1. Reflection on Research:
I already have some foreknowledge of the conventions of music magazines and the
music that is popular at the moment. After researching in depth to the magazines, the
industry and the audiences, I can see the similarities to the conventions they use and
how they are presented but I also see the each has a unique design which gives them a
unique selling point to what they offer. Analysing the mainstream and some niche music
magazines from a variety of different genres, similar conventions came across in the
presentation of the cover, contents page and the double page spread. This strongly
meant that this particular style engages the audience and either persuades them to buy
the product or allow them to enjoy it. From this I knew I had to use similar techniques
to persuade the audience and instead appeal to them using USPs to act as bait and hook.
From learning about the companies and the industry, I discovered that there also
needed to be implications that linked to a company that also followed similar views as
my music magazine did. I also researched into my target demographic. I researched into
the different categories of audiences and targeted which audiences would suit my
magazine and how I could alter my magazine i.e. price to suit them.
I also did research into what my target audience wanted through questionnaires which
asked particular questions about the types of music they liked and also what they
wanted to get out of the magazine. This massively impacted on my product as it needed
to reflect and fit to my audience expectations. The Past students work in particular was
very helpful as I could identify what made them successful and what inspired me to my
own ideas. I also did in-depth research into existing magazines and brands analysing
details from masthead to backgrounds, this was to identify all the elements needed to
make my products a success and also analysing why these brands are successful. This
was also used to inspire me, for example the mastheads were to inspire me and to
experiment to what I could to do make my masthead unique. They all had a unique
selling point that made them stand independent because they had an original idea
which the audience enjoys. I created mood boards to help in mixing together all the
things me and my audience wanted to see appear in the magazine and how they can mix
together to start the concept of my magazine. Out of all the research the conventions
were most helpful, what worked and why they were successful I knew this all balanced
on the point on whether it would please the audience and whether My idea would be
unique.