Music Magazine Media AS Evaluation

Name: Jessica Mone

Centre: 33435 Aquinas College

AS Media StudiesOCR G321: Foundation Portfolio

Brief from OCR syllabus

Question 1) Who would be the audience for your media product?

Through my audience research I have found that there is a gap on the market specifically for female youths who enjoy the Rock/Punk genre of music and everything that stereotypically comes with it, for example clothing.

Although there is already two main brands of music magazine for Rock/Punk on the market in the UK I believe that a music /fashion hybrid genre would be successful as there is nothing specific to females on sale in this genre at present.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=41gVReAlhrqRgM&tbnid=vc6SPM9rq-VKfM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://www.fueledbyramen.com/news/paramore-cover-kerrang-83416&ei=MoWcUqCvEenV0QX_y4HIBA&psig=AFQjCNEoE98uuxVmsoc4YGpeBcV4QSRwgA&ust=1386075822747755


My primary audience consists of females aged between 16-24, this is due to the fact that I wanted to create a magazine strictly for young adults. I planned this primary audience as I realize that many magazines are either for children, teenagers or young adults, (not including any magazines for older audiences) however there are no obvious in-between magazines except perhaps Kerrang! or Rock sound who offer material for readers a similar age group to my primary audience.

Mood board for my ideal reader in my ‘primary audience’

Primary/Secondary Audience

I planned to create a magazine for this primary audience as there is not a particular brand of Rock/Punk magazine specifically for females. My magazine is a hybrid genre as it also includes fashion, something which I believe many of my target audience would be interested in as well as music features.Although I realize that other readers may be outside of the primary age group I have initially created a magazine that is age specific to my primary audience. I have included features such as bright hair colours and eccentric fashion as it is growing more popular among this age group at present.


Primary/Secondary Audience

Generating ideas document.

Initial cover flat plan.


Similar products

Currently for Rock/Punk genre there are two main names that release weekly and monthly magazines;

Kerrang! : A magazine mainly aimed at younger audiences, the magazine itself has a strong community of readers and is widely popular. It features specific articles relating to different bands and includes advertising for Rock/Punk online clothing stores. However the magazine does not specifically have a hybrid genre therefore it is limited to mainly music.


Similar products

Rocksound: Very similar to Kerrang! Rocksound mainly focus it’s features on bands however unlike Kerrang! They offer a free CD to readers as the magazine is only published monthly. Again Rocksound features advertisement for online clothing companies for Rock/Punk clothing but it does not give enough to be a hybrid genre and does not specifically aim at one gender as both magazines are open to both male and female readers.

I feel that as both magazines are not gender specific nor hybrid genres that a music/fashion magazine for females in the Rock/Punk genre would be successful.


Audience Idols

When conducting my research I took into account the most well-known, desirable band members/bands for the Rock/Punk genre at present. I did this so that I can create a band that would be suitable and believable for my selected genre of magazine. For example I looked at Paramore’s lead singer Hayley Williams who, as well as being the lead for a popular rock band, is also seen as a fashion icon both within and outside of the rock/punk genre this is also suitable for my hybrid genre of music and fashion.

I did not choose to look at stars such as Rihanna or Beyoncé as they are not suitable for my genre of magazine therefore any article about them or front cover star based off them would not work to attract audiences, particularly my primary audience.

Using Hayley Williams as a basis for creating a cover star/cover stars is suitable as it will attract audience attention to the magazine and stand out in the genre of rock/punk.


Ideal Reader

My ideal reader for my hybrid magazine would be someone who fits the description of my primary audience, 16-24 female. Ideally my reader would be interested in many rock/punk bands (for the music genre) and many alternative clothing brands and styles, e.g. PULP Manchester who sell alternative clothing for the rock/punk genre (for the fashion hybrid genre). My ideal reader would also be interested in concerts and festivals and may also follow popular blockbuster films e.g The Hunger Games as I may add these as small features for the magazine.


Demographic

The demographic for my magazine would be people that fit under the following categories;

- Youths from 16 – 24 Typically people who follow the Rock/Pop/Punk culture are high school students and older.

- Mainly females Although the groups following the genre are a wide mix between both females and males my demographic would be females as they are my primary audience.

- Social groups who wear similar styles of clothing

These are youths who follow the genre and buy/wear clothes that are stereotypically related to Rock/Punk for example Band Merchandise.

Question 2) How does you product represent particular social groups?

As my genre of my magazine is Rock/Punk I chose to make a product that represents social groups associated with Rock/Punk genre for example, ‘scene’ or ‘emo’ this is not the only types of youths I want to create a product for but they are mainly well known for being associated with Rock/Punk.

