Looking back at your preliminary task (the school magazine task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?

Both images are very different from my preliminary task and my final front cover. I believe the front cover on my music magazine is a lot better as it follows the convention of a regular magazine. It does this as it is a medium shot of one main artist which has an article inside. The image on my prelminary task is a random image which represents the school. However, there is not an article included about the people that are previewed on the front cover. My mast head of 'Aim High!' lacks in excitement for my target market of school children to want to pick it up and read this magazine. There is limited use of cover lines and sell lines in on my preliminary task which would also deter my target audience from wanting my magazine.

As you can see there is a massive improvement for creating a contents page. They both have a copy of the mast head at the top, which follows a convention of magazines. However, to be honest my preliminary task on left looks absolutley pathetic. It looks plain and dull and I don't think anyone would want to read a magzine with a contents page that looked like this. This is why I am very pleased and proud of what I have accomplished with my music magazine. There is a main image, Band Index, clear headings so it is easy to navigate and page numbers which all follow conventions of a magazine. I have inderstood what goes in to a magazine to make my target audience want to be interested in my magazine and what to do to attract them. I am really proud of my final designs. However if I had to do it all again I would be more organised. For example, I left things to the last minute such as my blog because I didn't know how to use it. I would also make sure I properly plan on paper so I have a concrete idea of what to do. I would also get more feedback so I know 100% of what works and what doesn't for my target audience.

Feedback

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Photoshop has played a major part in the development and production of my magazine. When making our preliminary tasks I had no idea how I was going to make a magazine that followed any of the codes and conventions of a real magazine, as I had limited knowledge of how to use the photoshop programme. I looked on YouTube how to cut out images from their background. I was also shown how to use the magnetic lasso tool, as the Photoshop demonstration (above) shows it in two different ways. I looked at several 'How to' video's to help create my magazine.

When first introduced to the apple macs, I have to be honest I got a little frustrated. Even though they had the similar programmes such as 'Word' and access to the internet. They had different layouts. At the beginning of the project, it took me a long time to complete my magazine and just general research as i'd never used them before. However, as I practised using them more often, I began to feel more comfortable and confident in using the macs. Plus, I would now rather use the apple macs than go back to the previous computers that I was using. Now that I feel more at ease with using the macs, I think I will be more calm when completing other projects.

At the beggining of the project, I did not know how to create, use or upload to a blog. For a while I left the blog and focused on the actual production of my magazine. I think this was because I thought I would just get more frustrated as it was another programme of which I could get confused with. If I could re-do the project knowing what I have learnt, then I would have started both my blog and magazine earlier. I didn't realise how much time it consumed, so now I realised I should have fully listened to my teacher when she said keep up to date with everything and odn't get left behind. From using blogger, I have learnt how to upload video's, audio's and images.

Just like the programmes above, 'Photobucket' and 'Flikr' were both new to me. I tried to think if there were any other easier ways to create slide shows of images. Although, when I was shown how to use them, I realised that they are so simple to use. I liked using them that much that I have even started using them for my photography projects. I think it proves that if I get shown how to use something and I practise for myself, then I can do pretty much anything. For recording my audio pieces, to begin with I recorded them off my phone. However, I decided not use them as I did think the sound was of a very high quality. I then plugged in a microphone, and recorded myself. Saved it as an mp3 file and placed it on my blog. Over all, I am glad that I have learnt and know how to use these different programmes as I can use them in future projects.

How did you attract/address your audience?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49556281@N02/4545530436/

Who would be the audience for your media product?

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

      Similarities

 -       These two shots are very similar in the way that they are both medium shots (showing from the waist up)
 -       Both costumes are black, with a similar of hair and make up as they are both aimed at .similar target audience of teenagers who are interested in the rock and indie style genre

  -       On both covers they take up the same amount of space on the page and are both positioned more the the right, and then has the majority of text running down the left side of the page.

