Editing my images: Front cover

In order for my images to fit the house style of my magazine, they needed to follow a certain colour pallet; Black, white and red. To ensure this, I took some of the photographs from my shoot, and tried my hand at editing them in photoshop. I converted the images into black and white, then created a new layer on each in which I selected the red highlights of the photos and brought them forward. I also corrected blemishes, and used the burn tool to enhance the shadows.

Front cover photoshoot

For my front cover's central image, I set my model up against a plain wall, in an attempt to mimic ahome studio effect. I tried out various poses for the model. Here are a few of the results;

Preparing for the photo shoot: Possible locations

It would be ideal to set my photo shoot in two different locations. One location I am quite keen to shoot at, most likely for the double page spread and the contents page is in a forest. The ideal time to do the shoot would be in the early evening- that way I can get some good shots lighted by the sunset. This quality added to the photos could possibly hold the artistic quality that I want in my magazine.

Another location I'm quite keen on is a slightly more urban scenery. Taking pictures up against a wall in a busy part of town could work well. I would be keen to use this idea to take candid/naturalistic photos of various models. For example, I could set up the idea that a group of people who are talking naturally are taking a break from band rehearsals, simply by placing some instruments and notebooks around them.

The one other location I would like to use for my photo shoot is a set up temporary home studio. Through doing my research of other magazines in this area of the market, I have found that almost all of them use a lone model standing against a (usually) white background for their central image on the front cover. 

Preparing for my photoshoot: Costumes and props

 For my photoshoot, I want to use clothes that reflect the indie scene. This typically consists of things like plaid shirts, skinny jeans, beanie hats etc. For this reason, these are the items of clothing I opted for in the photoshoot for the central image of my front cover.
I also chose to include my guitar as a prop, as this is a music magazine. Since I've chosen to use the idea of other indie magazines and use a mid close up shot, I made sure that you could at least still see the fret board of the guitar to give more connotations of what type of magazine it is.

Designing my Masthead

For this design idea, I tried to play on the idea of using a read, black and white colour scheme. Although this colour usage complies with my required colour scheme, I feel that when combined in this way, the red and the black connote too much of an angry, violent tone for the magazine. In order to connote a more calm, friendly, welcoming atmosphere for the magazine I think that using just one colour would be the direction to go in, as opposed to this.

         This idea for a masthead is something that I much prefer for my magazine's style. The white colour would stand out above the central image that would be taking up the majority of the page. It's a colour connotes a calm vibe for the magazine, representing the genre, magazine and followers of each as more friendly, calm people.

This is another rather simplistic idea. The simplicity connotes that the genre as a whole that is covered is stripped back to a minimum, compared to genres like pop, techno etc. Because of the colouring, it would also stand out above the central image well.

Preparing for the photo shoot: Potential models

Emily:

She is 16, and so right at the start of my target audience range. I see her regularly which would make arranging the photo shoot no problem at all, and she can carry the indie style required for my magazine's genre. She represents the target audience, and despite her age looks old enough to let the older readers continue relating and not be put off by a childish image anchored to the magazine's name. She also plays multiple instruments, meaning not only could she be the model, but she could easily provide an interview for the article.

Callan:

He is also 16, and is another person who I could easily arrange a photo shoot with. He has a keen interest in this genre of music and represents the stereotypical image associated with this genre of music., which would make costumes an easy task. He also plays multiple instruments which could lead to him being the focus of my double page spread article.

Shannon:

She is 19, and so she represents the average age of the readers- right in the middle of the target range. I see her daily, so preparing a shoot would be no trouble. When dressed and made up in the type of clothing and make up typical of the type of person reading the magazine, she does have the certain indie look about her, meaning she represents the audience not only in age, but in image too.

Preparing for the photoshoot: shots and angles

One element that I need to focus on and perfect to ensure a successful magazine is the photography used. I intend to find a model who will fit the stereotypical look that represents the genre of the magazine. I will then set up a photo shoot with said model that reflects the general mood of the genre- deep and artsy. During this shoot I intend to experiment with many different camera shots and angles, for example; mid close ups, medium shots, long shots, extreme long shots, and very low angle shots. 

Mock up double page spread

Contents page mock up

Front cover mock up

Style Sheet

My pitch and audience feedback

Through completing my market research via my pitch, I have established many things about what is expected from my magazine.

