3. Mixmag’s target audience
Mixmag is a magazine which is based
around the electronic music dance scene
and the artists involved in them, it also
covers events such as dance music nights
and festivals. Mixmag have a popular
YouTube channel which gets over a million
views a month, this will also help boost
their potential target audience.
MixMag’s target audience is aimed at both
men (72%) and women (28%), aged
primarily from 19-30’s the majority of
readers are said to be around 24.
Qualities of Mixmag’s target audience:
•
Disposable income
•
Enjoy socialising with friends
•
Fashion
•
A love for EDM
•
Enjoy night outs & festivals
•
Have the latest technology such as
Phone or MP3 Player
•
Spend very little time watching TV
especially on weekends
•
Potentially producers themselves
4. Images
Images on the front cover of Mixmag
magazines, there is usually one large image of an
EDM(Electronic dance music) artists, this helps
attract the audience because people who read this
magazine should be bale to recognize who the
person on the front cover is straight away. The
image of the person on the front cover is usually a
person aged around 24 so the audience feel as if
they can relate to them as the audience are
usually the same age as the people featured, if the
person is aged over 24 then it is usually a huge
name in the EDM scene so it doesn’t loose its
appeal.
Other images on the front page will also most
likely be images of scenes from clubs, just to play
upon the dance music element again
On the inside of Mixmag all the images seem to be heavily
orientated around partying such as all the four images on the page to
the left seem to be images taken from clubs., with all the people in
the photo’s appearing to be having a good time. Also In all the
images there seems to be emphasis on the lights in the clubs
making the EDM scene look fun.
The biggest image on the page is an image of two females which is
placed there to attract the male viewers which is who the majority of
the target audience as stereotypically the males are attracted to
images of females.
5. Words
The words which are used on the front cover are all
used very cleverly for example the words which seem
to stand out the most when you first look at the front
cover are “P Diddy & Felix” which is a big name in the
music scene so this would instantly attract the target
audiences attention and secondly the word “disco”
also stands out which ties in well with the theme that
the target audience enjoy going out and partying. This
would attract the target audience because their eyes
would be instantly attracted to the big words and once
it has caught their attention they find out that the
magazine featured artists who they liked and want to
read on.
Again it follows the same kind of style on the inside with
one or two big headings to attract the reader such as on
the page featured to the right it says “Some of the best
things I have done have been in concert halls”, this would
immediately make the target audience read on as they
would be able relate to having a goof time in similar
venues. Also there is a lot of text usually featured on the
page as the majority of articles will be about events or
interviews and its not possible to describe them briefly.
6. Colours
The colours used on the Mixmag cover are usually bright and
vibrant colours on a darker background to help attract the
audiences eye such as the titles are commonly in the colour
yellow or purple to really get the readers attention. The colour
scheme is also very euphoric which ties in very well with the
target audience who are people who like to go out a lot.
Finally there seems to be colours used which I would closely
associate with the lasers and lights in clubs/venues in the
way they are presented, which again is made to appeal to
their target audience.
On the inside of the magazine I think the colour scheme is supposed
to represent a club again with the darkness and the few bright colours
which helps with the appeal. The text also is a nice contrast on the
black background with it being white it stands out very well.
7. Font
The font from what I can find which is used
throughout the Mixmag is called
“EmBauhaus Bold” .
I think that this font was picked for its
simplicity and how easy it is ready
especially when its used for interviews.
Even though the font appears to be very
simple it still looks professional and I think
just ties in very well with the whole theme of
the magazine.
Also you have the choice when using this
font for the dots above letters such as “I” to
be a symbol, which you can see showcased
on the title, it just adds another interesting
here element to the font and helps it stand
out above all the other fonts they could have
used.
8. Layout
The layout of all the Mixmag’s cover are similar in the aspect that
they will have the title in the same position all the time, they have
the title central and at the top because when people look at a
magazine that is usually the first place they will look., then the
main featured artists or image usually central on the page on this
front page and many other the image of “Steve Aoki” goes over
the tile also he appears to be floating maybe suggesting his
superiority. Then the text is placed around the main image, it
appears to be quite messily placed which gives it a relaxed
feeling, this would appeal to the target audience because its
aimed at people in their early twenties and he relaxed feeling
might appeal to them.