Both terms relate to how these youths dress and also what kind of music they listen to, however that is a main stereotype for that genre of music and there are several other youths who do not dress the same as the stereotype but are interested in the genre.

Ideally I have created a product for youths of alternative social groups who enjoy Rock/Punk music.


When creating the style of my cover stars I first looked at other, influential, cover stars for my genre.

Hayley Williams is often on the cover of Kerrang! And RockSound, she frequently changes her image through hair colour and clothing but always stays with the genre of Rock/Punk.

As mentioned earlier, Hayley Williams is a popular icon for the Rock/Punk genre and fits in with my music/fashion hybrid genre. I will use her as a base when creating my cover stars e.g. use of bright hair colour.

Above, Hayley’s 2013 look; Bright orange/pink hair cut short. Her fashion changes with her hair colour but she still fits with the genre and style of my target social group.

Above, Hayley’s look before reinventing Paramore’s image in 2013. Her bright orange hair has become a trademark for herself and the band. She fits well with my target social group.

Successful cover stars


Ideal Reader/ Cover Stars

The cover stars image fits with other features on the front cover of my magazine, for example ‘Hottest Hair 2013!’ will have meaning to my primary audience as bright hair colours and eccentric hair styles are becoming increasingly popular in present day.

The cover stars also represent the unique style of my target social group that strays away from mainstream and typical female fashion and trends.


Ideal Reader/Cover Stars

My cover stars aim to be a representation of my ideal reader and who they may aspire to be, in the case of my hybrid genre magazine I aimed to focus mainly on the image of a rock/punk band who wear similar clothes to what is associated with my primary social group.

The connotations of my cover stars are rebellious youths, females to make a connection to my primary audience.

In order to create this connotation I ensured that the costumes were rock/punk related.

The mise en scene of this main image does not apply as it uses white negative space to focus the colour in the main image to readers. This makes the two cover stars stand out against the bright white as they contrast with the black clothing and black/red hair colours.


In order for my product to be successful for my chosen target audience I had to create a correct representation of my particular target group/ primary audience.

For example, the information for each side story I chose to use on my front cover will have meaning to my particular target social group.

‘New Alice Cosplay’ will be understood by readers who cosplay and attend events such as comicon. Anyone outside of my target social group may understand very little of the side story information therefore it will not appeal to them.

This is similar with the ‘Winter Nail Art’ although most likely all social groups will understand the meaning it particularly represents my primary audience of females as it is unlikely to appeal to a male.

Meanings of features


Appealing to a target audience

In order to appeal to my target social group/primary audience I had to create cover stars that would be an idealised and eccentric version of youths from my primary audience hence the need to aspire to be like the stars.

In order to create a product that would be widely popular to a variety of consumers from my target social group I created two cover stars who do not seem overly threatening but imply danger or power to/over the audience. I created this by using ‘the gaze’ for the main stars and also made them seem at a slightly higher angel from the camera (high angel) which gives the characters an aura of power through the image.


Product Name

When initially creating my product name I already had a set name in mind however it was the spelling of the name that I was focused on. The name of my magazine is crucial to the product as it has to appeal and give a correct representation of my target social group/primary audience. It has to be a word with either no meaning or an accurate meaning that readers may use to describe themselves.I chose to use ‘X-centrix’ as my title as it is my own variation of ‘eccentric’ meaning ; (of a person or their behaviour) unconventional and slightly strange.

I believe this will appeal to my primary audience as it is a representation of the overall stereotype of my target social group. As well as using a variation of the word I replaced the ‘E’ at the start and ‘C’ at the end with ‘X’s as they are often associated with danger or Rock/Punk e.g Skull and cross bones.

Choosing a mast head is particularly important when representing and enticing a primary audience from my target social group as it has to stand out and be bold like the meaning of the word suggests, it also has to fit with the genre of Rock/Punk however it must also have an appropriate colour scheme for females as they are my primary audience.


Product Name

I chose a pink and white colour scheme initially as pink is often associated with females and gives the product a feminine feel which is what I aimed to achieve in order to be different from Kerrang! And Rocksound.


Masthead Design

My final mast head (as above) I chose as it has a Rock/Punk look to it which I believe youths in my target social group would like, the black in the cracks of the font also make it bold but keep it from being too feminine and gentle as a title.It also has the slogan ‘Rockin’ Music, Rockin’ Fashion’ clearly displaying it as a hybrid genre and hinting at main features.

Question 3) What kind of media institution might distribute your product?

Although I created a product that would differ from publications such as Kerrang! Or RockSound I feel that my product would be suitable as a sister publication that would be distributed by the same company that produce Kerrang!

