Research and Planning: Double Page Spread Analysis (Kerrang! and Rock Sound)

Research and Planning: Contents Page Analysis (Big Cheese and Rock Sound)

Research and Planning: Magazine Cover Analysis (Kerrang! and Rock Sound)

Research and Planning: Style Sheet

Research and Planning: Sub-Genre Magazine Research (Kerrang!)

I chose to do more in depth research into Kerrang! magazine, as, although it is not specifically an unsigned magazine, it does feature unsigned bands each, as well as featuring the music genre that will be produced by the unsigned bands I am planning to feature in my magazine.

• First published: June 6th, 1981, as a supplement to 'The Sounds'.
• Kerrang! is onomatopoeic of the sound made when an electric guitar is strummed roughly.
• The original focus was Heavy Metal only.
• Started monthly, increased to fortnightly, now weekly.
• The world's biggest weekly rock magazine.
• Owned by Bauer, who own 237 others, including Mojo and Q.
• Originally criticized for changing every time a new music trend becomes popular.
• Describes audience as 'individually minded, indepent of thought and musically experienced, an audience defined by attitude, passion and loyalty'.
• Audience: D-C social class, ages 16 - 24, 60% male, 40% female.
• Full page advertisements for gaming, music, charities and ticket lines.
• Aims more at men, using angry facial expressions on featured band members.
• Sex appeal of bands attracts female readers.
• Reader feedback page offers prize (usually merchandise or music) for 'letter of the week'.
• TV and Radio stations attract a wider audience.
• Bauer advertises Kerrang! subscriptions in their other music magazines.
• Red, yellow, black and white theme connotes a dark, moody feeling.
• A different band featured as central image on cover each week, dressed casually, usually medium close up.
• Affordable (£2.20).
• 'Fly text'. Texts subscribers when/where bands are playing.
• 83% of bought an album because of Kerrang! magazine.
• The Kerrang! Tour held annually to boost profit.
• Slogan: 'Bringing the best in rock online, on the radio, on TV and in print'.

Research and Planning: Institution Research (Rock Sound)

Rock Sound from Pikachunicorn

Research and Planning: Music Magazine Covers

Here, I have provided a variety of magazine covers within the genre of 'Music'.

Research and Planning: Initial Ideas for Music Magazine

I intend to create a magazine that appeals to a niche audience. My magazine will include only un-signed artists and bands that fit into genres similar to pop punk, alternative, electro, hardcore and rock. This sub-genre will appeal well to my niche audience, as, not only is there a lack of competition within this sub-genre, but there are also a lot of amateur bands in my target audience age of 16-23. Artists that fit within my genre include:

• Ghost Town.
• Koopa.
• Call Atlantis.

I intend to include content that will appeal to my niche audience such as:

• Newly signed bands.
• Up-and-coming unsigned bands.
• Tips on how to get signed.
• Gig guides.

I will include no more than four different colours and three different fonts within my house style, as this simplicity can be appealing, due to lack of confusion.

I will keep the mode of address informal and casual to appeal to my target audience. However, I will ensure it is not too informal (text language), as this may put some readers off and insult their intelligence.

Research and Planning: Introduction to Main Task

My main task consists of creating an entirely original cover page, contents page and double page spread  for a music magazine. This will involve researching my chosen sub-genre, producing the stated page and evaluating my final product. This is how I plan to manage my time:

Week 1:

• Explore initial ideas.
• Begin research.

Week 2:

• Continue research.
• Start developing pitch.

Week 3:

• Complete research.
• Complete pitch.

Week 4:

• Present pitch to target audience for initial target audience research.
• Produce a style sheet.
• Research models, clothing, location, etc for images.
• Create initial mock ups.

Week 5:

• Begin production.

Week 6:

• Continue production.

Week 7:

• Continue production.

Week 8:

• Finish production.
• Collect audience feedback.

Week 9:

• Study audience feedback.
• Make adjustments.

Week 10:

• Finalise all designs.

Weeks 11, 12, 13, 14:

• Evaluation.

Week 15:

• Final coursework check.

Magazine Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? 

Before I designed my own cover and contents page, I evaluated the cover and contents page of well-known student magazine 'Student'. The majority of the space on the cover is occupied by a large, interesting central image, usually of an attractive person under thirty years of age, relating to the audience. I also observed from this research that the colour palette consisted on no more than three colours, all of which were quite dull, calm colours, connoting relaxation. The mode of address in the language on the cover of 'Student' was quite informal, but not so much that text or abbreviated speak was used. The layout of the page was quite simple and easy to understand, supporting the connotation of relaxation. 

