Friday, 15 May 2009
Preliminary task.
As you can see, my ideas have developed considerably over the two tasks. In the preliminary task i stuck to a very simple formula and made the page too overcrowded and "busy". In my preliminary task, I also used too many colours which clashed and failed to make an impact visually. Also, my photoshop abilities were limited and thus I couldn't use text or images very well.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Friday, 27 March 2009
This is my final contents page. As you can see I have continued the use of the title font. The main image is linked to my main article about "Life on the road" and addiction to hobnobs. I decided to use this ikmage because I thought it would intrigue the audience and encourage them to read on to the article. I am thoroughly pleased with the bordering and text font which took ages to find the right one. I feel the red and black provide good contrast and reach out to the audience.
I then added coloured borders to the text to make them stand out. I feel the colours reflect the youthful "new music" scene. I decided to put my images at angles to make them more appealing and make the page more lively and give the appearance of motion.
I then adde more images and positioned them in the corners and edges to draw the reader into the centre. However it still appeared too basic.
This is the original template for my front cover. I had used the magnetic lassoo tool to seperate the image used from its background which I felt would have a limited effect on the front cover.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
The second page of my contents will have the same format as the first with the same use of fonts, backgrounds and layout. I plan to split this page into three sections of text, image and further text. The reason for placing the image at the bottom left would be to create a diagonal line across both the images which would physically link the two pages together. In both pages I will use a mixture of blues and blacks for the text as I believe it will make it stand out more. I havn't yet decided on the background for my article.
The first page of my article I have designed to make an impact an stand out. The title "On the road" is deliberately enlarged and underlined for emphasis. Similarly I have done the same with the leading paragraph. The image hjas been placed centrally to draw the reader into the page. The quotation will also be in bold to stand out. I also plan to put the brand identity (website address) at the bottom of the page which would act as an advert for the website. The website is a key component to the magazine because it gives additional advertising opportunity along with the ability to reach out to a wider audience through a different medium.
My contents page consists of 4 key areas for the text which will be surrounded by a central image of my feature band "On the road" taking a break from rehersal. The contents will be split into three sections- features, regulars and events.
This is my front cover sketch. I have decided to place the central image to the left to leave space for cover lines on the right. My brand and sell lines will be at the top within easy view of the reader. The other other images I have decided to put at an angle to give a more interesting look. I plan to box in my cover lines to seperate it from other text and images. The image itself is representing an article based on a school music competition which is also featured in the contents. TB
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Complete article
“Their last hit “Net gain” saw them rocket to the top in 2004, but it also saw them fall back down to earth with a heavy, sobering blow.” It’s never easy at the top. People want the fame and the money but once they’re there life seems to collapse around them. The money’s wasted on exhausting habits- drink, drugs and sex. The fame, well that’s a drug too. You have to constantly fight for the Jonathon Ross slot on tele and keep your single repeated on the Hits. In the end life becomes a wild cocktail of extreme highs and lows accompanied by a narcissistic lifestyle. Your latest hair product or photo shoot becomes your number one priority.
“He was admitted to rehab after a heroin overdose. It was thought that he regularly took 200mg of heroin in a week which is enough to kill you!” The Strobes have seen it all. Their last hit “Net gain” saw them rocket to the top in 2004, but it also saw them fall back down to earth with a heavy, sobering blow.The sad and tragic death of lead singer’s, Jamie Fox’s, wife Juliet destroyed the band. Fox’s life turned to one of pure ecstasy to that of extreme depression. Juliet, aged just 25, died from an aggressive form of breast cancer three days before Christmas the same year whilst their record was still at number 1 in the chart.
Fox wasn’t seen for the next three months. The tabloids hinted that he had flown to the U.S attempt to console himself. Many believed the singer, who suffers from manic depression, was resorting to substance abuse in order to control his uncontrollable grief. On the 15th March 2005 he was admitted to rehab after a heroin overdose. It was thought that he regularly took 200mg of heroin in a week which is enough to kill you!
The music industry was extremely concerned for his wellbeing. His family and friends along with Fox’s record company Desert Island records had spent the past three months searching for him desperately hoping for him to show up somewhere safe and sound. It was only when he showed up in Miami central hospital that he was identified.
His situation had reversed. He had been on top of the world walking side by side with A-lists celebrities such as Sarah Mckezie and Ben Clark. The band’s glory days between 2000-2003 had been marked with seven academy music awards. It was estimated that the band earnt a whopping £200 million between them. In 2005 Fox had to face his new, grim reality. His life had turned into a horror show. He had lost his wife which he had been sole mates with since the age of 10 and so dearly loved. He was addicted to heroin and severely depressed. To add salt to his wounds he was now £9 million in debt.
