Weekly Update: Week 4

I've been researching into magazines that would be competing with my own [such as Kerrang! and NME] if I were to put my magazine on sale. By doing this I now know at around what amount to price my magazine, and I know conventions of music magazines.

Existing Magazine Features Article Analysis: Kerrang!

Kerrang! article June 2008

The article has a loud, bright quote at the top of the article. It it a quote that's quite shocking. 'To call us a suicide cult is an insult!' It makes the reader wonder why they've been called a suicide cult. That, coupled with the picture of the teenagers all together and looking happy makes people again wonder why they've been targeted as a suicide cult.

At the bottom of the page, there are pictures of young people, and underneath there are quotes. By having pictures of the people, it makes people feel more of a connection toward them, and care what they are saying.

The yellow and black are quite bright so this makes it more interesting to the eye, so people are more likely to stop and take the time to read the article. 

Existing Magazine Features Article Analysis: NME

Article from NME magazine

The main colours on this page are blue and black. These colours are used in the font, the splash in the bottom left-hand corner and also to highlight important pieces of text, such as quotes. The blue is used more to be the background of quotes, this is useful because it makes it stand out and people can see it more easily. 

Almost all of the left side of the page is an image of the band. They are wearing jeans and t-shirts, clothes that are worn quite a lot by young people. And they are also laying on a bed and there are posters on the wall behind them, this is like a typical teenagers room. This makes the reader feel as though the band are just like them, that they are regular people. This corresponds with the name of the band 'The Teenagers'.

A blue splash at the bottom left f the page is useful to the reader as it gives them the need-to-know facts about the band, so people can get to know them without reading the whole article. It also serves as a device which helps people to know whether they want to read the article. By reading this, they can easily see if it interest them or not.

By the title of the article, there is a bubble that says 'NME LOVES'. This indicates that this is a band that they like. As NME is a well-known and established magazine, many people trust their opinion and what they like/dislike. 

On the right of the page, there is a strip which is completely different to that of the actual article. But is does relate, the band which the article is based on are very new and the people on the strip are also bands that are emerging. It is letting people know about the new music around. The title of this section of the magazine is 'RADAR' this indicates that these are bands that the magazine suggest people keep their eye on. It contrasts with the other side because the background of the article is white whereas the background of the article is black. This shows that although the bands on the strip are worth looking out for, that The Teenagers  are the ones that they think are the best. 

Research into competition

Kerrang!

Price: £2.20

Issued: Weekly

Published by: Bauer Media Group
Circulation: 134,000
Tag line: Life Is Loud.

NME

Price: £2.30

Issued:  Weekly

Published by: IPC Media

Circulation: 33,875
Tag Line: First For Music News.

Rock Sound

Price: £3.80

Issued: Monthly

Published by: Rock Sound Ltd
Circulation: ?
Tag Line: New Music First.

Big Cheese

Price: £3.70

Issued: Monthly

Published: Independently

Circulation: ?
Tag Line: Alternative Music Mayhem. Lets people know the music it covers.

Q

Price: £3.90

Issued:  Monthly

Published by: Bauer Media Group
Circulation: 130, 179
Tag Line: The UK's Biggest Music Magazine. The magazine uses its popularity to get people to read it. Suggesting that so many people read it already, that other people should read it too.

Existing Magazine Contents Page Analysis: SPIN

SPIN Magazine, August 2008

This contents page is much more simple than the others that I have analysed. Instead of having many pictures, there is one picture and this serves as the complete focus for this page.

The way the model (Duffy) is holding the ukelele and looks as though she is poised to smash it. This reflects the type of music that this magazine portrays. It is a rock/alternative magazine, so if shows an action that people think rock stars should be doing. 

This writing on the side is much simpler than the other contents pages that I have looked at. by doing this is means that the reader is overwhelmed by lots of colours and images.

The logo for the magazine is in the top left-hand corner is just in the same place that it is on the front cover. This gives a sense of cohesion for the magazine, that everything is together. And the red of the logo contrast with the quite muted colours of the image. This makes it stand out and the name of the magazine gets reinforced in their head, they are more likely to remember it. 

In the top right-hand corner, there is a quote from Duffy. This gives readers a little insight into her and the article. But because its so short they don't get to know very much, this will make people want to read the article to know what she's saying and what context it is in. 

