On these coming pages, I will be assessing and

evaluating my music magazine product, from the

research and planning, to the final piece.

In what ways does your media product use,

develop or challenge forms and conventions of

real media products?

My media product, a music magazine, both fits in with,

and goes against codes and conventions of real media

products. In my research and planning, I analysed three

music magazines: Rock Sound, Kerrang! and Q. Rock

Sound and Kerrang’s focus is mainly on rock music, and

the genre reaches out to an audience of avid rock

listeners. Q, however, seems more focused on indie and

alternative music, though still features rock bands, much

like Kerrang and Rock Sound. When analysing my three

chosen magazines, I found that a similarity in the

magazine shots were that the cover photos were

midshots, and in Rock Sound and Kerrang, all models

were faced towards and looking directly at the camera,

whereas in Q, all but the lead singer, were looking

directly at the camera. The colours in Q also tie in with

the use of reds and whites, similar to the masthead.

Overall, Q follows the media conventions. Similarly with

Rock Sound, the cover lines are places on the left hand

side with the sans-serif type face, follows the normal

conventions. The main colours of the front cover are

yellows, greens and whites with a red masthead, which

follows through into the contents page keeping in with

the house style, similar to Kerrang, with its use of red,

white and yellow, which is also shown in the contents

page.

However, looking back at the magazines I analysed, I

think mine was mostly similar to Q magazine, and know

now, that to improve my research and planning for my

own magazine, I should have looked at different

magazines that represented my media product more in

terms of genre.

On my magazine, there are both aspects of it following media conventions, as well as

challenging them.

FRONT COVER: Firstly, the main image of my

model on the front cover. Though the shot is

a midshot, the model looks away from the

camera, therefore challenging the

conventions. However, I still think this image

is just as effective as any other, as she still

takes up the majority of the page, with it also

having a certain enticing feeling to her pose,

which suggests a certain uniqueness in her

music, drawing readers in. Also on the front

cover, the masthead is placed in the middle,

compared to other magazines and the

conventions, usually are placed in the top left

corner. However, with the masthead being

placed directly in the top middle, I believe

catches the attention of on-lookers as it

stands out, especially with its bright use of

colour. Though overall, my front cover

generally follows the conventions with the

continuity of the colours and typeface.

CONTENTS: The continuity also

follows through onto the contents

page, with the similarity of colours

and typeface of the 'Contents'. I think

my contents page follows the

conventions rather than challenges,

though there are still some aspects

that challenge the conventions, such

as the social networking icons being

placed further up the page than they

would normally be, and the collage-

like images. As well as this, I think

there is a limited use of images, and

could have improved by using a

wider variety, rather than just of two

models.

DOUBLE PAGE: I think the continuity of the front cover and contents page has

been slightly lost in the double page spread. I think this is mostly because the use

of colour, as it doesn't really link back to the purple/pink colours of the contents

and front cover, though the dark red of 'Molly Booker' is still present, therefore

giving is a small sense of continuity. However, I think this double page spread

mostly follows the conventions, as it contains images and pull quotes, with the

actual interview following the column layout. I think the only aspect of the

double page spread that doesn't follow the conventions is the number of images

used, and I think with mine, there are too many, and on a normal (real) media

product, the maximum number of photos would possibly be two, rather than

three. As well as this, the two collage-style images I've used could also be seen as

going against media conventions, and that the text doesn't wrap around the

images. However, I think if I had had the text wrap around the two collage-like

images, the flow of the text would be disrupted and would be harder to read and

follow. On the other hand, though they challenge the conventions, these images

could really enforce the fact that my magazine is different and unique.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

In my magazine, I have photographed two of my models, Molly and Rebecca, who I have

both aimed to represent a certain stereotypical view of their music. However, my

photographs do not entirely fit into the stereotypical view of my music genre

The representation of women in the media in the

genre of rock/alternative music portrays them as

fierce and different. The images of artists in these

magazines suggest that the genre of music they create

is rock, which is through the mise-en-scene of the

images (though for the Q magazine image, I think it

could be going against conventions, as the majority of

the public know Cheryl Cole to produce pop music).

In comparison to my magazine, my models are

portrayed quite 'girly', with their poses and make-up,

and use of colour.

Front Cover

The image of Molly on the front cover is a

midshot of her looking away from the camera,

and because of her pose, we see her outfit, of dark

jeans and a black jumper. I think this outfit is a

good representation of her rock style and genre.

However, I think her make-up could have been

improved to look more 'rocky', by

using darker makeup, like those

of the magazines above. As well

as this, I think her pose would

have been better if she were standing, with a closer shot, and looking

directly at the camera, because I think that would have shown a better

representation of rock. However, because this magazine is both rock

and indie/alternative, as well as her being unique in her style, is a good

representation of what Molly produces. I could have also used props,

such as an electric guitar to give more of an insight to her genre of

music, drawing in more of an audience.

This main image also uses quite

stereotypically 'girly' colours, with the

overall image having a pink and purple

tone. This contrasts to the magazine

images above, as they're quite dark.

