Friday, 16 December 2011
Possible double spread content.
Within the task of designing and creating a magazine of our choice, the task was set to create a double page spread. Due my magazine being within the "Rock and Roll" genre of music, there is a very vague range of inside articles that I could include to draw an audience in. My influence magazines such as "Kerrang" and "NME" both include double page spreads within their magazines, as they give more insight into a specific topic or article. Taking into consideration the genre of music and magazine I want to go into, I wanted to either do an interview or an article about a tour or a bands/artists career. Photography for this specific double page spread would be important as it would have to link in well with the article itself, I would most likely get image on the double page spread to bleed as well, as it looks more professional and goes well alongside the double page spread itself. Using quotes from the article itself will also attract an audience, not only this but using actual quotes from an artist or band will be giving an audience a lot more and the feel of exclusively knowing what they actually think. Alongside this, the colour scheme and the house style needs to be continued through the front page, contents and the double page spread, which would make it not only look professional but attractive to an audience, like shown below:
Monday, 12 December 2011
Costume, Props, Models, Location.
Costume.
Within many Rock and Roll magazines around today, there is a specific house style which is regularly used, showing the main connotations of this specific genre of music. On the main front cover of any current Rock and Roll magazine, the masthead is usually written in a bold, eye catching colour. This helps the magazine stand out and catch the audiences eye, the masthead is usually in front of the main image as well, which also allows more recognition. For my own Rock and Roll magazine, I want to take inspiration from magazines which I read myself, magazines which interest me. Magazines such as "Kerrang" and "NME" are some of my favourite Rock and Roll magazines, which in turn, have inspired me a lot when deciding on how to design my own magazine. On the front of popular magazines such as these there are usually popular, young Rock and Roll artists/bands. Usually, these bands or artists have their own style, which inspires their fans. For my own music magazine I'd like to have my models dressed in quite casual costume, which at the same time relates to it's young, teenage audience. For example, I'd like my models to be dressed in well known brand t-shirts (vans, DC, ect,) something that the audience know and wear themselves. The advantage of well known brands on a front cover is that it not only attracts a specific wanted audience, it also advertises a certain style which this genre of music enjoy. The colour scheme would also be important, as I'd like the house style to reflect off the costume, like shown below:
Props.
The props for my music magazine are going to be quite simple and limited, as I personally think the less that goes into a front cover, the more effective and professional it looks. Of course, I will would like to all of the main elements, yet I don't want to overflow my front cover. The magazines I took for inspiration (Kerrang, NME) often take this simplicity idea, which catches the audiences eye. My main props would mostly just be additional make up, jewellery or accessories also maybe possible props would could improve the location (although I might just use a plain background, again to put focus on the main image.) Using a plain background also allows attention to be drawn onto the main cover lines and headings, which allows an audience to instantly take note of what the magazine is about and what it contains, like shown below:
Models.
The models I want to use for my magazine would most likely be young, teen models, who would instantly look relatable to the intended audience. This would have a positive effect on the magazine itself as it would look recent and modern, which would instantly attract a younger, teenage audience. I'm mostly going to use a single artist for my front cover, as it in itself would stand out a lot more than a band or a group of people, I have noticed this from buying magazines myself. I have people willing to do this for me, so it shouldn't be an issue to photograph.
Location.
As I mentioned earlier, I am most likely going to use a plain background, this way it draws more attention to the headlines and the main image itself. So, I am most likely going to use a plain backdrop, using one plain colour (either grey, white, ect). Like Kerrang and NME, who also use this kind of location to photograph, I want the main image to be the first thing the audience spot. This is mostly because it straight away highlights what type of magazine this will be, allowing it's main target audience to be addressed.
