My Music Mag

Double page spread

Contents

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Front page

Evaluation

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

Front page

My front page is laid out in a way that can be identifyed to the conventions of a normal genre specific magazine. The masthead is top left with a strapline underneith it. Above it is the date issue and price of the magazine. I have included plugs to advertise what else is in the magazine which will attract more readers and intrest them which will make them want to buy it. The main photo is situated in the middle of the page with the main plug across it to identify the picture. The barcode, with the price, date and issue is in the bottom right hand corner where i found on most magazines it is placed.

Double page

My double page spread is designed in a way that can be identified as what a double page spread should look like following the conventions of other popular magazines. A large image takes up one page where the text is mainly on the other page. The text starts with an opening paragraph followed by a second paragraph which puts the following interview into context. The interview is question answer and the questions are in bold and a different colour which identifies these as the questions and the answers are in another colour with the name of the person answering. I have also placed page numbers and the magazine name at the bottom of the pages which is what you would expect to see in every magazine.

Contents Page

My contents page is left alligned with a photo taking up the right hand space of the page which is fading into black behind the text. It is titled Contents page as i've found on all contents page has this title. The text starts with what i found is conventionally on most contents page, what is on the cover and where it is in the magazine. This is then followed by more stories and page numbers with brief descriptions of the stories. also, at the bottom of the page, there is a URL for magazine subscribers which i found on most magazines and there is a page number.

• How does your Media product represent particular social groups?

The main social group represented in my magazine is young males and females in the music scene that need publicity for their music. They're young however serious in what they do and don't look stupid. The original photos i took of the band within desturction are all low light with highlights which make them look more dominant and scary as to not lok foolish. This idea makes them seem more serious which contrasts to the interview because in the interview they sound like any other young person who just likes to have a joke with music as their passion. the clothes they wear in the photos aren't superficial in a way that i didn't direct them in anyway to get the most natural band look possible. 

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

i feel like Future magazines would be a great institution to distribute my media product because they publish Metal Hammer, Revolver magazine and Total Guitar which share the same auidence as mine and are very similar magazines. Also, Bauer Consumer media as they make such magazines as kerrang and rock sound and these are also very similar to mine with the same target auidence. 

• Who would be the audience for your Media product?

the audience of my media product would be younger aged people like 16 to around late 20s that are interested in the heavier music scene. The language in my magazine will not be censorsed as this is a reflection of the muisc genre of the magazine.

• How did you attract/address your audience?

To start i used bold fonts and contrasting colours which will grab the readers attention. on the front page i used alot of plugs to make my magazine seem full with interesting articles about the auidences favourite bands. i also used eye ctahing things such as the white splats on the front of the page which highlight some of the words or boxes on the front page. I also kept it at a low price so the auidence would feel happier buying it.

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

Before i was set this task, i wasn't too confident with software such as publisher and adobe photshop, but through out the process of making the magazine i have learnt new skills and abilities within the different pieces of software.

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

From the preliminary tasks i have undergone alot more reasearch and have developed an eye for what looks good and conventional. I can recognise what looks good in different places such as changing the masthead around and moving objects within the magazine.

Drafts and Pictures

Draft Front Page

Draft Mastheads

Possible Magazine Names

For my magazine i will need an iconic name. I will try to use an acroynm to make the name punchier as i did in the preliminary exercise, AMP, annual music paper. This is also like NME, new music express.

Names i have considered:

Amp, as in a PA amplifier or guitar Amplifier

Pulse, as in a music pulse

New Wave, as in new wave of music, also sound is carried in waves

Gain 11, amplifiers go up to 10 so for them to have gain 11 it woulde be louder and the next one up

gauge 12, the heaviest string set on a guitar

Intial drafts

Front Cover

Double Page

Contents

Pictures

Analysis of The Observer Music Supplement

Front page

This magazine front page is very simple yet effective. There is a dominant picture on the front with a simple yellow/orange background. The mast head is in the top left hand corner of the page with a strap line. the main heading is also simple plain black text in the top right hand side of the page.

There is a small plug running across the bottom of the page and this is the only plug on the page.

