Mood Board

The colours I have chosen to include in my mood board are bright as well as vibrant. I have also included white and black as the vibrant colours such as yellow and red will contrast making the magazine look desirable and eye catching. This is evident in the articles, contents and front covers I have included in my mood board. These parts of the magazine are ones that I inspire to be like and that is why I have included them as well as the colours that are on them. 

My choice of fonts are for both my titles are writing. However, I will use the bold and stand out fonts in my headlines and name of my magazine so that it catches the reader so they know the name and headline within my magazine. Despite being big and bold, I want to make sure that my title is clear to read and therefore will try not to make it to hard to understand. I will try to use a thin and attractive font for my text as it is easier to understand and clearer to read when compared with a big, bold font which could be overwhelming and put the reader off the magazine. 

I have chosen images which contain just one person in a mid shot or close up as it highlights the artists face as well as their fashion or look. It may also show the power of the artist on the front cover and double page spread therefore catching the reader. A couple of group photos have been included in the mood board. This is because I would like to fill up most of the space and not leave any empty and boring parts to my magazine. They also look powerful in the way they are looking directly down the camera, making eye contact with the reader and possibly making them attached and want to invest in it. Props such as money or gold chains are included in the pictures indicating wealth and a successful artist therefore making them look more appealing. Pictures of inner-city settings at night are also displayed on the mood board. This is due to my photo shoot possibly being at night, as I can make my choice of artist look powerful in a dark with little light area and therefore more eye catching.     

Readership Profile

Survey

My internet surveys:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S7KKNKB

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SWGJ23D

My paper survey:

Analysis of Answers

The charts above show that I had a range of gender answering my survey as well as age, which meant I had varied answers and a wide range of views when answering my survey. 

The majority of the candidates felt that the headlines on the front cover should be laid out

in the middle of the page. They felt this as they believed that the topics were an important part of the magazine and that the middle is where people focus their eyes on. However, other candidates said that they should be put on one side of the front cover, as it allows there to be room for a picture of an artist which could attract readers. They also felt that bright colours would "attract the reader" However, one person felt that it depended on the type of music the magazine is displaying. Due to my research, I have acknowledged that rock and metal magazines tend to use reds and yellows where as hip-hop or rap magazines use blacks and whites with some bold colours like yellow which contrasts with the dark colours. Also from my research, I have seen that the artist may cover the masthead(title) of the magazine, therefore I had to put it in my survey to see how others felt. They felt that the image shouldn't cover the magazine as the name is what gains the most publicity which allows people to talk about it. However one candidate felt that the need for the artist to cover the title as it "might be important to stress superiority of the artist". Despite this answer, I will not cover the title as they would not be able to see it from a distance or recognise it.

Despite the results being quite even, most of the candidates said no. I support the "no" answer as not every page will be an article as well as that having every page on the contents would look boring and not engage the reader. There was also a split view between whether there should be images on the contents page. Some said yes as they felt it gives a clear meaning of the content and it allows you to look over it quickly to know what is in it. Others said no as it diverts your attention from a possibly witty title of content in the magazine. One candidate however said that it depends on the type of article. If it is a cryptic article then it may be necessary to use an image, but if it has a witty headline, then there shouldn't be an image. I will therefore not use images to represent every article and mix it up with a witty title.

The 1st chart above shows that every candidate felt that there should be some representation of the magazine on the contents page, which I will therefore make clear when creating mine. In the 2nd chart, most of the candidates felt that the content should be represented along one side with a few pictures. I agree as it gives a clear representation of each bit of content as well as what it may include.1 person also felt that there should be numbers, which I will include as it tells the reader where a specific article is.

 

There was varied answer for the question above but 3 pictures was the most popular. I agree with this answer as it is the most reasonable amount due to it allowing a lot of writing to be put about the artist. Candidates there should be a mix of images and writing about the artist as well as tour dates or album releases. One candidate also suggested that personal information about the artist, which gains connection with audience therefore engaging them with the magazine. The top two answers were a bold headline and pictures. Despite not being the most popular answer amongst the candidates, I will include a good amount of information as I believe that it would seem pointless to have lots of pictures with little writing. It also makes the artist seem more popular and powerful if there is a lot to say about them. Candidates also felt that the images used should be clear that "captures the key aspects of the artist" as well as what genre they base themselves in. Another image could be on that relates to the article itself. 

