Evaluation of Media Products

Media

Final Title Page

Final Contents Page

Final Double Page Spread

Questionaire Results

I posted a poll onto my blog to get people's opinions relating to my music magazine. The poll was only answered by 13 people which is a considerably small amount. Fortunately, I was able to get people within the age range starting from teens to mid 20's to vote on my poll. They were mainly female who answered the poll but with some male answers too. The results will affect the way my magazine is produced.

My poll revealed that most people would spend £2-3 on a magazine. This is a high price for a weekly magazine so my music magazine would be made monthly.

I also managed to get some feedback on the colour scheme of the magazine, this would be very helpful to me because i will gain a visual idea of what colours attract the audience when they are buying a magazine. Most of the poll was answered 'bright colours'.

A question of 'what style font would you prefer' would also give me an indication as to what the target audience likes. Fortunately, many of the people answered number 2. I am very pleased with this because it is the style font that i was keen to use. The fact that it also appeals to my target audience adds a bonus. 

I asked a question of 'what type of music do you like' this wasn't as successful as i hope because most people answered RnB. I thought that by making a rock magazine this wouldn't go down too well. There was also a tie between 'what music magazine do you prefer' the frequently answered questions were Top of the Pops and Kerrang.  

Photo Analysis

This is one of the first photos I took on the second photo shoot. I like this photo of El a lot because she is showing that she has attitude as she is not smiling and the way that she is sitting gives off the impression that she doesn’t care, maybe how a typical teenager would act. I think that this would go well on the double page spread as it would relate well to the story that I intend on doing. The lighting is perfect in this image because the lighting enhances her face and makes her stand out more. This was the kind of thing that I was looking for because it suited the artist that she was trying to be.

In some aspects I like this photo because of the costume and the props however I don’t think it is really suitable for a rock magazine because there is flowery wallpaper in the background. This doesn’t really match with the theme ‘rock’ as it clashes because flowers are associated with different fashions and are considered to be girly. I don’t really think that the composition of this photograph is very good because her feet are cut off.

For me this has got to be one of the best photos and will probably be  used for the main cover image. The quality of the photo is very good and I think the pose is more suitable as the main image. El’s expression is very powerful a he eyes are looking straight out, connecting with the target audience, inviting them in. the guitar is giving the reader a sign of the musical focus of the magazine. The only thing I have a problem with about this photo is the shadowing but with the magnetic lasso tool and cropping tool I will be able to remove this and place Eloise onto a different background relating it more to rock themed.

This photo was taken in my dad car. I love the angle of the photo as the camera is at a slight tilt giving a disorientated feel. I think her expression is serious and the image looks quite sinister. I think that this would be good to use as an extra image on the double page spread as it shows what she can afford with the money she has got since becoming a rock sensation.

I love this photo because again the lighting is perfect. I love the way the light reflects off of the silver covering and the cd’s. I thought this prop would be appropriate because it relates to her new album coming out. I think this image would be suitable for the contents page as a smaller image because it is the wrong positioning to be used on the double page spread or on the front cover. I also like the fact that the camera is slightly above the subject instead of the same height as I think this gives the photo more effect.



I didn’t like the way this photo came out because the lighting was very poor. In the background you can see the shadows of el and her hand and money. I don’t think that this photograph is very striking to appear in a magazine because there is a lot wrong with it. I also don’t like the way she is smiling because her image is meant to show attitude as if she knows best. This is not the typical image you would normally see in a rock magazine.

This photo has been taken in a boy's bedroom. I like this photo because it is showing behind the scenes of a band, it shows inside information of them practising as they dont have an appropriate room to do so. I think that this would be good to go on the front page because it would be suitable for the coverline. However, this photo was not very good quality but as it will be small it shouldn't notice.

This is another image that i had taken of a boy band that I made up. With this photo, i have challenged the conventions of a rock/indie magazine becasue they are not dressed in the particular style of a rocker, for example, leather jackets, printed tees, etc. I think that, challenging the conventions could be a risk especially if this image is to appear on the front page as a cover line of my magazine. However, it could start a new phase. I like this photo becasue of the different poses the boys are making, they look very natural. The clothing they are wearing contrasts with the brick wall because you wouldn't normally see smartly dressed people standing infront of a brick wall.

Photo Shoot Schedule

Font Ideas

Above, are some fonts that I think will be suitable for the text in my magazine. My overall favourite is BROKEN because it suits the particular music genre of my magazine and represents the type of target audience my magazine will appeal to.  It would be eye catching for the titles and maybe cover lines because it would draw the eye in to make a statement. This would relate very well to my rock/ indie genre. i also like KOMIKA AXIS as I like the style of the writing and the fact that it is bold and stands out. I dont think that it would work aswell as BROKEN becasue it isnt really suitable for the rock genre of the magazine.

