Creative Critical Reflections

Creative Critical Reflections

By: Sharmeen Shivji

Now that I finally have my magazine finished, I will be answering some very important questions relating to it in creative ways.

1. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

I answered this question through a podcast which I explained how my magazines challenges conventions and how it represents social groups and issues. Here is the link to that:

https://youtu.be/Jaqv11Bzdhg 

I also typed up a brief summary of my podcast so it is available to those who might not have access to the podcast. Here it is:

Hi guys and welcome back to the Prodigy podcast. Here we go into the background of prodigy, how it came to be, future editions, and answer any questions you guys may have. Today, we will be going into how Prodigy challenges conventions and how it represents social groups and issues. So, to give you a little background information, Prodigy is a modern magazine that is a mix between fashion and talent. Inspired by Vogue and Forbes, Prodigy hopes to present successful people in a fashionable way while inspiring others. Our aim is to highlight people who not necessarily are rich but those who have worked hard to get to where they are and those who have achieved impressive things. Our stories also include how the person got to where they are. We hope that this will inspire the readers to also chase their dreams. 

Our magazine challenged conventions because it doesn't act like a normal magazine, and what I mean by that is not only do our cover models tell their stories but not matter what area their careers are we make them model. Each one of them have their own photoshoots where they put on designer clothing and embrace themselves. This is unlike any other magazine where usually professional models are showcased. 

Also, Prodigy had longer page spreads for each model where not only do we get their story but also get a snip it of their life. This allows for the audience to see that they are also just like them. 

I think Prodigy definitely challenged social issues because in usual magazines we are so used to seeing perfect bodies and perfect skin which makes the readers feel insecure and I'm guilty of it too, wishing that I looked more like them. Well Prodigy is the exact opposite, we are not focused on looks but rather talent. To be completely honest we don't care what you look like, our job is to showcase your talent and help you feel confident rather than changing how you look. 

Also, Prodigy definitely embraces diversity. Again, this magazine doesn't care what you look like or where you're from but rather what you have done with your life. This month's magazine had all models whose parents were not from America. We hoped to be an all-inclusive magazine and that is exactly what we achieved.

I also think its important to mention this because nowadays with social media, everyone is so obsessed with trying to put on this person online that they are not. Whether its editing their face or their body everyone wants to come off as perfect. This then causes unreal expectations to anyone who sees these posts. That's why at Prodigy we make it our priority to not edit the way people look. I am going to be completely honest, we definitely do add some filters for the lighting to match the magazine, however we absolutely do not edit someone's body or their face to change how they look. By doing so, we are able to set real expectations for the audience and to show them that you don't have to look a certain way to be successful and that they themselves can be just like our models.

At Prodigy we hope to continue breaking social norms as our magazine gets put on a wider stage. If you guys have any questions or would like to be featured on our podcast, DM us on Insta @Prodigy. And remember self-belief and hard work will always earn you success! 

2. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

I answered this question through a media kit in which I went into detail about how I would distribute Prodigy to the world and how I would engage with my audiences. Here is a picture of my media kit and I have also attached a link for a better view.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAE7LZq1kyU/qTVQMN3XlUPcA3v7c5JNEQ/view?utm_content=DAE7LZq1kyU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton 

3. How did your production skills develop through this project?

I answered this question through a Prezi in which I went through the different aspects of my magazine, the difficulties I faced, and how I overcame them. I added pictures of the slides and added a link:

https://prezi.com/view/AAd2wLtMxPvlisFJOjs0/ 

4. How did you integrate technologies-software, hardware, and online-in this project?

I answered this question through a infographic which I briefly explained each technological aspect I used to put my magazine together. Here is a picture of my infographic as well as a link for a better view of it.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAE8MzCC-sU/rIuE57YCPVfW-9PjICqhpg/view?utm_content=DAE8MzCC-sU&utm_campaign=share_your_design&utm_medium=link&utm_source=shareyourdesignpanel