What have I learnt about technology I have used to produce this music

magazine?

From this project, I have learnt how to effectively use two programs to help develop my music magazine. These are Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop. I have learnt more from using InDesign, as I’ve already known how to use Photoshop. However, I have learnt how to apply my photoshop skills in making a music magazine.

However, I have learnt how to group my layers into folders, making my work more organised, which will be easier on working on a specific area. This was done by clicking the folder button in the layers palette.

The button I’ve used is shown above, and the layer highlighted is the result of using this. This helps me show specific layers, and if I’m not working on another layer, I can click the eye button (shown next to the layers, under the word ‘Lock:’) to make the layer invisible.

However, in Adobe InDesign, I have learnt how to manage columns and create flat plans to give me a guide on where to place my images and text after I’ve figured out what I will put in the boxes. For example:

In the coloured boxes, I have learnt where to put my images and text. I had already placed my text in the boxes I’ve set up. The boxes I’m referring to is the square with a cross-hatch in the middle, indicating a layer of where an image or text can be placed. This was done through this button:

I would click this button and drag it across the space where I would plan to use my image or insert text.

Also, I have learnt how to insert images into InDesign. I’ve done this through clicking file, and then clicking place, and choosing the image that I want to place on my page.

If I wanted to insert text in one of these boxes, this was done through clicking the text button on the left hand side.

I would have to then click on the box where I would want to insert the text, and begin to type what I need to.

If I’m finished with the design, and I’m happy with what I’ve got, then to export the file without the boxes, I would click on file and click on export.

As a result, my flat plan would turn from this:

To this:

In conclusion of these two programs, I have used InDesign to help manipulate my images, and place them where I want. Moreover, I have used this as a base to creating my final design, as it was easy to create a flat plan from creating boxes. From there, I would insert text or images into the boxes, finishing my double page spread with ease.

In my opinion, InDesign was a hard program to use at first, but as I

started to use it more often, using the program became instinctive, and I could easily work my way around it. Also, with Photoshop, I have developed my understanding in organising my work through folders. Although this may seem like a minor development to my understanding, it would help me in the long run, as it would be easier to work in specific areas of my work, which will help finish my work with less hassle.

Other programs I used

Camera

Moreover, I have learnt how to use a camera well, by learning how to set it up so that my picture comes out at a good quality. This includes moving the colour sliders, so that the brightness and contrast are perfect enough so that the photos produced can be used effectively for my music magazine.

Prezzi and SlideshareAlso, through doing my evaluation, I have learnt how to use Prezi and Slideshare. Prezi

is a software which allows me to present information in a zooming fashion. I heave learnt how to use this program, and have learnt how to add text boxes, as well as inserting images and YouTube videos. These were all done with the tool box on the top left hand corner of the screen.

Also, slideshare allows me to present my powerpoint presentations online, without having to upload the presentation slide by slide. This program is pretty self explanatory, as all you have to do is upload the powerpoint presentation onto the server. I also understood that the embed code was needed in order to place the slideshow on my blog.