1. AS MEDIA STUDIES
FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO
RESEARCH & PLANNING
CENTRE NO: 11049
ST FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE

2. My name is:
Thamina Begum
Candidate No:
2155

3. Preliminary Project – Research & Planning
• How did you think about target audience?
As I made a college front cover and contents page for a magazine aimed at college
students, it actually states that my target audience is college students. College students
vary from ages 16 -19, of both genders.
• How did awareness of that audience impact upon your visual
design and choice of language?
Awareness of my target audience influences and has a lot of impact on my visual design
and choice of language. This is because it has to be in a particular style and fonts for a
college student to actually be interested in it and pick it up. It has to include quite a lot
of factors and be eye catching, as well as having something relevant for a college
student to relate to. Their interests and hobbies.
• What key points did you learn about Adobe Photoshop and
InDesign in constructing your artefacts?
I learned that when inserting a picture in InDesign you have to Place the picture and not
open it or anything like you do in Photoshop. I also learned that you have to save a
picture properly in Photoshop for you to be able to insert it into InDesign.

4. Preliminary Project
College Cover College Contents

5. Reflections & Feedback
• What would you do differently next time?
Next time I would include more images and improve on my layout as I don’t think it was as
good as it could’ve been. Also my magazine cover doesn’t look as appealing to me, and I feel
that I it doesn’t look as appealing to college students as it may be lacking a few factors.
• What kind of feedback did you get that might influence you?
The feedback that I received a B on my magazine front cover made me want to achieve a
higher grade, and since I couldn’t redraft it I had to make sure my contents page was better.
I hope that I done better in my contents page and receive more than a B. Also I asked my
class mates sitting next to me when I was not sure something looked right, that helped me
and boosted my confidence and helped me get more of an idea of what I wanted to achieve
from the piece.
• What aspects of your understanding of Adobe Photoshop & InDesign
do you need to improve?
In adobe Photoshop I need to improve on my cropping and feathering the images as I don't
think I have done that very well. Also in InDesign I need to improve a lot and learn how to
use it better and get used to the software as it is new to me. I just need a little bit more
practise.

6. The music genre of my music magazine is:
Genre: Bhangra
My Chosen title is “Amplified” because I wanted to use a
westernised name to target a wider audience and also
Amplified is related to Bhangra. Amplified means increased,
and the name has a lot of depth behind it. It is interesting
and simple therefore it would make a really effective
Bhangra music magazine title.

7. So I researched this genre of music publication
and studied:
Model 1 Model 2

8. What I learned from this was…..
Cover Design Cover Lines
From the magazine cover designs I From the front covers I’ve noticed
have seen they have a very the cover lines are simple and
appealing cover image which takes effective. They are on point and
up about ¾ of the magazine. Also attract the target audience. The
the cover image relates to the cover lines need to promote the
magazine genre. Also the image content of the magazine and be able
needs to be a mid shot. Both cover to impress and persuade the reader
designs have inspired me as they to want to purchase it. This inspired
contain attractive layouts and me to present my cover lines
colour schemes. Black, White and similarly. Also I’ve learned that
red seems to be a very popular referencing artists within cover lines
colour scheme therefore I decided will attract the audience. Including
to use it. The Masthead needs to interviews and “exclusive”, “sneak
be bold and bigger than the rest of Peaks” and other words or phrases
the text on the magazine, this will also helps boost up cover lines. To
enable it to stand out and catch the make the cover lines more eye
readers eye. catching, I use a selection of colours
(within my colour scheme).

9. For my music magazine….
• Target Audience:
My target audience is south Asian people aged from 15-30. My
magazine is aimed at both male and females. Here is a picture of a
possible target audience.
• Frequency:
My magazine will be distributed monthly.
• Cover price:
My cover price is £3.99 as it is a monthly magazine and will be thick editions,
and fun packed with Bhangra music and artists, and much more.
• Publisher:
My magazine will be published by IPC media as I believe my magazine links
to the type of magazines IPC media distribute.
• Unique Selling Point:
I reference a lot of artists within my front cover to attract my audience. Also I
use phrases like “Exclusive” and “Sneak a Peak” to draw in my readers.

10. This is the face of the magazine
Front cover This is how it works….
My bhangra music magazine cover has
all the elements to a real magazine
cover. It contain a masthead, which is
big and bold, and stands out,
underneath it I have my selling line. My
date line and edition details are also
apparent within my cover. Also it
includes main cover lines, cover lines,
and a left third. The price is visible
above the barcode. Most importantly the
main image of my magazine is placed
so that it takes up more than ¾ of the
page. The image is a girl in a saree, this
links to my magazine theme and
compliments my magazine well. Above
all, I have included a Top and bottom
strip to aid my readers and provide them
with more information on the content of
my magazine. It also helps promote my
magazine.