These results have made me think that I should plan my images and what information I will include as it gives it makes it easier to create it. I will include images about the artist as well as specific information about him/her as it can connect with the audience. I will also include bright colours but they should relate to the genre of the magazine, therefore I will look at more magazines to do with my chosen genre. My contents page will not include lots of pictures or all the content as it makes it cluttered and hard to read. My target market will be young people who enjoy hip-hop or rap as the majority of people who answered my survey were from 16-21. However I will also try to appeal to older people from ages 25-35 as I want my magazine to gain more popularity. 

Music Mag: Double Page Spread Analysis

Music Mag: Contents Analysis

Music Mag: Front Cover Analysis

Uses and Gratifications

The Uses and Gratifications theory is an approach to why and how people seek out specific types of media for the own specific needs. The UGT focuses on what people do with media than what media does to them. It is an audience centered approach to mass communication with the people. It believes that the people has power over media consumtion and have an active part in integrating media into their own lives. 

The user is to have 4 basic needs: 

• Diversion
• Personal Relationships
• Personal Identities
• Surveillance 

Diversion - Needing to take time out of the everyday life and relaxing

Personal Relationships - To go out and make companionships as well as relationships online

Personal Identity - Sometimes we tend to use media to find out about ourselves, or people                                  presented to us. This will then reflect on us.

Surveillance - To use the media to find out what is going on in the world. For example, a                                  magazine that could tell us what is going on with celebrities or other                                        industries such as music.

An example of the Uses and Gratifications Theory in a Music Magazine Contents Page

Music Magazine Institution Research

Large Company - Bauer Media Group

Bauer is a large based European media company that manages portfolio's of magazines, digital products, radio and TV Stations. This company has been managed by five generations of the Bauer family and entered the UK in 1987 with the release of Bella Magazine under the name of H Bauer Publishing. This became the British 3rd largest company and further expanded it's UK image with the purchase of Emap Consumer media and Radio in 2008. In November 2010, Heinrich Bauer's daughter Yvonne assumed the management of the group. They later acquired the Australian magazine publisher ACP Magazines from private equity firm CVC in 2012 increasing their turnover to 2 billion euros. In the UK there are 2 divisions to bAUER media group:

• H Bauer Publishing
• H Bauer Media 

H Bauer Publishing

This brand includes women's weekly and TV listings magazines such TVChoice and Total TVGuide as well as many other puzzle magazines. In 1999, TVChoice was sold at a much lower price than it's other competitors, overtaking ABCs in February 2008 and has been the best ever since. Total TVGuide was launched to cover all the channels on freeview and satellite.

H Bauer Media

This is a multi-platform media group with locations across the UK. Following their purchase of Emap in 2007, Bauer has acquired a collection of media brands including heat Grazia as well as a radio portfolio of national radio brands including KISS FM UK and Magic. 

The magazine Q started out as a magazine which talks about rock and alternative music. It now has a radio and television show. They also hold awards and in 2010 , Bauer caused controversy as they were unilaterally imposing a contract on photographers and writers which they didn't follow. They also own KERRANG which started out as a magazine which then began to occupy a radio and television show. 

Small Company - BBC Worldwide

BBC Worldwide is owned by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) and is the restructured predecessor of BBC Enterprises which occurred in 1995. It's operation is to exploit the BBC brand worldwide by selling BBC and other British programming. It's aim is to supplement the income received by the BBC through the license fee. The company also produces additional material which is sold to create financing to aid these services. An example of this is the Radio Times Magazine which equated to 10% of the BBC's income. The BBC had initially made several divisions such as BBC Publications, who would handle magazines. In 1979, the creation of BBC Enterprises Ltd was created, and in 1995 was reformed to become BBC Worldwide. BBC was going to cut the company off, but saw it less advantageous as keeping it and driving forward to create profit. 

