Evaluation- 6. The use of technologies in constructing my product

The initial stage of producing my magazine consisted of a very rough and basic set of hand drawn plans. By doing it in hand, I could quickly put down ideas without wasting time using complicated programs.

Then I used QuarkXPress to replicate this draft on the computer. As this software is at a professional level, it allowed me to see the capabilities and limitations of the program. As we were required to use a desktop publishing tool, I would need to have a practise in the program.

Taking the pictures was eased with the use of a digital SLR camera. By taking a laptop to the shoot, it allowed me to transfer any photos over immediately, so I could see them clearly, as well as make more space on the memory card. This would not have been possible without a digital camera. It was also speeded up as I could instantly move the photos into editing software.

Downloading new fonts from the internet allowed me to use more variety, as well as find a more suitable font.

I used Photoshop for basic picture manipulation, such as feathering the two main pictures on the front cover, as well as smudging the border of the large picture on the double page spread.

I also used Photoshop to make backgrounds. Although I was unable to make these originally, by using various tutorials on the internet, I learned. Also, I would be unable to replicate this effect on lower tier editing programs, so Photoshop has been a real asset.

Blogging each individual objective I did helped me both keep track of where I currently was, and also allowed me to quickly re-read over it. By posting regularly, it allowed me to keep tabs on various links for useful information, such as Photoshop tutorials.

By blogging my project, it allowed me to present my research in a convenient and accessible way. Each post could instantly be linked to using the blog archive. Also, as it is automatically dated, it is ordered in a chronological way.

The internet has been invaluable for research. Google was useful for instantly getting images of magazines for ideas, as well as for putting them into my blog without buying and scanning magazines. Posting various drafts on Facebook also allowed me to get instant feedback with my target audience.

The use of technology has allowed me to use image manipulation programs such as Photoshop to select only parts of a picture to discuss them in further detail. By using a video editing program such as Sony Vegas Pro 8.0 has also allowed me to produce a video showing my final audience research in a different way.

Technology both speeded up the production, as well as create a more professional looking end product. However, technical difficulties at my College such as the College network being down for several days led to delays restarted progress after half term. Although it has its failings, and requires some experience, the use of technology is an obvious necessity in this day of age for media production.