11. Here are the 4 original photographs I
shot for the project……
1 2
3 4

12. I modified each photograph; here is
the original next to the final version:
Raw 1 Final 1
Here is how I changed the photograph and why…
My original image (Raw 1) was changed to my final piece as I cleared the background
and replaced the original image background with a simple black background to help
make the girl in the image more clear and noticeable. I took out all the excess
background. I used adobe Photoshop CS3 to edit my image within which I used
polygonal Lasso Tool. I changed my original photograph because I wanted my image to
look professional and similar to other magazine images which do not have excess
background.

13. And the second one:
Raw 2 How & why I Final 2
changed the
photograph
I changed this image
firstly by rotating the it to
make the model stand in
a straight pose rather
than the slanted raggedy
pose, which I didn’t think
was professional and
appealing enough. Secondly, I enlarged the image. I used adobe
Photoshop CS3 to edit my image within which I used polygonal
Lasso Tool to get rid of the background. This enabled me to
insert a clear black background so when I insert the image on to
my contents page it will blend in well. I changed my photograph
as I believed the background looked unprofessional. I am
pleased with the final edited image.

14. And the third one:
Raw 3 Final 3
Here is how I changed
the photograph and
why…
I used adobe Photoshop CS3 to
edit my image within which I used
polygonal Lasso Tool. Using this I
cleared the excess background
and made the image more
appealing and professional. After
that I inserted a black clear
background as it helps focus more
on the models. To enable the image to stand out more I
used bevel and emboss and added inner shadows and
outer glow. My image now looks more professional.

15. And the last one:
Raw 4 Here is how I changed Final 4
the photograph and
why…
This image was effective the
way it was but I wanted a black
background therefore I used
adobe Photoshop CS3 to edit
my image within which I used
polygonal Lasso Tool. I cleared
the background and inserted a
clear black background. Also I used bevel and emboss
and gave the image an outer glow to help it stand out
more.

16. Here are a couple of research models for
my contents page…
Above is a contents page that I found on the
internet. It inspired me as I found the design of
the contents page appealing and I wanted to
make my contents page similar. The contents
page on the right side helped me get an idea of
the layout of my contents page, it also inspired
me on the way I should place my images.

17. This is my contents page
Contents Page These are key features…
My contents page has a colour scheme
• Contents Page of red, black and white. As you can see
my contents includes a main content
story featured on the left side of my
page. Also I have included Regulars,
Features and Tasters for this month’s
issue and the next. My contents page
has more than 4 images and also there
are links between my images and text.
I’ve included page numbers and I’ve also
numbered my contents page. I have a
banner of the contents page, also I’ve
included subscription info at the bottom.

18. How does the contents page link
back to the cover page?
The contents page links back to the cover page through many
factors. First of all, the colour scheme used within both pages
are the same. The colours red, white and black are the main
colours used and are constant within both pieces. The font is
also constant within both pieces as only font ‘Franklin Gothic
Medium’ and impact are used.
The left third, main cover story is also highlighted within the
contents page. All the cover story’s were listed within the
contents and some were referenced within the images
provided as well. Another similarity and link between the
pieces is that on the cover, the model is wearing purple, to
match that I’ve also made sure on the contents page the
other models are wearing purple or another colour similar as
well.

19. Key points of contents page
How have you made the reader want to read on?
I have made the reader want to read on by using persuasive and eye catching text.
What are the links between images and words?
The links between images and words link to the contents pages subheading, also I’ve
placed page numbers to make it easier to locate within the magazine. It also helps make
the image clearer as I’ve included text with the images.
What determines the dominant stories?
The dominant story, for example the cover story will be determined on its presentation
within the page, as the cover story will need more space and layout, and smaller stories
will not.
How have you gone about ordering the information on the
page?
I have ordered and organised my information on the page well, as I believe my contents
page is well structured. I have organised and placed all the stories on the right hand side
of the contents page, subheading them under features, regulars and tasters. Then on
the right hand side I have placed my main cover story. The images have been placed
accordingly on the top, bottom and left centre.

