Q 6

Through out the making of my magazine i used many resources to product it. Such as photoshop, cameras and blogger to keep people up to date with my process. First of all i used a cannon camera to get my photos then edited them on photoshop changing the levels and brightness/contrast. Then I used photoshop to start producing my magazine usig the fill tool to make the background, different coloured text using different fonts, use the shape tool to produce shapes and more. I also used blogger to show my processes and research to help me design my own magazine.

Q 3

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

I think that kerrang magazine edited by Nichola Browne who has been editing kerrang magazines since 2009 is similar to my magazine. Things such as a simple layout are used in both mine and kerrang magazines. Also shapes to highlight key information and perfectly edited photos are used. Also they use issue numbers for every issue of the magazine so they are easy to collect, this is also used in my magazine. Also on the cover things such as win is also used which is the same as my magazine. I think this makes the viewer/buyer more interested in your magazine, which would hopefully increase sales.

Q7

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

I have improved on the software I use to create my magazine as my preliminary task was produced on publish because I didn’t know a lot about Photoshop. I can now confidently use Photoshop and most of its tool such as dropping effects onto the writing. I have also learnt how to work with layers on Photoshop making the finish of my magazine at a high standard. I have also learnt how to edit picture for a perfect finish, including using the healing tool and brightness/contrast. I also used things such as the shape tool and other tools.

Q5

       How did you attract/address your audience?

I have used contrasting colours, red, white and black, to stand out from my background making it easy for the reader to read and notice when it is on a shelf in a shop (making it stand out). The main image on the front cover is used to show an indie artist to address the type of music my magazine is based around. The reader is aware of the indie artist by the clothes she is wear, for example her shoes are vans which is classed as indie. Also her dark hair and make-up show a rock side. Using catchy sub-headings make the reader want to read on and find out more about the story, this increases the sales. By adding ‘WIN local gig tickets’ makes the reader feel involved with the magazine and makes them want to buy the magazine to get involved. Also using a catchy name ‘Indie Blush’ automatically makes the reader attract to the magazine. Also interviews with artists, Alexis Campbell, increases the amount of people interested in the magazine as they will get all the gossip about the artist and what they have been up to before anyone one else.

Q4

    Who would be the audience for your media product?

The audience of my magazine, Indie Blush, could be people who like indie music and people who are interested in indie artists. People that like to keep up to date with the indie music industry would like to read my magazine because it keeps the reader updated with the latest music news. Also people who visit nightclubs that play indie music will also like to read my magazine because it would keep them up to date with the latest music being released. I think that people between the age of 15-19 are most likely to read my magazine because indie is the latest, most listened too genre of music for this age group.

Profile of someone who would read indie  blush:

Name: Devon Perry

Age:16

College: Shiney Rowe

Interests:  Spending time with friends, keeping up with the latest music, listening to the latest music, trying different things out with her hair/makeup, keeping up with the latest trends but also making her own clothes

What she spends money on: I-tunes, music magazines, nandos, subways, clothes, hair dye, new make up, nail varnish

Favourite type of music: Indie/Rock

Favourite places to shop: topshop, vintage shops

What makes you want to read/buy Indie Blush: the photo used as it looks like someone I would listen to. Also the headings showing what is featured in the magazine, makes me want to buy it to find out more. Also the name as it sounds catchy and flows. I also like the colours used as they stand out. It would catch my eye if it was on a shelf along with other indie rock magazine because of use of colour, making the title standout. This makes it easy to read and makes it stand out from the background and the rest of the magazines, due to the box around the title.

Q 2

Using a main image of a model sitting down gives a laid back feeling of the magazine, not pushing you to be like anyone just be yourself. Also even though there is a few sub-headings on both of the covers it is easy to read and follow who the main image is and what the stories are. Also both titles are simple but Indie Blush has a slogan and Vogue doesn’t. I think that by having a slogan it gives the magazine a personal touch from the producer and also gives an insight of what the aim of the magazine is. Also by putting the magazine name into a box helps empathise that that is the magazine name and also makes it sound out from the background. Both models have similar facial expressions both using straight faces but the one in vogue is looking at the camera and the one in y magazine is looking away. Because my model is wearing vans, skinny jeans, dark make up and dark hair people will automatically think that is an indie/rock magazine because of the things she is wearing.

Q1

Evaluation

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

The title of my magazine Indie Blush informs the reader/viewer that the magazine is an indie magazine. It also looks like things that are on the market at the minute such as Q magazine. My magazine uses similar fonts and colours as Q magazine, they are also both indie magazine. What mine original is the slogan that I have added under the title of my magazine.

Similar to kerrang magazine, a rock magazine, on my front cover it features ‘win free local gig tickets’.  This makes my magazine more realistic and helps get the viewer to be more interested.

