Transcript
MUSIC MAGAZINE EVALUATION
Chloe Woods
Who Would Be The Audience For Your
Media Product?
Target Audience & Genre• The target audience for my
magazine is aimed at mainly teenagers between the ages of 15 to 20 and individuals who enjoy listening to the genre of rock music. My magazine will mainly be aimed at students who would be interested in going to the gigs of the type of artists featured in the articles, therefore they might be interested in this type of magazine.
• My magazines genre is rock and is not aimed at a specific gender. It will be a unisex magazine so that there will be a wider audience as a different artist would be featured on each cover so it will not always be aimed at females. The artists featured on each issue should attract both male and female audiences.
Target Audience & Genre
• I started off using other magazines to help develop my ideas for my magazine and understand how to approach making a rock magazine and how to appeal to my target audience. From analysing three other magazines, I was able to understand how they addressed their type of target audience and therefore how to address mine.
Target Audience & Genre
How did you attract/address your
audience?
HOW I ATTRACTED/ADDRESSED MY AUDIENCE
To attract my younger target audience, I used less formal, colloquial language to relate to the reader and approach
them with a casual, friendly tone. I also used different punctuation and the use of exclamation marks to sound more enthusiastic and create a fun, lively atmosphere.
HOW I ATTRACTED/ADDRESSED MY AUDIENCE
When considering how to attract and address my audience, I chose the name of the magazine to be ‘Pandemonium’
meaning wild, noisy and chaotic to create a loud, rock vibe that would persuade the reader to take an interest and buy
this magazine.
HOW I ATTRACTED/ADDRESSED MY AUDIENCE
The choice of colours also influenced how I attracted my audience as I used a typical rock magazine colour scheme of red black and white which contrast well with each other and
stand out against the lighter background, therefore attracting attention from the reader.
Analysing Front Covers, Contents Pages &
Double Page Spreads
To help with my research into how to attract the audience of my magazine I looked at three different magazines relating to my genre, Kerrang, NME and Metal Hammer.
For each magazine I analysed each front cover, contents page and double page spread to help understand how and why they used certain features.
Front Cover Analysis
The overall connotations and denotations of a loud, noisy environment on this Kerrang front cover suggest that the target audience are people who enjoy listening to loud, fast music, it also gives the impression that they have a laid back, care free attitude as portrayed from the individuals on the front cover. The facial expression shown also shown by the
main person links in with the idea that they are trying to create the impression of a loud noisy environment as it looks like he is shouting.
The use of the megaphone suggests the idea of sirens and loud noises, this idea is also suggested by the circles that are projected from the middle of the page echoing the volume of noise coming out of the megaphone.
The target audience would be drawn to the bold vibrant colours used throughout the front cover. The bright eye catching colour scheme appeals to the them as it is aimed at individuals who are into listening to loud rock music.
The position of the man in the middle of the photograph has connotations suggesting he is the main person in the band and is of most importance.
Front Cover Analysis
In the photograph they are not particularly wearing bold bright colours so does not give out a loud noisy impression of hard-core rock music.
The implication of importance is shown by the photograph being shot with a slightly low angle shot creating the impression that you are slightly looking up at them, as if they are more important than everyone else.
They are wearing subtle darker toned clothing that contrasts with the off-white background that has been used; this therefore makes these colours stand out much more without needing to be too colourful.
The bold white text also emphasises the importance of the main cover lines. The same bold white text has been used on ‘Look! Free Franz Ferdinand CD’ to also express importance.
The overall connotations and denotations of this issue of NME, unlike Kerrang and Metal Hammer, suggest less of a loud, hard core rock vibe but do however suggest a more serious tone due to the facial expressions of the group on the front., suggesting that they may have an older, more mature audience than Kerrang.
Front Cover Analysis The plug at the top of the cover is bright white
instead of red like all the other text therefore draws attention to itself and therefore the magazine as a whole.
The typography that has been used is a thick bold font which combined with the bright colours, attracts the attention of the reader drawing in people to buy the magazine.
A bold red font has been used for the masthead that is not one solid block colour as it has slightly darker patches of colour in it which gives a slightly rough edge to the text.
The overall appearance of the main member in the feature article photograph gives off a rock vibe to the magazine as he appears to be playing guitar on stage in front of a crowd.
The overall connotations and denotations of this issue of Metal Hammer give the impression that their target audience are more into hard core, classic rock music, The individuals facial expression and overall appearance of being on stage helps portray this view.
Survey
Research
Continuing with my research on the audience for my magazine I had to survey 25 people to find out what sort of fonts, layouts and colour schemes they would find interesting on my magazine. I asked people within the target audience age of different genders and conducted 11 questions to ask them.
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What sort of colour scheme could be used to attract your attention?
