PRELIM EVALUATION

Evaluation:

Did you plan your magazine? If not, what have you learnt about the importance of research and planning?

I did not plan my magazine, although I did look at other magazines to see how they are structured and created. I have learnt that research and planning is vital as it gives you an in-sight on how a magazine is designed and what needs to be featured. Also research and planning allows you to get an idea on how you will make your own e.g. adding text, adding pictures, editing text and pictures. It also allows you take time to make your magazine the best it can be e.g. planning it out and what will make it look good or look bad.

What technology did you use to complete the task and how did you use it?

For this task I used Serif applications: Pageplus x6. Firstly I started with the background, inserting the pictures onto the document and then using Cutout Studio to remove the background of the pictures. This left the background white and able to make the subject of the magazine the main focus. I was then able to use the Artistic text tool to create all text on the page. I used it for the title, cover lines, quotes, price of the magazine, contents page title, page numbers and page information. The tool allowed to me customize the text, changing the colours, highlight and shadow. After creating the title I was able to send the text to the back of the document, allowing the subjects head to be in front of the text. I was then able to use to the shape tool to insert two circles onto the page (red and grey) for me to then add text onto it. I was able to find a barcode online and paste it onto the image, to make it look more realistic.

Did you encounter any difficulties? If so, what were they and how did you overcome them?

It did take a while to edit (shape, size and colour) the text but I was finally able to complete the task. It was also difficult to remove all of the background from the image, as you can still see some of it is still around his head. But I was also able to overcome most of this by taking my time to precisely remove the background of the image.

How successful was your magazine? Please identify what worked well, with hindsight, what would you improve/do differently?

I feel the structure of my magazine was successful, along with the colour scheme e.g. the text and shapes. But I would improve it by being able to edit all of the background off the main image. I also feel I would change the plainness of the magazine; to add more pictures and be more creative. Also maybe change the information about the pages text colour, as some may find it hard to read red on white.

What have you learnt from completing this task? Looking ahead, how will this learning be significant when completing the rest of your foundation coursework, do you think?

I have learnt the basics of creating a magazine e.g. adding pictures and text. Looking head it will be significant as it will allow me to improve on my skills for my foundation coursework. It will also allow me to be more creative and take more risks in order for my foundation coursework to be successful and better than my prelim task.