Bauer are featured in the bottom bannerOf kerrang’s website showing their trademark on every aspect of Kerrang’s multi media platforms.


Multi Media Platforms

Kerrang use their website to advertise their other multi media platforms that go side by side with their magazine product.

They have links to; K! radio, K! T.v and their main feature Kerrang! Magazine.They also have a featured podcast which is linked.

Kerrang have a section based purely on the contents of each weekly magazine issue.



Using a multimedia platform such as a website opens up the product to a wider audience who may hear about it through their online features. For example the use of a T.V channel broadens their range of advertisement for audiences as many may find the channel by mistake or if they are looking for a particular genre of music that there is only a couple of channels for. Through then looking up the channel on the internet audiences will then come across the website featuring information about other platforms such as radio and the main feature of the magazine.


For my product I will develop multimedia platforms for aWebsite, radio show and a T.V channel. I will also use the social media platforms of; Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook and Instagram as these are becoming increasingly popular and are checked by youths more often than a website as they are easily accessible on mobile devices.


I feel that using several multi media platforms and social media is an excellent way of enticing and keeping the attention of an audience, I initially planned to release a magazine weekly like Kerrang! however I have decided to aim for publishing a monthly feature as in between publishing times there will be a focus on all social media and multi media platforms.

Original proposal.



X centrix


Merchandise

Along with widening the variety of multi media platforms for my magazine I also plan to create and sell merchandise if/when the product became increasingly popular.

The designs would include the logo of the magazine which can be used as advertisement for those wearing it, it may also widen the variety of readers.

X centrix



Though the magazine is aimed at females I will create a unisex baseball shirt which may be worn by the minority of readers.

X c

en

trix X centrix

X centrixX centrix

X centrixX centrixX centrix

X centrix

X centrixX centrix

X centrix

X centrix


Merchandise

Question 4) In what ways does your product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

When creating my product I chose to target a specific gender in my primary audience. I chose to do this as many of my sub genre magazines, E.g Kerrang! Target a specific genre.

However as well as challenging that I also used magazines such as Kerrang! To look at how they clearly display the rock genre to audiences and how they have become so popular doing so.

After looking at my two prime examples of rock/punk magazine –RockSound and Kerrang! – I then chose to take in mind the conventions they used and hoped to develop them on my product.


Examples of front covers

When creating my flat plan for my front cover I had in mind the style I wanted and where features such as my masthead would go. However I looked at Kerrang! And RockSound to see how their covers differ to bring in a similar audience.



Kerrang! Is a well known music magazine that focuses its sub genre on rock. It is widely known amongst the youths in the primary audience I wish to appeal to with my product. I looked at how Kerrang! Uses its house style in each issue to repeatedly bring in it’s weekly audience.

The first thing many readers look at on any magazine genre is the main feature, Kerrang! Persistently presents their main feature as large as possible on their cover as it is what makes their readers pick it up.

They also use a quote or headline over lapping the image to attract readers in.



Kerrang’s large and noticeable Masthead acts as the house style throughout the magazine weekly, it is easily recognisable to readers so they can spot it out of a mix of others.The mast head is central which creates an organised and professional look on the magazine meaning it looks good to readers.

The noticeable banners, often filled with features, competitions and more, are consistent throughout each cover of the magazine. They are conventions of a magazine that I have used when creating mine.

The banners features, such as ‘reading and leeds review’ are conventions of rock as they always contain features relating to the sub genre.



Kerrang uses its posters (featured in almost every issue) as a pug for readers. On this example they are vertical down the cover, however slightly slanted to create a ‘rock’ feel as rock music is often seen as wild/unorganised.

Kerrang! Also has a consistent colour scheme of yellow and red throughout the cover which connotes danger and/or passion

As well as their pug’s being vertical they also include smaller side stories integrated into the background of the main image.

Another use of a pug is the ‘Win A £250 guitar’ it fits with the conventions of Rock as Rock music is associated with guitars and will entice their audience.



Kerrang’s use of conventions of Rock/Punk;

A main image with connotations of rebellion, wild, uncertainty.

A mast head (house style) that is bold, recognisable and, due to the lines/blurred edges round letter, connotes something heavy/wild.

Two pugs to entice readers, ‘6 Amazing Posters’ – Rock convention as they are of rock bands (clearly displayed through images), ‘Win A £250 Guitar’ – Guitars associated with Rock/Punk, fits with their target audience.

A colour scheme that connotes danger and passion to readers.A side story relating to rock against society, something many youths are aware of,‘Rock VS The Bullies’

Banners filled with information about gigs and festivals/ albums – something that will attract audience attention.


How I have USED conventions

Banners – To display hybrid genre features. Also to show features of Rock/Punk.