Within many Rock and Roll magazines around today, there is a specific house style which is regularly used, showing the main connotations of this specific genre of music. On the main front cover of any current Rock and Roll magazine, the masthead is usually written in a bold, eye catching colour. This helps the magazine stand out and catch the audiences eye, the masthead is usually in front of the main image as well, which also allows more recognition. For my own Rock and Roll magazine, I want to take inspiration from magazines which I read myself, magazines which interest me. Magazines such as "Kerrang" and "NME" are some of my favourite Rock and Roll magazines, which in turn, have inspired me a lot when deciding on how to design my own magazine. On the front of popular magazines such as these there are usually popular, young Rock and Roll artists/bands. Usually, these bands or artists have their own style, which inspires their fans. For my own music magazine I'd like to have my models dressed in quite casual costume, which at the same time relates to it's young, teenage audience. For example, I'd like my models to be dressed in well known brand t-shirts (vans, DC, ect,) something that the audience know and wear themselves. The advantage of well known brands on a front cover is that it not only attracts a specific wanted audience, it also advertises a certain style which this genre of music enjoy. The colour scheme would also be important, as I'd like the house style to reflect off the costume, like shown below:
Props.
The props for my music magazine are going to be quite simple and limited, as I personally think the less that goes into a front cover, the more effective and professional it looks. Of course, I will would like to all of the main elements, yet I don't want to overflow my front cover. The magazines I took for inspiration (Kerrang, NME) often take this simplicity idea, which catches the audiences eye. My main props would mostly just be additional make up, jewellery or accessories also maybe possible props would could improve the location (although I might just use a plain background, again to put focus on the main image.) Using a plain background also allows attention to be drawn onto the main cover lines and headings, which allows an audience to instantly take note of what the magazine is about and what it contains, like shown below:
Models.
The models I want to use for my magazine would most likely be young, teen models, who would instantly look relatable to the intended audience. This would have a positive effect on the magazine itself as it would look recent and modern, which would instantly attract a younger, teenage audience. I'm mostly going to use a single artist for my front cover, as it in itself would stand out a lot more than a band or a group of people, I have noticed this from buying magazines myself. I have people willing to do this for me, so it shouldn't be an issue to photograph.
Location.
As I mentioned earlier, I am most likely going to use a plain background, this way it draws more attention to the headlines and the main image itself. So, I am most likely going to use a plain backdrop, using one plain colour (either grey, white, ect). Like Kerrang and NME, who also use this kind of location to photograph, I want the main image to be the first thing the audience spot. This is mostly because it straight away highlights what type of magazine this will be, allowing it's main target audience to be addressed.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Audience Profile.
My magazine is aimed for those who base their taste in music around then Rock and Rock genre, mostly aimed for teenagers who want to achieve something or who are in the midsts of achieving something. Specifically, I wanted to aim my magazine for students, as they are the people who are more likely to enjoy this genre of music, also who are more likely to buy concert tickets and music physically or online. They would be post modernists, they'd also be hedonists, meaning they enjoy to have a good time, yet also leaving time for work. The main aim for my music magazine would be to promote artists, either with reviews, ticket sales, posters, ect. Although, unlike many of the main music magazines around at the moment, I'd also like to include independent artists within my magazine, giving new up and coming music a chance. On the jicnar scale, I'd rate my intended audience at c1-c2, as they are still learning, yet also achieving at the same time. I feel the connotations of my magazine would be most suited for a teenage audience as it would include the music industries most up to date Rock artists, up to date tour information and interviews. The main thing I wanted to include for my audience would be information they wouldn't be able to find anywhere else and so they'd buy this magazine to find out that information, which would again attract audiences to this specific magazine. Offering an audience something that they can't purchase anywhere else will not only attract an audience in but it'll confirm them buying the magazine in the future.
Monday, 5 December 2011
Time Plan.
This is going to be my main structure for my time management. I can always add tasks to my calender if and when I need to, which I most likely will. Doing this allows me to keep track of my work, also allowing me to see what tasks I have completed and what still needs to be done. I think time management is the biggest worry for me as I panic about what I need to do and if I'll have enough time to do it, so, keeping time this way will allow me to keep track, it will also allow me to work in a more productive manor. Also, it allows me to change dates around, this way I will be more in control of what I do and when I do it, this takes away the main thought of deadlines.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Research and Planning - Music Magazine.
Kerrang.
