As Media- Course Work Evaluation

Final Music Magazine Front Cover

Final Contents Page

Final Double Page Spread

Possible Improvements/changes to my final work

Front Cover
One possible change/improvement I could make if I was to make my produt again would be to add a effect into the background of my main image. This effect could be splatters of paint or a brick wall effect. I would do these effects on Photoshop using the brush tool, or I would use an image of a brick wall and change the opacity of the image, in order to make it look faint. If I was to use paint splatters, I would make it red so it sticks with the red, white and black theme. If the paint had a drip effect, it could be interpreted as blood, which could fit the theme of rock/heavy metal music.
Another change I could make would be by adding more secondary images and coverlines. This could help attrack more of my target audience as there would be a wider variety of bands which would appeal to them.

Contents Page
One change/improvement I would make if I was to make my contents page again, I would add an editors image. To do this I'd have to make my main image slightly smaller and move it up. I would then be able to move my magazine listings upwards, in order to make space next to my editors comment, where I would place this image. This image would be a small close up. By doing this, my contents page would follow the main conventions of a music magazine contents page. It would also make my page look more professional.
Another change I would make would be to add more secondary images which correspond with the listings. This would appeal to my target market as they'd be able to see a glimps of what images to expect throughout the magazine. If I was to add more images to my contents page, I think it would look more professional and more conventional.

Double page spread
A change I could make to my double page spread could be the background I have used on my text. Instead of using a splattered paint effect, I could use a single colour or an image which relates to my story. However, another image could make the page look too busy and make it difficult to read the text. A single colour might look boring as it has no texture.

Questionnaire Results

For my research, I posted a poll onto my blog to get opinions on favourite music genres, music magazines and opinions on my own work. My poll was answered by 16 people of both male and female and a range of ages. The ages range from 15-21+, which was my main age for target audience. The majority of the voting was female, however there were some male votes too. I took all poll results into consideration and they'll affect the way my magazine turns out.

My results showed that the most popular music genre was rock with 'no particular favourite' coming second favourite. My question which asked 'what magazine do you prefer?' also showed that Kerrang! and NME were the most popular. This links well with the result of favourite genre as these magazines are mainly rock. This was a good result for me as I wanted to produce a rock magazine cover, contents and double page spread.
My poll results also revealed that most people spend or would spend £2-£3 on a single magazine. I think that this is a reasonable price for weekly music magazine, therefor my magazine would be weekly.

I also asked questions which would allow me to see other peoples opinions on my work. My first question I asked was 'Which colour scheme do you prefer?'. I had 3 choices which were based on music magazine research I had done. My results showed that red, black and white was the most popular/favourite colour scheme. I used this colour scheme in my work as it was the most popular, therefore it would attract my target audience. I also asked a question on 'What font do you prefer?'. Most people answered with the 2nd font, which I was pleased about because I felt it was the most appropriate for my product. I also asked questions on what page layouts were prefered. My results were: front page layout no.1 , contents page layout no. 3 and double page spread layout no.2. I was very happy with these results as these layouts were my favourite. However, my final products didn't use the exact layout, but it did follow the main features of my original layout designs. As guidence for a story on my double page spread, I also asked the question 'What do you look for in a music magazine?' and the results showed band interviews and photographs were the most popular. I took these results and used them as guidence to how I should produce my magazine and what to include in order for it to appeal to my target audience.

Step by Step Production for My Front Cover

Images I thought about using and the images I used

Images i Considered Using and Images i Used on My Final Work

Photoshoot Schedule

Photo Shoot Schedule

Colour Schemes

These are my 3 prefered colour scheme ideas I have for my rock magazine. All colour schemes contain red as I feel it is a powerful colour which matches my rock theme well. It could also suggest rafe, which is commonly associated with rock music. I also like the use of the black as it makes the red stand out and look sharp. Another reason why I feel the 1st scheme is the most appropriate is because from my research I found out that red, black and white is the most commonly used colour scheme in rock magazines. I feel that the 2nd colour scheme doesn't stand out as well as the orange balances the red out, therefor making the colours look softer. The 3rd colour scheme is very bright, so I don't think it's as effective as the other 2.

Initial Image ideas for the cover, contents and double page spread

Main Cover Images
1. Medium Long shot of a girl (artist) – wearing a casual band tee, eyeliner.
2. Long Shot, Low angle on 3 /4 people, band like. Looking down at the camera. One person holding a guitar in the back, another in the front holding a mic, the other holding drum sticks.
3. Medium long shot, person ‘shouting’ at the camera. Their hands in the way, see their faces through their hands
4. Low angle with the artist crouching down at the camera, smiling.

