Final Evaluation

http://prezi.com/yretwowmcsgd/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Evaluation Draft: Question Four

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Various different media technologies were used in my research process in order to display the information in which I had discovered. I have used different sites in order to present my work in effective and dynamic ways. I have used Prezi during this process as I need a way in which I could present a large group of information separately but grouped together under the same title. I chose to use Prezi as I felt that I could achieve this using the technology. I was able to present the information clearly and make it easy for others to understand my work and navigate through the different sections of analysis with ease. I used similar sites, such as PowToon for the same reasons. I believe that this worked well as I achieve what I was aiming for.

When creating my actual magazine pages, I wanted to make my work seem as authentic as possible so I aimed to create the highest quality images as possible to present in my project. I used a Nikon D3100 DSLR camera to take all of my original images. This allowed to me to create the desired effect. I went on to use Photoshop to edit my images before inserting them into my work. This allowed me to push my images even further.

Evaluation Draft: Question Three

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

The feedback towards my final edits was positive as most liked the way in which my worked looked, as well as the subjects within the project. Most believed that the articles and content of the magazine was suitable for the genre of the magazine and the theme created through fonts, colours and images supported the magazine and the ancillary texts well. While most of the feedback was positive, there were still improvements pointed out by my audience. Some believed that the colour scheme used in my work was too dark and didn’t portray the right atmosphere. Others also pointed out that my magazine seem too up-market and would put off a large amount of readers. From my audience feedback, I have learned that even if I follow conventions and create my work in my highest possible standard, it will never appeal to everyone. Although some feedback was slighting negative and critical, I believe that my work appeals to the majority of my audience.

Evaluation Draft: Question Two

 How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

When carrying out the initial stages of making my magazine, I looked into how I could make links between my magazine pages and the ancillary texts in which support them. I researched into how other, existing magazines achieved this in order to give myself ideas on how I could create the links within my own work. I looked at how various different aspects could create the links, including fonts, colours, images and layout. From the beginning, I planned to have a set theme that would run throughout my work made up of these features. I have used various different fonts within my work but the font styles used have been carried through and used on both my magazine pages and ancillary texts. During my planning process, I also stated that I would use a colour scheme within my work that reflects the magazines content. I planned to use earthy colours such as greens, browns and blue’s in order to support the subjects of my pages. Throughout my magazine, all of my original images have been used, these also feature on both of my ancillary texts. I also had a main set of images that support my main article that are the focus in all of my works. I believe that this has helped me massively when creating links between my main body of work and my ancillary texts as it clearly shows that the ancillary’s are related to the magazine. All of this has added together to create my theme. I believe that this has allowed me to create clear and strong links within my work.  The strong theme is also effective as it creates great aesthetics and draws in readers.

Evaluation Draft: Question One

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

During my research process, I looked at the common conventions found within regional magazines. I went on to look at existing magazines and how they use or manipulate the common conventions in their existing products. I gained ideas and inspiration from this process and incorporated these into my own work. I also looked into general conventions found in all magazines, these include features such as barcodes, release date, issue number and price. All of these feature on my work. I wanted to include these in order to my magazine seem as authentic as possible and replicate existing products. When creating my ancillary texts, I carried out the same process. I looked at conventions of both magazines and websites and went on to display examples of both on my blog. I used these as a guide for creating my own products. I feel as if both ancillary texts reflect existing products and are close to authentic websites and billboards.

Final Edit - Ancillary Texts

Billboard Advertisement

Hyper-linked Webpages

http://nottinghamshirelife.weebly.com/

Final Edit - Magazine Pages

Construction Lesson Ten

Dradt Edit - audience feedback

Draft Edit: Ancillary Texts

Construction: Lesson Nine - 19/10/15

Draft Edit - Magazine Pages - Audience Feedback

Draft Edit - Magazine Pages

Construction: Lesson Eight - 09/10/15

Construction: Lesson Seven - 07/10/15

Construction: Lesson Six - 05/10/15

After recognising the adjustments needed for my work, I began making the changes on my project. During this lesson, I have added my new title to the front cover in my chosen I adjusted the sizing and positing of the title until I was satisfied with the overall look. After, I continued with the rest of the page adding various different features such as the bar code and price. I have also added the subheading and description of my main article to the bottom left of my main image. I don't feel entirely happy with the positioning and overall look of the way the main article title and description has been set out so this is something in which I will ask about to improve when I come to get feedback from my audience.

Improved Article Plan - 10 Walks in 10 Weeks: Wollaton Hall and Park

Main Article Plan – Nottingham’s Best Dog Walk – Wollaton Hall and Park

Over the past ten weeks, we've been looking at the best dog walks within Nottinghamshire. Each issue we have displayed and discussed the different selected walks one by one, counting down to this week’s number one, Wollaton Hall and Park.

