Note to moderator

Dear Moderator,

My brief for AS media coursework was to produce a front cover, contents page and double page spread for a music magazine aimed at a specific genre. I chose to do the genre of a indie musicfor my magazine, with a target audience of both genders in the age group of 15 to 30 years old. I have organised the posts from my blog into labels in order to help you navigate through the work easily. 

thankyou 

Luke Cox 

centre number 51111                                           cadidate number 6036

question 1

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

Here is an example of Q magazine one of the magazines I analysed in my research stage.

From this initial research I learnt lots of key skills in terms of magazine codes and conventions. These skills I was then able to transfer along aside other research to design and make my own magazine with a front cover, contents page and double page spread.

Front Cover

In my front cover I wanted to show the theme of my magazine and give the audience a real sense of what the magazine is and what’s in it. To do this I designed the cover around real media products. This started with producing the cover photo which had to show the main story within the magazine. To do this I gained inspiration from the composition of real music magazine front covers in particular the magazine cover of Q magazine that I analysed. In the cover photo I found its key to use a mid-shot to show the face and emotion of the artist to convey feeling towards the audience. In addition costume was highly important as this helped show mise en scene to the audience which they could then relate to the fashion and social group of the artist and then the magazine.  

Also I found inspiration to use pugs and titles the same as a real magazine. An example of this can be found around the edges of my cover where additional artist’s names and small amounts of added information can be found. This is the same as any real music magazine where they would show what extra information is in the magazine. 

I also gave the cover story the biggest text on the page to make it clear to audience that this text linked to the cover. This is exactly the same as what a real magazine would do for example the large font of ACDC on the Q magazine cover. Underneath the main text on my magazine I used a pull quote linking to the double page spread I feel this challenges the normal conventions of a magazine as I haven’t seen it being used on any real magazine. I feel it adds to my magazine as it others a small amount of information that gives interest to the reader to buy the magazine and read on. It also helps to show that the magazine, covers inside information about the artist themselves as the pull quote makes it seem like the artist has personally said it to the audience. 

On my front cover I have also used divides which I found on Q magazine and NMES covers. These help to space out information to help fill the front cover but at the same time don’t make the cover feel crowded with information.

Contents page

When I created my contents page I again based it around the design and layout of Q magazines media product. One key part of their magazine that I liked was the coloured circles they put their page numbers in, in order to stand out. In my magazine I did something similar however I developed there idea to change the size and font of each circle in order to add my own personal touch to my magazine.

One area in which my contents page lacks is the amount of photos that are seen on the page. Ideally I would like for there to be more photos so readers got more of an idea of what’s on each page and could associate the photos with the text on the contents page. 

Within the contents page I clearly titled the page so that readers would know where they are. I also added a smaller logo of the magazine in the corner to allow readers to know the contents page was a part of the magazine and wasn’t for example an advert or something separate. In addition I also added the date on the magazine in order to make it very clear for readers to know the time in which the information within the magazine happened and for them to know the time the issue was published. 

I also wanted my contents page to be very clear and easy to read therefore I decided against a background like I had in one of the drafts. Instead I used an idea that I had seen in both Q and NME magazine where they had a clear block coloured background and had text and other sections in bright colours to stand out. I feel this has added to the effectiveness of the contents page as it means the information stands out more clearly and is easier to read.

One thing I had within my contents page that I could find in any real media products that challenges codes and conventions they use is by having the bands and artists names in large fonts and arranged in logos that I made. I found that in real magazines this wasn’t ever used. However in my magazine and as an extra feature I feel it works very well as the audiences are familiar with the logos and fonts that their favourite bands and artists use therefore it means finding the information they are interested in is much easier and the time spent on the contents page is reduced. 

Double page spread

Within my double page spread I tried to use a range of photos almost to act as an addition to the information on the page and for readers to link mise en scene ideas translated in text to the real images. I found this idea was used a lot within real magazines and how photos are used alongside text to tell a story.

In terms of layout for my double page spread I gained a lot of inspiration from the example of Q magazine shown above. I found the layout of Q magazines page was very reader friendly and offered a simple design that could easily be followed. Therefore I used a lot of the layout ideas shown within Q magazine however I made some changes like adding extra photos and more text columns to build on their idea.