Main Cover Lines
1. ‘_____________’ LIVE
2. ‘_____________’ Back on top
3. Blitz Kids Backstage War
4. We Predict a riot! – link with “riot” title

Contents Images
1. Live band images (small)
2. Image of new albums that are being released
3. Image from cover – main story

Contents Text
1. Font- simple block text, easy to read
2. Colours – red/orange, black and white
3. Highlighting on page numbers
4. Contents listed either down the side or along the bottom

Double Page Spread Images
1. Main image of a live performance
2. Artist smiling at camera, shot through a medium long shot. They could be wearing skinny jeans, vest top and converse. – shows a fun side of the artist.
3. Band/Artist sitting/slouching on a chair. Shot through a low angle, medium long shot – could represent attitude
4. Long shot of band casually walking through a field. Main artist looking at the camera, one looking off camera and another looking down. Black and white image. Could also be a Dutch angle.
5. Medium Close up of the main artist looking away from the camera(almost looking behind) whilst the rest of the band are behind(quite far away) and slightly out of focus. – could represent a ‘break up’ story.

Text/Font Style
1. Text placed along the bottom – simple block font. First letter will be in a different colour/font and will be bigger.
2. Black background with white text. Red text for more important quotes and 1st letters.
3. Text in top right hand corner. Contrasting colour to the background. Should be a text that’ll suit the theme of the story.

Initial Title Ideas

Double Page Spread Layouts

1. This is my first double page spread layout design. The main image will be situated across both pages, making it the main focus of the page. This will catch the eye of the fans of the band. Another image will be placed in the bottom right hand corner, which will be either a backstage or live image with a halo outline. This will give the effect of a pug as it looks seperate from the actual page. Covering the bottom half of the secondary image will be a quote from the main text on the page, it's font will be slightly bigger and it'll be highlighted to make it stand out. The main text will be an interview and will be placed in the bottom left corner. The text will be simple with contrasting colours in order to make it stand out. Above the main text, the bands name will be written vertically down the side of the page in the biggest, bold font. This could attract readers as it's unusual and eye-catching. Next to the bands name, the main coverline will also be written vertically in a slightly smaller font. The way this is situated gives the main image more space. The magazine masthead is also in the top right corner, matching the cover and the contents page. Finally, the page number will be written in a contrasting colour in the bottom edge corners of each page. It will be the smallest text on the page.
2. For my second double page layout, there is a lot more images compared to my first design. On the left side, my main image will be placed as the background. This will indicate who the article is actually about and attract the readers. All other images are located on the page on the right and they'll be a mixture of live pictures, backstage images and a studio group image along the top. With the majority of the images on the right page, it could attract people/fans to actually read the artcle as the right hand side of a double page spread is seen first, showing a mixture of band images. The text will be an interview with the artist/band. It will be placed in a white box with black text. The questions will be slightly bolder and in a different colour to attract the reader. I've also decided to place part of the text around a few images as it makes the page look a little more interesting. On the left page, I've placed a quote in the top corner, which will be of different fonts, sizes and colours to make it stand out well. In the bottom left corner, i've also placed a pug-like note pad page, which will contain a question to the band from a fan/reader. The text would be black and the question would be a dark red. This is so that the text matches the main text, however the different shade of red will indicate that it is not a magazine asked question.
3. This is my final double page spread design. I have based this page to be a live review of a gig. This would automatically attract anyone who attended or the fans. Firstly, to show that this is a live review page i've placed a small masthead of 'LIVE' in the top left corner. It has shadowing around it which could also mimic as if a spotlight has been placed onto the masthead. The main image will be a live crowd view image of the band on stage, this will take up the background for the page. The other images are placed in the bottom right corner and they'll have a polaroid effect and will be placed on the page in a scrap book style (scattered and at a slight angle). These pictures will be backstage images. The masthead for the page will be the bands name in a bold, block font and it will be the biggest font on the page. This will make it eye catching and appealing to the readers. The main review will be under the masthead and will be in a black box with white typed font. This will make it easy to read. In the top right corner, there will be a few reviews from people who attended the show. It will contain a small close up of their face and will have a sentence underneath with their opinion. This will also be in a black box with white text.

