2. Initial ideas and decisions
Ideas Decisions
Make audiences achieve something or become
convinced to gain from the magazine, tempting
audiences to buy the magazine not just for the
physical content/articles etc.
Gig/ festival competitions – audiences feel they are
achieving/looking forward to something because of the
magazine of their main hobby, music/live music.
Relation to target audience’s daily lives, this being
education e.g. school and university due to their
age and need for support.
Use articles involving artist’s past. These artists would
be individuals they look up to so they will want to take
advice and learn about their history.
Consistently ensure a range of style and care for
appearance due to teenagers/young adults
prioritising clothing choices and their personal
representation/fitting into a set style.
Photoshoot with high levels of fashion and clothing co
ordination, linking to the conventional shops ‘indie’
audiences would shop in e.g. vintage/alternative.
Have an interesting house style that will make it
stand out from other magazine competitors, as
audiences want to see individuality and
distinctiveness.
Colour scheme is unique yet sophisticated, such as
blacks and greys contrasted with pastel colours.
Focus on music facts and exclusive information as
this was a key trend in my research from music
fans.
I ensured I had a list of bands and gigs to show that
learning about music is the key focus. I had personal
information in the interview however most was music
related.
3. Photoshoot
Costume = denim jacket,
beanie, skinny jeans – modern
trends and carefully chosen
matches of clothing items.
Importance in fashion and visual
representation.
Costume = all black – audiences
look for mystery and edge, such as
clothing colour being heavy in black.
Represents nightlife which is
important to younger generations.
Props – guitar on back –
Idea of travelling with
music, focus on music
being a part of them – this
passion is admired by
music fans.
Will’s
shoot
Group
shoot
Composition and framing– Will
is always in the centre of the
composition with surrounding
nature filling the rest of the
frame. This is important in
attracting the audience as it
gives a sense of relaxation and
reality.
Composition and framing– The band are in an urban, arty
setting with each member being collectively central in the
frame, no matter the shot size or object number. This is
conventional in band shoots, allowing audiences to
recognise them as one item, and the urban setup makes
younger audiences feel youthful and directed as it is casual
and may appear rebellious.
Anchorage– The
natural setting with
the branches and
greenery can connote
peacefulness,
representing the
comforting topic he
discusses as an idea
of success, ensuring
the audiences are
feeling positive whilst
reading.
Mode of address – An indie
genre is represented in this
shoot: the light colours, the
relaxed posture and the casual
atmosphere connote this.
Mode of address – This photoshoot connotes more of
an alternative genre due to the dark contrasts of
background and costume. The general atmosphere
however is happy and enthusiastic due to the happy or
occasionally comical facial expressions, making the
audience feel as though they are almost friends with
the models used.
Inspiration
used
4. Photoshoot
Alfie’s
shoot
Gig
shoot
Costume = two outfits: grey
hoodie, white vest– alternative
genre represented, supports
other bands showing musical
appreciation, the black and
white clothes match the colour
scheme of the article, showing
organisation. Fashionable,
desirable.
Composition and
framing– The shots
always have the model
central in the frame,
featuring mostly long
shots or mid-long shots.
This allows audiences to
see the entire figure and
representation of the
artist.
Mode of address – This
shoot has aspects of the
alternative genre due to
the clothing choices and
aspects such as long hair,
the acoustic guitar can
connote the indie/calm
genre, similarly to the
mode of address in the
article used from this
shoot. The two locations
suggest clarity and mental
clarity.
Anchorage – The message is shown to have
depth of musical talent and ambition, the fact
that a guitar is used suggests the constant
passion of making music for fans to enjoy.
Costume = denim unique
shirt, glasses, messy hair –
promotes individuality and
expression within fashion –
my chosen target audience
will aspire to have this.
Composition and framing– Low angles were
used with these shots, so audiences will look
up to the musician and feel ambitious and
purposeful. They are just below eye-level, and
within a central frame, so this is a subtle detail.
Anchorage– From this shoot,
audiences can see the
common theme of performance
and appreciation of music, as
well as the connotations of
individuality and expression in
regards to music – this will
attract audiences as they will
aspire to have this as a part of
their lives.
Mode of address –
This shoot presents
the nightlife
atmosphere and the
social aspect of the
music genre, in an
edgy way, due to the
brick wall and dark
setting.
Inspiration used
5. Colour scheme and layout
The colour scheme is unique and challenges conventions due to the lack of
flash colour, allowing audiences to feel unique when purchasing this unique,
‘diverging’ from the trends. The blacks ensure it stands out to audiences
however the pastels allow relaxation and may also ensure female or feminine
audiences will be intrigued.
