Diary entry week 3

Weekly review 15/02/2010 week 3

This week I did my initial ideas which helped me see everything I could do for my magazine and help me decided what genre of magazine I want to do. So I did a spider diagram on the 3 pages to help me see what I must do to my magazine by thinking back to the existing magazines to help me see what music magazines normally have on them and don’t. Also lets me see everything that I have to think about when making the magazine like the story I’m going to right about and the images I’m going to use etc. For example I drew a medium close up image on the front cover this attracts the consumer as it is close and personal. It will be located in the centre for it to be a main focus and my audience is going to be male and females aged 16-18. After looking at existing music magazines, to know my market, I now need to get to know my consumer. I have created a questionnaire to ask my target market which is young adults and teenagers aged 16 -18. I collected a group of consumers in this age range and in different genders and asked them questions like “What kind of magazines do you buy?” and “Why do you buy these magazines?” This will help me see what my consumer likes and dislikes in music magazines, then I can shape my magazine to what they want to see and pay for etc. I asked a fair amount on consumers, the number was 20 to get an even result that would be reliable and collected this data. I created different ways in interviewing my consumer by doing written, videoed and voice recorded questionnaires with one person then a group to see how they all felt and reacted to the questions and magazines I showed them. I did this to see how they wrote and acted when doing a questionnaire and being recorded.This let me personally get involved with what my consumer really wanted and let them answer with more freedom then just handing out surveys.

Question Interviews

Questionnaire

1. What type of magazines do you buy?

“I normally buy music or fashion, as these are my interests”

2. Why do you buy these types of magazines?

“Well I take media and textiles as AS subjects at school so they come in handy for that, I also like to know the gossip in these areas with the celebrities and artists, so I am very interested in them areas.”

3. Can you name one of these magazines you bought recently and tell us why you buy it?

“I bought the fashion magazine “GLAMOUR” about couple of weeks ago, I bought because it was only a £1 and it had a picture of an artist I liked on.”

4. What features do you like about this magazine?

“The image on the front cover”

5. What attracts you to a magazine?

“The front cover and the price”

6. What’s the most important part of a magazine?

“Defiantly the front cover and the image used, so the celebrity used”

7. How much would you pay for a magazine? Please choose one from below

£0 - £1 £1 - £2 £2 - £3 £3 - £4 £4+

“Depending on the magazine but I would say £3 - £4”

8. Would free items such as CDs and posters persuade you to buy the music magazine?

Yes No

“Yes, you got to get your money’s worth!”

9. What puts you off a magazine?

“Hmm, if the image on the front cover is of a celebrity I don’t like or isn’t a very good picture taken”

10. What your favourite genre of a music magazine?

Rock R&B DJ Pop Dance Hip-hop Jazz Other

“I like a range to be honest but if I had to choose then Dance”

11. Who is your favourite music artist and band at the moment?

“Pixie Lott and then The Saturdays”

12. Who would you want to see on the front cover of a music magazine?

“Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga”

Questionnaire

Questionnaire Questions

1. What type of magazines do you buy?

2. Why do you buy these types of magazines?

3. Can you name one of these magazines you bought recently and tell us why you buy it?

4. What features do you like about this magazine?

5. What attracts you to a magazine?

6. What’s the most important part of a music magazine?

7. How much would you pay for a magazine? Please choose one from below

£0 - £1 £1 - £2 £2 - £3 £3 - £4 £4+

8. Would free items such as CDs and posters persuade you to buy the music magazine?

Yes No

9. What puts you off a music magazine?

10.What your favourite genre of a music magazine?

Rock R&B DJ Pop Dance Hip-hop Jazz Other

11. Who is your favourite music artist and band at the moment?

12. Who would you want to see on the front cover of a music magazine?

Inital ideas

Diary entry week 2

Weekly review 08/02/2010 week 2

I have done an evaluation Now that I have experienced creating a preliminary task for practise I must concentrate on my real music magazine which I will focus on greatly and follow my brief specifically as I didn’t do this with the school magazine. Therefore I must learn from my past mistakes that I did in my “The Bay” magazine. I will do the same development for this magazine as I did for the school magazine; therefore I know what I am doing. So the next step is to look at existing magazines and look at their front page, contents and double page spread and then analysising them. I got five from each pages to get an actuate analysis and find what they have in common or not and what I have find out. For example double page spread images can be affected if over the centre line although some don’t even go over the centre line and one whole page is devoted to one big whole image. Front page are normally based on music after all it is the first thing the consumer sees, therefore it has to show its purpose, therefore it often had music relate images on or had a magazine title that is relevant to music e.g. “miXmag” symbolising that it is a mixed music magazine. For a contents page it gives the reader to the information fast, therefore there can’t be too much information of here; the list of pages must be available to the reader quickly. And the double page spread the centre line is very important on over the two pages as it can affects how the reader views the images and text. After doing this research I have picked out things I liked and disliked about the magazines this will let me create my magazine to a good standard and good quality.

