1. 10A. SECTION C –STARTING PLANNING by SUMMARISING RESEARCH FINDINGS
Summary of all Research Findings- preparing for the formal proposal
Before your start your formal proposal, you need to briefly summarise all of your main findings as
shown in the example below. Please note only some of the findings are recorded here.
You need to adapt this example to your specific research findings.
SUMMARISE ALL OF YOUR TASK FINDINGS AND HOW THESE WILL INFLUENCE YOUR
MAGAZINE
A. Summary of Research done into general information about music magazines
• Music magazines often reflect the times that they are written in, when the musical world
changes, magazines must change with it, in order to survive and be successful.
• You must give the audience what they want, in order for magazines to sell, this can be done by
asking your target audience what they want, also by doing background research.
• There must be good articles which reflect the tone of the magazine, other magazines which
contain a similar genre, can help to understand the basic conventions.
• Your own magazine must contain its own individual style, which most importantly makes it
stand out from others.
B. Research into real music magazines (summary of findings)
Generic conventions of music magazines
Front covers must have;
• masthead at top
• barcode/price/date
• striking image (consistent with genre)
Contents pages have
• word “contents” at top
• date/issue number
• range of images al anchored with text and page number
• use columns for text with subheadings such as features/gossip/gig guides etc
• tile of magazine is to be found somewhere on page
• contents clearly links with cover in terms of style and genre
The Double Page Spread Article
• very image dominated with image anchored with text
• Written article has dramatic main heading (short and snappy) with subheading (summarising
what article is going to be about)

2. • The copy/text is written in paragraphs (generally between 2-3)
All 3 parts of the magazine are clearly connected using a range of elements including:
• same font choices throughout (generally around 3 types)
• same colour scheme/themes
• magazine title
• Info on front is carried through into contents and then onto article
• Contents are consistent with the chosen indie rock genre would feature Rock
bands/music/scene/gigs etc
• Same style of language/attitude throughout ie Rock breaking the rules/rebellious attitude
Summary of Research into genre:
My chosen genre is indie rock and I found that:
• It should include images associated with indie rock (guitars)
• The image is really important you have to look the part as well as sound great
• All the indie rock bands and artists are male.
Summary of research into my chosen style model for my magazine (which is the NME)
Below are images of my chosen magazine on which I would like to base my magazine:
Covers
CONTENTS PAGES I WOULD LIKE TO EMULATE (USE AS EXAMPLES FOR MY MAGAZINE)

3. ARTICLES I WOULD LIKE TO USE AS STYLE MODELS
C. Target audience research
Overall conclusion of my target audience research using questionnaires
I can conclude the following and will summarize how this will affect the making of my magazine:
1. THE COVER SHOULD BE:
• bright colors that stand out and complement each other
• feature images of top indie bands (the most popular artists were Arctic Monkeys and
Kasabian so I will base my fictional band on them
• offer freebies such as posters/band merchandise (will look at NME and see how it
incorporates freebies
• have gossipy sell-lines as well as indie –rock related cover-lines
• have a header summarizing main contents
• Attractive with unusual images/shots etc.
2. THE CONTENTS SHOULD INCLUDE:

4. • Gossip such as what band members have being getting up to e.g. new albums, festivals and
gigs.
• band info
• lots of variety of rock indie images and info
• be rebellious/with attitude
• minimum of 50 pages
• gig guides
Interviews with bands such as Arctic monkeys, Kasabian, Jamie T etc.
3. THE ARTICLE SHOULD BE:
• informal
• include questions and answers
• have lots of images that are related to the article
• use sub-headings to break up writing
• be about the music but interesting-possibly with fashion
4. GENERAL INFO
• None of my potential target audience has ever bought a music mag, but would consider it if
the price were right and was more focused to them. The majority thought around £2.00 was
ok and most felt the current magazines were targeted more to Males who were in their
twenties and thirties
Having summarized these results I am now ready to complete my formal proposal and start planning my
own music magazine.