The band had kept in close contact with Jamie throughout his troubles but things weren’t the same. Jamie needed something to fill the huge hole in his life. Something was missing and it was the sound of music. Desert Island studios was calling out for the sound of the Strobes.
Jamie made a full recovery in 2007 and to everyone’s delight he signed up another deal with his band. Fans were expectant of their new album but none ever came. Jamie had spent much of his time setting up his own cancer charity along with his band which aims to support both the patients and the friends and family around them. In 2008 they had raised around £20 million for the charity which has made dealing with cancer easier for thousands of people.
“I would spent nights at a time snorting lines of coke before downing shots of rum.” For most of this time the band kept themselves to themselves managing to dodge the inevitable press attention. Their time was spent perfecting their fourth album. On 20th September the Strobes released their album titled “Overdose”. So far it’s sold over a million copies and is steadily working its way up. Then on 25th February something amazing happened. Anyone who was lucky enough to be on their website at that time would have seen a massive icon appear on the page, bang on midnight, saying “Tour dates: Book now!” We realised then that we needed to know more!
“Something was missing and it was the sound of music. Desert Island studios was calling out for the sound of the Strobes.”It was a grim day in Manchester when I met Jamie. It had been forecast to snow so both of us had wrapped up warm. As I made my way through the Trafford shopping centre up towards Starbucks to meet them I began to ask myself what I was going to say. Here was a band that knew how success felt like and had seen how quickly it was taken away from them. How am I meant to put across all the emotion they he has felt and his struggle with sanity? How was I meant to capture his dramatic story in such a short time? Well, here it goes….
Q. Over the past decade you’ve been through many highs and lows from your bestselling album “I’m taking you home” in 2004 to the tragic death of your wife. What would you say was the most important factor that pulled you through to where you are now?
A. Drugs. It sounds pathetic but I was desperate. I couldn’t cope. In a way drugs were my vice, my defence mechanism shielding me from reality. I understood the consequences but I didn’t care. This sounds terrible but at the time I didn’t care if it killed me. I thought to myself that it would relieve the pain I was going through. I would spent nights at a time snorting lines of coke before downing shots of rum. I don’t remember much from that time.
“ I never ever start a gig without munching a few hobnobs and a nice cuppa. I simply wouldn’t be able to perform without them!”Q. How did you remove drugs as a part of your life? Did anything replace the wholes in your life at the time?
A. Rehab was excellent in sorting everything. I was pretty messed up by the time I was with them. I have a lot to thank them for. The most difficult thing, as you say, was replacing the gap in my life. It was then that I realised that my life was nothing without music. The rest of the band were really supportive and helped me back on my feet. We started work on the album straight away but they also realised the need for me to do something constructive Juliet’s death. The charity idea was my idea but the others helped me. It’s been such a success and we’ve managed to help so many others suffering or caring for others with cancer. The kick you get from helping others beats that of any drug. That’s when I realised I didn’t need it any more.
“We’re still the same old guys but we’ve swapped the cocaine for celery sticks and yoga classes.”Tell us about your new album “Overdose”. What do you feel it says about you and the band?
A.The album says a lot about us and the journey we’ve been through. I know I probably sound like I’m talking bullshit but music is a great way to express yourself and bring a message across no matter how tenuous. I think this album is much more angry and loud than the previous ones. It also represents my grief and loss. The album, to me, has a rawer feel. I was so excited when it was released. It feels so good to be back in the charts.
Your tour starts next week in Cardiff. How do you feel when you perform in front of crowds and how do you get ready?
On the outside I’m sure we seem ok but secretly we’re bricking it! It takes me a good two hours to get ready. I take my performance very seriously as I know how much effort the fans have put into seeing us. I normally start with vocal routines and then gradually psyche myself up. It sounds odd but I spend a good half an hour listening to my ipod before a gig. Oh and I almost forgot, I never ever start a gig without munching a few hobnobs and a nice cuppa. I simply wouldn’t be able to perform without them!
Q. Do you feel you have the same bond with the band as you did before your troubles?
A. Obviously things will never be the same between us. We have all been through so much. I think we’ve all become a bit more mature. Before we spent our nights getting wasted and being rude to hotel staff. Now our kicks come from music which I think is better especially for the fans. We have so much more passion now. We’re still the same old guys but we’ve swapped the cocaine for celery sticks and yoga classes.
Q And finally.. If you were left stranded on a desert island and there was only one thing you could keep what would that thing be?