The layout on the inside of the magazine follows the typical
structure of having one big image to get the readers attention
the image usually has a caption in it to further attract the
reader. Then the text follows what appears to be an
unorganised structure again, like I said for the cover it gives
it a more relaxed feeling. Finally on the inside of the
magazine there is usually another feature down at the
bottom or at the side so the page doesn’t seem to be
focused too heavily on one thing.
9. Captions
There aren’t really any captions present on the cover
pages of Mixmag apart from there is usually a heading
which says who is featured on the front such as on this
cover is says “Groove Armada” this is to attract the
audience in case they know of the artist but wouldn’t be
able to recognize them by face. There are sort of mini
captions all around the main image tough which
explains what will be in the magazine, normally the
majority of them relate to the main image for example
you would associate Groove Armarda with “Festivals”
“Mix tape” and “EDM” which are all featured on the
cover.
On this page spread there is only one caption present
and that is “Some of the greatest things I’ve done have
been in concert halls” this gives the image some meaning
and would attract the audience who it is aimed at, this ties
into the target audience as one of the profiles for the
target audience is that they enjoy going out to clubs or
venues, so the audience could relate to them as if they
have been out on nights out they will relate to the caption.
10. Anchorage
The anchorage which is shown on the front cover of
Mixmag, I think is the phrase “Festival special” because I
that the image of Groove Armada is of them at a festival so
the term “Festival special” gives the image some meaning
and without it the reader wouldn’t be that understanding of
the image. This anchorage would appeal to the target
audience because they would see the anchorage and
understand that it was a scene from a festival and they
would be able to relate to it as the target audience is more
than likely to have been to a festival.
I don’t think there is any really anchorage on the inside pages of
Mixmag because the captions usually give the image some
meaning, so there is no need for anchorage. I think that if they did
put anchorage on then the page would become overcrowded and
look unprofessional.
11. Codes and Conventions
Colour Scheme’s
The main colour scheme’s of the magazine are on this
cover, the colours yellow, orange and black from what I
can see. The choice of these colours are good because
yellow and orange are complimentary and when put
together they give a gold effect, to make the cover look
high end. Also the black is a nice contrast to the bright
colours so they information that they want to stand
out, does stand out. They have done all this in general to
attract the target audience because if you create a
magazine with dull colours they you won’t catch anybody's
eye.
The colour scheme isn’t really continued in the inside of the
magazine, it follows a darker scheme of colours, this might
be to represent the lighting in clubs maybe. This is to attract
the audience because it gives variety throughout the
magazine and the target audience it is aimed at would get
bored with the same colour scheme throughout.
12. Codes and Conventions
Photography
The photographs used on the front cover, appear to be
high quality professional photo which you would expect to
be taken in a professional environment, which would
attract the target audience if you spend your money on
something then you expect the best quality. But on the
other hand there is a kind of aspect to this photograph
which looks like it’s a photo that would be taken by your
friends of you, this would attract the target audience
especially with it being a festival special because they
would be able to relate to it and it might even trigger
memory's of photos taken of them at festival which would
make them want to buy it even more.
Again the standard of photographs continues through out
the magazine with that professional aspect about it, but
there is still that aspect that it is just a photo taken by
friends of people you having a good time, the fact that this is
carried on throughout would make the reader even more
interested.
13. Codes and Conventions
Writing style & Language
The writing style is usually quite formal throughout the
magazine,
as with it being aimed at students at University
students, they will expect a formal writing style but at the same
time for it be an easy read. Another writing style which is used in
mixmag is the style which is used in interviews with artists, this will
usually have an informal element to it, such as an interview with
Dusky, the majority of the questions are quite informal and the
whole piece of writing is just portrayed as quite relaxed such as
the question “What do you hate at the moment” this just seems
like an unintelligent question to ask and usually the answers
which are given are quite informal this gives everything a more
relaxed feel, this would appeal to the target audience because the
magazine just tries to portray them as a normal person and this
important so that the target audience feel as if they can relate to
them more.
