Evaluation

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

My media product was a music magazine based on all types of music. My magazine, ‘A-Z’, is similar to the likes of ‘Q’ magazine, as it incorporates all sorts of genres and attracts a wide target audience of 18 year olds and above. The name of my magazine reflects the idea of being simple and effective. I purposely named it ‘A-Z’ as it suggests the idea that the magazine consists of everything to do with music. This enables the magazine to relate to the target audience, as they would want to know the most recent news all in one magazine. Our task was to produce a front cover, contents page and a double page spread.

I based the colour theme of my magazine around the idea of three primary colours; red blue and green. The primary colours not only suggest simplicity, it also broke my magazine up into three sections more easier, as I used red for the front cover, blue for the contents page and green for the double page spread. The fact that the colour scheme was not consistent throughout the magazine also suggests that the magazine is for everyone interested in all types of music. This on the other hand also challenges the normal conventions of a magazine as the colour scheme is not consistent. Throughout the magazine I have used a plain grey background alongside the primary colours, as it is simple and effective. I used grey instead of any other colour for the background as it is a trendy, young and urban colour, which can be related to all sorts of genres. For example, Indie, Rap, Rock ‘n’ Roll. Thus, it appears more appealing to a wide target audience and ties the whole magazine together. Through the magazine I incorporated the idea of using straight lines to block off content, therefore ensuring a neat and tidy finish. The lines changed colour according to the page they were situated on. The use of lines helped attract the audience and draw them into the magazine as it stands out form the page.

My front cover portrayed the modern day perspective of music, and targeted my audience of 18 year old males and females perfectly. As the magazine consisted of all types of music, I tried to reflect each and every genre throughout the front cover, therefore making it more appealing to all 18 year olds and above. Situated at the top of my front cover is a skyline, saying “The UK’s favourite music magazine.” It is written in italic, making it stand out from the rest of the writing on the page. I used this to help promote the idea of the magazine being the nation’s ultimate favourite, showing that it is the most popular magazine around and this reinforces the idea that it caters to everyone’s needs. Consequently, this would entice people to purchase my magazine and attract my target audience. My masthead was similar to the ‘Q’s masthead, as it was situated in a square within the top left hand corner of the page. I used a stencil type of typography as it is simple and provides that edgy ‘now’ sort of style. I also ensured that the masthead didn’t take up most of the upper part of the front cover, as I wanted my main image to attract readers more. My main image was a mid-shot angled photograph of a female, who was standing against a wall looking intensely at the camera. I used Photoshop to create a black and white effect, ensuring that the contrast levels were higher than originally, making her face brighter and striking. It also fitted in with the grey background, allowing the simple typography and red lines to stand out themselves. My kicker said ‘SAMMY MINX’ and above it was situated a small strapline saying ‘A-Zs all exclusive interview with...” I placed the kicker in the middle of the main image, as it would draw the reader to read that first. I also wanted it to stand out from everything else on the front cover, thus again challenging the ordinary conventions of a magazine as the main image is meant to dominate. In the top right hand corner I had situated five artists’ names ranging from different genres such as rap, indie and dance. This then would promote the magazine towards a wider audience. On the left hand side of the front cover is a strapline saying “100 FACTS ABOUT GAGA”. The ‘100 facts about’ part of the strapline is placed inside a bold box, ensuring that it stands out to readers. The capital letters also ensure that it stands out. This is the same with the strapline situated in the middle right hand side. It reads “UPCOMING ARTISTS”, and underneath it written smaller in italics is “RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW”. The fact that the word ‘Right’ is repeated allows the strapline to become a catchphrase and something easy for the target audience to remember. Above the strapline are two strap images promoting new artists, thus drawing in more of an audience and giving them a taste of what it is within the magazine. At the bottom of the front cover is another strapline saying “A-Z’s very own talent! YOU JUDGE, YOU DECIDE...” The strapline automatically involves the reader by the repetition of ‘you’. The strap images also contain young people again attracting the target audience.

My contents page was set in an organised way, with the features of the magazine listed on the left hand side. This would allow the audience to be drawn to the features which appeal to them, again attracting a wider audience. The page numbers were situated next to the features, however were in a white colour therefore allowing it to stand out. An image of ‘Sammy Minx’ was situated on the right hand side, again allowing the audience to see what is inside the magazine. Like ‘Q’ magazine, at the bottom of the page I have placed a section dedicated to the main feature of the magazine. Again, this would promote the features within it and also would give the audience a taste of what is to come. Underneath each feature, a small paragraph has been written to add humour and relate to the target audience. For example, the first feature reads ‘MP3’, which promotes the idea of music yet underneath it reads “Running the country isn’t enough for our them, so MPs decide to show us their way of expressing music.” By tying in both politics and music, targets a wider audience. The theme of the black and white photos is also followed through on the contents page, again allowing it to contrast well against the blue lines and grey background. On the contents page at the bottom is also situated an editors letter, which made it more realistic and followed the conventions of a real magazine.