My chosen layout for my front cover is conventional and
the structure, e.g. the band consuming the entire page,
brings in music fans as the cover page would typically be
of famous, heavily enjoyed musicians of the chosen genre.
The yellow sticker stands out, further enhancing the
reeling of audiences gaining from purchasing the product.
The listed features allow audiences to quickly recognise
their interests and the fact that there are several features
covering entire the page suggests they will have a large
amount of content that will keep them interested. Cut out
images will be around the page to ensure the idea of fun
and informality, a style that younger people appreciate.
The design of my contents page is
unconventional in regards to the columned
structure. I feel that this choice allowed
audiences to navigate easily, and makes use
of images consistently, so the audience will
be visually pleased and will catch attention. It
is unique, so readers will possibly be
interested in something newly styled rather
than magazines that are all very
conventionally similar.
My double page spread was designed to
look relaxing and eye-catching. The
large, long shot image - covering over
three quarters of the page – is of crisp
quality and connotes the content in the
interview. The text being kept to two
columns provides simplicity in reading for
audiences and sticks to convention. The
quote in the middle allows audiences to
get an insight, and further want to
continue reading. The title also uses a
quote at the bottom of the page, to give a
perception of what the magazine is about
– it is dramatic and music-based, so
music fans will be interested. I kept the
page minimal in order to continue the
theme of relaxation, to give audiences a
break from the stress of reality.
6. Language used
• Rhetorical questions: allow audiences to
question these things themselves and provokes
involvement or curiosity.
• Short phrases and lists: straight to the point to
reduce stress
• “Guide” “explore”: idea of adventure which is
valued in younger people
• Quotations: interest in what the artists have to
say rather than editors
• Imperatives: “go to” – idea of urgency so audiences feel as
though it is necessary: don’t want to miss out
• “Only”: audiences are short on money so would be interested in
something considered cheap
• Imperatives followed by
an alliterative list of
three: friendly, casual
language for younger
people
• Exclamatory
imperative with direct
address – excite
readers and make
them feel a part of the
magazine
• Idea of missing out: younger people
want to be a part of something exciting
and can’t miss something important
• Alliteration – fun language, informal
“Win” – allow
audiences to think
they will gain
something exciting
from the magazine,
of their commonly
shared hobby, seeing
live music.
Anticipation to
continue buying the
magazine for more
opportunities.
Artists are
listed with a
colon and
further detail.
Minimal yet
intriguing.
7. Language used
In my article, I used various language features:
• My questions were conversational rather than formal, in
order to ensure the readers knew it was friendly, giving
the illusion that it is more of an insight into the artist’s life
rather than a structured, artificial interview.
• The language I used was conventional and involved
factual statements, to give the trust that the information
is music based, which is what my research has shown
my audiences to be looking for.
• My interview did not take place however I ensured that
the detail I involved in the answers was full so the
audiences were gaining a high insight into the artist’s
persona rather than straightforward answers, such as
ideas about his first band and gig. The answers were
excitable and it was clear that the artist wanted his
audiences to know all of the influences in the industry,
creating the idea of a bond between the artists and
audiences.
• I used a question of “what do you think of Friction?” –
this continues the involvement and value of my reader’s
opinion which was key in my research.
• I used slang terms such as “jamming” and “rock ‘n’ roll”
to show casualness and enjoyment.
8. Feedback confirming expectations
• “Throughout the magazine, the complementary colour
scheme and organised layout made the experience easy
to navigate and understand, without having to read too
much into the information given. However, I found that
perhaps some pages seemed more crowded than others
which detracted from an overall house style being
accomplished. Overall, I would definitely be attracted to
this magazine.
• The models and their appearance also contributed to the
attractiveness of the magazine: being a similar age to
myself made the content more relatable and I found their
overall fashion and style aesthetically pleasing.”
Audience Feedback
9. Feedback generating of surprise
• “I think that the magazine is designed well so that it is
attractive to young people like myself. I would rather it be
more alternative to give a firm genre – if someone is more
interested in indie over more rock sounding artists, or vice
versa, they may not be as tempted to buy the magazine. I
would personally be worried from the light colour scheme
reducing the fun and edge of the overall theme.”
This feedback is interesting as I tried to fit in both genres
to make it widely interesting to a variety of audiences, e.g.
both sexes and closely related music genres. However, if I
did this magazine again, I may choose to attract one
specific audience and ensure that it is completely fitting to
them alone which may induce more profit.
Audience feedback
