7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Referring back to my preliminary task, I feel that I have come across numerous challenges that have resulted into overall positives in the outcome of my music magazine. As well as this, I believe that I now have a wider knowledge on the conventions of a magazine and why they are important. Also, I now have a more broad understanding on the importance of having a good photo on the product, looking at the numerous connotations pictures give.

When creating my music magazine front cover, I began to understand why we use magazine conventions such as left-thirds, cover lines and puffs. Even though I included some of these conventions on my student magazine, I wasn't aware on the effects they would have on the audience therefore, resulting in a poor and unappealing impact.

Fundamentally, my music magazine uses left-thirds, cover lines and puffs as well as rule of thirds (in the picture) to create some form of effect. Everything on my music magazine was attention to detail, ensuring it had an, if not more, effect/s on my chosen audience.

Furthermore, I believe that my experience with the programmes I used to create my magazines benefited the overall outcome of my music magazine. This is because, when creating my student magazine, I used Adobe InDesign CS6. I then discovered problems with transferring edited, Photoshop images onto the programme, resulting in a low resolution display. With some trial and error, when coming to creating my music magazine, I discovered that it was easier to edit and create my music magazine front cover on Photoshop. This is a prime example of me learning through the process of creating both student and music magazines.

Throughout the overall coursework process, I can see the improvements I have made (the most important I have stated). I believe my music magazine has appropriate front cover and is relevant to my chosen audience. Moreover, I feel that everything on my front cover has a positive effect, I wish my audience to have when they see my magazine, from text to pictures. An example would be the eye contact the artist on my front cover has towards the audience. This encourages people to buy the magazine and often influences imagery, with the audience imagining they're the person in the image. 

6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

 Technology is obviously important when creating my music magazine. There are numerous editing programmes that media companies use when creating their magazines. These include programmes I have used such as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. Even though Adobe is an expensive and reliable programme, some magazine companies would use other programmes and may sometimes have their own programme, created for them.

Below is a SWAT analysis elaborating what I have learnt, about technologies, when constructing my product. Click on the image for a larger display.

4 & 5. Who would be the audience for your media product and how did you attract/address your audience?

Who would be the audience for your media product? 

My music magazine is aimed at a teenage audience who enjoy an acoustic/folk sound. The magazine has been written for a teenage audience (ages 14-18) however, it may be read by anyone and everyone. My music magazine is likely to be read by more teenage girls; more females read magazines compared to males. I have insured that aspects of my magazine are appealing for all audiences even though the magazine has been created for a specific audience. This is because, I wish for my magazine to be read by many other people if they chose to do so. An example would be: recommended songs to listen to, competitions to enter or even festival information.

During my IPC Media case study, I discovered that the publisher have numerous audiences however, adapt some of their magazines to appeal to all. I have imagined that my magazine will be published with a company such as IPC Media. 

How did you attract/address your audience?
by: SamPoole24

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

The two media institutions I have looked at in my research are IPC Media and Bauer Media.

IPC Media publish a variety of different media magazines such as NME, Nuts and What's on TV. From this, I can clearly see that the institution would be appropriate to publish my magazine; they already publish to different audiences.

• IPC Media is known by numerous people for its lifestyle brands. This may possibly be of disadvantage as music magazines aren't their specialised area of publishing. Even though they publish NME, which is highly successful, it is not guarenteed my music magazine would follow a similar path. 

Bauer Media is more recognised in digital media, leading some top national radio stations such as The Hits Radio and the South Coast's most popular radio station, Wave 105. Again, Bauer Media publish music magazines with Britain's most popular magazine, Q. This institution may be more appropriate to publish my music magazine because:

• They have a larger audience base.
• Bauer Media have numerous radio stations and a television channel to support the promotion of a new music magazine they would bring out therefore, working in synergy. 
• There is more content Bauer Media publish that is aimed at young people, supporting my target audience and drawing them into buying my magazine. 