Existing music double page spreads

“ATM’s” simplistic double page spread looks very intimidating as the image is so big and rough looking, with the models not smiling and appearing very hard. This is the same with the text, as too much writing is not easy on the eyes and isn’t straightforward reading. Also a lot of text can put of the reader as this has no other images to break it up making it very boring. White is main theme colour as it is represented on the background of the text and the models are both wearing white. Also even the border is white; this makes the page look very clear, bright and gives a very simplistic look. The title of the page is “the raw truth” this could explain why there is a posh house in the background. As it could break the stereotype of DJs or bands coming from a poor family background and showing that this duo are posh and rich. This is backup through the lighting on the character as on both of them, they have a shadow and a light shining on them, showing that there was and is lying but this page is the truth and it is clearly highlighting the lightness on the models. White has defiantly used a symbol of innocence and truth and this is why so much has been used on the page throughout the image and background. As a result they are telling the truth and there is more light than dark, demonstrating they are telling the truth. The text is in small chunks of text making it easier to make in and break for the reader. As there is so much text this suggested that it is very important, this is probably due to the topic of “the raw truth” therefore this is seen as a serious toned page.

Another double page spread of “Echoes” magazine really shows that double page spreads can range in design if you compare to the one below. The magazine doesn’t have a specified gender but as the images are both of males, this suggested it is more aimed at male, therefore you could say this is very sexist. Like the one below it is the opposite as its genders and you can see this as this magazine uses all male images and the other all female. These pages have a lot of writing but it is split into two pages with two images which breaks it up more. The images are very relevant to music as it includes keyboards and a man dancing. “Echoes” is an R&B music magazine and stereotypically R&B singers are black, and as there is no other ethnic characters this magazine could be seen as racist and stereotypical. Although this is breaking the stereotype as it is titled “Hip-Hop” and offers the reader the “Top 20 hip hop songs” The images support all social classes the lower, working class and the upper class. In one image a man is dressed in a suit, making him look very smart and look as though he has a high paying job. He also is sitting on a keyboard and holding a cash register, this shows his wealth and success, though we don’t know if the man stole these items. Whereas the other man is dressed in a uniform of some sort and is more seen as a minimum wage job. Although the background of these image seem to be mixed up you would have thought that a busy town with lots of business would be for the posh man. Therefore the streets for the poor man, this could be showing that this duo is helping all communities and showing their background to relate to the reader who is a hip-hop star. The tone if this page is very serious as they expression on the images faces isn’t very happy and welcoming.

“Echoes”’s image goes over the centre line more so than normal as the image is almost split into two. This distorts the image as the centre line is across the models face and most of her body. Issues like this can put off consumers as they may want the image to cut out but it spoilt by the crease. As “Echoes” is an R&B music magazine it stereotypically uses black artists, this is because traditionally black singers sing this type of music. You could say that this magazine is racist and stereotypical in this way. This page has used the actually full image to be the background and therefore not splitting the two pages you in normally image on one page then text on another. As well as the music artist being in the background, she is leaning on a piano to promote the topic of music and that she writes music on a piano. As the text is white and the singer is wearing some white clothing the text goes around this part and continues over the darker colour trouser she is wearing. The text slowly decreases in size as the information gets longer and more detailed e.g. the title is very bold and big; then the little intro is medium font and only the artists name is bold signifying its importance, also it is all in capital letters also showing that the other information after it is important as well. The image looks very natural and not photoshopped; consumers prefer this as people have very strong view against fail advertising and fake appearances. The close up of the artists face shows a smile, giving the page a positive feel. It is clear that this magazine is an R&B one as it has a red column down the left hand side of the top 50 R&B songs; this is offering the consumer something different from the interview etc that is related to music.

"NME”’s double page spread goes over the centre line with both text and the image which is very unusual and risky. This is because it could make the text unreadable which puts off the consumer. Although as the title is so big it is readable and as the page has a very rough feel to it like NME’s rough music this suits its theme. I like how the quote from the artist looks like it has been cut out from a newspaper and all jiggered to show the artists rebel side. This shows that the quote is what the articles all about and is a powerful statement said my Lily Allen. The use of colour relates to the title of the magazine as “NME” is always in red, black and white. On this page the same theme is used on the text and in the clothing of Lily Alan. This is seen as propaganda or sublimely messaging as it is promoting the magazine even more without the consumer knowing. The text is in short paragraph and there as isn’t many of them, this makes the text an easy read on the consumer’s eyes. There is a use of symbolism as the Lily Allen the name is in red and she is wearing red, showing the consumer that, the person to the right is her. Lily Allen is an a medium close up with her head tilted and looking at the camera, this shows, authority and arrogance, almost suggesting that she is saying (yeah I said that, what you gonna do about it?) with a lot of attitude and as she is quite young this is stereotypically at her age. This attitude shows in the quote as capital letters are used in the wrong place, this could point out her education, which that stereotypical younger people are dropping out of education and employment. The use of a drop capital leads the reader to where the interview beginnings and really sticks out as the contrast changes from black background and white on the wording to white background and black wording on the text.