In the actual contents, which are placed next to the singer, are very simple. There is no background, but the names of the band are in bold, this means that it is easy to see which bands are in the magazine.

Existing Magazine Contents Page Analysis: NME

NME contents, November 2008

The main focus of this page, is the two pictures that are in the middle of the page. Underneath these images is a little article; this is very unconventional of a contents page, but the fact that it is different may lead people to want to read the article more. 

The contents page as a whole, is very simple, with a round, clear font. The main colours are black and red, with yellow as an accent colour. The use of yellow as an accent colour is similar to the Kerrang!,  the brightness of the colour is used again here to make things stand out more and catch the reader's eyes. Also, like Kerrang! there is a box which details how people can subscribe to the magazine. By having this information on the contents page which is very near the front, people are more likely to see it and read it, and perhaps, in turn, subscribe to this publication.

At the top, the bold, red, iconic NME logo is placed. By doing this, it reinforces what magazine it is. NME is a very well-known prestigious British music magazine, the fact that it has been around for years, and many people know of it, could make someone want to buy/read it more as it has been tried and tested. Also, it is placed on a thick, black banner, smaller versions of this to separate News from Features and so on. This gives another sense of continuity throughout the page.

On the left-hand side of the page, there is a list of bands and which page in the magazine these bands will be featured. This information is printed in red, whereas the rest of the contents (which is placed in order of what type of features it is) are printed in black ink. By doing this, the red and black contrast, and make each one look completely different from the other, showing their difference in information. By putting down only the bands, people can look through, spot their favourite band and go to that page straight away, regardless of what the article is about. 

Existing magazine Contents page analysis: Kerrang!

Kerrang! contents page, November 2008

In the top right-hand corner, there is a letter from the editor, this makes readers feel as if they are being spoken to. They feel as if the editor has made this issue just for them, it also tells the reader an informal account of what happened to make the issue, and what is in it.

There is a use of many images of different bands. This is another way to show people what is inside the magazine at a glance, meaning they don't act6ually have to read anything before they can see the man things inside the issue.

The colours of yellow and black are carried througout the page, being used primarily for page numbers and sections of the magazine (e.g. Live Reviews, and Features). By making the page numbers such a bright colour against the contrasting black, they stand out. It means that if people look at the pictures and are interested, they can see the number very easily and turn to that page to read about who they are intersted in. There is one picture that is larger than the rest, this is because this is the band that most people would be interested in, so its easier for them to realise that this band is featured in the magazine.

A quote is used under the header 'Contents' this is by from a guitarist from a very famous band. What he says is quite odd and make intriuge people and make them want to read the article featuring his band.

At the bottom, in the right-hand corner, there is a red box. Immediately, this catches people's eye as it is the only place that red has really been used on the cover. But this box contain information of subscription to the magazine. This means that the colour wil catch people's eye and then they read the box and are more likely to consider subscribing to the magazine.

Weekly Update: Week 3

I have been researching to magazines, what goes into them, what people buy them and why. By doing this research I've begun to think about the genre of music my magazine will cover. Taking into account that I already read a few music magazines on a regular basis and the type of music I prefer, I have decided to do a magazine that focuses on the rock and indie genres. By doing this, I think it will be beneficial because I have more knowledge of the type of music and what the magazines contain/what magazines of this genre usually include.

Complete Brainstorm

Click image to enlarge

Analysis of existing music magazine covers: Kerrang!

This image is a cover of Kerrang magazine which was published in November 2007.

The main image on the cover is of a man playing a guitar, to people who are familiar with this genre of music will be able to identify him as Matt Bellamy, lead singer/guitarist for Muse. This will attract people who are a fan of his music, and because he is in one of the biggest bands in the world and has many fans in the UK, people may be more inclined to buy this issue of the magazine. The fact that the picture is obviously from a live concert and not shot in a studio gives readers an immediate insight into what the main feature is. And the fact that the number 100 is quite large will entice potential readers to buy the magazine because there's such a big amount of gigs that are displayed.

