MUSIC MAGAZINE

EVALUATION

My music magazine genre is R&B and Hip Hop. I chose to combine these two genres because these were the most popular amongst my target audience research, I also felt that both of these genres can be linked as many R&B artists and Hip Hop artists work together to make the music that the target audience listens to. I also chose this genre because this is the genre of music I listen to therefore I felt I’d have more knowledge about this than any other music genres. For this piece of coursework I have created a front cover, contents page and a double page spread. Throughout this process of creating my music magazine I have referred to existing products, target audience research and other research materials. This has helped me to shape my own music magazine that relates to a clear purpose and target audience which is teenagers between the age of 16 – 19.

In what ways does your media product

use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

I firstly created a front cover which used similar conventions as a real music magazine front cover. As I did not find a R&B magazine I used a Hip Hop magazine which is one of the music genres which my music magazine represents. I decided to use a model who volunteered to allow me to take pictures of him. I had three options I could either use the green screen or take the image in a scenic area or create a ‘mise en scene’.

As my magazine is a R&B and Hip Hop magazine I decided to take the images in an alley way because I thought this would create a dark atmosphere which would be represented in the magazine as a edgy feel. I asked the model to wear clothes which typically music artists from the chosen music genres would dress like. Therefore the model wore a cap and designer hoody. I thought this was effective because it would make the model look more realistic as a R&B male artist. After taking these images I decided to take another set of images with a different model but I took these images using the green screen. Although it was the first time I used a green screen I did not find it that challenging. I asked this model to wear black as I thought this would be effective because many Hip Hop artists wear this colour.

When I looked at the images I had I used to the first models images for the front cover. The main image I chose as the front cover image is effective because it shows what a male R&B artist would wear and the facial expression and pose that would be expected.

Conventions I have usedMasthead – this is the title of the magazine which shows ownership of the magazine.

Main image – this is the cover image, it usually has significance to an article in the magazine. It has been taken as a medium close up image to show the models facial expression and importance of this to something in the magazine.

Barcode – this shows professionalism and is an important asset to the front cover of the magazine as it would be scanned in a shop

Date and pricing – shows the date and price of the magazine which would be significant to the reader who is looking on the shelf in a shop.

Website – this is the information for the companies website, this is important as it promotes and furthers the company.

Coverlines – the coverlines are around the magazine front cover to catch the target audiences attention, this gives the reader an insight to what the magazine is offering

Pug – this is to promote the magazine

Comparison between my own music magazine and existing product – front cover

Vibe magazine front coverCode magazine front cover Masthead – both

magazine have a clear masthead which are in the colour white, this stand out off the coloured background.

Main image – the front cover image is significant as both are a medium close up image. The music artist in the Vibe magazine is wearing a cap similarly to the fictional model in the Code magazine who is wearing a cap too. Also both images are covering the masthead to show that the magazine is authentic and well known.

Pug – both magazines has a pug in the top left hand corner of the magazine front cover. This is to promote the magazine.

Both magazines use the word ‘exclusively to promote the magazine further. These words are in black font to stand off the background colours.

Barcode – this is in the bottom left hand corner for both magazines.

Coverlines –the coverlines are in bold colours and are in large font to show the importance of this information.

The contents page was more challenging than the front cover, this was mainly because existing products which conformed to my music genres for my music magazine did not have clear conventions. I looked at a range of different Hip Hop music magazine contents page and many did not have the same conventions. In order for my music magazine contents page to be effective I adapted some of the conventions from different magazine genres. I used three images on my contents page, the first was the image for my editors address. The second image was an image I had previously took and was considering for my front cover image. The third image was an image I recently took at a Drake concert, this artist is a Hip Hop artist and conformed to the music genre Hip Hop and R&B. I edited the second picture I took and the third image by selected only the image not the background so this could be easily inserted on the contents page. In an existing product I had seen that the title of the contents page was bold, I adapted this convention on my own contents page but to conform to the theme colours of my music magazine. In another existing product I had seen that the magazine put heading for some of the features in the magazine and then put the name of the feature under the title. I adapted this convention to suit the features I had made up. The most challenging part of this process was the layout of the contents page, I wanted to make the contents look spacious much like the existing products I had seen but I also wanted the contents page to look effective. In this case I developed conventions of existing products my taking conventions and developing this to suit my music magazine.

Conventions I have usedTitle – contents page title is bold to stand off the background and to show the reader what this page is. Magazine name – this is in

the top right hand corner to further and reassure the magazine name.

Editors address – this is not featured in any Hip Hop magazines that I have seen, however I chose to create this as I thought it make the magazine more authentic, realistic and unique.

The contents of the magazine is going down in numerical order. The font I have used is bold and clear this is effective as it carries on the theme that I have used throughout the magazine to show consistency.

