Final Evaluation

Many aspects of the production process went well. The recording of the interview went well
because the responses I got from my interviewee were very detailed, which helped me a lot
when it came to writing my article as I was able to write a lot about most of the questions I
asked him. Taking the pictures for my contents page and double page spread went well
because I was able to take at least one in focus one for all the images I wanted to include for
both pages. Out of all the images I took for both pages, I was particularly happy with the
moving images of my interviewee as they came up really well and had a really professional
effect on both pages. The writing of the article went well because I was able to make it really
detailed due to the responses I got to each question from my interviewee and my mentor
didn't help me make any changes to it. The construction of the double page spread went
really well as I was able to put together very quickly and with so many, lay it out the way I
wanted to and I didn't have to make many changes on it when it came to doing my final
amendments. However, some parts of my production didn't go so well. Taking pictures for my
front cover didn't go well because, despite my images looking focused after I reviewed them,
they came out blurry when I put them into Photoshop. Furthermore, the only photo that had
come out in focus had a shallow depth of field - which meant I couldn't use it for my front
cover because it would have made it unconventional as nothing in the main image can be
out of focus. Because of this, I had to take a new set of pictures from my front cover which
turned out better than all the ones I took and all the ones I was planning to take. I also had to
change my main cover line subline to match up with the person in the image. The
construction cover didn't go well, because there were plenty of times where it got knocked
back and they had to change things because they either weren't conventional, the original
main image, or some of the colours not looking appealing to the audience (such as the one
used for al the cover lies and sublines). The construction of the contents page also didn't
really go too well because, despite not having many corrections to do for my final
amendments, I made a lot of mistakes beforehand, such as not working and putting all my
content inside the guides putting my text into three columns instead of two. I haven't really
adhered to my plans that much. This was mainly down to having to take my front cover
pictures again and using a different person in a different pose, which meant I had to change
the main cover and sublime I was going to use to match up to the image and I couldn't use
the pose that I drew out in my magazine sketch for my front cover as it wouldn't have fit the
guy who I was taking the picture of the second time around and the pose that ended up
using, the guy kissing the Warrington badge on his shirt, was actually better than the pose I
was originally going to use. For the rest of my magazine, I took the images I said I would in
my planning and used most of the article titles and sublines I said I was going to use in my
magazine (there were a couple I had to add, get rid of and change the wording of).
 My Product Professional Product

I will now compare my front cover with one of the professional ones that I analysed and state
the similarities and differences. Starting with the masthead, on my one it’s clearly the biggest
text on the page and the main image is covering a little bit of it - whereas on the professional
one it’s unclear whether the main cover line is bigger than the masthead (the main cover line
looks chunkier but the masthead looks longer) and the main image is not covering any part
of the masthead. In terms of cover and sub lines, my one has 9 cover lines with 6 of them
including sublines - whereas the professional one has 13 cover lines with only 2 of them
having sublines. Both my front cover and the professional one have a banner at the bottom
of it with more cover lines, with the professional one even having a skyline at the top which
promotes what you can win in the magazine. I decided against having a skyline on my front
cover because I felt the banner already does the job that the skyline would’ve done and
having a skyline would’ve made my masthead smaller and would’ve made its impact on the
audience less. Both my magazine and the professional one have a positioning statement
and issue information that’s underneath the masthead, with the only differences being that
each one is on the opposite side to the other on both front covers and the professional one
has both of them inside an opaque banner whereas my one just has them directly
underneath the masthead. Both front covers also have a barcode on the bottom right hand
side, with the professional one being bigger and having links to the magazine’s website
compared to my one which is smaller and has the price of the magazine above it. Both our
front covers have a colour scheme of 4 and 5 colours respectively, which is unconventional
as a front cover should only have a colour scheme of 2-3 colours. Both of our main images
are taken in midshot and have direct address, but my main cover and sublines go across the
main image whereas the main cover and subline on the professional one is next to the main
image and doesn’t touch it - which is unconventional. There are 2 other things that the
professional one has that mine doesn’t. The first thing is a secondary image, which I could
include if I were to do this again to further illustrate what some of the other cover lines are
about and to fill some of the gaps on the cover. The second thing is a puff, which I had
planned to include but got told to take out in my rough design feedback as it made the front
cover look scruffy and messy.