Black Red WhiteBlack Yellow WhiteBlack Red BlueBlack White Purple
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20%
Bold
Large
Colourful
This research helped me develop lots of ideas on how to approach my magazine as each question had a purpose to provide me with answers to what my target audience and the public would want from a magazine of my genre.
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ChattyFriendlyLoudFormal
What type of tone would you prefer the magazine to have? Eg. Formal, informal, chatty, loud, friendly?
What type of fonts would attract your attention?
Bold, large, small, plain or colourful?
Survey
Results
Most of the participants
said they wanted bold,
large fonts used instead of
small plain ones indicating
that these style of fonts
would stand out more and
attract the most attention.
The majority of the participants said that they would prefer a magazine front cover with lots of text instead of one with barely anything on it.
Out of the four colour schemes provided, 40% went for the
colour scheme of black, white and red. I chose to stick with this colour scheme because
clearly it is want the audience would want and it fits in with
typical rock conventions.
Each participant said that using big bold numbers for the contents page would encourage them to take a look at the article, therefore I used these to attract attention.
What have you learnt about
technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
What I’ve learnt from technologies
Through the process of constructing my
magazine I have learnt how to use different features and skills on Photoshop and also how to use various camera angles and techniques to get a
good quality photograph.
Polygon
lasso tool
Magic wand tool
Blur tool
Blend tool
Cutter tool
Magnetic lasso tool
Low angle
shot
Close up
shot
High angle shot
I created a draft to plan out roughly
where each feature would go
and used different fonts to get an idea of which
fonts might look good.
As I then started to learn more
about Photoshop I then decided to change some of them and add different filters and effects to
them.
PLANNING MY MAGAZINE Drafts
I also created a draft for my
contents page, but ended up
changing some of the layout as I started to add
the text and photos.
I moved the layout of the main article
photograph to make it less
dominant on the page, as it
is the main feature on the
front cover.
PLANNING MY MAGAZINEDrafts
PLANNING MY MAGAZINEDrafts
I kept the finished double page spread almost exactly the same as
the draft I had made, moving things around slightly and altering the fonts
I was going to use.
I had not decided whether or not to keep the lines around the edges of the columns and the photographs but once I had added
in the article and photos I decided it was better to keep them around the photos to
make them stand out and to fit in with conventions rather than have them around
the article.
CREATING MY MASTHEAD
During the process of creating my masthead, these were some of the designs and ideas I had thought of using. I eventually decided to use a darker shade of red to attract attention to the
cover, instead of having all the texts in a darker colour.
I started off with a simple black design which I then built on using the different effects found on Photoshop. I decided a bolder font would work best as it would attract the most attention.
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Design Ideas
Front Cover
CREATING MY MASTHEAD
I decided to use the font ‘Perpetua Titling MT’ and added numerous effects to get it looking how I wanted it to. This font gave the overall front cover the look I wanted it to have once I had used this font and made it thicker and bolder to make sure that it stood out against the rest of the page.
Final design
Once I had chosen which font to use I then needed to decide on a main colour for the masthead. I decided to use a slightly darker shade of red to stick with the typical colour scheme of red, white and black. This colour also contrasts with the light background therefore stands out against the rest of the page. I used various
different effects such as an inner and outer glow, bevel, stroke and a drop shadow to give the masthead a more interesting look and to make it stand out more.
Front Cover
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CREATING MY MASTHEAD Final
design
Front Cover
This was the final design I chose to use as my masthead..
Using the facilities of Photoshop I was able to edit the lighting of this photograph, to make it look more vibrant and
bright as this was the photograph I decided to use for my front cover feature article photograph.
FEATURE ARTICLE PHOTOGRAPHSPhoto
graphs
Front Cover
EDITING MY PHOTOGRAPHOnce I had chosen a photo to use for my feature article photograph, using Photoshop I used the
‘Polygon Lasso Tool’ to place to photograph in front of the masthead so that the photograph stood out as one of the most prominent features on the page.
I only drew around the top half of the photograph so that the rest of the photograph was behind the remaining text that was on the page.
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Once I had done this, I then selected the option to ‘Layer via Copy’ this enabled the part I had drawn around to become a separate part of the main image, therefore allowing me to move it.
Lastly, I just had to drag the layer down until it was higher up than the masthead layer, making the masthead layer underneath the feature article photograph.
Front Cover
By learning and using this Photoshop technique, I was able to place the photograph in front of the masthead, without putting
it in front of the rest of the text. This makes the photograph attract more attention as it stands out more, especially against
the darker colours of the masthead. This also could suggest that the magazine would be well known, so the title doesn’t need to
be the feature that stands out most to the audience.
EDITING MY PHOTOGRAPH Final
edit
Front Cover
CREATING MY Contents Page
Contents Page
Drop Shadow: The use of a black drop shadow makes the title stand out against the white background of the page.