Differences

-       These shots are different in the way that my model has her back facing the audience, but still seeing one side of her face. where as, on the rolling stones cover we see a full frontal view of Amy which has a direct mode of address.

-       In my image, Amy is less revealing as less skin is on show, which means tattoos are hidden

-       The Amy on the “Rolling Stones” cover is pouting and showing less emotion. Where as my model creates an impression of happiness.

-       The Rolling Stones cover Amy, is more slouched where mine reveals a more healthy posture

-   The lighting on the rolling stones cover is brighter, which is differs to mine as you can view shadows on my models face

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

a) Title, font and style - 'G.L.A.M'

I concluded on the title “G.L.A.M” which stands for “Girls Latest Amazing Music” as this connects with the conventions of any typical magazine, as it is short and a memorable title. Here are some examples of the convention in reality.

It is also placed across the top across the page horizontally, as all magazines do this. I could have tried my mast head vertically to break the forms and conventions of a magazine.
My target audience, who are young, teenage girls, would like this name for my music magazine as the word “Glam” is appealing to the more “girly” girls. It sounds like it could be a fashion magazine. However, when you realise what “G.L.A.M” stands for (Girls Latest Amazing Music) you discover it is actually a gossip style music magazine. I have chosen the colours of pink and black for my title for the whole house style. This is a code and convention of magazines across all genres as the majority of magaiznes consist of a very limited colour paletter, therefore making it easier to navigate and not look too overcrowded. However, music magazines sych as 'Smash Hits' and 'Top of the Pops' subvert this convention as they tend to use a variety of bright colours as their target audience are for young children.

('Smash Hits front cover'http://www.textually.org/ringtonia/archives/images/set2/539216_1.jpg)
('Top of the Pop's front cover https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpuWASwHTUHUlsYtsOtVqKB4JFIwQaxpBcvmmcLHPhlQvAc7EKRi6m4tnEQoAWlqbM6jrYADKtR7NJ838iVimrLFOPWij3gaVlkuuvIcaAnIvVHiyktdLoxVdDrSgF8I_ivU16WHXNIk/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg)

When seen the colour pink, you stereotypically assume that the product is for females, and this was the effect and technique I was hoping to achieve. I also used a slightly rock style font to give it an edgy look of rebellion so it wasn’t just a completely 'girly' magazine. This is similar to 'KERRANG'S' logo (shown below) as it looks like smashing glass. The 'smashed mirror effect relates to the genre of music and artists featured in this magazine. I asked 30 people aged 14 - 18 to choose which mast head design they liked best out of all my designs and 90% of them chose the one used in my final magazine. This is the main reason of why I concluded on the design. For my anchorage text and cross head I have used serif font. Although this is usually a formal text used, I wanted to break the rule of the codes and convention as I believe it created a more edgy atmosphere when teamed with my mast head.

b) Mis en Scene of Images

On my front cover, for my main image I only had a coloured background as I wanted my main star persona to have the spotlight and be the main focus. I chose my main image and model look straight in to the camera to give a direct mode of address which draws the reader in. I also had a smaller picture of Lady Gaga at the side to show what else featured in this weeks G.LA.M magazine. This follows the convention of the majority of magazines across all genres, as magazines usually have just a plain white or coloured background so it doesn’t distract the audience away from the magazine, with their main image being the largest. I have followed this rule on my contents page too. However, my double page spread does not follow this rule as my main image has a background showing the countryside to portray that they are on a country holiday which is what is read in the article to relate the images with the article itself. I also had three other, separate smaller images on my double page which follows the conventions in magazines, as this lets the audience have a closer look at a celebrity’s private life.