However, this colour could also be seen

as fitting for the magazine, because Riot

also features indie/alternative music.

I think the font of the masthead 'Riot'

attracts readers as it ultimately sets out

what is in the magazine, however, the font of 'Molly Booker' contrasts to the masthead,

because it's much plainer, which again, doesn't give an insight into what genre of music

she produces. However, as it goes alongside the 'Riot' masthead, readers will still pick

up the magazine because from that, they can tell what kind of music is featured in it.

Foals the band both fit into the genre

of my magazine being alternative,

indie and rock. This particular cover's

colour is similar to mine with the

overriding tone of a cold blue (mine

having an overriding tone of pinks and

purples).

Contents page

The contents page looks different from the front cover, however still have a certain

sense of continuity due to the use of colours and fonts. The use of purples has been

carried through here, but with the absense of pinks, I feel it separates itself from the

cover. I think this contributes to the representation of the genre of the magazine.

In a rock magazine, the contents page will

be quite busy, and uses blocks of colour,

such as Kerrang magazine. Whereas other

magazines that feature more alternative

music will look much more quiet, plain

and simple, such as Q magazine.

Looking at these magazines and my own, I

feel there is a combination of both the

style of Kerrang and Q. My page has a

sense of simplicity to it, with its limited

use of colour and simple images, reflecting

the conventions of an alternative

magazine, though because of the listing of

articles and social networking icons,

there's a sense of business, which reflects

conventions of rock magazines.

Double page spread

Much like the contents page, I

think the double page spread

both include parts of a

conventional rock magazine,

and an alternative magazine. I

think these pages, in particular

out of all the pages I created,

least has a sense of continuity

from the front cover. This is

because the use of colour, as

there is a lack of both pink and

purple, so holds no link back

to the previous pages,

however, I think it needs to be

kept in mind that the double

page spread is now a focus on

Molly, the artist, rather than

the magazine itself. The only

continuity here is the 'Molly

Booker' text, as it's the same

font and colour as found on

the front cover. This use of

dark red has connotations to

rock or alternative music, as

it's commonly found across

real media products of this

similar genre.

In comparison to my other images of my model,

on this double page spread, I have used a prop of

an electric guitar. This helps represent the rock

genre of her music. Again, the outfit is visible and

we can see the 'glamorous rock chic' style

portrayed in some of the magazines above.

The overall page again, like the contents page is

simply and plain, in an alternative magazine, this

is conventional, however, in a rock magazine, the

layout and colours are much busier. However, I

think there is less of a problem, because Molly

Booker is unique and different from the

stereotypical rock artists.

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

As said in my press release, the publisher for my

magazine will be Bauer Media Group because of their

other publishing of rock and alternative magazines,

such as Q and Kerrang. Bauer Media Group have

already set up a huge company, with a turnover of

€2.129 Billion (in 2010). They operate in 16 counties

worldwide, though my magazine would only be

published in the UK. With this, I would have it

published weekly, with an online copy available. My

audience will easily be able to have access to this

magazine at just £2.75, from a majority of shops

across the UK. These include superstores such as Tesco, Asda and Morrisons, as well as

WHSmith and small corner shops.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

I found out about my audience through

my audience survey early on in the

coursework. From this we found that the

audience for my media product are

males and females, though mostly

females, between the ages of 16-20. This

age also indicates to us about their spare

money and interests, which I also asked

about later on in the survey.

I also found out about how much extra

money they have to spend on things of

their interest, and found that 40% spend

£11-£15 and 13% spending between £5-

£7. From this, I could base a decision on

what kind of price to aim my magazine at,

looking at how much these participants

had.

To find out more about my audience, I

asked what they liked to do in their spare

time, which would then help me on what

kinds of other things they'd like to see in

my magazine (which would appear on my

contents page).

I found that 86% enjoyed listening to music in their free time, as well as using

technology (73%), so I knew with confidence that I could involve these things in my

magazine, and would have a selling point.

Their enjoyment of technology also

means that they can interact with Riot

magazine through their Smartphone's

as I found that 68% of the participants

have a Smartphone.

To gain some insight into what an audience looks for in a magazine, I asked them exactly

that, and found that 71% of people enjoy interviews, and that 47% of people definitely

look towards the cover lines on

whether to buy the magazine or not.

Other major things people look for is

posters and bands that they recognise

and like.

The last thing I found out about

my audience is the amount of

money they spend on physical

and download music per month.

From the results, I found that the

majority spend less than £7.99

per month (59%).

Overall, from my research into audiences, I found that my own audience would be

mostly female (though some male), being aged between 16 and 20, with the majority

having some extra money to spend on things of their interest, which could include

music-based items. I also found that in their spare time, a lot of people listen to music

and use technology, which is of course beneficial to us. In order for Riot to sell, I need to

make sure that the front cover really pulls at their interests and attention, with

interesting cover lines, and enticing reasons as to why they should buy the magazine,

such as something free that's included, as well as featuring bands they love and know,

and good quality posters.