As the model on my cover is wearing vans, skinny jeans, a band t-shirt and also wearing dark makeup along with her dark hair the viewer know that it is an indie/rock magazine, magazines such as kerrang, Q and NME also do this. Also the way she posted shows that she is laid back and doesn’t really care what people think about her or how she dresses. The people who read my magazine will also have this logic.

The mast head gives a slight clue or hint of what is going to be in the magazine making the reader want to read on and find out more. Mostly all of magazines on the market do this this to increase sales.  Also the lay out of the magazine is simple making it easy to read, similarly to OK magazine and more.

Using circles to make things stand out are usually used in pop magazines such as pop. By making it a dark colour it goes with the indie theme. It also makes what is inside of the shape stand out from the background.

By adding an issue number and date also makes it seems realistic. Kerrang magazine also does issue numbers so you can makes sure you are getting an issue that you haven’t already got and also keeping in track of what issues you are getting, in order.

On the double page spread I added a picture of the artist new album just like NME does in interviews. This shows what to look for when they are looking for the latest albums. It also makes it realistic as magazines advertise things, exactly what my aim was.

Also including win tickets on the double page spread is also makes it realistic as NME and Q use this in their magazine. It makes the reader want to read on because they know they are in with a chance of winning tickets. Also by giving a link of how to apply makes it more realistic as you are giving a web address.

Over all my magazine is very similar to other indie/rock magazines such as Q, NME and kerrang because of things such as winning things and how to win things.

Double page spread inspiartion

I don’t really like this page as an overall because I think it looks too plain. But I do like the use of the picture. I like how the main artist in the band is normal and the other members of the band are faded, this could because the article is only about the main artist. I also like how the title is a question; this makes the reader question the text before reading them. This is effective because if the reader  feels positive after questioning the question them will carry on reading the rest of the article. If I was to adapt something from this page to my own I would use the image fading for my main image.

Double page spread inspiartion

This magazine is from a music magazine and it focusing on the band my chemical romance. I like how they have used action shots for the pictures as it shows the read the band at a gig of theirs. I also like the use of colour as it makes everything stand out from the black background.  I like how the title of the page is a quote from the text this teases the reader to move on. Because there isn’t much writing it makes it easy for the reader to be interested in the writing straight away as it is an easy amount to read without getting bored. If I was to adapt something from this page I would choose the cover scheme as I think it works well.  

Double page spread inspiartion

In this double page spread by Kerrang  I like the title as it stands out as each letter is in white with a black box behind it. This makes it seem like it is in the 70’s, which is effective. I like how the main image is huge on the right hand side; it makes the reader fully aware of who the writing is about. I like how there isn’t much writing and how it is set out on the bottom this makes it easy for the reader to read without losing interest. Although the double page is quite plain and this works I think there needs to be more detail to make the page look more interesting, as I think it looks quite boring. If I was to adapt something from this page onto my own I would use the huge picture to one of the sides, this is because I think it looks effective as it lets the read know who the page is about as soon as they go to read the page.

Contents inspiration

For the contents of kerrang magazine there is a lot of features I like. Such as the heading ‘this week’, I like how it is presented in a yellow box with black writing as it contrasts and makes it stand out from the rest of the writing. I also like how it is followed by a list with both the page number and heading on what the page is about as it shows what the main things of this issued magazine is. It is also easy to follow making the reader want to read those pages straight away. I also like the use of the images on the contents page, one big main image in the middle followed with small images that of bands/artists that are featured in the magazine around it, along with the page number and who it/they are. I also like the quote under the mast head as it gives the reader an idea of what context the will be reading in this magazine. Even though this contents page is plain it is effective, this is because the reader can read all the information on the page without getting confused or distracted. They can also read all the information given on the page without think that there was too much to read. If I was to adapt anything from this contents page onto my contents page I would choose to include a quote under my title of contents. This is because I think it gives it a personal touch and teases the read to read on and find out where the quote is from.

Contents inspiration

This contents from OK magazine immediately tells the reader that it is aimed at women because all photos on the contents are of women. Also when you start to read the information on the contents it is all aimed at women, such as fashion pages and diets. The feature I like the most on this contents is the small story at the top right hand side. I like it because it gives the women reading the magazine and taste of what is going to be featured inside, I also like how it is signed off at the bottom by the write of the story giving it a personal touch. Although there is a huge amount of writing on the page divided but my boxed headings I do not like the amount of writing featured on the page. This is because I think that the page is over powered with writing putting the read off reading right the way through it to see what is in the magazine. But a lot of writing on the contents page shows that the OK magazine features a lot. I like how the page number is in red and the information heading about the page is in black showing a clear separation of the both of them but also makes it easier for the reader to follow and understand. If I was to adapt something from this contents to my contents I would use the different colours of page numbers and the heading of what was on the page.

