Question 7

Question 7

What skills I have developed between tasks

In media, it is crucial that use a variety of skills to produce and present your work. These skills can be used through programmes such as InDesign, Prezzi and Slideshare. Here are skills that i have learnt in using new software and IT skills.

displaying information in a certain pattern which works with animation. Prezi is an animated presentation programme which requires knowledge and skill on the concept of animation and controlling the pattern it flows. This links to another skill i have aquired which is chronological organisation of my ideas and information. This means ordering slides in a way which flows in order of time; preventing the reader and audience becoming confused on what was written when. This is easily done on Prezi as you can simply drag the slides you want into what gaps to play in a certain order. It can't get much simpler to operate Prezi

Skills which i have learnt in using slideshare are technoligical

The skills I have personally learnt in media have been applied to producing a piece of course work that I’m proud of. For example, I have learnt how to create detailed flatplans of double page spread, contents page and the front cover. I have also learnt how to compare and analyse different conventions of magazines; comparing their features and applying some to my own music magazine. One other key skill is putting together and producing the actual magazine itself. Media covers a range of key skills which, if you master them, will get you the grade you need.

The preliminary task was to create a magazine regarding all the elements of a typical student. The skills I used in the task at the beginning of the year were basic compared to the ones I use now. As I had never used the editing programme before, it was hard to produce a student magazine that looked professional. On the other hand, everyone else was in the same position which eased the tension slightly. The main skills that had to be included in the prelimary task were mainly design skills as there was little research and evaluative writing to it. The designing and construction was on InDesgin; we had to put together a front cover that represented the right age group, and enticing the reader using the conventional methods we had been taught in lessons such as:  including puffs an plugs, a vibrant left third column and a bold, attractive masthead. Overall, the preliminary task was difficult as we had to apply techniques as we were learning them.

When comparing the skills I have learnt from the preliminary task to the skills used when creating the music magazine, you can see the difference in quality and structure. This is because I was able to advance the skills that I have learnt in the preliminary task further to create a better quality magazine as part of my coursework. One of the skills that I have advanced is the ability to create a better quality layout and structure to the front cover. I have used key features which we learnt in class such as the left third and mast heads to make the magazine look more professional. Some specific skills that I have learnt is how to find a 'path' which is used to make text write around the edge of a shape. This was useful in adding information in a tight area that limited space. Another skill that i have learnt is how to insert a 'drop capital'. These are mainly used for enlarging the first letter of a double page spread. Not only have i learnt how to insert one but i have also learnt how to change the colour and swatch of the drop capital so it fits in with my colour scheme. Also, I got inspiration from other, existing music magazine to see how the experts structured the contents of the front cover, double page spread and contents page. In the main task, there was a lot more research and planning when compared to the preliminary task. The main task expected you to research the genre you wanted to make, why it would sell and weather the magazine you will create will be popular. Also, there had to be comparisons of existing front covers, double page spreads and contents pages to dissect features that you plan you plan to include in your magazine. After you have completed the comparison and analysis, it is crucial that you create flat plans and drafts of each section of the magazine; these can be done on InDesign, however, I used WordDoc as is had more of a basic platform to work on. All that needed to be done was create a page layout of the section you were creating and locate were the features are on the page. For example, to show where the left third is, you only need a box to highlight the area you wish to use. This is why it was easier to use a basic program that I personally had experience of rather than a complex program to do a complicated job. So, there are many skills you have to learn when creating the magazine, much like the ones you would have to learn in real life if you were to produce a magazine. 

To conclude, the preliminary task was based on creative skills; introducing us to the software and challenging us to what we could create. The main task included a lot more planning and research which we had to use a range of skills for, such as analysis and the consumption of research. Also the create skills in the main task we slightly advanced as we had practiced them in the preliminary task. These skills include the 'path finder' skill and the 'drop capital' skill. Here are two images below, one of the preliminary task front cover ‘student.’ And the main task front covers ‘Good Vibes’ as you can see, the skills I have learnt have improved from one to the other.