Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Closing Post
Here is my coursework blog, with research and planning from 30/01/2012 - 05/03/2012, production work from 08/02/2012 - 07/03/2012 and evaluation of my production from 14/03/2012 - 14/03/2012. This blog is now complete and ready for assesment. Thank you.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
7) Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
In conclusion I feel that my skills have progressed widely when it comes to using programmes on the computer, as I have gone from never using Adobe products to being able to produce a professional looking article such as this music magazine.
6) What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
For the process of constructing my magazine I have a used a number of different programmes for a number of different functions, firstly I used the college apple Macs to do the majority of my work on. I used a Samsung digital camera to take photos for use in my magazine.
I used a memory stick to transfer work I had completed on other computers, such as my laptop at home, to move onto my apple Mac at college.
During my creation process I used two new programmes that I had never used before, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop.
I only used a small minority of the tools on Photoshop in order to create the sketchy background and to edit some of my photos. However I learnt to use a large range of the tools on the InDesign programme which helped me greatly with the process. I also created a blog account to record my processes on for my coursework using the website ‘Blogger’.
In order to create some slideshows to upload onto my blog I used the Microsoft PowerPoint programme and then went on to use the Slide share website in order for me to be able to upload my slideshow onto my blog, both of which I have used previously to this project.
In addition to this I also used the website ‘Survey Monkey’ to produce a questionnaire to obtain audience feedback on my original design ideas.
4) Who would be the audience for your media product?
The target audience for my magazine is students ranging between the ages of 16-21 for both genders, although with a slight bias to females due to the way my magazine is written and the topics it covers. They will enjoy socialising and listening to a large range of music mostly from the R&B genre but also flooding into other genres also. They will be interested mainly in artists such as Tinie Tempah, Drake, Rihanna etc. They will typically spend their time watching TV, shopping and possibly taking part in sports/extra curricular activities such as dance. They are likely to spend a fairly large amount on their appearance shopping anywhere on the high street from River Island to Topshop, whilst also spending money on designer brands such as Abercrombie and Fitch.
3) What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
I think that a magazine company such a ‘IPC media’ would be a good distribution company as it already has experience in distributing music magazines, although they are of different genres such a ‘NME’ they still have the experience and insight into the music magazine industry. Also they distribute teenage/fashion magazines that are aimed at the older ages in my target bracket e.g. 18-21+ which would mean that they also have the insight into this industry which is the perfect combination needed in order to successfully distribute my magazine to the potential customers.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Monday, 5 March 2012
Research and Planning: Improvement of Contents Due to Audience Feedback
Before Improvement
After Improvement
After consulting my audience in order to gain feedback on the current contents of my magazine, i decided to slightly improve the page, by splitting the contents up into sections. I asked them a number of questions regarding the contents page such as, 'Do you think there is a sense of continuity throughout my pages so far? Why?', 'Why do you feel the pictures i have used are relevant to the genre?' 'Are there any improvements you could point out for the layout of the page?', when asking the first two questions, they felt that i had done enough to ensure a sense of continuity and they felt the pictures reflected the genre very well. However, they suggested that i broke the contents up into sections, to make the page look more desirable to the audience which enables them to pi-point certain parts of the magazine which they wish to read, and to keep in with the key trend of other magazines in order to make it look more professional. Therefor i took this criticism on board and improved my contents page, here is the finished result.
Research and Planning: Process Of Contents Page
Firstly i have used this font for the title of the contents page as it is the same font as i have used for the front cover, therefor i am creating a sense of brand identity throughout the magazine. I have used the colour red as this is a very bright, vibrant, bold colour, which is similar to the personality traits the target audience are likely to have. The scratchy effect i have used around the edge, links in with the edgy urban feel, without trying to be to sever trying to be portrayed throughout this magazine.
I have then added the main part of the contents page which is the text. This informs the audience clearly of what is to come in the magazine. I have used the same font as i used for the title, to once again create the sense of brand identity and to keep in with the theme of the magazine. I have titled the text so that it is on a slant in order to aline with the red box which is situated around it. This also links in with the theme trying to be portrayed as it is not straight like text normally is, it is an alternative idea, which can be seen as interesting to the target audience.
