In CCR4 I looked into how I used technology to aid the design of my magazine.

This is my response to CCR3 in the form of a voice thread document.

This is my response to CCR2, I made my response in the form of a screencastify.

I have learnt many new design skills and production techniques while making my front cover for my magazine.

Firstly I discovered how to add stroke or weight to text in InDesign. This is very beneficial as it can make text stand out from the page but also easier to read. I used this on my mast head and also some of my subheadings on my front cover.

Secondly the Clone Stamp/ Spot Healing Tool in Photoshop allows you to cover skin imperfections by repeating another section of the image ontop of the image to hide it and it blends in so that it is not obvious.

Another tool in InDesign was the fx tool, this allows you to add a number of different effects to an image that you have placed for example the bevel and emboss tool.

Finally the opacity tool in both Photoshop and InDesign became very useful. This allows you to change the opacity of any object e.g a photo or shape. I used this tool many times for example when creating the background for the 2nd draft of my front cover.

Overall I think that my design and production skills have significantly imporved when designing my front cover. I think that I have learnt a lot of new  skills and have been able to begin creating a front cover that will demonstrate my music genre and work well to draw the attention of the audience. I also think that my front cover is beginning to show the meaning that I am trying to convey. With the changes in my drafts I think that I am successfully beginning to convey my music genre, but also create a happy summer vibe through my work.

I have learned many things about camera and mise-en-scene that will help me when photographing my star.

1. COSTUME: I have chosen a floral dress as the Latino style is very summery so this will help to convey my genre.
2. LIGHTING: I am going to light my star from both sides so that the image is bright, this is important otherwise it would not be seen clearly.
3. ACTING: I can use acting to also change the atmosphere, I can make her appear happy as this is what this music style conveys.
4. MAKE-UP: I have planned to use red/gold eye shadow and red lipstick as this will also go with the genre.
5. PROPS: I chose to use a rose and a fan as I think that they are interesting and suit the genre.
6. SETTING: I have chosen to take my photos in the white studios as I can them change the background using Photoshop easily.

I can use the camera also in many different ways such as the angle that I position myself to take the photo. I could use low or high vantage points for different effects. I can also change the settings for example I could change the ISO to make it brighter or darker. When using my camera I can change these aspects to change the appearance of my photograph:

1. ISO
2. Aperture
3. Shutter Speed
4. Focus
5. Vantage Point
6. Shot Type
7. Distance
8. Framing
9. Angle

By adjusting and changing all of these factors, I can correctly show the brand values, mission statement and narrative of my music magazine “Escucha!” What I learnt about the paradox of the star, from Richard Dyers Theory, will also help me to convey my star in the right way. This theory highlights how are star presents them self for example as ordinary but also extraordinary. I will also think about the demographics and psychographics of my target audience when taking my imagery, as this will help me capture their attention. Finally I can use my knowledge on star image and audience reading on a text in my magazine.

I know understand the process of making a magazine front cover and the softwares used. I feel confident using InDesign and Photoshop and think that I can effectively use these platforms to make my own magazine. I have learnt a lot about what goes into a magazine and the way that they are produced. So when I make my magazine I will need to consider the following:

• the colour scheme that I use as this must fit the genre to convey the right message.
• typography as the font must suit the genre but be legible.
• AIDA (attract, interest, desire and action) as I need to make the front cover capturing for the audience, as this will make them want to purchase it.
• the camera techniques that I will need to use when taking photos for my magazine, as they must suit the genre and convey the right message.
• the imagery that I will take must fit the genre and the editing skills and techniques that I will then use.
• Mise-en-scene in the photographs that I will take, as this will play a very important role in the front cover for the target audience.
• I need to know who my target audience is and what will attract them to be able to target my design towards them.
• the layout of my magazine and what will be effective for the audience and what will stand out.
• I must also consider Blumler and Katz Theory as these factors will help to make my magazine successful.

By considering all of these factors, it will help to make my magazine successful! This is because it will suit the target audience and address what they would be looking for in the magazine. I can then use the information that I decide and plan to aim my magazine at them. I can do this with the skills that I have learnt in InDesign and Photoshop to make my magazine suitable!

After looking at Camera Framing and Mise-en-scene I have now realised the factors that contribute to portray a narrative or meaning in photography or film.

Firstly Mise-en-scene is vital to portray individuals, groups, events or places in a certain way. It includes:

• Costume
• Lighting
• Acting
• Make up/Hair
• Props
• Setting

Without paying attention to all of these the meaning can become unclear to the audience, for example if a character was supposed to be sad, but the actor was smiling, the narrative/meaning would not be portrayed correctly, which would confuse the audience. This is why it is very important to plan out all of these factors, which I now know I must consider in any media that I will be producing.

Camera framing is also very important to demonstrate a meaning. Different angles and frames will convey a different meaning to the audience. This is why each shot must be carefully planned and considered, as an idea could be miscommunicated  to the audience by the camera framing used.

Representation is also very important, denotations and connotations, when planning and designing a piece of media. The connotation must be demonstrated clearly through the denotations for the audience to understand the narrative.

Overall, I have learnt that I must carefully plan for any media that I will produce, so that I can correctly communicate the meaning and narrative. This will help me with my planning and design as I will consider the way that I use Mise-en-scene and camera framing to portray a character/place.