Evaluation

Overall

I began this project wanting to make a magazine based on dance music.



After doing a lot of research and looking at other magazines; as well as making a questionnaire I discovered that alternative music was the most popular music genre that people read about.





This is why I changed my magazine to an alternative inspired one, as I have based mine around NME's...

http://www.nme.com/

Magazine Double Page Spread Progress

I started my double page spread by firstly, adding the images I wanted to use in the places I wanted them. I put my main image in the centre which is why  it is the largest image, and placed the other 4 around it and on top of each other to make it seem more interesting as well as chaotic; which goes well with the article.

I then placed my title in the bottom left hand corner of the page, and the description of the article underneath it. I ensured that the main title was large and in bold to be the most attractive thing on the page, and made the description in bold as well but also made a certain part in red to make that stand out from everything else.

The next stage was to start my article off by adding the first letter, which is always bigger than the article writing in every magazine I had looked at. I also made it red to make it stand out even more.

I then placed my article along the bottom half of the pages in columns. I also made one part in bold to show that it was a question, to make it more appealing for the reader.

Next, I placed a red box in a corner of each image, and wrote a small description of what the image  was about; using white writing to make it stand out.

I then wrote under the images and in line with the first column, the names of the people who had 'taken the images'. I made the names red to make them stand out.

Finally, I added a pull quote in the top left hand of the main image to make the reader want to read the article and find out what it's about. I also wrote it in a different font style to make it different to the rest of the writing.
I also placed the date and page number in the bottom left hand corner as this is typical of most other magazines, and also informs the reader what page they're on.

Magazine Contents Page Progress

I started off my contents page by adding the title and date. I chose not to simply call it 'Contents page' as this is not as interesting; and the date is placed near the title as this is typical of most magazines.

I then added all of the images I was using where I wanted them, and placed a shape (triangle) over each bottom right hand corner of each image; to create the effect that they had all been snipped off.

Next, I added the page numbers in each bottom right hand corner of each image, so that my reader would know where to find the stories.
I also made the numbers red as it makes them stand out more, and will be easier for the reader to see where to find them.

I then added 3 circles to the bottom left corner of my main (largest) image; using 2 red circles and one black one between them to make it more interesting, and attractive. I then placed the word 'WIN!' in the centre in white and bold to make it stand out and 'shout' at the reader. I also tilted the word to the side to create the effect that it was stuck on.

Next, I added captions to my images; making the titles/ quotes in bold to stand out more than the descriptions underneath, as this is more likely to interest the reader in that particular article.

Finally, I placed a long red shape in the bottom right of the page, to make the subscription section stand out more that any other part; as this is both typical of most other magazines and important for the magazine to ensure that it continues to sell to its customers. I mostly made the writing white as this stands out against the red, but made certain words such as 'subscription' in black as this stands out more and makes it easier for the reader to understand what it actually is.
I also added faint lines between each article/image to separate them all, and to continue to make it easier for the reader to look at.

Finished Double Page Spread

The image of Mike singing alone is the main image, as the whole article is about him going solo; so this fits in well with the story. The other images also fit in well with the article as it's about him going around Liverpool, and as they were taken in different parts of the city it also fits in very well. I also used the same effect on the images to make them all seem quite similar with their colours.

The headline 'TOOK TO THE ROAD' is the biggest writing on the page and in bold, in order to make it stand out more than anything else. The caption of the title however, is what actually explains what the article is going to be about. I also wrote the caption in a different font to make it seem more interesting; as well as making the 'author' of the article's name in red, to make them stand out towards their reader.

My article is in 3 columns which spread across the bottom of the page, which I think makes it look more professional. The start of the article also has the letter 'A' in a bigger size and colour than the rest of the article as this is popular among magazines to do; and by  including this in my own it makes it seem even more professional. I also made the question that AMP asks the artist in bold as this is also a popular thing for other magazines to do, and it makes a different section of the article stand out which would draw the viewers eye more.

Underneath the images I wrote names of people that 'had taken the images' because, it is more information for the audience to see and makes it look more interesting.
I also placed the date and page in the bottom left hand corner as this is also popular, and ensures that my house style is consistent. By making the page number in bold it makes it stand out towards the reader, and informs the reader where they actually are in the magazine.

In a corner of each image, there is a small red box with a small quote in it from the authors of the magazine. I got this idea from an NME article because, I think it's a good idea and adds more to the page to make it even more interesting for the audience.

Furthermore, the pull quote I used, 'I WANT TO BE AS FAMOUS AS MICHAEL JACKSON' is there to make the article stand out, and to make the reader want to find out more about the artist. I also placed it in the corner of the main image to make it more central to attract peoples eyes, and because it is easy to read on the clear background and fills in the gap that was there.