Overall, I believe that IPC Media is an excellent publishing institution although, would not be appropriate to publish my magazine with. This is because, the companies working under the institution are very limited in the audiences they have, resulting to a disadvantage in promotion, compared to what it would be like with Bauer Media. Bauer Media have the option to work with their companies meaning that the promotion process of my magazine would be advertised to a wider audience, resulting into a more likely hood for my music magazine to succeed. 

2. How Does Your Media Product Represent Particular Social Groups?

1. In what way does your product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

 

Below is the script I used for the above video:
The media product I have created is an acoustic/folk music magazine aimed at a young audience who are interested in the genre and are keen enthusiasts of new music.

The music magazine I have created was supported and inspired by other music magazines such as NME and Q. I feel that the support from the real like examples challenged my original ideas; they were highly limited in the conventions I planned to include. Therefore made the overall outcome of my music magazine look professional and real. 

During the creation process of my front page, contents page and double page spread, I always used real life examples beside me to ensure I was conforming to the expected conventions. Below, are a few examples of music magazines that supported me during the creation process.

NME was the first magazine I analysed and I felt that the front covers they had were the best option to support me during the creation process of my front page. When creating my front page, I understood the importance of the conventions such as cover lines, plugs, puffs and left thirds as well as the photography conventions, considering the rule of thirds. When creating my front page, I followed some aspects of NME's front pages like how they situated the left thirds and the behind the head points. I am pleased with the outcome of my front page although, I have acknowledged some changes I could of made. Refer back to "finished front cover" post for the reasons why I didn't change my front page. 

The music magazine Q had a vast influence on my contents page. This is because I liked the way in which they situated their text on the page as well the picture. Moreover, I found that the main image on the contents page was posed, as most contents pages are and that the mis-en-scene was limited so that the audience were not distracted by what's in the background and were focused on the artist or anything thing else obviously shown. During the creation process of my contents page, I debated to whether I would challenge the forms and convention to do the opposite with my main image positioned on my contents page. For example, I'd have the image of the musician with numerous items in the background, creating a busy mis-en-scene. I decided against this as I knew the importance of good photography and didn't wish to confuse my target audience. I feel that the more objects in the picture, the more interpretations the audience can have. I didn't wish for this, I wanted my audience to have a grasp of the passion and enthusiasm the musician in the picture had towards their music. 

I wished for my double page spread to look real and professional but be my own. That's why I din't use one pure music magazine to support me during the creation process of my double page spread. I used numerous examples of music magazine double page spreads to contribute to my ideas on what I wished to have in the outlook. I found this process challenging but highly rewarding as it gave me a more, broad understanding of the creation of music magazines and how they are made to work with their audience. Personally, I believe that my double page spread is the the best piece out of all three pieces.

Below are some opinions of those who have seen my music magazine:
Source: Facebook

Finished Double Page Spread

This is my finished double page spread. I am pleased with the outlook as it looks professional and remains to the magazine conventions. Furthermore, I have remained to the colour scheme and font types which shows a sustained design.

Click on the image for a higher quality display. 

Double Page Spread Creation Process

I have created my double page spread on Adobe CS6 InDesign. I felt that Adobe InDesign was the most appropriate software to create my double page spread on as it allowed me to navigate easily during the creation process. Also, it allowed me to follow a template of lines, ensuring that everything is in alignment and to size.

Step 1: 

To begin, I created a plain black stroke for my background; I had the same background on my contents page. Following a design from another music magazine, I wished to have one whole side of a page with a picture relating to the story. From then on, I began to design and write my main story.






Step 2:

I wished to have a quotation on something spoken during the interview overlapped onto my picture as it looked appealing and professional. As well as this, readers who are scanning through the magazine would be appealed to this double page spread due to the phrase.

I made the headline of the main story the artists name as it is about the musician. I chose to do this in block capitals so that it was big and bold, like the story. Furthermore, I relayed my colour scheme.