My Product Professional Product

I will now compare my contents page with one of the professional ones that I analysed and
state the similarities and differences. Starting with the title, it’s the biggest piece of text on
both of our pages and is in bold. Next to the title on my contents page, I have my masthead
from my front cover. This is not on the professional one, although it’s not always needed as
most magazine contents pages either have the magazine masthead or issue front cover on
the page. However, both mine and the professional one don’t have an image of the front
cover - which makes the professional one unconventional. If I were to do this again, I may
consider including an image of the front cover instead of or along with the masthead to
further cement who the main focus of the issue is. Below the title on the professional one is
the issue information. I too have included issue information on mine, except mine is under
my masthead instead of my title - which is a little bit unconventional. In terms of the layout,
both of our contents pages have a 3 column layout - with mine being taken up by one
column of images and 2 columns of article titles and an image and his being taken up by 2
columns of images and one column of article titles. In terms of the images, both our contents
pages have 5 images - each with page numbers. The only real differences are that the page
numbers on the professional one are in coloured boxes to correspond with the highlighted
article they’re illustrating, whereas mine aren’t highlighted at all. I was going to highlight my
page numbers and their respective articles but my mentor said that it looked out of place so I
just left it. The other difference is that the sizes of the images on the professional one influx
massively compared to my one where there is only a small change in size. On my one I have
2 columns of article titles and sublines, whereas the professional one only has 1. The page
numbers next to the article titles are highlighted in blue on mine to stand out more, whereas
on the professional one only the page numbers that are next to the articles featured in the
images are highlighted. Both our pages have a page number in one of the bottom corners to
signify to the audience what page they’re on. Both our pages don’t have an editor’s note, but
this isn’t normally needed and tends to only be included if there is enough space to include
one somewhere on the page. Lastly, my one has blue banners behind the title, masthead,
issue information and contents headings whereas the professional one only has banners
behind each of the contents headings.

My Product Professional Product

I will now compare my double page spread with one of the professional ones that I analysed
and state the similarities and differences. Starting with the headline, my one is bold, in the
same font and only across 1 page, whereas the professional one is partly in bold, in 2
different fonts (Headlong is in a different font to the rest of it) and looks like it might be across
2 pages. Because of the word “Headlong” being in bold, a different font and a different size,
the professional one stands out more than my one in terms of headline. If I were to do this
again, I will consider using different fonts and sizes for parts of my headline. Both mine and
the professional one have a standfirst that’s in bold and is underneath the headline, with
mine being completely underneath the headline compared to the professional one which is
only partly underneath it. My one has a byline that’s below the standfirst, whereas on the
professional one there is no sight of a byline. The byline on the professional one seems to
be replaced by website links which are placed at the end of the article - it is unconventional
of a double page spread to not only have no byline, but to have links to a website. At the
very top, both of our double page spreads have folios that let the audience know the topic of
the respective articles - the only differences being the folios are in different colours to
connote what’s being talked about (red and white on the professional one partly connotes
the colours of Team GB, yellow and blue on my one connotes the colours of Warrington
Wolves) and they are on opposite sides to each other as I didn’t have the space to put my
folio on the left side. Both our articles have a drop capital at the start that goes 4 lines down
and is in bold - this draws the audience towards the start of the article. Both of our articles
have a pull quote in the middle, with the only differences being that the professional one is
longer and bigger than mine but mine is in bold whereas the professional one isn’t - this
makes my one stand out more. In terms of the images, my one goes across both pages
whereas the professional one is only on 1. However, the professional one is labelled
 whereas my one isn’t - although this wasn’t needed in mine as Rugby in general is a largely
well known sport compared to Skeleton on the professional one which isn’t, therefore the
audience would need to be informed with how the sport works and what the different
equipment used is called to fully understand what’s being said in the article. Also, my one is
from a Rugby League magazine so people reading will most likely be fans of the sport and
will already be well informed about it - whereas the professional one (from what was said in
the folio) is from a general sports magazine so people reading will almost certainly won’t be
informed about the sport of Skeleton. Both pages have a 3 column layout with the article
taking up all 3 columns on the first page of mine whereas on the professional one the article
takes up 2 columns and some of the labels from the images and part of the pull quote take
up the other one (the images takes up all 3 columns on the second page). On my one, the
article is split up into decently equal paragraphs whereas the article for the professional one
looks to be in 2 big paragraphs (the second paragraph being split up by the paragraph) -
both mine and the professional one could’ve been split up into shorter and more equal
paragraphs to make it more conventional. Lastly, the colour scheme on my one consists of 4
colours (white, green, yellow and blue) whereas the professional one has a colour scheme of
5 colours (blue, purple (might be perceived by some as dark blue) red, white and black) - this
makes both mine and the professional one unconventional as there should only be a colour
scheme of 2-3 colours. In order to prevent this from happening next time, I’ll make sure I
stick to a colour scheme of 2-3 colours by maybe cutting out the image and putting it on a
coloured background from one of the existing colours that’s already on the page.