I have placed a line down the centre of the double page, to show where the crease would be. I know that images are popularly placed in the centre of double page spreads in magazines, such as NME so I knew it was acceptable to allow the page to crease on the image.
However, they do not usually crease on the words of the article, so I had to make sure that no words would be effected by it.

Finished Contents Page

I chose the title 'WHATS HAPPENING THIS WEEK' because it's a lot more interesting that simply, 'Contents'. The font is also the same as the front cover masthead to keep the house style going.
I also placed the date at the side of the title as most other magazines put their dates there so I know it is a popular thing to do.

My main image is of a gig, which goes well with the story to 'WIN GIG TICKETS' so I thought it was an appropriate image. I also created a sort of sticker which I have placed at the side of the image which says 'WIN!' and the fact it's on a slant makes it look even more like a sticker. To create the circle affect I placed 3 circles on top of each other to make it look like it has a black ring on the outer section; And by making the circle predominately red it makes it stand out more.

The captions of each image are written in both bold writing and normal writing in order to make the main story stand out towards the reader; and make the page seem more interesting.

On each image I placed a white triangle shape in order to create the effect that the corners of the images had been snipped off. This was so that I could place the page numbers close enough to the images that the audiences knew which page number was for which artist. By making the numbers red it also makes them stand out more because this is an eye catching colour.

The subscription section in the bottom left corner is popular among most music magazines, so I felt it was mandatory for me to have one myself. By making the shape it is written in red, ensures that it is one of the most attractive aspects of the page. This is important to a magazine as ensuring that their audience continues purchasing their product is essential. I also certain words colours in order to make them stand out even more to the reader.

I also used faint lines to separate the different sections to make it more simplistic for the reader to understand.

Finished Front Cover

I decided to call my music magazine 'AMP' which stands for 'Alternative Music Press' (which is written in the letters). I put the name in the top left hand corner because this is where people commonly read from so it is the first thing that people notice; and I've also made it the largest writing on the page in order to make it stand out even more. Also, the fact that the title is in bold makes it stand out even more.

In the very top left hand corner above the masthead, I placed the date and the price in very small font size to ensure it doesn't attract too much attention. 

I also placed the website for 'AMP' underneath the masthead.

The stories I placed around the sides of the image are inspired from other magazine such as NME which is my main inspiration. By using different fonts and sizes for specific parts ensures that the main attractions stand out more than anything; as well as making more variety to attract the audience.

By making the 'MIKE SMITH' larger than the other artist names informs the reader that this is the main story in the magazine, which also relates it to the front cover image. To make the shadow affect on the 'MIKE SMITH' I layered two different ones on top of each other, making sure the black one was underneath for the shadow affect. 

I also placed a bar code in the bottom left hand corner, because this is where they are commonly found when comparing to other music magazines.

My house style colours are red, black, yellow and white. This is because it makes certain parts stand out more than others to show the reader these are the more attractive part of the magazine. I also had to choose carefully where to place certain colours as if they were placed wrongly, it would have been difficult to read certain parts so it makes it more clear for the audience to read. Another reason I chose these colours is because, when looking at other magazines it's clear that these are attractive colours; as mainly red and yellow are eye catching.

Magazine Front Cover Progress

In the first lesson of beginning my front cover, I got to this stage of having placed my image on, having the name of the magazine on (Alternative Music Press), and the name of my artist and the caption.
To do this I had to change the colour of the writing by using a fill effect, and had to go onto a font website to find certain styles.
I also had to use the 'magic wand' in order to fix certain fonts that I had imported from the font website.
I now know how to add the type of typography and the font style I want to use which will help me make my other pages at a quicker pace.

I then added the date of the magazine, the price and the website name. I added the date and price to the top left because, I didn't want them to take too much attention away from the magazine; and I put the website under the masthead because this is where they're usually found.
I also placed my barcode in the bottom left as this is typical of most other magazines.

After I had done this, alls that was left was the story's for what could be found inside. I ensured that different fonts in both bold and normal writing was used, to make it more variable.  I also made different words or phrases different colours to make certain parts stand out more than others. I did this because, most magazines choose to make all of the writing different because it makes the magazine appear more interesting and appealing.      

My Images

My front cover image

I'm using this for my main image. It shows the artist looking at the camera to create a direct interest with the audience, and fits in well with what other magazines do.
The fact that my article is about him going solo, and the angle I have used is a high angle represents how he is now along and possibly overwhelmed. His facial expression is quite worried, which shows how he may be scared to be on own.
The outfit he is wearing is also casual, as alternative performers tend to wear quite normal outfits that aren't too eccentric.
In addition, I have used a brick wall for the background to make it seem simplistic, and to show how the artist is now 'on his own in the world' as it seems.