Contents inspiration

I like this contents from NME because it is full of infomation but is still easy to follow and read. It also attracts the attention of the read because of the distictive shapes that seperates up the text making it easier for the reader to read right through the whole of the text. I also like the use of black and red, because it makes it stand out. I like the use of the black box around around how to save £45 because it makes the yellow are white writing stand out as key infomation. It also makes the pictures of the different magazines stand out. I also like the band index which informs the reader what bands are included through out the magazine. I also like how the inmage is in the middle of the page, selling it as a main image. I could adapt the ideas of this contents page by using boxes around vital infomation to make it stand out from the rest of the infomation. I could also use boxes around titles to make the infomation easy to read and follow.

questions on audiences of magazines!

How much would you be willing to pay for an Indie Magazine packed with interviews, festivals guides and more?..........................................

What would you like to see in the magazine?(tick) festival quide......   exclusive interview.......  Latest gigs.....    free local gig tickets..... posters.......   other(please state)................................................

What attracts you most to a magazine(cover)? good subheading..... good magazine name..... pictures of bands...... bright colours........ other(please state)..............................................................................

What do you like to see in a magazine? interviuews.......  true stories....... latest fashion..... where you can but the latest things........ festival guides....... latestnews....... other(please state).......................................................................

On the magazine cover do you like to see....?  one huge picture..... lots of little ones......  middles sized picture with small ones around it .......

Does having lots of writing on the magazine cover...? Put you off...... makes you want to buy.......

Where do you think the best place for the magazine title is? ....................................................................

Does a free gift make you want to buy a magazine? yes......... no..........

Are adverts through out a magazine? good........ bad....... ok......... state why?...............................................................................................................................

an audience study of a typical OK Magazine reader

The person reading this magazine is more than likely to eat low fat things for breakfast such as 'special K'. I think the person who reads this magazine either cant drive so they use buses or have a average payed job that drive a convertable. I think they live at home with a family or live with their mam and dad. I think they drink water or things like natural juices. They like cooking programes and like to watch things such '90210'. They like chart music and like to keep up to date with it. They're favourite meal will m,or than likely be a fresh chicken salad or something like baked potatos. They dont watch sports but they like to work out and keep toned, watch/do work out programes. I think most girls who read this magazine will have a toned boyfriend/husband that likes to work out and keep thin by eating healthy foods. I think they go to places where they can relax and get a tan on holiday, places such as Greece. I don't really think this magazine has a certain type of person to vote for.  I think they go to bars such as quiet bars that not many people go to.

an audience study of a typical kerrang reader

the readers of Kerrang magazine like anything that is easy to make such as pizza for the night before for breakfast. The reader of this magazine is morethan likely to uses buses or metros as a form of transport as they will be young or dont have jobs to afford a car. They either have a flat or still live at home with either parents. I think the reader of this magazine will drink either alcohol or energy drinks as they are young and have a hard rock lifestyle. They don't really like TV shows but I think they watch music channels that include interviews with bands. They like heavy rock music. They prefer microwave ready meals or take-aways. I dont think the people that read this magazine do any sports as they are lazy and dont do much for themselves. I think the reader of this magazine either has a part time girlfriend/boyfriend or they are just single and enjoying their life while they are young. I don't think the reader of this magazine goes on holiday they much prefer going to festivals or staying at home partying while their parents are on holiday. This magazine doesnt influence voting. They go to bars where live bands play.

3 Original Images

The reason I would use these images for my magazine is because they fit in with the genre of my magazine, indie/rock. The images that I have taken have been shot on location, I tried looking for unusual urban backgrounds to make a indie/rock vibe to the photos that would be used in my magazine.

I got my ideas for my photos from this image, i like how the model was posed and the background she was on as it gives a indie/rock vibe.

Kerrang magazine cover!

My chosen magazine cover is the Kerrang one. The audience of this magazine cover is people who listen to rock music because Kerrang is a rock based channel. Also ‘Greenday’ are presented on the front cover and they are a rock band, meaning people who are fans of ‘Greenday’ will also read this magazine. In the magazine there is a section about ‘Marilyn Manson’ and ‘Slash’ so fans of these people will also read the magazine. People going to ‘Download festival’ may also read the magazine because there is a festival guide situated in the magazine.

The text is selling things about Download the festival. Also they are selling/advertising bands to listen too, ’25 rockstars that change your world’. This is selling artists to the reader.

The attitude of the magazine is a heavy cock lifestyle. People with a rock styled personality but also like listening to rock music. The word ‘chaos’ applies a rock lifestyle as it is a heavy, punky word. Also the font and background of the title is all smashed giving a heavy metal vibe as it is all smashed up. By using bright contrasting colours also gives a rock vibe attitude.

Media

For my coursework I have decided to produce a music magazine in the style of 'Q' magazine. The genre of my magazine with be indie rock/rock. I have chosen to do indie rock/rock because it is the type of music i listen to, making the work enjoyable to me.