My flickr analysis of my front cover

My Finished Magazine Cover Analysis
Originally uploaded by abbey.barnard

My Flickr analysis of my contents page

My contents page
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My Flickr Analysis of my double page spread.

My Double Page Spread
Originally uploaded by abbey.barnard

Evaluation Overall

On the whole, I am really pleased with my three finished products and feel very proud of the improvements I have made since my original coursework brief. I am also really pleased with what I have been able to create and produce within such a short amount of time through the development of skills over the two year course! Throughout the coursework brief, I have learnt many useful skills including how to use photoshop properly and in a more advanced way, including how to edit images effectively using filters to my advantage and how to create drop shadows, strokes and inevitably a finished product which appeared professional by using the technology available to me.

Institutions:

I would personally prefer a bigger publisher like Bauer to distribute my music magazine because it is the largest privately owned publisher in Europe. Bauer is a publisher that distributes multi-nationally meaning a product can be easily widely distributed. The benefits of having an established media institution like Bauer as a publisher we would have advertising agencies already signed up with good reputations. By having direct links with other distributors such as WHSmiths you are enabling your product to have a wider circulation, usually all over the country. However, the negative impact having a big publishing company is having less editorial independence and the company may choose the way in which you create the magazine and have control of parts of your magazine. They are also much more likely to make you pay more attention to the advertisers as to your audience because of the high revenue that is created by advertising space. Although, you would be competing against the other magazines and would have limits set on what you can produce you would also be able to use their knowledge and their ideas as inspiration for the magazine.

Addressing my audience

My magazine uses its youthful colour scheme that was chosen in my audience research to attract my target audience. I also used slang and informal language to speak directly in the language of my readers. This also meant it kept the overall appearance quite youthful. The bright colour scheme was chosen through my audience research which meant this was what they wanted (creating a direct input allowed them to choose features that they felt would make them buy the magazine.) I also implemented the conventions of ripped highlighter stickers and scruffy edges to the photograph without making it appear unprofessional, but links to my target audience’s youthful age where rebellion is common. 2nd person pronouns ‘you’ have been used to create a direct link with the reader and the magazine making a personal relationship between the two. It almost gives the impression that it is addressing the target audience individually- connoting that their views/opinions do matter something young people strongly feel they do not get to share. New bands connotes originality and maybe cheaper tickets to gigs before they become ‘famous’ which allows aspirers to acknowledge that their dreams can come true and that mainstreamers can afford to see their new favourite future band.

Evaluation: My target audience.

My target audience is demographically made up of 65% Males to a ratio of 35% Females. Of these they are mostly aged between 16-25 years old, and who all enjoy rock music in its many forms. They all seem to be part of a sub cultural group that I have aimed at. The majority of my target audience class themselves as either emo, goth, punk, or indie. My media kit would say that my target audience enjoys gigs- especially local ones which is why my magazine has gig reviews for each area in the UK. It would also say 80% of them like to listen to fresh new bands whether unsigned or signed which is why my magazine is in conjunction with you tube receiving an array of talent to be interviewed within the magazine appealing to our aspirers. We review you tube stars weekly- advertising them in return for advertising space online. It probably would also say that 78% love new gadgets especially mp3’s/mp4’s which is why I have made a conscious effort to feature a review on the latest mp4 which has no gender specific because of their many colours. Out of these 78% a further 49% have personal items but said they would up date them with newer technology appealing to the advertisers of electrical/ gadget type products. 90% of my target audience loves to watch you tube videos and 60% of them liked unsigned artists work more- showing the distinct want for more reviews about those trying to make it into the industry than about those already within it. Therefore my target audience would be very attractive to advertisers meaning more revenue for my magazine and ultimately a wider distribution.

Evaluation: Representation

I have used photographs of people demographically similar to the target audience I am targeting- giving them people they can relate to. Demographically I am aiming at 16-25years old of any race and a family social status of C1, C2, and B (usually classed as a ‘mid market’ family.) This was to provide a balance in income and expenditure. Mainly males will buy the magazine. However, some women are featured and I have interviewed bands of both genders as well. This could be a reason why females will also want to buy my magazine. Psychographically, mainstreamers, individuals and aspirers are who I aim my magazine at with regards to its advertising. To appeal to my readers psychographically I also consciously reviewed the unsigned or newly signed bands which cause aspirers to realise the potential of their own dreams and the extent to which they can come true with the help of ‘Signature Rock Magazine’. The gadget reviews show the individual reliance on music is widespread- it also links to the sub cultural identities of Emos, Punks, and Goths etc. who are usually seen as resistant of the dominant culture through their own choice of style with clothes- as a way of expressing individuality. Although, unintentional, by not using photographs of every race because of the area we live in it was much harder to find a range of diverse races into ‘Rock’ music, I could be excluding some readers. I haven’t made too many assumptions with band names that link to any one gender or style of music. I have used colours surrounding the names of the bands in stereotyped gender strokes such as, blue, pink, black and purple. With regards to stereotyping with my photographs I used a female for my double page spread image and because it is not a group photo it shows her independence. However, I have tried to subvert the female stereotypes by using the photo of ‘Tauri Twinings’ on the double page interview in a plain, indie style compared to an overtly ‘emo’ style showing black skinny jeans, bright luminous tops and studded accessories for example. However, I did keep the feminine characteristics of shyness within the photo because in the photos of the girl she is neither directly addressing the camera or not but appears slightly drunk or intoxicated with her hand awkwardly being held in the air. That was a conscious decision I made to contrast with the simplistic design of the cover image. I have implied that young people are into gadgets and new technologies, new bands and exciting interviews and gossip. I personally think I have undermined the stereotype of youth because I have shown instead of being obsessed with fame the majority of my target audience are more interested in newer, local, down to earth bands.