They operate geographically so they can better serve their audience across the world and take advantage of high growth markets. BBC Worldwide is responsible for a wide range commercial activities which are primarily connected in some way with the output and public purposes of the main BBC In the past, it was divided into 5 business divisions:

• Channels
• Content and Production
• Brands
• Consumers and New Ventures
• Consumer Products
• Sales and Distribution 

The Channels Division was formed in 2005, and is the biggest creator of revenue. It operates in the broadcasting of several international channels and networks across the world. 

Final Pieces

These are the final drafts of my school magazine that I created as a preliminary task. This magazine is clearly not at the standard of some of the other student magazines. However, this was a chance for me to use photoshop and get to grips with what I need to do to ensure that I create a magazine that may be read. It is also of a different genre to what my final product will be come the end of this coursework piece, but the experience will prove key in the creation of my music magazine and the research that will be expected before my final product. 

Contents Draft

Front Cover Draft

Colour Analysis

Questionnaire Data Analysis

The link for my survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MTZRX86


All of the people that took part in the questionnaire felt that my title should be big and also quite bold on the front cover of my Student Magazine. They also believed that one main image on the front cover is better than lots of individual ones as it makes it look messy. They then followed with all of them saying that a clean and smooth look is the best format which supports the use of just one main image. The image was then chosen by the majority of the candidates to have a picture that relates to something that is going on at the School. They also said that it should be related to a topic that will be included within the magazine such as a School trip or an activity that occurred during the term. An idea of fun was also given, which could also relate to it being eye-catching for someone to want to read it. 

The candidates were then split 50/50 between the way in which the magazine is most appealing. None of them felt that striking colours was the best way forward, but felt lots of pictures and a bold title were just as important as each other. This may mean that I will have to include both in the cover of my magazine as there is a split view into what is the most appealing. Their views of how a front cover for a student magazine shouldn't be laid out has helped me decide on what mine will look like. Most felt that if it looked too dull or too academic people wouldn't want to invest their time to read it. They also believed that a small title looks wrong and less powerful. A poor choice of pictures also meant that they would be setting a bad example of the School, which isn't what they want.

The contents page was also looked upon by the candidates. They believe that pictures and a little description is best as it gives a little hinter of to what is going to be in the magazine. They also said it could be at the front of the magazine, meaning I could give a little hinter to a main topic on the front of the magazine. They were split 50/50 on the way the topics should be put onto the contents page. They both felt that pictures were to be included but split on having them with numbers or words. As they want a description to go with the picture, words should be used. However, numbers help tell the reader where the topic is in the magazine. I will try to use both words and numbers with pictures as that is what i feel would like best in a a student magazine. The candidates then highlighted what should not be on a contents page for a student magazine. They feel it shouldn't give lots of detail and that it shouldn't be like a textbook. They also felt that possible images could be used. 

From the information I feel that I have now got a clear idea of what my student magazine front cover and contents page will look like when it comes to making it. The front cover will be bold and attract readers. The contents page will also not give much away about a topic but give an understanding of what it's about. 

Font Analysis

Magazine Analysis - Contents Page

Magazine Analysis - Magazine Covers

Initial Ideas of a My Magazine

My idea is to create a student magazine which is aimed at people who attend a University. I believe that the cover should be appealing to the student and that it should entice pupils to want to read it. This is usually done by using one large image on the front which can be seen as quite powerful and dominant so that it catches the eye of students at the University. 

I also feel that the magazines aim themselves at a specific type of student using the picture for example, if the magazine had a laboratory on it, science students could know it would be to do with their chosen subject. There would also be written around the main part of the image, to show other topics that would be covered within the magazine. The colours will be bright, but could also be surrounded by black to make the main image stand out to the reader. 

I will look at the way magazines appeal to different ages and gender as well as type of people and why they would appeal to these people. 

The fonts and picture size also also help me decide who and why the magazine is aimed at a specific set of students and not another. 

Photoshop Poster

This is a poster that I made as I began to learn more about the application of photoshop. I have explained basic tasks as well as what certain buttons mean in photoshop. This will be the application I use to create my images as well as my magazine.