2. When planning a music magazine, the size and font of the text is important. This is
crucial on the front cover as this is what the target audience see first before they
open the magazine. On front covers, the masthead is always the largest text on the
page and then the headline is usually a little bit smaller. The secondary lead and
selling line is also quite large and the smallest writing is the other kickers and cover
lines. The first thing that catches my eye on my magazine is the masthead as it
needs to stand out so the audience can tell what magazine it is. To emphasise the
importance of the headline and masthead, the font is also bold. Making the text
bold makes the text stand out and are eye catching. Another feature that catches
my eye is the headline as it is the main feature of my magazine, so it needs to be
eye catching and captures the attention of the target audience. I used the main
colour scheme as blue, red, black and blue as the red is the conventional colour of
music magazines that are targeted for rock and pop punk like ‘Kerrang’. The use of
these colours makes the magazine stand out and the magazine does not then look
dull. However, yellow was used for the flash like ‘win’, ‘exclusive’ and ‘free’ are in
yellow as it makes them stand out from other text on my magazine. These words
are to sell the magazine and to attract the audience.
3. The photo on the front cover works with the headline and anchorage as the dark
clothing on the individuals contrast with the red colour of the headline which
causes the headline to stand out more than red on the rest of the music magazine.
The clothing of individuals is linked with the idea of what the target audience wear
and the pose is more laid back which conforms to the stereotype of the target
audience. The photos on the contents page are also linked to the written
elements, for instance the main image is linked to the main article of the magazine
and the photo of a singer performing is linked to the review on the concert which
makes it easier for the audience to find the article they want to read as well as it
looking attractive to the readers. If I could change my magazine, I would take a
number of different styles of photos for instance, on location and different
clothing and positions. Bauer Media is the organisation I would have published my
music magazine, as they publish ‘Kerrang’ which is a similar genre music magazine
and as well as that they are an independent media company owning not only
magazines but take part in radio and the internet. Looking at my final product, and
the audience readership I made, my magazine would fit in with the publisher
Bauer Media. This is because my final product reaches the audience that are like
the audience of ‘Kerrang’ for instance ranging mostly of teenagers and young
adults. As well as that that social group of the same and the psychographic profile
of the audience are also similar.
4. The ‘Magazine speak’ for my music magazine needs to be
more informal and ‘loud’ to attract my target audience. I
also had to balance the mode of address with the
‘magazine speak’. The photos were direct mode of address
involving the customers and inviting them to read on. As
the music the target audience listen to is seen as ‘loud’, the
magazine layout is also loud. This then means that the
direct mode of address and the loud, informal speak I used
in the magazine to attract the audience into reading my
magazine. Using language like “How good were Mallory
Knox?” is a question involving the readers that like that
genre of music and is more of an informal, conversational
tone to the contents page.
5. The main goal of my brand of magazine is to entertain the
audience and to put across their interest in a way that will
bring information to the readers. My magazine will bring a
sense of belonging to the target audience as it gives them
the realization that they belong in a group that are
interested into the same music genre. My brand of
magazine also has the chance for the rock/pop punk genre
to be discussed and everything the audience would want to
know about bands in that genre. My magazine is not a
‘lifestyle bible’ but it allows the audience to feel like they
are a part of something and allows them to have an opinion
on the genre. It is also to share their interests with other
readers.