A. My kingsize bed of course!
“He was admitted to rehab after a heroin overdose. It was thought that he regularly took 200mg of heroin in a week which is enough to kill you!” The Strobes have seen it all. Their last hit “Net gain” saw them rocket to the top in 2004, but it also saw them fall back down to earth with a heavy, sobering blow.The sad and tragic death of lead singer’s, Jamie Fox’s, wife Juliet destroyed the band. Fox’s life turned to one of pure ecstasy to that of extreme depression. Juliet, aged just 25, died from an aggressive form of breast cancer three days before Christmas the same year whilst their record was still at number 1 in the chart.
Fox wasn’t seen for the next three months. The tabloids hinted that he had flown to the U.S attempt to console himself. Many believed the singer, who suffers from manic depression, was resorting to substance abuse in order to control his uncontrollable grief. On the 15th March 2005 he was admitted to rehab after a heroin overdose. It was thought that he regularly took 200mg of heroin in a week which is enough to kill you!
The music industry was extremely concerned for his wellbeing. His family and friends along with Fox’s record company Desert Island records had spent the past three months searching for him desperately hoping for him to show up somewhere safe and sound. It was only when he showed up in Miami central hospital that he was identified.
His situation had reversed. He had been on top of the world walking side by side with A-lists celebrities such as Sarah Mckezie and Ben Clark. The band’s glory days between 2000-2003 had been marked with seven academy music awards. It was estimated that the band earnt a whopping £200 million between them. In 2005 Fox had to face his new, grim reality. His life had turned into a horror show. He had lost his wife which he had been sole mates with since the age of 10 and so dearly loved. He was addicted to heroin and severely depressed. To add salt to his wounds he was now £9 million in debt.
The band had kept in close contact with Jamie throughout his troubles but things weren’t the same. Jamie needed something to fill the huge hole in his life. Something was missing and it was the sound of music. Desert Island studios was calling out for the sound of the Strobes.
Jamie made a full recovery in 2007 and to everyone’s delight he signed up another deal with his band. Fans were expectant of their new album but none ever came. Jamie had spent much of his time setting up his own cancer charity along with his band which aims to support both the patients and the friends and family around them. In 2008 they had raised around £20 million for the charity which has made dealing with cancer easier for thousands of people.
“I would spent nights at a time snorting lines of coke before downing shots of rum.” For most of this time the band kept themselves to themselves managing to dodge the inevitable press attention. Their time was spent perfecting their fourth album. On 20th September the Strobes released their album titled “Overdose”. So far it’s sold over a million copies and is steadily working its way up. Then on 25th February something amazing happened. Anyone who was lucky enough to be on their website at that time would have seen a massive icon appear on the page, bang on midnight, saying “Tour dates: Book now!” We realised then that we needed to know more!
“Something was missing and it was the sound of music. Desert Island studios was calling out for the sound of the Strobes.”It was a grim day in Manchester when I met Jamie. It had been forecast to snow so both of us had wrapped up warm. As I made my way through the Trafford shopping centre up towards Starbucks to meet them I began to ask myself what I was going to say. Here was a band that knew how success felt like and had seen how quickly it was taken away from them. How am I meant to put across all the emotion they he has felt and his struggle with sanity? How was I meant to capture his dramatic story in such a short time? Well, here it goes….
Q. Over the past decade you’ve been through many highs and lows from your bestselling album “I’m taking you home” in 2004 to the tragic death of your wife. What would you say was the most important factor that pulled you through to where you are now?
A. Drugs. It sounds pathetic but I was desperate. I couldn’t cope. In a way drugs were my vice, my defence mechanism shielding me from reality. I understood the consequences but I didn’t care. This sounds terrible but at the time I didn’t care if it killed me. I thought to myself that it would relieve the pain I was going through. I would spent nights at a time snorting lines of coke before downing shots of rum. I don’t remember much from that time.
“ I never ever start a gig without munching a few hobnobs and a nice cuppa. I simply wouldn’t be able to perform without them!”Q. How did you remove drugs as a part of your life? Did anything replace the wholes in your life at the time?
A. Rehab was excellent in sorting everything. I was pretty messed up by the time I was with them. I have a lot to thank them for. The most difficult thing, as you say, was replacing the gap in my life. It was then that I realised that my life was nothing without music. The rest of the band were really supportive and helped me back on my feet. We started work on the album straight away but they also realised the need for me to do something constructive Juliet’s death. The charity idea was my idea but the others helped me. It’s been such a success and we’ve managed to help so many others suffering or caring for others with cancer. The kick you get from helping others beats that of any drug. That’s when I realised I didn’t need it any more.
