Hina Depala evaluated their music magazine media product. They researched conventions from real music magazines to develop and challenge conventional forms in their magazine. This included layout, size, content, and colors. They analyzed examples of music magazine covers and double page spreads to understand conventions. Their target audience was ages 16-28 from social classes B, C1, and C2 located in London interested in new musicians. They aimed to attract this audience through cross-media promotion like TV ads. Their closest competitors were established brands like NME targeting the same audience.

1. Evaluation of the music magazine By Hina Depala

2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? My media product consist of many forms of conventions from real media products to developed and challenged conventional forms. This was accomplished by researching into different magazines and other types of media products of the same genre. I used many attractive conventions form various different sources for example layout, size, content and colours.

3. These are examples of music magazine covers, I used these examples help me to analyse conventions and apply it my music magazines.

4. These are examples of music magazine double pages, I used these examples help me to analyse conventions and apply it my music magazines. For example the layout, columns, heading, subheadings and images.

5. DOUBLE PAGE TEMPLATE THE TEMPLATE CONFRONTS THE CONVENTIONS USED TO CREATE THE DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

6. Who would be the audience for your media product? By defining my target market for my music magazine will help to strengthen my brand's effectiveness. In order to increase effectiveness I conducted an informal market analysis of my target market. Below are the questions I used to conduct my research, the answers to theses questions are on the following slide. Who is my target audience? I have chosen the age range of 16-28 and the social groups of B,C1,C2, this is due the content of my music magazine. Where is the target audience located? Most of my target audience is located in London, as the magazine features young and new musicians in London therefore mostly attracts Londoners who have an interest in music. What do they think about the current brand? The current brands seems to fascinate the target audience as the magazine has a catchy name, that again attract young readers., the brand is bold and hard to ignore a glimpse . What would I like them to think about the brand? The brand should meet all audience expectations as this is what an target audience aim should be, hence I would want the target audience to feel satisfied after reading the magazine. How will I attract them to the product? The target audience will be attracted through the use of other media product also known as cross media promotion. For example T.V adverts. Who are my closest competitors? I feel big established brand such as NME would be my closest competitors as they are also a music magazine that target the same audience.

7. How does your media product represent particular social groups? The blaze magazine will feature the latest hip hop and R&B music. The music magazine will also give a chance to the new generation from the streets of UK each week to promote themselves through interviews, quizzes and various other ways whether it be through photos or their personal bibliography. The magazine is aimed at the growing generation from the age of 16-28, the product median range for my product will be 22.5. The social classes that Blaze magazine will be targeting at will be B,C1,C2. I will be aiming to target at these classes as the cost of production will mean that the price of the product will be reasonably high hence it may not be affordable for the non working classes which is social class E, therefore the price is affordable for the chosen groups. I chose these classes because I feel that my product will fit perfectly and it will be accepted in the media market. Also while deciding which social class it is important to understand the gender hence the targeted gender for my magazine will be unisex however I feel that there will be more ratio of female to male, 65%:35%. In order to represent and target an audience, I had to understand and research the social groups. While researching the social groups I came to comprehend that it was really important to know who I will be targeting at, as it influences many factors such as layout, selling price, production cost, content, location and many more factors that could have an impact on the success or failure of ‘Blaze Magazine’. The following slides presents some of the data that I considered while deciding which social group to target.

8. The chart below shows the way in which the social classes are put into groups.

9. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? My media product consist of many forms of conventions from real media products to developed and challenged conventional forms. This was accomplished by researching into different magazines and other types of media products of the same genre. I used many attractive conventions form various different sources for example layout, size, content and colours.

10. Conventions on the front cover The title placement on the magazine is conventional as seen on every magazine. Eyebrow is also a convention, this allows the reader know what to expect inside. Ear peace's is a convention that every magazine uses. The number ‘201’ attracts readers hence many magazines use this as an effective convention. The main article relates to the main image in the middle and the main ear peace on the left side of the front cover, I have deliberately increased the size of this ear peace as it should stand out the most. Most magazines place the barcode either on the right or left hand corner; I have used the same idea for mw magazine.

