What have you learnt about technologies from

the process of constructing this

product?

By Megan Kavanagh

Photoshop

Photoshop

Throughout the process of constructing my product the main technology used was Photoshop. This was a media I was already used to, however I have discovered many new tools and processes to make professional and affective effects.

Using Photoshop enabled me to edit photos and create backgrounds that helped my magazine pages look unique and original. As well as the front cover, I also used Photoshop on the contents page and the double page spread; to create effects and edit photos.

Therefore, without Photoshop I would not have been able to create the magazine I have done and make it unique and individual to me and the music genre Alternative Rock.

Main feature used throughout Photoshop was the use of layers. Using Photoshop I began to understand why layers are so important. This is because every item created on the programme has its own layer, enabling you to edit them without affecting the rest.

Photoshop tools

Through the use of layers I also then educated on the process of ‘rasterize’ images. This was used to turn layers such as text layers and shapes into image layers. Once this was done editing of the image, and erasing it became more accessible.

Another part of the layers I learnt about during the construction of my process was the merging of layers. By merging the layers I was able to transform lots of images into one single image. This was useful in the making off my ‘puff’ as I could work with it as one image. However it was a learning process when I had some trouble with it, as once I merged the layers I could not then individually edit them, that resulted in me having to recreate things.

Photoshop tools

Blending options was a tool used which was essential I learnt about. I used this mostly on the editing of my masthead. This was important as it helped me create a unique text that was different from any other magazine. By having this, I learnt what affects looked good on text and what doesn’t. Therefore, it also helped my skills as a designer as well as technically.

Photoshop toolsAn important tool discovered and used on Photoshop was the pen tool. Using the pen tool I learnt how to neatly and professionally cut around shapes and pictures on a close up proximity. This was important in the creating of my front cover as I used it to cut around my main cover star so she stood out from the background. I also learnt that this was the easiest tool to use when cutting out, however it did take a large amount of time to do.

The smudge tool was a section of Photoshop I learnt about which was used to blend the cut out of my cover star into the background. I did learn from the smudge tool that it does take quite a lot of time to get it to blend effectively.

Photoshop tools

The background eraser tool helped me discover how to erase large spaces of the Photoshop page that consisted of mainly one colour. This helped as it saved me time during the production of the magazine pages.

An important tool discovered and used on Photoshop was the eraser tool. This allowed me to delete pieces of photos I did not feel were necessary on my blog. I used this on a close proximity once I have cut around photos to make sure it had a finished look of it.

Photoshop tools

I also learnt how to edit the photos using the ‘image - adjustments’ section. This allowed me to then brighten up photographs and help the appearance of them become more appealing. The most used section and tool of this was the ‘brightness/contrast’.

An important tool discovered and used on Photoshop was the pen tool. Using the pen tool I learnt how to neatly and professionally cut around shapes and pictures on a close up proximity. This was important in the creating of my front cover as I used it to cut around my main cover star so she stood out from the background. I also learnt that this was the easiest tool to use when cutting out, however it did take a large amount of time to do.

Quark

Throughout the process of constructing my product the second main technology used was Quark. This was a media I was not used to as I had never used it before.

Using Quark enabled me to create two of the pages out of my magazine such as my double page spread and contents page. Quark was useful as it had columns which was essential for both pages.

Therefore, without Quark I would not have been able to create the double page spread and contents page with so much organisation and ease.

Quark

Quark toolsI first learnt how to insert text, using the text tool. By clicking the tool and dragging it enabled me to create a text box were I could then type my words into. The text was then edited and changed by using box at the bottom of the screen that enabled you to change the font, colour and size of the text.

I also learnt how to insert the photos using the ‘picture content tool.’ Clicking this, you could then create a box and double click to insert the photograph of choice. Ensuring the picture tool was still chosen you could then move around the photo/change the size of it to fit the box. However I did learn, for the whole picture to be moved around on the page the select button had to be chosen, not the ‘picture content tool.’

Quark toolsI also learnt how to use the ‘rectangle box tool’ on Quark, which was essential when creating frames on my contents page and double page spread. Ensuring the rectangle tool was selected you could then create shapes, which could then be changed colour by pressing the colour of selection shown on the right hand side of the screen. This tool was most creatively used on my double page spread; behind my title.

I also learnt how to create two pages next to each other for the double page spread. Once the page was created you then had to select the small page thumbnail and drag it next to primary page. Without the knowledge of this, I would not have successfully known how to create my double page spread.

Quark tools

Digital SLR Camera

Digital SLR Camera

The construction of my piece could not have been done without a Digital SLR Camera, as my photos would not have been a high quality and appropriate for my magazine.

Using the camera, I learnt how to focus the lens until the shot was clear and not blurred, as well as understanding what lighting and conditions were the best for taking a shot. I learnt that this was usually outside, or somewhere that had a good use of light.

I also learnt how to use the camera on different settings such as ‘close up’ and ‘auto’. However, it came clear to me after my first photo-shoot that auto was in fact the best setting to use.

I also learnt how beneficial the use of the flash could be, if the lighting was not an adequate amount, or if the colours were not as bright when the flash was not one.