“We’re still the same old guys but we’ve swapped the cocaine for celery sticks and yoga classes.”Tell us about your new album “Overdose”. What do you feel it says about you and the band?
A.The album says a lot about us and the journey we’ve been through. I know I probably sound like I’m talking bullshit but music is a great way to express yourself and bring a message across no matter how tenuous. I think this album is much more angry and loud than the previous ones. It also represents my grief and loss. The album, to me, has a rawer feel. I was so excited when it was released. It feels so good to be back in the charts.
Your tour starts next week in Cardiff. How do you feel when you perform in front of crowds and how do you get ready?
On the outside I’m sure we seem ok but secretly we’re bricking it! It takes me a good two hours to get ready. I take my performance very seriously as I know how much effort the fans have put into seeing us. I normally start with vocal routines and then gradually psyche myself up. It sounds odd but I spend a good half an hour listening to my ipod before a gig. Oh and I almost forgot, I never ever start a gig without munching a few hobnobs and a nice cuppa. I simply wouldn’t be able to perform without them!
Q. Do you feel you have the same bond with the band as you did before your troubles?
A. Obviously things will never be the same between us. We have all been through so much. I think we’ve all become a bit more mature. Before we spent our nights getting wasted and being rude to hotel staff. Now our kicks come from music which I think is better especially for the fans. We have so much more passion now. We’re still the same old guys but we’ve swapped the cocaine for celery sticks and yoga classes.
Q And finally.. If you were left stranded on a desert island and there was only one thing you could keep what would that thing be?
A. My kingsize bed of course!
Monday, 23 March 2009
This is the original template for my front cover. I have decided to stick with the white background although this may change. The idea behind this being to make the sell lines stand out against the background. I think the image is very effective because there are a lot of bold primary colours which draw the reader's eye in.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Developing my ideas
Both these articles are both templates for my article. The text will still remain but I wish to edit the images, fonts and backgrounds. However the layout is extremely effective as it draws the reader in to the page. I have deliberately made sure the callout stands out as well as the heading and the lead. I wanted to put the text on the first page into columns but I was limited in what I could do. I wish to either edit or change the image develop an effective font and create a more appealing back ground. Similarly the second page needs to be changed. I need to the fonts used and improve the layout and quality of the images to draw the reader's attention.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Article analysis- Kings of Leon- Q magazine
Kings of Leon Featurette analysis
This is a very conventional featurette. It follows the formula of a page of text followed by a full A4 image all the way through the article. The lead acts as an introduction to the article and draws the reader in to “Step inside rock and roll’s own fight club”. It has deliberately been positioned in the top left of the page in easy view of the reader.
A selection of bold fonts have been used to make it stand out with the use of form slashes to make it stand out from the other text. The form slashes are used again for the beginning of the article. This shows continuity and flows neatly into the article. A yellow font is used which contrasts with the black background. Similarly the main text is in white for the same effect. The Q logo is printed at the bottom of the page which acts as a brand to the page.
The second page of the article composes of a full A4 bleed of the band lined up across the page. They have been dressed to look as if they have just walked out of an inferno as they have cuts, bruises, torn clothing and one of the band members is wearing a bandage. This has been done to exaggerate the rough, edgy feel of the band. There is a green tint to the image, which is emphasised by the glossy print, which connotes their down to earth and grass roots feel. Also the use of green anchors the use of green used in their album “Only by the night”.
The third and fourth pages follow the same themes as the previous pages except that both pages are covered by the image of Caleb posing in a dark room with beams of sunlight coming down on him at an angle. The idea for this is to draw the reader’s eyes into the centre of the page. It acts as a spotlight for Caleb who is the central focus of the article. There is still the same use of green in the images which represents the continuity of the article. A callout is positioned next to the main image which follows the same font and colour scheme as the lead in the introduction. The callout acts as an invite to the reader to continue reading the article. The copy is written out in standard columns against a white background which stands out against the dull colours of the bleed.
The next double page spread follows the same format: a bleed which continues onto the second page as well as a smaller, rectangular image at the top of the second page. The image is of one of the band members holding a flame torch glaring out of the image out to the reader. The fire aims to represent the band’s rebellious, rock and roll ideology. It also continues the idea of the inferno throughout the images. Another callout is used which read “Being related, we’re like the hotel California. You can check in any time, but you’ll never leave”. The callout has been used to entice the reader. The second image comprises of the same band member in a similar pose as a silhouette with the same green tint as used in the images from the previous pages.
