Previous Students Work Table/Evaluation

Feedback Sheet – Student Work

Name of product	What I thought were the strengths	What I thought were the weaknesses
Amplified	The palette of colours used on the front cover was the same palette of colours for the contents, something that sticks to the magazine conventions. This convention was sort of kept for the double page spread, as it was black and white with colours. The Front Cover: The image was positioned in the correct place; it was cropped and framed correctly too. It had different sizes for the text which was good as it made the text stand out to the reader. The magazine had good magazine talk; informal, short but giving enough information to understand it and pull the reader in. The masthead is a good size, colour and boldness as it stands out quite well in contrast to everything else on the page.  It has essential information in the right places. Contents Page: It looks very structured and organised numerically. It has 3 images, which break up the page, which look professionally done. It has Editors views, which is usually seen in music magazines’ contents pages. It sticks with the colour palette and has an image with different colours, which make it stand out more. It has essential information at the top, which keeps to the conventions. The layout is good as it is separated with lines, boxes and spaces, which made it look good. Double Page Spread: It uses different style of writing to make the pages break up more. It has the title in the middle with a different writing font, style and size. It uses bold text to make it stand out more and to represent the text of the interviewer. It uses strap lines, which is placed in the correct place, which explains the article.  It uses the texts to bring colour to the article.	The Front Cover: The text for the front cover used too many styles of text as it was different styles for nearly every text. The image could have stood out more as it seems everything is on top of it and there is no colour to make it stand out against rest of the front cover. The image is also a bit blurry and out of focus. The masthead didn’t really use straight edged letters, which made the magazine as a whole look unprofessional.  The essential information is a bit too big as it isn’t a really cheap magazine it should really be smaller. Contents Page: The Editors view doesn’t really stand out against the rest of the text as it is the same colour and size as the rest of the page, which doesn’t really break up the page well and for all the contents page has not a lot of text it looks full because of this. There isn’t an image to go with this part of the text which would break the page up more.  The 3rd image doesn’t really fit in with the colour palette so it doesn’t fit with the rest of the images. It doesn’t have a website address so the magazine doesn’t really keep to the conventions. Different colours could be used to break up text and images. Also there is usually a masthead at along with the page number or with the title, however this one doesn’t. Double Page Spread: It doesn’t have pull quotes, something that is used for interviews, which breaks up the pages. It has a caption with information on the clothes that isn’t really used in music magazine that is usually used in fashion magazines. The article doesn’t really have colour, which doesn’t make the article stand out very well or the artist.
Dynamic	The Front Cover: The text used is magazine style talk so it keeps to the magazine conventions. There are images that go with the cover lines. There are different colours which break up the text and article well. There is a bar code at the bottom left which is where it usually is. There is also the date, issue number and masthead together at the top which again goes with the magazine conventions. There is a price in a circle, which make it stand out. The same style is used for the text and there is different sizes used to make it stand out against the other text and page. Contents Page: The colour schemes are kept consistent from cover to contents page. There are images that go with the text, and there is page numbers that tell you where that article could be found in the magazine. Also the language used keeps to what magazines uses.  The same colours for the title are the same colours that are used for the page numbers which go with the images, which makes the images and title stand out even more. There is also a white background used which is what magazines usually use. Double Page Spread: Some of the main colours have been used here from the cover page and contents page. There is also pull quotes used to pull in the reader that they would find interesting. They have also used the colour green for the pull quotes, title (which does use magazine language) and page number which makes it stand out more against the rest of the text. There is also a black box used which breaks up the page and makes it stand out more. There is also a strap line in orange which makes it stand out as there is no other text which has that colour. Also the same colours have been used for the text as well as the image so it makes the text and image stand out against the white background. Usually there is 3 columns per page but this one has two columns per page which is done for double page spreads, however isn’t as common. The article will appeal to the target audience as it is talking about a girl who is ‘Jason Derulo’s protégé’ which will appeal to the audience who like Rihanna as they are in a similar genre of music.	