Main double page image

This picture shows him performing.
He is still wearing casual clothing, but no jacket to intend that performing can be overheating.
He also has a microphone and guitar as props to intend that it's a live performance an he makes his own acoustic music.
In addition, the fact that his eyes are close represents how he could be performing an emotional song that could mean a lot to him.












Other double page spread images

These images show my artist around Liverpool, as my article is about him returning home to begin his Uk tour so he wanted to look around before he had to leave. 

All of my double page spread images have the same image effect on them to make them all seem connected and more similar; to  make the pages look better.

My contents page images

 I have used a close up here to see just the artist face, as the cheeky expression should represent what the person is actually like. The simple use of the hat makes it seem more glamorous as well as a lot more interesting.

I've took this image while I was in a crowd to create the feeling that other who look at it are at a 'gig'. I will use this image for a 'competition' for the audience to win themselves some gig tickets for certain artists.

I took this image of Example while at one of his gigs so I will use this to write about him on his Uk tour.

This image is a direct image as the artist is looking directly at the camera. The use of the telephone box makes it seem more professional and because I have used this I will make the artist a 'Londoner' as this is where they're most compared to.

I have used a low angle for this image as we can clearly see that this artist is most likely a rock or metal artist, as the skull in the background makes him seem 'darker'. I have also put it in black and white because of the use of the skull as this is the actual colour of the skull so it's all darker looking.

Image lists

Actors I'm using

Michael Smith
Joel Carey
Megan Lacey
Example
Arnes Ramic
Adam Franklin


Props I'm using

Acoustic guitar
Telephone box
Skateboard
Microphone

I'm using these props because they all represent the alternative look I'm trying to create. The acoustic guitar is popular among alternative performers so this is why I feel it's necessary to include it; and the microphone is to show my actor 'performing'. I'm also using a skateboard because these are seen as quite 'indie'; as well as telephone boxes because they are quite old fashioned and help create an alternative vibe.





Costume's I'm using

Tops
Hoodies
Coat/ leather jacket
Hat
Tie

Im using simple clothing because alternative performers tend to wear quite casual clothes. The fact that it also makes them appear less glamorous represents the 'alternative' look they're going for, and the music that they also perform.

Mood Board

My magazine will be based on alternative music so the bands I have chosen for my mood board fit in well with this genre. I have also used records because they are quite 'indie' as well as the acoustic guitar because they are quite frequently used.

Font Types

This is the type of text fonts that I wouldn't use for my magazine because it doesn't look professional. It is also difficult to read in some cases which means my audience wouldn't be able to read exactly what I have written; making my work pointless. In addiction, it's quite childish and would mean that my audience might not take certain things too serious.

This is the type of text fonts that I would use, because they do look professional. They are easy to read so my audience can understand exactly what I have written. It also looks quite professional, and because there are lots of different ones to choose from, it means that the magazine will not look boring as it will have variety.

Typographies

Looking at other magazines it's obvious that red and yellow are popular colours used, based on the fact that they are eye catching.

For this reason I will definitely use red and yellow somewhere on my front cover in order to make mine look eye catching, as well as more realistic and professional.

My paint pallet will include the colours black, white, red, yellow and possibly blue; because magazines tend to use no more than five colours on their covers so that it's not exceptionally chaotic.

My masthead will probably include the colour red, as this means it will stand out more, and people will be able to recognise it easier. I may also make other main titles red as well as this means they will also stand out from the rest of the text.

This is the type of colours I would like to use and possibly where I will use them. It is also the font size I intent to use, ensuring that the masthead has the largest writing to show that this is the most important part of the magazine.

My Concept

The Concept of my main artist and double page spread is based on an artist that has gone solo. He has left his band, and started his UK tour in his home town of Liverpool, so my pictures will be of him touring the city he grew up in.
The photo I am using for my front page is of him leaning against a brick wall looking quite depressed, which will represent how it's a difficult time for him as he misses his ex-bandmates.
The main picture on my double page spread is of him preforming to show how he is officially on his own, to express to the audience how he has left his past band behind.
The smaller pictures I have used for my double page spread are of him around Liverpool, actually enjoying his return and embracing his new life; beginning where it all started.
My article will of course be based on the changes he has had to make and how difficult it has been for him, but now that he's back he's better than ever.
I will also be using quite natural pictures as I don't intend to alter the main artist image too much, because I want them to seem more realistic.

My page layouts

Front Page

I have placed the masthead in the top left hand corner of the magazine because this is the typical convention of most music magazines.