c)Costumes, props and people

For my front page, as my leading image of Amy Winehouse I had to choose a girl who would look good in trying to recreate her style. I chose the person I did as she has long dark hair which I tried to put up in the style similar to Amy’s and dress her in the more “emo” style. I also dressed her in black as it’s a very dark colour, similar to her reputation and personality. I chose a medium shot as it focused completely on her. Although, on my front cover I had her pose smiling and healthy looking as the article was suppose to be about her being happier. The Lady Gaga photo on the front cover was chosen as it looked like a slightly mad pose and this is how she is portrayed in the industry. This was why I also chose just a head shot and also because as it was a much smaller image in comparison to the leading image, it would have been more difficult to see that it was her if it was a long shot. The images of Blake and Amy on my double page spread mainly consisted of long shots and medium shots as this time I wanted the reader to see a whole body shot of them two together. I had them both smiling in all of the photo’s as the article was supposed to be about them back together and how happy they were about it. This time I had has Amy wear a red, blue, white and black to create a bit of colour for her. This also showed a more casual look as the front cover image was a more posed shot. Where as this double page spread images were to show the reality of Amy and her partner on holiday. This is why Blake wore just a plain top and jacket with jeans.
d) Music Genre
My music genre is indie/rock. It immediately suggests this as on my front cover it shows the main article of Amy Winehouse and shows a “Band Index” on the contents page which shows the majority of bands which fit the indie/rock target audience category. The mast head font also gives it that edgy look which appears a little scruffy and untidy which relates to the artists stereotypical appearances.

Double page spread.

 I then wanted to place at least two or three separate smaller images that would relate to the article. I chose these photograph's as they show a variety as I used medium shots, long shots from different angles. I also added another quote on the main image of 'I would love to start a family' as this is a code and convention of magazines which I had discovered when looking through magazines for my research. I also added a smaller image on the bottom right but had to place it in a white box as without it, it didn't stand out. I also put a short sentence on one of the photograph's as it didn't look very effective without it.

When I started my double page spread I needed to choose a suitable image to cover one full page. On the other side to remain a fluent theme, I kept the light pink colour as the background. For  'I Just Don't Care' I decided to make this a bold black font to highlight the quotation said by Amy. This was also why I put the headline in white as it is distinctive. In my plan I did only have two columns. However, when it come to actually putting it on my double page spread, there was not enough room, so I had to use two and a half columns. However, I think this better in comparison to my plan. 

Final design of contents page.

This is the final design of my contents page. I slightly changed it to what I had on my drawing plan. Instead of talking about who was going to be at Lady Gaga's tour and what will happen on the day. I believe it was a valuable choice to embrace a quote of what the artist is thinking. I am really content with my front cover and contents page as I thought I was going to really struggle to create my music magazine when i didn't understand how to use photoshop or follow the codes and conventions of a magazine.

Contents page.

I continued to use photoshop to design my contents page. I first mad a copy of my masthead design and put it in the top left hand corner. Just like in my plan, I put 'THIS WEEK' in the top right followed by the date underneath, and then the 'BAND INDEX' down the left. I continued with a pink, fading in to white back ground to continue a chronological theme. After that, I started to distribute the main articles, features and news of what my magazine will consist of. I incorporated the main headings in bold, black boxes and pink font to make them protrude. This also associates with my colour pallete of pink, black and white.

Final front cover.

My front cover is now completed. I added my two smaller stories on the left hand side. I created to boxes and put Lady Gaga in the top one and Lily Allen's story in the bottom. I only chose to put one picture in so it didn't take too much attention off of Amy Winehouse. I also changed the positioning of my bar code to what I had in my plan. I placed it to the left as it looked more comfortable there.

Next Stage

I added in a coloured background as I believed it looked to plain.I then added a colour behind the selling line to see if it looked better. however, I didn't really like it as it covered the top of my masthead and just made everything look messy. I also added what G.L.A.M actually stood for (Girls Latest Audio Music) as the word glam would stereotypically resemble a beauty or fashion magazine. Where as, mine is a gossip style music magazine. I also allocated at the bottom what other bands will feature in my magazine just to give a brief indication.

Front cover development.