Colours – the colours I have used are conforming the theme colours that are grey, black and white. I have also used the colour purple to make the magazine look brighter and eye catching,

Images – the images I have used are at a range of shot sizes and angles, this is to show diversity. By using two images which are males I thought this would draw attention to both genders as they can relate.

Comparison between my own music magazine and existing product – contents page

Vibe magazine contents page

Code magazine contents page

Title – the title of the contents pages are both in bold font and in large font to stand off the background.

Magazine name – the magazine name is in the top right hand corner to reassure the reader of the magazine name and to make the magazine elements consistent. Headings – these have been used in both magazines above the title of heading name of the page. This is to group the information and make it more clear

Font – for my magazine I have used a range of different colours for the font whereas, the Vibe magazine has only used one colour.

Images – the Vibe magazine has only used on image whereas I have used three images to break up the contents page and give the reader more to look at.

The double page spread was not as challenging as the contents page as I was able to look at a range of existing products. This enabled me to have different ideas and adapt different elements to make my double page spread unique. I did no have to worry about photography as I had already taken images. I only had to decide what image I wanted to use and where.My double page spread was focused on the fictional model I had used on the front cover. The double page spread would consist of a reported interview. Firstly I began this process by creating the interview and then putting this into reported speech. I then went onto the designing process. I used the same theme colours that are black, grey and white for the double page spread. I used a range of conventions from page numbers to the magazines website name and headings. These conventions conform but also challenge conventions as I have made my double page spread different.

Conventions I have used

Headings – the main heading is the artists name with a quote underneath. This is to give the reader an insight to the topics that will be discussed in the interview.

Introduction – on the right hand side is a short introduction to introduce the artist and to introduce the interview.

Colours – the background for the first page is an image and the background of the second page is the colour grey as this ties well with the colour scheme.

Font – the font is similar to what has been used so far this is to show consistency in the magazine. The font colours stand off the background are do not clash in colours to make the double page spread look more effective and bold.

Page and website – I have added this information as it makes the magazine more authentic. This shows that the company wants to further other elements of the company (in this case the website).

Comparison between my own music magazine and existing product – double page spreadHeading – the name

of the artists are in the headings for both magazine.

Layout – although the layout for both magazines are different they do share a similar convention which is that an image is on one side of the page. But the image for the NME interview is a close up shot and is on the right hand side page whereas the Code magazine has the image on the left hand side and the image is at a long shot angle.

Colours – the colours used for the existing product are different to the colours used for the Code magazine double page spread. However both magazine use two different text colours which is effective as the font stands out. The font type for both magazines are simple and consistent which the reader would appreciate because it can be read easily. For the text another convention has been used which is making the first letter large and in a different colour to make this stand out and show the significance of the interview starting point.

Page number - the page number for the NME magazine is in the bottom left hand corner where as I have situated the page number along with the website address in the bottom right hand and left hand cornier.

Overall my media product uses and develops various conventions of a real music magazine. I have tried to stay as close to conventions which are in a music magazine that conforms to the similar genres that I am representing in my music magazine. However for my contents page I have had to challenge conventions and make my own up to make the contents page look realistic and authentic to my magazine theme and style. By using the same theme colours I have enabled a style which is similar to real media products as they follow a style which is put out in every magazine published. Looking at existing products helped me to achieve an effective look of my own magazine. I have also used the target audience research to shape up the content of my magazine for example the target audience research showed that 16 – 19 year olds would buy a magazine if it offered free gifts therefore I constructed an offer advertisement on my front cover to ensure that the target audience would get what the wanted. A way that my music genre develops forms and conventions of real media products is by firstly the name ‘Code’ I chose to use this name is it is short, catchy and can mean different things. This develops forms and conventions as it gives the target audience the chance to think of the meaning behind the name. The name could mean different things but does relate back to R&B and Hip Hop as there is a code behind every successful artist.

How does your media product represent particular social

group?

I have represented teenagers in production by creating the magazine around both males and females of a teenage age. I have made sure that the images, colours scheme, language and structure will suit the purpose of the magazine and relate to the teenagers. The images I have used are edgy which relates to this demographic. I have not used images which are seductive or revealing as this could create a bad image for the magazine. For example, the main image I have used for the front cover involves the model wearing a hoodie and a cap this is typical of a teenage boy which shows that teenagers of the age of 16 – 19 are represented in the magazine.

I have also represented teenagers in production by using quick persuading language which will catch the target audience’s attention. For example in the target audience research showed that teenagers would buy a magazine for a free gift/voucher, therefore I incorporated this into production buy advertising a free £5 off vouchers for HMV in the issue. This is also significant as the free gift/voucher is relates to the music industry because HMV is a British entertainment retailing company. The short and persuading language is effective as the text is eye catching to the target audience as they would be interested in free vouchers.