The dramatic spilt makes both pages stand out on their own and look very striking. This is because both use empty space to an advantage and to draw the consumer’s eyes in on the main focuses, meaning the girl and the text. This is a very simplistic look and isn’t much text and the image has nothing to it. This could symbolise its quality and “The Clash” magazine could be seen as cheaper than other magazines. The two pages are contrasting as one is white and black, whereas the other is very colourful with red and blue etc. The minimal text makes it can easy read and doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the consumer as the text is in small paragraphs and not many at that. This lets the reader not have to read text from one end of the page to the other, as in short paragraphs the lines are very short. The image doesn’t relate to music at all, apart from the actual women being a singer. As there is no piano or music related instrument about and she environment isn’t very music like. Whereas if she had a microphone it would be more obvious. I wouldn’t do my magazine like this due to the page not being very interesting I would want most pictures on and one large image on the right to be more interesting and the picture wasn’t thought through. If I was the reader, I would want more of a clear interpretation of it being a music magazine double page spread. In the text they have used a highlighter tool to show that it was a quote from the actual artist, which makes it stand out. The name of the artist is half in bold and half not, her last name is in bold this could indicate that this is what she is known for like a stage name that people call and know her from, although her real name is “Asobi Seksu”. I like the use of the drop down capital as it tells the reader where the interview starts and draws the consumers eyes straight to this letter as it is big and in bold and allows them to start reading at the beginning. I would say that this music magazine is aimed at women as the double page spread is very nice and tidy, whom women like and it uses pinky colours, which is stereotypically for women. Also it has a female singer and her music may be quite feminine and apply to this gender more, therefore it as aimed at its audience well. Although the colours are very basic, the background of the image is lightly coloured in a rainbow effect, making it looks very feminine, which also relates to the magazine being for women. As the artist is sensitively in a dress at moderate length and not dressed in a bra and shorts, this is more suited for women and not men. As if she didn’t wear very much and was in a close up then it would apply to more males, for entertain purposes and likings. I like how this page lets the reader get more information if they aren’t satisfied as it gives them a web address at the bottom. As the artist is Japanese there may be a lot of jargon that the UK may not understand, therefore this magazine is mostly likely to be American such as “nexus”.

Existing Music Contents

This contents page of “miXmag” is split in text and images and the images over power the page making it a main focus especially the picture of the female as it is the biggest, therefore takes up most of the space. The layout of this page is very neat as the images are in line and fit together and the text is in a line downwards in a column and list form. Therefore making it easier to read and the viewer can easily see the information they want straight away. The three images have numbers in the corners of the boxes to show which page they are on, they are written three times next to each other to make it stand out and show its importance. To make it easier for the consumer the pages have been categorised so that the view can look for what they want, rather than looking at everything, they look at a category then find what they want. Although the pages are only in order in the categories therefore if you look at all of them they are no in order. The page topics have been put in bold to show that this is the name of the page, which represents the page. Also to help the view can some idea of what the page is about and not just see the title and presume about what it could be; the magazine has supplied a little introduction for telling the viewer what it entails. This which helps the reader decide whether they really want to read it. The page has no gender specified as it has both images with male and female in it, it also uses neutral colours e.g. yellow and blues. As the biggest image is of a woman, you could say this magazine is more aimed at women and this backs up my point with the pink writing and the colour purple is used a lot. The contents page has the month and the year printed small at the top and at the bottom of the page, this is so the magazine shows that it is up to date and in date.

In “DRUMMER” magazine pictures are the main focus point on this page, with the minimal text for the contents. The theme is clear through the page of the colours white, black and red and this is even represented in the pictures as some are turned into black and white and there is an image of the red headed model. The magazine demonstrates that it is obviously a music magazine as it shows images of drummers playing and bands singing. The page numbers start at 20 this demonstrates that there are not very good stories or information on pages 1-19; this gives the reader the what they want and show what they want to read, rather than listing everything that isn’t needed. There is a symbolic image next to the magazine name “DRUMMER” as there is an image of a drum set and then three other images on the contents contain drummers and drum sets. This is very ironic and this shows that “DRUMMER” is a very rocky music magazine as drums are very loud and fast. Therefore this magazine is for drummer lovers and band lovers, as it focuses on this instrument the most. This page is very male orientated as most of the pictures are of males, making it very sexist and as there is only one picture of a female this proves this. I like how the contents has split its important pages from its regulars as they shouldn’t be shown together as regular are always there, whereas other stories etc change every month. Therefore causing less hassle of looking at these pages. There is an image next to the name of the magazine and as it is mainly white, it has been shadowed in red which I really like as normally black shadow is used, therefore being different and sticking the red, black and white theme. I don’t like how the name of the magazine is so big and important on this magazine as it is a contents page but by doing this it makes it seem like a front cover at first. Therefore the positions of the text could be switch around as this would look better adn show that it is a contents page more clearly.