After that I had to duplicate each layer when I added something new. This was so if I decided to alter something later on I could easily do so without deleting a  whole section. I designed my main my main anchor text in word and then just copied it over to photoshop and placed it where I wanted. I chose to have black text as it didn't stand out too much against the black top Amy is wearing. Although, using pink to outline it makes it easily coherent. I also chose the colour pink as it combines with the colour of the masthead. I put 'AMY WINEHOUSE' in a larger text to emphasize that she is the main feature. 'FREE!' in a separate layer in the selling line is also in a larger font to exaggerate that the audience can receive something for free which allures the reader in.

Starting my front cover using photoshop.

At this stage I still had no idea how to properly use photoshop or indesign. I wanted to try out photoshop for my first go as I was going to be shown the basics of how to use the software. I didn't know how to even duplicate a layer, let alone do anything else. I watched a few video's on youtube of how to do some of the basics like cut out an image, and was also shown how to place an image on top of and underneath text. The first step I did was cut out my model posing as Amy from the background. I did this in photoshop by using the magnetic lasso tool. I then dragged her on to a blank document which had my masthead of G.L.A.M on. I then had to move her around to see where was best to place her.

Practice images for front cover

Double page spread.

On the right page W would like to use an image which will represent the article as a whole. I would like it to conjure up the relationship of Amy Winehouse and Blake which is what the article is about. I will place the written article on the left in columns just to break up the text, as this follows the convention of not just an article of a music magazine. But any article in a newspaper or different genre of magazine. I will also add in a main quote of 'I just don't care, simple?' As the audience can imagine Amy saying something like this which immediately shows the audience that the article must be correct if a quote is composed. This will be bolder and large than the rest of the text on the page to make it project off the page, which the audience eyes will see first. underneath will be a short outline of what the article is about which will be a larger font than the written article. However, the font will be smaller in comparison to the  quote placed above. I would also like to enclose at least two, maybe three other smaller images to arouse the reader and make resemble the article as more active and diligent.

Contents page plan.

When designing my plan for my contents page I knew I had to include my masthead again at the top of the page, as when researching other music magazines, or just magazines in general. They usually followed this technique. When looking at other magazines, they majority of them had 'THIS WEEK' or 'FEATURING IN THIS WEEK'S MAG'. So to make it short and snappy I decided to just put 'THIS WEEK' followed by the date underneath. I put a band index running down the left hand side of the page to let the audience see who's on what page, where they can quickly scan their favorite artist which is then made easy to navigate when followed with a page number. For a main image on the contents page, I decided to have an image of Lady Gaga with some information about the countdown to her tour. The empty space on the right will be filled up with feature articles of what will be on which page. I would like it to be a from a different angle or perspective as the image which will appear on the front cover as I don't want it to look the same and unexcite the reader.

Amy Winehouse Article

Amy Winehouse spills her true feelings towards Blake, exclusively to GLAM...

When Amy Winehouse and her on/off again partner Blake Fielder Civil announced their divorce in July 2009, we all thought the drama would be over and it was time to move on. Although don’t hold your breath for too long. After Amy’s album release of ‘Back to Black’ we realised she actually meant ‘Back to Blake.’

Back in January 2004, both Amy and Blake met at a pub named ‘The Good Mixer’ in Camden town. Since then it has been a roller coaster ride of tears, laughter and tantrums.

Amy went on to create her second album in October 2006 on Island Records. The album had shaped a number of singles such as "Rehab", "You Know I'm No Good", "Back to Black", "Tears Dry on Their Own", and "Love Is a Losing Game". Winehouse's mature and emotive singing style was proven to be very popular. She was an upcoming star. At the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, ‘Back to Black’ won five awards, tying the record with Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, Beyonce, and Alison Krauss for the most awards won by a female artist in a single ceremony. The album won Best Pop Vocal Album, while "Rehab" won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Amy also won Best New Artist. So far, the album has sold over 12 million copies worldwide. With 5.5 million copies sold in 2007 it was the biggest selling album of the year and stayed on the top 10 best selling albums in the world list in 2008 at number seven.