The Front Cover: The image isn’t professionally finished as you can see Photoshop pieces that haven’t been finished well. There is a plain background with flowers on which isn’t really used on magazines which again make it look unprofessional. There are too many colours used on this page so there are too many things going on so you cannot focus on one thing. The website is along the side which isn’t usually used as it doesn’t really stand out against the image. The main image person isn’t wearing smart clothing, which suggests it isn’t really professional. There isn’t really a good layout as seems it is just text underneath each other. Also the main sell-line doesn’t really go with the rest of the text, which doesn’t show consistency. Contents Page: It doesn’t keep to the magazine contents page conventions as it usually has a box or numerical or alphabetical boxes at the left hand side of the text, it then usually has a main article or review which takes up the middle, bottom side of the page. There is usually just one image in the middle of the page or it has many images to go with the coverlines, this has neither. Also the images are Photoshopped, however it lacks a professional finish as it is pixelated and you can see where they need to go around with the brush. There is also too many colours going on as it should just keep to 3-4 colours and the images need to be changed to keep to these colours too. They haven’t really used the same style for the text as this is what they usually do for magazines, so it looks cluttered and unprofessional. Also the boxes aren’t the same colours or the correct sizes as some parts are bigger than the other. The contents aren’t alphabetical or numerical as they should be. Double Page Spread: The images haven’t got a clean, professional, Photoshop finish, which makes magazine look an imitation of the real thing rather than a real magazine. There are also different styles of text used, which may make it stand out more, but again makes it look unprofessional. There are no drop capitals which would break up the page more. Also in double page spreads there, may be more than one image with the same clothes on however, it usually takes up a whole page so the rest of the other page is text. There also isn’t a dominant image which conveys the subject of the article, there is just 3 of the same size, same colour image, just with different positions. The box which frames the text on the first page is overlapping with the text.
Mash	The Front Cover: There is a very limited colour palette used, and the colours are bold which will make this magazine stand out against the others. The image is the right size for the page as it frames the image in the right places and the eyes are looking you straight into the reader and just at the right height too. The same text is used for the masthead and for some of the text, which is good as it makes both the pieces of text stand out and the rest of the text stand out more because of it. The masthead is also different to any other magazine I have seen which makes it unique and stand out against the rest of the magazines. Most of the text is eye level which will make the reader pay attention and pull the reader to the sell lines and the magazine itself. Also when the magazine are on the shelf you will be able to see all the sell lines as well as the image of ‘Scarlett Reeves’, which will draw the reader in more. The essential information is in the correct place. ‘Scarlett Reeves’ is looking directly at the camera which suggests confidence in herself and may aspire the reader to find out more about her, as a shy, looking away image may suggest no self-confidence which may not inspire the reader to get it. The contents page had a clear, light background which fits in with the magazine conventions. The masthead is good as it spread out, in the correct place and stands out against the rest of the text and main image. Contents Page: There are page numbers which go along with the articles which you would find in the magazine. There is also images which go with the articles which have the page numbers along with them so you know which article goes with each image. Also there are different colours used to make each bit of text stand out against the rest. Double Page Spread: There is a main image which takes up the right hand side of the page which represents what the article is about. Also there is pull quotes which will pull in the reader to want to read the whole article because of that quote being pulled. There is also the same colour palette used and the way that it is used makes the page break up and not looked cluttered, which some students’ magazines have done. Also for the double page spread there is usually an interview taking place with the magazine and the main articles person. The text is the same colour and style as the questions and title, which is good as this is what they do in magazine double page spreads. Also the questions are short and the answers are long, something that is usually done in interviews as the reader want to know more about the person in the article than the interviewer.	The Front Cover: The style of her cardigan may take away the reader’s attention from her to her clothing so it may imply that it is a clothing magazine, when the text implies it is a music magazine. You can tell it has been Photoshopped, as you can see some lines in her hair, which makes it look unprofessional. The masthead doesn’t really suggest a music magazine as it is called MASH, which implies it is a food magazine and it doesn’t have a words underneath which tells you what it stands for. The sell lines are usually more spread out, rather than all at the top, below the masthead. The masthead is usually all the same colour, however this one has black and yellow outline, which looks pixelated in places. The issue number should really be at the top along with the masthead. Also the text has different styles, colours and sizes which in some parts look good but there is too much Varity which make it look unprofessional.  Contents Page: All the images are pixelated and badly Photoshopped, and some have backgrounds to them and others have been Photoshopped out. The contents page doesn’t really stick to a consistent colour palette like other students have done as it will make the magazine have a consistent professional finish. The background is usually just white background which again males it look clean and tidy and professional. There also seems to be no layout which makes as though there is no structure and no real aim. The text is also inconsistent as some of the text is skinny, others are fat, some are white and some are brown and it makes it look unprofessional. There isn’t a main article or subscription article which is usually used in magazine contents pages. Double Page Spread: The image is of poor quality and standard of finish and it doesn’t take up all of the right hand or left hand side of the screen as that is what they do usually in music magazines. Also the text colours don’t go with the colour palette of the magazine as a whole or the page. They have also used the same girl for 3 of the images which makes it consistent but when they are wearing the same thing it lacks a professional finish.
