Music Magazine Evaluation

My magazine uses a lot of the basic conventions, such as a masthead. I have made the masthead big, bold and brightly coloured. It takes up a lot of the top of the magazine, I made it this way so it stands out and generally catches the audience’s eye almost straight away, I also added a little twist to the masthead by changing the letter ‘o’ to an actual record, hoping to make the masthead more unique, creating it to be a lot more memorable to my audience. I have also included a left hand third; this is where I place my most important cover stories, due to the fact that if the magazine was to be stacked that is the only part of the magazine the consumer will see. By including my most vital cover stories on the left hand third it will immediately grasp the awareness of a potential buyer. My magazine also includes one puff; I made the back ground of the puff multi coloured as it’s distinctive and draws the consumer to the key piece of information I’m advertising. One downside I feel about my puff is that it’s not on the left hand third which it might have been better to put it there. I also decided to have a tag line saying ‘anything that is worth doing is worth overdoing’ although not all magazines have a catch line I decided to use one because I feel the audience can then associate my magazine with something, it brings a meaning to my magazine therefore creating more of a lasting impression.

The social groups that I believe my magazine hits are mainstreamers and aspirers, this is because the price tag is not outrageous and therefore the majority people can afford it. However I also feel my magazine doesn’t exactly fit into a social group as it is a very retro and 50’s theme; it doesn’t necessarily fit into a particular genre. But, the information inside is all very mainstreamers but still has the vintage feel to it. For example it includes information about The Beatles, however it still keeps a modern twist to it as I need it to attract to people, but it hits a new audience as it could prospectively cover a lot of the social categories.

The main media institute to distribute my magazine would be print as that is the category that a magazine falls under. Another one being the internet, this is because on my front cover the there is a website link ‘www.recordmusic.co.uk’. I feel that this generation expects things to automatically be on the internet so when they search something on Google it will definitely come up with a result; therefore I felt having a website was a necessity if I want to appeal to as many audiences as possible. I also feel TV would be another good institute to advertise the magazine, for example, saying when the next issue is and the types of things it would include.

The audience for my magazine ranges from teenagers to the older generation, I feel I can cover this big age gap because there is a real vintage feel to it but with a huge modernised twist. By including things like The Beatles, this would attract people who idolised them in the 60’s, who may now not buy magazines, but potentially would if it included the right information. Also for example The Beatles still have a huge effect on the music industry, and people who weren’t even around when they were out, still to this day download and listen to their music.  The style of the magazine would attract both a young and old audience due to the retro theme which has quite frankly come back into fashion over the past couple of years, so even though it’s not a set genre, I felt that there is a gap in the industry for a magazine like mine to really become successful and have a huge range audience.

I used bright colours and bold fonts to attract my audience. The bright colours will entice the eye of the consumer and the bold lettering will make it easy to read if it was to be glanced at. My cover star has direct eye contact with the camera making it look like she is looking into the audience’s eyes, this engages them lures them into the magazine. However one thing I didn’t use which would have been extremely useful would’ve been direct mode of address, this would have engaged the audience even more making them feel like part of the magazine.

The main thing I have learnt is how to use Photoshop properly. I learnt the correct techniques of airbrushing, and how to rid of imperfections, such as spots and blemishes, also how to make things look more professional. I’ve learnt the conventions of a magazine, and the main ways they draw in their consumer and the ways to persuade them to buy your magazine rather than competitors.  

My skills have improved greatly since the preliminary task, from picking the correct colour theme to taking the perfect photo. I have learnt how to add effects to things like the text which would make them stand out more and to pictures too, such as a stroke or drop shadow, and how some things work together and others don’t. My colour scheme is much better than my preliminary task one as I have used subtle colour that all go well together such as oranges, yellows, creams, browns etcetera, all the time staying constant with my retro, vintage theme.

FRONT COVER MUSIC MAG

New and improved :)

CONTENTS PAGE

Music magazine-moon board

Music interview questions

These are the kind of questions I will use to create an interview for my double page spread.

When did you realise music was your path?

Which artists do you look up to?

How did you feel when you got your first record deal?

What inspired your debut song ‘_________’?

How long will it be until your album ‘break through’ is released?

What was it like to be in your first music video?

What’s the best thing about being a discovered musician?

What’s your favourite thing to see in the audience whilst you’re on stage?

MUSIC MAGAZINE FRONT COVER.

MUSIC MAGAZINE DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD.

This is my double page spread :)

COVER STAR FOR MUSIC MAGAZINE

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DOKrgah1FHvN9s_3fsWS7KgDgEM07Zbf0LAVI4BdHlE/edit

This is the link to how I would like to style my cover star.

College magazine!

This is my contents page!

College magazine!

This is my front cover.

Magazine cover analyis

To begin with the background colour is pink showing that this episode of the magazine is aimed at females, a male wouldn't buy this as it is too feminine. The artist Katy Perry is well known and is well liked by the public this could pull in even more of a wider range audience as she is a role model for a lot of younger girls. The masthead is also being covered showing that the magazine is well known and has current followers. Katy Perry is the dominant thing on the cover and catches the eye of the audience drawing them to the mag, this makes me think I should have one picture on my cover and have it as the dominant feature.

