For my AS Level Media Studies coursework, I was to create my own, exclusive music magazine. In order to provide evidence of the research and planning that I carried out, I was to make a blog, and also use Adobe Photoshop to produce my own front cover, contents page and double page spread. As I have finally finished the task that was set for me and other students, I am now able to evaluate the effectiveness of my work and to reflect on how much I have developed my media skills and understanding.

At the beginning of this coursework, I decided to produce three pieces that celebrates the genre ‘pop’. Pop has many obvious and recognisable conventions that are loved and valued by fans of this genre. As I have been a pop fan myself in the past, I am already aware of these conventions, but I carried out a lot of in depth research to improve and develop my knowledge on pop magazines and to explore how existing pop media texts reflect the genre through different aspects like content, featured articles and mode of address.

My front cover, contents page and double page spread all follow the typical conventions of existing pop magazines, which is an important factor to be able to attract the appropriate target audience. I decided to call my magazine ‘Non-Stop Pop’ which is effective and unique. In each of my three pieces, they feature bright colours which is used to entice the readers and to reveal the bright, fun and upbeat identity of pop. The colour scheme of my three pieces is mainly pink with purple and yellow, which are all feminine and exciting colours, which will appeal and attract the teenage readership of my magazine. Furthermore, these colours are also used in the two well-known pop magazines, ‘We Love Pop’ and ‘Top of the Pops’. The images below is evidence that these magazines use the same colours in their magazines.

Each of the images used in my magazine, follow the conventions of images used in pop magazines, as well as the use of typical pop iconography. The models in my magazine make it aware of who my target audience is and that the magazine is a pop magazine. The main images in ‘Non-Stop Pop’ are of a young, girl band which will make the audience aware that they are a close, happy group as they have a close proximity, direct address and positive and happy facial expressions. By the girl band having direct address, it will make the target audience think they are looking and talking to them. Furthermore, the facial expressions of the girls makes the reader aware that Lovestruck have something to tell, which is convincing the reader to purchase the magazine. This also makes them look friendly, bubbly and not intimidating whatsoever.

Evaluation

My contents page also follows the key conventions of a pop magazine. My contents page also uses bright colours like pink and baby blue which are both feminine and girly colours, appealing to the reader and luring her in. The main image shown on my contents page also shows the girls are fun, feminine and bubby girls, which is making the image stand out and making girls look up to ‘Lovestruck’ as role models and feeling as if they are the reader friend. It is important for pop artists/bands to be represented as calm and positive people as it is welcoming and being friendly towards young teenage girls, making them read the magazine.

I have also followed the general layout conventions of a magazine front cover, by putting the masthead on the top of the frame of the front cover, which makes it stand out and catch the audience’s attention. I have also put the price and barcode at the bottom right hand corner of the front cover, which is where the Western eye goes last. Moreover, on my front cover is many sell lines and images to attract the audience and lure the in to reading the magazine. My front cover looks ‘busy’ but this is a common convention in pop magazines, as it indicates fun and excitement, which links to the typical personality of a pop fan.

Over the three pieces I created, I have used a symbiotic link by using the same glamorous girl band who are young, around the same age, and beautiful girls. This is a way of grabbing the attention of the readership and luring them in to buying the magazine. I have also used the same colour scheme through all three pieces, which is pink and this represents feminine, fun and excitement. By creating this symbiotic link, I have accomplished a strong brand identity which will have a result of the readership being able to notice and recognise ‘Non-Stop Pop’ immediately, and make a purchase of it.

Another way I will be able to entice the youthful readership, in each of my three pieces is through informal mode of address. It is important to build a relationship and special bond between the magazine and reader and also relevant and effective mode of address will make the readers feel that the magazine is a friend, who completely understands them. Words like ‘hottie’ ‘lol’ and ‘woops’ are used throughout my three pieces and the target audience will be able to recognise these words as they use them to speak when communicating with their friends. This is a way of attracting the audience and convincing them to make a purchase of the magazine, as I have followed the conventions of a pop magazine by using this language. Moreover, similar mode of address if found on the front cover and inside the magazine of ‘Non-Stop Pop’, such as ‘hotties’ and ‘lush ‘.