Also the colours I have chosen to use are representative of the target audience, I have used grey, black and white repeatedly through the music magazine on my front cover, contents page and double page spread. These colours represent a dark, pure and mixed side to teenagers which is more of a true of their personality and preference. The representation of teenagers in my music magazine conforms to the stereotypical view in society which is rebellious and fun but also appreciative, in this case this is relating to the appreciation of music. The price of the magazine was decided in relation to the reality of what teenagers who may have a part-time job would be able to afford. From the target audience research the price of £3 was the most suitable price as this would attract a large amount of teenagers as the price is not too high and can also be considered due to a issue being published every fortnight. This shows how teenagers have been represented in production.

The images I have used in Code are edgy and relates to the music genres R&B and Hip Hop. Both of these music genres promote a money orientated lifestyle whereby materialistic items are important. Similarly 16 – 19 year olds are materialistic and aspire to one day have loads of money for these expensive items. The front cover image shows how the hoody label is in an area which can be easily viewed. Therefore this shows that designer labels are important and significant amongst teenagers and celebrities.

Designer label

What kind of institution might

distribute your media product and why?

Media institutions which will distribute my media product (Code magazine)…

IPC Media – International Publishing Corporation This is a company which distributes magazines. There are a range of magazines which this company distributes. The music magazine which IPC Media currently publishes is NME.

As this is such a well known company I think that this would be the perfect institution that would distribute my magazine Code. In the UK alone the magazines under this publisher engages with 26 million adults. This would be effective for my magazine as it would have the correct exposure to those in the UK and worldwide.I think that IPC Media has a diverse range of magazine currently.

My magazine would extend the genres of magazine from what they already have. Also think that IPC engage with teens and young people therefore this would be a good opportunity for their company to become even more popular by having a stronger teen audience. IPC Media’s advertisement and creativity would enable a certain social group to follow this and many more magazines.

‘A media institution is an established, often-profit based organization, that deal in the creation and distribution of advertising, entertainment and information services.’ In this case it would be a magazine publisher.

Media institutions which will distribute my media product (Code magazine)…Bauer Media Group founded in 1875 is another media institution which publishes magazines. A well known music magazine which is published by this company is Q magazine. This institution would be another good publisher for my magazine ‘Code’ because it would has the experience to further the advertisement and credibility. As my magazine is a R&B and Hip Hop magazine this would help create a target audience which would extend the current audience which Bauer engages with. Currently the magazines which Bauer publish amounts to 38 million magazine a week worldwide.

Magazine is not the only product that Bauer publishes, it only publishes Radio which is another form of marketing. If the magazine was to get the right exposure through radio this could make the magazine popular. This could lead to the magazine having it own radio station for the music genres R&B and Hip Hop.

Another important factor is that Bauer do not publish a R&B and Hip Hop magazine showing that there is a gap in the market therefore ‘Code’ wouldbe a good asset to this company.

Who would be the audience for your media product?

• The audience for this media product would be teenagers (males and females) between the age of 16 – 19 who enjoy R&B and Hip Hop music. I chose this age range at this age teenagers are experimenting with their music taste, fashion, language and trying to become their own person. My magazine challenges the stereotypical view that all teenagers do drugs, get involved in crime but instead they are lively and outgoing.

• I chose to represent teenagers in my magazine as modelled versions after music artists, this is in relation to the way teenagers dress and the things they enjoy to do and find the things they want to find out about (gossip). Many teenagers enjoy music because of the emotion and feeling behind this, for this reason my music magazine is about representing that and allowing teenagers to be able to have something to read that they are interested in. I also didn’t want to just offer masses of text but also images, offers and other information which teenagers between the age of 16 – 19 are actually interested in.

• The price of the magazine is another important feature of the magazine, I chose this price accordingly to what I thought a 16 – 19 year would be able to afford. I also wanted to give the reader the right amount of information for the amount they paid. Therefore by giving quality and unique information the reader would appreciate this and keep on reading other issues.

• R&B and Hip Hop music is enjoyed by any nationality or ethnicity therefore I have not made my music magazine based around a specific nationality or ethnicity.

How did you attract/address your audience?

I attracted my target audience by having a volunteering model on the front cover. By using a medium close up shot this would draw more teenagers towards the magazine as they would want to know who this would be.

I used a pug which is the advertisement to attract the target audience as those who answered my survey said that they would buy a magazine for a free gift. Therefore by offering this, it would draw more attention towards the magazine.

I used words like excluisvely, controversy and revealed to attract the target audience as they would be interested by these words to find out the latest information or gossip.