Title Sketches

Above are some sketches that I did originally of my title. I like the first one because it stands out and would represent the genre of my magazine well. I also like the broken effect of the second one as it would also relate well to my genre and the broken effect gives off a careless and not bothered type of look. The third design is very traditional because the lettering would catch the eye of the viewer as it is bordered around the outsides. I think that this would attract to my target audience but I don’t really think that it suits my magazine. After drawing my own ideas, I will then go onto 'Dafont' and find similar fonts to my ideas. From this I will then be able to decide what I would prefer for my particular magazine.



Colour Schemes

Here are three possible colour schemes for my magazine. They all contain red but have a combination of another two colours. I have chosen red throughout because it stands out and reflects a loud appearance like my genre of music. I am planning to use my chosen colour scheme throughout all of the three pages as this is a typical convention of a magazine. The colour scheme that mostly appeals to me is red, black ad white, this is because all of the colours represent rock/ indie styled music in one way or another, for example the black relating to the emo type of look. The colours also match well and would stand out. The red looks very striking and would appear eye catching to the target audience. The red colouring would not be the main feature of the magazine as it would be too much but hints of red will make the magazine look more modern and sophisticated.  

Story Ideas

Interview with a Famous Band

The story will be about a very well known band who appeals to the target audience of this magazine. The band will attract the audience because they are well known and they will also be able to find out information on their lives and what they love to do.  The band has been successful in the past and has currently become number one in the charts; there single has become very popular and well known by many. Due to how famous they have become, their picture on the front page will entice their fans and other people of the target audience to buy the magazine to find out more about the band. The double page spread will include an interview with detailed questions about back stage gossip of their life and a short story summarising who they are and what they have become. The double page spread will also include pictures of behind the scenes.

Reforming Success

This story would be about a band that had split up due to difficulties within the group but have recently reformed and played at a gig in London which was a sell out success. After releasing their new single, they have become a success straight away and become well known again. This story would talk about the ups ad downs in their lives and how it had affected them and their dream career. This would be a good chance for the target audience to hear about their favourite band and find out unknown information about them and about there lives outside of their music career. The double page spread will include an interview and pictures of the band and their life of growing up. The main image on the front cover will attract the audience into finding out more.

Rags To Riches

This story would include how a solo artist went from having nothing to becoming a famous rock sensation. The artist will be very well known by her fans and the target audience of the magazine. The story will be a brief interview with the artist to see how she became successful and reached her dream. The interview will aslo include information from her past and how she over come her drug and drink problems. I think that this would be a good story to include in my magazine because it will give the target audience a chance to find out about what the artists get up too and how there inspirations could affect them.  

Other stories (cover and contents)

• Exclusive images
• Top Releases
• Top 10 Albums Out Now
• Behind the Scenes
• Battle of the Bands

Potential Title Names

Here are some title ideas that i thought would be appropriate for my magazine:

• Acoustic
• Amplified
• Krank
• Krank it UP
• Move
• Move it UP
• Pulse

Above are potential titles that I could use for my magazine. I struggled to come up with a title that would suit the type of magazine that I want to create. The titles that stand out to me and could be seen as a potential are, Krank, Amplified and Acoustic.

Krank- I liked Krank because it sounds exciting and unusual, and links well with my genre. Krank makes the magazine sounds as though it is very quirky like the target audience of my magazine. The name is short and easy to remember and would stand out from the other magazine names.  Krank sounds very quirky and rocky which would be perfect for my magazine name.  Out of the possible titles, I think that this one would work the best.

Amplified- I like this name because it related to the amplifier that would be used at gigs. The name also makes the magazine seem loud and upbeat. This would make the audience know straight away that this relates to a rock/ indie magazine. Amplified also sounds very modern and it would work with a younger age group.

Acoustic- I also preferred this name out of the potential ones because acoustic is a type of guitar. When the customer reads this, they will be able to tell easily what kind of magazine that this is.

Double Page Spread Layout 3

This is design number 3 for the double-page spread element of the magazine. the main focal image will be on the left hand side of the page whilst there is a notepad styled question and answer. The text that is featured in the article would be positioned in the middle of the righthand side of the page because this would allow more information to be included and this would allow the audience to be attracted more into reading the article. Other elements of the page would be images of behind the scenes and recent gigs that the band has been too or the images might correlate to the photo shoot in which they have been too. In the top right hand  corner of the left page would be a quotation from the interviewee, this might be an unknown peice of information and placed in quotes it would attract the audience to want to read it. With this quote strecthing across the centre fold of the double page spread, it would allow the audience to be drawn directly to it so that the acticle will become more apparent to the reader. Also, if this quote was to be put in a different style font, it will attract the audience.

Double Page Spread Layout 2

This is my second double page spread layout. Much like the previous design, the main image is taking up most of the double page spread. This main image would contain a medium long shot of the band in a photo shoot. This headline will convey the bands name and would be written in large writing across the centre fold of the magazine. This is because it will help the audience understand the purpose of the article. The main story is written in a column on the left hand side of the page so when the reader turns to that particular page they will see the story straight away and would want to read it. There is also a small introduction about the band that are being interviewed. The border at the top and bottom of the page would make the sotry stand out and give off an effect that it has been framed, within this border there will be a page number in the corner so that the audience will know what page they are on.