 

Within the double page spread I also used drop caps and pull quotes which are conventions very consistent with real media products. I feel the drop cap I used should have been slightly larger as it hasn’t got the impact for example that Q magazines does. This means it takes slightly longer to find the place the article starts. Within my double page spread I made the size of the text used for pull quotes slightly larger I feel this adds to the impact of what is being said and also works very well text to the larger images as it makes it seem like the words are coming directly from the artist’s mouth.

One thing that I didn’t find any other magazines to do was feature the name the same as on the front cover at the top of the double page spread. I did this as I wanted to make it clear what the article was about and also link the pull quote I used on the cover to the right section of the magazine.

question 2

https://app.emaze.com/@ALOFLOII/presentation-name

question 3

question 4 / 5

http://www.powtoon.com/show/elhCA41Nnr9/?utm_medium=SocialShare&utm_campaign=google+share+by+owner&utm_source=player-page-social-share

question 6

https://prezi.com/2e_dnek4fqsq/copy-of-explain-any-topic/

question 7

Evaluation Plan

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

·         Pugs

·         Headlines and story’s

·         Front cover uses largest text and links to the photo

·         Uses indie artists on the cover and inside to link to theme

·         Uses fonts that link to an indie magazine (quite old looking, dull colours makes it look older

·         Front cover has barcodes and dates like a real magazine

·         Contents page is based on a real magazine

·         Doesn’t use too much information and gives reader idea of what’s on each page.

·         White background in order to make page clear.

·         Cover article is ladled inside contents page makes it easy to find the page.

·         Contents page uses photos that set theme for main article.

·         Double page spread reads clearly across to pages and helps to show in-depth article.

·         Photos are constant with a double page spread in that they help the story flow and link to the text.

·         Pull quotes

·         Drop caps

·         Uses range of photos 

                            Video – youtube explanation.

2)      How does your media product represent particular social groups?

·         Front cover links to mise en scene ideas

·         Costume is used to link to social group

·         Texts used in magazine help to identify group link to that theme.

·         Language used in article similar to social group

·         Title ruff cut links to indie in being ruff and perhaps old.

·         Bands used in magazine link to indie social groups

·         Colours and themes in magazine help link to an indie theme, made to look like an old newspaper.

                            

                           Annotation of each page ladled like in original annotations

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

·         Magazine likely to be sold in news agents – whsmiths etc

·         Located with other similar magazines

·         Also could be sold in areas where audience is likely to be festivals events indie style shops.

·         Possibly in music shops like hmv

·         Online on website or advertised on indie style websites  

4/5)  Who would be the audience for your product? How did you attract/address your audience?

·         Audience is indie market and alternative music fans

·         Bands link to their needs and themes

·         Colours and connotations link to markets themes and style

·         Magazine will be advertised in places audience will see it

·         Magazine also uses language that links to their style and understanding 

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

·         I have learnt how to effectively use serif to make a magazine

·         I have also learnt how to use blogger to post my work

·         I have also learnt new ways to crop photos whilst makind the front cover contents and double page spread.

         7)      Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

·         I have learnt more about the codes and conventions of real magazines and how they go to together to create a finished article

·         I feel I have progressed in my understanding of serif and ICT skills that can be used to make a magazine.

·         I also feel my skills in taking photos for a magazine have progressed

·         I also feel that my design and layout of a front covert has improved from the prelim.

·         My understanding of mise en scene and conventions to link to an audiences needs have also improved.

·         My understanding of the music magazine market has also progressed as at the prelim I knew very little. 

Final construction

Dolby

Luke- upload another double page spread and consider my comments on the other two pages.

Cover draft

contents page draft

draft cover

Progress

today I changed the front over to be more PC as the first caused issues towards audiences. I also changed the font size on the letting "the awakening" in order to put more focus on the name "allpress"

Dolby

Luke, see my comments on the work so far and upload a contents full draft asap.

Draft double page spread

front cover mock up

Draft contents page

today i started work on the mock up of my contents page.

progress 09/03/2015

Today I added some more sections to my front cover and added some pugs to fill out the space. i need now to take the photo for the front cover and fill out the pug for the main cover story.

layout design

test shots

test fonts explained

From my research I discovered that most people feel the title of a magazine needs to be very clear and easy to read. Therefore in my magazine I feel it’s very important to choose the right font that fronts the title of magazine. I also need my font to mirror the style of the magazine in this case indie. My title of the magazine is NWAM (new world alternative music.)