Wollaton Park has been chosen to feature at number one in our list of Nottingham’s best dog walks due to the tranquil settings, rambling pathways and wide open spaces. Wollaton Hall stands on a natural hill within 500 acres of gardens and parkland, just three miles from Nottingham’s city centre. The hall itself was designed by Robert Smythson and built by Sir Francis Willoughby between 1580 and 1588 for his family. Now a prominent Grade One listed building, the stunning Hall houses the city's Natural History Museum along with reconstructed room settings. Wollaton Hall was also used as the setting for Wayne Manor in the recent Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises.

Wollaton Park has much to offer for the whole family, but most importantly, our furry friends that love a Sunday stroll. There’s plenty of new smells and sniffs to discover within the park while exploring the mass of lush, green acres. Whether you’re looking for a day out or just a brisk walk, Wollaton Park is ideal. The main pathways run throughout the park and are all signposted as well as supported with maps of the park. Your walks length will all depend on which paths you choose and how far you venture, but both you and the dog will be sure to enjoy the stroll. The park supports the exercising of dogs and waste bins and water bowls can be found at various points around the park, however, the park is home to herds of red and fallow deer so periods of time within the year may be unsuitable to exercise your dog. If you’re planning a trip to the park, make sure to check any recent notices to do with dog walking from the park before visiting. The park and grounds are cleaned and monitored regulary so you can rest assured that you’re walking your pet in a safe enviroment.

Wollaton Hall and Park is not only a great walk for the dog, it’s a great day out for the family too.Not only is the Hall home to the Natural History Museum, the grounds and other out buildings are home to even more surprises. The site also contains the Industrial Museum, a collection of textile, transport and communications technology all from Nottingham’s past. There is also a Steam Engine house and Yard gallery all open to the public. These attractions are all supported by the site’s gift shop, play park and cafe.

All of us here believe that Wollaton Hall and Park is Nottingham’s biggest and best attraction for dog walkers. There’s just so much the site has to offer! We hope you all agree. Happy Walking!

Construction: Lesson Five - 02/10/15

At this point during the production process, I have adjusted the my magazine in various different ways as I felt it needed improving. I have changed the title of my magazine as I believe that the original title 'Country Life' doesn't quite fit my brief of a regional magazine. I have decided to rename my magazine as 'Nottinghamshire Life' as I believe this title clearly shows that my magazine belongs within the regional genre. As I have focused my magazine on one area now, I have also had to change the content of my main article. Instead of focusing on dog walks all around the countryside, I have decided to dedicate the article to one dog walk within Nottinghamshire. The article will be the last in a series to feature in the magazine as I plan to set it out as a countdown over ten weeks, each week, looking at one new dog walk within Nottingham in order to reach the number one spot. I believe that making these changes will improve my work dramatically as it fits the brief better as it reflects a regional magazine much more clearly.

During this lesson I carried on with the construction of my contents page. I continued adjusting the spacing. I also began making the important changes to my magazine. I have begun re-writing my main article, this time about Nottinghamshire's best dog walk.

Construction: Lesson Four - 30/09/15

 I am still unable to add my selected font to my magazine. I have carried on the construction of my magazine this week by adding and adjusting my text. I have began looking into how I am able to change the main article description but still haven't decided on a way forward. I also began the construction of my contents page during this lesson. I have sorted out the sizing of the page and began adding in shapes in order to map out where things will be placed upon the page.

Construction: Lesson Three - 28/09/2015

During today's lesson I carried on with the construciton on my magazines front cover. Last lesson I began adding various different titles and small details to the page. I have continued with this during todays class time and have manage to add the main article title to the page alongside the description.I ran into issues when adding the descriptive text onto the page as the writting was hard to read against the background image. I began to experiment with different colours, fonts and sizes but the writing was still very difficult to see. I then decided to add a shape behind the writing in order to make it more clear. This is something in which I did not wish to include on my page and I will look further into how I can chnage this and improve the look of my front cover.

Construction: Lesson Two - 25/09/15

To continue the construction of my magazine, I carried on with putting together my front cover. I am still having issues with adding my chosen font to the pages but again, I hope this issue will be resolved soon and not continue to disrupt the making of my magazine. I began this lesson adding different aspects and titles to my page as seen in the screen shots above. I began by sizing the different shapes that feature on the page and placing them in the correct areas. I went on to edit the shapes by changing the opacity in order to gain my desired effect. I have begun to add text and subtitles to my page, remembering to think about different fonts, sizing and colours. I also began thinking about smaller details that could be added to my front cover during this lesson in order to make my work seem more authentic. I went on to add a published date and issue number underneath my heading. I may change the positioning of these features at a later date depending on how my construction continues.