Inner Glow: I used an inner glow on the title to make the title look less plain and black, but still making it look bold and effective.
Stroke: Using the stroke feature allowed me to balance out the
colour of the text against the white background.
Therefore using Photoshop effects, I added a black stroke to the numbers so that the darkness of the black still contrasted with the red to make it stand out but fitting to the shape of the numbers rather than just being square shaped.
CREATING MY Contents Page
I had contemplated whether or not to add a black box around each of the page numbers to contrast with the bold red fill, I decided not to use this as I thought it didn’t fit in with the rest of the page and looked too boring just to have a black box around it.
Contents Page
Page Numbers
PhotographsWhen editing photographs for my contents page,
I used the same range of tools that I did to later create my double page spread. I did this to get rid of the bottom half of the photograph, firstly using the Clone Stamp Tool to clone the original colour of the background to place over the dirty marks of the whiteboard, making it look more professional. I then proceeded to use the Polygon Lasso Tool to cut around the two people so that when I got rid of the rest of the background, I did not interfere with the rest of the photograph. I then selected ‘Select’ ‘Inverse’ and then cloned the white background onto the area that I needed to get rid of.
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CREATING MY Contents Page
Contents Page
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CREATING MY Contents Page
Contents Page
Photographs
After going through the editing process of removing the bottom section and removing marks that were on the original background, this led to this final photograph which I then used
for my contents page.
To make the artist name stand out, I tried various different effects and fonts to use for the name on my double page spread to make it stand out and improve the appearance of the overall double page.
CREATING MY DOUBLE PAGE
SPREAD
Double Page Spread
CREATING MY DOUBLE PAGE
SPREAD
Double Page Spread
When adding in the article to the double page spread, I had to rearrange the text to fit it around the pull quote so that all of the text was visible, I did this by splitting the text into separate boxes so that it was easy to manoeuvre around the shape of the pull quote.
FEATURE ARTICLE PHOTOGRAPHSPhoto
graphsWhen editing photographs to use on my
double page spread, I used various Photoshop tools to edit out the bottom of the photograph. I started off using the Polygonal Lasso Tool to draw around the bottom half of the individual so that editing out that area wouldn’t affect the photo of her. I then went onto ‘select’ ‘inverse’ so I was able to edit the rest of the image without affected the area I had selected. Once I had done this, I used the Clone Stamp Tool to select an area that I wanted to clone, I then proceeded to clone that area onto the sections that I wanted to get rid of.
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Double Page Spread
FEATURE ARTICLE PHOTOGRAPHSPhoto
graphs
Double Page Spread
When editing photographs for my double page spread, I used a slightly similar process to what I did with my contents page photographs, using similar Photoshop techniques.
In what ways does your media product
use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
How my magazine used forms & conventions
By placing the feature article photograph in front of the
masthead I have used typical conventions that other
magazines, such as Kerrang and Metal Hammer have used, suggesting that the magazine is well known therefore does not need to be the dominant
feature on the page.
Front Cover
The colour scheme of black red and white that I have used continues the conventions of typical rock magazines, the colour scheme connotes a sense of dark, seriousness that is stereotypical of most rock artists. It also gives the reader an insight to what style and type of artist the individuals on the feature article photograph are. This typical colour scheme also contrasts with the lightly coloured background that I have used.
How my magazine used forms & conventions
Front Cover
How my magazine used forms & conventions
Front Cover
I have used typical
conventions of real magazines
on the plugs and puffs by using a slightly different
font and style, for example the top half of the plug is
in bold, distinguishing between the
artists name and the rest of the
text. The rest of the text is also
written in italics, this makes it look
slightly more interesting so it is
not just plain.
How my magazine used forms & conventions
When created my contents page, I used
typical NME conventions for the title as I felt they had an effective purpose of being in a bold black
font, contrasting with the plain white background,
therefore decided to use a similar design.
Contents Page
How my magazine used forms & conventions
I also decided to follow typical NME conventions by setting out my contents in the style of a conventional NME magazine, this gave the contents page a
clear and concise layout inwhich it is easier for the reader to follow.
Contents Page
How my magazine used forms & conventions
I used typical big bold red page numbers for my contents page to attract attention to the page and draw the reader in, I also added a
bold black line around the numbers to attract further attention, standing out against the rest of the page.
Contents Page
How my magazine used forms & conventions
1. In most magazines the use of a drop cap and pull quote attract peoples attention to read and take an interest in the article, this is why for my magazine I chose to include both of these features due to this reason.
2. These features also give a more interesting layout to the page, with the pull quote breaking up the chunks of text, making it easier to read and also enticing the reader.
Double Page Spread
How my magazine used forms & conventions
I have used typical features of a double page spread such as including date and by-line, stand first, drop cap and including the time and location
of when the photos were taken to add extra information to the article.