Evaluation of use of technologies

I have learnt lighting techniques, the definite need for high resolution images and how to frame effectively to create interesting compositions that keep the reader interested. Even when photographing I had to consider angles and knew that high angles would connote looking down on the person making them seem inferior or weak which is not what I wanted to create. This is why i took a low angle which made the guitar look much bigger and important. The locations were difficult to get right however, I photographed mostly inside by fabrics- which were rich in colour and texture making an interesting background to the image and keeping with the colour scheme. I have developed my skills with photo shop through trial and error. I have improved heavily with changing levels, hue and saturation to create exciting colours, tones and textures within my images. I am really pleased with the photographs in comparison to the ones in my original music magazine which were out of focus, poor quality. Now my images look quite glossy which contrasts with my running theme showing it doesn’t fit in which could be a representation of my target audience to the rest of society. Photo shop has enabled me to produce higher quality products but still with the anti-commercial appearance because of the linear burn effects. I am also pleased with my time management within the coursework retake assignment because I have produced my three products with a range of discarded attempts as well (which I have blogged to show development). They are all to a high standard and have been at some points able to produce extra drafts for improvements.

Evaluation of my progression

I have learnt a lot more from progressing from the original coursework brief because I have had to create a lot more than I did at the time and to a much higher standard paying attention to. Creating a much more impressive and accomplished finished contents page and double page spread instead of just a front cover which kept to the genre and style of the magazine i was attempting to produce. I found it much harder to not be stereotypical when choosing my target audience because of the small specific genre of music affects the target audience you appeal to. I felt researching existing magazines was very helpful because the layouts and images created a lot more inspiring ideas that I was able to develop into my own products. The software was very important to the whole project and how I used it affected everything. This is why I worked extremely hard to attempt all filters and effects in a way of enhancing my knowledge of the software and my experience level of photo shop CS3. The feedback from the audience research was vitally important because the questionnaires results defined what my target audience wanted to see within my magazine, giving them a direct input into creating it and giving me a direct plan of what to include.

Evaluation of my finished products:

My music magazine is based around the rock genre of music. This means design ideas such as stickers that look deliberately worn and highlighter lines which stand out but look messy across the front cover. This represents the rock conventions within my magazines layout. Some existing magazines that show this are NME, Kerrang and Blender. However, the colour scheme of these are usually red and black which I have developed by using bright electric blues, plum purples and yellow in order to brighten the appearance of the magazine but keeping it youthful and appealing to a wider range of rock fans. I have constructed a magazine to fill a gap within the market by providing a magazine with reviews on newly signed and unsigned bands and artists that are looking for agents or fans. My magazine then allows those smaller local bands the chance to feature in publicised magazine, consequently becoming famous within the music industry. This provides something exclusively exciting about my magazine and the fact it is acknowledging the increase in technology and rate of downloads by being in conjunction with youtube, it has a unique selling point and free advertising space. Although, I have kept some of the conventions similar to keep it easily recognisable for my target audience that I am aiming at.
My Front Cover: My front cover has used many conventions to achieve this for example; the masthead reveals the magazines music type within the word “Rock”. “Signature” could connote an autograph, being famous, becoming signed or unique all expressing positive connotations for my magazine. I have used a font that resembles a style of handwriting common to signatures; I have kept to my house style colours with the electric blue which could connote indecency, obscenity or behaviour that is risqué contrasted with a black font colour that connotes danger, threats, or power. I used certain rubber effects and filters on the main photograph on photo shop that provided a rough ripped effect on the background which connotes a strong anti-commercial, broken, rock stereotyped roughness. The edge of the sticker is yellow and this connotes happiness or physiologically, yellow can also create detachment which links to its uneven highlighter effect.
My Contents Page: The contents page also carries on the colour schemes splashes of orange against, white, black and electric blues. This keeps continuity within the magazine creating fluidity in the magazine which makes it easy to read and connect with.
The contents page also uses polaroid image effects that give a disposable connotation which could connote what you need to take to gigs and also being free and almost disposable ourselves. The word ‘features’ could connote that something is offered as a special attraction or although they may be regulars as in structure the contents of each interview or review is extra special. It becomes enticing with the blue lettering placed on top of an orange box making it stand out. The main image shows a a gutiar which represents an artistic feel of the music magazine linking it back to its genre. 2nd person pronouns have been used to create a personal relationship between the target audience and the magazine. It creates an informal, direct way of addressing the target audience and the exclamation mark I used causes a youthful demographic to become apparent through the use of informal markers. The guitar is also in the same style as the front page effect which connotes through its ripped edges and colour burnt appearance an anti-commercial feel representing the rough, youthful rebellion of my target audience which will keep them interested. The house style colour scheme of yellow, orange, black and electric blue which has been kept throughout all 3 of my products. This makes sure there is a connection with all 3 products and makes sure the target audience knows this and establishes a trust with the magazine due to its continuity.
My Double Page Spread: The double page spread has pull quotes. These take an extra interesting quote from within the text, out of context which causes the reader to want to read on. The stand first captures the attention of the reader, it begin the story giving an interesting perspective that keeps the attention of the reader causing them to read on. I have used many conventions to keep a similar setup/layout to existing magazines of the same genre. White space, gutters, and even jumps signs. This graphic arrow directs the reader’s eye towards the edge of the page, ready to turn over and find out more. By lines have been used to appreciate the work of the interviewer and the photographer to keep the professional, formal convention within the design. I have kept to the colour scheme with the words. These create the title of the interview. It begins small and becomes gradually bigger on the page however; this could be a subtle connotation of the life that 'Tauri Twinnings' has lived.