In terms of the colour pallet, my target audience have agreed with my initial idea of using black and white, with very minimal traces of colours- maybe just read to stand above the otherwise bleak and basic scheme. They also agreed that the idea of adding a more artsy/photographic element to the magazine would help to cater for the wants and needs of the more creative minds among the audience. They believe it will also help to make the magazine stand out from the others on sale, due to it's unique, creative quality.

The suggested names that really stood out as contenders for the magazine were; 'Sell Out', 'Radio Muse', and 'UnderPlay'.

Unmentioned features that were suggested for me to include in the contents of the magazine were all key features expected for a music magazine; Up and coming artists, festival and gig lists and guides, advertising for new singles and albums from the genre that the magazine focuses on.

In terms of which bands to include, the idea presented of mixing both well known bands of the genre, and unknown bands and artists of smaller record labels, or perhaps completely unsigned would be better, as it would better suit the listening ideals of those who would be reading the magazine.

The recommended price for this magazine was no more than £2-3.

Time Management

Currently, I am working at the stage that I intended to be working at in week 4- completing mock ups, style sheets and beginning to organise for my photoshoots. The main reason I think I've fallen behind is due to a lack of extra work done outside of the lessons, and technical issues. In the following few days, I intend to catch up on the things I am meant to have done by now, including finishing my style sheet and mock ups, and posting my pitch and research.

Research and planning: analysis of double page spreads

Research and planning- analysis of magazine contents pages

Research and Planning- Analysis of Music Magazines Front Covers

The two magazines I selected to analyse are both from the music genre of indie/alternative. 

The magazine has been published by Clemens Steinmüller, for the target audience of alternative music fans, most likely between the ages of around 17-28.

 Vice is another indie/alternative magazine on the market at the moment. This magazine is an independently  published brand. The target audience is, again, fans of the alternative genre, between the age range of around 15-23. The audience will most likely be students.

Institution research (2)

Institution research

Initial ideas

What type of magazine do you want to create?

For my music magazine, I would like to stick to the genre of Indie/Alternative.

Why?

Because this is a genre which I am particularly comfortable with. It is also a genre which has a lot of unsigned bands and artists, which is something that a lot of people enjoy reading about. The Indie/Alternative scene is quite niche, which is the type of audience I would prefer to aim at, rather than making it a broad target, like in genres like pop. Since I like this genre, I will know the type of things to put in the magazine to appeal to the audience.

What would make my magazine unique?

My magazine would not be focusing on mainstream artists- instead focusing on unsigned bands and artists that no one has discovered. It would be spotlighting the up and coming acts of this genre, which is something that the readers of the magazine would want to know about.

What to include?

1. Articles and reviews on up and coming (as well as pre existing) bands and artists
2. Charts
3. Festival/gig guides
4. Lists for the best up and coming artists:

Bands to include:

Unsigned bands like;

1984

0 Not My Day

And signed bands like;

Young the giant

Colour pallet?

The colour scheme will mainly consist of darker colours, mixed in with some brighter colours;

• Reds
• Black
• Whites 
• Greys
• Greens
• Yellows

Introduction to the main task and action plan

For this task, I must create a front page, a contents page and one double page spread article for a new music magazine.For this task, I have to manage my time well, so I intend to follow the following action plan;

Week 1:

1. Initial ideas for my music magazine
2. Institution research
3. Analyse two front covers from my chosen subgenre.

Week 2:

1. Analyse two contents pages and two DPS from my chosen subgenre
2. Begin to develop my pitch

Week 3:

1. Develop and complete pitch
2. Complete further research for chosen subgenre

Week 4:

1. Present pitch and audience feedback on blog
2. Complete magazine mockups
3. Produce a style sheet which reflects the brand identity and house style of the magazine
4. Organise models, locations, props, photoshoot and blog process.

Week 5:

1. Develop front cover: experimentation with layout, colour, font, language, photos

Week 6:

1. Continue developing front cover
2. Make adjustments to magazine design according to feedback

week 7:

1. Design contents page

Week 8:

1. Design and develop double page spread
2. Make adjustments to magazine according to feedback

Week 9:

1. Develop double page spread
2. Adjust magazine according to audience response

Week 10:

1. Finalise design of all pages
2. Begin to draft evaluation

Week 11:

1. Evaluation

Week 12:

1. Develop evaluation

Week 13:

1. Complete evaluation

Week 14:

1. Complete evaluation
2. final blog check

Collage of current music magazines on the market.

