AS Media Studies Music Magazine Evaluation

Chloe Parsons

Front Cover: Contents Page:

Double Page Spread:

Question 1:In what ways does your media product

use, develop or change forms and conventions of real media products?

All media products have to follow typical codes and conventions to create a suitable final product. Without them, the final product wouldn't’t be as successful.

Magazine Front Cover: Codes and

Conventions

Masthead: Used in print media. The name of the magazine. It is commonly in bold fonts and bright colours to make it distinct. Usually, it is placed at the top of the page and in a large, noticeable font which makes it eye catching.

Cover Lines: Smaller than the main cover line. Introduces other articles from the specific issue on the front cover to draw people in. Features are also advertised.

Main Coverline: The main headline of the magazine. What the magazine is trying to sell and advertise the most. Usually, the image is related to this article. It is usually the largest cover line and presented differently to draw more focus on it.

Buzz Words: usually with the main feature article. Used to attract attention e.g. EXCLUSIVE, FREE, PLUS

• Trademark/ Unique font• One or two words• Fills the width of the cover, or in a corner

Barcode: Positioned in the bottom right, or upper right side. Along with it will typically be the date or month of issue, price and issue number. Shows importance of the retailer.

Puff: Draws attention to the magazine and offers something special such as a free item or a giveaway.

Strip: across the top or the bottom of the cover. Lists things featured in the magazine.

Masthead

Barcode

Puff

Strip

Main Coverline

Buzz Words

Coverlines

Professional Cover: My Final Product:

Front Cover:As a result of the preliminary task and this task, I have gained a clear and relevant understanding of forms and conventions within my own product as well as official products released in shops and online.My front cover uses many of the expected forms and conventions of a magazine. I did have the challenge of trying to make a unique final product, and this is where I had to adjust and manipulate the typical codes and conventions of a magazine. My Masthead is the first convention that is used. Like most magazines, it is at the top of the page as it is a crucial priority. It needs to be seen straight away as it acts as the magazines trademark. Take Vogue for example, it’s masthead is iconic and well known which makes it easier for people to notice. Thus, making sales a lot better and making it an iconic product. The masthead is also one of the conventions that I decided to challenge. I wanted something unique as my magazine genre is indie based, and I didn’t want It to fall into the stereotypical style. Therefore, I decided to place an animated record either side of my masthead to add variation to my masthead. My image is also an important factor. All of the band members are staring into the camera which has a direct mode of address. This adds a personal effect, as it looks like the band members are looking directly at the audience. This is a common aspect for music magazines as the company wants to create a connection with its audience to increase appeal.

I also used a strap line for my magazine. This may not be a typical form and convention, but some magazines do have it to add a little more to the cover. This allows for an insight or a quick glance of the magazine. Another convention that I usedwas the strip across the top of my page. I used this to show some of the interesting things that would be featured in magazine. I think it is a good method to use to draw the audience into the magazine. If free items and competitions are advertised on the cover, it makes it more personal to the audience and makes them feel included within the magazine which increases the likeability of the final product. Unlike most indie magazines, I decided to take a simple approach towards the final product. I didn't want to overcrowd my cover with puffs and coverlines, like NME and Q do, as I wanted the main focus to be on the image. Finally, I have used a banner to advertise my main coverline for my magazine. By doing this, the text becomes more focused, and more attention is placed upon it. I believe that I have also developed this convention as I have shaped my other coverlines around it so that it is the centre of all of the text.

Magazine Contents Page:

Codes and Conventions

All media products have to follow typical codes and conventions to create a suitable final product. Without them, the final product wouldn't’t be as successful.

Columns: Typically, a contents page will be divided into columns to divide the articles up into different sections of the magazine. For example : REGULARS and FEATURES.

Images: Relating to the articles featured on the page. One of the main focuses on the contents page.

Page Numbers: Numbers which link to the content that is mentioned. Where to find it in the magazine.

Editor’s Notes: Sometimes appears on the contents page. A brief comment from the editor about the issue.

Colours: Colours should link with those used on the front cover. It should remain simple, but effective so that it doesn't divert too much attention from other factors.

Headings: Important text to intrigue the reader. Briefly describes the reader what that specific article will be about.

