Final product

Below is my final product. My magazine is attarcted to an audience aged from 14-20 and outlies the dangers of alcohol missuse. I used Photoshop to create my front cover and i used InDesign to create my double page spread.

Final Skills Audit

AS Media Production: Final Skills Audit Print Production

Name: James Thompson            Tutor group: 1.04                Date: 15.04.2013

Photographic Skills

Which of the following photographic features/equipment have you used on a camera before:

Feature	Yes	No	Comments if yes – where have you completed this skills and to what level
Manual Focus features	X		I have used this feature during my photo shoot. It is essential to capture your images in focus as this will make your product look professional
Shutter Speed	X		I have used this feature to capture moving objects in my skills development work
Aperture control	X		I have used this to capture a range of images to expand my skills development
ISO Control	X		I have used this help capture a range of attractive images. I used this feature when capturing shadows from moving images, for example torch light in darkness
A tripod	X		I have used this to help me capture a range of images. Using a tripod is essential when capturing still images that need to be in focus
External flash	X		I have used this feature when capturing images during my photo shoot. A flash allowed me to create a better image to a higher quality
Self timer facility		X
Light meter		X
Composition grids	X		I have used this feature when capturing images for my skills development. Composition grids give a rough outline on where the centre of the image is. This feature is ideal when capturing images that are directly in front of you.

Photoshop Skills

Which of the following features of Photoshop have you used before:

Feature	Yes	No	Comments if yes – where have you completed this skills and to what level
Text control	X		I have used this feature to insert and create text. I have created text in Photoshop and included text on my final product front cover
Filters	X		I have used filters to alter the appearance of my skills development. I have used many filters such as black and white control to alter the appearance of images.
Brushes	X		I have used many brushes throughout this year. I have used brushes in my skills development work on my blog work and have used brushes to create features on my final product. Using brushes allows me to create a professional product that attracts the target audience
Layers	X		I have used many layers when creating my final product. Using layers allows me to create my product. It is essential to use layers as I have needed to insert multiple images and text onto my final product
Opacity control	X		I have used this feature to control the opacity of some images while editing images during my skills development
Shape creation	X		I have used this feature during my skills development. I have created many shapes to aid my skills development. I have also used and created rectangles for my front cover
Brightness and contrast control	X		I have used this feature during my skills development work. I have used this tool to brighten and darken certain areas of images to make them look attractive and capture the attention of the customer
Gradients	X		I have used this tool throughout my skills development work. I have used this tool to edit images and to make my work look professional. Using the gradient tool allowed me to make my images look very different to the original
Load selection features		X
Feathering	X		I have used this tool to create a very attractive effect on images. I have used this tool throughout my skills development work. I have used this tool to blur the edges of images to give them a warm feel
Colour curves adjustment		X
Resolution setting control	X		I have used this when creating my front cover. It is essential to create the correct page size as my product will look unprofessional if it is not the correct size of an actual magazine.
Magnetic lasso, polygon lasso tool	X		I have used this tool in my skills development to crop down and alter images.
Cropping tool	X		I have used this tool many times to alter and change the appearance of shapes and images. I have used this tool multiple times during my skills development
Clone tool	X		I have used this tool during my skills development and when creating my products front cover. I have used the clone tool to clone shapes and images that are inserted on my front cover
Retouch tool	X		I have used this tool to repair and heal many images throughout my skills development work. I was given an image of a person and was required to heal all of the spots. This tool is ideal for editing close up photographs

In Design Skills

Which of the following features of In Design have you used before:

Feature	Yes	No	Comments if yes – where have you completed this skills and to what level
Have you ever used In design ever before?	X		I have used In Design for the first time to create my double page spread
Margin and column guide creation	X		I have used this tool to create and align margins. I have used this tool while creating my double page spread. It is essential to create margins as professional media magazines only use certain areas of the page
Inserting an image in ID	X		I have used this feature to professionally insert images on to my double page spread. It is essential that I insert images instead of copying and pasting images as I will maintain the quality and aspect ratio
Resizing images in ID	X		I have used this feature to resize images in my double page spread. It is essential to use this tool as it is essential that I resize images to make my product look attractive and professional
Text manipulation – resizing, rotation	X		I have used this tool to rotate text and features on my double page spread. I have used these tools to create a professional product. If I did not use this tool my product would look very unattractive and unprofessional
Text manipulation – controlling kerning and leading		X
Text flow creation	X		I have used this tool for my final production double page spread. I inserted an article into my dps and I used the text flow creation tool to make my text flow from one text box to the other. If I delete a paragraph or insert a space, the text will adapt to this and re format. Using this tool restricts mistakes that could be made during editing.
Using transparent imagery in ID		X
Shape/line creation In design	X		I have used this tool to create lines and shapes throughout my skills assessment and double page spread. Using this tool allows me to create a high quality In Design document
Exporting to PDF from In-design	X		I have used this feature to export my final project. It was required that I export my DPS and front cover to a PDF. This restricts anyone from changing my work or any fonts or features going missing. If I had not exported my project as a PDF from In Design, my work would not have been accepted
Text Wrap	X		I have used this tool to insert and create text. I have made use of this tool when creating my DPS as I have inserted and edited text to attract the customer and to give information

Number of new skills achieved: 22

(Compare with your initial skills assessment)

Blog Write up, Week 3

During this last week I have achieved many things. As you can see from the screenshot below I have successfully finished my front cover. As stated in the week before I set my self some very specific targets to help me meet all deadlines and complete all work to a high standard.  

I have had a successful week as I have completed all objectives set. As stated I wanted to insert all of my sell lines into my front cover. I also stated that I wanted to finish the second draft of my article and insert it into my dps. Finishing these objectives has put me at a major advantage as I will be able to finish my dps in time for the deadline. 

It was of no challenge to finish and insert my article into my dps. As I have written my article in Microsoft Word, I was able to simply copy and paste the article in to a text box and set up the correct formatting techniques. It was also of no challenge to finish and insert all of my sell lines on my front cover, as I was guided by an existing magazine, I was able to collect a range of creative ideas.  

Reviewing the progress of the magazine, I can state that everything run smoothly last week. I did not encounter any problems when inserting my sell lines or completing my article. To help me create my sell lines I used a magazine called Kerrang to give my inspiration. It is essential that I use an existing magazine to aid my work as I can see what codes and conventions everyday magazines use.

I have decided to set myself some additional targets this week. Firstly I want to insert the name of the magazine onto my dps. It is essential that I include the name of the magazine on my dps as readers will be reminded on the style and content of the magazine. I also plan on inserting a breakout box feature on my dps. It is essential that I include breakout boxes as they will attract the reader. Finally I want to complete the 'Did you know??' section within my magazine. Completing this is essential as this is a great opportunity, and space to show some very worrying figures. By doing this I will scare the target audience and make them think twice about alcohol misuse. If I complete all objectives I will have completed my dps and finished my product in time for the deadline.