My finished double page spread

My finished contents page

My finished magazine cover

My Original photographs

Photo for front cover:

photo for contents page:

Photo for the double page spread:


Found on the internet search engine GOOGLE:

Rolling Stones Cover Analysis

Rolling stone magazine cover
Originally uploaded by abbey.barnard

My own music magazine initial ideas

Now that I have done some initial research into existing magazines I have decided on the target audience I wish to focus upon in relation to my music magazine. I have had a few ideas based on the working title of the magazine; Vinyl Rock, Amateurz, and finally came up with and settled on Signature Rock which i have chosen to use.
My target audiences demographic status is:

• Age: between 16-25
• Gender: Mainly male
• Marital status: single
• Region: Anywhere near a city
• Social status: C1, C2, B

Psychographically however,

• Music taste: Rock, Indie
• Subcultural groups: Emo, Scene kid, Goths
• They buy/consume:

Live Gig tickets

Converse/ Vans

Alcohol- Jack Daniels, Smirn-off

I-pods/ MP4's

Gutiars and other musical instruments.

My ideal price for the magazine after looking at the results from my questionnaire around £1.85 however on a montly circulation making the price more appealing (demand i high) but enough circulation income aswell.

The content will include; new bands, artists (singer songwriters) that are unsigned yet bring a new style of music to the exisiting products. Reviews for gigs and gig listings. The style of the colour scheme will be electric blue, orange and black also chosen from the questionnaires results. An anti-commercial feel will be adopted through torn stickers and lettering not being straight.

My unique selling point is the fact my magazine appeals to a wide range of rock fans and also those wanting new music styles or fresh sounds before anyone else. It gives a sophisticated view of the genre for those devoted musicians and bands which are currently unsigned to be advertised within my magazine who wish to make it into the music industry as a career.

NME Double Page Spread Analysis

NME Double Page Spread
Originally uploaded by abbey.barnard

This is my analysis of the existing NME music magazines double page spread.

Drummer Contents Page Analysis

Drummer contents page
Originally uploaded by abbey.barnard

This is my analyis of an existing music magazines contents page.

Analysis of ArtRocker Magazine

Analysis of Artrocker music magazine cover
Originally uploaded by abbey.barnard

Here is an exisiting magazine cover aimed at both male and females between 18-30 year olds.

Questionnaire

Before beginning my music magazine, I researched using current music magazines available online and at the shops. I analysed the covers, double page spreads and contents pages of the real life magazines that already exist, to understand the essential items needed to create an effective magazine. I realised certain similarities between all the different covers and decided to create a questionaire. So, before designing my magazine I need to establish the target audience and their personal preferances on the music magazine. For this I created a random questionnaire (also a copy supplied below) with 12 questions, the total consensus of those I asked is 30 people aged between 16-20 this meant i could directly address them with my personal ideas and see their responses. I asked an array of questions to be able to understand what they would want from a new music magazine consequently seeing the topics that are most preferred! The questionnaire allows me to produce a magazine with an audience already interested in the topics I cover within it. Below are the results of the questionnaire in bar chart form;