evaluation for my music magazine

1. Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in
Media
Evaluation
Rhiya Heir
6657
St.Paul’s catholic college
64770

2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
convention of real media products?
I replicated the codes and
conventions from VIBE magazine
into my own magazine which is
called BEATZ. For example across all
4- pages which are my front cover,
contents page and double page
spread I have continuously used the
same colour scheme for the colour
of the text which is black this is
because I'm sticking to the theme
for my own magazine. When I id my
secondary research I looked at
various types of VIBE magazine to
see what they do and to see what
they change, I was amazed by the
colour scheme therefore I wanted to
replicate the same thing.
I included the main features:
1. Bar code
2. Date/price
3. Headline
4. Main image
5. cover lines
I represented different types of
social media on my front cover,
straight away that targets my target
audience, for example social
networks like Instagram, twitter and
Facebook.
My double page was conventional I stuck to the
same layout that VIBE uses. When it came to my
interview I used different types of font so that the
reader could easily notice the difference between
the interviewer and Beyoncé.

3. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My magazine mainly represents the younger generation, female or male who are deeply interested into their R&B
music. I decided to use Beyoncé as my star appeal purely because she is known as ‘Queen B’ and she has played a big
party in the R&B industry therefore this would appeal to my target audience.
Teenagers hat range between 18 up to 25 have jobs, my magazine could act as a diversion (Katz) from their normal day
life this allows them to focus on something else rather then their own work and daily lifestyle. Students and teenagers
will buy my magazine because as said, before these ‘street kids’ will often look for R&B music, because it is very
modern and will help them become ‘social climbers’ (Maslow) in the metaphorical ladder that is popularity. . In
addition it gives the readers a ‘Window in to the World’ (Wendy Helsby) to what ‘stars’(Richard Dyer) the magazine
offers interviews that allow the reader to perhaps personally identify with them, is the ‘star’ (Dyer) is like them e.g. ;the
reader can seen a pretty girl with the make-up, shoes, etc. and this could be something that the readers may like to
replicate because she would become the perfect role model, who is in the spotlight.
My female celebrity will be portrayed is a positive light, I did’t use colours to show this for example I used dark greyish
colours this was so that it created the ‘calm’ atmosphere. I also used the colour red and black which is are bold colours.
My female that varies on my pages has pose differently each time it represents the female as sexy and strong.
There's a range of R&B music. You have the original R&B music which are the 70’s music which is soulful, love making
music, smooth soulful which sounds smooth and includes sexy voices, its also low and sultry and can be seductive.
However you have todays hip hop and R&B music which is more edgy and has a street sound its not too romantic. You
have a more harder beat to the music which destroys the romantic mood. However this isn't the case with all songs. For
example you have Beyoncé who would sing soulfully and make people feel her emotion when she's sing or weather you
listen to her music, on the other hand you have drake who is most likely to rap his song, drake would make his music
have a hard beat this would influence and encourage boys to listen to his music. This is good as you have a different
range of R&B music that would target a wide range audience. I was not able to convey this within my magazine as I
chose to focus of Beyoncé which would more likely target more females than male audience.

4. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
http://www.thisisrnb.com/
This website includes a different range of social network
that would appeal to the younger generation. They also
create ‘personal relationships’ (Katz) wit their readers
and I believe my magazine does that especially with my
editorial.
This website post the latest news on all R&B stars, not
only do they focus on one range of R&B style of music,
for example they explore teen, soul, grown & sexy
therefore this would appeal to a different target
audience. The similarities of my magazine to ‘VIBE ’(such
as the way in which the colour schemes are displayed)
also ‘signifies’ (De Saussure) that VIBE may think about
distributing my magazine because with similar codes and
conventions that sell BEATZ displayed for a different
music sub-genre may be something of interest to the
publishing group.

5. Who would be the audience for your media product and why?
According to Hartley the target audience for my magazine varies from the ages of 15 up to 25, especially
females (Hartley) since my Double page spread is based on Beyoncé, so would have a female based
audience.
According to Kat’z and gratification theory females would find it more easier to create a ‘personal
relationship’ with them, however it till may appeal to a male audience (Hartley) gender as the images of
the females could act as an attractant as females are often objectified for the pleasure of the male
audience (Male Gaze- Laura Mulvey).
In the 21st century the younger generation are becoming more familiarized with rappers and song
writers such as drake and Nicki Minaj, the two most famous singers and rappers who are both apart of
‘Young money cash money billionaire’, the founder is Dwayne Michael Carter, JR, also knows as Lil
Wayne by his rapper name.
The R&B music can relate to the older teenager life due to the meanings of the songs, for example
Drake is famously known for his love songs therefore the older generation can relate to this therefore it
builds a personal relationship with the reader to the artist, but also the readers will connect with the
magazine due to what is being published.
I would say the magazine I have created mainly targets young girls and women (Hartley), as I have used
Beyoncé as my star appeal (Richard Dyer). My interview with Beyoncé focuses on her new song which
females and males do listen to, boys could also be interested in my magazine. Males would be attracted
to the images that are shown on the front cover of my magazine and the ones on my double page
spread. Women are normally objectified and are portrayed as being seductive this is a pleasure for the
male audience (Male Gaze- Laura Mulvey) however I also focus on the topic of how females should be
confident and happy with themselves therefore it s mainly aimed at females of the 2st century.

