HELLO AND WELCOME

I have made this blog to keep track of and display the process of my Media Studies coursework. For my coursework, I shall be producing the first two pages of a regional newspaper, a billboard advertisement for the newspaper, and a website.

My inspirations so far are coming mainly from Metro newspaper.

TEACHER'S COMMENTS

MARK SO FAR: Planning and Research is still incomplete (planning more than research). Proficient research into similar products and target audience. No real evidence of shotlists, layout and drafting (this is the biggest issue so far). Time management is good. Proficient use of ICT and communication skills. Presentation is high end proficient. Overall 12/20 Room for improvement, especially with planning. on WEBSITES: 'WHAT'S ON'/'EVENTS' PAGE
This contains some good information, but it is very text heavy and would probably be better presented as a Prezi. Good inclusion of Uses and Gratifications theory, but now even more. on METRO: FIRST TWO PAGES Try to include some element of Uses and Gratifications theory. This is particularly important here, because websites are by their very nature something that requires an active audience and people will tend to follow elements based on their specific needs. on WEBSITES: HOME PAGE  Nicely presented and very easy to navigate. Any way of getting more critical theory into this? on WEBSITES: 'WHAT'S ON'/'EVENTS' PAGE       Natasha, It would be nice if you could get some audience theory stuff into this section somewhere... on FOCUS GROUP AND TARGET AUDIENCE

EVALUATION QUESTIONS 1-4

FINAL PRODUCTS

Ancillary Tasks:

http://natashakarczewski.wix.com/thanetherald1# < Website

WEBSITE DRAFTS TO FINAL PIECE AND FOCUS GROUP

The link to my website: http://natashakarczewski.wix.com/thanetherald1#

BILLBOARD DRAFTS TO FINAL PIECE WITH FOCUS GROUP INPUT

LAST DRAFTS OF FRONT PAGE AND FOCUS GROUP COMMENTS (INCLUDING REDESIGNING OF FRONT PAGE)

When I presented this front cover to my focus group, the general comments that I got was that it was plain and boring. I then asked them what I should improve on and they believed that the layout was completely off as it looked like the two advertisements were squishing the newspaper content together. Working from this feedback, I went back and completely re-designed the layout, during this time I had also created a logo (the design process can be found here) which is why it is featured in the latest draft. 

I then gave out my new layout and asked them to write down what they thought could make it better. These are some of the responses:

- Needs a colourful house style

- More images 

- Eye catching headlines

- Bright colours

I worked with these feedback and decided to create a blues and black colour scheme to fit with my new logo and its coastal theme and location. I changed font sizes and made them bolder to stand out more. I only added one more image so not to over crowed the page, but made sure that the headlines accompanying them were 'eye catching'.

This shows the last two drafts of my front cover, I am pretty happy with my final one and it will only take a few minor tweeks to have it as my final piece