With her career rocketing, Amy then went on to marry Blake Fielder Civil in May 2007. It was looking great for Amy until she was she was photographed with her husband in August bloodied and bruised in the streets of London after an alleged fight, although she says her injuries were self inflicted. “Blake would never hurt me or do anything to upset me in anyway. It’s just all a big misunderstanding” says Amy.

Amy began to go off the rails when Blake, from 21 July 2008, to 25 February 2009 was imprisoned following his guilty plea on charges of trying to pervert the course of justice as well as a charge of grievous bodily harm. Blake admitted that “I was the one who introduced Amy to crack cocaine and heroin.” Winehouse's battles with substance abuse gave much media attention. In various interviews, she has admitted to having problems with self-harm, depression and eating disorders.

Her continued drug problem began to affect her career. She has been in and out of rehab. However, she tells GLAM “I am officially clean and will gradually improve my health again. There’s just one more thing I need back in my life. And that’s Blake.” The two had been rumoured to be seen alone together again walking through fields on their country holiday break. “My dad booked a cottage in the country side to get away from everything for a while. I just want to get my life back on track. Nothing has been decided yet but I would love to someday start a family, and who knows. I would love it if Blake could be a part of it.”                  

My front cover is the first page that I need to start planning. To make it easier when I get started on doing all my pages in photoshop and indesign, I wanted to have all my plans drawn out roughly on paper so I can get straight on with it. I can also change things around if I need to, but at least I now have something to follow from. First I need my masthead to stand out so it is easy to interpret that it is 'G.L.A.M' (Girls Latest Amazing Music) magazine and is recognizable to the audience. I chose this name as it implies to the audience that this is the only magazine where young girls (hence the name) can receive the latest music on trend. I then had the anchorage text of 'Amy Winehouse, back to black and back to blake' to make the audience aware who will feature in this issue of G.L.A.M which is a major selling point for people who are interested in Amy. It is also ironic as 'Back to black' is obviously one of her singles, as the target audience of the magazine would be fully aware of this. And the 'Back to Blake' is a pun as it sounds like her song. However, it is talking about her partner. The sell line also reads 'Free signed Kasabian album' invites the reader to get something for free which attracts the eye. I also want to add a sticker tag of 'WIN! Lady Gaga tickets' to charm the reader in to really wanting to buy my product. I am going to try a variety of different poses and shots for my main image of Amy Winehouse. Although, I would like to use a midshot or close up as I think for the front cover this will make the main feature will be enhanced. I will also put a small image of Lady Gaga on the left and a few short cover lines to let the audience know who else will be in this issue of the magazine. I also copied this technique with the Lily Allen story but with out an image as I didn't want it to become too busy and overcrowded. I placed the bar code to the right as I think it fits perfectly underneath the anchorage text.

For my double page spread I need to write an article on a band or solo artist. I decided to write about Amy Winehouse and create a narrative on her and her ex partner Blake getting back together. I chose Amy Winehouse because she would be one of the artists my reader's are interested in and would want to read and purchase my magazine. As this was going to be my main story, I needed to have her as the main image on my front cover. So I needed to think early on about who I could use as a model. What could they wear? And how should they look?

Masthead Design Ideas.

As I want to create an NME style magazine I need to decide what design I could have to use as my masthead. The plain black design (above) was my first basic font. I chose this because I thought it suited my target audience and genre of magazine. It has a slight edgy feel and relates to the type of artists that will appear in my magazine. For example, Amy Winehouse and Florence and the Machine, as they portray a wild and rebellious reputation and music genre. My specific target audience will be for females aged 14 - 19 so I thought the colour pink would be convenient as it is the stereotypical colour which represents the female gender. The design below is my finished masthead design. I believe this design is the most advisable design as it is bold, it stands out and it relates to my target audience.