The final three pages follow a different format. On page 64 the page is devoted completely to the text which is laid out in 3 columns. Again, the page is accompanied by the bold sub-heading “Kings of Leon” which acts as a bookmark to the reader as well as acting as a brand for both the magazine and the band they are promoting. The website and Q logo are also printed at the bottom of the pages which also act as a brand and an advertisement to visit their website. The penultimate page is another bleed of the band’s third guitarist nursing a cut on his lip with his wrist in a brace. This follows on from the inferno scenario created by the photographers which is a representation of their rock and roll lifestyle. Again, the use of the green tint is used which reflects the use of green on their latest album.
The final page is divided into two halves with the first adopted by the main image which shows the final band member laid out on the ground with a bleeding nose and smashed glass all around him. Again another callout is used with the same colour scheme of white and gold as the other callouts. It is placed towards the centre of the image in easy reach for the reader. Also the “Kings of Leon” subheading is again printed at the top the page. The final half is taken up with the remaining text against a contrasting, white background.
In conclusion, this featurette has a very professional look to it. Each page, although the set up varies follow all the same patterns of structure. For example there is the same use of callout, including fonts and colours, the same format of image with the green tint and the same use of bordering. Finally, the same use of text font is used throughout out with the same white background and columns. Overall this particular featurette has a very sharp, neat and effective appearance which attracts the reader which them encourages them to buy the magazine which makes the company greater profit.
This is a very conventional featurette. It follows the formula of a page of text followed by a full A4 image all the way through the article. The lead acts as an introduction to the article and draws the reader in to “Step inside rock and roll’s own fight club”. It has deliberately been positioned in the top left of the page in easy view of the reader.
A selection of bold fonts have been used to make it stand out with the use of form slashes to make it stand out from the other text. The form slashes are used again for the beginning of the article. This shows continuity and flows neatly into the article. A yellow font is used which contrasts with the black background. Similarly the main text is in white for the same effect. The Q logo is printed at the bottom of the page which acts as a brand to the page.
The second page of the article composes of a full A4 bleed of the band lined up across the page. They have been dressed to look as if they have just walked out of an inferno as they have cuts, bruises, torn clothing and one of the band members is wearing a bandage. This has been done to exaggerate the rough, edgy feel of the band. There is a green tint to the image, which is emphasised by the glossy print, which connotes their down to earth and grass roots feel. Also the use of green anchors the use of green used in their album “Only by the night”.
The third and fourth pages follow the same themes as the previous pages except that both pages are covered by the image of Caleb posing in a dark room with beams of sunlight coming down on him at an angle. The idea for this is to draw the reader’s eyes into the centre of the page. It acts as a spotlight for Caleb who is the central focus of the article. There is still the same use of green in the images which represents the continuity of the article. A callout is positioned next to the main image which follows the same font and colour scheme as the lead in the introduction. The callout acts as an invite to the reader to continue reading the article. The copy is written out in standard columns against a white background which stands out against the dull colours of the bleed.
The next double page spread follows the same format: a bleed which continues onto the second page as well as a smaller, rectangular image at the top of the second page. The image is of one of the band members holding a flame torch glaring out of the image out to the reader. The fire aims to represent the band’s rebellious, rock and roll ideology. It also continues the idea of the inferno throughout the images. Another callout is used which read “Being related, we’re like the hotel California. You can check in any time, but you’ll never leave”. The callout has been used to entice the reader. The second image comprises of the same band member in a similar pose as a silhouette with the same green tint as used in the images from the previous pages.
The final three pages follow a different format. On page 64 the page is devoted completely to the text which is laid out in 3 columns. Again, the page is accompanied by the bold sub-heading “Kings of Leon” which acts as a bookmark to the reader as well as acting as a brand for both the magazine and the band they are promoting. The website and Q logo are also printed at the bottom of the pages which also act as a brand and an advertisement to visit their website. The penultimate page is another bleed of the band’s third guitarist nursing a cut on his lip with his wrist in a brace. This follows on from the inferno scenario created by the photographers which is a representation of their rock and roll lifestyle. Again, the use of the green tint is used which reflects the use of green on their latest album.
The final page is divided into two halves with the first adopted by the main image which shows the final band member laid out on the ground with a bleeding nose and smashed glass all around him. Again another callout is used with the same colour scheme of white and gold as the other callouts. It is placed towards the centre of the image in easy reach for the reader. Also the “Kings of Leon” subheading is again printed at the top the page. The final half is taken up with the remaining text against a contrasting, white background.