Matt Bellamy's head is placed in front of the name of the magazine, which is Kerrang!. The mgazine is one of the biggest rock magazines in the UK, so by putting his head in front of the name, it trusts that readers know what the magazine is already and aren't using that to gain readers. Placed on top of the magazine's name is the phrase 'Life is Loud', this reflects the type of music it is promoting, rock music is known as a genre which is often very loud and will appeal to people who enjoy this type of music.
The colour of Matt Bellamy's clothes is red, this corresponds with the tagline of 'Life is Loud' and the other feature on the bottom right. The name of the magazine is black and also has a shattered effect, this again corresponds with the genre of music which is supports.

The second main colour is yellow, this is used on the strip of pictures on the left-hand side, the skyline at the top, and the line underneath the main cover line. This shows continuity throughout the cover and also goes very well with red.

On the left-hand side of the page, there is a strip of pictures featuring other bands. This is used so that, if people aren't very interested in the main features, there are other things that they could read, it offers an alternative, as does flash shown in the bottom right-hand corner. 

Pre-Construction Questionnaire Results

Existing magazine cover analysis: Rock Sound

Rock Sound cover August 2009

The main colour on this cover is blue. This is shown in the colour of the main model's t-shirt, the mast head and the background colour of the minor features. The use of the same colour throughout the front cover shows a theme of continuity and gives the cover a sense of togetherness. There are two accent colours, yellow and red. The yellow is used as it is bright nd will draw people's attention to it. For example, the phrases 'the only interview' and 'world exclusive' are in yellow. These things stand out to make people realise that this is the only place they can read the interviews, making people feel the need to buy it and read it so they are in the know and know wha'ts going on with these two bands. And the second accent colour, red is also carried throughout the cover. It is shown in the female on the bottom right corner's shirt and then more at the topf of the cover. By using this colour at the top and at the bottom, it balances out the colours, making sure there sin't too much of one and not enough of the other.

The models on the front cover are Pete Wentz, left, and Mark Hoppus, right. The bands that they are in both have large followings. This means that by having two people from two famous bands that both of their fans would be likely to buy the magazine. Also, Blink 182 were most famous in the late 90s early 2000s, whereas Fall Out Boy were more mid-late 2000s, meaning that it isn't the norm that they're together. It will make people curios and want to know why they're on there togeteher.

Mark Hoppus, right, is positioned slightly closer to the camera because of his band. At the time that this issue of the magazine was published, his band was making a comeback which was highly anticipated.The focus has been placed on him, so more people will be attracted to the magazine. Andm, the fact that Pete Wentz, right, is there, offers an alternative to those who do not know/like the other person on the cover.

Existing magazine cover analysis: Big Cheese

Big Cheese cover November 2009

The picture of the band is placed towards the top of the cover with their heads covering the actual name of the magazine, showing that the band are more important, and are going to help with sales more than the name of their magazine will. Red, black and white are the main colours on the cover, they are the only colours used on the text. It offers some simplicity so too many colours don’t overwhelm the readers. The colours are all also used in the masthead. This again, shows a theme of continuity through the cover. 

The lead singer of the band, who is in the middle of the picture, is wearing bright colours such as blue and yellow and she has orange hair (which is a trademark of her's, and this is how many people recognize her), whereas the rest of the people in the band are wearing duller colours such as grey and navy blue. This makes her stand out more, so the different colours will catch people's eye as they walk past and make them more likely to pick up the magazine and buy it. 

Her hand is held out as though she has just blown someone a kiss, this interlinks with the line 'get the kiss of life' underneath the name of the band. Also, the words leave a space so the hand that she is holding out goes in between the words. She, and the rest of the band, are looking into the camera, which makes it seem as though they are all looking directly at whoever is reading the magazine. 

Instead of using pictures, it just uses the names of the band to entice potential readers. This makes people come closer to the magazine to actually read what it says. By doing this, and making them come closer to read the magazine, they are more likely to stop and look at it properly. 

Shot List

Shot List

Mind map of magazines

Pre-Construction Questionnaire

Pre Questionnaire

Weekly Update: Week 2

I've completed my preliminary task and have posted it. Although I think it went well, there are many things I have learnt from it and I hope to correct when making my main task.

Colour Analysis: Blue

 

(text continued) temperature.

