Maximilian Stainer created a front cover and contents page for a music magazine as a preliminary task. For the front cover, he selected colors and fonts to match the school brand, added a barcode with social media icons, and used editing tools to refine the main image. For the contents page, he organized subsections and added frames, images, and text boxes. Research included analyzing popular music genres, conventions of established magazines, target audiences, and the publisher. The USP identified was the use of a famous artist on the cover to attract readers through star appeal.

1. OCR Media Studies – AS Level
Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media
Planning & Research
Name: Maximilian Stainer
Candidate Number: 3138
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
Set Brief - Print
Music Magazine – Production
Preliminary Task Progression and
Planning & Research

2. Section 1) –
Preliminary Task

3. Preliminary Task Progression– Evidence
Front Cover
Step-by-step

4. I have achieved this background
colour by adding the primary royal
blue colour of St. Andrews and then
I have used the secondary colour as
the gold used in the banner to have
the consistent and same effect
throughout the front cover. Then I
used the gradient tool and created a
centre gradient to be behind the
main image to act as a glow behind
the image to make the model stand
out to the audience.

5. To make the barcode I firstly used a
shape of a square/ rectangle to outline
where all my features of the barcode
would be placed in. then I downloaded
and placed a barcode and sharpened it
to make it look clearer in a smaller
image. Then I downloaded social media
icons to make the magazine barcode
seem more realistic as it follows what
other magazines do. I then used the text
tool to add in the date, issue, price and
website link to further make this
magazine look more professional.

6. Here I firstly got an image off Google
images stating ‘sticker shapes’ which I
saved to my files. Then I placed it in and
then filled the colour with the pain bucket
tool the same colour as the gold on the
banner. I then added text box tool and
added in the persuasive fonts. This was
also applied to the Excetra promotion at
the bottom right of the front cover. I
designed the font by going on to
Dafont.com and downloaded and placed
the font with the original fonts on
Photoshop. Then I added the colour of the
banner to make the masthead stand out
from the blue background along with the
black stroke. On the banner I introduced
my strapline by just adding the text tool in
line with each other and I used a suitable
font to make the strapline stand out.

7. The main image took a lot of time to do as
I had to firstly use the magic wand tool
and remove the background. Then after
this I had to remove the white outline of
the image by using the ‘q’ tool where
black conceals white reveals which made
the image much clearer and made the
front cover look more realistic and
smarter. I then finished the image by using
the rubber tool to sync any white outlines
of the image into the background. As well
as this I constructed the main headline by
finding a very bold font and then installed
from Dafont.com which then allowed me
to use this by using the text tool.

8. To make the cover lines I used multiple
text tools and applied the same font
downloaded from Dafont.com. I then
applied a black stroke to make them stand
out to the audience. I also highlighted the
main words in a bright gold to imply the
importance of the cover lines. I also made
the font of the ‘WIN’ bigger to appeal to
the reader’s attention. I also included
images such as the beats logo, canteen
logo and the CGP logo. This makes clear
references to the cover lines. I also used
the ruler tool to make sure that the cover
lines are all in line with each other to
make it look neater.

9. Preliminary Task Progression–
Evidence
Contents Page
Step-by-step

10. The shape and structure of the
contents page was constructed with
simple rectangle shapes which I fitted
to look professional and it matched
with the colour scheme of the gold of
the St. Andrews colour. The font of
the contents page title is the same
font as the front cover masthead but
spaced out more to cover more of the
outline to look more appealing to the
reader.

11. Here I then improved the structure of
the contents page on the right hand side
where all the sub-lines were going to be
placed. Here I split the sub-lines into
sections, features and exclusives which
are used to categorize the contents
within my magazine to make it look neat
and easier to navigate through. I then
added more gold rectangular tools to
further make the headings stand out
with the use of the bucket tool done in
the distinctive gold. I also used the pen
tool for my editorial column where I
added points for where I will wrap the
text around the picture of myself. I also
placed in my signature by scanning it to
my computer.

12. After I have structured my contents page
I have then just filled it in with the
necessary magazine conventions that you
will typically find in a contents page. I
have added in images to fit cover lines
and have cropped the to fit the frame
around and then I applied a text box for
each one to pull the reader in. Effective e
logos such as the FROG logo I adapted it
and changed the colour via the paint
bucket tool and then I used the same
colour as the frames to follow the house
theme.

13. Section 2) – Log Book

14. Music Magazine – Genre research
With evidence from Statista, the graph below reveals the most popular genres in the
United States of America as of May 2014. From this graph we can recall that Hip hop is
not as popular as rock, oldies or pop although is listened more than Christian & Gospel.
This is mainly because in the Hip hop is a much younger genre than rock or country
which has been around for longer periods of time. https://www.statista.com

15. Established Magazine for my Research
Masthead to state the magazine’s
company is big, bright and bold to
make it an icon to the public.
alongside this it is efficient
because it is at the top left corner
which will be seen from a
magazine stand point of view so
putting the masthead there will
allow people to recognise the
magazine.
Main headline of the magazine front
cover relating to the main image to
identify the reader what the subject is
about.
Barcode, issue, date and
price to identify the issue of
the magazine and the price it
is at.
Cover lines of different
stories within magazine to
allow the reader to
diverse and immerse
themselves within the
issue. This also contains
multiple stories that will
attract a lot of followers
of that particular subject/
artist involved.
Close shot/ mid-shot Main image
of the controversial and popular
figure of the hip hop/ rap genre.
JAYZ as the main image will attract
the reader to buy this issue
because of the ‘star
appeal’(Richard Dyer) as JAYZ is a
successful artist and obviously has
a wide range of followers who
would be interested to buy this
magazine.
Strapline identifies the
magazine brand itself by
establishing how popular the
magazine is. This is used as a
selling point to attract more
new readers.