In conclusion, this featurette has a very professional look to it. Each page, although the set up varies follow all the same patterns of structure. For example there is the same use of callout, including fonts and colours, the same format of image with the green tint and the same use of bordering. Finally, the same use of text font is used throughout out with the same white background and columns. Overall this particular featurette has a very sharp, neat and effective appearance which attracts the reader which them encourages them to buy the magazine which makes the company greater profit.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
More photos
I also took these photos with a HP photosmart camera. This selection I plan to use as part of part of both my contents and article.
With this image I have enhanced both the colours and lighting to add the glossy effect. I think this would look good in print. I want to use this as part of my article as it represents "life on the road". I was trying to capture a band in action to represent the hard work ethic of the band in my article.
Similarly with this image I have edited the lighting and colour. This will also be a part of the article if possible.
I have deliberately taken this photo at a low angle for effect. Again I have enhanced the lighting.
In this image I have edited the colours which brightens the primary colours and makes the image more vivid.
I have used a blue background to create a nice background and to create the shadow effect.
With this image I have enhanced both the colours and lighting to add the glossy effect. I think this would look good in print. I want to use this as part of my article as it represents "life on the road". I was trying to capture a band in action to represent the hard work ethic of the band in my article.
Similarly with this image I have edited the lighting and colour. This will also be a part of the article if possible.
I have deliberately taken this photo at a low angle for effect. Again I have enhanced the lighting.
In this image I have edited the colours which brightens the primary colours and makes the image more vivid.
I have used a blue background to create a nice background and to create the shadow effect.
Questionnaire Analysis
From my results it is clear to see that black and gold is the most favourable colour scheme. Therefore I will try and incorporate this into my production if possible. Most people also voted for the cheapest price range between £1- £1.49. Therefore, if this were to be produced in real life then this would effect content, advertising and quality of print. Finally, the majority of people who took the questionnaire said the the magazine should be called "Regenerate". However I am going to stick with my preffered name of "Frenzy" as it has a young, fresh feel to it.
Thursday, 26 February 2009
My name is Tom Bridge and I have conducted this questionnaire to understand what teenagers want from music magazines. Results are confidential and there will be no trace of your identity. Please circle or write your answers. Thanks for your time-
Age:
Gender:
Do you read music magazines? YES NO
If YES then what music magazine(s) do you read and how often do you buy them?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you read any other kind of magazine? Please list-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Out of the list, which band/artist do you like the most?
Kings of Leon Kayne West R.E.M Jimmy Hendrix Oasis MGMT Bloc Party
Outside of school/university/work, what are your favourite things to do? (ie. Play football, xbox)
For a music magazine what colour schemes would work best?
Black & White Black & Gold Red & Green Purple & White Blue & Green Red & White
How much would you be willing to pay for a music magazine?
£1-£1.49 £1.50-£1.99 £2.00-£2.49 £2.50-£2.99 £3.00-£3.49 £3.50-£4.99
Out of the names listed, which do you think would be best for a music magazine?
Frenzy Regenerate Lemon and Lime Rock Salt Envy Jammy Recall
In total I gave out 10 questionnaires to teenagers from our school. The questionnaire will help me develop the right demographic for my magazine
Age:
Gender:
Do you read music magazines? YES NO
If YES then what music magazine(s) do you read and how often do you buy them?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you read any other kind of magazine? Please list-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Out of the list, which band/artist do you like the most?
Kings of Leon Kayne West R.E.M Jimmy Hendrix Oasis MGMT Bloc Party
Outside of school/university/work, what are your favourite things to do? (ie. Play football, xbox)
For a music magazine what colour schemes would work best?
Black & White Black & Gold Red & Green Purple & White Blue & Green Red & White
How much would you be willing to pay for a music magazine?
£1-£1.49 £1.50-£1.99 £2.00-£2.49 £2.50-£2.99 £3.00-£3.49 £3.50-£4.99
Out of the names listed, which do you think would be best for a music magazine?
Frenzy Regenerate Lemon and Lime Rock Salt Envy Jammy Recall
In total I gave out 10 questionnaires to teenagers from our school. The questionnaire will help me develop the right demographic for my magazine
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Analysis of NME magazine-Front cover and Contents
Analysis of Front cover and contents pages of “NME” magazine
The first thing that strikes you about this particular issue of NME is the contrast between the bold central image, featuring oasis, and the vibrant more colourful left hand side of the page. The main image, a portrait of Liam Gallagher, is printed in black and white for greater facial detail and contrast.
On the other hand, the left thirds littered with a mixture of extremely bold blacks, whites and reds. These act as symbolic signifier for love, hat6e and peace which are all part of the rock culture. The sell lines are all written in bold white which reaches out to the reader. The cover lines rarely have more than 3 words to make them short and straight to the point. For example the first cover line reads “Klaxons”. Regular readers or fans will instantly recognise this. Overall, this technique is a more effective way of grabbing the reader’s attention.