My research and planning was very useful during the production stages. In terms of
research, using Quark and Photoshop in my experimentation made it easier to use them
we're making my final product. Furthermore, because I had played with the layout in my
experimentation I had a good idea of how I wanted to lay out my final magazine and how to
execute the said layout professionally. My analysis was useful as I tried to incorporate some
of the things the professional products had in them to get the effect I wanted out of every
image and every piece of text. My codes and conventions were useful as I was able to use
them as guides for what I need to include in every component of my magazine in order for it
to be a conventional one. My secondary research was useful because I tried to use the tips I
got from the sources I evaluated into each component to make them look as professional as
possible. My primary research (questionnaire) was useful as I tried to take into consideration
everything my audience said they expected from a magazine. My focus group was useful
because I tried to do everything they said was good about the magazine I showed them into
each respective component. In terms of planning, my content plan was useful as I was able
to copy and paste all of the article titles and sublines from that plan and onto a word
document - where they were imported into quark and the contents page. My magazine
sketch was somewhat useful as I used it a couple of times to remind myself of how I roughly
wanted to lay out each component of my magazine. My risk assessment, location recce and
model release for we're all useful as without them I wouldn't have been able to take the
moving pictures for my contents page in double page spread of my interviewee as I wouldn't
have had permission from my interviewee to do so and I wouldn't have being allowed on the
field without the proof of having done any adequate checks (risk assessment and location
recce). My magazine follows the codes and conventions in many ways. In terms of the front
cover, my masthead was the biggest text on the page and gave the magazine an identity
 through certain letters of it being highlighted in a bold gold colour. It has a main image that
fills the majority of the page and has part of the guy's head covering the "n" in Golden and
the "P" and “o” in Point. The guy is also in midshot and is making a direct address towards
the camera. The main cover line, "Wire Fanatic", anchors the meaning of the main image,
which is that the guy in the image is a Warrington Wolves super fan. The positioning
statement, "World class Rugby League news that's straight to the point", gives the magazine
an identity and explains its purpose which is to get the answers from the biggest stories that
no one else is willing to get. There are cover lines around the image but let the audience
know what content is in the magazine. Underneath these cover lines, there are sublines
which describe the cover lines in more detail. Furthermore, these surrounding cover and
sublines all stars at the edges of the page rather than being centred. There is also a barcode
in the bottom right hand corner which states the price of the magazine. In terms of the
contents page, there are 3 distinct columns - with the images taking up one and the articles
and a couple of other images taking up the other 2. There is a title at the top of the page
which states what the page is and is the biggest text on there. There is also a masthead next
to this title which further cements the name of the magazine. Each of the articles on the page
are split up into feature and regular, and there are page numbers next to these articles as
well as the images to let the audience know where each article is in the magazine and what
article each image is illustrating. There are sublines underneath each article title that explain
in more detail what each article is about. Lastly, there is a distinct colour scheme of 2-3
colours - with blue, white and black all being heavily involved. In terms of the double page
spread, there is a headline at the top of the first page which entices the audience into
reading the article. Underneath this, there is a stand first that further entices the audience
into reading. There is a clear and distinctive 3 column layout within the article which makes it
easy to read. On the second page, and partly on the first, there is an image which illustrates
who the article is about. In the middle of the article, there is a pull quote which further entices
the audience into reading. At the start of the article, there is a drop capital which directs the
audience towards the start of the article. In the top right corner of the second page, there is a
folio which states the topic of the magazine. In between the stand first and the article, there
is a byline that outlines who took the photo and who wrote the article. There are page
numbers in the corners of both pages that signify to the audience whereabouts in the
magazine the spread is. And lastly, the article is in a simple font and is split up into
somewhat equal paragraphs that make it easier to read.

If I were to do this again, I would further develop and include the following conventions. For
my front cover, I would make sure to have only 3 colours present instead of 4 to give the
cover a more simplistic look. To take my cover down to 3 colours, I could've gotten rid of the
black banner and replaced it with a gold one. I would have also had the issue information on
the barcode along with the price instead of below the masthead, although some magazines
do sometimes have the issue information below the masthead. In terms of the contents
page, I would put an image of the front cover on there to further cement the main focus of
the issue - and I would make room by either getting rid of the masthead or making it smaller.
I would also put the issue information underneath the title rather than the masthead to make
it look more professional. I would consider putting in an editor's note, but only if I had a
considerable amount of room. In terms of the double page spread, I would make sure I have
a colour scheme of 2-3 colours rather than 4. On my own double page spread, I could've
potentially gotten rid of the yellow in the folio and replaced it with blue with white text to bring
the colour scheme down to 3 colours and still connote Warrington Wolves at the same time. I
 would also split the article up into more equal paragraphs as some are a bit longer than
others. I am somewhat happy with my final magazine. It was good for a first attempt, but I
feel like some of the pages could've stood out more - such as the contents page by adding
more vibrant colours and patterns to it. I believe I did appeal to my target audience, which
was Rugby League fans, by including a large variety of Rugby League content from different
leagues and countries. However, I could've appealed more to female fans of Rugby League
by adding articles about the Women's Super League and the International side of the
Women's game.