Contents Page Layouts

1. I like this contents page layout as it's very simple yet effective. It would be very easy to read/ understand which would benefit the user as they can find their wanted page easily. I have decided to make the main image to take up the majority of the page, starting from the top- down. The main coverline, which will correlate the main image, will be placed within the rest of the magazine listings along the bottom of the page, however, it's text will be slightly larger than the other coverlines. This will make it stand out. I've placed the title of the page in the top left hand corner, overlaping the main image. The font will be in capitals and it will be a block text, which will make it stand out and be eye catching. Finally, I've placed the masthead of the magazine in the bottom right hand corner. It will be exactly the same style font and same colour as on the cover. This will stand out and attract the readers attention.
2. This is my second contents layout design. I have decided to place the main text/listings down the right hand side of the page. This design contains more images than the 1st design, however they'll all be relevant to their coverlines. In order to make the specific coverlines match the images along the bottom, the text will be slightly larger than the other listings or they will be highlighted. This will make it easy to read and navigate around the magazine. The main coverline will be in a considerably larger font within the listings and the main image will correspond with this. The main image will take up the majority of the page on the left hand side. Finally, the magazine masthead and page title will be placed under the main image as it's just off the centre of the page, making it stand out and be eye catching. 'Contents' will be in a slightly smaller font, with 'Riot!' in the main colour, font and size.
3. This is my third contents page layout. The magazine masthead will be in the top left hand corner along with the issue number and date. The main image will take up the top half of the page and it will correspond with the main coverline, which will be the 1st listing at the bottom. All listings will be along the bottom with page number in a bold colour, the coverline will be next to the page number in a slightly larger font and different colour, with a small amount of text placed under the coverline in the smallest text. This will allow the reader to read what the story will be about, before reading it in depth. Down the left hand side, I will place images of new albums which could represent a review later on in the issue. This will attract the fans of the albums. Finally, the masthead for the contents page is placed just off centre as it will be part of the first thing the reader will see on the page. It will be the biggest text on the page and it will match the font of the magazine masthead.

Front Cover Layouts

1.

For my first main cover layout, i've decided to place the masthead across the top left hand side. I've done this as if i was to be selling my magazine in a store, the first thing a buyer would see would be the 'R' as its in the top left third. I have also decided to use this technique on the polaroid band images, which would attract the fans of these artists. From my research of analysing other music magazine front covers, i have found that polaroid images are very popular within the music magazine industry. I have decided to place the main image on the right hand side, and it will be the biggest image on the page. The main coverline will be placed on a banner, crossing the main image, which will clearly show that the image and the coverline is related. The banner across the bottom will attract more customers as it will have a variety of bands/artists names written across it. The barcode, date line and price will be placed in the right hand corner, just above the banner. Most magazines place their barcode and price in this area. The coverline above the barcode could contain a competition or a unique selling point, to attract more consumers. I have placed a pug in the top right hand corner which could also contain a USP or competition. Magazines such as Rocksound, Rolling Stone or Kerrang tend to use pugs to exaggerate a new feature of the magazine or a competition. This would help to attract the target audience even more. I think that this is my favourite front cover layout.

2. With this front cover layout I have decided to place the mast head across the top as it stands out and will catch the readers eye. On this design I have decided to place the main coverline down the left hand side. The reason I've done this is so that if my magazine was to be placed on a shelf, a consumer would see the main coverline first, as it's in the left third of the magazine. Which could attract more customers. The main image will take up the majority of the page and the secondary mages will overlap it. Most rock magazines have this feature, so I have used it too. I have placed a banner along the bottom, which will contain the other coverlines for the magazine. The barcode and dateline will be just above the banner, which is the most usual place magazines place their barcode.

3. On this layout, I've decided to place the mast head down the left third, this way many customers will see the title first at first glance. I have also put the main coverline beneath it, to give the same effect. I have also put a skyline across the top, which will contain the magazines selling line. A selling line is a sentence explaining why you should buy this magazine. For example, Kerrang! magazines selling line is 'The Worlds biggest selling rock weekly'. This will attract more rock music fans as the magazine is said to be the best. The main image will be placed in the centre of the page with the secondary images, as polaroids, placed over the top in the bottom right hand corner.

Core Buyer

Music Magazine Content Page Analysis

Music Magazine Double Page Analysis

Magazine Cover Ananlysis

Magazine Covers Analysis

School Mag cover and contents

these are my front cover and contents for our preliminary work in media as-level. :D

Analysis of Magazine Contents Pages Media

Analysis of Mag Covers

introduction.

Intro for Blogger and Media

magazine covers draft

1. 2.

3.