Sub-Headings: More specific details about what the article is about. Smaller font than the headings.

Page Numbers: At the bottom of the page.

Contents Page:One of the most obvious forms and conventions for my contents page that I have used are the columns. I have divided my information into 3 columns with the headings: Under the Radar, Regulars and Features. I have also used the images in a different way compared to most contents pages. I have only used one photo across the entire page to create a different, unique look. I have tried to go with a minimalistic contents page to fit with my indie genre and specific audience. Thus, this is a convention that I have challenged as most real media products usually use more than one image. However, there are a few that do the same as me such as Mojo Magazine. Another one of the forms and conventions that I challenged was the heading of the page. I decided not to include the word “Contents” on this page as I thought that it’s clear that’s what it is. Instead, I chose to continue my masthead onto this page. I personally think that this is very effective as it adds a bit of variation to my contents and doesn’t stick to stereotypical forms and conventions. I think it creates interest and develops standard magazine ideas. Another convention that I have used is the page numbers. These are used to create an ease of accessibility in navigating your way around the magazine. Without them, the audience would have to search the entire magazine for one specific article, and this would waste a lot of their time.

Unlike most magazines, I have decided to keep the numbers in the same simplistic font and colours so no attention is drawn to them. My overall contents page sticks to a very minimalistic theme, and I felt that if I was to add too much colour, it would ruin this approach. I believe that my contents page has a lot of similar characteristics to the Mojo contents page on the left hand side. Both contain the masthead at the top; both are divided by a line at the top, and both only have one image. They also only have one main feature colour which I thinks add to the importance of certain information. My contents page also has the typical page number at the bottom right hand corner of the page, and contains a puff to advertise one of the most interesting, and special edition articles.

All media products have to follow typical codes and conventions to create a suitable final product. Without them, the final product wouldn't’t be as successful.

Magazine Double Page

Spread: Codes and

Conventions

Large Image: Usually uses direct address, which entices the reader to buy the magazine. Typically, the image will go on the left hand side or it will blend across the whole spread. The image will relate to the article in one way or another.

Pull Quote: A quote pulled from the article. Sometimes presented in the headline, or by the picture. Usually shocking or controversial to catch the readers attention.

Stand First: Mini introduction to the article. Will usually introduce who the article is about and what they will be discussing.

Columns: Typically, a double page spread page will be divided into columns to space out the article and make it look more professional. It makes the text appear tidy and not all over the place.

Page Numbers: At the bottom of the page.

Article: What the entire DPS is based on.

Colour: Follows the same colour scheme that runs through the magazine.

Double Page Spread:Again, my masthead uses, challenges and develops many of the forms and conventions that a typical magazine would use. The first convention that I want to mention is the image, as I have challenged this to an extent. Most double page spreads place the image on one side, and write the article on the other, however I chose to take a different approach towards this. Ifilled my entire page with the image to add a bit of contrast to the other pages I had analyzed. I wanted the four band members in the middle so that it was clear that they are the main focus. For this to work, I had to plan out my image. The background needed to be relatively simple so that the page didn’t look too chaotic with everything else that I wanted to put on the page. I have also used a stand first at the top of my page. This is a short introduction to what the article will be about and what to expect if you carry on reading. I needed to make my discussion point interesting so that it would draw the audience into the article. I believe that fonts are also an important type of form and convention for a double page spread. Without them, all of the text would look bland, and it wouldn’t appeal to they eye of the audience. The variation of different fonts also makes different sections noticeable. For example, I have used one font for my stand first headline, and a different one for the rest of the text. More focus is put onto the heading as it is in a bold, bigger font which places more emphasis on it. This is a typical convention that magazines follow as it makes the most important information the most striking. Another typical aspect I have used is the use of columns. Most pages that I have viewed divide their pages into columns to organise the text in a neat format, to make it easier to understand and read. The article itself is also somethingthat is needed to complete the forms and conventions of the page. I have challenged this convention as I have divided my article on either side of the page, which splits it up against the image. I didn’t want to follow all stereotypical features formy page as I needed to make my final piece unique, but I thought that this idea looked effective on other pages, so thought

id give it a go. My inspiration was this Mojo page on the right, the image and article are the opposite way round, and I wanted to do something similar to this as I think it looks really effective, and works with my target audience very well. I think my final product works better with the group together, rather than split up on either side.

