The document is an evaluation of a student's media magazine project. It discusses the conventions used in the magazine's design to target a young rock music audience. Specifically, it mentions using a color scheme and layout inspired by the magazine Kerrang. The front cover features a female model in gothic clothing to appeal to fans of that style. The contents page includes images and a crowded layout to hold readers' attention. An interview features a band dressed like popular rock acts. Through these design choices, the student aimed to attract readers aged 14-18 interested in rock music.

1. MEDIA MUSIC
MAGAZINE
EVALUATION
By Emily Bagridge

2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My magazine carries the typical
conventions of a music magazine as
I have used three contrasting
colours as my colour scheme. In my
opinion these colours are
associated with the genre of rock as
the colour red connotes energy,
power and passion where as black
connotes, darkness and a sense of
mystery. And lastly the colour of
white connotes a sense of purity
and trust, leading readers to believe
that the product is trustworthy and
reliable. When creating my
magazine I based it on the similar
conventions that the rock magazine
Kerrang uses. Following the similar
layouts they have and eroded fonts
they regularly use.

3. Front cover codes and
conventions

4. Contents page codes and
conventions

5. Double page spread codes and
conventions

6. How does your media product represent particular social
groups?
The particular social group I was attempting to aim my magazine at is any young person, no matter what
class as it is reasonably cheap to purchase at the price of just £2.50, from the ages of 14-18. My magazine
represents the particular social group firstly by the styling of the model used as the front cover image. The
young female dressed in gothic clothing will instantly appeal to the “rock” audience as they could recognise
their own style in the model, whether in terms of her hair colour or hair style, or her dark clothing. In doing
this, it will make the magazine sell more to the specific target audience.
The main colours used on my front cover are: red, black and white. I felt that these colours are bold and
stand out, in order to attract readers. These three colours are also commonly used on other already existing
rock magazines so must be colours that fit the genre and appeal to the audience of rock magazines.
I also used my masthead font in order to appeal to particular social groups as I ensured that the font used
was eroded so that it fit in with the edgy rock genre I was attempting to portray.
Furthermore the hectic layout of my contents page was done in order to appeal to the young audience. I felt
it necessary to have my contents page crowded as it was commonly used in other rock magazines, fitting in
with the genre and as a result appealing to the target audience. The messy look is appropriate for a young
audience as they are care free and wild. On my contents page I also introduced another colour to my house
style, of a pale yellow. I felt that this colour stood out boldly against my black background and was slightly
more interesting that just a plain white background. I ensured that the page was mostly filled with images that
were appropriate to the rock genre, I purposely did this so that my young audience did not lose interest in
reading/purchasing the magazine as if there was too much writing it could overwhelm or bore the audience.
The double page spread for my magazine needed to link in with the house style, so I had my background
black, writing white and image borders red. I feel that this worked well and made the writing stand out from
the dark background. I also wanted the band I was interviewing to be able to intrigue readers, and perhaps
appeal sexually to female readers and be idolised or inspiration by male readers. The four members of the
band wore the appropriate clothing of other rock bands tops such as Metallica and iron maiden. By doing
this, the readers will be able to make a connection with the young band as they have similar music interests
to the reader.

7. What kind of media institution might distribute your media
product and why?
The media institutions that would possibly be interested in distributing my Rock music magazine “addict”
would be either Bauer media group or IPC media.
However as I was inspired most by bauer media groups publication of the magazine “Kerrang” I believe my own
magazine would be best suited to them. Bauer has over 100 years in experience and is more than capable in publishing
music related products. The institution owns half of box television which supplies viewers with several popular music
channels, such as: kiss, smash hits, magic, heat, Kerrang etc. The group also establish their products in various ways,
for example with Kerrang , it originated as a rock music magazine but as the years continued Bauer adapted the brand
into a website ,radio station, music channel and various over musical events such as Kerrang tour, and the Kerrang
awards. The company also is the publisher of another top selling British music magazine “Q”. Q magazine appeals to a
variety of different people who have a passion in music as it supplies a great range and variety of artists inside every
issue. The Q brand has also been adapted over time into radio, music channels and musical events.
As I mentioned previously the media institution of IPC media could be another company to consider distributing my
magazine. IPC publishes one of the top selling music magazines NME. However after having researched further into
the institute I felt that they were not as experienced in regards to the music industry in comparison to Bauer media
group. IPC’s magazine products were mostly aimed at more of a niche audience, for example: amateur photographer,
cycling weekly and nuts magazine. As a result to this, Bauer media group would be a better institution to distribute my
rock magazine.

8. Who would be the audience for your media product?
After having carried out a series of initial research in my primary planning and
research stage, I adapted my rock music magazine’s audience based on the
information I received. Having been interested in this specific genre of music
between the age of 13-16 I feel that I could personally contribute to what and
where I researched. One of the magazines I regularly bought at this age was the
rock magazine “KERRANG”, the magazine always appeared to fulfil the readers
with fun and up to date information on bands or new releases. As I enjoyed reading
Kerrang, I decided it would be useful to research into the magazine in order to
observe the aspects they use to attract their younger teen audience into reading
the magazine.
I also researched into three magazines that are aimed at various audiences in
respect to their age, after having done so I still felt that I would like to create a
magazine aimed for a younger readership as I could relate to it a lot better. When
creating the front cover I insured that I kept to similar conventions that Kerrang!
Use in their magazine issues. However before the creating of my magazine I
carried out initial primary research in the format of a questionnaire which I handed
out to 15 students between the ages of 14-18. In doing so I gathered information
on pricing that they were willing to pay, and more specific research into the various
music genres.