The target auidence will be the same of that who reads the observer, so this includes the more edjucated, midde class aged 30+.

Double page

This double page spread has a very dominant piture which takes up most of the two pages. the text is quite minimal compared to the space used up by the picture. The text starts with the heading, then introductory paragraph and the main body of text. there is conventional page numbers.

Contents

This contents page compared to the front cover is very busy and there is alot more going on. Across the top is the heading and date and underneith is the main pictures of the page. the bigger they are the more important they are. The pictures are also occumpinied by the relevent page numbers. Down the right hand side there is the maine contents list of the magazine which is broken into different sections to help the reader find what he or she wants to read. along the bottom is something to do with the magazine which seems important so they have placed it on the contents page.

Analysis of Uncut

Front page

This magazine rather then the masthead being behind the main photo it appears on top of the main photgraph. The photograph is in black and white which connotes nostalgia and makes it look aged. The main is stood in a row of 4 with the plug of the band name across the middle like in most conventional magazines.

Uncut's genre is dominantly classic rock dealing with the old monumental aswell as nostalgic moments in music. however it also deals with modern music too.

The magazine has alot of plugs around the magazine consiting of two colour fonts, red and white. These colours stand out on the black and white picture so it is suited best to grab readers attention.

The top of the magazine has a free cd plug. Most magazines give away free cds as to let the reader sample some of the latest songs. This attracts more readers. These magazines consist of mojo. nme, rolling stone and any major music magazine.

Double Page

This double page spread's background is a full page photograph in black and white which relates to the ear of the band in the photo. The overwhelming title is white and red which again contrasts on the black and white. The rock on the page is the largest text on the page and is very, very eye catching.

For a double page spread there is very minimal text on it and is dominated by the picture. however the writing is in white as to contrast on the black background and some keywords are in red.

Contents

This contents page is again busy but broken into different sections to make it alot easier for the reader to find what they want to read. Along the top is the main heading and the date. On the left hand side of the page is the main articles/contents where on the right is the pictures and a contents in reviews.

Analysis of Mojo

Front Page

Mojo breaks contempary conventions by making the masthead stretch across the page. This will be because Mojo is an older magazine then most of the new magazines which share most fo the typical conventions of a rock magazine. However, most magazines do have this type of editing it is only in magazines such as Q and NME that the masthead sits in the top left corner.

The genre of this magazine is classic rock but has modern rock also. Having targeted two genres and juggles both well this helps reach a larder spread of auidenece.

The main picture is hidden behind the plugs but over the main masthead. The background is black and is a studio shot of the band, Queen. The plugs in the top left corner is red and is very eye catching as to grab the reader's attention to see the offer the magazine has. This will help the magazine sell more.

The magazine also has a barcode conventionally place in one of the corners, in the right in this case where it is most commonly found.

Double Page

This double page spread is dominated by the black and white photo featured on the right hand side of the page which overlaps onto the left side of the page. The left handside page is only have text which is presented on a black background which is slanted in to the photograph. The black contrasts which the black and white photo which looks nostaglic due to the black and white effect.

The text is headlined with a bold white font and a more sketchy brown freehand styled font. These two together create and contrast and makes the page look more attractive. The start of the paragraph has an introduction like most other double page spreads. This introduction is white font with keywords highlighted in the darker gray. The main article font is white that contrasts with the black background.

Contents

This contents page is quite busy but simple. The title is in top right hand corner of the page and underneith that is the contents of the magazine. On the left is a montage of pictures with relevent page numbers and captions along side them to make it easier again for the readers to find what they are looking to read in the magazine. Along the bottom is another article which helps you find it easier because its of higher importance

Analysis of Q

Front Page

Originally, Q was called Cue (as in the sense of cueing a record, ready to play), but the name was changed so that it wouldn't be mistaken for a snooker magazine. Another reason is that a single-letter title would be more prominent on newsstands.

The masthead is conventionally in the top left corner of the magazine. However the strap line is covered up by the main picture on the front. The picture is of Kings of Leon smashing through glass. This picture represents their break through in the music industry.

The genre of the magazine is modern rock/pop. However the magazine deals with older bands as it is a sister magazine of mojo.