I have developed many skills throughout this unit. I've developed my confidence through
using Photoshop less begrudgingly and getting more confident in my ability to use it. I
developed my Quark skills through using it for the first time to make my contents page and
double page spread and getting used to how to utilise its functions to their fullest potential. I
developed my Photoshop skills through using the software the most I have ever done before
and getting used to its functions more by using it more often. I developed my attention to
detail through making sure everything was as detailed as can be in every stage, from making
sure I had analysed every last bit of every front cover, contents page and double page
spread and evaluated every last bit of every secondary research source and focus group
and questionnaire question in my research, making sure I'd mentioned every little bit of
content I was going to include in my magazine for my content plan in my planning and
making sure I'd included as much information as possible from what my interviewee had said
for my article. I've developed my resilience through managing to keep pushing when I was a
week behind schedule and by keeping going whenever I got told there were problems with
my production work. I've developed my adaptability skills through adapting to being told I had
to take my front cover image again and that half of my front cover was wrong when making
my final amendments. I've developed my written communication skills through
communicating all the content I had planned for my magazine in my content plan. I've
developed my problem solving skills through overcoming numerous problems throughout the
unit such as being behind schedule and having to take my moving photos without any rugby
posts whilst still looking like he was training on a rugby pitch. I've developed my analytical
skills through analysing contents pages and double page spreads for the first time and by
analysing front cover more thoroughly than I did in unit 4. I've developed my leadership skills
through leading a focus group for the first time and asking them questions about certain
parts of the magazine they were reviewing. I've developed my evaluative skills by evaluating
sources and audience feedback as in depth as I ever have done before. However, there are
some skills I still need to develop. I still need to develop my time management skills as I fell
way too far behind schedule at times, to the point where it nearly cost me completing the
course. I still need to develop my confidence as, despite developing it by getting more
comfortable using Photoshop, there were times where I wasn't as confident with some of the
stuff I suggested doing, such as the images I suggested taking for my contents page. I still
need to develop my organisational skills as there were times, particularly when doing my
research, where I forgot what work I had to do or what work I had started doing but was yet
to complete - this led to me falling even further behind schedule. I still need to develop my
Photoshop skills further as, despite improving a lot from the last time I used it for my horror
film poster, there were times where I made stupid mistakes which slowed me up and had to
ask for help from peers and my mentor as to how to work certain things or what to do to
create a certain effect from something.
 I've learnt a few things about the process of making a magazine. I've learnt how whenever
you're using Quark to make a contents page or double page spread you have to make sure
all the text is inside the guides in order to make everything look neat and professional and to
make sure everything is seen by the audience. I've learnt that using a drop shadow helps
distinguish lighter next from light backgrounds. I've learnt that on a front cover, most of the
cover lines on the page are lined up parallel to each other. I've learnt that when making a
contents page, it's always best to put the image layouts down before the article titles so that
you know how much space you've got to work with. I’ve learnt how to insert a pull quote by
going into modify and putting the runaround feature on it. I’ve learnt how to put a drop capital
at the start of an article by highlighting the first paragraph, going into formats, ticking the
drop capital box and typing in how far down you want it to go. I’ve learnt how to add a
banner into Quark by creating a 1x1 table, changing the background colour and putting it
onto the page so that it goes behind the text. I’ve learnt how to get rid of hyphenated words
in my article and article sublines by pressing the spacebar at the start of the hyphenated
word until the whole word goes onto the next line. I’ve learnt how to write an article based on
an interview by using a professional one as a guide and laying it out how it was on that so
that it looks as professional as possible. I’ve learnt that the most eye-catching and appealing
images should be some of the biggest on the contents page as I got told in my final
amendments to move one of my better images from a smaller image layout to a bigger one.
However, there are a couple things that I still need to learn. I still need to learn that on a front
cover, text should never go across the face of the person in the main image - this is
something I got told to correct in my rough design feedback. I also still need to learn that the
font of the cover lines should somewhat connote the genre of the magazine, in my rough
design feedback I got told to change the font of all my cover lines to something that connotes
the genre more. I've learnt a couple things about magazines in this production process. I've
learnt that it's unconventional to have 2 images on a double page spread, my mentor
suggested I do this but he later got told that this was very unconventional. I've also learnt
that the most appealing and eye-catching images on a contents page tend to be the biggest
ones - I got told to move one of my better images into a bigger image template by my
mentor. Overall, I think I did decently well for my first attempt at making a magazine - and I
now know what I need to do next year in order to improve on this year's work.