NME

For my magazine I have decided to take a risk and go in the completely opposite direction of the type of genre I like and create a magazine similar to NME. I decided to try and research some relevant information on NME which maybe useful in developing my own music magazine. And this is what I discovered.


NME (New Music Express) was first launched in 1996, with the target audience averaging between late teens to mid twenties. Some figures on wanting to advertise in the magazine are shown below.

Classified Rates 2008 (Colour) 

Full Page   £ 3,920 

Half Page   £ 1,960 

Quarter Page (4 columns) £ 1,120  

Quarter Page (3 columns) £    845 

SCC rate  £ 28.00 

(Minimum of 3 cm X 1 column box)  

New & Unsigned 

Full Page                £ 950        220 mm X 140 mm 

Half Page               £ 500       101 mm X 140 mm 

Quarter page        £ 275        101 mm X 75 mm 

Sixth page              £ 175        60 mm X 75 mm 

Twelfth page          £ 95          30 mm X 75 mm 

Free colour is offered on all adverts 

Key Facts 

 Page Impressions per Month  21,983,377 

(Total number of pages viewed per month) 

Unique Users per Month   3,326,979 

(Number of individual people who visit a 

website) 

Visits per Month   5,223,502 

(Total number of times anyone visited a 

website) 

Weekly Newsletter sent to 33,000 

(Every Tuesday) 

Rate per Month   £ 750 

Page Impressions per Month  21,983,377 

(Total number of pages viewed per month) 

Music Magazine Analysis three and four.

(Double page spread analysishttp://www.flickr.com/photos/49556281@N02/4551625399/)

NME music magazine falls in to the category of teenagers to early twenties. Looking at the front cover of this magazine, the reader can infer that the main article or story is going to be about “Pete Doherty”, we know this because Pete Doherty is the main, central image and his name is the largest font which stands out on the front cover. There are several puffs surrounding the central image, stating that there are going to be information or stories about popular artists featured in this magazine for a specified genre. The puffs also suggest that there is a chance to “WIN VIP FESTIVAL TICKETS” inside, which makes the reader feel as if they have the chance to receive something in which they are interested in, as they are reading the magazine, which include their interests.

NME is aimed at late teenagers to early twenties, preferably males. The editor has successfully chosen an artist that they expect the audience to relate to. Pete Doherty has a reputation of being rebellious. Young males generally feel pressured to act “cool”, for example in front of their friends at school. This is why Pete Doherty has been chosen as he is always getting in to trouble with drugs, for example, as drugs are often experimented by young males. Some young males who like him, maybe aspire to be like him, and act in a similar manner.

The main image of Pete Doherty is quite plain as he is just looking straight in to the camera, and in to the audiences eyes with an “I’m not bothered” look. This connects with his behaviour, and reputation. By using a popular artist on the front cover of a magazine encourages the reader to either buy the magazine or continue reading the next one. The anchorage text is in line with the image of Pete Doherty. However, the text below of what the article is about which reads “I’ll say sorry to every single person from the depths of my heart” is ironic as his facial expressions in the photograph imply that he doesn’t really means what he says, as he looks as if he doesn’t care. Overall, the artist is looking directly at the reader, although he is topless, his pale skin contrasts against the dark background.

The masthead is short and in big, bold capital letters so it is easily identified. The editor has cleverly made the long name of “New Musical Express” in to a shortened title so the name doesn’t have to disappear behind the main image of the artists head so it is clearly seen. It is also red which contrasts against the dark background.  

Music Magazine Analysis two.

Music Magazine Analysis one.

            

Mood board

To get a general idea of what magazines from different genre's look like I created a collage of magazine front covers, as to be totally honest, I have never fully read a music magazine before. At this stage I am not one hundred percent sure on what genre I would like to produce my magazine for and what specific target audience. However, looking at my mood board makes me think of different ideas of what I could do and hopefully doing some front cover magazine analysis will help me discover what I would like to do.

Practice School Magazine.