For this task, I researched the various magazine covers currently on the market:

The Evaluation

 In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? 
Through research, I found that all student magazines generally consist of the same structures and conventions. Most of the magazines I researched tended to have one central image on the front cover which took up the majority (or all of) the page. This image was in most cases of a student (or a few students) from the college/university looking directly at the camera whilst smiling. I adapted this idea for my magazine cover by taking the concept of using students from the college, but engaging them in an activity that linked to the main headline of the magazine. In my research I also noticed that not a lot of student magazines like to crowd their front page with distracting headlines, coverlines, puffs or over-the-top mastheads. I tried to incorporate this into my own work by just putting in the necessary elements. These consisted of 1 puff, 4 coverlines and 1 bold masthead. I also took on board the idea of using the text font to connote the magazines tone. I used fonts more associated with sans-serif to show that my mode of address was not formal. 
In some ways, I have pushed away from some other student magazines. Mine is a lot more simplistic, with a less energetic and more relaxed tone. I stuck to a rather basic brand identity, with a colour pallet of just red, black and wite (excluding the central image). This goes along with the conventions of a real magazine, because it uses these colours to distinguish itself from the rest of the magazine on offer.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My magazine was designed to appeal to an audience between the ages of 16-20. It helped that I am in that age range, so I was on a level of understanding of what would be wanted in a magazine, but I went through audience research with others in this age group to see how I could better angle the magazine at the target audience. By doing this, I found out many things that I wouldn't have considered putting in the magazine. For the central image I used regular students, which provided a connection for the reader that would attract them to the magazine. The clothing was not flash, and the whole atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming- something students look for. 
The price of the magazine was £1. I decided on this because since my target audience is students, they most likely will be very short on money. They won't want to spend out a lot of money on a student magazine, but during my audience research I found that they would be willing to pay £1.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
The magazine would most likely be sold in the college, as it is about the college itself. The magazine would contain a lot of useful articles etc. about college, so that would be where you would most likely be able to sell the issue. Since the magazine isn't expensive, students would most likely buy it as something interesting to read between classes/homework. Also, if they see others around college reading it, the students are more likely to decide to buy it to see what the fuss is about- peer influence.

Who would be the audience for your media product?
My magazine is generally aimed at 16-20 year old students- so in the E demographic. It is aimed at both genders- there aren't that many gender-exclusive articles. They wouldn't have to pay out for bills etc. like other demographics, so they would have enough money to be able to spend out the £1 on this magazine. Teenagers tend to be quite loyal in their buying habits, so that added with their access to money means they would be reliable to buy the magazine. Really, the target audience belongs to the 'mainstreamers' psychographic. 

How did you attract/address your audience?
The front cover of my magazine is quite bold. The red and black stand out above the image which attracts the readers attention to it first. This boldness reflects on the reader, as students tend to think of themselves as quite individual and unique. When they see this idea presented to them like so, they have an unconscious link which makes them feel that this magazine is for them.
The central image is a lot less eye catching. It consists of cold colours like whites and blues, which reflects the fact that it is meant to be a winter edition. The colours match those stereotypical for that season. 
I used the same font for the front page of magazine. This creates consistency and doesn't distract the audience from what I want them to see. The text is all in black, which catches the readers eye, and when put against the red makes reading easy for the reader, so they can scan the page with ease. 

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

      For the process of creating this product, I have used multiple technologies. For the planning process of this product, I used Blogger. I already had prior experience in blogging, so there wasn't much to learn there. However, when it came producing the final product, I used many more examples of technology. I created the magazine with Indesign. This was a completely new program, so I had to learn how to use it as I went along the process. Once I got used to the layering system, the program was rather easy to use, however I did find creating the puff on my front cover quite tricky. 

      I also used a camera, and the program; 'photobooth' during the design of my magazine. These were both incredibly easy pieces of technology to use, however while working with the camera I learnt about the different shot types- like the medium-close up required for my central image, and how camera angles can effect the meaning behind an image.  

My finished product (Preliminary task)

Experimentations on colour.