Question 2: How does your media product

represent particular social groups?

What is an audience?

• An audience is a group of assembled people who have a similar interest in a certain topic of discussion. Within each audience, there are different social groups to address when it comes to considering each of the different factors within a product. For example: Price, Colours layout e.t.c. Therefore, all media products are designed with a specific target audience in mind.

• Demographic audience: This is a method of categorisingyour audience into different social groups. For example: Age, Gender, Race, Location, Income e.t.c. It allows the production companies to know how well a product will sell based on its chosen audience. Once this is known, it is easier to shape a media product around it to get the best possible response from their chosen audience.

What factors draw in particular social

groups?

Images: The people in the photos will draw attention from different types of people within the audience. For example, their overall appearance will affect different social groups. The clothes that they are wearing could be a good example. If it is a punk magazine, the clothes would typically be dark and grungy to attract that specific social groups. This may not appeal to a social group who are interested in jazz music for example. This allows the magazine to specifically target their audience and make it feel like it is specially made just for them. They want to be engaged with what they are buying.

Fonts and Colour Schemes: Again, this would affect my audience as different social groups would be attracted to different styles. Simplistic fonts would attract a standard audience that could cater for all different styles. However, the colour could change this completely. If I were to stereotype my magazine, a bright pink would instantly attract a female audience, whereas a darker colour may attract a masculine audience. It limits the social groups that would be interested in the magazine, so I had to be careful with what I chose to do. Again, a bright overall product would attract a large majority of the youth as this is what they tend to go for. Business and an easy read are good things to focus on when it comes to a younger audience.

Language: Language choice is a key factor to draw in specific social groups. A lot of slang would draw in a younger audience as it would be easier to read and colloquial. A more serious article would draw in a completely different audience. What the article is about is also important. It has to attract the audience for them to want to read it. It will have an influence on their lifestyle as they will generally pick up something that affects them in one way or another.

Overall Layout: Certain layouts will attract certain audiences. For example, if more images and brighter colours are used, I think a younger audience would be attracted. However, if there is a more sophisticated approach, it would attract an older audience.

Social Groups

Social Groups are collections of people who share similar characteristics with each other and share a sense of unity. They will often have similar views and ideas. This is a demographic

group of people.Age: My magazine would attract the age range of 16-27. I believe that my colour choice is an important representation of this as it is sophisticated, yet fun at the same time. My main colour choice was navy, which was the colour of my masthead and a few other things. I chose this colour as I wanted something simple, yet strong and bold. I didn't want to use a washed out colour as it wouldn't have been as striking. I chose a dark colour for my main features, but used a fresh, bright redish-pink for the minor information to add contrast and create a fun finished product. Also, I believe that language is important as well. I haven't used a lot of slang in my magazine, but I have been colloquial to make it seem more common and to make it easily relatable. I find this makes it easier to target a younger audience, but definitely no younger than 16 as the language would have to be very basic and child like to draw in that specific audience.

Gender: Personally, I don't think my magazine is aimed at any specific genre. I think it works for both men and women and is a good unisex magazine. As my magazine genre is for indie music, I already have a limited social audience. Therefore, I didn't want to limit it any more so I tried to keep it open for both male and female. I think this is achieved once again through my colour choice, but also my use of pictures, language and topic of discussion. My images contain both sexes, so it will be appropriate for everyone. The band members themselves are also teens, so that helps focus on certain social groups as well as the clothing choice and facial expressions. Also, my topic of discussion isn't child like, but doesn't focus on grownups. Thus, I believe that it is the perfect combination of colloquial and formal for my chosen audience.

My magazine could target a range of different social groups due to it being a form of escapism. It is a great excuse for teens and young adults to escape the business and pressures of their lives. It is a perfect choice for music lovers, who are particularly interested in the Indie Genre, but also want to learn about some unknown bands that are slowly rising.

Price: This was an extremely important factor. I wanted my product to be brought by a wide range of people, particularly middle class families as this is the type of magazine that would be addressed to them. I decided to go with £3.00 as there is only a new issue once a month, and it isn't a very big company like the Rolling stones who charge £5.50. Thus, I believe I have gone for a good in-between price.