The BOOTH	The Front Cover: The masthead is in the correct place. It is the correct size and has the essential information below it how it should be. The same style of text is used for both the main sell-line and masthead stand out more. There is a very limited colour palette, which has connotations of it being for a teenager and older audience and it also looks more professional. There is also a red strip used at the bottom of the page which entices the reader to want to buy the magazine for the stuff that is inside. There is a plain, white background used which is what magazine front covers usually do. The language that is used suits the magazine genre and type. Contents Page: The same palette of colours have been used throughout the magazine which gives it a clean finish. They have put strips of red which they have repeated through from the front cover (house style of the magazine). They have also used different sizes of text which makes the page break up even more. There is also titles which separate the page out again. They have also used page numbers to go alongside the articles that use the right style of language for a magazine. There are also images used to show who is going to be in which article with the page number overlapping it. Double Page Spread: There is a pull quote which goes along well with the image. The main image takes up the whole of the second page which is how the layout should be. The same palettes of colour have been used throughout so it must be the chosen house style for this magazine. The title stands out and is in the correct place. There is a drop capital used at the beginning of the text, which is where it should be. There are 3 columns on the page which is how it should be. There is a dominant image which conveys the subject of the article. There is a strap line which is used correctly, which explains the teaser on the front cover and draws the target audience in.	The Front Cover: They have used a pull quote for the main sell-line which works however magazines usually just has a short sentence to entice the reader. The price is usually with the bar code but can also be with the essential information but because of the high price it shouldn’t be so close to the masthead or be in red as it makes it stand out. For all it sticks to a limited colour palette it looks too plain as nothing stands out and grabs my attention as apart from the masthead which may mean that the is what is enticing the reader. The main image is badly Photoshopped as you can see some of the lines that need to be touched up more cleanly and some of the image is blurry. Contents Page: The images don’t keep in with the colour palette, some of the images are too out of focus so you can’t see who is in the image and one of them has read eyes and there is wallpaper in the background which makes it look amateur. It could have out the masthead alongside the contents page title and could have put the page numbers and masthead at the bottom, right hand side of the page. Some of the text is too light so you can’t make out some of the phrases. There is also a part for specials which really should be on the front page so it entices the reader and in its place should be an article or subscription to the magazine as it is shown on the front cover that the masthead is what brings in the target audience. Double Page Spread: You can see too much on the surroundings for you to focus your attention on the person in the image which should really be blurred out to avoid this from happening. The title doesn’t keep to the style of the text making it look unprofessional. There is too much text on the first page which will put off readers and not entice them to want to read it. The text is also all black which make it look overcrowded with text and put the reader off wanting to read it.
Twenty One	The Front Cover: The main image has very good detail and done at a very high standard which the previous magazines lacked. The magazine has kept to bold colours and text which makes each individual piece of text stand out. The masthead and the essential is in the correct place and the right size as it is a reasonable cheap magazine the price should be displayed big, if not in a big bubble, however this seems to be a more sophisticated magazine it has been done perfectly. They have used the same style of text for the masthead and main sell line which make them both stand out more against the rest of the front page. Contents Page: The title is also the same style and about the same size of the masthead on the front cover which brings the whole magazine together (house style). The first image looks professionally done and keeps in with the sophisticated impression of the magazine. It has a subtitle which reads ‘Inside This Week’, it is good as this is what is sometimes in real music magazines. There are also different articles which teases the audience of what will be in the magazine, which has page numbers accompanying it which is numerical which makes it look smarter. Also the numbers are in pink which make it stand out and breaks up the page as well as ‘Sapphire’s’, and ‘Kate Myers’ which is also in pink. They have used a white background which they usually use in real music magazines which make it look more like a real magazine. Also there is a page number at the bottom of the screen which some of the students forgot to add in. Double Page Spread: There is a grey background which makes the double page spread look less bare and more bold and full without making it look overly cluttered. They have also used pull quotes in pink and at the top which draws the reader into the text. They have also used the bold tool to break up the page and to let the audience know who is talking which is what they use in real magazines. They have also used strapline which explains the teaser at the top, which is sometimes used in the magazine industry. They have also used a kicker at the top left saying ‘TwentyOne interview with Sapphire’, which is used correctly and efficiently. On the right side of the double page spread there is large image which takes up the whole of the page which is good as this is what they do in real magazines. Also the images go with the text beside it (pull quote) which is what magazines usually do. Also there are only 3 columns of text on the left hand side of the page which is what magazines usually use as it is just the right amount of text for the magazine to look good and enticing enough for the audience to want to read it. Also there is another image which goes with the image.	