“Q” magazine’s main focus on this page is the photo on the right taking up most of the page. The layout is set to have half text and half pictures to break it even and not have too much of the other. This makes a good contrast and is easy on the eyes of the consumer. This contents page is very neat and tidy with the text and images being in boxes makes the layout look presentable and readable with easy. All of the text is laid out in list form to make it easier for consumers to read and then it is categorised into topics, which makes it simpler when finding the right page or topic you’re interested in. Also even in these categories they are still in order which doesn’t confuse the reader. As all the images are of males the page can be seen as sexist or male originated. Throughout the page it used the magazines title “Q” this promotes the magazine and names its pages for example “Q Contents” meaning its “Q’s” magazine. Although this content page is simplistic with the three themed colours this is iconic as the title of the magazine is white and red therefore sublimely promoting the magazine and making the reader remember the theme so that when they see these colour they think out the magazine. The images are very natural looking as they don’t look photoshopped much as they look like they have used natural light as they are both outside. Which doesn’t give the reader a fake look and they trust what they are looking at is real, therefore more likely to buy the magazine. Also the image both look very cultural and historic demonstrating that music has been around for centuries and these bands are getting back to basics by taking ideas for the past for new music. On the page it offers the reader things like “Every month...” this tells the reader that the magazine is available monthly, by hinting this.

This content has split its cost by not wasting colour, not adding much text and images because this page is very simplistic. This is a good thing as why waste these features when the contents page isn’t looked at much. The use of black and white all over the page makes it look very original and classic. The repetition of “VIBE” is used all of the page to show that there are other “VIBE” medias available such as “VIBE.com” and to promote the magazine and get more people to view and visit websites and chat rooms etc. I think the main thing that lets this page down is the image as it doesn’t represent music in any way, therefore you wouldn’t know that this belonged to a music magazine unless you looked at the text. Although even some of the text seems to belong to a fashion magazine as it states what the models are wearing “Dress by BOSS BLACK”. I like how the contents title is split up into a couple of letters a line as everyone knows what it says still even though it’s mixed up. This is a very risky technique but it is clever as it makes the reader read the text clearly. Everything is very easy to read in a list form and it is all is one colour so that it is clearer to read for people who can’t see colours, so some colours make their eyes go funny. I like how it splits the texts up by using bold stripes/lines this is because the information is this box is important as it keeps the reader hooked on “VIBE” by offering them more. Instead of calling the list of page numbers “features” it says “volume” which is better as it relates more to music with the volume of the sound. The magazine has both genders in it therefore it isn’t seen as gender specific or sexist. I like how the list of pages goes from slightly bold for the page name, then bold for the person’s name and not bold for the next bit of information. This lets the consumer see different information easier and can pick out people’s name easier as it is the most important thing along with the page number.

This “KERRANG” contents page shows the text topic with an image which helps the consumer know more about the article and makes it more picturistic. The page can be seen as busy and rough like “KERRANG’s” type of music which is rock. I think this isn’t a very good content page as you want to get straight to the point when looking at this page as you want to see the page numbers and the titles mainly. The images used, clearly show that it is a music magazine as there are men singing with a microphone. Normally rock magazine as traditionally black and all doom and gloom, but the use of yellow text and white background highlights and shows the brighter side to rock music. “KERRANG” are obviously very proud and confident about their magazine as they are showing there next front cover to promote and get people to subscribe. This keeps the audience on their toes and wants to know what happening in the next issue. The images seem to be all lively this shows that this magazine is full of life and it is never a dull moment, and as there are some images with lots of people in them, it demonstrates that everyone can be a part of it, including the reader. It uses jargon like “SWAG” therefore their audience must know what this is. It is an easy lay out to read as everything is in boxes and the text is short and sweet, therefore the reader can quickly and this and find the page they want. The images are very crazy and violent which is mostly stereotypically suited to men and as all the images are males it has a male feel to it, which is very sexist. As all of the smaller images are very active and wild looking this makes the page look very extreme and wacky, although the close up of the male, calms the page down and makes it look very pleasant. The images have been outline with a black outline and shadow this enhances the images and sharps it as some pictures have or are the same colours as the background. The page has a negative and dark themed feeling to it as it has bands on that are called “THE BLACKOUT” and “TASTE OF CHAOS” which stereotypically rock bands call themselves this to describe their scary and fierce music.