In response to this research I decided to use only three colours: navy, sky blue and white. I chose this colour combination because it is the combination that is used within the college logo, not only does this relate to my target audience, but it also may make them feel more relaxed, as the colours aren't too in their face and don't clash. I also used a photograph of a 16 year old student, relating to my target audience. Not only does this does the subject of this photograph attract students, but also the colours used help attract readers. I shot the image in font of  a field, meaning the colours are all quite natural, which supports the calm, relaxed connotation given by my magazine. I chose the name 'Student Pop!' for my magazine, as this connotes a fun vibe, and also reinforces the fact that the magazine is for students.

       How does your media product represent particular social groups?

I produced this magazine directed towards a target audience of students between 14 and 24. This was quite easy to do, as, not only did I have my target audience research to refer back to, but also, being in this age group myself, my opinion was also fitting when deciding on design and content. I tried to reflect these opinions in my final product.
The central image, as previously stated, involves a 16 year old, fitting well with the target audience. Also, the background used consists of fields, which relates to the fact I intend my magazine to be consumed by mainly people from the countryside. A final way that this image fits to my target audience is the clothing chosen. My model is wearing averagely priced clothing, not expensive designers, as my target audience would not be able to afford higher end fashion. I is also not conforming to a specific style or label, meaning I didnt pigeonhole my magazine as a certain genre or style.
Within my target audience research, I found that my audience would pay between 50p and £1 for a student magazine. I decided to go with the bottom end of this price range (50p), as I believed that the magazine would make more sales this way.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? 

I think my magazine would be distributed within the local colleges themselves, as this way it would definitely been seen by my target audience and, due to the price, would be easy to distribute and sell.

       Who would be the audience for your media product?

My target audience are teens and young adults between the ages of 14 and 24. Specifically those who have an interest in pop culture, local news, age-related worldwide news and frank advice and tips.

     How did you attract/address your audience?

I used relatable images throughout my cover and contents pages, meaning my audience will feel more included in the magazine itself. I also chose quite an attractive model, meaning that some of my audience may be inclined to pick up the magazine. I also chose the Stencil STD font as this connotes attitude, which is a noticed quality within adolescents. I placed my masthead at the top of my cover, meaning it was clearly viewable if placed on a shelf. My house style colours consist of just three basic colours: light blue, navy and white. Not only is this simplicity appealing, as it doesn't distract or confuse the reader; but they are also the college colours, relating back to my audience. I used the same fonts and colours over both pages, adding continuity, which makes the magazine look more professional and reduces the chances of confusion.

      What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

To construct my ideas, I mainly used InDesign, with a few slight edits on Photoshop. I already had a slight basic understanding of Photoshop, InDesign, however, was completely new to me. I learnt to use this programme mainly through trial and error (exploring the programme and trying out each tool before setting to work), although my fellow students did assist me with some things. I found editing the text in the quite masthead quite challenging, but after thinking about how to approach this problem, I managed to get around it.

Student magazine Front Cover and Contents page

Mock Ups

Choosing Cover Image

This is the first option for my cover image. I like the lighting here but don't think the posing and background are very dull and unimaginative.

I like the lighting and angle here, but I don't think it is very complimentary for the model. 

This is my favourite image. I enjoy the composition of this photograph and think the background fits the image well, whilst also being interesting. I will use this for my cover.

Editing Ideas

Here I have experimented with edited an image. I have slightly airbrushed the image (evening skin tone, removing blemishes, brightening the eye), before boosting the colour, as I believe this adds more depth too the image. After this, I translated the image to greyscale to add more emotion.

Experimenting With Photograph Ideas and Angles

This is my first experiment. I like this photograph as the bokeh of the light in the background looks really effective. The contrast between the colours (blue of the hoodie, natural skin and hair colours, green of the background) compliment each other well. I think an image like this would be suitable for a contents page.

This is my second image. This photograph is a low angle medium shot. I like the consistency of the background in this image, but think that the lighting is too harsh. 

I tried angling the camera at around forty five degrees in this photograph, as I believe this connotes a fun, modern feel, which is what my magazine will embody. I think the lighting is slightly too harsh in this image as well.