This is the final look of my contents page so far, i have no added three images to make the page look more interesting and to entice the audience into reading the magazine, due to the look of the images. They portray a sense of urban street which is what my target audience will be interested in, so the images are hopefully going to be successful in enticing them to read on. I have used the yellow borders around the images to tie in with the front cover frames, to create a sense of brand identity once again. The vibrant yellow also contrasts well with the red, to give a very bold confident feel to the contents, which is, as i have said previously, apparent of the traits the audience is likely to obtain.
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Research and Planning: Front Cover Feedback
In improvement to my first front cover idea I have toned down the colour scheme slightly to just three primary colours. I have also created two other front covers using different main images which I posted on my Facebook account in order to receive some feedback as to which my target audience suggest is the best suited to the genre. They suggested that magazine number three is the best magazine front cover, as the image reflects a sense of the genre and the cover lines also tie in. However they suggested that the secondary image on the magazine did was not as suitable for the genre as the mood it reflects is too calm for the genre of my magazine. Therefor i took this criticism on board and changed the photo in order to reflect the genre more, in order to appeal more to the target audience.
Magazine 1
Magazine 2
Magazine 3
Improved Cover
Monday, 20 February 2012
Research and Planning: Front Cover Ideas
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Research and Planning: Double Page Spread Analysis x2
The double page spread from the music magazine ‘Q’ features the ‘Festivals of 2012’ in the February 2012 issue. The layout of the page sticks in with the simplistic and sophisticated feel that Q desires. With a use of minimal colours, blue, orange and green, the magazine quite clearly is focusing on the content rather than the image of the page, which is very typical of the ‘Q’ house style. It centres a picture on the page spread, showing a map of the UK and pinpointing where each festival mentioned is situated. A range of mid and long shots of celebrities featuring at these festivals have also been placed on the map, to add a slight amount of brightness to the page along with allowing the audience to identify which festival would be suited to them, thus making the magazine desirable as it is being used as an informative tool in this sense. The use of serif font ties in with the theme of the magazine, as it is the typical font that you are likely to come across when reading the ‘Q’ magazine regularly, as it also featured on the contents page. It also gives a list of ‘5 festivals outside the UK to be at’ which is for the more adventurous reader who may be inclined to go overseas to get their festival intake, therefore catering for all tastes within their audience range. The text within the page is very minimalistic and to the point, tying in with the theme once again, as it just states the key facts about each festival giving a link with more info.
Research and Planning: Contents Page Analysis x2
This is the contents page of one of the leading music magazines in today’s society, ‘Q’. The contents page of this specific issue, sticks to the key house style of ‘Q’ with a very simplistic view, using the branded colours or red and white. It is very minimalistic with key images to illustrate what comes later on in the magazine, to tie in with the captions for each article. Unlike many other magazines, this particular contents page is spread across two pages, with the first page dedicated to the ‘features’ of the magazine, which include the cover stories and other such articles that do not regularly feature in the magazine. The second page, which continues with the common theme and house style, demonstrates the ‘regulars’ of the magazine, which, as stated, is the regular articles which are found in the magazine and where they are situated. The red and white colour scheme gives off a very sophisticated feel to the contents, which is key for its target audience, as the magazine is aimed at predominantly the adult audience, of between 18-28. It also aims its stories at people who are interested in the general music knowledge that the magazine has to offer, rather than the gossip and hype which comes with many other music magazines. The simplistic theme demonstrates this, as there is no ‘pizzaz’ within the colour scheme or layout to take away from what is actually included within the magazine. The contents page also makes it very easy for the reader to locate specific stories which might interest them, as the page numbers are laid out in a bright red box, directly next to each caption, therefore making the magazine easy to read, making it desirable for the reader to re-purchase. The page numbers are also located to the images which are situated on the page, allowing the reader to identify easily if this is part of the magazine that they would take an interest in. The serif font gives off a very sophisticated feel once again, which shows that the magazine focuses what is actually contained, over its image.