Step 3:

Lines and spacing made the overall outlook of my contents page look professional and appealing. When creating my double page spread, I ensured the content was good likewise, the graphology was excellent. With my spread, I felt that a full story would be irrelevant for my young reading audience. Therefore, used short paragraphing with answers from the questions asked in the interview.

Finished Contents Page

This is my finished contents page. I am please with the outlook as it looks professional and relates to my front cover.

When completing my contents page, I took into account the quantity of text on the contents page and thought it was too much. Although, when researching other magazine contents pages, I discovered that the amount of text was sometimes high as long as it didn't relate to one story.


Click on the image for a bigger and better quality display. 

Contents Page Checklist

Does your main image relay your musical genre? 

Yes, the main image relates to the main story about Jerry Williams, an acoustic singer/songwriter. The main image of the person on my front page is the same person on my contents page. The photos were taken at different locations with the musician wearing different clothes.

Have you got a good selection of relevant images? 

My magazine uses images of Jerry as the main images; she is the main musician focused on in that issue. I have used an image from a live event as I wish to have a section in my music magazine purely devoted to live music pictures and captions. I understand that live images aren't the best for photography however, I felt that live images of gigs would be more appealing towards my audience than just original, posed images.

Do your content headings relate to your Cover Lines?

Yes. My main cover line which says "Jezza" relates to my main image on my contents page.

Do you have a consistent design feel? 

I feel that I have a consistent design over the two pieces. I believe that the colour scheme, sizing and pictures all tie in well together and contribute to a professional outlook. I have also ensured that the texts relate to each other and that the font types aren't to exotic when coming to a music magazine.

Contents Page Creation Process

I created my contents page on Adobe InDesign CS6. 

Step 1:

When creating my contents page, I ensured that the page orientation was portrait, A4 and consisted of three columns. I did this before I opened a page, a small window shows on screen where I can create the page I wish to have. To begin, I created various boxes and colours to see what looked good and professional for my double page spread. As well as this, I recreated my magazine title on this programme so that the page was consistent from my double page spread.


Step 2:

When choosing my font type for my contents pages, I made sure that it wasn't too wild and didn't distract the audience from the magazine genre.

For the phrases such as "This Week In..." I used a more handwritten outlook so that my contents page looked modern.

Step 3:

When creating my contents page, whilst looking at another music magazines contents page for inspiration, I felt that it would be relevant to add some form of advertisement that related to the music magazine. Therefore, I included a 'subscribe today' box. I included a terms and conditions paragraph with the subscribe today box so that it looked realistic and professional.

Overall, I ensured that my contents page had a use of lines and was in alignment so that is looked real. Also, I kept my colour scheme consistent from the front page so that the audience aren't distracted from the main story. When I was drawing out the flat plan for my contents page, I considered having another photo of another artist linking to another story in my magazine. I didn't do this as I was afraid to make my contents page look too amateur and cluttered. 

Music Magazine: Finished Front Cover

This is my finished front cover for my music magazine. I am pleased with the outcome as it has a professional outlook; it uses left thirds, consists of a cover line and most importantly the mast head is behind the person in the picture contributing to it looking even more professional.

To improve:

To improve my front cover, I feel that my cover line and left thirds would need to be at a larger font so that they are easier to read at a glance. As well as this, I feel that the text below the "Exclusive Interview" left thirds needs to have a black back drop box with red and white font, tying in with the above text. The reason I haven't edited the front cover; there was a corruption in the file and this was my saved JPEG copy.



When I create my contents page and double page spread, I will ensure that the colour scheme, font types and sizes will be used throughout.

Click on image for a larger, higher quality display.

As Media Front Cover Checklist

Does your main image relay your musical genre? 

