The main thing I improved on during the making of my magazine is the use of the software we used to make it. At first Photoshop was one of the most complicated softwares I have ever come across but then as I started to get used to it. The tools on Photoshop were perfect for creating a magazine as it allows you to work on the smallest detail on the magazine for example the 'spot healing tool' to cropping out a huge image with the 'magnetic lasso'. It took time to get used to the software and was quite a long task to make the magazine and get it right but it allowed to me make the magazine how it I wanted it. At first, I was not even able to crop out a image properly (as you can tell by the front cover on the prelim) but as I used the software I got used to it and it allowed me to perfectly crop out images, which you cannot even tell have been cropped from another background. In comparison to my prelim, my final magazine looks much more professional and has the effects on it that a normal magazine would have and I could picture it being on a shelf in the shops. My prelim was very minor, it looked tacky and looked as if it was made at school by a child. If there was a task to be done in which I had to use Photoshop, I'd be more than happy to do it, whereas when I first used it I was getting upset that it was a rubbish programme and so hard to use- but now I can manage it with ease.
At first, I knew what magazines looked like but I never thought I would have to design on but when I did, I thought i've got a good idea on what to do. When it came to making it, i stared at a blank screen because I had no idea. But as the course went on, I looked at a range of different magazines and analysed them carefully to get to know all the features used on it. After I had done my research and planning, I had a very clear idea on what I can include on my magazine and how to make it look professional aswell as stand out from the other magazines. I learnt different things about magazine, for example the reader always looks in the top left corner when the look at a page or the F and Z models on magazines and so I tried to adapt this onto mine as it would give it that professional touch. I also learnt how these convetions will appeal to my target audience. An example of this would be how I used a big mid shot image of my artist on the front cover so it catches the eye of the audience and the costume he is wearing will allow the audience to recognise that it is a magazine of their favourite genre and it will encourage them to want to buy the magazine. As you can tell from my front cover, I still used a big image of a person on it however, I didnt look at the way I was taking the image, the costume he was wearing or the pose he did. However, then on my final front cover, I really concentrated on these convetions and allowed my artist to put forward that image I wanted people to see him as which is rich, has attitude and likes to show off. Although, some points from my Prelim I did keep the same which are the big image and little text on the front cover; I had an idea of this when I started my Prelim because I have a magazine at home which I like the look off and tried to copy.
Finally, the colour scheme on my final magazine is much more creative and links to the genre better. On the prelim, I stuck to basic colours on the front cover but on my contents I tried to play around with colours and try and make it look more interesting. However, looking back at it now it did not work and it just looks a mess with no target audience, genre or a decent layout. For the final magazine, I stuck to a straight colour pallette which links to the genre of my magazine.
As a whole, I learnt a lot from this experience and gained new skills which will enable me to use new softwares more efficiently instead of sticking to the same old Powerpoints etc. Softwares like Photoshop, Scribd and Prezi have been useful during the making of my magazine. The final magazine, suits the standard and genre I wanted it to be and brings across the correct personality I wanted my artist to represent. The magazine can fit into a gap in the target market and relates to the genre very well.
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