2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? Using forms and conventions of real media products- My music magazine represents a culture of music, film and art. By having and creating a non-mainstream, individual approach to the task initially I feel this works towards my advantage. Typically a music magazine would include features such as reviews and articles, interviews and photographs. Although I was only able to create a front cover, content page and double-page spread, I used my ability to include photo’s and an interview within my dps, also as many resources I could to deliver typical features of a music magazine. When visualising what I thought was a suitable masthead design for my magazine, I wanted the mixture of music, film and art to be presented. A masthead allows the reader to associate the name with the house-style and genre of the magazine, it may also encourage readers to purchase the magazine if they are attracted to the masthead. Personally I think ‘Noir’ works well with my target audience and the aspect of my magazine being creative and imaginative. Challenging forms and conventions of real media products- I challenged forms and conventions of real media products mainly through my non-mainstream design of the front cover, reflecting creativity, thus relating to the concept and content of the magazine. During my research for house-styles in relation to music magazines I did not come across any magazines which consisted of music, film and art. Typically a music magazine represents a typical genre of music; for example Kerrang represents rock music. The typical layout of a contents page consists of a clearly laid-out design to easily navigate the reader; with page numbers and sub-headings. Most contents pages are the most simplistic pages of the magazine and it is potentially used the most. For my magazine I situated the heading ‘contents’ in the central of the page, challenging typical conventions of a music magazine. The page numbers on any magazine should be clearly laid-out which my magazine also proposes, to the left of each subject matter. The highest priority of a content page should be clarity and ease of use; I wanted ‘Noir’ to be creative but also effective in order to enable to navigate the reader. By the layout and design of the contents page being simple but appealing, I feel that readers will not only be attracted to the page but encouraged to read further on.
3. Masthead: this makes everyone aware of what the title of the magazine is. Main Image: this image was chosen for a particular reason; it also links to the artist’s star persona. Page Numbers: this helps to navigate the reader. Image & Caption: the picture emphasises a certain theme; whereas the caption supports it. Front Cover on Contents Page: this maintains house-style and theme of the magazine. Website: this attracts more publicity to the magazine, also the features within.
4. Standfirst: in larger text the standfirst introduces the article. Lead Image: this dominates the DPS, making the audience more aware of what Jack’s appearance represents. Drop Cap: the first letter of the first word of the main article is larger. Columns: the Noir DPS is a two column DPS, flush left. Copy & Body Copy: the words written by the journalist, Body Copy is the main text. Pull Quote: this ties in with the lead image of the artist. Tone & Register: the descriptive language used by the journalist to appeal to the target audience. Title: this introduces the magazine article of the interview with the music artist ‘Jack Potkins’.
5. Pull Quote: this ties in with the lead image of the artist. Copy & Body Copy: this continues from the body copy from the previous DPS page, the white on black theme ties in with the Noir front cover style and gives a sense of house-style. Tone & Register: the descriptive language used by the journalist to appeal to the target audience. Italics: this article ends with upcoming events to do with the music artist, this could encourage readers to find out more. Lead Image: this dominates the page as it’s the background, making the audience more aware of what Jack’s appearance represents. Features : features such as cigarettes imply the magazine is for a teenage/early adult target audience.
6. How does your media product represent particular social groups? There are many social groups which are dedicated to particular music magazines; NME has a wide range of social groups who enjoy the main house-style of the magazine and genre of music featured within. My music magazine was intentionally aimed at a social group who enjoy music, film and art, from my research I found there were very few magazines where the house-style was based around music, film and art. Image is everything in the music industry, which is why I carefully constructed the front cover to be heavily image-led. The first thing a customer will be attracted to is the main image on the front cover of a magazine, within seconds the reader decides if the magazine is appealing enough to them or not; therefore the image should be the strongest and most attractive. A bands image is carefully manipulated to represent them in a way that is appealing to their fans. My aim was to portray my model, Jack as being fashionable and appealing to my target audience. I represented Jack as an image that my target audience can relate to in light of their interests, the way in which I presented him as being influential. The photographs of Jack featured in my music magazine, Noir offer a constructed representation of the artist’s personality by the connection the reader has with Jack. During the photo shoot I took many different photographs of Jack in varied angles almost so that the audience can gain a broader perspective about him as a music artist. I have attempted to portray Jack as being similar to the target audience apart from his music career, this could encourage readers that they have the ability to do the same. Furthermore, my music artist fits in well with my particular social group; his clothing, style and sense of creativity links in with the typical stereotype of what a reader within my social group would offer.