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

product?

Throughout this project, I have had to use many different software, hardware and

online tools to bring it all together. The majority of the online tools were for the

presentation of my posts, documents, slideshows, audience research and proof of

construction. However, I also used PhotoShop and InDesign for the actual construction

of my magazine.

Blogger

Blogger has been one of the biggest platforms in which I have had to use to

communicate, through this, I uploaded my research, planning, construction, analysis

and final product. In many occasions, I used it as a platform in which I communicate

through other online tools, however, I have uploaded post through blogger itself.

However, I uploaded much of my work through other online tools, which I then

embedded onto my blog, such as SlideShare, Scribd, Prezi, Issuu, Pinterest, Polyvore and

SurveyMonkey.

SlideShare

Through SlideShare, I uploaded posts about feedback, audience research and the

construction of my magazine. Through this site, I was able to upload slideshows with

ease.

Scribd

Scribd allowed me to upload documents easily onto my blog. However, I found that

when converting th document, Scribd doesn't completely keep the shape and set out

placement of the images, and didn't like the overall look on my blog, so used it less than

the other online tools on my blog.

Prezi

Out of all the online tools I have used for my magzine, I enojyed using Prezi the most,

because of the easy use and the quality presentation of the uploads. This different from

the previous online tools such as SlideShare and Scribd, as this donesn’t convert

documents, instead, we create our post on Prezi, then embed onto our blog. Through

this I was able to printscreen the process of how I constructed my magazine, and other

things such as my photoshoot and focus group.

Issuu

I didn’t use Issuu as much as some of the other online tools I used, however I like the

neat presentation and style of the posts. I think it clearly links in with the theme of the

coursework as it is in an magazine-style layout. This online tool, much like SlideShare

and Scribd, converts documents. This was easy to use, though there were a few

problems in converting the document, though the overall presentation looks good.

Pinterest

With this online tool, I only used it for the magazine flatplans, which was a good way for

presenting them because they are clear and different to look at. By this online tool, I also

added variety into the posts on my blog. This technique was easy to use, however, took

some adjustments to the sizing of the images for them all to fit into the blog post.

Polyvore

I only used Polyvore on two of my

posts, which are the posts on the

photoshoot outfit ideas. This site

enables you to make collage-like

images of clothes and make-up, as

well as other things such as furtinutre,

so is almost like a way to make a

moodbaord.

SurveyMonkey

I used SurveyMonkey as a means to get audience feedback. This site allows me to upload

and create surveys, as well as a way in which people could go and take the survey. This

allowed me to find out about my target audience.

PhotoShop

A lot of my work consisted of using

PhotoShop, the main project I

spent on PhotoShop is the

construction of my front cover. I

edited photos and adjusted them to

look the way I wanted to represent

my magazine, as well as creating

fonts, like the Riot masthead.

Through using PhotoShop, I learnt

how to use and nagivate around

the software. Using PhotoShop, I

developed my knowledge and

understanding of the software, enabling

me do use it with more depth and more

complex actions, which would therefore

improve my final magazine.

InDesign

Before constructing my music magazine contents page and double page spread, our

class were given a practise session with a professional InDesign user. This really helped

me understand InDesign and how to work my way around the software with ease,

which in turn, really helped me for constructing my contents page and double page

spread.

I then later used InDesign to construct my contents page and double page spread after

editing the images and particular fonts in PhotoShop previously.

I found using InDesign harder than using PhotoShop, though it was more suitable for

productions for such things as contents page’s and double page spreads, as there is a lot

of text to be added.

Through using InDesign, I have deepened my knowledge and understanding of this

software, which allows me to make better projects on them.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the

progression from it to the full product?

Looking back at this music magazine project and comparing it to the college magazine

project, I feel as if I’ve progressed far in my knowledge and understanding of media

products; representations and audiences; and terminology, as well as how to use

particular software, hardware and online tools and the way in which to communicate

through them.

Looking at my college magazine, I can see that my

skills were limited, whereas, compared to my music

magazine, is much more complex and appealing,

showing I have definitely progressed in my

PhotoShop knowledge. Though both magazines have

a similar balance in colours, my music magazine has

a certain neatness to it, which makes it look

professional and real, in contrast to my college

magazine, where there are rough edges and is

unclear to read.

These contents pages are very different from each

other, and I think that my limited understanding of

InDesign is shown in my college magazine contents

page, whereas in my music magazine, the contents

page looks much more professional and neat. I think

this well portrays how far I’ve progressed in my

skills development of InDesign.

Overall, I still think I need to improve my skills on

InDesign, however, looking at my progress, I think I

have really improved and developed my knowledge

and understanding of the software we use in media

production.

Looking back at the overall project, there are some

definite improvements and clear progression of the

project as a whole, though there are also other

aspects of this project that I think I need to improve

on, such as my use of terminology, as I think it’s

been quite limited throughout, though I have

improved since my college magazine.