Research and Planning: Front Cover Analysis x3
NME
The magazine NME is the longest published and one of the most respected music magazines of today’s society. Produced by IPC Media it has been running for a great 58 years and reaches over 1 million music fans every week.
The latest front cover of NME, which you can see below, is stereotypical of the common theme that runs through each issue of the magazine. The masthead is located in the same place as it usually is in the top left of the cover, using the same font. This is a form of brand identity, which allows the public to identify the magazine with ease, making it more appealing to the buyer.
The colour scheme of this magazine challenges some of the stereotypical ideas that would relate to the magazine, as pink and white are stereotypically seen as more ‘feminine’ colours. However the magazine is primarily aimed at the more masculine audience, but with using the black combined with the pink and white, this gives off a more ‘punk-like’ feel to the magazine, which reflects the common target audience which is linked with this magazine.
The content of the magazine also confirms the punk feel of the magazine, with the ‘Macabees’ being the main feature and with their being a puff illustrating the fact that there is a possibility for the reader to win Noel Gallagher tickets. Both of these acts are appealing to the punk target audience.
VIBE
The magazine ‘Vibe’ is also an extremely popular and well sought after music magazine of today’s society which is produced by ‘Vibe Lifestyle Network’.
The conventions of this particular version of the magazine, not only challenges the stereotypical concepts of this brand, but also challenges the dominant ideology of magazine conventions. As for a start, the coverlines of the magazine are not spread over the cover they are located rather close together on the right hand side of the cover, in relatively small font. The possible reason for this is because the main story of the magazine is playing an important role in the media at the moment, therefor the magazine is focusing mostly on Rihanna and her current state of affairs.
The colour’s of the magazine are also very minimalistic, with just one main colour being used, alongside black and white. This also is allowing the sole focus to be on the main storyline.
However the use of sans serif font on the magazine shows that the magazine still is there for entertainment purposes giving off a rather relaxed feel, showing that the target audience is being represented, as the magazine is generally more appealing to the younger audience. Therefore sophisticated ideas and text would not be extremely appealing.
MOJO
The magazine ‘Mojo’ is a music magazine that is mainly aimed at the older, male target audience. The magazine generally focuses on music from previous generations as seen in this magazine, which has a main cover story of ‘Bob Marley’.
The colour scheme for the magazine is stereotypical for Bob Marley therefor drawing the attention to the target audience. Another convention of the magazine, which draws the audience, is, is the use of a puff illustrating the fact that a free cd is on offer with the magazine, which is also a point of interest for the audience.
The house style of the magazine is relatively consistent throughout the issues, with this one being no exception.
The Masthead of the magazine is using the same common font, which is always used, and also placed in the same area as usual. This gives a brand identity to the magazine for regular readers to easily identify it, making it appealing to buy, as it is not hard to locate.
Monday, 6 February 2012
Research and Planning: Title Ideas
These are some of the ideas i have come up with for my title, i will ask my target audience in my questionnaire as to which title they prefer:
- Rage
- Urban Kick
- Sass
- Echo
Monday, 30 January 2012
Research and Planning: Initial Idea for Music Magazine
My initial idea for my music magazine is based around a R&B/Pop genre for a more mainstream audience, including chart artists such as Pixie Lott, Tinie Tempah, Beyonce etc. It is based around being aimed towards the 16-21 student age bracket for both genders. I plan on containing interviews with up and coming popular artists that will be attractive to my target audience. I think I will make the house style for my magazine fairly bright and vibrant to attract the eye of the audience.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Montage Of Music Magazine Front Covers
This montage illustrates the diverse range of music magazines that are on the market today. There is a music magazine to cater for every type of taste and sub-genre that is out there which illustrates that there is such a wide scope for music magazines in the media in todays society.