16. Target Audience – Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-economic needs
This Q magazine will mainly attract many JAYZ fans and music fans who follow rap due to the ‘star appeal’
(Richard Dyer) method. From the Katz theory we can justify that the magazine’s purpose is used for diversion
to allow the reader immerse in the content of the story about JAYZ or into any of the cover lines displayed on
the front cover. According to the Hartley’s theory we highlight that most of the audience will be at ages 18-25
as many of this age group would prefer to listen JAYZ’s rap music and he was a main figure during this time
period. Gender of the audience would likely be male as they would follow JAYZ mainly because he is a popular
rap artist in the music industry as well as this there are many cover lines that will interest mainly men such as
the Plan B exclusive. In terms of class we can illustrate that more higher class/ well-off people will buy this
magazine because Q magazine is a very big and well established brand which will in turn have higher prices for
its magazine and therefore make it more affordable for the higher class. From Bauer media the readership of Q
fits into the A,B,C1 section of the socio-economic needs table with a majority of 71.8%.
What is the USP of this magazine?
The main USP of the magazine will be the ‘star appeal’ (Richard Dyer) because the use of JAYZ as
the star and main headline will be the attraction and USP because of the popularity of the artist
on the front cover. As a famous music artist covering most of the page it will draw the viewer’s
attention and buy the magazine.

17. Publisher research
Bauer Media’s slogan “We think popular” highlights the originality of the
magazine and how they exaggerate there point on their view on music which is
“popular”. The adjective “popular” stands out to the reader clarifying that this
magazine is the best magazine for the reader to buy. The slogan is effective as it is
short and sweet making it iconic for the reader to remember.
The target audience for Q magazine are the older generation such as people in
their 30’s and 40’s who are looking for a different mode of address, more
sophisticated and just want to know more about the music itself not the
materialistic point of view. This is supported by the statistic that 83.8% of readers
are between the age of 15 and 44 and 66.2% are male. It doesn’t appeal to many
women although the magazine will be attracted to A,B and maybe C1 on the
socio-economic needs spectrum.
On Great Magazines you can purchase a subscription to Q magazine for £26 a
year and receive a free £20 gift card. You can also purchase the magazine in
either print or digital depending on your opinion.
I have got this information from the Q Magazine website
http://www.qthemusic.com

18. Conventions of a Music Magazine
Bright and bold masthead
which is unique and
recognisable. Placed in the
top left corner to be clearly
seen from a magazine stall
which will be known as brand
identity.
Main images uses ‘star
appeal’ by using a famous
artist from rap as the splash
on the cover of the magazine.
This is effective as this is an
aspired artist in rap and a
figure in music. This will allow
more followers of Drake to
buy this magazine just
because of the artist himself.
Main headline and the font
and size is big revealing the
importance of its content
within the magazine. The
bold headline is vague which
forces the reader to buy and
read more in the magazine
Barcode to identify
the price, issue and
the date
Cover lines to provide
more stories for the
reader and to diverse in
and also attracts followers
of that subject or the star
involved in the cover line
Black and white color scheme
identifies the classic /
momentous occasion this is
for the magazine brand as it
is the 150th issue.

19. Target Audience – Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-economic needs
According to Katz Uses and Gratifications theory the purpose of the this issue of the magazine is to personal identify
the reader about the main headline that is Drake as he appears to also be the ‘star-appeal’ (Richard Dyer) of the front
cover. Alongside this the purpose would also be used for diversion to allow the reader to immerse themselves in the
content which is depicted by the cover lines. In terms of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, the audience of XXL magazines
will fall under survivors or social climbers as the reader will want to be kept updated by the latest news and they will
also want to be materialistically driven by the artists’ clothing. In general the target audience of for XXL magazine will
be around ages 16-25 and mainly male. This is due to the amount of hip hop/ rap artists the magazine focuses on which
is mainly listened to young adults. The general target audience for XXL magazine is 78% male readers, with the median
age of 27, and 44.7% college buyers which reveals that the magazine brand reaches out to C2, D and E of the socio-
economic spectrum. http://alexyatesmedia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/audience-research-reader-profile-of-xxl.html
What is the USP of this magazine? YOU MUST refer to specific
conventions/stories from you research
Through the research of this magazine, the USP of XXL in this issue is the main headline designed as a ‘star
appeal’ (Richard Dyer) as this specific issue has a cover of Drake who at this moment in time is one of the most
successful artists in hip hop therefore it will catch the reader’s attention and force them to buy the magazine.
Alongside this the cover lines of the magazines mentions a variety of other famous artists that will also attract
the reader. Also XXL advertise this magazine as their ‘150th issue’ which makes the reader buy the magazine as
it is a special occasion for the brand.

20. Publisher research
XXL magazine is published by Townsquare Media. Townsqaure Media is a
diversified media, entertainment and digital marketing services company
that owns and operates market leading radio, digital and live event
properties across the US. Townsquare Media don’t have a slogan although
they cover a wide base of platforms. Their magazine attracts mainly C2, D
and E as it easily affordable and also the magazine also focuses on
materialistic features as well which will attract social climbers at ages .15-
30. Townsquare Media have also published KING and Antenna.
XXL can also be found in various retail outlets such as Barnes and Noble
and online on your devices as it is also available on ITunes.
In terms of pricing the cost for a magazine costs $5.99 for two months
which infers that the magazine is relatively cheap. http://www.xxlmag.com