Kerrang, a popular Rock and Roll magazine is one of the largest, most successful teen, Rock magazines around at the moment. The magazine tends to target teenagers, whose music taste revolves around Rock and Roll, focusing mainly on today’s new hottest Rock and Roll artists/bands. The magazine focuses mainly on tour announcements/updates, posters, exclusive interviews, merchandise sales, etc. Even on the front cover of a magazine like Kerrang, there tends to be talkie headlines, persuading the audience to read into the magazine more to find out more about interviews and exclusive chats with the artists and bands. This type of marketing is typical for a Rock and Roll, music magazine as it allows audiences to read behind the scenes, finding out information they didn’t know. The front covers for Kerrang are mainly always the same as in they always use the same house style in every magazine; this way they attract the same audience in every issue.
The masthead for Kerrang is recognisable for the audience, which is always good as they are familiar with the magazine and they’d recognise it straight away if they saw it. Also, it stands out on the front cover as it is written in bold, usually in a black font as well. A “sell” is often used on the front cover of Kerrang as it helps them promote gigs, albums, etc. Using a “sell” and promotion also allows more independent, upcoming Rock and Roll artists/bands to be noticed, allowing them more recognition. A drop shadow is nearly always used in Kerrang, not just on the front cover but also in and around the magazine, allowing headlines and articles to stand out and catch the audience’s eye. 
Kerrang magazine itself isn’t just a music magazine, it’s more of a promotion tool for bands and artists, allowing them to promote their music and tours to a wanting audience. The magazine reaches out to not just the same audience every week but also new audiences as they get interviews with the newest, upcoming artists, getting information for what the audience want. Like any music magazine, Kerrang often use a splash that bleeds over the front cover, this way it attracts the audiences eye as it takes up the whole front cover.
NME.
NME magazine is one of my personal favourite magazines, yet it is less of a Rock and Roll music magazine. It focuses more on mainstream artists, looking specifically into them as artists, who they really are, backstage and behind the scenes, etc. The magazine is also very well known for it's writing and photography, which is another aspect to why audiences like the magazine. The NME magazine tends to target a wider audience than say Kerrang, as they write about more artists which are in the public eye, more people want to read about them. Although, like Kerrang, the NME magazine does focus mainly on helping artists and bands promote themselves, which is easy when you have such a wanting audience. This magazine is particular is a lot different in terms of house style and appearance than say Kerrang. The magazine is a lot more neat and modern than say Kerrang, who's house style would typically attract avid teenagers who love Rock and Roll. Yet, like Kerrang, NME magazine uses the same house style and colours in every issue, which again, makes it more recognisable for the audience. The front cover to NME will always have a sell as well, which again helps promotion for up and coming artists.
Typically for the front cover of a music magazine, a picture boost is often used to draw the audience in, interesting them into reading more into the magazine. The main attraction of the NME magazine is that it has up to date, just happened news which isn't accessible anywhere else, which is another reason why audiences want to read this magazine. The magazine tends to reach it's desired audience by delivering what they promise, which is usually exclusive material. The magazine offers not only this, but like Kerrang, free posters, tour updates and sales, so it does give back to the audience. Also, the NME magazine always uses talkie headlines on their front covers, this is again to interest the audience into reading more.
Using this kind of promotion allows audiences to feel as if they are taking a deeper look into artists personality and who they are, which again, is what the audiences desire.
Kerrang, a popular Rock and Roll magazine is one of the largest, most successful teen, Rock magazines around at the moment. The magazine tends to target teenagers, whose music taste revolves around Rock and Roll, focusing mainly on today’s new hottest Rock and Roll artists/bands. The magazine focuses mainly on tour announcements/updates, posters, exclusive interviews, merchandise sales, etc. Even on the front cover of a magazine like Kerrang, there tends to be talkie headlines, persuading the audience to read into the magazine more to find out more about interviews and exclusive chats with the artists and bands. This type of marketing is typical for a Rock and Roll, music magazine as it allows audiences to read behind the scenes, finding out information they didn’t know. The front covers for Kerrang are mainly always the same as in they always use the same house style in every magazine; this way they attract the same audience in every issue.
NME.
