Preliminary - Evaluation

For my preliminary task my job was to create a front cover for a school/college magazine and a DTP mock up of a contents page. To create my designs I used Adobe Photoshop, I struggled with getting to grips with the layers on this software to begin with but after I had taken my photos I began to get used to the tools and by the end of the task I knew how to use the basics of the programme.

Personally think that I used the software well to create my magazine, my final magazine cover and mock-up follow the basic codes and conventions of school/college magazine, the name runs along the top of the magazine, I also tried to use very subtle and calm colours so that I didn’t overwhelm the page, I used a medium close up as was asked in the brief but also used other images so the reader had more to focus on, and the colour scheme remained consistent throughout my cover and my contents mock-up. I think my time management during my preliminary task was also very good; I took my photos for my magazine early on so that I had time to play around with them and make sure I was completely happy with where they were placed, and I set out to spend two lessons on my cover and one on my contents, which I ended up doing in just two lessons.

I believe there were a few areas for improvement in my preliminary task, I did follow most of the typical codes and conventions for a magazine however it lacked a few, for example, a barcode or price in the corner, or a website name at the bottom of them page, and although I really like my final colour scheme I think it was very sophisticated and subtle I think for a typical comprehensive school I maybe should have used some more bright and basic preliminary colours. After doing my preliminary I am now confidant on the basic tools of Adobe Photoshop and to improve on my main task would like to learn and use more adventurous techniques. Perhaps my contents page also deserved a little more work as there was not anything very eye-catching on the page because it was a very basic layout.

I think I have benefited a lot form my preliminary task I have a better understanding of Photoshop and photography, and have had my first taste of practical media work. I also have a better concept of what a magazine needs, and the codes and conventions and how certain techniques can be used to make magazines look appealing, which will greatly benefit me for my main task.