Side stories + Images, features I felt would grab readers attention to the magazine with bold images.

A bold Masthead, with connotations of eccentric, wild/heavy rock.

A large Headline/Pull quote from the main feature to attract audiences.

Two Pug’s – one for a competition offer, one for a poster special.

A Main image dominating the cover.



Much like Kerrang! RockSound is a well known rock/punk genre of magazine amongst youths of my primary/target audience. They use very similar conventions of Rock as Kerrang! However they still differ in order to attract and audience.

A bold Masthead that includes a logo recognisable to readers, the words ‘Rock Sound’ are in capital letters which connotes boldness and strength.

A Main image and headline/ pull quote that fills a large portion of the cover.

Inclusion of side story features overlapping on the main image.



However RockSound display their cover differently in order to look dissimilar to Kerrang!

A continued inclusion of side stories and images on the opposite side of the cover, showing more features to audiences in order to attract readers.

A free, monthly CD (First Pug) with covers done by popular/upcoming bands. This offers something more than Kerrang for readers.

A pug/banner just above the mast head.

Rock Sound does not often fill its cover with symmetrical banners suggesting, although organised, that the magazine may appeal to older youths as well.

A consistent colour scheme of either yellow or red connoting danger and passion.


How I have DEVELOPED conventions

Although I have mostly used the Rock/Punk conventions of a front cover that both Kerrang and RockSound have, I have also developed them.

In order to appeal correctly to my primary audience (female youths) I have altered my colour scheme to be feminine as I feel it would appeal more to females this was. However despite a feminine colour scheme I have made sure my house font (consistent throughout) connotes the Rock/Punk genre as it is bold and all in capitals suggesting strength (which many females in my primary audience aim to be –strong and eccentric)


Examples of contents pages

Kerrang’s cover page is clear for readers as it has a column of features down the left hand side and features the main image/feature of the magazine clearly on the left with overlapping side story images. It includes a editors letter which is crucial in the conventions of a contents page and also its pug for the competition at the bottom left hand side. It includes page numbers for both features In the column and on the main feature/side story images. There is also an image included on the editors letter.

Similarly Rock Sound uses columns to display the features of its magazine, each feature is in bold and yellow to stand out to readers. They include pages numbers next to each bold heading and include the use of side story images. The images have a caption and page number on which is easy to read, they also feature a ‘Reviews’ section which is similar to Kerrang featuring its pug at the bottom of the page. The page that I have analysed does not include an editors letter however Rock Sound often have double pages for the contents therefore the main image and editors letter will be on the other side.


Examples of contents pages

Kerrang often alternate with their style of contents page, on the left the typical conventions of a contents page are being used.

- Main image, including a page number for the main feature

- Heading/contents masthead - Columns to clearly display the features of the

magazine including page numbers. Features are bold as they have small descriptions under most.

- An Editors letter, with a picture included the editors letter is also set clearly in a column.

- A pug, this time feature a subscription offer for the magazine

- Side story images, overlapping the main feature image. The images are from features in the magazine itself.

- A page Number , although not present on the copy of the image itself all other examples of Kerrang digitally and in hard copy contain a page number at the bottom of each page.


How I have USED conventions

For my contents page I used similar conventions to both Rock Sound and Kerrang.

Instead of a selection of side story images I chose just to include the main feature image and pug (poster special) images. These images include a page number and a headline/pull quote for each.

I chose to use on large column on the left hand side of the page to display all features of the magazine.

For my features I chose to have a bold font for the main phrase/sentence as they are easy to find in the mix of text. I also chose to have a varying colour scheme of pink and green boxes under my bold features to increase the legibility. Next to each is a page number.


How I have USED/Developed conventions

Nearing the bottom of my page I have included an editors letter which includes an image. I created enough space for the letter to be clear but not to dominate my page.

I have also included a ‘Find us on’ section for social media platforms which has not been used in my examples of contents pages. I developed this from my examples in the previous slides.

I also used a secondary pug at the bottom of my page for my hybrid genre competition of ‘Win A free personal Shopping trip!’


Examples of Double Page Spreads

Images have been edited in a sepia to connote drama in the article, they are arranged with a main image (Gerard Way –Lead singer) dominating the left hand side of the article, the accompanying images are arranged on the bottom of the page. It gives the article an organised effect and is appropriate for the article information.

There is a list of information regarding the bands new music on the right hand side of the page.

There is a pull quote to introduce the article “We’re being the best MCR we can be!” this introduces the article and also incorporates the colour scheme of red, white and black.

The information from the article is written in columns which is a conventions of most double page spreads, it is clear and easy to read as it also includes white which is part of the main colour scheme.

