Flat Plan for Music Magazine - Double Page Spread

After making my flat plan for my front cover, I proceeded to use the same process for my double page spread:

My Two Examples

My Flat Plan

Flat Plan for Music Magazine - Front Cover

Before I create my music magazine, I wanted to plan how I will order and construct the front cover. I did this by finding two examples of a magazine that fits my genre, and basing the flat plan upon that. This is how it went:

My Two Examples

 

 

 

 

My Flat Plan

 

 

Photoshoot 2

As another photoshoot I went out and did some more location shots. I know I wanted to get some studio shots but when I took the shots they didn't come out as good as I expected them to due to the facilities I could get. Although I believe I still got some very usable shots from this photoshoot:

I like this photo as it uses negative space to draw your attention to the subject. I also like the way that the subject doesn't address the camera, so you start to wonder what her attention is brought to. Although if I was to use this picture for my magazine, I wouldn't use the background as the window is too distracting.

I like this photo due to the same reasons as the one before, but this one uses a high angle to create interest and offers another perspective to a person.

This photo creates interest for many things, the pose that the subject uses is interesting as it looks quite inviting, because she is sat down which could suggest she is sat with the person looking as the camera could represent an objective view. Not only this, but her surroundings are friendly as they use nature.

This photo uses all thirds of the space in terms of the left, middle, and right third. This gives the reader a lot to look at, so they will spend more time looking at the magazine. Furthermore, the positioning of the subjects tells the reader who is the frontman of the band as they are further forward and in the middle third.
 This picture also offers balance, as because there are three people, it creates a symmetrical element due to the fact the two other members are stood equally beside the frontman.

I like this photo for it's high energy - something my target audience could relate too, especially since it's genre is going to be rock. I believe this picture could have been more effective if it had been done in a studio, however I could still crop out the background.

Ultimately, I like this photo due to it's culture and relation to the rock scene. The subject is doing a hand gesture of 'Rock n Roll', in which my target audience could relate to. Moreover, her smile is very inviting towards the audience, especially when I want to not only target men.

 

Photoshoot Comparisons

As I have done several photoshoots now, I have a collection of photos that I could possibly use for my music magazine. Whilst choosing these photos I thought I would compare my photos to those that are professionally done and look alike. Furthermore, I will comment on the similarities between our two photos:

I think these two photos are similar - not for the place that they were shot in, but for the pose and facial expression. They both have their head tilted up to the camera, but also have a blank yet compelling facial expression. Not only this, but their body language shows no movement nor emotion.






These two photos have similarities due to many things. The first factor, is that they are both location shots, in which we can see that due to the brick wall background.
 Moreover, all of the subjects are stood in a relaxed and static manner. Neither really have an facial expression and look comfortable to be there.

Even though one of these photo uses low key lighting to achieve a silhouette-like look, I believe there is similarities between the two picture due to the posing. Though it is not music related, it's something that is recognisable and gimmicky - something my target audience could relate to.








Both of these photos feature a low angle of the subjects, in a location shot. Though it may seem intimidating, its an interesting way to portray the band as some fans may think very highly of them.













I think these two are similar due to the formation of the subjects, There is someone that is stood further in front than the other two subjects of the photo. This informs the reader that they are the 'front-man' of the band.

These two photos use the same pose and are both location shots. The pose is significant as it symbolises 'Rock n Roll', which my target audience may relate to. They also have similar facial expressions, because they are both smiling, in which it is inviting to the reader as they won't feel intimidated

Semiotic Analysis - Kerrang! Magazine

As part of a semiotic analysis, I chose 3 issues of Kerrang! magazine to analyse using different prompts. This is my prezi that I made to do this:

Photoshoot 1

Today I took my first photo-shoot for the process of making my music magazine. I did them as location shots, and then made them into a contact sheet:

Here are my favourite photos from the shoot, and why I like them so much:

Favourite Shots

 

 

I like this one because of the different levels that the subjects have. I think this could be a possible photo for my magazine, though I think I'd rather have this sort of photo in a studio setting. Furthermore, I believe the low angle gives it more interest too.

 

 



 

I like the comical aspect to the photo, as it'd be read from the audience as a friendly and fun photo, that still holds some pop culture. I definitely think this could be used in my magazine, as there's room to place my cover-lines around the subjects.

 



 

 This photo I like, because it focuses on the facial expressions of the characters and you get to see them as individuals within a group.