Question 3:What kind of media institution might

distribute your media product and why?

Identity Magazine

The style of my magazine identifies the fact that it is a smaller brand compared to others. Thus, the distribution wouldn't be as large, and less copies would be released a year. For example,

there would be one every month instead of every week. This indicates that smaller media institutions might distribute my magazine as it doesn't follow the mainstream style that big institutions look for. However, it would be a good thing for the companies to introduce a new

genre as they may make more sales from it.Unknown Bands are interviewed, to get them identified; but reviews on known names/ groups

Genre: Indie/ Rock

Low Key Magazine: Not very well known, cheap production, only releases a new issue every month.

Pros: •Cheap to distribute as there is only a new issue once a month•Easy to get hold of interviews for the ‘Under the Radar’ exclusive•Unique style= more sales

Cons:•Not a known magazine compared to others out there- might get disregarded at first, until it becomes more known•Limited audience due to genre of music

New style of magazine never seen before

Bauer: One media institution that would be a good distributor for my magazine would be the Bauer media group. The company manages to reach over 22 million UK adults every week, and this would be the perfect opportunity for my music magazine to be recognised across the UK, which is where my target audience is based. The company already produce brands such as Mojomagazine and Q magazine and I think my magazine, Identity, would fit in well along side the other print based products. Also, Bauer is a multi- platform company which works as print base as well as online. This would open up an even larger audience, as the magazine could be accessible online as well as in a store, which would make distribution larger. It is Europe’s largest privately owned publishing group which is the only problem for my magazine as it is not typically mainstream, and not to everybody's taste. Thus limiting the audience and bringing down sale ratings. This may turn the company off of producing my product. However, introducing a new genre of music magazine may also increase their revenues as their audience may be after something different to read, but Bauer will still be making a profit from my magazine.

IPC Media: Another media institution that would be a good distributor for my magazine would be the company IPC Media. It is yet again another UK based company which is a pro for my target audience, and has a large selling base. Magazines like NME are already under their distribution, so I believe that mine would once again fit in well. It is also a very well known company which would increase the amount of distribution for my product, making it more known. The production of my magazine would be low maintenance to them as there is only a new issue once a month, and I believe that it would sell very well under this production company. This company also has good partnerships with some big brand companies, so this could help enlarge my target audience as it would become a lot quicker and easier for the general public to pick up whenever it is appropriate for them. Therefore, i believe that this would be a benefit for both the company and my magazine as more copies would begin to sell and the magazine would get more publicity.

Question 4:Who would be the audience for your

media product?

Target Audience

Gender: Male and Female-not specified to either.

Age: 16- 27

Nationality: British (UK Based) or American. The UK will be the easiest place to get hold of this magazine due to the small distribution and small company, until it becomes available online.

Interests: A good love for all types of Indie music and unknown, unique bands. Identity is the magazine that gives a voice to the bands with major potential and interest. Not for someone who wants to know everything about chart music and what is big in the eyes of pop and hip-hop.

Typical older teenager/ young adult who lives an everyday lifestyle. Nothing too fancy, just kept to everyone's tastes. Affordable price at £3.00, so it would be an easy and common item to pick up off of the shelf. Ideal if the audience member is after something light and easy to read.

I believe that my magazine Identity does have a specific target audience, as it wouldn't appeal to everyone. I wanted to steer away from as many stereotypes as I could when it came to designing my magazine, but I also wanted to portray my target audience at the same time. Thus, factors like colour, font and images were important. I believe I have achieved the higher age range as my pages have a sophisticated, yet fun approach due to the choice of colours and fonts. It also targets the younger audience members through the colloquial language and clear methods of address. This makes the audience feel like they are a part of the magazine.

Price: I believe that I have made the product relatively affordable considering it is a monthly issue. This would make it look more appealing to the audience as it is an appropriate price range.

Target Audience

Purchase History: Based on what they have brought before. This may range as people have different preferences when it comes to things such as films, magazines and books. Based on this, I believe that my magazine would sell to people who like independent films as my magazine is quite low key and not very well known. I don’t think it would sell to people who like all of the mainstream information as this is not what my magazine tackles.

