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.