The use of a stand first also introduces the article and gives information to the background of the pull quote, in this example ‘MCR Invite Kerrang to their recording studio…’


Examples of Double Page Spreads

In this example of a double page spread there is an identical use of conventions.

The left side of the page is dominated by a image of the band accompanied by a pull quote and stand first. This acts almost as a ‘title page’ for the article and gives information about it.

However, unlike the pervious double page spread this article contains pull quotes in the middle of the article and questions that are asked to the band are highlighted with the colour scheme colours (yellow).

Similar to the other example of a double page spread there are images placed around the article, this time at the top and right hand side of the article, these add connotations to the article, in this example the images connote playfulness or a cheeky side to the band.


How I have USED/DEVELOPED conventions of a DPS

Conventions I have used ; Images, Pull quotes, Stand First, Questions, Columns.



On the left hand side of my double page spread I have included a stand first, to give information about the article, ‘We got the chance to sit down with Jess and Jenny…”

I have also included a list of pull quotes above the stand first and under the main article title ‘Epilepsy’ to add extra information.

These are both on top of my image layer, I chose to include my main image across the left hand side of the double page as it adds effect and connotes a wild/exciting environment.



On the right hand side I have included the use of side Images arranged around the edges of the article. These are shots from a photo shoot suggesting that the interview session provided on the double page was personal for the characters as the article is about the band.

I have included the use of columns in my article as this is a main convention of a double page spread and gives my article an easy to read and organised look.

I have used pull quotes in amongst the columns of text to break up the article and make it stand out to readers.



Overall I have used different conventions on either side of my double page spread. I believe the use of one large main image and then the written article provides more visual aspects for the reader and maintains reader interest. I have used contrasting colours for the article as the red and green are

associated with both characters hair therefore I am creating an association for the band which is similar to the way Hayley William’s (Paramore) is associated with her hair colour.

I have also used a black and white image as the main article image as it contrasts against the bright colours and gains immediate reader interest when turning to this page.



I have developed my front cover to make it different from my Kerrang examples as I have used a set colour scheme throughout to make it bolder, although Kerrang use a colour scheme I believe I have developed the use of one to create a diverse double page spread.

5) How did you attract/address your audience?

In order to attract my primary audience I had to create a magazine that would look interesting to consumers.

To make audiences want to stop and pick up my magazine I had to create an effective front cover that included information about current events my primary audience is interested in.

This then had to be followed with a bold contents page that my primary audience would be able to scan read easily.


Attracting an audience

When attracting an audience I used a specific colour scheme consistently throughout my product in order to create a recognisable house style and also to appeal to my primary audience.



The mast head of my product is particularly important when attracting an audience as I had to create a brand name and image that had meaning for the magazine. I then had to clearly display the name of the magazine to make it memorable for my audience. A recognisable mast head that is easy to remember and is ‘catchy’ for my primary audience will attract consumers similar to Kerrang readers as it is short and memorable and connotes meanings of Rock/Punk or Bold/ outrageous.


I included several front cover conventions that I believe would successfully attract my primary audience.

A Pull Quote and strap line for my main feature which would use an enigma code for the article, urging the audience to look inside the magazine to read the article.

Two banners that include a competition specific to my hybrid genre and features inside the magazine that are not as bold as others on the page.

I also included side stories that were aimed at my target audience and fit my hybrid genre in order to attract my audience.




Similar to my previous examples of front covers I used a pug that links with the main feature as, like both Kerrang and Rock Sound, pull out posters are desirable for my primary audience.

Included in my side story features I also used a big name (Paramore) in Rock music that I believe will attract a large audience.

For the main feature image itself I positioned the characters in the shot so to use ‘the gaze’ on my front cover.


Attracting/Addressing an audience

‘The gaze’ is often used on the front cover of magazines in order to address the reader directly. It refers to the eye contact between a reader and the main characters on the magazine. This create the effect of direct address if used with a directional phrase or quote.

I included ‘The gaze’ as I believe it adds effect to the magazine that will attract readers, in my magazines case it also gives connotations of mild danger and rebellion which is relatable with my primary audience.

There is also a partial gaze with my first side story and posters, again this creates direct address for each reader and adds connotations.



In order to gain and attain my audience’s attention I placed my features and conventions of my magazine strategically using the rule of thirds.

My middle/top sections are dominated by the main feature image, this is to clearly display the image to readers and is also where most consumers will first look when picking up a magazine. Included in the very top three sections is my mast head, a recognisable and memorable brand name, a slogan and a banner with a featured competition pug.



When attracting an audience to my front cover I took into account the conventions of a front cover and developed them to suite my hybrid genre of magazine. I used conventions such as a bold mast head, banners etc.. I used a consistent colour scheme of light pink to connote to my primary audience that my target audience is specifically females, the use of a feminine colour also address’s the target audience. I also included purple in the strapline of my main feature as I believe purple could connote to my audience strength/passion as it is a solid purple, it also fits with the feminine theme.

When attracting my audience to the contents page of my magazine I included the colour scheme of pink/purple, I also added a light green to make the page itself brighter and bolder. This fits with the name of the magazine as it means eccentric. Due to the contents page being bright it stands out to consumers when turned to the first page of the magazine, the continued use of white/negative space may also be included in my colour scheme however this would only apply to these first two images as I plan to add a mix of colours throughout the magazine (whilst sticking to the pink colour as well) I believe this attracts an audience as it is bold and bright.


Addressing an audience

On my contents page I included direct address to address readers and give the magazine a more personal feel.

I used direct address mainly in the editors letter (a convention of a contents page) as it informs the reader of how the magazine was created, including over exaggerated explanations for articles, it also welcomes the reader to the first issue of the magazine.

I also included direct address in some contents information such as ‘We have found the biggest and brightest hair colours for YOU to experiment with…’ this again makes the magazine personal to readers.

6) What Have You Learnt about Technologies from the process of constructing this product?

When creating my final products I used Adobe Photoshop CS4, I used this for all my music magazine products however I used a mix of both Photoshop and Microsoft Publisher with my preliminary product.

I have learnt when creating my final products, more features of Photoshop and how they have enabled me to make my finished product.

Technologies I have used for this project ;

• Adobe Photoshop CS4 • Digital Camera (LSR)

6) What Have You Learnt about Technologies from the process of constructing this product?Creating A Cover Page

When creating a cover page I tried several ideas before settling with my final product. For my first idea I used the consistent style of banners on all my products however I chose to make them purple along with the colour of the title. I used a black and white image as I believed it was effective however I kept the title horizontal.

After being unhappy with my first idea I then progressed to making my banners lighter, in order to appeal to my target audience, and changing the image to one with vibrant colours and a more ‘dangerous’ gaze to audiences. I also changed the colour of my title to match the banners and tilted it slightly.


After moving of from the previous ideas I then altered my front cover again this time including; a slightly darker pink in order to create a solid banner, a different image which is still vibrant but larger and gives a more welcoming look to readers. I also moved the title slightly.

I then changed my idea again, this time adding a third banner to ‘frame’ my cover, however this did not suite the conventions of a front cover therefore it was discarded. I also made the title straighter and larger.


Before disregarding my side banner I adjusted the title again so that it was slanted. This slanted look gives connotations to readers of a rock/punk magazine as it is not straight and polished.

I then kept my main image as I believe it is bright, uses ‘the gaze’ and has connotations of rock/punk. I changed the banners to a darker pink again and then added other features to the front page.


When adding features to my magazine I first added a side story image in order to establish the space in which they would fit. I also added a caption to this images to entice readers, I then filled my banners with information and created a strapline/headline for my main image. I used white and pink to fit with my colour scheme for the magazine. I then later created two red rectangles which I would use for secondary pugs, I also added another side story image and a barcode as well as a website link for the magazine.


I then added my secondary pugs and information in yellow as that is often associated with competitions and stands out against the red. Following that I then continued to add features such as a slogan underneath my title and changing the captions of side story images to a dark pink in order to stand out. I also added a purple rectangle under the headline in order to make it stand out against the main images. All shapes, images and fonts include stroke on them, a Photoshop feature which makes the previous stand out in bold. I used this to create a solid look on my front cover and make it bold.


Finally when finishing my product I added a third side story image to fill the negative space and to show more to my target audience about my product. I also added smaller features such as a date above the bar code and a set of three images advertised as my first pug. An inclusion of posters which I have found my primary audience would be interested in.


Creating A Contents Page

1) Added large pink banners and first image…

2) Applied Stroke to image…

3) Moved image to bottom left …

4) Rotated and cropped secondary image…



5) Moved image to right hand side…

6) Moved first image and second image vertically on the right hand side …

7) Made top banner smaller, added a ‘In this issue’ header…8) Added caption to

secondary image…



9) Added stroke (2) to secondary image and both image captions (stroke 5)…

10) Began to add content information with page numbers…

11) Changed layout of pictures so that content information is central …

12) Altered colour of; banner, headline for contents, actual content information…



13) Added Stroke to font, altered first image again to fit into text, added a third (main) image…

14) Added features; fourth image, more image captions, pug (competition bubble) and editors letter…

15) Removed images minus main and editors letter…

16) Moved competition text and main text, added colour scheme to main content headings, also added social network links and ‘poster’ pugs…



When creating a contents page using Adobe Photoshop I had to edit and import images separately to the page itself. In order to do this I followed these steps…

1) I dragged the image I wanted to use into Photoshop, this opens it in a separate tab from my other projects, I am then free to edit the photo to create an effective and bright image for my contents page….

2) Using the crop tool I isolated the areas of the image I did not need/want included in the final edit. To agree with this cropping I clicked the tick at the top of the tab…

3) I am then left with this image for my contents page… 4) I then want to change the

image to remove the creases of the white cloth background and make the characters in the image look brighter, to do this I selected ‘Image’…’Adjustments’…’Brightness/contrast’…





5) I then adjusted the brightness and contrast of the image. The brightness makes both the characters and backdrop brighter, this removes the creases from the cloth as it all becomes a brighter white, with the characters the brightness adjustment makes the characters hair (vital for the image of my magazine) brighter and also the outline of clothing and faces. The contrast also adds that darker outline to the image to make it look solid.

6) I then cropped the image again in order to make it fit in the space on my contents, the image itself does not need a lot of negative space around it as it will blend in with the background of the contents page.



7) Now that my image is finished being edited and looks bright and suitable for my contents page I will now import it to my contents page…

8) In order to import it to my contents page I drag the tab of the image away from Photoshop, creating a smaller image with the window in, I then click on the image and hold ‘Ctrl’ and ‘V’ and drag the image, using the mouse, onto my contents page. From there all I have to do is move the image in to the place I want and move any text, captions ect around it/overlapping it.



I used this process of importing pictures for all my images on my final products however I did not alter the brightness on all images and ones I did used different levels of brightness/contrast. I also added different levels of stroke (blending options) to some images but not the image I demonstrated as that would show a bold outline which I do not want.

When creating other features on my content page I used features such as; text boxes (for creating all text), shapes (rectangle banners, editors outline and a circular pug. On certain images (poster pug) I changed the background of the image to different colours in order to make them look like poster thumbnails and match the colour scheme of the magazine. Adding bright colours to the background in between an image with a blank background also makes them stand out as a feature on the page.

7) Looking back over your preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression of this final product?

I believe that after completing my preliminary task my skills have progressed when using programmes such as Adobe

Photoshop. When starting my Aquinas Magazine I had basic Photoshop

skills, I.e I was able to navigate around the programme and use many of its features. However as I have progressed in making

my music magazine I have found that I have learnt new features whilst creating my front cover, contents and double

page spread. I also believe my ability to design a front cover ect has improved as I found each featured page of my product

easier to design (in a flat plan and with final images) and create compared to my college magazine.

I believe this is due to the fact I personally purchase music magazines therefore I am able to identify the conventions and

layouts of a Rock/Punk music magazine.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-agU0BkRo9RU/Uk62tH4gmpI/AAAAAAAAAMc/8Z0LlAiMmqI/s1600/Real+Cover.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0cYABzWFuK0/UjhMFZiFAwI/AAAAAAAAAKs/bjRSEUlf_L8/s1600/Idea+of+Aquinas+Magaine+cover+with+colour.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KFo4fyEUjIs/UlagotBfQ3I/AAAAAAAAAN4/2Q0HsRhfsCA/s1600/Flat+Plan+w+colour.jpg


When first creating my preliminary task I made a basic college magazine that fit the conventions of a front cover page and was bright and colourful in order to entice readers. When creating my music magazine I took the conventions I used in my college magazine and developed them in order to create a stronger product that I am certain appeals to my primary audience.

I used ;Adobe Photoshop CS4PublisherDigital Camera (Normal & LSR)

Preliminary Task



When choosing suitable photos for my preliminary task I had to chose photos that fitted the following criteria ;• Medium shot, nothing with a full length

picture as it would be too small.• Single shot, a shot of one person for the

front cover as apposed to 2/3• Main Character in the middle thirds of

the shot, this is due to readers attention first looking at the middle three.

• Suitable/removable environment, the character needed to be the main focus of the image so that the environment could either be removed or altered.

The shots I chose to use have a green circle on (see above image)

Preliminary Task


When first editing the image for my front cover I originally used Photoshop to remove the background of the image, although the background itself had been suitable. I then chose to re-add the image to the background, but on separate layers.

Preliminary Task


Included on my college magazine Front Cover; Magazine Title; The title here, although bold and using a mix of the white and red colour scheme, is central to my page.Main image; The main image dominates the majority of the page and fits with the rule of thirds, it is large and easy to see.

Images/Captions; Two side story images dominate the left hand side of the page, both are outlined and include captions that stand out against the picture.Headline; The headline here is dominating the bottom right of the page, overlaying the main character.Pug; The pug is in a spiked bubble, this stands out against the main image and is large in relation to other features.Slogan; The slogan is placed on the top banner and stands out as it written in white. Barcode; a typical convention of every front cover product displayed clearly in the bottom right corner.Banners; The bottom containing information on features inside the magazine and social network links.Date of issue ; another convention of all magazine front covers.

Preliminary Task










Headline; the headline is effective as it overlaps the main image but again does not over power it, the name ‘Epilepsy’ stands out due to the purple background of the word in order to contrast with the main image. It is in the centre of the page. Pug; The pug dominates the top banner using contrasting colours that are usually associated with competitions. A secondary pug is the ‘poster special’ which goes vertically down the left hand side of the page, here it stands out to readers and frames the main image without taking over. Slogan; the slogan for my music magazine is placed directly under the title both in the same font and with the same slanted style, I believed this fit with the overall style of the magazine.Barcode; The barcode is clearly displayed on the right hand side of the page, easily visible to readers.Issue Date; The issue date is placed vertically above the barcode, again this is displayed clearly to readers.Banners; I have used banners again for my music product as they are conventions and display information about the inside features of the magazine.

Included on my Music Magazine front cover; Magazine title; on my music magazine I developed the style of the title from my previous product and chose to have it slanted, larger and bolder to create more of an effect on the page. Main image; again complying with the rule of thirds the main image itself is just as bold as the title and dominates the main vertical set of thirds on the page, it also uses ‘the gaze’ which connects with audiences and gives powerful connotations.Images/Captions; Unlike my previous product my images, complete with bold captions underneath, dominate the right hand column of the page, they are spaced well and do not overpower the main image, all three have slight outlines round them to make them stand out against the white background.


Music Magazine


When creating my contents page for my music magazine I based the initial idea off my preliminary task. The spaced out, straight content text I believe worked well on my first contents page.

I have used ;Microsoft PublisherPhotoshop CS4Digital camera (normal and LSR)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9A5M2L9MEcc/Uk63EHhqHJI/AAAAAAAAAMg/nUbWSoIGGnc/s1600/Contents+Page.jpg


Features and conventions I have included in my contents page;

Banners: Again I used banners on my preliminary task in order to create a consistent style.Mast head: The masthead is the ‘Contents’ this is to inform the reader the context of the page. Cover Image/Main image: the main image of the contents page dominates the left hand side and is placed so that it is noticeable to readers. It contains an overlapping pull quote from the story and page number. Side story images; The side story images are smaller than the main image in

order to keep from over powering the main image. The also include a caption and a page number and have an outline to make them stand out against the page.Pug/Give away: The pug is dominating the bottom left of the page. It contrasts against the red colour scheme making it bright on the page. Editors letter : The editors letter is shaped in a speech bubble as this felt more informal for college students as well as providing information about the magazine in a sophisticated way. It also includes an image as it lets the reader know who the audience is.Page numbers/content information: This is set neatly on the top right of the page, the images fit around it on the left in order to not make it too cramped together.

Preliminary Task



Features I have included on my music magazine contents page;Banners: With my music magazine I decided to use banners again as I believe they frame the contents of the page. The banners follow the colour scheme of pink throughout the magazine. I also added a subscribe feature.Masthead: The masthead ‘In This Issue!’ informs the readers of the context of the page, I chose to use that instead of ‘Contents’ as I felt it was too plain for my style of magazine. The Masthead also includes the magazines name in small print above it. Main Image: Unlike my preliminary task I chose to use different images for the cover and contents that relate to my main article. I did this to demonstrate that there is more than one image to represent the band and the magazine. The image uses ‘The gaze’ similar to the contents page and is complete with an overlaying caption and page number.Pug: I chose to use two pugs both on my cover and contents page. I used a competition pug

for readers to be interested in and enter and then a ‘poster special’ pug offering free posters to the reader that relate to my main article.Editors letter: The editors letter dominates the bottom left of the page. It is written in purple to blend with the colour scheme but not look the same and it is more informal than my preliminary task, to fit with the style of the magazine. It again includes a picture of the editor to make it more personal. Social network links: I included social network links in order to connect outside of the magazine with my audience. I included three social network links in order to advertise the magazine more. Content/page numbers: I chose to shape my content and page numbers around the main image and dominate the left side of the page. I did this to space out my content and include more detailed descriptions of the articles. The content also follows the magazine colour scheme.

Music Magazine


Overall I believe I have greatly improved since my preliminary task. I believe my music magazine has been a successful product and uses/ develops all conventions and features used in similar products and my preliminary task.



Music Magazine Media AS Evaluation

Education

Transcript of Music Magazine Media AS Evaluation