The main plug is Kings of Leon break through. This catptions the picture and informs the reader on what the main articles of the magazine is inside.
Also, the barcode and price is conventionally place within one of the bottom two corners of the magazine, as not to interupt the main picture or information on the front of the magazine.

Other plugs are place but not so dominantly as to advertise what else is in the magazine.

Double Page

This double page spread is mainly dominated by the picture which covers the whole of the righthand side page. The picture is of the band who seem to have been fighting in a dirty underground type of location. This reflects on the title "STEP INSIDE ROCK AND ROLLS OWN FIGHT CLUB". The whole of the layout is dark with little colour used.

The main article starts off with an introduction in a different colour and a larger font to the rest of the text. This would help distinguish the article from the text. The background is black and the font colours used is yellow and white which is eye catching and easilly readable on such a dark background. The band's name is in the corner in grey which looks small and doesnt stand out aswell. However the picture tells the reader alot and they would instantly recognise what and who the article is about.

I think the overall page spread is simple but very interesting and eye catchin at the same time. Everything is just right so its not too hard to read and there isn't writing everywhere with an inconsistent feel of editing.

Contents

This contents page is very similar to mojos in the way that there is a montage of images with relevent captions and numbers that will help you find the related article in the magazine. The main heading is at the top of the page and the contents are down the left hand side of the page.

LIIAR of a Music Magazine

Language:

The language of a music magazine will be fresh, humorous and entertaining but with a very serious side that's informing and interesting. Most of the imagery, layout and graphics will depend on the genre of music that the magazine is pursuing and writing about. The genre will make the magazine change such as if it was a metal magazine, the language will be very dark and aggressive where as a pop magazine will very light and 'bubbly'.

Ideology:

The idea behind most music magazines is to promote bands, singers and musical artists. They also entertain and inform the readers about everything about music depending on the genre of the music magazine.

Institution:

Depending on my genre, there are certain magazine publisher's that will only take interest into specific genres. These publisher's will publish many different magazines although they will be similar in the genre and style of magazine.

IPC
IPC Media is a leading UK consumer magazine publisher. Almost two in every three UK women and over 45% of UK men read an IPC magazine.
Magazines include: What's on TV, Pick Me Up, Woman, Now, Marie Claire, In Style, Woman & Home, Ideal Home, Nuts, Wallpaper, Country Life, The Field, Rugby World, Practical Boat Owner and Look.

Future
Future includes titles such as Total Film and Guitar World, as well as Classic Rock, the UK’s fastest growing rock music magazine. They are the global market leader in guitar magazines.
Magazines include: Total Film, DVD Review, SFX, Guitar World, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Revolver, Guitarist, Rhythm, Total Guitar

EMAP
Emap is a major publisher in the magazine industry and covers a wide audience and range of topics.
Magazines include: Sneak, Smash Hits, Kerrang!, Mixmag, Q and Mojo.

Audience:

The audience is entirely dependent of the music genre. The style of the magazine and the music that it promotes could change the target age of the audience because for older music, the majority of readers will be an older generation.

Representation:

The magazine will represent and promote the music of the chosen genre. Also, it will reflect the auidence in a poistive way that relates to the magazine so its easily readable.

My Final Frontpage

The name of my magazine is AMP which stands for annual music paper. At first i didn't aim to make an acronym, but i thought of what i could make the word AMP into and decided that annual music paper sounded good. Others names i could of choose was Amplitude, Gain, Reverb which are all music related and are all to do with the level of sound, in this case news.

On top of the page is a strap line telling the reader that it is a magazine of Wyke. Underneath is a plug giving away a free compilation CD for every reader which will attract more readers. I CD is made by Wyke students so the reader will know what Wyke music is like.

My main image is a student holding a guitar with the text over it. This will be the main article of the magazine. The picture is a studio photo with a white background which overlaps on the edited side of the magazine. On the edited side there is two plugs with pictures telling the reader what other stories are in the magazine which are related to the college. There is also another strap line at the bottom of the page telling the reader about another article about a student at Wyke going on the X-Factor.