 

 



 

I like this image, because it seems quite serious and semi sultry, and I like the facial expressions that the subjects have. I think the location shot works for this kind of photo, as they seem comfortable.

 

 



Again this photo shows a comical aspect to it, where as if it was a band, the audience would bond over the fact they're using popular poses that our generation find funny and trendy.

 

I like this photo a lot, as it reminds me of something you'd actually see in a music magazine because of how the subject is posed and their facial expression. 

Researching Music Magazines

Task 1

The UK Magazine Industry:



This prezi includes information about the UK Magazine Industry, and also features a short clip about how the future of the industry.

Task 2

Music Magazines:


This prezi features all about 8 music magazines, and some information about them.

Anatomy of a Front Cover

Task 1

A breakdown of cover design elements:

• Logo -  A cool title that contrasts with a photo works well together, along with a minimalistic colour scheme of writing that will help make the subject stand out more.
  
  
• Secondary Cover-line - Due to sizing of the secondary cover-line, there is a hierarchy due to the text being the second biggest on the page in terms of cover-line.  
   
• Main Cover-line - Because Maxim's audience is aimed for males at the age of 18-34, there has to be a certain masculinity towards the (main) cover-line, hence why the typeface 'Blender Pro' was chosen, specifically for it's rounded edges.
   
• Typeface - On a magazine, only use one typeface upon a cover, because it can confuse the customer otherwise. Maxim only used a variety of fonts and weights whilst still using 'Blender Pro'. The scale of hierarchy upon a well designed cover is:

1. Photo
2. Logo
3. Cover-lines

       This is because people always look at the photo first; they only look at the cover-lines after they've picked up the magazine.

 

• Contrast - Once a photo has been chosen, use a big/bold cover-line that correlates with the subject, so it is separated to the other cover-lines around it.
   
• Colour - You should decide on a colour that will go nicely with the image, but also keep it minimal. You should really pick black and one or two more colours to create a more 'unified' look.

 

Task 2

Anatomy of a front cover:

Task 3

Understanding magazine cover design - synchronising information:

Music Photographers Presentation

In this prezi, you will find a presentation of some music photographers, and some images that I liked of theirs, with a small note along with them.

Understanding Audiences

UNDERSTANDING AUDIENCES

WHY ARE AUDIENCES IMPORTANT TO MEDIA COMPANIES?

They are important, because an audience are the people who buy the products, hence why the company will make a profit. It’s important that a company knows about their audience, because that’s what makes them more likely to be successful.

DEMOGRAPHICS (WHAT / WHY)

Demographics are a method of categorising an audience into their ‘potential audience’. This can include: gender, age, religion, social grade, and ethnicity/race. They get this information by using questionnaires and focus groups, and they want to know this information so that they can base their product upon their potential audience. – And as I’ve already said, an audience is usually the people who make the company money.

 VALS / PSYCHOGRAPHICS (WHAT /WHY)

VAL stands for ‘Values and Lifestyles’, and together with psychographic profiling, they are the type of person you’re based on, in which involves your attitudes, interests, and values.

 Companies use psychographic profiling to find out what the audience is like, using their different qualities of being them, including their ‘values and lifestyle’. This helps with marketing a product because the company now knows what brands and other associations to the audience, to help them sell their own product.

Why is psychographics different to demographics?

Psychographics are based upon a lifestyle, and more about the mind of the audience, whereas demographics are more based upon a physical standard of the audience.

 

. . . . . . .

Cross Cultural Consumer Characterization (4Cs for short). This classification model is presented in the table below

Which of the above profiles would typically buy a music magazine and why?

I believe that the ‘Explorer’ profile would typically buy a music magazine, because usually the audience that buys music magazines are younger and usually students. They also want to experience things because they’re so young (going to festivals or concerts).

Example of VALS:

http://www.strategicbusinessinsights.com/vals/presurvey.shtml

State what VALs you are based on your answers to the questions.

A ‘Striver’, and a ‘Survivor’.

Explain what the titles mean (what is a striver? Etc.)

Striver – They are active consumers within the market, and they use video games as a form of fantasy. They are fun loving, intimate, and rely heavily on public transport. Not only this, but they wear their wealth.

Experiencers – These are avid consumers, and they spend a lot of money on fashion, entertainment, and socialising. They purchase these things in attempt to look ‘cool’. This includes wanting everything.

Thinkers – Thinkers usually do their research before they do something, and enjoy a historical perspective. They are also usually financially established. Unlike experiencers, they don’t buy what’s new and cool, but buy proven products. Furthermore, they use technology in functional ways.   