7. In what ways do the photos of your band offer a constructed representation of the band’s personality? The colours, contrast and features of each photo represent Jack as a music artist. The way I constructed the photo-shoot shows that I wanted readers to understand Jack’s personality, also imagine what his music would be like. Photoshop enabled me to edit, improve and encourage my photographs of Jack to connect with the house-style of my music magazine. I feel that my strongest photo complimented black & white; therefore I used it as my front cover image. The image which is produced on the front cover of any magazine needs to be the most appealing so it can attract potential readers. Photoshop also enabled me to edit my photographs in a way that I had planned; I wanted the front cover image to consist of an 80’s feel, class and creativity. For the contents page I replicated the front cover of Noir so the audience can reflect upon what the magazine’s house-style is, also what the purpose and elements of the magazine are. The colours and editing for the double-page spread suggests Jack is creative and individual, I did this on purpose so that the audience portray him as a heavy influence on not only music, but fashion as well. His positioning for the photograph offers a constructed representation of his personality as he seems laid back but also serious about his music, and influential to readers who aspire to be like him. For the turnover page continuing from the double-page spread Jack strongly reflects his image by smoking. Personally I feel this builds the impression that he is daring and sometimes rebellious; readers may connect this portrayal with his music, therefore be more interested in him as a music artist and icon. In addition, the use of pull quotes has also enabled Jack to represent his personality and be linked to the photographs. How have you presented/represented your band in your magazine?
8. How does the use of pull quotes and writing (copy) in the DPS reinforce this representation? I chose the pull quote “I gave up Uni because making it big was all i could think about-there would be nights where I would just lay there and think about how my life could be turned around” to be placed on the photograph of Jack as it creates the effect of him personally speaking . This informs readers what he has done prior to his music career, from my research I found that readers are particularly interested in what a music artist’s life consists of and how they lead it. Moreover this reinforces the representation of Jack as it suggests he isn't perfect; the audience could relate to this. In addition to the pull quote, the copy presented on the double-page spread consists of two columns which makes it more easier to read. I also included an introduction to the interview as it prepares the readers what to expect throughout the magazine. I chose the pull quote “I am just an example of the new house-music dupstep revolution, I’m here to give you your daily dose of dubstep” as it reflects upon the cosmopolitan lifestyle which readers expect Jack to lead. ‘Daily dose of dubstep ’ enthusiasts the pull quote and makes it more appealing to the house-style and target audience. The copy on the turnover fits in well with the design and layout which suggests even this could be linked with the representation of Jack as a music artist. All language and imagery in magazines is mediated. It is specially selected to portray or represent a band in a way that would appeal to the target audience of the magazine. As I study English a-level, it has worked to my advantage of having experience of journalistic writing. I included regular features which a magazine offers such as a drop cap, standfirst, pull quote and columns. The descriptive language used to appeal to the target audience (tone and register), emphasised the quality of the copy in the double-page spread. I used descriptive words which a journalist would typically use such as ‘delirious’ to engage the reader with Jack as a music artist. The writing in the double-page spread and turnover reinforces this representation as it compliments the house-style. Many quotes from Jack are included in the article as it reinforces his image and personality; “I really believe that the music is underrated-there are hundreds of true mix-ups which just need to be discovered”. By continuously mentioning Jack, highlighting his personality traits and what his lifestyle is like, I feel my target audience will be encouraged to read the entire body copy.
9. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? There are two major magazine publishers in the UK: Bauer Media publishes brands such as closer, Grazia, heat, more!, Pop, cocosa and Yours, which are typically aimed at women. Brands such as Empire, Kerrang, Mojo and Q are typically aimed at men. Each brand varies from the availability from a magazine, radio, TV, online or mobile. Bauer Media might want to publish my music magazine as it is aimed at both genders, suggests being non-mainstream and a varied house-style of music, film and arts. My music magazine would also attract more creative readers as the publisher currently does not offer anything similar to this; therefore this would attract more subscribers. Magazines such as Kerrang suggest that it has met and developed its IPC Media publishes brands such as Look, NME and MarieClaire. The company quotes “IPC Media produces over 60 iconic media brands, with print alone reaching almost two thirds of UK women and 42% of UK men – almost 26 million UK adults – while our websites collectively reach over 14 million users every month. IPC's diverse print and digital portfolio offers something for everyone, with a focus on three core audiences: men, mass market women and upmarket women.” However, this magazine publisher may not want to publish my music magazine as it’s broad approach to satisfying the mass may not meet the demand for ‘Noir’. www.ukmagz.co.uk offers a larger section of magazine publishers. It’s top ten magazines consist of FHM, Digital Photographer, Glamour and GQ. The website also quotes “UK Magazines provide you with the information about art, music, movies, food, travel, concerts, movies, videos, CD's, lifestyles, reviews and essays on music, television, films, books, video games, sports, comics, travel, Internet and almost about every topic.” As well as publishing my work on blogger.com, I decided to publish my final draft of my music magazine ‘Noir’ online. I published the magazine on issuu.com as the site offers a broad variety of cultures which my magazine links in with, the website is also open to anyone who wants to display their work online. When gathering information and researching other magazines, I found there were many publishers which had a similar house-style to ‘Noir’. However I did not come across a magazine which consisted of a music, film and art culture.