This very low angle shot connotes power. As much as I like this angle, I don't think it is appropriate for my magazine.

This is an over the shoulder medium shot. I like the detailing in this image but think the background is too distracting.

This is my final photograph experiment. This is the image I think would be most relevant to my magazine. My subject is the correct age for a student, is wearing a backpack - suggesting he may be going to school - and is holding a phone in clear sight - relating to the interests of my potential readers. This image is a medium shot and is taken around eye level. The aperture used was f/1.8.

Colour Schemes and Fonts

Target Audience Research

The target audience of my magazine is students of either gender between 14 and 19. Due to this I have chosen to ask three students ages 16 and 17 of both genders. These are my questions:

Which of these names do you prefer, and why?

• Eye on Ludlow.
• Student Pop!
• Studentz
• St-YOU-dent
• Or St-U-dent (spelt with the letter 'u' instead of the word 'you').

Which of these colour schemes do you prefer, and why?

• Purple, grey and black.
• Or navy, sky blue and white (college colours).

What is your opinion on the use of informal language in a student magazine? Give reasons.

• Positive.
• Negative.

Would you be interested in frank advice on sex, drugs and other teen problems, and why?

• Yes (reasons).
• No (reasons).

Which image location would you find more appealing, outdoors or indoors, with technology (a computer room), and why?

• Outdoors.
• Indoors.

What do you think is a reasonable price to charge for a student magazine? Give reasons.

• Free.
• Under 50p.
• 50p to £1.
• Over £1.

Chosen answers.

I found from my target audience research that all of the students that I interviewed had similar opinions on all of my questions. I have discovered that 'Student Pop!' was most definitely the name of choice for my student magazine. My interviewees also seemed very interested in keeping the magazine as relative as possible to the college (by using the college colours) which I originally had not expected. This research confirmed my thoughts that students would like informal language within a magazine directed at them, as well as confirming my thoughts about including frank advice in the magazine. By asking the students, I found that an outdoor scene would be most attractive on my magazine cover. And finally, i learnt that students would not mind paying for the magazine, as long as it was under £1.

Initial Ideas

Name and Connotations:

• Eye on Ludlow - Connotes secrets and gossip, which will appeal to my target audience.
• Student Pop! - Connotes fun and excitement, however, this may be slightly too immature for my target audience.
• Studentz - Connotes a modern, up-to-date magazine.
• St-YOU-dent / St-U-dent - This name would make the reader feel involved as it includes the word 'you'.
• I will ask opinions on these names withing my target audience research.

House Style:

• Consistent use of no more than three colours.
• Colours either purple, grey and and black (brings a modern feel to the magazine, and connotes attitude, which relates to my target audience) or navy, sky blue and white (the college logo colours, so fits well with target audience). I will use my target audience research to help me decide which colour set to use.
• Text font harsh, strong and bold. I would not use a curly, feminine font as this may make my magazine seem more gender specific, which will give me a narrower target audience. Also, a font like this will most probably also connote attitude, as well as being easy to read.

Mode of Address:

• Informal language to connote a more friendly vibe to my magazine, making it easier to read for a teen, who could be easily bored.
• I will not, however, make my mode of address too informal (e.g. use text speak (lyf for life), lack of grammar, etc), as this may have a negative effect on some of my readers' education, as well as being irritating for others.

Content:

• I will relate all of my content to student life, using only things that will engage and interest them. Some of this content could include:-

1. A help page (money problems, college stress, bullying, family, etc).
2. News related stories. What's happening all around the world?
3. Educational features.

• As well as these articles, I will also include a large amount of pop culture within the magazine. This could include:

1. Films and TV.
2. Games.
3. Fashion.
4. Music.
5. Celebrities.

• I may also include pages with frank advice and information on sex, drugs and the other dangers of teen life, however, I will decide this after asking opinions on it in my target audience research.

Central Image:

• My central image will fill my whole cover.
• My subject(s) will be a student(s) of the college, relating to the target audience.
• I will set the image somewhere around the college, most likely outside or around a lot of technology (I will ask opinions on this in my target audience research), as this will appeal to my target audience.
• My subject(s) will be smiling, to connote a friendliness.
• The photograph will be a medium shot.
• I will use a high aperture (around f/1.8) to blur the background and ensure all of the readers attention is on the subject(s).

Price:

• I will price my magazine under £1, as many students have little money to spend.
• I will ask opinions on this in my target audience research.