I  feel that my main image found on my front cover is appropriate for my music magazine genre. This is because the  the artist in the photo is holding a guitar relating to my genre: acoustic/folk. As well as this, a bold use of colours is used to make the image appealing and to encourage my audience to buy the magazine. The fact that there are no bright, florescent colours on the front page supports my genre with regards to a pop/rock magazine that would be bright and eye catching.

Is your MASTHEAD relevant to the genre? It should be the biggest FONT on the page and in CAPITALS? 

The masthead relates to my genre as the original definition of 'fusion' in music was two genrers mixed together such as rock/pop, rock and roll. I believe that the Masthead was relevent as I am combining two different but similar genres (acoustic/folk) into one magazine.

Have you used a variety of FONTS and SIZES for your COVER LINES?

The font type I have used for my masthead is Playbill. Even though this font type has a serif outlook, I feel that it is appropriate for my masthead as it is in capitals, bold and appealing for my audience. The reason I have chosen red for my masthead is; it ties in well with the red on the person in the front cover photo.

The font type I have used for my left thirds is Helvetica Neue. When arranging my fonts, I had to consider what size it was going to be on the front page. I understood that the left thirds and cover line couldn't be bigger than the masthead. Therefore, I made my left thirds size 12 and my main cover line of the artists name size 72.

Is your main COVER LINE clear? Does it relate to your image? It should be bigger that all the other COVER LINES.

I acknowledged that my cover line was important as it was the artists (the model on the front page) name. Due to this, I had to ensure that the cover line was bold, eye catching however, in alignment and relatable to the other texts and colours. My main cover line is bigger than the other cover lines as it is important for it to stand out.

Do you need a TAG LINE?

I have chosen not to have a tag line for my music magazine as I wish to express the inner meaning of my magazine through the cover line and left thirds. I also felt that it was important the readers have their  own opinion on stories and pictures consisted within the magazine.

Are your COVER LINES relevant to the genre? 

My cover lines are relevant to the genre as they relate to stories included in the magazine for the audience to explore more about that music genre.

Have you got a BARCODE? 

I have a barcode, issue date and price found on the bottom right hand corner of my magazine. When analysing other music magazines, some situated their barcodes on the back of the magazine however, I kept it on the front page as that is where they are usually expected to be found.

Have you got PLUGS and PROMOTIONS?

I have used a variety of different front page conventions on my magazine front cover. Although, I haven't used them all; I didn't want to clutter my front page making it look unprofessional and fake.

Have you got a DATE and ISSUE number? 

My date and issue number have been grouped in the same area as my barcode.

Music Magazine Front Cover Building Process

To successfully complete my contents page, I used Adobe Photoshop Version CS6. I believe that Photoshop is the most appropriate software to create my music magazine front cover ensuring it has a professional outlook; I understand how to use the effects tools more. Also, I found that my front page would require almost double the time and concentration to be certain it was to my satisfaction. Ensuring that it was appropriate for my audience and genre: acoustic and folk.

 Step 1:

To begin my front cover, I found the appropriate picture I wished to use. I found this task highly challenging so to assist me, I narrowed the photos down to five and then picked my favourite.

To have the masthead so that it was behind the artists head, I created layers, cut around the artists head using the lasso tool, copied it, situated the masthead where I wanted to be and finally, pasted the section of the artist head over the title "fusion".

Step 2:


Next, I began to create the cover line which was the artist name. The reason I made my cover line the artist name is because other music magazined did so. The main story is about them. I believe it had an effective influence on the audience and that they were immediately drawn into buying the magazine as they knew the artist well. In theory, Jerry (or "Jezza") is a known new artist with thousands of people wishing to know more about her.

Step 3:

Step 4:

To create my cover line, I used boxes, bold text and colours (such as white) that would stand out against the background. To ensure that my front cover was simplified for further editing, I created layers for everything on my page. I could of flattened it so that it was all on layer however, this would of made my work more difficult to edit. The side bar on the right is where I could see what layers I had on my front cover.