9. How did you attract/address your audience?
To attract my audience I ensured that I followed strict codes and conventions in order to
attract the right audience. To begin with I picked my colour scheme, as my main front cover
image had black and red in, I thought it appropriate to have the house scheme of black red
and white. After having researched various rock magazines, these colours appeared to fit
the constant colour schemes used by the majority of magazine editors. For example, NME,
Kerrang and rolling stones magazines frequently use these three colours.
In the photography process, I ensured that my model was female so that the teen male
readers were attracted to her, so therefore more obliged to purchase the magazine, and
also so that female readers can be inspired by the “artist” in respects to her fashion or
music. When positioning my image, I had the mid – long shot of the female model going
down the right hand side of the page so that her figure could be seen clearly, and other
information can go around her. For my magazines masthead I wanted to stick to a similar
styling of font to the one Kerrang magazine uses. To do this I went onto the website
www.dafont.com and downloaded the eroded font “FAR CRY”. Next I began filling the
blank spaces with cover stories with both a caption and images. I ensured that the images
were appropriate to the genre and stood out and appealed to the young readership. After
having done the questionnaire I discovered that most people in my target audience for my
magazine would pay £3 for a magazine issue. This was the price I decided to have above
my bar code.

10. What have you learnt about technologies from the process
of constructing the product?
In regards to the construction of my music magazine, I have learnt to use various technologies with the help of
the mac computers in order to create the outcome I have done for my music magazine. One of the programmes
that were new to me was the use of adobe Photoshop. Although I have briefly attempted to use this programme
previously, I never completely understood the ins and outs of how to use it to the best of its capability. Having
also used this for my primarily task I felt that I was slightly more confident in using it when I began creating my
front cover as I had practiced with the programme for at least 2 months when creating my college magazine. For
my primarily task I used a range of editing tools on my main image, such as the polygonal lasso tool which
allowed me to cut my model away from the background. I also cut around the models head and neck and created
it is a new layer so that I could have my masthead underneath the girls head. This process I had never used
before so it took some practice to get it to an appropriate standard.

11. However on my music magazine I simply tweaked my image slightly by brightening the contrast and
brightness so that my model was much bolder against the white background. When searching for the
fonts on Photoshop, I couldn’t find one that fit the genre of my magazine so downloaded one online.
However for my strapline I used a font called chalk duster which was slightly eroded, fitting in with my
genre. Another editing process I used was on my main cover story going across my front cover. I did this
by lowering the opacity of the font so that it had a faint outline of grey.
Another programme that was completely new to me was the use of in design. To learn how to use the
programme I listened into a tutorial held by media teacher so that I could learn how to set out an
appropriate contents page and double page spread. In opening the document I changed the settings to
the right amount of columns and sizing away from the page to what I thought appropriate. In using this
programme I learnt a variety of different ways on how to change the layout of the page and set out my
columns in order to fit my design. Overall by having been introduced to the new technologies in order to
create my magazine, I feel that I have made a much more professional looking magazine front cover,
contents page and double page spread.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process
of constructing the product?
AfterBefore

12. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel
you have learnt in the progression from it?
Looking back at my preliminary task I feel that I have progressed increasingly in some aspects. My initial research was looking at
a variety of different magazines and annotating their codes and conventions. I then looked into certain aspects of magazine
creations such as image manipulation, as well as step by step process of how to use certain editing tools on the programme
Photoshop. In having carried out this research it allowed me to see the basic codes and conventions as well as an insight into the
technologies used in order to create the magazines to the best of their potential. I also have learnt how to challenge certain codes
and conventions such as the positioning of the image. In my preliminary task I stuck to the typical codes and conventions of a
magazine by having my image centred and cover stories scattered across the page, with very little free space. However with my
music magazine I challenged this by having the image situated at the side of the page, I feel that in doing so I have made my
magazine unique.
Furthermore I do actually prefer my preliminary task front cover as it is packed with appropriate conventions of a magazine such
as various cover stories that fit with the genre/Christmas theme, a large masthead, a centred image, constant colour scheme as
well as puffs to attract readers. In my music magazine however I feel that I am lacking a lot of the things I included in my
preliminary task front cover, this was mostly due to lack of time as I had to make my contents page as well as my double page
spread. However I do think that my music contents page is increasingly better than my preliminary one. This is mostly due to the
fact that I knew how to work the programme of in design a lot better the second time round, and I think this shows in my music
contents page. Also the fact that the page is crammed with both images and writing as well as including an editors letter, fits in
well with the typical conventions of a contents page. Moreover, in regards to my double page spread I thought considering it was
my first attempt at one, the outcome was of a good standard. My favourite feature was the image banner going across the top of
the page, however I would of liked to have had filled the area slightly more if I had more time to do so.
Overall I think I have progressed since my preliminary task as I have increased my skills in using both the programme of
Photoshop and in design, as well as learning more of an understanding in regards to codes and conventions of music magazines
and the various different audiences.

13. College and music magazine
FRONT COVER

14. College and music magazine
CONTENTS