I have created my own mock-up cover of this issue of Billboard magazine. By doing this I have learned how to use Adobe InDesign to create my own media texts and I have applied my knowledge on magazine conventional features and target audiences. For Example, this issue of Billboard presents colour within the masthead to grab consumer’s attention as the rest of the page is mostly mono in keeping with the trends of the 2000s. The cover lines are laid out on the left and in bold capital letters to appeal to the target audience of young producers and music enthusiasts. There is red used in order to give the cover a fierce look and the main cover line is ‘Beyoncé’, by attempting to shadow the white text I have learned about the importance of the small details within the design features of a front page.

My strengths within creating media texts on InDesign…

• Use of text editing options within InDesign and how to use them effectively
• The importance of fonts within magazine covers and how they fit together in the layout
• How to use the basics of InDesign such as making shapes, inputting text and changing colours.

My weaknesses within creating media texts on InDesign…

• Sizing an Image- I struggled with this as I was conflicted because I didn’t want to stretch the image or sacrifice the proportions and quality of the image whilst also leaving enough blank space for my cover lines and not overcrowding the cover star.
• Placing an image- this cover didn’t require me to place an image so I’m yet to test my skills on this,
• Layout- I’m comfortable with how everything should be laid out but I struggle to apply this on InDesign as there is a lot of elements on the screen at once.

In doing this, I have advanced my media knowledge as I now know how to use InDesign software to create a magazine cover and the importance of carefully placing and editing every technical feature. Now I know what I’m good at and what I need to improve on within InDesign.

Tutorials I will use to help me improve my skills: