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

I have a lot about how to edit using Photoshop; I learnt how to change the typography to make it stand out on a page over an image. As well as how to make and edit a Magazine, I have learnt a lot about magazines themselves, including the layout and how to address a target audience.

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

From taking photographs of the model and the magazine critic I have learnt a lot about the camera which I used. I used the Nikon Digital SLR and used many features of the camera, including Macro shot and Zoom. I used computer software such as Adobe Photoshop to create my magazine cover and contents page. I also used Microsoft Publisher to create my centre page spread. I learnt a lot about these programmes, including how to edit images and typography.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

The title of my magazine is very bright and looks three dimensional which may catch a person’s eyes. The main image on the cover features music which people will be fans of. I also used bold fonts and bright colour’s which stand out on the page.

4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

I think my target audience would listen to indie/ alternative music. There are many bands featured in Kerrang and NME magazine which the readers would enjoy. NME feature many different acts including ‘Florence & The Machine’, ‘Paramore’ and ‘Muse’. My magazine also featured these acts and they are listed on the front cover and contents page.
Example Of Target Audience, 'Indie Kid'

I think that the target audience for my magazine would also have interest in TV shows such as ‘Skins’ and ‘The Inbetweeners’.

These shows have a target audience of 15-24 year olds and have a strong influence over the audiences dress sense, musical style and personalities. ‘Skins’ also has a strong influence over music, introducing acts which are sometimes featured in music magazines. However, Kerrang also has its own TV channel and its own radio station which the audience may listen to.

I think they would but my magazine as it features many interests which they would enjoy. The TV shows which they watch feature music which is included in my magazine.

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

I think that EMAP would be great to distribute my product. They distribute a wide variety of magazines including Smash Hits, SPORT, Mean Machine and the Nintendo Official Magazine. I think as they distribute so many genres that it would be suitable for them to add more music magazines to their wide range. Also, Smash Hits isn’t as popular as it once was and the space should be filled and updated to a more modern time.

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I have aimed my magazine at a target audience of 15-24 year olds. I think the magazine appeals to both males and females as it features many musical acts from different backgrounds and different sexes. In particular I would say that the magazine appeals to “Indie kids”. They would preference the music which is featured in my magazine genre.

Indie Kid

My Magazine Critic

Above is an example of an “Indie kid”. I think the magazine would appeal to them as the act’s featured have the same dress sense and quirkiness. I think the image above is similar to the image of my magazine critic pictured on my contents page.

Also, I think that cover image on my magazine is very similar to what is placed on other magazines such as Kerrang. My magazine is the same genre as this magazine and would hopefully appeal to the same audience, “Indie kids”. Although the image on Kerrang is taken from a live concert, the background is plain allowing the audience to focus on the artist.
The pose from the magazine is also similar; both artists are looking away from the camera and holding a guitar. The clothing of both artists is also very similar. The artist featured in Kerrang is wearing dark, neutral colours. This is almost the same as my magazine. Both camera angles also seem to be looking up at the artist which is another similarity between the covers.

Question 1 - Continued

Costume & Props
For the album critic pictured below I wanted to show the reader that the makers of the magazine are the same age as the aimed audience. I did this by styling the model with young trends such as quirky accessories and bright clothing. For the model pictured on my front cover, I have used casual clothing and have kept the clothing neutral. The hair has been styled using a young trend which is popular. I had the model hold a guitar to emphasise his musical ability and to show a reader the artist’s musical style.

I would consider my magazine to be an Indie/ Alternative style. This is what I wanted my magazine to be. I think my magazine can be easily seen as this genre by a reader. For example, the fonts which I have used are distorted, faded and edgy. This is very similar to other magazines in the same genre such as NME and Kerrang. The colour scheme which I have used also looks similar to those used in other Indie magazines. The colours used are very similar; they are dark and strong colours. NME also use a colour scheme similar to this.

Layout
I have kept the layout for the front cover very simple,
NME magazine have a similar layout.

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

Title Of The Magazine: The title for my magazine is very similar to other magazines. I have used a drop shadow and embossed the text making it stand out from the page and almost three dimensional. Magazines such as Kerrang and NME have used similar titles.
Title & Font Style:
The font which I used looks very distorted and faded. It gives an edgy effect and is similar to Kerrang’s font style. The font used for the title is called ‘Trashco’.

I also used anther font which gives an ‘Indie vibe’ and looks similar to graffiti and free hand writing. I used this font to advertise the main feature of the magazine, this is the artist pictured on the front cover and on the centre layout. This font is called ‘Mia’s Scribblings’.

The final font which I used was also very quirky and simple, giving an edgy effect and appealing to teenagers. The simplicity and uniqueness of each letter is really interesting to look at and when colour is added to the font it makes the letters look three dimensional. The font is called ‘Please Show Me Love’

Mise-en-scene Of Images:
Some of the images such as the one used on the front cover have been taken in a studio with a neutral background. These images allow a reader to focus on the artist rather than the background and setting. However, other images which I have used have been taken with a different background such as brick walls. This gives the photograph a more urban feel and a relaxed effect towards the reader. The image used for the front cover is similar to other magazines. For example, although NME have images taken in various locations they have tendency to use a professional studio for the front cover image.

The Contents Page

Magazine Front Cover

Below is the final outcome for my magazine cover:

Magazine Genre

After discovering that the most popular magazine was NME, I decided to make a aimilar magazine from the same genre. I have looked at many NME and Kerrang magazines to gain ideas about layout, design and colours.

Preffered Music Magazine (From Survey)

I also asked in my survey which music magazine the public preffered. I got many results. SOme magazines were more popular than others:The most populuar magazine is NME, this magazine is aimed at teenagers and both females and males. Other magazines are not so popular with only 1/20 purchasing them.

Gender Results (From Survey)

I also gained insight about which sex but more music magazines. I have created a bar chart to show the results:I found that more females buy music magazines. There are some music magazines which can be considered as being feminine. For example, Blender and Vibe can both be aimed at females. However, the difference between the amount of males who purchase music magazines is very small. There are some magazines which can be considered masculine. For example, Kerrang and Clash can both be aimed at males. Most magazines are suitable for both male and females, including NME and J-14.

Age Results (From Survey)

After approaching 20 members of the public with the target audience survey, I gained information about the different age groups which buy music magazines, I have pasted the chart below:

I have found that most people who buy music magazines are aged between 16-25 years old. This is what I was expecting as there are many music magazines aimed at teenagers. However, older age groups also buy magazines. The amount have people has decereased but it is clear that people still enjoy music magazines. Even the oldest age group, 45+, buy music magazines. It is a small amount of people but I would expect some older audiences to buy more contempary magazines such as, Mojo and Q. I found it very strange that younger audiences, 0-15, are not buying music magazines. There are many magazines including J-14 and Top Of The Pops which are aimed at young children and teenagers.

Audience Research (Survey)

Audience Research Survey
Please take a moment to answer the questions below, thanks.
Name:______________
Age:______
Female:___ Male:___ (Please tick where appropriate)
Preferred Music Genre:_____________
Favourite Musicians (Top 5):
1.__________________
2.__________________
3.__________________
4.__________________
5.__________________
Prefered Music Magazine:__________________
Why?_________________________________
Thanks for your time.

Magazine Research

I have researched many music magazines, including "Rolling Stones" and "Top Of The Pops". I looked at the typography of the image, paying attention to the use of fonts, colour and size. I also looked at the images used on a magazine covers. I have found that many magazines use a popular musician or band to place on the front cover. This may be to attract customers and to catch the eye of fans. I also looked at the layout. This changes depending on the magazine style and the age group which it is aimed at.

The first magazine which I looked at was "The Rolling Stones". The magazine is aimed at all age groups. This depends on who features in the magazine. For example, the issue to the left has a young boy band on the front. They are popular with teenagers and younger children. This would make the magazine appealing to that age group. The colour scheme used on the cover is very simple, consisting of a bold red and a neutral white colour. The typography is of a reasonable size, the larger fonts can be seen from a distance. The main feature of the magazine is the band printed on the front. This is made clear due to the band name, "The Jonas Brothers" being in a large font. The font also looks embossed to make it stand out more. The image of the boy band is very large and is layered above the magazine title, I think having the image very large shows the importance of the band in the magazine. Although the title is layered beneath the image, it is very bold and in a bright bed front making it clear as the magazine title. The title also uses a black outline giving the title depth and creating a bold effect.

Next, I looked at another magazine, "Mojo". This magazine may be aimed at adults as the band featured on the cover is appealing to an older age group. The image used is very simple. The band are all wearing black and dressed very plain. This also suggests the magazine to be aimed at an older age group. The typography used on the magazine is also very simple, Howewer, there are a variety of fonts used, the colours are neutral, white and a pale red. This updates the magazine giving a modern outcome. The title is very large and easily readable. It is white but has been embossed to make it stand out behind the image of the band, it also has a shadow to make it look 3D. The background uses a gradient effect which also gives the magazine a modern feel.

The next magazine, "Blender", seems to be aimed at a female audience. The image is of a female music artist, "Katy Perry", she is appealing to young girl and teenagers. The typography used is modern. There is one main font used on the cover. It has curved edges giving the magazine a futuristic feel. The font colours used are black, silver and pink which also attract females. The title is simple yet bold. It is black which makes it stand out on the page. It also catches an audiences eye as it has been placed on a possitive white background. Overall, this magazine has been kept simple and spaced out. I think I would add ore detail to this if I were to aim it at teenage girls or young adults.

I also looked at another music magazine, "Billboard", which is an official music magazine which follows the official US Billboard Music Charts. The magazine to the right has an image of Miley Cyrus, an amercian musician. SHe is popular which young children and teenagers. I think this magazine as a whole is appealing to all age groups ats it follows music charts which incorparate all music. The image is appealing to children as Cyrus is posing very child like and young. The typography used is minimum, there is one headline pasted on the cover. This suggests it to be the main story. The title font is very simple. However, the use of colour on some of the lettering gives a modern, young feel to the magazine.

"J-14" is a magazine aimed at children and teenagers. The images on the front is of many young musicians who are popular with younger audiences. The text used on the font is very modern. Many curved fonts have been used and are printed in various bright colours. The title is very large and will catch a readers eye. Although the title is layered behind the images it can be seen due to its bright pink colour. It has also been embossed and has an outer glow giving the text a 3d effect.

Prelimanary

I have chosen to use print and create a college magazine for my prelimanary. I have created a title and content page for the project. I used photoshop to create the publication. However, I have used simple fonts and little techniques for the publication. This design is very simple and hopefully my final outcome for the project will be much better than this.

AS Group 4

This group is for the AS group 4. Always attach a Label to your post with AS GROUP 4 in.