NME magazine is one of my personal favourite magazines, yet it is less of a Rock and Roll music magazine. It focuses more on mainstream artists, looking specifically into them as artists, who they really are, backstage and behind the scenes, etc. The magazine is also very well known for it's writing and photography, which is another aspect to why audiences like the magazine. The NME magazine tends to target a wider audience than say Kerrang, as they write about more artists which are in the public eye, more people want to read about them. Although, like Kerrang, the NME magazine does focus mainly on helping artists and bands promote themselves, which is easy when you have such a wanting audience. This magazine is particular is a lot different in terms of house style and appearance than say Kerrang. The magazine is a lot more neat and modern than say Kerrang, who's house style would typically attract avid teenagers who love Rock and Roll. Yet, like Kerrang, NME magazine uses the same house style and colours in every issue, which again, makes it more recognisable for the audience. The front cover to NME will always have a sell as well, which again helps promotion for up and coming artists.
Typically for the front cover of a music magazine, a picture boost is often used to draw the audience in, interesting them into reading more into the magazine. The main attraction of the NME magazine is that it has up to date, just happened news which isn't accessible anywhere else, which is another reason why audiences want to read this magazine. The magazine tends to reach it's desired audience by delivering what they promise, which is usually exclusive material. The magazine offers not only this, but like Kerrang, free posters, tour updates and sales, so it does give back to the audience. Also, the NME magazine always uses talkie headlines on their front covers, this is again to interest the audience into reading more.
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Evaluation.
Evaluation.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Like many media products, our magazine cover and the magazine itself was aimed for a specific audience and a specific audience type. We decided to base our magazine around the student reader, something they could read which would be not only an entertaining read, but also an educational read, a magazine that would speak to students as adults. For our pre research and analyse of other media products to help us, we decided that the magazine “Teen Vogue” was something very similar to what we wanted to create. This magazine dealt with relevant issues, gave fashion advice and also advice for students in general (e.g. study tips, revision, ECT), which again was similar to what we wanted to create.
So this magazine was our main influence throughout the task, yet we didn’t want to cop this magazine as we wanted to make our own style of magazine, give it an individual stamp. Like “Teen Vogue”, we decided to have the masthead in front of the main image; this helps it to stand out to the readers, signifying straight away what the magazine stands for. Like many other magazines we analysed in the research stage, we had many headings on our front cover to attract readers into the magazine; these would also attract the audience that we wanted to attract.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The main audience type for our magazine was students at college and university, this magazine would offer readers not only an entertaining read but also an educational read, addressing them as young adults; unlike a typical “girly” magazine. We also looked into the type of psychographics of our audience – what our audience thought of themselves, not just as readers, but as people. We decided that our readers would most likely be either aspirers or achievers. This is mainly because we are aiming this magazine for students, so these would be main categories they’d fit into. Taking the jignar scale into consideration, we decided that our readers would be at stage c2 – c1. We made this decision due to the fact we want our readers to be quite sophisticated readers, as the magazine would address them as adults, yet at the same time we would want them to be typical students and to be hedonists.
How did you attract/address your audience?
We used a bold masthead, which was on top of the main image to connote attract an audience straight to our magazine, this would straight away explain what kind of magazine it is and what the magazine represents.
The bold, pink colours around the cover connotes a student, teenage feel to the magazine, it also attracts a female audience with the use of colouring. Also the main image connotes a student audience as the girl in the image has vibrant hair, a popular logo on her t-shirt, which would also attract a student audience, yet at the same time gives the audience an insight into what the magazine could include. The header “voted top teen magazine of the year” underneath the masthead connotes popularity and the success of the magazine already, which would also attract readers. Rhetorical questions are used to help provoke readers to want to answer them, also it interests them and intrigues them into finding out more. We used shadowing on the main headings and the masthead to grab the readers attention once again to connote importance, these would obviously catch the readers eye when they first look at the magazine. The colour scheme used isn't aimed for a mainstream audience, as it's not as bright and vibrant as some of typical, mainstream "girly" magazines. It's more sophisticated, using pale, pastel colours to attract a more upper class, sophisticated audience.