Mock up front cover and contents page.

Magazine name ideas.

Name ideas for my student magazine:

• Grade-A
• Ellipsis 
• Campus
• Campuscene
• College life

Font experiments.

For my magazine, I want the font for the text to be kept quite simple. Anything too fancy will make the magazine look tacky, and will distract from the content of the magazine.

Example. (Courier)This font would be good to use in the coverlines. It is a much more animated font than the rest of the examples, which suits the younger target audience I am aiming at.

Example. (Georgia) This font is a lot bolder than the rest. I think it would really stand out as a font for the Masthead. The target audience tend to like things that stand out to catch their eye. 

Example. (Helvetica) This example is still bold, but I feel it doesn't stand out to the reader as much as Georgia does. I don't think it would work as well for catching the attention of the audience.

Example. (Trebuchet) This type of font is just too dull for a magazine aimed at a students. I don't think that it would be eye-catching enough for a target audience like students, since most of the audience look for bold, flashy or stand-out aspects to the cover.

Generic conventions of a student magazine

Initial ideas

House style:

• Consisting of a basic colour pallet of 3-4 colours. 
• Colours kept at a mix between bright and dull- blacks, reds, greens etc. to connote relaxed, but friendly vibe for the magazine.
• Text font kept simple and easy to read.

Mode of address:

• Language should be kept informal to connote a friendly approach towards the reader, making the magazine more welcoming.
• Informal would be appropriate for the target audience, considering the age range.

Central image:

• The image will most likely fill the page, which will make the magazine stand out more.
• Photograph used will be a medium shot from a photoshoot.
• Most likely be set outside the college.
• Subjects will be students from the college.

Content:

• My magazine will consist of all things student relate- things that will concern and intrigue students.
• These features will include:

1. Tips to help students
2. Educational articles
3. music related articles
4. Stories from around the school that will keep students up to date.

• Will also include features/regulars surrounding topics from the target audience research:

1. Films
2. Television
3. Games

• The content will be mainly informative, and will consist of informal language.

Researching the target audience.

In order to create a successful magazine, I need to understand just what it is that the target audience are looking for in terms of a student magazine. In order to do this, I need to set up some audience research to find out what kind of magazine would appeal to students.

Questions to ask:

1. What sort of articles would you want to read about in a student magazine?
2. How much money would you be willing to pay for a student magazine?
3. Would you prefer to see brighter colours, or duller colours as the colour scheme?
4. Do you find informal or formal language is better when it comes to magazines?
5. Do you prefer to see artistic photographs in a magazine, or more laid back, ordinary examples from a photoshoot?
6. Would you say magazines are more appealing to you if they are jam-packed with content and arranged in a more cluttered format, or when they are organised and systematic? 

By doing this research with a group of my target audience, I have found out many things that I could apply  to my magazine. I have found that in general, the audience prefer the layout of the magazine to be slightly disorganised, but still remaining appealing to look at. In terms of the colour scheme, the students interviewed said that they would prefer a mix between brighter and dull colours. This indicates to me that I should ideally use colours like reds, greens etc. But they said that if I use colours that are too bright, the magazine would lose appeal. For price, I was told by one student that the maximum they would pay would be £4, since that's the highest price on the market that they have brought. Informal language would be preferred in the magazine.

In terms of content, the students interviewed told me that they would most enjoy reading about:

• Films/television
• Games
• College life and news etc.

Textual Analysis of a Student Magazine

Action Plan for Preliminary Task

Before I start the main task, I will complete the preliminary task, which is to create a front cover and contents page for a student magazine, aimed at colleges or universities. My time has been planned out as the following;
Week 1:

• Contextual analysis of current magazines, and the features found on the cover and contents page.
• Research into my target audience.
• Planning for production
-Colour schemes
-Fonts
-Contents
- Mode of address
-Target audience

Week 2:
• Organize photoshoot
• Complete design front cover
• Begin designing contents page

Week 3:
• Complete designing contents page
• Evaluate my outcomes


This action plan will hopefully result in a successful product of my preliminary task.

Introduction to brief

As part of my AS Media coursework, I am required to create the front page, contents page and a double page feature article for a new music magazine. This blog has been created for the purpose of recording my researching and planning as I create these aspects of the magazine, and will hopefully help me to produce a successful end product.