6. How did you attract/ address your audience?
• In order to attract the intended audience I decided to include a lot of institutions, and also promote
different ‘star appeals’ (Richard Dyer) this would attract the audience, for example an R&B audience are
highly attracted to the stars that are portrayed in the magazine, they want to be reading the latest news
on the latest stars. I also promoted “on the run tour”, an audience will always be looking for a concert to
go to so they can experience live music. The price is also an important feature to publish on the front of
the magazine the price indicates and allows the audience to know straight away weather they can
purchase this magazine or not.
Institutions.
Star AppealStar Appeal
Price
Promoting concert

7. • The inclusion of codes and contentions such as having an editorial in the contents
page helped to appeal to the target audience because, with using personal
pronouns such as “I” and “you” makes the reader feel included and makes them
feel that they are apart of something, this can develop a personal relationship with
the editors since the writing is very personal. The audience can also feel that they
have something in common with the editor.
How did you attract/ address your audience?

8. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this
product?
The text box I used quite frequently
across the three pages. This was because I
had to include also of text, and include
things such as cover lines. And also when
it came to my interview I had to insert my
text using the text box tool.
The quick selection tool helps
you to crop out any excess of
an image you don’t want, for
example for my main image
on my front cover I had a back
round which I erased by using
the quick selection. It was
easy and simple to use.
The filter tool which allowed
me to access different
colours, I used this when
choosing the grey colour for
my background I carried this
out across the three pages.

9. Analysing my Front cover strapline
Institutions
& website
Star
Appeal –
Cover line
Star
Appeal –
Cover line
Masthead
Promotion/
Advertisement
Issue date &
price
Barcode
Main
story

10. Improved version of Front page
Masthead
Cover
line
Cover
line
Puff
promotion
institutions
website
Central image
Barcode
Issue date and
price
Strapline

11. Analysis – Front page
• From my audience feedback I noted that my front cover
didn't’t signify an R&B magazine, for example the original
copy had too many blank spaces and didn't’t include
enough cover lines therefore it came across as boring, also
the structure of the original front cover didn't’t flow
therefore it wasn’t appealing. I took this into consideration
and made changes. I took new pictures to fit the genre
better. I included various colours that fits the R&B genre, so
I included deep colours- red, black this created a more
positive atmosphere. I then structured it all differently ad
made the cover lines fit around the image, this appeared
more neater therefore became appealing. I also added a
puff promotion to fill space.

13. Anaylsing my contents page
Editorial
Website
Contact
details

14. Improved version of contents page
Editorial
Institution
s
Contact
details
Website
Page
details

15. Analysis – Contents page
• The feedback I got from my peers and my
teacher were very positive. My contents page
was the best page out of all 3 due to the
quality of it. I have stuck to a colour scheme
that fits the genre of my magazine. However I
still made changes to improve it. One half of
the page I changed the colour that was
included on my front cover I was being
consistent throughout.

17. Analysing my Double page spreadMain image
Institutions
Website

18. Updated version of double page spread

19. Analysis – Double Page Spread
• From my feedback my interview was completed
at a very high standard. However I let myself
down when it came to the image, it didn't’t fit my
genre of my magazine, and it didn't’t show my
capability and it didn't’t present me as a person.
I went away ad took new pictures for my
magazine I was much happier with the new
pictures I had taken because I felt like it
represented my R&B magazine much better.
Including this new image changed the whole
viewing of my double page spread it looked much
more appealing.

21. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt
in the progression from it to the full product?
• Having completed the preliminary task it has made me aware of how to
use Photoshop effectively.
• One thing I've learnt is how to use my time efficiently and to always make
sure your one step ahead. I found myself working at a slower paste but
this is because I wanted to make sure my work as up to a high quality
however I would've liked to had more time.
• I have also learnt how to be original, its opened up my creativity. As this
process was going on I was getting a lot of feedback from my peers and my
teacher this helped me as I was able to make quick improvements and
make my magazine better.