The masthead too, which contains the NME logo with the date line just beneath, is instantly recognisable even to non readers. It acts as a brand which the reader can identify with and that can be reproduced for any other forms of media they produce such as websites and forums. Another key feature of this particular magazine is the sell line which reads “Free oasis posters”. Similar to the rest of the front cover it is short and to the point. It will attract any oasis fans and acts as a hook-in to encourage the reader to buy it. To make it stand out it is positioned at the top of the page along with a black background and orange font. The word “oasis” is written in a less informal font which, akin to the NME logo, acts as a brand to the reader.
Alongside the main image is a promotion of their cover story Oasis’ “UK tour special”. Like with the promotion of the “Free” posters, the text has the same bold, orange font. This shows continuity and helps the reader establish its significance. A final feature accompanying the cover story is a montage of photos from the band’s tour, which also has the “Oasis” brand, which gives the appearance of a stamp, to further the continuity and idea of ownership.
The contents page also uses the same mixture of black, white and red text. The NME logo is also positioned at the top of the page. The word “Contents” is replaced by “This Week” which is written in a bold white font highlighted by a black background. The image, showing “The Mighty Boosh”, a popular act amongst NME readers shows the lead member jumping in the air whilst on stage. It offers representations of the lively and energetic “New music” scene.
The picture is accompanied by the headline “The Boosh’s big tour took off”. This metaphor emphasises their success and encourages the reader to look at the article. At the bottom centre of the page is an advertisement encouraging readers to buy a subscription. This obviously aimed at regular reader’s who are keen fans of the magazine. It is separated from other text as it is surrounded by black bordering. The text itself is separated by the use of a different, bolder font written in yellow. The advertisement encourages the reader to buy a subscription by reminding them of the massive savings they can make- “subscribe today and save over £45”.
The first 1/6 of the page contains a “band index” section where all the bands covered in “This week’s” NME are written in alphabetical order, with the page numbers given for where in the magazine they are featured. This helps the reader access information quickly which is an essential tool for any magazine. If the reader can access information quicker to access the articles they are most interested in reading about, then they are more likely to buy the magazine. This will therefore mean greater profits for the production company- IPC IGNITE which is part of the Time Warner Company.
The final ¼ of the page covers all the regular features. It is categorised into sections with subheadings which are highlighted in black with white text which gives a 3d like appearance making it stand out to the reader. The regulars include a “News”, “Radar” and “Review” section. These regulars are there to safeguard the continuity of the magazine and keep the features that their readers have the greatest interest in. A final feature of the contents page is a red arrow at the bottom right of the page stating that “The UK’s No1 gig guide starts p58”. This acts as a hook in encouraging the reader to flick through the pages.
Overall, NME is a perfect example of a successful music magazine. Although it is a weekly magazine, the editors spend much time organising and arranging the front cover and contents pages because they are the first thing the reader sees. It has to grab their attention and focus on their interests otherwise no-one will buy. Music magazines are very clever at researching their target audience and finding ways to reach out to them. NME’s front cover is glossy which makes it stand out and makes the colours and images more vibrant. It is also reasonably priced at £2.20 which is perfect for teenage readers.
How does the front cover and contents pages entice the reader?
The Big Cheese is a typical rock/metal music magazine which aims to attract a particular audience. The mise en scene is full of colour and vibrancy which anchors the surrounding text and images. A wide variety of greens, reds and whites are used which connote danger and excitement which is what the rock/metal scene is all about. The main aim of the front cover is to tempt the reader into buying the magazine.
The front cover immediately suggests that the target audience are male teenagers aged between 13-18. My reasoning for this is the fact that all the bands mentioned including “Sum 41” and “Angels and Airwaves” are typical of both age and genre. The linguistics too, reach out to that particular audience and references to their interests. It assumes the reader already has previous knowledge of the music and culture.
The magazine has a very traditional layout. The title and lead story are both printed in bold at the top of the page to emphasise its significance. The headline is the main sell line which the editors hope to hook the audience in by. The text, which is written in a mixture of old western and military style fonts connotes importance and authority.
The headline “ALEXONFIRE” anchors the main image which almost totally covers the final ¾ of the page. The image has a central focus involving all 5 band members who are all dressed in period costumes, holding guns and pick axes. This represents a violent attitude. Also, all band members, including the other bands shown, are white which suggests it has a prominently white audience.