The tone on the front covers usually quite relaxed but very straight
to the point, so the content of the magazine is clear to who ever
happens to pick up the magazine to look at it.
The content on the inside of the magazine, can vary a lot usually
in length as some of them are usually very substantial in length
and fill one page and other ones can be very small with very little
text on them at all.
All of the different writings styles would appeal to the target
audience as with them being young a constant writing style would
probably bore them, but with the variety that is used it makes
everything more interesting.
14. Codes and Conventions
Text and Picture ratio
On the front cover of all the Mixmag, there is always a higher
image to text ratio, this is common in the majority of magazine
though to attract their audience, it is used in mixmag because
with it being aimed at 24 year olds they wouldn’t want to see too
much text on the front cover because it would put them if by them
thinking that the whole magazine would follow in suit and there be
too much text
The pages on the inside usually have about an equal text to image ratio I would
say, for example the image to the left the top half of the page is just image and
the bottom half text with a little image, also of double page spreads such as the
one I have used in previous slides its about half and half again, they also use
big images so the text looks small compared to the images so the reader
doesn’t think that there is that much text there compared to the size of the one
image. I think they do this to attract the target audience as with the target age
range being primarily 24, the audience will expect the magazine to be broken
up well with images so that it is pleasant to look at but at the same time with
the right amount of text.
15. Codes and Conventions
Font
The font used throughout the magazine is kind
of EmBauhaus Bold style font which suits the
target audience well because it has a relaxed
feeling to it, but also a formal tone as well this
would be appealing as with the target age range
being 24 I expect the audience to expect some
form of formality but also have a relaxed feeling
to it which is portrayed well by the choice of font
used. If the font isn't EmBauhaus Bold the it is
a very similar looking font so that the same style
is used throughout giving the magazine more
professional look. I also think that the more
“delicate” style of font kind of portrays the work
put into EDM as it’s a very long and complicated
procedure were you basically compile lots an
lots of different sounds, comparing to font to
another music magazine such as “Kerrang”
which used very jagged fonts to try and put
across the rough side to rock music.
16. Codes and Conventions
Mode of address
The front cover of Mixmag’s magazine seems as if it luring you in , by
addressing the reader by saying thing such as “Meet the young
things that run tings” this is addressing the reader directly and kind of
acting as an invitation for the reader to buy it but not in a common
way such by using words such as “you’re” and “you”. I think that this
would appeal to the target audience the mode of address seems to
make the audience feel as if they are being addressed on a personal
level as an individual and not as a market, this relates back to the
magazine being about mainly young artists and the magazine is
aimed at young people, this would appeal to the audience because
they may be young and aspiring producers and it will make them feel
involved more in the EDM music scene.
I think that the mode of address on the inside is a more
direct approach at addressing the audience, it almost
seems like it is talking to you personally and giving you
information about the latest clubs and listing facts
about upcoming artists.
17. Audience Reception
All magazines are tailored for an audience, so they must get some form of
feedback on their products to make sure that their audience are happy and
satisfied with the product they are creating. Before the product is released they
will test the product first, using different methods this is to ensure that the
product that they release is good enough.
The ways which you can get audience feedback on products are:
• Focus Groups
• Audience Panels
• Trailing
• Complaints
I'm going to explain them in the following slides.
18. Audience Reception
Focus Groups
A focus group of when a group of people all varying in age but still around the same age
as the target age range for the product, they will all view the product and give feedback.
Once they have collected all the feedback then it will be recorded and then taken into
consideration for the product and changes will be made accordingly.
Audience panel
An audience panel is when a group of people are asked about the magazine the
difference between this and the focus group is that the audience panel is a group of
people who’s opinion is asked regularly for example if a magazine is released monthly
then the audience panel will be asked monthly.
Trailing
This is mainly done with new products which haven't been released before, so its
basically were a product is released to a select few from the target audience, then the
company will receive feedback and make changes were necessary.
Complaints
This is direct feedback from the audience after the product has been released, in the
forms of complaints, with the rise of social media sites a lot of the feedback is received
on sites such as Twitter or Facebook
