production and my main task.

My preliminary task was very basic in terms of typography and images. I used the same basic font throughout my preliminary task. So, in my main task I used 2 different fonts with better effects to create a more outstanding composition which appeals to the audience. Another main feature which differs the two productions is the use of images, I took basic images around college for the first task but when it came to the main task I used image from different areas to appeal to my target audience and genre. In my first task I missed out generic features of music magazines such as a website page this is a minor fault, however it creates a very un-professional touch to the magazine and does not create the right look. So in adding small features like this, it enabled me to create a better and more professional look.

Since the development of my preliminary task my technology/editing skills have progressed immensely. I found that I had a lot of plain white space on my contents page of my preliminary task and now on my main tasks final product. I have learnt from this mistake and made my magazine more compact which make it look professional and eye appealing for audiences.

My InDesign skills have improved since the preliminary task mainly with speed of editing, towards the middle of my construction task I started getting used to the short keys and other features which meant I was editing a lot faster than in the preliminary task.

Another feature that has progressed since the initially stages of the preliminary tasks is the use of Photoshop and manipulating images. I can now create professional looking images with effects I never knew before and this feature is shown throughout all stages of my main task production.

After completing both tasks I can see my skills have developed and I know my software production skills have progressed. I feel more confident using various different computer and internet software now. I found that I'm also more confident taking photographs and can capture the right angles to create effects upon the viewer.

If it wasn't for the preliminary task I do not think I would be as confident with photography and software. It was good experience completing the preliminary task and it gave the experience of seeing the change of my own personal skills.

I found that linking different software was a main feature that made the construction process easier and more effective. I used Photoshop for its advantages (manipulation and effects) and InDesign for its pros (Positioning and Text). This meant I could create the best possible compositions in an easy way which was time efficient. Also, a feature that helped me improving my skills was basically learning how to use certain tools in certain ways. This lead on to me using different tools and adapting to the layout of software and towards the end of my construction I was using various shortcut keys which cut editing time drastically.

Double Page Spread

Even though I didn’t create a double page spread article for my preliminary task, the skills I developed in doing the preliminary tasks meant I could produce a double page spread article for my main task.

I used Photoshop to create paint splashes and a flasher in the top right corner. The feature of Photoshop throughout my production was from a result of progressive growth of skills since the original preliminary task.

I used InDesign to create the drops caps on the text and insert the text. I also used InDesign to position the whole of my composition. Plus, I used InDesign to create the caption quote in which I added drop caps and a background. My skills from the preliminary task helped me develop an understanding of this programme and create this composition.

Both the images in this double page spread were created by manipulating them in Photoshop. If it was not for the preliminary task I would not have been able to create images to this quality.

To conclude, throughout the whole of this product my skills have come a long way in all different forms of technology and software editing. I think that the main advancement has been using Photoshop. I have also started thinking of better ways to attract audiences whilst I'm editing. I always had my target audience and genre in mind whilst creating my magazine so I could make sure that the magazine was targeted at them more than target to look good and stylish. However I think I got a good balance of both and my target audience was met at the same time of having a good looking and stylish magazine.

Finally, I think the representation of my magazine is fine with good effects and appealing text and articles. However, the one downside to my magazine is probably a lack of imagery. So, if I could change anything this would be one option. But, on the plus side the images I used were very strong with perfect colours to connote links with my genre and target audience. Plus, all my compositions were filled in the end creating a finalized professional look.