I feel that font 2 (Copperplate Gothic Bold) on my test sheet is an ideal font to front my magazine as it’s bold and clear to read and understand. I also feel that the font looks in a way quite new as it is angular and sharp therefore reflects a key part of my magazine, new indie music as the font looks new and clean. I also like how the font as the slight flicks at the top and bottom of the letters. I feel these flicks help the title to not look to bold therefore imposing, as they make it seem a little more natural like handwriting. 

I also like font 3 (Invers SF) as I feel it would front my magazine very well for use in the title. I feel the font almost gives the impression of an old newspaper something that i feel would appeal to an indie audience who I have found like things to be a little different and sometimes a new interpretation of things from the past. The font is also very easy to read and because of the different thicknesses of the lines each of the letters seem to flow into each other. 

Overall I feel i might try and mix the two fonts together or at least use each of them somewhere in the magazine. However if this is not possible I will use font 3.  

test fonts

letter of acceptance

Mise en scene

Costume 

·       skinny jeans                                                

·         large coats/jackets

·         older styled cloths / different

·         boots or smarter shoes

·         stripped top 

·         sun glasses

These items of clothing will help readers identify the magazine as indie as the costume will make it obvious to the reader.

Hair and make-up

·               Messy hair to seem informal.

This will help readers to connect with the magazine as it feels more laid back.

Body language

·          quite strong and powerful

Props

·         guitars in order to show theme and meaning

·         drums to show a band reflecting the theme

Camera Shot

·          Mid-shot focusing on front man with direct eye contact

 This allows to show more emphasis on front man in order to give impact to viewers of the magazine

Location

·                   Somewhere with a plain background in order to ensure all focus is held on band members 

     

Lighting

·         High- key lighting in order to make sure members are well lit and to make it clear who they are and there importance 

Idea for Genre and Artist

The genre of my music magazine is indie. therefore my artists within the magazine need to represent this genre through there image and also be represented through the use of text and laugauge that fit the needs of the audience.

My research showed that I should included unsigned artists that are rising up to fame as well as already well known established artists. Therefore I would like the magazine to come across as new and ahead of the game in terms of discovering new talent in order to meet demarnds of audiences.

I would also like my magazine to appeal to a slightly youger reader therefore artists that are included need to be represented in a way that is popular to this target market.

lastly because my genre is indie I feel its important to portray an image of being different within the artists and design of the magazine. This image can be created by use of costume and body lauguage of models and also by the text used within the magazine.

   

How research will inform planning

Magazine analysis:

After looking at examples of Q and NME magazine I have found how the use of code and convention helps to create an effective magazine. Each magazine uses house styles of text and colour in order to capture audiences atention and give the magazine a logical flow which fits every page. 

I found that NME magazine uses brighter colours in comparision to Q magazine and normally highlights its main storys with a very bright contrasting colour and a large font size.

I will use the codes and conventions that I have learnt after looking at each of the magazines in order to create my own magazine which fits the conventions of a music magazine. 

Primary and Secondary Research:

In my primary research my questionnaire alowd me to undersatnd what should be included in my magazine in terms of content. it also alowd me to see what kind of design i should use and what people found more visually appealling at first glance. from my primary reasearch im now able to have a ruff idea of what my magazine should include and an idea of what design to base it on. 

In my secondary research I looked at already existing music magazines and how they are adapted to meet the needs of there target market. It also aloud me to view the content thats already availible in some music magazines and helped to develope ideas of how I could expand on them.

Product Placement:

In the product placement stage I looked at what artists should be inclused in my magazine. It also helped me see how these artists are already portrayed in the media and how there image is reflected in a magazine.

From this stage I now no the types of artists that i want to inclused in my magazine and how I shouold portray them in order to reflect the genre of the music magazine. 

Product placement

Genre: Indie  

Music Rivalry: Q magazine, NME magazine, Uncut magazine 

Distribution: online on social media in order to attract large numbers of readers. Around areas where target market is likely to be. Shops near simular magazines.    

Artists: The artists that I would feature on my magazine are:

catfish and the bottlemen 

The kooks

TDCC 

The black keys

Alt-j

little commits

imadgine dragons 

Franz ferdinand

Foals

Hozier

Phoenix

Royal blood