2. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PROJECT
USE, DEVELOP, OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND
CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?
3. FRONT PAGE
The conventions of the front cover of an
indie music magazine are the same of any
other genre. There are certain aspect
that are expected to be included; a
masthead, a tagline, a
strapline, dateline, puff, buzz
words, featured artists and articles either
shown textually or visually, banners, and
a barcode as well as other aspects. A
brand identity is expected to be
maintained as it creates a familiarity with
the magazine for the readers. This brand
identity can be achieved through colour
scheme, text size, fonts and the number
of them, and positioning, and finally the
general layout of text, images, and
masthead.
4. However, there are a few of these conventions that I decided not to
meet in a conscious decision to challenge the conventional forms of
music magazines. For instance, I decided to not use a tagline as I
didn't want to clutter the front cover with too much text; this may
put off potential readers from purchasing it. I also decided to not
use a strap line because as it is the first issue, I wanted to have a
realistic view of readership. If I were to include a free prize or
competition on the first issue, people may only buy it the once for
the competition/prize. I would instead tell the readers of a
competition in the second issue as it would convince them to
continue buying the magazine. In terms of adhering to
conventions, I decided to stick to the rough count of 3-4 different
styles and sizes of fonts and 3 separate colours to add a variation to
the front cover that would appeal to the reader and catch their eye.
I also included all of the other conventions expected and previously
mentioned.
5. CONTENTS PAGE
For the contents page, there are a set of
codes and conventions to follow as
well. A heading, an editorial, a focus on
the main article, sub-headings, page
numbers, month of issue release, varied
fonts, columns and a estimated ratio of
50:50 in terms of the contents table and
the title and images above. The only
convention not met on this page is the
inclusion of an email address or social
networking addresses. These haven't
been included as on the final page of
the magazine was to be a contact page
with a list of writers, their images, and
the various methods of contacting the
magazine; this would be accompanied
by the competition information.
6. I have, however, met all of the
other conventions. There is a
bold, eye catching title that also
lists the month of issue, a
structured table of contents that
includes numbering and
symbols, that has been
scientifically proven to appeal to a
male audience, a variety of fonts
in different colours to keep the
target audience's interest, and a
series of articles that would
appeal to the desired audience.
7. DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
Finally, the double page
spread; this page is the main
article of the magazine and
has been featured across all
three parts of the magazine.
By doing this, a symbiotic link
is achieved. This is enhanced
through colour scheme, fonts
and repetitive layout
techniques that give the
reader a sense of familiarity
between the pages. The
conventions of a double page
spread are similar to those of
the previous two; there must
be a main image, a bold
headline, a starburst, and also
a by-line.
8. Each of these are
featured, however one not
featured, that hasn't been
mentioned, is the placement
of the magazine name in the
header or footer of the page.
This wasn't included as it
would have disrupted the
white, black, and cream
colour scheme that the
double page spread had been
designed with. Disrupting that
would have ruined the flow of
the article and the layout of
the page; it would have no
longer looked as aesthetically
pleasing.
9. HOW DOES YOUR MEDIA PROJECT
REPRESENT PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS?
10. The social group of my magazine is that which is described in the target
audience profile. This stated that my audience was:
• Predominantly male
• Of a younger generation (17-30 years old)
• A student or with a full time occupation
• Listens to the indie genre of music
• And is passionate about music
11. I feel that I have represented this target
audience well as I have included features
that would appeal very well to them, but
also to the other gender. For example, my
colour scheme is seemingly
simple, however there are particular
reasons behind the decision.
Red, white, blue, and black are all known
as a predominantly male colours. By
choosing these and putting them
together so that they both blend and
contrast when needed, the male reader
can feel comfortable whilst reading. If a
more female colour was chosen, such as
pink, then the reader would become
uncomfortable and put the magazine
down. These colours help attract and
retain customers.
12. In regards to content, I researched the indie genre thoroughly to
investigate the various types of the music. Different bands use
different instruments and methods to create their music, and I
wanted 'AMP' magazine to show that and reflect the diversity that
falls under the indie title. After my research, I chose a variety of bands
that have unique and different sounds. The Black Keys use electric
guitars, The Decemberists have a Spanish influence with special
guitars, The Cinematic Orchestra use stringed instruments and an
orchestral sound, Wakey! Wakey! use piano's and violins, and there is
even more variety in the sidebar of the double page spread. This
variety not only reflects the genre, but the readers as well. Not every
band is the same just like the reader's tastes, and by choosing an
assortment of sounds, I managed to appeal to a wider audience.