Location: My magazine would be based in a more urban area due to the fact that it is a more low key magazine. It may sell in a rural area due to the fact that it is a low key magazine, but I believe that it would benefit more in an urban surrounding.

Status: I believe my magazine would target a Working Class/ Middle class family or person due to its friendly price tag and availability. It is an affordable magazine, that should be easy to pick up off of a super market or corner shop shelf.

Ethnicity: This isn't a huge factor that I have based my work around, however it will affect my target audience. Different influences within someone's life will have an effect on what type of music they tend to like. For example, if I was to go by stereotypes, a black person may pick up a R and B magazine over a Pop magazine due to the fact that it originated from them. Thus, they wouldn’t instantly pick up a copy of my magazine.

Question 5:How did you attract/ address your

audience?

I believe that I have attracted my audience through many different methods. Firstly, the design of the overall product is going to have a large impact on the audience. If it doesn't look appealing to the public, they wont pick it up off of the shelf and buy it. Thus, it has to look good and worth the money. I researched magazines such as Mojo and NME to try and get an appropriate design idea so that it would fit with my audience. My magazine goes against some forms and conventions, which I think is a good thing as it adds originality and authenticity to my final product and this is what my audience will look for. The images used also play a huge part in addressing and attracting my audience. Who is in the image is important. For example, if its a well known singer, an audience member may pick up a copy just because they like that one person, so it can have a huge effect. Also how they are positioned is also vital. If nobody in the image is facing the camera, the overall product would not be effective as it wouldn't be clear as to who the models are looking at and what message they are trying to get across. Therefore, they need to address the

audience to have a better impact. Otherwise it would be looked over and completely forgotten about against everything else. My images contain both male and female models which I also think is important to address both sexes. By having this, it opens up a larger audience to base my product upon. It doesn’t specifically target one of the sexes which I think is good. Stereotypically, It is more common for a woman to pick up a masculine looking magazine over the other way around. This is why I went for a more masculine approach with my magazine as I wanted to address my magazine to as many people as possible.

The images address the typical codes and conventions of a music magazine, thus relating to the audience well. The expressions on the band members faces also say a lot about my target audience. They look a bit edgy and mysterious, which links to the whole idea of my magazine giving them an Identity. I believe that my strap line is also effective in addressing my audience. ‘Make yourself heard’ indicates that there is going to be a new sound about from an unknown band. This could bring hope to others that may aspire to be a feature in my magazine. If it is something they are interested in, then my magazine is definitely ideal for them. Puffs and Buzz words are also a great way to attract an audience. Anything free or exclusive to a magazine will instantly make it a special issue. Audiences love free products that are just added onto the issue as well as exclusive, need to know gossip about their favourite artists or bands. My magazine advertises the chance of winning something. A competition is always a good method to get the audience involved with the magazine. It allows them to take part in something else that is linked to your magazine, as well as offering a bit of fun.

It also increases the advertisement of my magazine, and shows that it may even be available online. The competition allows my audience to feel that the magazine is addressed specifically to them and I think that this is a very effective thing to do. Putting the magazine on their level allows them to feel involved and will hopefully make them want to buy it again. The colours also have a huge influence on addressing my audience. I had to cater for both genders, so went with navy blue and a redish-pink. I feel that there is a nice mix between these colours which draws both genders in.

Question 6:What have you learnt about

technologies from the process of constructing this product?

What technologies have I used?

ICT Skills: Standard ICT Skills were needed. For example, using Word and PowerPoint, but I also had to develop this for different programmes. I has to learn how to use ‘Blogger’ so that I could upload my blog onto the internet and that was all new territory for me. I feel that it was a good idea to use Blogger as I think that Tumblrwas a bit unprofessional and wanted to challenge myself with an official blog website.

Programmes: Photoshop and IndesignI had to use Photoshop to design my front cover. During my preliminary task, I had to refresh my memory on how to use the different tools and how to develop my images so I could make them look as good as possible, and this helped me for my official task. I was able to develop and adjust things quicker as I had got used to the programme. I was able to enhance and remove certain aspects of an image if I didn't want it there. This allowed me to take a professional approach towards my magazine as I knew how to use the basic features of the programme. I used Indesign for my contents page and double page spread. The programme allowed me to have layers and a structure for my pages. I found this programme the more challenging out of the two, but I still gave it my best shot when it came to using it for the first time. However, once I had sussed out the basics and became familiar with the software, I enjoyed making my pages. It allowed me to have lots of separate layers, without interfering with one another which was very helpful.