Existing music front covers

The image is right in the centre which leaves room for writing all over the page. The use of colour really stands out as the black and white are the main colours but the minimal use of gold and blue which breaks up the colours and are very eye catching. I like how this magazine has only two layers of the model and the speakers, which have writing on it. The image of the singer Pixie Lott is on the top layer showing that she is the most important thing on there, she covers most of the text, and this demonstrates that the whole of the wording doesn’t need to be show. Pixie Lott even covers her own name, this shows that she is a very popular music star and she doesn’t need to show all of her name to know who she is. This is the same technique used with the title as the “H” is covered by Pixie’s head. Stereotypically this magazine could be seen for male as Pixie is dressed very revealing, for male entertainment. Also she is dressed in blue which makes the magazine more aimed at men as blue is stereotypically for men and not women. Although it could be for women as Pixie’s fashionable clothing is matching which women stereotypically like, as her bra and shoes match with the vibrant blue and the black shorts and jacket match. Also as Pixie is a female, her music could more towards female’s likings and therefore the information inside would be more aimed at women. The writing looks as though it has been sprayed on the stereo, which symbolises the freedom of music and you can make it your own by drawing, designing on your music equipment. The use of gold in the title and gold on the hair makes the two go well together. Different font is used throughout the background for different things as the title of the magazine and Pixie Lott’s name is the biggest things on the page. The text says “More girls” this is stereotypically I statement which men know of and love as they find women attractive and the more the better. I like this magazine as Pixie Lott shows a lot of power and authority for women and artists as she stands strongly and has a very demanding face, which embraces the reader. It is good that this music magazine is introducing a "free style magazine" too as it is mixing the two genres of music and fashion magazines, therefore appealing to fashion magazine buys too and widening their audience.

Symbolisation is used on this cover as the band is called “Green day” and the background is green. Most of the text is together on one side which makes the reader focus on this as it is grouped in a big box list. It is using different fonts and colours to make the reader more interested and look at the more important titles. I like this as all the information you need to look at is all in one place and not dotted around which can be too busy and distracting. Therefore this magazine front cover is laid out differently to others. The front page has lots of layering and the important articles and the bands names are on the top later, then the band and then finally the name of the magazine. This shows that the magazine is very confident with their name, and they know that it is well known and popular; therefore they can afford to cover it up. Green Day the band is dressed in suits this makes the page look very smart and stylish. The text colour relates to the name of the magazine as it is red and white, yet this is in contrast to the title as there is more white than red. There has been a lot of slang used on the front cover with “YEAH”.This magazine is very proud of it and shows that it is “THE UK’S BIGGEST MUSIC MAGAZINE” and it’s a “five star”. I don’t like how the barcode is so far up the side of the magazine so it looks odd, as this is normally in a corner of a magazine out of the way. I think it could do with more text as t seem too simplistic. This magazine is rock genre hence the sentence “LET’S ROCK” and using words like “CHAOS AND REVOLUTION” to describe rock.

This issue of the music magazine “MOJO” is a very well known magazine, so well known it doesn’t need to show its entire name. This is done by using the model’s head covering the title, yet his head substitutes as an “O”. There are two main titles which are both white, one is the top: “MOJO” and in the middle: “SYD BARRETT”. This makes the reader look in 3rds and look at the front cover from top to bottom and with the other text being at the sides, this makes the reader look from left to right. Therefore all the front cover has been looked at. I like how they have used blocked coloured text boxes and then written over the top if the colour is too light to be seen. E.g. the black text boxes with yellow writing, as it look as though it has been stamped on rough and rushed, which symbolises rock music. The free CD persuades the consumer to buy the magazine as they think your getting extra for your money. The magazine seems to be male orientated as every picture on the page is of males and there are no female interpretations e.g. the colour pink etc. Therefore it has targeted its audience well. The colours used are very dull and dirty suggesting the look of rock music itself. As a lot of the text is white and the name of the magazine is white to make the title stand out it has been given a shadow to make it bold and make it look significant to everything else. The image of the man looks very messy and rough, this is obviously what the audience wants as it sells, although this image isn’t very attractive, so you could say “MOJO” don’t care what they look like it’s just music attitude. As this is a rock music magazine the images doesn’t matter and rough is the new hip thing.