20. How does the contents page flag up your
double page spread?
As you can see on the right I have circled the area
which highlights my double page spread. This story
takes up around half of my contents page, this shows
its importance within the magazine and advertises it
well.
The contents page flags up my double page spread
by simply having the celebrity ‘Dimple’ be the biggest
image shown and stand out. Also the bold text above
it, which informs the readers is the 2nd biggest on the
page therefore will reach out to the audience more.

21. Here’s an example of an inspiring double
page spread…

22. This is why I think that double spread
works
The pages layout is simple and is based around 3
colours; black, pink and white. The house style is simple
and relaxed. 1st page simply has an image of Alexandra
burke and a little paragraph of phrases/subtext beside it
simply stating her name and the exclusive. The next
page is the article itself which is colour coordinated, in
pink it has quotes and album
information. The double page
spread is neatly laid out which
gives that professional
touch, and helps it look
appealing to its readers. The
image of Alexandra is also
quite effective as it combines with the colour scheme as it
is a grey/silvery colour flat sequined revealing dress, which
barely covers her bum area. Her pose and facial
expressions are shown quite seductive within the image.
This will attract readers to read the article. On the article
page, it includes page number and on the top right corner
it illustrates the cover story.

23. This is my double-page spread

24. This is how my double page spread works
This is my drafted double page spread, and as I was working to change the
previous colour and house style, I used ideas from other inspiring double page
spreads. My double page spread has a colour scheme and a house style. I have
included two images within my double page spread, of the artist I am featuring
(Dimple) within the contents and front cover of my bhangra music magazine. I
have placed an image on each page. On the first page, the image is placed
across the top quarter of the page. On the seconds page the image takes up ¾
of the page and I placed it on the bottom right.
My double page spread is also colour co-ordinated with purple, black and white.
Using my inspirational double page spread, I have also decided to place the
quotes and album information purple and keep the rest of the interview in black.
I have placed the title on the side of the 1st page, and rotated it 90 degrees, and
then I have placed Dashing Dimple text beside it, except below the image, to
help it look more professional.

25. This is how all three components
are linked together….
•Clothing colour: Purple
Most of the images and artists clothing are purple.
•Artist: artists image displayed in all 3 media products
The main artist image is displayed in front cover, contents
page and double page spread.
•Main cover story: featured in cover, contents page and
double page spread.

26. This is my re-drafted cover page
Cover Page Key modifications from
feedback
One of the main modifications was my image
and colour scheme. This is because the old
image wasn’t professional looking enough.
The colour scheme before was rock chick,
with the reds, blacks and whites - therefore I
had to change it. My colour scheme now, is
purple, black, white and pink. Another
alteration that I have made, is my magazine
name, the previous name wasn’t appropriate
enough for the type of magazine I’m
producing, since it’s a Bhangra magazine, it
needs to be more relative to the south Asian
audience group. I’ve also included another
subject in the bottom banner and improved
my layout to make it look neater.

27. This is my re-drafted contents page
Contents Page Key modifications from
feedback
The main modification I have made due to
feedback, was colour scheme and house
style. Before colours used were; red, black
and white. These colours made my
magazine look rock chick and didn’t give off
a bhangra vibe and didn’t represent what my
magazine is all about. Therefore I changed
my colours to pink, purple and black. As well
as that, I have change the layout and
included more articles so I can increase the
pages. As my magazine is monthly I need to
have more pages in the magazine, therefore
I have placed the features, regulars and
tasters on the right hand side of the page
and placed all the articles that are specially
for this edition of the magazine on the left
side. As you can see now, my contents page
looks more professional, and I have placed
my images more accordingly.

28. This is my re-drafted double spread

29. Key modifications to double spread from
feedback
The modifications I made was mostly to do with the alignment of my text and making
sure I used ‘justify’ to create a clean look along the page. Also I had to edit and spell
check my work, as well as place capital letters where needed. Other than that, as
my previous double page was incomplete, I simply completed it.
I added another question and more text to the interview section of the page. I also
added a box around the quote in purple on 1st page of the spread. I added tour
information; tour dates, ticket hotline and online booking. Next to that I have placed
the album release information.
I added dimple’s website/fan page, Facebook page, and twitter page so fans and
readers can keep in touch and get to know more about dimple (the artist)

30. Final magazine page &
This is how all three components
are linked together….
•Colour scheme: Purple, Black, Pink & White
•Artist: artists image displayed in all 3 media products
•Main cover story: featured in cover, contents page and
double page spread.
•Page numbers

31. Evaluation
• You can find my blog here:
http://thaminamediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/
And
You can find my evaluation with responses to the 7 questions
here:
http://thaminamediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/