The double page spread now followed the colour scheme of green, and was very simplistic and minimalist. The left hand side of the page consisted of a full image of the main person – Sammy Minx. The high contrast/brightness levels and black and white effect ensured that current ‘black and white’ image theme flowed through. Also the image bled to the edges; again another convention of a typical magazine. The interview was set out in columns, again which was another magazine convention, as the questions were highlighted in bold and answered underneath them. The questions started off talking about her childhood, and how she began her success into the music industry. Over the image a quote was situated that Sammy had said within her interview, again another magazine convention. The strap line situated under the title reads “her future’s so bright... she’d got to wear shades.” I played on the fact that her glamorous lifestyle is part of her success, and also is quite humorous again enticing the reader to read on.

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My media product represents the young generation and music lovers of a mid age. The style of the magazine helps this as it incorporates all different types of music, such as Indie, Rap and Rock ‘n’ Roll. It also features different types of aspects within society, such as Politics, education and health. The colour scheme adds a touch of child like aspect to the magazine, however is incorporated well as the use of black and white photography balances it out.

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

Like ‘Q’ Magazine, established publishers such as Bauer Media Group would produce and distribute my magazine. It produces/distributes many popular magazines internationally, therefore allowing my magazine to be shown around globally.

4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

My magazine represents all types of music, and is generally aimed at people from the age of 18 – 30. The magazine consists of information this age group would be interested in, and is more youthful looking. The language is quite colloquial and informal, allowing it to relate to young people more and making it more appealing. The images are also quite urban and young, again making it more appealing and less formal.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

I attracted my audience through the use of colour and style of my music. I tried to emulate the look of ‘Q’ magazine, as it gave a professional and stylish finish. I used the primary colours against the grey background as it gave it a modern touch and was also different to other vibrant magazines. I included features which were relative to 18 – 30 year olds, and the style/language devices helped this. For example, at the bottom of my front cover I introduced the element of a music competition for the public, and this helped them become more involved and having the ability to participate.

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

I have become better in using Photoshop as I learnt to use various tools such as a magnetic lasso tool to cut around photos and apply a plain background. This allowed me to continue the simplistic approach to my magazine and did not make the background to overcrowd. I also learnt how to adjust the brightness/contrast levels and leant how to apply certain effects by using the filter gallery. Photoshop helped me easily construct my media product as it had everything I needed to use.

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

I have learnt the conventions of a magazine and what attracts an audience to purchase it. Different styles and techniques’ draw in different people, and the way your magazine is presented reflects what your target audience is interested in. Thus, to appeal to your readers you must ‘give them what they want’, therefore allowing your magazine to become more established.

Production Work

Front Cover

Contents Page

Double Page Spread

Mock Ups

Front Cover

Contents Page

Double Page Spread

Analysis of 'Q' magazine

- The logo dominates the top left hand corner. This is further noticed by the bold red colour and contrasting white 'Q'.

- Underneath the letter 'Q' is a strapline quoting "A different take on music". This implies that 'Q' magazine offers more than just music, it offers a whole range of issues.

- The big, bold and blue '>' draw attention as they stand out and indicate the features situated inside the magazine.

- Lily Allen is placed in the middle of the magazine standing tall. Her provocative look is implied by her being topless but also by her looking straight into the camera over her shoulder. It also suggests a touch of rebellion and attitude.

- The idea of the black panthers also reinforce the idea of attitude and rebellion as they are dangerous and unusual animals.

- The pug 'The 25 greatest rock movies' also stands out as it is in different typography to the rest of the front cover.

- Normally the skyline is situated at the top of the page however 'Q' have situated it at the bottom, further reinforcing the idea about it being a different magazine.

- The colours are kept quite similar; Red, Black, Grey and a hint of Blue.

- The kicker is just above the centre of the page, which is non-conventional as it is normally placed quite low. It's typography is also simple yet effective. Above the strapline it says 'SEXY BEAST', implying that Lily is seen to be as a beast yet attractive. Also her platform boats and leather trousers suggest this. The panthers also highlight this even more. Underneath the kicker it says '& her wicked wicked ways'. The word 'Wicked' is written in red and capitalised with italic, reinforcing her 'bad girl' side.

- The features of all the magazine are situated alongside the left hand side. The page numbers are highlighted in red, alongside the names of the features. Underneath each feature is a small description, where 'Q' have used literary devices in order to draw attention from readers.

- The right hand side is mainly dominated by the image of a band, indicating what is to be seen throughout the magazine.

- The bottom of the contents page holds a box known as 'Q Review'. This shows that the magazine is offering a wide range of options to the audience and is not just a music magazine.



- Main image is dominant of both pages, and this is unconventional as a image with a double page spread normally bleeds to the edges.

- Main strapline large in the centre of the page which reads "Danger! Shakira at Work.." This illustrates the use of humour and is more appealing to readers as it encourages them to read on.

- Again not following normal conventions as interview is not placed in columns. This emphasises the magazine being different from others.

- Strapimage of shakira placed next to the main image. This attracts the reader more and also shows the difference between the main and snapshot.

Analysis of NME Magazine

Preliminary Task

I created this front cover for a school magazine using Photoshop and Paint. Within Photoshop. I learned how to use the magnetic lasso tool and to create text alongside shapes. I also learnt how to change the opacity on objects.