CREATIVE CRITICAL REFLECTIONS
MEDIA STUDIES 9609
How does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?
In my AS Media Studies 9607 magazine project, I have made deliberate choices both to use and challenge typical media conventions.
Based on the detailed research and analysis shown on my blog, my magazine draws inspiration from real-world industry standards while adding my creative interpretation.
Use of Conventions:
From my analysis of professional covers, contents, and article pages, I adopted a minimalistic layout style with a strong visual focus, using dominant images to attract reader attention.
i followed typical text hierarchy, using large mastheads, subheadings, and pull-quotes, inspired by the clean, structured magazine spreads analyzed (e.g., the car magazine articles I studied).
I organized content into grids and columns, ensuring readability and maintaining a professional look.
Color schemes were kept consistent and thematic across pages, reflecting real magazine branding practices.
Challenging Conventions:
I creatively blended photography with digital effects, such as grunge textures and overlays (seen in the yellow car analysis), to give my magazine a more urban, artistic tone rather than a fully polished commercial style.
My cover pages experiment with unconventional image placement and dynamic background edits, unlike the straightforward covers from traditional magazines.
My magazine represents youth culture, particularly young automotive enthusiasts who are passionate about cars, creativity, and freedom.
Instead of portraying luxury and exclusivity, my work highlights everyday accessibility, community, and personal passion, showing that car culture is open to diverse backgrounds.
By featuring casual, real-world photography (not studio shots), I challenge stereotypes about who can participate in the car scene, promoting inclusiveness and authenticity.
My magazine represents youth culture, particularly young automotive enthusiasts who are passionate about cars, creativity, and freedom.
Instead of portraying luxury and exclusivity, my work highlights everyday accessibility, community, and personal passion, showing that car culture is open to diverse backgrounds.
By featuring casual, real-world photography (not studio shots), I challenge stereotypes about who can participate in the car scene, promoting inclusiveness and authenticity.
Representation of Social Groups and Issues:
How does your product engage with audiences, and how would it be distributed as a real media text?
Audience Engagement:
My magazine is designed to strongly engage a target audience of young automotive enthusiasts aged between 16–30 years.
The use of dynamic photography, especially natural, real-world car images (as I analyzed in my blog research), creates an authentic and relatable vibe that connects with young readers passionate about cars and automotive culture.
I used modern editing techniques like brushstroke effects, layered textures, and bold design elements on covers and article pages, which appeal to a youthful, creative audience who appreciate urban, slightly edgy aesthetics.
By featuring relatable topics such as accessible car culture, road trips, and modifications, I create content that reflects the actual interests and aspirations of my audience rather than showcasing only luxury or unattainable vehicles.
Interactive elements like social media callouts (e.g., "Tag us on Instagram") could also be placed in the real magazine to encourage digital engagement and build a community around the brand.
Distribution as a Real Media Text:
If my magazine were to be distributed as a real media text, I would follow a multi-platform approach:
Print Distribution:
Physical copies would be sold at locations such as bookstores, newsstands, car shows, and automotive accessory shops, where the target audience often visits.
Limited-edition prints could be released quarterly to maintain exclusivity and collectibility.
Digital Distribution:
A digital version would be published through an official website and app, optimized for both mobile and tablet reading.
The magazine would be available via digital newsstands like Apple News+, Magzter, and Zinio to reach a global audience.
Short teaser articles, cover reveals, and behind-the-scenes content would be posted on social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts) to build hype and sustain engagement.
Social Media Strategy:
Partnering with car influencers and automotive YouTubers could help promote the magazine to a wider and highly targeted audience.
Hosting user-generated content competitions (e.g., best car photo submissions) would increase interaction and loyalty.
About my project?
How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
Throughout the course of my AS Media Studies 9607 magazine project, my production skills developed significantly across several stages, from research and planning to final execution.
Research and Planning:
At the start of the project, my knowledge of professional magazine conventions was basic.
By analyzing real magazine covers, contents, and article pages (as shown on my blog), I learned how to structure layouts properly, organize text hierarchies, and apply visual storytelling techniques.
My ability to generate and develop ideas improved through brainstorming sessions and mood boards, allowing me to plan visuals and themes that would appeal to my target audience.
Photography and Editing:
Initially, my photography skills were simple and focused only on capturing the subject. However, through practice and analysis of professional imagery, I developed techniques like framing, lighting control, and depth of field to make my images more dynamic and appealing.
I also learned how to enhance photographs during post-production by applying brushstroke effects, adjusting contrast and saturation, and layering textures — which I had observed in professional magazine designs.
Layout and Design Skills:
My understanding of grid systems and typography evolved significantly.
Early drafts of my cover and contents pages were cluttered, but as I gained experience, I was able to create clean, balanced layouts using columns, margins, and consistent font choices.
I learned to value white space and minimalism to achieve a professional aesthetic.
Use of Software:
My technical skills using Adobe Photoshop (or Canva/alternative software if you used something else) improved as I practiced editing images, designing covers, and structuring full-page spreads.
I also gained confidence working with text layers, blending modes, and effects to add depth and professionalism to my work.
Time Management and Creative Development:
Over time, I became better at planning production schedules, meeting internal deadlines (such as completing preliminary tasks first), and refining my drafts based on feedback.
I learned how important revisions are to improve the overall quality of the magazine.
How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware, and online – in this project?
Technology played a crucial role at every stage of my AS Media Studies 9607 magazine project, from research and planning to production and presentation.
Research and Planning:
I used online resources like Google, Pinterest, and magazine websites to research magazine conventions, layouts, and audience preferences.
My blog on Blogger was a key online platform for documenting all my research, preliminary exercises, idea generation, and analysis work.
I also used YouTube tutorials to improve my skills in photo editing and magazine design techniques.
Hardware:
I used a DSLR camera (or a smartphone with a high-quality camera if you used one) to capture original photographs for the magazine.
Tripods and lighting equipment were used during photo shoots to ensure stability, focus, and proper illumination for professional-looking images.
I worked on a laptop/computer to perform all editing, layout creation, and blogging, allowing me to manage multiple applications and files easily.
Software:
For editing my photos and designing the magazine, I used Adobe Photoshop (or Canva, Lightroom, or any other editing/design software you used).
Photoshop helped me edit images (adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness) and apply creative effects (like grunge textures and brush overlays).
For layout creation, I used Adobe InDesign (if you used it) or online design tools like Canva, which helped me align columns, insert grids, and structure pages professionally.
For file management and backup, I used Google Drive to store drafts, final designs, and research materials securely.
Online Presentation and Sharing:
I published my research, drafts, and reflections through Blogger, allowing easy online access for teachers and peers to review my work.
If the final magazine were distributed in real life, I would consider uploading it to digital magazine platforms like Issuu or promoting it via Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts for wider online visibility.