13. WHAT KIND OF MEDIA INSTITUTION MIGHT
DISTRIBUTE YOUR MEDIA PROJECT AND
WHY?
14. The media institution most likely to distribute AMP Magazine would be IPC
Media. This company was formed in 1963 after three of the UK's largest
publishing companies merged to form IPC Media. However, the history of
each of the three companies reach back much further than the 1960's, each
were established in the late 1800's. This age and legacy show how
successful these companies have been; they have strived through national
economic turmoil and downturn. This economic success would help push
AMP magazine to succeed as they have done for NME Magazine. The proof
of their success is shown below.
15. WHO WOULD BE THE AUDIENCE FOR YOUR
MEDIA PROJECT?
16. As previously mentioned, the social group of my magazine is that which is described
in the target audience profile.
"The reader of ‘AMP’ is predominantly of the male gender between the ages of 17
and 30. The target audience will be enrolled in 6th form, college, university or in a
full or part time occupation. His love for reading has made him smart, funny and
sharp. His wit is his greatest asset, and sarcasm his second language making him an
ideal friend, never letting the humour die. He is very basic in both his life and his
needs, and his main extravagance is music. He enjoys going to concerts when he can
afford it, but will settle for going to a bar where people are performing for a beer
with his friends. The target audience has a passionate love for all kinds of music, but
primarily enjoys indie music and will have wanted to play an instrument when they
were younger. They find solace in music when life is at it’s hardest and finds a friend
in it that helps them to cope with daily life.“
To expand on that further, my audience would read magazines of a similar genre;
NME, Kerrang, Q, or Rolling Stone. Each of these magazines appeal to a similar
audience to my own, however AMP offers features that these do not. AMP gives the
readers the opportunity to learn about the business, gives them the chance to
breaking into the industry, and encourages interaction between the readers and the
magazine.
17. HOW DID YOU ATTRACT AND ADDRESS
YOUR AUDIENCE?
18. There are a variety of ways that you can appeal to an audience, but they mainly fall
under three factors; visual, verbal, and material. The audience wants to see
something they like, read something they like, and get something they like. This can
be achieved through images, vocabulary, and content; and AMP magazine covers all
three. A diverse group of artists are presented visually and verbally on the cover
and throughout the magazine to attain and retain the audience’s attention. Were
the magazine to be focused upon one single artist, not only would it limit the
demographic, but the reader could become bored after the first issue. In the
future, however, the magazine would do special edition issues focused on various
artists with less sub-articles on others to make the magazine seem special and
appealing.
Verbally, I used a range of ‘slang’ terms throughout as this creates a camaraderie
between the reader and the magazine. If the consumer reads words that he uses in
everyday life, the magazine becomes a kind of friend to him. And finally, material;
the consumer wants to read articles that give them something, other wise it isn’t
interesting. AMP’s double page spread on The Kings offers them an insight into
daily life for up-and-coming music stars. This can give them the knowledge to
enhance their dreams and wishes or give them the motivation to follow them.
Also, the sidebar gives them music that they may not have listen to before, so they
are receiving something from the article.
19. MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
A magazine’s primary aim is to fulfil a set of
needs that the audience has. These can be
the most basic; like those to survive and
safety, the more psychological such as love
and accomplishment, and the need for self-
fulfilment. AMP magazine’s role is to
provide the top three tiers for the reader.
By providing articles that are up to date and
informative, AMP provides fodder for social
interaction which in turn covers the need
for belonging. The information in these
articles can also cover self actualisation and
also esteem; the knowledge can help them
to achieve their dreams and reach their full
potential.
20. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT ABOUT
TECHNOLOGIES FROM THE PROCESS OF
CONSTRUCTING THIS PROJECT?
21. Through the process of researching, designing, and creating in this project, I have
learnt how to use a multitude of technologies. Firstly, in order to hold my work, I
needed to learn how to use Blogger. As someone who knows the internet and it’s
working well, it wasn’t too hard for me to pick up, however some steps were very
laborious and had me seeking help from peers and online sources. Processes such
as uploading photos and embedding video files took ‘trial and error’ to
accomplish the correct sizing and positioning within the blog.
In addition to this, I had to learnt how to create
and embed a music playlist from Grooveshark into
the sidebar as well as a ‘photostream’ from Photobucket. For this aspect of my
blogger page, I had to research bands that fall under the indie genre and locate
images. From there I had to upload them to Photobucket and create a slideshow
to embed into the sidebar of my blog. On Grooveshark, I simply created a playlist
and copied an embedding link into the blog sidebar. After learning how to embed
with Photobucket, Grooveshark, and then YouTube, was much easier to insert.