Researching The Magazine Market Place
The magazine NME is published by the company ‘IPC Media’. IPC Media publishes over 60 iconic brand name magazines, which in total reaches two thirds of the UK female population and 42% of the UK male population. With one of their productions ‘NME’, and extremely well sought after music magazine reaching 1 million UK readers alone, it is fair to stay IPC Media has a large share of the market. They also produce ‘Look’, ‘Marie Claire’, ‘Good To Know Recipes’, ‘Now’, ‘Nuts’ and many more which illustrates that they produce a wide range of genres. They also produce another music magazine titled ‘Uncut’.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Introduction to Main Task
Now that i have completed the prelim task I am going to begin Research and Planning for the main task. The main task is to produce the front cover, contents and two page spread of a music magazine. Before i can make the magazine i need to research some existing products.
Week | Tasks to complete |
1) 16 January | · Compare magazines & research the magazine market place · Research similar products: 3x front cover, 2x contents pages, 2x double page spread |
2) 24 January | · Initial ideas · Audience research · Writing a treatment plan |
3) 30 January | · Layout/ Masthead ideas · Plan photo shoot and take photos · Drafting of pages · Audience feedback |
4) 6-27 February | · Drafting of pages · Audience feedback |
5) 5 March | · Evaluation |
6) 16 March | · Final deadline |
Monday, 9 January 2012
Evaluation
1 1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
In order to originally identify the key conventions, which I needed to use to create, a successful looking college magazine I looked at examples of other student magazines, this also gave me a clear idea of what I should include in my magazine. It became apparent to me that the majority of magazines have roughly the same sort of layout for their cover page. The masthead is usually located to the top of the page either to the left or towards the center of the page. Magazines then usually have a selection of cover lines and images relating to the contents of the magazine. As contents pages in general magazines do not have as specific conventions as cover pages do, I was able t be slightly more creative with this aspect including the two main conventions of a contents page, images and the contents list.
2. 2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My magazine is aimed at students as it is a college magazine, therefor I wanted to make sure that it was appealing to myself and the sort of thing that I could imagine my friends reading. Therefor using my questionnaire results and my own initiative I decided to ensure that the magazine was bright and eye catching with a wide range of pictures. For the cover page of my magazine I used a mid close up of a student in front of a Christmas tree, this gave a seasonal feel to the magazine without it being too overwhelming. I also added a relatively small amount of text/cover lines to the front cover, in order to entice the audience without it being too overwhelming in order to put the target audience off reading the magazine. The text which I used for these cover lines is fairly informal which is also fairly appealing to the student audience. I used a rather bright, vibrant colour scheme for my magazine as this makes it more interesting and eye catching.
3. 3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
As my magazine is mainly aimed at college students as it includes tips and hints for exams a long with certain aspects particularly from Ludlow college. Therefore my magazine is most likely to be distributed and created by the college itself.
4. 4. Who would be the audience for your media product?
My main target audience for my magazine is college students therefor they would generally be ranging between 16-19 years of age. As the magazine is generally based on all genders, females may find it slightly more interesting as there are aspects to the magazine including fashion updates, which are generally more aimed at the female audience.
5. 5. How did you attract/address your audience?
I attracted my audience through the use of a vibrant colour scheme, a fairly un-clustered layout and using pictures of college students, which they may know, to entice them to want to read/buy the magazine. The vibrant colour scheme would make the magazine extremely eye catching, therefor attracting them to take a closer look. Then using contents that is likely to be extremely beneficial and interesting to the audience would hopefully entice them to buy the magazine. I have used a vibrant puff to capture the audience’s attention in order to influence them to purchase the magazine.
6. 6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
Through creating this piece I have used a range of technology, which I have not used before, such as programs like Photoshop and Adobe InDesign. This has allowed me to broaden my skills of computer technology alongside discovering new techniques I can use to create a professional looking piece of work. For example I have learnt how to basically transform an image to make a persons face look blemish free using the ‘smudge’ tool. I also learnt how to convert the standard square shape of a photo into different shapes to make the magazine look more professional and interesting. I have also never used any form of blogging site including ‘Blogger’ therefor I also had to establish how to use this site and also how to make it look appealing and acceptable for my task.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)