The image shows to male characters back to back, this uses less space and still shows the two models and makes the viewer look from side to side. As they are both wearing the same thing and have the same hair they have positioned them like this too look like twins and a double act, which makes the reader look twice at the magazine. I also like it as they are still looking at the camera but from the side, whereas most image look straight at the viewer, which makes it different. The minimal use of colour matches the titles colour which is red, white and black, this promotes the magazines name. I may do this in my magazine as these colours work well on top of each other as they are contrasting colours and they are dark over light or light over dark. The colours match the title and make the consumer remember the name and what it looks like. It looks like the red colour is laid on the top like the red is in the middle of the “NME” title then come the white than black as the background of the magazine and the boarder of the title. Which also makes you remember the magazine more and the themed colour collaboration. I also like how the characters bodies are being shown a lot and have been written over the top therefore providing a lot of space. The theme is mostly red white and black which relate to the name of the magazine colours, and the use of yellow in some parts really splits it up from the other three colours and makes it stand out. There symbolism in the name “THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS” as they are dressed in dark clothing as the word “SHADOW” is on a dark background. On the front cover rhetorical questions are used to make the consumer be curious of what inside and want to read the magazine to find out the answer or learn more such as “Collaborating with Amy Winehouse?”. I like how at the top fade is used to make something look not very important like the “AND” in the sentence “FRANZ FERDINAND AND THE COURTEENERS”. This makes the viewer know that these names are actual artists and concentrates on the bold names. Down the side there are topics that are in red which attracts the reader as it is bold, and makes them want to know more, then below there is more information in small text which makes the reader more interested as they are getting more information. The magazine is very confident in its readers knowing the name of the magazine as it is slightly covered by the artists head, it is also confident is its audience knowing what “NME” stands for meaning “NEW, MUSICAL, EXPRESS” which is an acronym.

The use of a main female model makes “KERRANG!” look very mellow, considering its rocker music nature. Therefore breaking the stereotypically view of rock music being dirty and male orientated as “LACUNA COIL” is a “Metal Goddess”. This issue keeps to a black, white and red theme all the model has black makeup and black hair. This theme suggests that the magazine has a dark and gothic. The female looks very glamorous as she brushes her hair behind her ears; this shows innocence and is more like a fashion magazine look. Therefore you could say that this image doesn’t fit in with the image of “KERRANG”’s style. As the main focus is a female the magazine could be more aimed at men as she is wearing a low cut top and no text or anything is covering her chest. By using a woman on the front cover “KERRANG” is widening its target market meaning women as this magazine is mainly aimed at men. All the text is listed on the left hand side to show more of the women. On the other smaller images there are outlines to separate them from the main one and highlight them as another important part. I like how names of bands that are next to each other are separated with stars and not commas, which is really unique. Most of the other images aren’t looking at the camera therefore the consumer focuses on the main image of the women as she is close up and is staring right at the viewer. This magazine is being very sexist as they call “LACUNA COIL” a metal goddess and not a metal legend, just because she is a female doesn’t mean she has to be called a strong word that is feminine. The title of “KERRANG” looks like it is breaking as someone is shouting it like when music is played so high pitched it breaks glass which is a very good effect and is very relevant to music as people like to experiment this theory for a mad experiment.

Evaluation of my school magazine

Evaluation

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

After doing my preliminary product of a school magazines, I used the all the knowledge I know from making the magazine and doing the same to my music magazine, for example evaluating existing music magazine so that I know my market and initial ideas so I have some thought into what I might do. Therefore I have done the relevant research to help me produce a quality magazine by copying existing magazines features. For example the date “Jan - Feb 2010” as this makes the magazine look realistic and up to date. Magazines normally do a monthly magazine this is why I have put “Jan - Feb”. I have also said that “THE BAY is Sponsored by Whitley Bay High School” as many magazines have this and are sponsored by food companies like Walkers etc. In most magazines the image is the background then the image over the top, I have done this will my front cover as the text is down the side and at the bottom covering some of the sides and some of the students at the bottom. I have followed the theme of school, work and education through my magazine as there are feature on there which can be seen as iconic to these topics. For example the image of stationary which students use every day and image of the school uniform on the front cover. I used repetition on the front cover and contents by talking about the same topics like the “Guys & Dolls” production with a little intro to it. This makes the reader know that this topic is defiantly being talked about in this magazine. The school magazine “CHILL” that I evaluated used an acronym as a name of the magazine, I did a similar thing as I called my magazine “THE BAY” as the school is in Whitley Bay and everyone knows what the bay is meaning the beach. Although in my development I must be more clear as I changed my idea from my original as it was a medium close up , then I changed it to a long shot, even though this shot is good it wasn’t relevant to my specification. As a result if I was to redo the magazine I would do a medium close up with a teacher and student to show diversity of gender and status and to stick to my brief. I have also related my content to “CHILL” as the page numbers are laid out in a list and I have done this as it is a simpler way to read things.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

On the front cover it has both male and female students on the image; therefore it is aimed at both genders and as a result not seen as sexist, and it hasn’t used any stereotypical gender related colours or events. I have ranged the events as some are work related and holiday related with the school like “Paris trip photos” and “Art day”. Although the magazine has failed to represent ethnic students as it doesn’t have an ethnic character on the front. The magazine represents the typical school child as it shows the a group of friends walking to school together, which most of students do, therefore many people can relate to this. My magazine also represents teachers as main of these are involved with the events like art day therefore art teachers will be interested in what they say about it. As all the students on the front cover are all dressed in the same clothing, meaning there school uniform everyone can relate as all the students wear the same thing.