Step 5:

Using another music magazine as a guideline for mine, I ensured that it was't too similar therefore, experimenting for a decent outlook. When I had my main cover line centred, I felt that it blocked to much of the picture therefore resulting to it being unappealing.

Step 6:

I added a barcode and a date of issue to the front page so that it looked more professional and real. I situated my barcode, price and date of issue on the bottom right hand corner as that is when they are typically found on a magazine front cover. Some magazines chose to put their barcode on the back page but I chose to have it on the front as that is the most common place.

When designing my left thirds, I felt that it would be good to have them similar to my main cover line but in a smaller size. The reason for this is because I wished for my front cover to be appealing, in line so that nothing looked to out of place and a set colour scheme. When creating my left thirds, I could of easily had an out of the box scheme colour but this wouldn't look good and would be unbelievable. As well as this, it would restrict the attraction of audiences.

Music Magazine: Flat Plans

These are my flat plans for my music magazine with some annotations on the conventions I will include on the pages. I chose to draw out my flat plans as I felt that it was easier for me to visualise through drawing. By doing this, it also allowed me to explore more in depth about what I wished to have on my pages as it was in front of me and not on a screen. 

This is the flat plan for my front cover, when designing it, I ensured that I had a variety of conventions that would definitely be on the front page. I am aware that flat plans are a guideline only however, I do what I can to stick to them as close as possible. Discovering other music magazines also influenced my decisions on the layout as I often found better designs. 

When drawing out my contents page, I wished for the photo to be large but not too big so that it is overwhelming. With my bulletins that showed what's inside the magazine, I added a short sentence introducing what's included on that page. I wished for the audience to focus on this. Moreover, I added the magazine website on the top right hand corner so that the reader is influence to look on the magazine website.

My double page spread will have a more casual, easy read outlook. From analysing other double page spreads, I have decided to have the picture of the artist on one side of the page looking towards the story. I have found that pull quotations from the interview will be used to divide paragraphs and hock and audience into reading more. As well as this, smaller boxes were found on the spread with added extras, this will be considered for my work. The name of the artist will be printed over the story as the headline as it is continuous from the main cover line.


I physically drew out all of my flat plans and didn't digitally draw them as I believe it is easier to visualise what you wish to have through drawing. 

Music Magazine Pictures Overview

This photo is well presented for what I feel would look good on a double page spread. The reason for me not using it on my front page is because it is difficult to situate the left thirds on the photo unless I flip the picture. However, because the person in the photo isn't looking at the camera, I feel that it is irrelevant as it wouldn't encourage an audience to buy the magazine. I also feel that the location of the picture relates well to my music magazine genre of acoustic/folk; it originates from an urban background. As well as this, I wished to emphasise the background the artist was from so that the audience had a more personal encounter whilst reading the story on Jerry. 

I feel that this photo of Jerry is good and was highly considered for the front cover of my music magazine.

The reason I chose not to use this photo for my front cover was because the artist was too centred which made it difficult to design the magazine front cover. In my research, I found that some music magazines had the artist centred although, they had a full body shot. When looking at other music magazine front covers, the artists who were centred usually had a full body portrait which made it look effective. This photo is a medium close up and wouldn't look appropriate to be on a front cover as it is centred and over posed. When I planned the picture for my front page, I wished to have a neutral background, which this has.

Passion and love are two prime feelings shown in this photo which is great for an audience to see. I feel that for the feelings of the artist to be presented to an audience is a key way in attaching people to read as well as engage more with the magazine. I will use this photo on my contents page introducing the article that will be found on my double page spread; an aspect of my article will be talking about the artists feelings in what they do.

This photo is ideal for the front cover of a music magazine. I feel that it had a more rocky impressions therefore, this isn't appropriate for my front cover; photo is in black and white and the person in the picture is wearing black. Besides this, the bricked background gives the connotation of rough, solid and unmissable music which I believe is irrelevant for my magazine genre. 