Uploading and Downloading: I had to upload a lot of images to my computer and blog, which was a challenge at first. However, once I knew what I was doing I found this an easy thing to do. On the Mac it was such a simple method.

What technologies have I used?

Photography: I found taking the photos the most challenging task to do. It was tough finding an opportunity to actually take the photos, but when we did it was also tricky to suss out how I wanted the models to stand/ what I wanted them to do in the image. I had learnt from my preliminary task that I needed to take lots of photos in order to find that one perfect shot that I would use in my final piece. Before I took my pictures, I had researched what was expected of images for a music magazine. I attempted shots from different camera angles to create a different effect. For example a low angled shot would give the band authority. Also, it was essential to overlap the models bodies so that the width wasn't too wide, otherwise I would be limited to what I could do with the image. I also made sure that I used a camera for my images. I wanted the quality to be as good as possible as I didn't want my images to be blurry.

Overall, I have learnt a lot about the technologies that I have used. As always, practice makes perfect and I feel that you need a lot of patience when you first start to use Photoshop and Indesign. However, once you know how to use them it is pretty straight forward and it is quite easy and quick to pick up. The only problem is remembering the little bots that are needed. Also, taking a lot of images is important as you don't want to be stuck with a limited amount of pictures where you cant use most of them. Finally, once you get the hang of your blogging sight, you cant really go wrong. My only problem with this was uploading everything at the last minute instead of doing it as i went along.

Question 7:Looking back at your preliminary task,

what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

When I look back at my preliminary task to now, I know that I have learnt a lot more valuable information. I definitely think that the preliminary task was an essential thing to do. Without it, it would have taken me longer to work my way around each of the software's, but I also would have less understanding of magazines and their typical codes and conventions. It has allowed me to have a larger understanding of the media production, planning my time and working with the programmes. I found time planning tricky at first, but once I had come up with an initial idea for each of my pages I became more focused and handled my time effectively.The feedback which I received from my preliminary task was also extremely helpful. It allowed me to develop on my ideas for my college magazine, but also any ideas in the future. Thus, improving my work overall. I believe I have a strong understanding of what makes a good music magazine and what would be an effective use of specific codes and conventions. My blog has also improved over time with the development and more detailed understanding of my analysis of other pages. I believe that t is good to look at other pages and see what has worked successfully and what hasn't. One important thing that I have learnt over the period of this course is to save your work as much as possible. No matter how much you have done make sure you hit save because you have no idea when your computer could crash or lose all of your work. Also, save it on more than one platform: DO NOT JUST USE YOUR MEMORYSTICK! You could lose it at any time, and if that happens your entire work will be lost and you

will have to completely start again. Overall, I think my ideas, critical analysis and research have all developed and improved from my preliminary to now.

From my preliminary task, I learnt that the background of an image is extremely important to be able to read the cover lines on my page. Thus, on my final task I decided to go with a simple background so that nothing contrasted against the headings. I also learnt about the puffs. I did use one on my preliminary task, but I don’t think I did it to the best of my ability as it isn't very striking. However, I gave it another go on my final task and think it looks so much better. I didn’t limit it to the corner like I did on my first attempt, but used a strip across the entire page. I also added effects on the final strip to enhance its importance. I put a glow around it to make it sand out against the rest of the text. I also used a different coloured font to make it an original coverline compared to the others. I also added another strip at the pop of the page which I learnt about in the process of my preliminary task.

My contents pages are the most different out of the two and I believe that this is to do with my target audiences. My preliminary task was aimed at teenagers who were in college as it was college based. Thus, everything was aimed at a younger audience. I had to make my language more colloquial so that it was addressed to the right audience. I also had the editors notes section as it was an appropriate section to add to my page. However, for my final task, my audience changed and became more grown up. This meant that the editors notes wasn’t as practical and the events section wasn’t needed. I wanted my page to look more sophisticated due to my audience and genre. Therefore, over the course of both tasks I have learnt that target audience has a huge impact over what information should be included on a page and how it affects the overall appearance.