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

As my magazine is specifically made as a school magazine, therefore my product would be distributed in a place of education for example a school, college or university. This is because my front cover image was relevant as it included students and as they are representatives of the school it fitted the topic and showed that it was a school magazine. With this there is also the school building in the background with the school children walking towards it, this makes the picture look very natural and not photoshopped. Therefore capturing natural, school life. I also used language to suit the magazine front cover by saying “THE BAY” was sponsored by Whitley Bay High School, as these are the manufactures and the information is about the school. Also the name of the school was in the picture already and it wasn’t photoshopped in, this also makes it look natural and well thought background photo.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

The topics on the front cover were appropriate for school children, as it had subjects like Guys & Dolls which is a school production, played by the schools own students. Also art day is shown, which is a very popular subject, therefore the students can relate to this. As a result to this is would say that my magazine is more aimed at school children aged yr9 – 6^th form (14 – 18). It contains more student related issues e.g. Paris trip. Whereas if it had pictures of teachers and students on and was about career choices and parents evenings then it would be suitable for adults too. Although it is not specifically for an age group just for everyone in the school as everyone is evolved in some way with the events they participated in or there picture in on the front cover. Also parents may be interested in their child is in the magazine.

How did you attract/address your audience?

The magazine cover is an easy read as the layout is set all down the page and not dotted all about, making it simpler for the reader. Also by using the font sans-serif it makes it easier to read as it is block and basic lettering. As my audience is school children I put relevant topics on like “Guys and Dolls” and “New sports” this makes every reader happy as it focuses on every students liking whether your or a boy, girl or teacher in or producing the production of “Guys and Dolls”; or you’re a boy, girl or teacher running or participating in the “News sports”. Therefore sporty and theatre students can all read this magazine as be interested in the topics issued. I have also put a picture of both a male and female student of the school, therefore the other students cannot feel as though the magazine is gender specific and they can feel a part of the magazine as there class mates are on the front cover. It is not specifically for an age group just for everyone in the school as everyone is evolved in some way with the events they participated in or there picture in on the front cover. The language used is formal as it is informing the reader. I haven’t used lots of sophisticated language as my aged range is very big as young student like yr 9s and older students like 6^th formers will be reading this so they both have to be able to read it. Therefore it could be seen as simplistic for 6^th formers but alright for yr 9s

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

As I didn’t stick to my brief, I didn’t use technologies such as photoshop to my full skill level as I didn’t use a medium close up. Although due to this I have learnt that I should use the camera to take shots that are relevant and at a good quality such as taking pictures of school children and of the school building as this links to the topic of school and education. I also have learned how to photoshop my images to a good standard for a school magazine. For example by leaning about all the effects I could do to the image, although I chose not to use this as I thought it didn’t need this to make the image look more natural, therefore I could say I learnt technology can be overrated sometimes and people prefer the natural look. So I used natural light to show natural tones and colours as a school images is very important and teachers and other students can’t mislead their pupils. I also learnt about layering and how text could be placed on the front cover, for example different shapes and techniques; this is very important as what is ever on the top is the most important and you can see all of it. However this sometimes isn’t true as the my main image was the most important and was on the bottom layer and was still seen as the main focus. This is because my images covered the whole of the page as a background therefore even if parts of the background were covered the effect still stayed strong in being the main focal point.