Double Page Spread
How my magazine challenged forms & conventions
On my double page spread, I have challenged forms and conventions by slanting the positions of the other photographs, in most magazines if they are including more photographs from the photo shoot, they will be aligned straight instead of at an angle.
Double Page Spread
How does your media product
represent particular social groups?
My magazine could represent different social groups as I have tried to have a wider range of target audience. For example my magazine consists of a unisex element, I have used typical rock magazine colour schemes and would use a different artist each time, with the content of my magazine appealing to both male and females. Therefore attracting a wider audience and representing various social groups. My magazine is mainly representing and aiming at middle class individuals whilst also having elements of representing working class individuals. I have included subscription offers on the contents page which may appeal more to the working class as they could be put of by the costs.
How my magazine represents particular social groups
How my magazine represents particular social groups
My magazine represents both working class and
middle class. This is represented through the
outfits that the artists featured on the contents
page are wearing, the main artist is wearing a buttoned up to the top shirt creating
more of a smart appearance whereas on the left the
artists are wearing slightly more casual clothes,
representing more of a working class.
What kind of media institution might distribute your
media product and why?
• IPC Media works with more than 60 iconic media brands and creates content for multiple platforms, across print, online, mobile, tablets and events.
• As the UK's leading consumer magazine publisher IPC Media engage with 26m UK adults - almost two thirds of UK women and 42% of UK men. They have three publishing divisions; IPC Connect, IPC Inspire and IPC Southbank. IPC Inspire, has a wealth of leisure brands including lifestyle brands such as NME, which is a magazine that my target audience are likely to read.
• Due to the fact that IPC Media distributes NME magazine, I thought it would be best to use this company to publish my magazine. NME’s huge success could also mean I have a big chance of Pandemonium becoming a success.
• Also, because they are such a big company, there should be more advertisement options so by allowing a company to publish my magazine it would work out to be cheaper than if I were to do it independently because I would have to pay for printing, advertising and distribution costs.
What kind of music institution might distribute
your media product and
why?
• The kind of distribution methods I would be using would be putting copies of my magazine in various popular retail shops such as newsagents and WH Smiths as a lot of people would go straight to a newsagents to buy a magazine.
• I would also distribute my magazine to large supermarkets such as Tesco’s and Asda as a lot of people would also go to supermarkets to look for magazines or may just notice them as they are shopping, therefore this is why I would distribute my magazine to shops like these, to attract a wider audience.
• Another way of distributing my magazine would be to put copies of it online as a lot of other magazines now do, and by using internet distribution it would my attracting my younger target audience because most young people spend a lot of time on the internet so may be more likely to read my magazine this way.
What kind of music institution might distribute
your media product and
why?
Looking back at your preliminary task,
what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
Student Magazine Vs Music Magazine
My preliminary task was to create a student magazine using Photoshop.
Front Cover Comparisons
The overall quality of the photograph
has improved from the
transition from student
magazine to music
magazine due to the camera used, overall
mise-en-scene and
preparation for my music magazine
photograph.
Photograph
Front Cover Comparisons
The overall conventions of my music magazine are a lot more realistic to real
magazines than my student magazine was. For example including a barcode, which I had
not previously though of.
Also the use of the plug at the bottom including some context to what is in the
magazine typically represents a lot of real magazine, this is also not included in my
student magazine.
Conventions
Front Cover Comparisons
For my student magazine I had created the masthead without researching any other styles of magazine, however by doing this research for my music magazine I was able to understand that
my masthead needed to be big and bold with contrasting colours to make it vibrant and stand out.
Through the process of creating my music magazine and using Photoshop, I think I have improved a lot on the quality of masthead that I can make.
Masthead
From constructed my student magazine to my music magazine, I learnt and
improved on the types of fonts to use on the front cover. When making my
student magazine I used more plain, simple fonts rather
than using more interesting fonts that helped attract
attention to the page such as ‘Bookman Old Style’. These fonts attract attention to the front cover and contrast well
with the lightly coloured background.
Student Magazin
e
Music Magazine
Front Cover Comparisons Fonts & Texts
Student Magazin
e
Music Magazine
Contents Page Comparisons PhotographsFor my contents
page the quality of my photographs
for my music magazine has
increased since making my student magazine, due to the camera used
and overall experience of using
Photoshop. The overall layout of
the page has also increased due to
the research I had done before
creating the music magazine.
Student Magazin
e
Music Magazine
Contents Page Comparisons Photographs
The quality of my Photoshop skills has improved massively from the transition
from student magazine to music magazine. I learnt
how to use the tools a lot better therefore improving my final
result.
Student Magazin
e
Music Magazine
Contents Page Comparisons Contents
The overall design of the contents of the
music magazine is a lot better and more realistic to a real life magazine than my
preliminary task was. This demonstrates
how my skills of using Photoshop have
improved throughout this process.
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