By doing this, I have seen what connotations the colour blue gives to potential readers. Overall, it is a very powerful colour if it is a deep/dark shade. However, if the shade is light it tends to have calm connotations perhaps which is not suited to those in my targer demographic.

Font Analysis

By analysing fonts, it gave me an idea of what fonts would and wouldn't work with the genre of music that my magazine would be. I came to the conclusion that a stronger font would be better for the rock/indie genre that my magazine would be.

Gender Representation in Music magazines

When researching my music magazine it was clear to see the conventions of music magazines. I found that most magazines had a main image that was the focus of the whole front page. The person/people on the front cover were either a whole band or the lead singer of a band.

In the first image, despite the fact that the whole band is on the cover, the focus is on the lead singer [Gerard Way]. The  three other people in the band are dressed in all black, the lead singer's red hair attracts attention straight to him. This technique is used because the lead singer is the member of the band that people are most likely to recognise. The first Kerrang front cover shows the band in a quite manly pose, this shows their masculinity, adhering to the typical representation of males in the media.

On the top image, the name of the band is used to grab attention. But in the second image, the picture of the female [Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore] is the centre of attention. They are relying on the fact that people will know her face rather than the band she's in to get people to purchase the magazine. 

In the second Kerrang front cover, the pose that the woman is in feminine. She has wide eyes which suggests that she is naive or perhaps in need of protection. This is contrasted by the word 'SECURITY' on the front of her t-shirt which means that although she may look like someone in need of help, she's capable of looking after herself. This goes against typical representation of females who are often represented as needing to be protected.

Preliminary Task

The preliminary task was to create a new school/college magazine. This is my finished task:

After completeing the preliminary task, I realised there was many things I could have done differently to improve the overall look of my magazine.

The first thing I would have done would have been to edit the images. For example, the image I used on the front cover would have looked better if I had acut out the models and placed them on a different background. If the background was simple block colour, such as white, it would have made it look more professional. Also, the images were taken using a digital camera, if I had used a professional camera like an SLR, the images' resolution would have been a lot higher, making the images clearer.

Another change I would have made would have been the fonts, they are too generic. Although in magazines the fonts are often simple so it is easy to read, they usually have fonts that aren't too commonly used.

Also, the main cover line doesn't reflect the picture. The main cover line is 'Exam Stress', but the models on the front look perfectly calm. If I were to do it again, I would re-shoot the picture or I would change the main cover line to something that goes with the image that I have chosen to use.

Weekly Update: Week 1

I'm halfway through completing my preliminary task of a school magazine. Its going well, I've done a photo shoot with two people and gained some good images. I've almost completely finished the front cover and I'm about to start on the contents page.

Target Audience

 Target Audience

My target audience is teenagers (both males and females), between the ages of 16-21, and of socio-economic groups C1, C2 and D. They are my target audience because after asking people of various ages whether they would want to read a music magazine of the rock/indie genre, these are the ages who answered affirmatively. They are my target audience because they are the age group that are most likely to enjoy this type of music. 

This is an example of my target audience, her name is Becky she is 16 years old and he lives in the centre of London. At Sixth Form she studies Art, History, Sociology and Geography, she enjoys listening to music and her favourite bands are Paramore and Foals. She often goes out shopping with her friends and she loves going see her favourite bands in concert, having seen Paramore, Drums, Florence and the Machine and 3OH!3 she is a prime example of my target audience.

Introduction

This blog will cover everything I've done to create my Media coursework of two magazines. The first magazine I have chosen to make is a music magazine. The first posts will be documenting my planning, research and the actual contstruction of the magazine.

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I chose to do a music magazine which covers the genre of Rock/Indie music. I came to this decision after I looked through the different types of music I could possibly base my magazine on. I chose this genre of music because it is the genre of music that I listen to and I have the most knowledge on. I could use this to my advantage as I have read many magazines on this genre before such as Kerrang!, Rock Sound, NME, Alternative Press and Spin.

Production Schedule

Production Schedule

Production Brief

Print

Preliminary exercise: using DTP and an image manipulation program, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce a DTP mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of the program.

Main task: the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine (if done as a group task, each member of the group to produce an individual edition of the magazine, following the same house style). Maximum four members to a group.

All images and text used must be original, produced by the candidate(s), minimum of FOUR images per candidate.