Photography Plan Music Magazine & Summary

I felt that my photography shoot was successful; I now have a variety of good images that will contribute to my music magazine. When taking the photos, I ensured that the mise-en-scene, lighting, space was pivotal to get a good image.

Annotated Music Magazines

When doing my research, I ensured that I annotated a variety of magazine genre conventions so that I had a broad understanding on what would be consisted in the genre and what the audience expect to read.

 

NME is associated with a variety of different music genres. Even though I wish to make my music magazine specific to its genre, I feel that NME is a good source to analyse as it develops my understanding on the areas I should include in my magazine for my audience. Furthermore, the front cover shows a good range of magazine font page concepts. 

This contents page from the music magazine "Q" presents clearly on the kind of layout I wish to include in my music magazine. Specifically, I like how they have sectioned areas of the magazine in a column alongside with a large picture focusing on the main story. 

This double page spread uses pull quotes which I find effective towards the readers as the main statements from the interview hock them in to read. As well as this, I like how the artist have a picture on the right hand side of the page with another quotation from the interview: I will highly consider this. Even though the situating of pictures and text is good, I find that there is limited colour which is bland and unappealing for the audience. Thus, I am going to have more of a variety of colours relating to my front page. 

Music Magazine Design Initial Ideas Mind Map

The initial ideas aren't all guaranteed to be included in my music magazine however, it is important that I follow my mind map so that I remain in line with the genre conventions. 

Music Magazine: Research and Planning Task 1

My chosen genre of music magazine is acoustic/folk. The reason I have chose to design a magazine based around the genre is because I love the genre. Moreover, I have numerous friends who follow the genre of music and felt it would be good to collate opinions from them on what should be in an acoustic/folk music magazine.

When gathering research for my music magazine, I asked an open question to people of all different ages and backgrounds on what they'd expect to see in an acoustic/folk magazine:

Target Audience representation: Equality & Diversity

How might you ensure your target audience? 

From analysing other music magazines, I looked into the target audiences they had and allowed them to  support the target audience I will have for my music magazine.

NME or, New Musical Express is a music journalist publication for music across the UK. The music magazine focuses on a variety of musical genres although, it has been particularly associated with punk rock through the outstanding stories of a music journalist. NME began as a music newspaper however, they merged into a music magazine in 1998. The music magazine doesn't have a specific audience due to the variety of music they cover but, it is read by a more of a younger audience; of its magazine format.

This magazine contributes to how I will aim at my younger audience because of its modern outlook and mode of address.

Q is the UK's biggest monthly published music magazine. The magazine has a highly popular section on new releases, reissues, film and live concert reviews. Some critics believed that the magazine was losing its edge and plying it safe by covering stories on 'too well known artists'.

Again, the magazine doesn't have a specific audience as it looks into a wide area of musical artists. Although, the fact that they have a popular section on new musical releases suggests that the audience are interested in knowing more about new music.


My music magazine will be aimed at a teenage audience who enjoy an acoustic/folk sound, getting the lowdown on new music. The magazine is more likely to be read by teenage girls as they have a higher probability in reading news, stories, backstage gossip with the artists. However, I wish to ensure aspects of the magazine will be equally appealing to teenage males. An example may be upcoming gigs as the live music is appealing to everyone.

It is important when planning my music magazine that I don't alienate people who the magazine isn't aimed at. I believe it is essential to keep aiming at the chosen audience although, developing my magazine so that it is appealing to an older audience will prove the quality and diversity my magazine gives. 

How is the genre represented? 

Acoustic/folk music has more of a neutral audience and is listened to both genders. When looking at the genre of music magazines read by males, the stereotype would be rock. Even though my music genre I am choosing to base my magazine on is listened by both genders, it is more probable that it will be females reading it. 

The genre isn't really aimed at anyone with a specific ethnic background as numerous genders with different ethnicities listen to the music.