10. Below I have posted print-screen images of my the publications of my work. This indicates that I am proud of my magazine, also I want others to be inspired and to encourage readers that you can create whatever house-style you wish. Noir combines music, film and art which personally I think compliment each other.
11. Who would be the audience for your magazine? One of my main aims of my music magazine was to make sure the target audience could link their typical lifestyle in with ‘Noir’. Similar interests enable the reader to engage more; for example if the reader can relate to the particular article within the magazine, they are more likely to read further in the magazine or be more reluctant to purchase another of a different issue. I included features such as: a review on the film ‘Black Swan’, an exclusive interview with music artist Jack Potkins, information on taking out a gap year and the latest news on ‘Outlook Festival 2011’ displayed on the contents page. These were the intended subjects of Noir’s contents page as based on my research, were features which attracted my focus group the most when looking through a magazine. A music festival represents typically what my audience would experience; by featuring this in my magazine I feel readers would be more obliged to read it. This reflects upon my research I conducted, my target audience prefer dubstep & indie orientated music, interviews and photos and image-led elements in a music magazine. Image is everything for a young target audience like mine; therefore I have applied my knowledge by including elements which appeal to the values, aspirations and lifestyles of my target audience. My research shows that my target audience would range from 16-22 years, who are up-to-date with the music scene and regularly attend gigs, festivals or concerts. With media increasing its values and morals, typical readers of my music magazine may value it as a major influence. Elements such as an reality interview may also appeal to my target audience as for the aspirations and lifestyles.
12. Audience Feedback My music magazine has been designed for a specific target audience; readers who are mainly creative and interested in Music, Film and Art . It filled a gap in the market. Many creative people who are interested in one of the three are more likely to be interested in the other two. Readers commented on my magazine blog, this contributed to audience feedback by expressing how they felt about ‘Noir’. City College Norwich Media said: A very competent submission that has a strong house style. The aspirational quality of the magazine is highly appropriate for your target audience. The front cover, contents page and DPS show mature design skills. Your magazine is an impressive submission that demonstrates excellent production planning and design. Well done.2 March 2011 07:39 Joseph said: A strong house style throughout, with strong photography which is made through the lighting. The layout of the double page spread is also very good as it is clean cut and clear.3 March 2011 03:37 SophieAsMagazine said: the house style throughout the magazine is very clear, on the dps page 2 there is an are where the wording connects and i read this as one (possibly because im stupid) so would advise these were placed slightly further apart, other than this the magazine is easy to read and enjoyable to look at.
13. Audience Feedback The data and feedback from my survey contributed greatly to my evaluation on my music magazine. The closely balanced responses between male and female detect that the opinions are nor biased, nor dominated by either gender. My focus group has made the responses more valid as they are aged within my target age group (16-23). However, I did not include a direct link to my blog on my survey which made it more complicated to fill in. All responses from question 3 are positive; most mention the black and white photography used. I am particularly drawn to the comment ‘image gives the magazine a bold statement of what you're trying to say’. This comment supports my purpose of choice of effects and design for the front cover image. Thus, encouraging and influencing myself to pursue putting in a great deal of effort in order to receive such positive responses.
14. All respondents voted the model used on the front cover and double-page spread reflecting the genre of music featured in the magazine. This shows that I have clear understanding of how models should be represented in a certain house-style of a magazine. Most responses agreed with the language of the double-page spread reflects the values, aspirations and lifestyles of the target audience. Some continued to comment on why they agreed with this ‘ yes it does. for anyone who also loves dubstep and house music it shows that this kind of music is now being recognized and broadcasted to more people’. Furthermore according to my focus group, the most attractive feature of my magazine are the photographs/model. A respondent commented that the main feature of ‘Noir’ which they are the most attracted to is the individuality. I am really happy with the comments and feedback my focus group has given me, as I am extremely influenced from the positive comments, especially ‘the individuality’.
15. I included a question which asked for the respondents’ feedback on my music magazine. Although I had planned the magazine heavily, feedback would enable me to highlight on the weak areas. 100% of the respondents chose the contents page being easy to navigate; this shows that by inserting features such as page numbers ensure the reader that they will continue reading the magazine. More than 88% of the respondents voted the magazine having a recognisable house style, however I am disappointed that a respondent did not agree even partly to this. Overall, the feedback is extremely positive. 77.8% of respondents thought that my music magazine should be rated ‘very good’, whereas 33.3% of respondents thought that my music magazine should be rated ‘outstanding’. By having such positive comments and feedback from my focus group, this has influenced me into applying and improving elements in which criticism evolved. Therefore this will encourage my further work into evaluation and feedback from others. Personally I feel that I have met all of my aims and objectives of my music magazine; the responses and feedback from my focus group support this.