What have you learnt about technologies fro the process of constructing this product?
The new technology we used enabled us to complete this task as it aloud us to edit the main image to the way we wanted it using Photoshop, which also aloud us to create the front cover itself. It also aloud us to edit and add text onto the main image, this helped us make the image look more like a front cover. The internet allowed us to analyse and research into other media products, this helped us get an idea of what we wanted our product to look like along with helping us decide what audience we wanted to aim our product at, along with this it also allowed us to gather images we could use for our contents page. Digital SLR cameras were useful as they allowed us to take pictures for the main image used for the front cover, it also allowed us to take images for maybe the contents page and for articles within the magazine. Like Photoshop, Indesign was software that really helped us when coming to design the contents page, it also helped us decide where to place certain aspects of the contents page, making it look a lot more professional.
Using blogger.com did confuse me though when we first started the project but as we got further into designing the front page, it was helpful and did help me store my work neatly and it was definitely a lot less hassle then having to print each page off. It did help me present work better and it also gave me more confidence as I knew it would be marked in a more accessible and neat way then if I were to print out each page.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Like many media products, our magazine cover and the magazine itself was aimed for a specific audience and a specific audience type. We decided to base our magazine around the student reader, something they could read which would be not only an entertaining read, but also an educational read, a magazine that would speak to students as adults. For our pre research and analyse of other media products to help us, we decided that the magazine “Teen Vogue” was something very similar to what we wanted to create. This magazine dealt with relevant issues, gave fashion advice and also advice for students in general (e.g. study tips, revision, ECT), which again was similar to what we wanted to create.
So this magazine was our main influence throughout the task, yet we didn’t want to cop this magazine as we wanted to make our own style of magazine, give it an individual stamp. Like “Teen Vogue”, we decided to have the masthead in front of the main image; this helps it to stand out to the readers, signifying straight away what the magazine stands for. Like many other magazines we analysed in the research stage, we had many headings on our front cover to attract readers into the magazine; these would also attract the audience that we wanted to attract.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The main audience type for our magazine was students at college and university, this magazine would offer readers not only an entertaining read but also an educational read, addressing them as young adults; unlike a typical “girly” magazine. We also looked into the type of psychographics of our audience – what our audience thought of themselves, not just as readers, but as people. We decided that our readers would most likely be either aspirers or achievers. This is mainly because we are aiming this magazine for students, so these would be main categories they’d fit into. Taking the jignar scale into consideration, we decided that our readers would be at stage c2 – c1. We made this decision due to the fact we want our readers to be quite sophisticated readers, as the magazine would address them as adults, yet at the same time we would want them to be typical students and to be hedonists.
How did you attract/address your audience?
We used a bold masthead, which was on top of the main image to connote attract an audience straight to our magazine, this would straight away explain what kind of magazine it is and what the magazine represents.
The bold, pink colours around the cover connotes a student, teenage feel to the magazine, it also attracts a female audience with the use of colouring. Also the main image connotes a student audience as the girl in the image has vibrant hair, a popular logo on her t-shirt, which would also attract a student audience, yet at the same time gives the audience an insight into what the magazine could include. The header “voted top teen magazine of the year” underneath the masthead connotes popularity and the success of the magazine already, which would also attract readers. Rhetorical questions are used to help provoke readers to want to answer them, also it interests them and intrigues them into finding out more. We used shadowing on the main headings and the masthead to grab the readers attention once again to connote importance, these would obviously catch the readers eye when they first look at the magazine. The colour scheme used isn't aimed for a mainstream audience, as it's not as bright and vibrant as some of typical, mainstream "girly" magazines. It's more sophisticated, using pale, pastel colours to attract a more upper class, sophisticated audience.
What have you learnt about technologies fro the process of constructing this product?