The images shown below are all three of my pieces, and you will be able to recognise how I have followed the conventions of a pop magazine.

Add images of three pieces!

As you will be able to notice, my contents page is similar to the contents page inside the pop magazine ‘Top of the Pops’. Though, instead of using an image of the front cover, I used an image of the girl band, to create a link between each of my three pieces. I thought this would be more creative and effective. Furthermore, you will be aware that the layout of my contents page is the alike to the contents page that appear in ‘Top of the Pops’. I believe my contents page is straight to the point and easy for the readership to navigate, which is not putting them off by confusion. A common feature I have used on my front cover is the use of puffs. I have also includes the price of magazine as well as the

barcode that is placed at the bottom right hand corner. The price and barcode are not as important on the front cover which is why this is in a smaller font.

I have also followed the key conventions of a double page spread such as a dominant image, pages numbers, text and using a pull quote to convince the target audience to read the article about the girl band. Pull quotes are often seen in double page spreads as this is a quote used from an article to entice the readership.

The target audience of ‘Non-Stop Pop’ is aimed at 11-16 year old teenage, feminine girls. The readers of my magazine will be young, fresh and fun young girls who love to go out with their friends, use social networks, and do their hair and makeup. They also enjoy reading about the latest gossip involving celebrities, fashion tips on how to be more like their role models, and how to aspire to be more like them. As a whole, music is an important aspect in the readership’s lifestyle. They like to constantly listen to music either on their iPod, iPhone or the radio. Young teenage pop fans listen to radio stations like Capital FM and Kiss 100. They listen to these radio stations to find out the latest hits, and whether their favourite artist/band have hit number 1 in the charts. They would like to meet their artist crush in reality, instead of just dreaming it. The target audience who read ‘Non-Stop Pop’ would use my magazine for a number of reasons, and this can involve adding a collection of posters to their bedroom wall, as the young girls love to decorate their room with inspirations and boys crushes.

My music magazine will also meet the needs of each reader as it will include the latest information about celebrity break ups, make ups and all the exclusive gossip on the reader’s favourite artist/band. Moreover, ‘Non-Stop Pop’ will also include real life stories based on young, teenage girls as this is a way of enticing the target audience, as the article will also include information on how to stay safe and secure. For instance, I will include a real life article a 15 year old girl who was receiving inappropriate emails and messages from a man who was 38, acting as if he was 16 years of age. Being safe is extremely important for a young girl, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs shows this in his theory. The image below shows Maslow’s hierarchy, showing self-actualisation as an important aspect.

In my magazine, I will also be provide young teenage girls with tips on how they are able to be the best they can towards friendships, boys and their appearance as a whole. This is also another factor in Maslow’s hierarchy as he has stated that the most important need that must be met is self-actualisation. Consequently, this part of the magazine will allow the readership to feel good as well as look good as the magazine will give readers information about the dos and don’ts. For example, what colours don’t go well together in an outfit. When the target audience read my magazine, they will escape from reality and business and enter a fun, entertaining world. When reading ‘Non-Stop Pop’ the target audience will create a bond with the magazine, making them enjoy and become

excited when reading the magazine, having a result of thinking that my music magazine is a friend to them.