Double Page Spread Layout 1

This is my first possible design for my double page spread. I have decided to create an image that would dominate most of the double page which would consist of a mid shot of the particular band that i am going to be interviewing. The main story would be placed in the left havd corner of the left page. The masthead would be written sideways along with the main coverline above the main text because it would have a quirky look to it. The mast head would be written in bold writing so that it is clear to the audience who the interview is about. the is also another correlating image to the right hand side of the page which would be a medium close up of one of the band members. A quote which would be excluded from the text paralleling the image would be included to attract the attention of the reader more towards the article. There is also a border going around the page which makes it stand out even more and looks as though the page is framed, this gives off a more sophisticated look to the magazine, although im not going for sophisticated i think that this works well with the rest of the design layout.

Contents Page Layout 3

this is my first contents page design. The main title is situated at the top of the page and written in considerably larger text featured on the rest of the page so that it stands out more. With the sub heading of 'features' in a similar style but smaller, it would also stand out on the page. the main image on the page will correlate with the main story that i am going to be using, whilst the page number is written laregely at the bottom so that the story can easily be found. There would also be other images that correlate to the particular covelines that are written on the contents page. The coverlines will provide information on some of the details of the stories that will be within the magazine, these will introduce the story to the reader before they start reading it in more depth. The other coverlines are positioned down the left thirds so that they can be seen easily. This would allow for the rest of the page to contain a main image on the main story that will be inside the magazine.

Contents Page Layout 2

This is my second design, it contains more images than the first one but they are all relevant to their particular story lines. Having the pages listed in one place, under the relevant heading to make the pages clear and easy to use. Where the main information is situated at the bottom of the page it would overlap the mid shot of the main image. The cover lines and the page numbers would be in bold writing to stand out and attract the reader's attention. The masthead is written at the top of the page in large writing to catch the eye of the viewer. Out of the designs I have done I think that this is my favourite design because I like the fact that there is a lot of room for an images which would be the main focus of the page and I also like the fact that there is an even balance between the writing and the text of the cover lines. I based this design on the KERRANG contents page that i saw.

Contents Page Layout 1

This is my first contents page design, this design is more busy than the other layouts that i have designed. The title of the magazine is written in the top left hand corner and can be used as a feature throughout the magazine. The mast head is written quite small and blends in with the headlines of the other features but it would be in bold lettering so that it is emphasized to the audience. As you can see, the age is neatly divided up into sections which will contain subheadings and coverlines of the stories along with correlating images. The page numbers will be written largely so that it is easier for the reader to navigate from page to page. The main image on the page would be a mid shot as I think that this is the most appropriate for this particular layout. There will also be images that look as if they have been stuck over the top of the writing giving a pug effect where the cover lines are written.

Front Cover Layout 3

For my final front cover design I have decided to use a close up again. Like the other titles of most magazines it is positioned at the top, spreading across the width of the page. I have chosen to slightly overlap the title with the image; this is a typical magazine convention. I have also added a sky line into the design as this is typical of most magazines. Down the left thirds of the page I have got images of bands which are posters included inside the magazine. the barcode and the price are also positioned in the left thirds so that it can be seen by the audience when the magazine is stacked on the shop shelf. The main feature of the page is the main cover line story; this also contains images of the band which will also be shown inside the magazine along with the story. this could either be boxed or could have a 'jagged edge' to add to the rock/ indie theme of my magazine.

Front Cover Layout 2

This is one of my possible designs for my magazine front cover. I have positioned the mast head in the top left hand corner within the left thrids of the page as this area would mainly be seen when the magazines are stacked on the shop shelf.  Also, my positioning the title here, it looks similar to the layout of the 'Q' magazine, it will aslo allow room for a main image to cover the rest of the page. The barcode would be located at thr bottom right hand corner as this is a vital element of a magazine front cover and by placing it here would make it very discrete and wouldnt take the main focus off of the main image. The cover stories will also run down the left thrids of the page so that they are in sight of the audience when they are stacked on the shelf. This layout is a bit more busier than the previous one because i felt that more text needed to be added in to make it have an even balance between pictures and writing. This crowded feel would relate to the chaotic feel at rock gigs, therefore this would appeal to my taregt audience and the style of the magazine. The main image for the cover would be a medium close up i feel as though it would work better with this partiuclar style layout. All depending on the colour scheme I select, will depend on what colour will be featured where.

Front Cover Layout 1

This is the first design for my front cover. After analysing several music magazines i thought that a medium close up would be the most suitbale image to use on my front cover. This design is quite simple, with the main image dominating the page. down the left thirds of the page there are polaroid styled images with their coverlines. These will attract the audiences attention because they are in the left thirds of the page. the main cover line is significantly larger, stretching across 2/3 of the page to hightlight its importance. The title would be situated at the top of the front cover in a large, bold font spreading across the middle of the cover. The writing would be fairly large to make the magazine noticeable to the right target audience.

Target Audience

Target audience

Double Page Spread Analysis

music double page spreads

Contents Page Analysis

contents pages analysis

Magazine Cover Analysis

magazine covers