Innovators – Innovators are always taking in information, and are confident enough to be able to experiment. They also make the highest amount of financial transactions. Moreover, they are self- directed consumers, and enjoy the challenge of problem solving.

Achievers – These are family and job orientated, and they are fully scheduled, goal orientated, hardworking, moderate, private, and professional.

Believers – Believers believe in basic rights and wrongs lead to a good life, and they rely on being spiritual, and faithful to provide inspiration. They resort to TV and romance novels for a way to escape.

Makers – Makers are distrustful of the government, and have a strong interest of automotive things. They have a sharp belief of gender roles, want to protect what they perceive as theirs, and want their own land.

Survivors – Survivors are cautious and risk averse, and are quite thrifty, but usually the oldest of consumers.  They take comfort in routine, and are heavy TV viewers. They are also loyal to certain brands and products.  

 

 

How far do you agree with the categories you have been given?

 
I do agree with the categories that have been given to me, as I love to play video games, and I admit I do love to watch a lot of TV series. Though I disagree partly with being a survivor, because I’m a young consumer.

 

Questionnaire

This is my questionnaire in preparation for my music magazine:

 

 

 

 

 

Music Magazine Comparison





As part of my next task, I have to compare and contrast two magazines of the same genre. I picked Kerrang! magazine, and also Rocksound. The images I have chosen feature the same band as a main focus to keep it more fair in comparison.


Something the magazine does the same, is using one image that is a medium close-up shot of one of the main features of the magazine. In this case, they both use the band Green Day as their main focus. They both have use capitals and a bold font to highlight the band's presence on the magazine, which grabs your focus onto the band itself, rather than the actual magazine title.
 Furthermore, they both have a segment at the bottom of the page, in which it tells the audience what else is included within the magazine, and it shows the different bands.
 Both magazines also have a competition on going, in which the audience can win a prize. This is a method in which the audience has to buy the magazine to be able to have a shot of winning.

However, one thing that Kerrang! does differently to Rocksound, is that they give a glimpse of what posters are included inside the magazine, in which it entices the audience to go buy the magazine, as the posters are something practical and could interest them.
 Instead of posters, Rocksound uses a free CD as a freebie, yet it isn't as enticing as it's quite small and doesn't show the audience what exactly is contained.


ABC.org.uk Findings:

I searched up both of these magazines on ABC.org.uk, and these were my results:

Kerrang!

Product Type:          Consumer Magazines

Sector/Geography:   Music: Rock

Media Owner:          Bauer Consumer Media

Former Name(s):     Kerrang! (EMAP Consumer Media PLC), Kerrang

First Joined ABC:    1990

Rocksound

 

Product Type:          Consumer Magazines

Sector/Geography:   Music: Rock

Media Owner:          Rock Sound Ltd
Former Name(s):
First Joined ABC:    2000

 

Peer Evaluation - Preliminary Magazine

As part of the evaluation process, I got 3 fellow students of my AS Media Studies class to fill in a questionnaire on my preliminary magazine.

I asked them 4 statements and 2 questions, and then each answer required them to tick a box of either:

-Strongly Agree
-Agree
-Disagree
-Strongly Disagree

Excluding the 2 questions, in which they gave me a statement.

Here are the results:

1. My preliminary magazine looks professional:

One person said 'Strongly Agree', and two people said 'Agree'.

2. My cover and contents page correlate well:

One person said 'Strongly Agree', and two people said 'Agree'.

3. My contents page can be well navigated:

All three people said 'Strongly Agree'.

4. The preliminary magazine looks like I knew how to use the programs:

One person said 'Strongly Agree' and two people said 'Agree'.

5. What do you like about my preliminary magazine?

 - "I like the small features like the logo and the barcode. I also like the title of the contents page, and how you used your colour scheme."

 -"I like the contents page a lot, and I like your house style."

 -"I like how professional the contents page looks."

6. What should I change on my preliminary magazine?

 -"I think you should change the font of the title, on the front cover."

 -"On the front cover, I think you should have more of an anchorage."

 -"I think you should change the colour of the blue text, so it's easier to read."


My response to the questionnaire:

I was surprised at all the positive feedback to my magazine, as everyone thought my contents page was really professional, and easily navigated. I also got an insight of how it looks to other people, like my text fonts or colours - as they may look better to me, rather than to other people.

I also learnt about anchorage, that I can now use on my next project of the music magazine, to make it more professional and technical.