Like anyother magazine i have followed their conventions and placed a barcode at the bottom of the page with a price. Also within the barcode is a link to the magazine's website. At the top of the page underneath the masthead is a date and price.

Front Cover Draft and Contents mock

Front Cover Draft

Mock Contents page

Textual Analysis of 3 Magazines

Q Magazine

This magazine is a very conventional magazine. It has a main masthead in the top left corner of the page complete with a strapline. the picture is centered in the middle of the page with the main title across the page which is the bands name which makes it more recognisable to the auidence therefore grabbing the reader's attention. there is numberous plugs across the page further grabbing the reader's attention and letting the audience know what else is in the magazine. The barcode is undernieth the masthead with the date, issue and price. Despite the band being slightly over the masthead, the magazine is still recognisable to the auidence so the publishers/editors arn't afraid to do so like this. The auidence for Q is an older aged auidence ranging from 20-50+ as this magazine covers alot of the older bands such as metallica. Also the language used is a more mature formal editing.

Official Xbox magazine

This magazine like Q, is a very conventional magazine with the masthead in the top left corner of the page complete with strapline. the picture is slightly right alligned leaving enough room down the lefthand side of the page for plugs. The main plug which goes with the picture is in the top right hand corner of the page so its not to cover over the picture or any of the plugs. The plugs are their to grab the reader's attentions and to inform them as to what is in the magazine. the barcode, unlike Q is in the bottom right hand side of the page with the publisher logo, date price and issue. The auidence is alot younger then Q and is around 13-20 year olds or anyone who enjoys gaming and software. There is also pictures included with the plugs to appeal more to the readers.

Heat magazine

This magazine like the others, Q and Xbox, follows the main conventions of a magazine. the masthead is in the left hand corner of the page. The main picture goes across the middle of the page and is alligned to the right so the plug can go to the left of the main picture. There isn't many plugs on this magazine but there is still a few which will grab the reader's attention like used in the other two magazines. The plugs go along the bottom and along the top spaceing them out so the page doesn't look conjested and messy. The bar code is unconventionally higher up then we would expect to see it in either a corner or at the top.

Textual Analysis of "Secondary Teachers Magazine" Front Cover

The title on this magazine is large and noticeable, it is in bright colours to make it stand out and the first word 'Secondary' is more dominant than the second word 'Teachers'.

The main image of the cover is two ginger bread men on a baking tray, the decoration on the two gingerbread men are gender specific, the differences between them are very little. The only differences between them are to show gender are that the female has red cheeks, a bow, and a black wavy line to indicate a skirt, although these differences are small the audience immediately know that they are a boy and a girl.

At the bottom of the magazine there is the logo for the company that produces the magazine, a rainbow with 'department for' written in a navy blue and 'children, schools and families' written in a vibrant red, again this is against a white background. At the other side of the magazine opposite the logo there is the date that this particular issue was released, and the website to the magazine.

The idea behind the front cover is that the person presenting the baking tray with the gingerbread men on it has made two students/pupils that are well made. It could also connote how fun and interesting school and education can be

The main audience is teachers. Although it can be read by parents of students and even the students themselves.

Foundation Portfolio, Preliminary Task

For the preliminary task we was asked to make a college magazine. This would include the front cover and the contents page. We looked at how conventions and key media concepts applied to the task and explored each feature of the acronym LIIAR:

• Language
• Institution
• Ideology
• Audience
• Representation

Language:

The language is the layout of the media. This is everything such as the font of the text, the text, the photograph, the process of the photograph ( black and white to colour), the masthead, the colour, the size of the text, colour of the text.

Institution:

The institution is us/Wyke college.

Ideology:

The ideology is the main message that I want my magazine to portrait. This is that Wyke College has high standards with high A-Level results year to year.

Audience:

• Students at Wyke college aged 16-19
• Staff at the college, teachers and other staff
• Mainly from the Hull/East Yorkshire area
• 64% females at the college, 36% males at the college,

Representation:

How we represent the college through:

• Photographs, type of angles
• The main story, sub-stories, how the story fits in with the photograph
• How we promote the college through the photograph and stories