The target audience of my music magazine represents young, teenage females and you will be able to recognise this through each of my three pieces. As you will be able to notice in each of the images of the girl band, they are all at ease and comfortable with each other, as this is shown through their body language and facial expressions. For the front cover, I used a medium, long shot with direct address so that the readership are able to see the girl’s body language, feminine figures, and costume. The costume will make the reader realise that when you are in your pyjamas, you are still able to look stylish and glamorous, just like Lovestruck. The medium shot of the girls on the contents page shows an image of the girls hugging and smiling which indicates that they are a close and trustworthy girl group, making the reader look up to the girl band as role models. Lastly, I included many images of the girl band on the double page spread, though the dominant, medium long shot of the girls is an image of the girls having a piggy back, showing they are a fun, bubbly band. All the girls are using happy facial expressions like smiling and laughing, and a feminine body language, showing that the band is content and living life to the full! By doing this, it is welcoming the reader and making them feel comfortable, instead of intimidated and scared to purchase the magazine. Through each of the images, the girls look like confident and as if they have a positive self-esteem. This proves to the pop fans that the girls are successful, beautiful and popular. I have picked up the stereotypical view of young teenage girls in my three pieces by adding information about boys, fashion, makeup, gossip and romance. By doing this, it is encouraging young girls to make a purchase of the magazine as it will meet the needs and wants of feminine, teenage girls.

My double page spread highlights the fact that ‘Lovestruck’ are at a sleepover together. The article is an interview with the girl band, and asking questions which will have a result on the reader getting to know more about each individual member of the group. Although the girls are still very young, they are aware of what they want to do in the future, and are believing that their hopes and dreams will come true. Lovestruck is a fun, bubbly and ambitious group who are just like the target audience. I have used red love hearts on the double page spread to make the page stand out more and become more appealing. This is relatable to the readers as they are likely to scribble love hearts as they are young, vulnerable girls. As you can see on the double page spread I created, the girls all look confidence, happy and bubbly, which links to the personality of the readership.

The media institution I have decided to use to own as well as distribute my magazine is Bauer. Bauer Media is a division of the Bauer Media Group, which is Europe’s largest privately owned publishing group. The media group is a worldwide media empire which offers over 300 magazines in 15 different countries, as well as on the TV, online and radio. The institution owns a variety of different, successful magazines such as: ‘Heat’, ‘Kerrang’ and ‘Mojo’. The company is a multi-platform, UK-based media Group, which contains of a lot of companies that are collected around two main divisions – Magazines and Radio stations. I believe that the company is successful, which is why it is likely to have the capital to launch my magazine as well as promote it. I will have the ability to show case ‘Non-Stop Pop’ by holding events like a launch party and hopefully will eventually hold an awards ceremony.

Bauer have excellent experience in many areas which will have a result of my magazine becoming successful and up-and-coming. They have the knowledge and experience on how to run a magazine effectively and how to actually launch it correctly. Furthermore, the institution has a brilliant reputation which I am hoping will be carried through to my pop magazine. Due to Bauer’s excellence of their brand and world class status, I also hope this will extend my magazine and make the target audience aware that the magazine is trustworthy and reliable.

The company distributes and owns magazines towards a female target audience. This means that they understand and know how to appeal and attract females. They do this through the use of fashions, tips, beauty, makeup and real life stories. This will benefit myself as my magazine is targeted at a female readership, and Bauer are aware of the needs that must be met in order for readers to develop a positive self-esteem and self-confidence.

Through the process of creating each of my three pieces, I have developed my skills, knowledge and understanding. I learnt how to create my own blog as well as upload images, texts and documents. At the beginning, I did find it difficult and confusing as it was completely new to me, though I had got used to it, and gained more of an understanding of my blog. My friends and media teacher helped me when uploading documents, which allowed me to navigate the site independently. I believe that there are a number of benefits when using a blog as it allows you to keep your work organised and structured to show what I have been completing as a media student. By having a blog, it has also allowed me to be more creative and imaginative with my work as I am able to use multimedia like videos; having a result of my work being presented well and effectively. I was also able to update and edit my blog to try make my work up to a good quality. As a whole, I am glad I have learnt how to work a blog effectively as this could help me in future cases.