The colours I used for the front cover also attract the audience as these colours are bold and colourful. This shows the significance of this information.

I also attracted the audience by advertising the price, this is important as teenagers between the age of 16 – 19 are conscious about their money.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of

constructing this product?

• I used many programmes during the process of constructing this product. I used two different adobe software's to create my music magazine. To create the front cover and contents page I used Photoshop and to create the double page spread I used InDesign. This is was challenging to get used to as I had not used these software's before. To get an idea of how to use this software I used Google to search for some tutorial or tips. This helped me a lot as I was able to have some knowledge about layers, colours, inserting shapes and editing images. During my process I took some screenshots of the work I was producing to show progress.

I finished my front cover like this, after receiving feedback and rearranging colours and text.

Base of my front cover

Before feedback After feedback

Tools I used to create my front cover

To create the background I used the gradient tool and selected the colours black, grey and white. I moved around the scales which gave me this effect from the centre.

To create the masthead I used the text tool. I selected the font type and the size.

For the cover lines I done this same process but selected other font types.For the large coverline is selected the font type Stencil Std as it was bold and stands off the background image.

I opened a separate document for the image and selected around the image without the background in so that this could be placed on the background. For this I used the magic wand tool, I then copied the cut out image on the background.

Using the rectangle I interested a rectangle and coloured this in black. I then rotated it around and placed this is the top right hand corner to look like a banner/advertisement.

After receiving feedback I was told I need to make use of this space so therefore I thought that this space could be used to advertise the price. Inserted the circle tool, which I filled in black and placed the top right hand corner. I inserted text on top of this in white to make this conform to the theme colours.

I then inserted two more shapes to advertise other information on the front cover. The first was a start to advertise an offer, I chose to fill this is in white because it stands off the background. The second shape was a rectangle with curved edges, I chose to fill this in white as it needed to allow the text to stand off it as the text was not visible on the image.

I then inserted a barcode which I found from the internet to make the font cover look more attractive.

I then inserted more text which was the information about the magazines website. The web address was originally in black however after feedback I changed this an one of the coverlines to red. This colour made this information stand out. The colour red represents urgency and danger, automatically drawing the readers attention to this area.

By this point the designing process was easier for me as I had practice from the front cover design process. I used similar colours and font types to keep the consistency. A unique asset that I created was my editors address signature, I created this on paper and then scanned this in. I think this is effective as it makes the contents page and editors address more realistic. I used this shape as the background as I thought it would make the text stand out. Also by using this shape I haveshown the reader where the main set of information is situated.

For the double page spread I used the InDesign as this seemed easier for layout. InDesign was in fact easier to set out text as I used layer which I had set up on the page layout. However, it was not good for editing images, therefore I did not edit any pictures on this software. I was able to insert the text correctly as the tools are the same as the tools in photoshop.

I was not aware of how to use blogger before I started this process however, after a while I got used to the uploading process and then became aware of how to post links etc.. Knowing this I was able to post links which related to my work and had significance to something I was researching.

Slideshare has been the easiest website I used as I was able to upload a PowerPoint which I had and then posted the presentation link on my blog. I used uploaded many PowerPoint's whether it was from research to analysis of results as it was an easier way of presenting my work.

This process taught me how to use different technologies which I had not used before. This put me out of my comfort zone, at times this was difficult as certain things were hard and took longer. However, as I was patient I was able to deal with this better. I have bettered my ict skills during this process. I have also learnt how to manipulate images and how to edit background and colours. These skills I can use in the future as I have learnt these new skills. Something which I used often was importing items and uploading items, this could at times take a long time if there was a lot of memory.

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

learnt in the progression from it to the full

product?

• Looking back ay my preliminary task I feel that I have firstly learnt how to design something unique better. My preliminary task was poorly designed and had not layout or structure compared to my music magazine which is far more better in design and structure.

• I also felt that I have been able to better my ict skills which I did not have when I started my preliminary task. Throughout the process I made sure that my decisions were taken on the basis that the magazine must look realistic and also fulfil what my target audience would want. For this I made sure I got target audience research along with feedback for the product I had created. This helped me as I was able to take in other opinions, not just my own which could at times be seen as biased.

• During this process I have been able to expand my knowledge by researching further on my own favourite music genres and adapting this to my work. This made the process more enjoyable and interesting. I have learnt how to use Adobe Photoshop and InDesign confidently whereas at the start the process I did not know anything about these software’s. I have also learnt how to upload PowerPoint's on slideshare and also how to edit posts on the blog.

• I have also learnt the importance time in this process, if I was to do this task again I would structure my time better and allow more time for when I am working out new software’s. By estimating and planning my time appropriately I wouldn’t have had to feel so rushed towards the end of this process.