The image itself is in sepia tone which adds more definition and detail especially facial features which makes it stands out on the shelves. This is emphasised by the fact that all the band members look as if they’re staring out of the page, catching the reader’s attention. All other text is written using the same military style font, emphasised by a white background. Hook inns such as “Free posters” give the magazine a certain exclusivity.
After the front cover, the next most important page is the contents. This aids the reader by giving a sample of what the magazine is about and what it represents. In this instance, the first page is taken up by a “Vans” shoe advertisement. This is stereotypical footwear of the rock/metal scene and is effective in attracting that type of audience.
In this instance, the contents are spread over a double page which gives the reader a larger and easier grasp of what the magazine has to offer. It kis also categorised in numerical order which also makes it easier for the reader to comprehend. The left hand side is started with an editorial which is written in white and highlighted by a black background. The editorial is basically an attempt to encourage the audience to read on by giving a brief overview of the main article.
All pictures are bordered with blue which connotes coolness and gives it a funky edge. All subheadings are in red which both signifies its importance but also separates it from any other text. With the contents there is a larger variety of fonts and layouts which gives a quirky appearance. There is also a section mentioning all those who have produced the magazine. This gives the reader an appreciation for the effort gone into the making of the magazine. The magazine offers a large variety of interviews, competitions and festival advice which are all key interests to their audience.
It is split into 2 sections- “REGULAR” and “KINGSIZE”. “KINGSIZE” gives the impression that the magazine is big and has a lot of textural content. It also suggests that it is highly popular. Many of the pictures are accompanied by captions which use lots of word play and exaggeration to stress their exciting and exclusive article. They entice the audience to read on.
In a similar way to the front cover, many of the pictures used
Present the band members as looking out of the page almost as if they’re reaching out of the page.
Monday, 26 January 2009
I took this shot with a local band. I decided to take a low angle shot looking up towards the speaker. I added lots of contrast to emphasise the texture of the speaker, the "PEAVEY" brand and the guitar. This adds greater detail and makes the image more interesting.
I purposely used the blue wall to create a neutral background for the image. The fact that it is in colour brings out the varied colours on their clothing and highlights the darker colours and makes them stand out. I might use this image as part of the contents pages.
Like with the first photo I decided to take it in black and white to emphasise facial detail and shadow. I used a white wall for a neutral background which means there is also a fair bit of shadow. The image is a typical portrait with a central focus. I might use this as the front cover image. I may have to re-take it with the mic positioned further to the left.
I may also use this as part of the contents pages. The image has also got a central focus with the same white background. By adding contrast I have also varied the shades of the background and highlighted the patterns on the subject's shirt. I feel this adds a great effect.
This image is very similar to the previous two images with the same use of contrast. Tjhis could also be used as part of the contents pages or as part of an article. It is a less formal image because of his smile and could give my magazine a more relaxed and friendly feel.
In this image I have significantly increased the brightness to exaggerate the effect of colours. There are lots of primary colours used in this photo which are very eye catching.
Over the past week I have been testing out a few sample photos in an attempt to find possible final prints for my media magazine. I have used a HP R607 digital camera and then used HP software to edit them. The main things I have edited is the brightness levels along with contrast as well as colours. I have focused on the use of black and white because you can get greater detail in the images. Also the contrast makes the images stand out more. In some images I have also tweaked the sharpness. I hope to use some of these in my final work. Therefore I will hae to scale and measurethem to make sure I can have a good balance of text and images.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Questionnaire analysis
I have now begun to create my questionaire. I then plan to hand out the questionnaire to people of varying ages to gauge their opinion. I will then publish any quantative data on an excel file which can hopefully be published on the blog. From these results I plan to make decisions on the genre of my music magazine and aim to account for the needs of my target audience. At the moment I aim for my magazine to be a rock/dance genre. To improve my questionnaire I need to include questions on people's lifestyles and othe rinterests. I also need to understand what type of articles are of interest to them. For example, I need to know whether they like personality sketches, confessions or interviews.
Magazine article analysis "Super Jam"
Analysis of a magazine article- Thursday 15th January: My analysis was based on an article titled "Super Jam" from etc magazine. I focused on looking at institutions (who made the magazine), the representations (how people are represented in the article) and layout and construction. I feel I effectively completed this task. I thoroughly explained how it attracts it's target audience, how the layout, including images and bordering, have made it a successful publication. However I needed to improve it by discussing what type of article it is and the use of colours as signifiers. TB
Monday, 19 January 2009
media studies portfolio
I intend to use this blog to explain my decision making process throughout my portfolio. I will discuss and analyse my work- images, texts and sketches.
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