The Front Cover: There is too much of the surroundings in the shot, especially for a front cover image it should just be the person in the image so they can stand out more and entice the reader to buy it. Also with the main sell line it usually has the name of the person alongside it and in this one it doesn’t. It also doesn’t have any names on any of the other sell lines which wouldn’t pull the reader in to want to buy the magazine for the articles inside as they don’t know what is inside and that is the whole purpose of a front cover; to entice the reader to buy the magazine. Also for all the image is great in detail and quality the person has red eyes and her skin colour changes which should have been changed to make it look more professional. Also there is too many styles of text which make it look unprofessional and not like a proper magazine as they would have the same style of text and just change the size of text to make each piece of text stand out on its own. Also the bar code usually has numbers underneath the bars as this is what a bar code is meant to look like to scan the magazine in, not have the masthead with it. Also with magazines in general they usually have images which go with the main sell line like on the front cover of ‘Q’ magazine there is an image of Adele with windswept hair and the main sell line which accompanies it says ‘IF YOU’VE GOT IT FLAUNT IT ADELE BLOWS US AWAY’. Also the text is usually in upper case rather than lower case. Contents Page: The title should really be in only straight line rather on 3 different lines as a title should be right at the top of the page telling you what the page is about rather than being squashed because of the image next to it.  Also they sometimes have a masthead accompanying the title which reminds the audience which magazine it is. The other two images look unprofessional and don’t carry off the sophisticated image as the other image does. At the bottom the bottom right hand side of the page there is sometimes a small masthead of the magazine that goes with the page number which reminds the audience which magazine it is. Also the images are too square, they usually blend in with the background neatly but on this contents page it looks like amateur work. Double Page Spread: There is no drop capital which is usually used to make sure the reader knows where the article starts. Also it is good that they have page numbers at the bottom in the correct place, however the page numbers are usually all the same colour to show continuity and fluidity. For all they have used images the image on the left doesn’t really go with the text surrounding it and it doesn’t seem to be the same style of image as the other one. Also the main image looks too much like the main image on the front cover which may make it have fluidity but it looks as too similar. There may be only a few colours that do go together like the grey and white but then there is the brown and green which clash with the rest of the double page spread.

What I have learned from looking at student work:

From looking through the students work I have found that I need you need to have a detailed page with text that inspires the reader to want to read the article which doesn’t give too much that they don’t have to read only some of the article to find interesting information. I have also found that you need to keep to a small colour palette and that that colour palette needs to match well and not be used excessively or in the wrong places. I have also learnt that you need to have a good camera focus, with people who look as though they could be in a magazine so that it looks professional and more believable. In doing this I have also learnt that you need images to go with sell lines, cover lines and any other piece of text that is used for the magazine and vice versa. I also need to add in Masthead logos in the correct places (next to contents page title, contents page numbers at the bottom of the page etc.) I have also learnt to keep the text simple but to have a style which suggests that it from a music magazine and that the language used in the text is suited to the target audience and the magazine. I have also found that you need to have the correct masthead; you can’t have a name for a magazine that doesn’t suit the magazine genre, you need to have it the correct size, style, font and it all needs to correlate to the magazine and the expectations of what you as the produces want it to be and the people as an audience want it to be.

How I will use this new knowledge to help me create my own product:

I will use this knowledge that I have learnt doing this task to help me create my own product by making sure that the text I use correlates with the magazine conventions which means it needs to have the right font, style, colour, size, layout, amount and the correct language style to suit the target audience. I will also use different clothing for my people in the image so that it doesn’t clash with the magazine colour scheme, it looks professional and makes the magazine flow. I will also want the people in my images for my magazine to have the facial expression and body language which suit the magazines’ image that it looks professional and goes with the text. I will also have the correct layout so that it looks like a magazine, it doesn’t look too squashed or empty and so it looks professional.