22. LOOKING BACK AT YOUR PRELIMINARY
TASK, WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE
LEARNT IN THE PROGRESSION FROM IT TO
THE FULL PRODUCT?
23. Since creating my preliminary project I have learnt much about the
magazine industry. I wasn’t aware of how much thought goes into every
aspect of a magazine; colours, font styles, images, and even symbols all
have hidden meanings behind them that evoke something in the reader.
Red can create lust, small type can create meaning and emotion behind
words on a page, or a particular stance can change the entire message of an
image. There are countless factors that make up a single page or article in a
magazine, and each need to be cleverly thought out, even more so than I
did in my preliminary task.
But even before that, there needs to be intense research and planning
before the design stage is even considered. A target audience needs to be
decided upon, a mission statement for the magazine written, the target
audience needs to ne further researched, and that isn’t even mentioning
the research that needs to go into the photoshoots and articles.
From this project, I have learnt that to achieve something successful, that
fits the brief given and suits the desired audience, research and planning is
essential and should be as in depth as possible.
25. The feedback given by my questionnaire was pretty much all positive.
However, some of the questioned audience gave some critical feedback on
how to improve the magazine and where I went wrong in my production.
Ways in which the image of an indie genre wasn’t met:
"The checked shirt on one of the models gave a more country vibe rather
than indie."
"The use of acoustic guitar made me think it was a folky, bluesy sort of
mag."
"The images of the bands at the bottom didn't look like indie music to me."
"It just didn't fit in with my idea of indie music. It needs more electric guitars
and stuff."
"The bands featured and the look of the artists on the cover gave me more
of a rock feel."
26. Improvements:
"Red, white, and blue could be brought into each of the pages to link with
the masthead further. The photographs, though in keeping with the style of
the magazine, could draw in the colour scheme further as well.“
"I think that it could use more images in the contents page."
"The masthead looks slightly unprofessional and could use some refining."
"Most contents pages are far more information and relation to the cover."
"The text on the front page could have a bit more variation in colour so that
it stands out more.“
27. After reading through the comments left and analysing the 50 results of the
questionnaires that I handed to 50 people, I have managed to see the
potential flaws and improvements that my magazine can have. The
magazine was mainly received very well, especially the artists
featured, photography and layout, by both genders. this could become a
window of opportunity for the magazine to branch out in the future and
have music articles for women as well as those designed for men.
However, after reading the comments left, I know that much more
deliberation needs to go into the photoshoots and their clothing, and the
props used in the shoots. Also, a further deliberation into the photographs
used throughout the magazine is needed as they need to fit into the indie
genre better. I will also deliberate as to whether the colour scheme and
magazine masthead need to be implemented into each page to reinforce
the knowledge of what magazine the consumer is reading.
In the next issue, after reading these comments, the photoshoots will
become much more focused on the indie style of clothing, the overall
images of the magazine will become much more focused on the genre and
the masthead will be placed on each page.
28. HOW SUCCESSFUL DO YOU FEEL YOUR END
PRODUCT IS IN FULFILLING THE TASK AND
HOW WELL DOES IT FIT THE BRIEF?
29. Looking back over my final products, I can see that the results of the questionnaires were
correct; there is a clean and easy to digest layout, good photography, articles suitable for
the style and genre of magazine, and a good amount of content within those articles, and
an elegance to the magazine. However, there are always improvements to be made, and
those would be that it needs more imagery and far more content on the contents page.
This is the first page of the magazine after the cover and needs to show the amount of
articles the magazine has to offer. The second issue would also be a good time to adjust
the masthead slightly to create a much more professional looking name to the magazine.
This is important because the front cover sells the magazine; if it doesn’t looks
aesthetically pleasing, no-one will buy it. This professional look will need to be applied to
the contents page as well as it looks far too ‘cut and pasted’ as it is. Again, the second
issue would be the perfect time to adjust it slightly so that the sudden change doesn’t
create a large impact as the magazine is still gaining readers.
In conclusion, all of the main elements of a successful magazine are there; informative
and enticing articles, clear and smart layout, a style that fits within the indie genre and an
overall smart and elegant look to the magazine. There are aspects to change, but none
that aren’t too hard to do so. The brief for the project was to create a music magazine for
our chosen genre. We were to produce a front cover, contents page, and a double page
spread each featuring an original artist along with the necessary research and
planning, and I feel that I have successfully completed this task and that that is visible in
the final products and the post production questionnaires.