The cover gives of a very summery vibe by using the colour theme pink, yellow, white and black, this gives the audience the connotation of feeling happy and warm, resulting in them feeling in a positive manner towards the magazine, therefore buying it, which is the main objective of the cover.

I believe the audience is a female from the age 14-17 this is because of the colour pink uses which could be seen as a colour a young girl uses, also by the artist Taylor Swift having a cover story whose main audience is younger girls around 14. The magazine has a solid target audience which they know will always follow it, which is what I am looking to achieve with my front cover.

The magazine has a left hand third this is due to when it is being stacked on the shelves everyone can clearly see what stories are included in the mag, this ultimately catches the eye of a potential buyer drawing them into the magazine. There is also a puff on the bottom right of the mag, it catches the eyes of the audience with its bright orange circle. This shows the audience that not only the cover stories are in this magazine but even more too, it attracts attention making the reader want to look inside the mag but in order to do that they must buy it first.

Genre of my music magazine

As I listen to a mixture of music genres I have decided to do a music magazine which is current and about the charts, so it would be a popular music magazine.
I have decided this because i will find it easier to write about something that I enjoy listening rather than a set genre that i don't enjoy as much as others.
Some of the genres I would include are:
-Pop
-R&B
-Rap
-Indie
-Rock
-Dance
-Acoustic

Music Magazine Target Audience

The target audience I have picked are mainstreamers and aspirers, this is because I feel I can personally relate to them more than what I could if I had chosen succeeders or reformers. I will keep a neutral cover appealing to both males and females, therefore not using pink or blue on the front cover.

As mainstreamers are seen to like 'brands' and staying safe I will try and incorporate this into my magazine by using well known artists who aren't as well known for cover stories. however, seeings as I want to also appeal for aspirers I will use well known artists.

The age gap I want to go for is between 17-30 give and take. The magazine will have a general music theme to it, mainly about the current artists so for example at the moment it would include artist such as Rihanna.

Photo Ideas For My Music Magazine

I have a few photo ideas I would like to try out for my music magazine.

The first one, which I think would be for my main cover, would be using an electric guitar kit (like the one to the right). Hopefully I can put it outside on a day when its kind of gloomy and grey clouds, have someone, preferably, a male sat at the drums with the drum sticks in his hands, and maybe a set of headphones on which are connected to the drum set. The male would be wearing plain jeans and a polo shirt, maybe give him the indie look with a bit of a rock twist.


My next idea is of a female wearing some skull candy headphones, I quite like the idea of the advert to the right. So I was thinking a close up with the headphones being the main point of focus, the female would have to be attractive as it will draw in more people to the magazine. However, I think I will also try a mid-shot where the clothes that she will be wearing are visible as this could also be a factor to attracting people the the magazine.



Another idea is of a female or male sat on a pier feet dangling near the water and a acoustic guitar in their hands however this might not work as i', not sure where this setting could be found. If I use the guitar then i'd want it to be in a remote location and look kind of old and eerie where no one would go.



My last idea is having a female maybe leaning against a brick wall or something that looks indie. She would have a microphone dangling over her shoulder, a mid shot would be best for this idea I think.



I have decided that my magazine should have an indie theme but with a twist of rock, as I feel they will go well together.

Magazine Analysis :)

I recieved a level 3, 21 marks which is a B for my analysis of the magazine cover ELLE. I am happy with this marking because I feel it is accurate and neither too harsh nor too generous.

The good points I recieved were:
-Straight to the point and good use of media terminology.
-Answers are relevant to the question.

However I also recieved something I could improve on which was the use of more media terminology. I agree with this target and will aim to improve my media vocab, such as, using cover line rather than headline, and, include more information about the direct mode of address and give examples.

Personally I would give it the same grade, and agree that there are still lots of areas that need improving. I will work on this and as I improve my media skills, more skills will then become more apparent.

PEACE

TARGET AUDIENCE

My target audience for the Stafford College magazine will range from 16-19 year olds, this is because I feel that the majority of people attending Stafford college arein that age range. I also feel I know exactly what kind of language and information to include as I am in that age gap.

The main focus of my magazine will include information about the college. Prehaps including a what's hot or what's on section. This would include information about the college such as prices for beauty treatments from the beauty acadamy and the gym prices. It will also have info about the latest film releases and music.

A job page is another idea I have, as a lot of people in my target audience are looking for jobs but are not successful in finding one. Prehaps something like 'how to write a winning CV' which will attract the selected audience.

My front page will include a photo of a male holding the stafford college planner and a couple of books. I hope to achieve the laid back but itelligent looke for the front cover, as I believe this will attract numerous people. The male will be good looking as this wiil draw in females and males will also be able to relate to the picture. i do want the model to look like he is having a great time at college so my audience will associate Stafford college with fun.

In my contents page I will have things such as; Horoscopes, quote of the week chosen by you, top ten tips to stay fit and healthy, share your story and a quiz section. I will also have a picture of a female model attracting the males. She will also have to be attractive, but, not overly so that my female sudience will find her intmidating therfore pushing them away from the magazine.

i want my magazine to have the desired affect of drawing in my target audience. I also want it to have an insight into the college, however, still a 'fun vibe'...