11. Conventions on the double page The main image creates a focal point in the magazine; it’s a medium shot of DJ Maestro communicating with audience through his eyes and hand. Pictures relate to the content, which is also conventional. Most magazines place what the page is about in the right or left corner. The image is conventional due to the fact it relates to the caption and title above The title caption is convention it gives a brief idea to the reader what the article is about It is conventional for a magazine to use columns to present the content. It is conventional for a magazine to have page numbers, this is a logical convention and also helps readers to find pages. The title is big and bold like all conventional tittles as it has to stand out the most on the page.

12. Conventions on the contents page The layout is conventional for the contents page. I have used different colour for the title and a different colour for the captions below it to make them stand out this is also a convention that is perceived in many magazines. The title is big and bold like all conventional tittles as it has to stand out the most on the page. The number is big as it’s really important. This is often a convention magazines use to advertise tracks, music or facts inside the magazine. Images on the contents page are conventional, they are related to the most important articles in the magazine.

13. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? I think an institution such as IPC would be a perfect distributor for my magazine, as IPC distribute magazines such as NME which also aim to the same target audience that ‘BLAZE’ does. Another factor that determined me to chose IPC as my music magazine distributor is because the locations of its distribution is where my target is to be found also because IPC is a very popular distributor hence will increase awareness of ‘ BLAZE’. Being distributed by IPC will give me great advantage however it may not benefit IPC as they already distribute many similar magazines. There are many forms of distribution. One of which is distribution through internet, most media institution have a website through which they can distribute their media products. Using a website was once a unique selling point for a company however businesses have had to change with trends and the advanced technology to keep up to date with customers and attract new and retain old customers hence majority of businesses have adopted this distribution strategy therefore it is no longer known as a USP. Another reason why media institutions tend to use websites to promote and sell their product is that it is more economically friendly as a result create a more wider target audience, the institution may also use website to reach maximum sales, as some people may prefer to read online, may have missed the addition, the reader may not have time to purchase from shops therefore find purchasing and keeping up to date through websites much easier. I feel that using this strategy is very effective as research has confronted that using websites increase awareness hence increases circulation.

14. How did you attract/address your audience? When creating a magazine it is important that a USP is used , a unique selling point attracts target audience and differentiate the magazine from other competitors, therefore attract more people interested in purchasing my magazine. The USP for my magazine is that it features upcoming, new artist. The magazines gives opportunity to capable stars which many magazines don’t do. I have tried to find the gap in the market and by using this USP I feel I have managed to find it hence I'm sure it will attract my target audience from classes B,C1,C2 and the age range aiming from 16-28. When addressing the audience it is crucial to remember what your target market is as the content of the magazine should merely address to them, for example I can not use highly sophisticated and formal copy for my magazine as it would put them off however sophisticated language could be used in a more classical music magazines as that is what their target market expects. My music magazines uses an informal tone to address my audience as this is what they would be most comfortable reading.

15. Examples of whish magazine addresses to which target market... Image relates to older audience More content used Minimum content used Star relates to younger teenagers Younger audience Older audience

16. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? In order to complete the project to a high standard I had to understand and learn various software's and technologies. adopting new skills was crucial for me, as my aim was to meet every need of my audience hence merely by practicing I could achieve my aim hence I started with a preliminary task before going straight into the main product. I used search engines such as Google to produce my magazine. This search engine was very important; as it helped me research different magazines and the content within the magazines, the search engine also allowed me to acknowledge key media terms and conventions. Electronic technology was used very often in order to capture the content of the magazine, I used the camera specifically for the photo shoot of my model, and used the camcorder to interview a new musician for my main article, this was very important as the images and the recording formed apart of my evidence. The two main software's I used to construct the magazine where Adobe Indsignand Adobe Photoshop. Finally I also used a blogger which is a social network site through which o presented my work.

17. Technologies I used...

18. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? When starting this project I did not have much understanding of the use of technology hence I wasn’t aware of the effects I could have used, however form the teachers guidance and practice I was able to use the technology effectively. Another factor I have learnt through this process are the key conventions used in music magazine, which were identified after the preliminary task but then effectively used in the making of my music magazine. I have learnt allot while constructing my own music magazine where it be media terminology or acquiring new skills, the change can be seen dramatically in my final product and preliminary task.

19. Example Before After