The new technology we used enabled us to complete this task as it aloud us to edit the main image to the way we wanted it using Photoshop, which also aloud us to create the front cover itself. It also aloud us to edit and add text onto the main image, this helped us make the image look more like a front cover. The internet allowed us to analyse and research into other media products, this helped us get an idea of what we wanted our product to look like along with helping us decide what audience we wanted to aim our product at, along with this it also allowed us to gather images we could use for our contents page. Digital SLR cameras were useful as they allowed us to take pictures for the main image used for the front cover, it also allowed us to take images for maybe the contents page and for articles within the magazine. Like Photoshop, Indesign was software that really helped us when coming to design the contents page, it also helped us decide where to place certain aspects of the contents page, making it look a lot more professional.
Using blogger.com did confuse me though when we first started the project but as we got further into designing the front page, it was helpful and did help me store my work neatly and it was definitely a lot less hassle then having to print each page off. It did help me present work better and it also gave me more confidence as I knew it would be marked in a more accessible and neat way then if I were to print out each page.
Monday, 10 October 2011
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Monday, 26 September 2011
Audience Profile.
Our magazine is aimed for those who aspire to make something of themselves, who want to be successful. It’s for those students who study hard, yet enjoy having a good time. It’s aimed for teens who want to achieve something, who are confident in their abilities, they're self assured. They would be post-modernists, who enjoy to play yet ensuring they get their work done at the same time. Students who read our magazine will be independent, capable to plan their own future, also being able to make the right decisions along the way. Yet, they will also be decision pending, unsure on what the next step will be, trying to figure out who they are and who they want to become. Advice and problem pages will help assure teens about themselves, there to help readers if they need any support, ECT. The magazine will provide many topics suited to different types of teens, for example teen girls, sporty boys, teens who are interested in fashion, ECT.
All of our readers will be aspires or achievers, so our magazine will provide guidance yet entertainment at the same time, ensuring readers will be able to “escape” the stress of exams, school, college or university. The magazine won’t only entertain our readers, it will them will a sense of role and importance, a responsibility for their own future and learning. The magazine will address the teen readers as adults, addressing them about current affairs, bullying, and family and friend relationships. We obviously aim to entertain as well as inform, ensuring readers enjoy reading what we have to give.
All of our readers will be aspires or achievers, so our magazine will provide guidance yet entertainment at the same time, ensuring readers will be able to “escape” the stress of exams, school, college or university. The magazine won’t only entertain our readers, it will them will a sense of role and importance, a responsibility for their own future and learning. The magazine will address the teen readers as adults, addressing them about current affairs, bullying, and family and friend relationships. We obviously aim to entertain as well as inform, ensuring readers enjoy reading what we have to give.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Hello!:-)
Hey all :-)
I'm Holly and this is my AS Media blog! I'm highly interesting in the Media and Radio as a career path for when I leave college, it has always been something that has interested me. I have my own radio show already in Worcester, so it is something that I'd love to carry on as a career. I also enjoy creative writing, I have done since a young age. I write usually as a hobby, so I would love to carry this on once I've left college. My music taste varies from "cheesy pop" to 1980's rock/punk. I love the "old movies" and the "old actors", my favourite time period for film is the 1960's. I truly believe all the best movies were made around this time. I love going to concerts and festivals, I love to feel part of an audience. My passion for reading is still strong, even though I don't have much time to read any more. I would love to read more often and I try to read as much as possible.
I would love to attend University to study either Media or Journalism, it's my goal to work in the Media once I've left University. Until then, I shall continue my passion for the subject at college and as a hobby.
Holly!:-) x
I'm Holly and this is my AS Media blog! I'm highly interesting in the Media and Radio as a career path for when I leave college, it has always been something that has interested me. I have my own radio show already in Worcester, so it is something that I'd love to carry on as a career. I also enjoy creative writing, I have done since a young age. I write usually as a hobby, so I would love to carry this on once I've left college. My music taste varies from "cheesy pop" to 1980's rock/punk. I love the "old movies" and the "old actors", my favourite time period for film is the 1960's. I truly believe all the best movies were made around this time. I love going to concerts and festivals, I love to feel part of an audience. My passion for reading is still strong, even though I don't have much time to read any more. I would love to read more often and I try to read as much as possible.
I would love to attend University to study either Media or Journalism, it's my goal to work in the Media once I've left University. Until then, I shall continue my passion for the subject at college and as a hobby.
Holly!:-) x
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