Diary entry week 1

Weekly review 01.02.2010 week 1

This week I started my research into making a magazine. I started with the topic of school magazine as a practice, this will good preparation for my music magazine which I will make later for real. Before I could begin my magazine I had to research existing school magazines for inspiration, my brief is to focus on the front cover and the contents page therefore I must evaluate these two pages. I did an analysis of the school magazine “CHILL” this helped me pick out key points that I must and must not do. For example Chapel Highs magazine wasn’t well thought through as its front cover images didn’t match its text, for example the text topic was: “World Book Day” and there was a picture of children in Pyjamas and dressing gowns. This wasn’t at all suitable, whereas the magazine used an acronym for the title of “CHILL” standing for (Chapel, High In Long Lane), which I really liked as it was taken into consideration well and was very clever. By doing this research it has lead me to the next step in my development of my school magazine which was the designing, I started with drawings, these are my initial ideas, when drawings these I had to put things that were school related and put thing on that were relevant for a magazine front cover and contents such as a title. Therefore I had to make one up and I used “THE BAY” as Whitley Bay High School is based in Whitley Bay and I thought it linked well. After I have done my initial designs I can create my own magazine based on the research and development I have done. To create my own magazine I had to take my own pictures, I went around Whitley Bay High School taking relevant images e.g. of the school, posters around the school and school stationary etc. I then used these on my front cover and contents page, one image I took was of paper and stationary all around like when student do work. I chose this image to use as my contents because it was relevant and as the contents has the most information on it, I thought that I could write on top of it like someone actually wrote it. I thought this is was a clever idea as it was simplistic yet worked well. For the front cover I used an image with students on it as it has to differ from the contents page so that the pages don’t all look the same and bore the consumer.

Analysis of school magazine

The Chapel High Long Lane, “CHILL”, school magazine is very bright and eye catching due to its contrasting vivid colours and sharp text shapes used e.g. black, red and white and explosion shapes. On the front cover it uses these colours all the way through and this represents the school’s uniform and to back up this point there is a relevant picture of the school logo shown on the front cover in the corner. Also there is a picture of a two shot with two school children, one boy and one girl to show that the school isn't sexist, in school uniform which also backs up this. This promotes the school and shows what the uniform is like, this persuades the reader to like the school and want to come to it and with the smiling children it makes the school look more appealing. It has cleverly used the letters of the school's name to come up with a magazine name which is very propaganda like as it is a hidden message, this is called an anagram. “CHILL” standing for Chapel High (In) Long Lane. Yet if they put full stops in the middle of every letter it would have been more obvious that this name represents the school e.g. “C.H.I.L.L”. The page is set out in lots of different ways which makes it look very busy and keeps the consumer occupied e.g. there is a column down the side; this has lots of information which makes the consumer want to read it. The column is in a good place at the side of the page as it is out of the way of the main images and other shorter information.

In contrasts to this, it also uses square text boxes for short description of a magazine which are big, main stories for the reader to focus on the most. Also it has a horizontal white box with “News and views for those in the know”, although a spiky box is in the way so there is a word far away from the other therefore it doesn’t make sense. As a result they should have concentrated on the layering and brought the white text box forward. The language used is short and to the point to use up less space and for the reader to get a quick jist of the topic available to read. Although these effects could be seen as too busy and makes it a disadvantage for the magazine as it is not concentrating on the main point of the page. This is because the reader doesn’t know where to look and therefore doesn’t have a main focus point. Also the front cover is ineffective as the images on the front page are not relevant to the subject the text is talking about, therefore it shows that the product has been well thought about and leaves the consumer confused. E.g. “Year 7 get involved in world book day” but the picture doesn’t correspond to the text as there are students in dressing gowns.

Therefore this isn’t very good advertisement for a school magazine. There is language used like rhetorical questions which gets the reader involved and want to read on, e.g. “What do you think of the new school uniform?” The magazine is written in the 1^st and 2^nd person. By writing in the 2nd person it is involving the reader e.g. “Activities week special – What should you be doing this year?” Therefore asking the reader rhetorical questions and wanting them to do something. They have written it in the 1^st person to address the school by saying we as the school are a multiparty. On the page there is a use of lots of different fonts this stops the reader from getting bored and makes it more interesting as it stands out, whereas if it was all the same text it would be very textual, by doing doing this it sorts out the different types of information given. The language is very simplistic and uses lots of short sentences so that it is quick to look at, and leaving the read to open the magazine to know more.The page is spilt into text and images on each side, this separates the two and helps the reader look at one then the other, instead of blending.

The contents page is good as on the left hand side there is lots of writing as this is the most important as it is the pages numbers and their brief explanations, therefore making it your main focus. It also keeps with the black and red theme therefore it keeps the schools colours all the way though and this keeps the symbolisation of the schools and the school in the readers mind. As the contents page also uses rhetorical questions to keep the reader interested e.g. “Love it or Loathe it?” this lets the viewer have an opinion on the subject and want to read what the is to love or loathe. This page is less busy than the front page as now they have grabbed the reader’s attention and are focusing more on what’s inside the magazine with its detail with the page numbers and brief descriptions of the topic. It uses bold in the titles and the page numbers so that they stick out as these parts are valuable information and gives you a little taster of what page entails. The contents page only uses one image to break up all the text that is on the page, therefore making the text the main focus which is the main point. The language is set in a list form this makes it easier to read and is more complex than the front cover as it is giving the reader more information for them to read so that are become more interested. It also uses verbs such as "Read our" persuading them to buy, read this magazine.

Front Cover & Contents Draft & Final product