Furthermore, I also learnt how to use a website called ‘Slideshare’ for my coursework. This website was helpful towards my work as it allowed me to upload my work onto my blog in an easier and more effective format. So, when uploading my research and planning, I used Slideshare. However, I wasn’t particularly happy with the presentation as I feel it made my work look weird, and hard to read as the text was presented in a small font.

When creating my three pieces, this also had a result of improving my skills on how to use Adobe Photoshop. I have previously used Adobe Photoshop when creating my GCSE fragrance ads, so I was aware of some of the tools like how to add text onto a layer, and how to change the background colour. As I used Adobe Photoshop for this piece of coursework, I gained a lot of skills. For instance, I am aware on how to use the magic want tool as this helped me to remove parts of an image that I didn’t want on my piece, like the background. Comparing about how I felt using Adobe Photoshoot during GCSE, I have noticed that I have become a lot more confident and too more risks using the software. This has had a result of allowing me to use the software more effectively and successfully.

I have also noticed that my photography skills have improved and developed when carrying out his project as I have learnt how to take photos in an effective way. This is another way my confidence has developed within this coursework. For instance, in each of the images, I took the photo at the level as the artists/band as this do not make the pop singers look vulnerable or defenceless. This has made me aware that I am able to produce shots that keep in with the brand identity of my magazine, as well as the fun, bubbly personality of the pop genre. I think the images are an extremely important aspect within my pop magazine, which is why I was to make sure that I had enough images for my three pieces, and to make sure the images are effective and appealing. When it came to the stage of me taking the shots of the band, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to create and the atmosphere I wanted in each of the images. Overall, I believe that the images came out in a good quality and effectively to be able to attract the readership. Moreover, I learnt that when taking images, there are a number of different factors that you have to take into consideration like the location, costumes and mise-en-scene elements. Luckily, I was aware of all of these elements before I shot all of the images, which is why I believe that the images came out successfully. I had to make sure that there were no objects within the images, as well as make sure the pillows did not look scruffy or uninviting.

For this task, I did take a lot of images as many of the images came out blurry due to the focus of the camera. Though, I was extremely dedicated in making sure I get good quality and appealing images for the magazine. I had many images to choose from which I was very happy about as I did not struggle to decide on which images I thought were most effective. When I was decided on which images to use for my three pieces, I went with the ones I thought would attract young teenage girls, and the images that featured poses that reflect femininity, as this would to create a fun, youthful feel towards ‘Non-Stop Pop’. Shown below are some of the images that I did not use within my three pieces.

Looking back at my preliminary task, I extremely believe that I have gained many skills, learnt a lot, as well as achieved a lot. The image on the left shows the preliminary task I completed. I have got to know more in depth information about the target audience of my music magazine and followed the general conventions to ensure that my magazine will be appealing and attractive towards my readership. Comparing the preliminary task to my main task, there are elements you will be able to notice that I used such as costume, sell lines and mise-en-scene elements. For instance, in the main task I had a lot of my focus on the costume of the band as this is an important factor when creating a music magazine. I have learnt to add a lot of different features on the front cover to attract the target audience. Furthermore, the costume of a band shows of their figure, personality and star image. I also made improvements on the lighting of the main task; as you can see in the preliminary task, the lighting is quite dark, which creates a dull feel towards the magazine. Research into existing images have me become aware that the lighting of images should be bright, as this represents innocence, fun and purity.

Judging as a whole, I have learnt and developed on how to operate effectively as a media practitioner. I have gained further knowledge on a number of factors like codes and conventions, Adobe Photoshop and how to take effective shots as well as taking into consideration important aspects. As a whole, I have generally enjoying making my own front cover, contents page and double page spread based on a pop magazine. Within the coursework, I have experienced a number of different emotions like excitement, stress and irritation, but putting aside the negativity, I have enjoyed creating ‘Non-Stop Pop’. I have comprehensively improved my knowledge and understanding about the genre pop, its conventions and the target audience. I have found that my understanding of using factors like mode of address, iconography and costume has also improved within this project.