Beth's AS Media Blog: February 2012

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

This is the design i have of my front cover so far. I am very happy with the title of the magazine, as i feel that it reflects the image i am trying to create. The main image also reflects the image as it is very 'cool' with the black and white colour scheme, which also reflects the intended image. However i am not sure about the cover line which comes with this main image as the outline of the box does not fit in with the theme, but i am unsure of how to change it for the better. I am also unsure about the smaller image on the magazine, of 'Chloe Leavesley' as the background with the flowers does not tie in with the urban theme of the magazine, so i think that the image needs to be changed slightly. The two other cover lines on the magazine i feel tie in with the magazine very well, they are subjects that would be of interest to the target audience and tie in with the Urban theme.

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Research and Planning: Mock Up Of Front Cover

Research and Planning: Survery

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/93V2WXV

This is the link for my survey on 'Survey Monkey'.

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.

The double page spread of the well known music magazine ‘Q’ is commonly idealistic of the house style of the popular magazine. With the tagline, featuring the phrase ‘the music industry’s finest’ the article immediately caters to the taste of the target audience, as it is focusing on what the ‘heroes’ of the music world have to say. It is keeping in with the key colour theme of the issue, using predominantly pink and yellow, along with the common monochrome feel, which gives off the punk rock feel that the magazine continues to anticipate. With the use of ‘Nicky Wire’, ‘Jonny Marr’ and ‘Jonathon Pierce’ in the article this once again supports the punk/rock feel to the magazine as these are some of the greats which are featured continuously in this genre. The predominantly serif font, ties in with the rest of the house style for the magazine, showing that it is what is in the article that counts, not what is happening on the page. the ratio of 70% writing to 30% images also shows that the magazine is focusing on engaging the more sophisticated audience to read and appreciate the criteria.

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.

The contents page for the well known music magazine ‘NME’ uses the same structured layout which is featured in every issue. With the heading at the top stating ‘inside this week’ along with the date, you are instantly drawn into the page and the information it has to offer. The colour scheme of the page is predominantly black and white, with a range of colourful input here and there to highlight key/important facts on the page. The page numbers are clearly placed by each image and cover line which coheres with it, allowing the reader to easily identify the different stories and where they are situated. The main features of the magazine have been supported by images to intrigue the reader, with the other, less important articles being situated towards the bottom of the page in a coherent list. The predominantly male target audience is made apparent with an advertisement for the Lana Del Rey pullout poster which is located later on in the magazine. The use of serif font also contributes to the target audiences tastes, as the 18-28 age range are more predominantly interested in what is actually contained in the magazine, giving off the simplistic, yet sophisticated feel which they are trying to represent.

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.