I have also put a special addition next to the masthead at the top to symbolise the significance of it.

My main image will cover the whole cover, as this is my unique selling point and I want it to give the page a background for the rest of the writing and images. 

I will put the other artists names on the side in bold writing to make it stand out, as it will be on top of my main image.

The circle shape will have the information of an artists untold story and will be in a different colour to the background.
Near the bottom of the image I will put a quote from the main artist and their name/ title (It will be written over the image itself)

I may also place a banner across the very bottom which will contain more artist that can be found inside; and will also be a different colour like the circle further above.

Also, in the bottom right hand corner I will put my barcode for the magazine.

Contents Page

The title of the contents will be in the top left hand corner, because this is where people tend to read from first.
The biggest image will be on the right and the information for this image will be in the left hand corner of it, making it different to the other images.
The other images will be placed around the page in box shapes, with the information about them in a box next to/ under them so the reader knows what they're about.
In the right hand corner of each small image, there will also be a page number of where the reader can find the story/ article on that artist.
There will also be a magazine subscription advertisement in the bottem left hand corner of the page, which will contain images of other front page magazines that the reader could sign up for.





Double Page


The main/ bigger image that I will use will be inbetween both pages, and have the title and other information ontop of the image at the bottom.
The other smaller images will be placed around the bigger image on a slight angle to make it more interesting.
Two other smaller images will be under the main image and will slightly cover the top of the text box to make it seem more chaotic and exciting.
The text will also be in columns and go across the bottom half of the pages in four seperate columns. I may also add a pull quote in between text in the columns to attract peoples eye more towards that point in the article.

 

Magazine Covers

This front cover is good in the way that the picture is the main attraction; especially because the artist is looking right at the camera, and the black background makes us concentrate more on her. The fact that Cheryl looks quite attractive will attract both male and females as women are very interested in her, whereas males find her good looking; appealing to all audiences. It is also a very simple design as the bottom of the page is highlighting the fact that it's based on Cheryl. However, the rest of the page has very short and simple writing to informs the audience about what else they can find inside. Furthermore, The house design is obvious as only the colours black, red and white have been used all over; even the image keeps in with the colours. For example, Cheryl's red lipstick. There is also a motto at the top of the page stating its 'The UK's biggest music magazine' which is a reason audiences might be attracted to it; as it is stating that it's better than all other music magazine.




The reason that this front cover is good is because it's very simplistic for the reader to read. Most of the attraction is on the image as this takes up the majority of the page; and the fact she is looking at the camera makes it seem more direct. The artist looks quite rough and is smoking, which would more than likely attract a younger audience as they are more interested the party lifestyle. This also has a house style, and the colours red, black and white have been used; even the artist is wearing the colours on her top to keep in with the colours. There is also a quote from the artist and her name 'MIA' in capitals so we know exactly what the artist is like. There is also very minimal writing in the bottom left hand corner of other artists that can be found inside, which implies that they are not as significant as the artist we can physically see.



The thing that attracts the audience to this magazine the most is the name 'Led Zeppelin' which is interesting because it's more defined than the actual name of the magazine, 'Mojo'. The image also attracts the audience as well as all three members are staring at the camera making it seem more direct.  Furthermore, the fact the they are looking down at the camera makes them seem more important and significant; which makes the reader more interested in them. Also, as they are standing in front of the masthead is symbolises how they are dominant. In addition, the house style involves colours such as black, white and orange; which the artists are keeping with by wearing all black. Also, the page seems very simplistic as the image is the biggest thing, with only very little writing surrounding it so we know that that is the most important thing in the magazine. There is also an advertisement for a free CD in the top left hand corner creating a selling point and more attraction towards it.




Kerrang is a very compact magazine, as it seems to have a lot going on. Enter Shikari are the main band, however the image isn't that big so they don't seem as significant as other artists do on other magazines. The colours that have been mainly used on this cover is white, black and yellow; The artist are also wearing black to keep in with this scheme. Also, the side images are quite large, and therefore attract the audience to them and not just the main image; this makes all of the bands seem quite significant. Furthermore, the fact that the masthead is behind the images makes the name seem less dominant than the bands themselves, so all of our concentration are on the artists more than anything. In addition, there is an advertisement for 'Free Stickers' in the bottoms left hand corner which creates a sell line for the magazine, and is therefore more attractive towards the audience.

What I've learned so far

My questionnaire has changed direction from what I was originally going to produce. At first I was going to make a dub step inspired magazine, but after looking at my questionnaire results I concluded that it would be better for myself and my audience if I made an 'Indie' one instead.

I have learned that in order to make a good music magazine, I must consider what the audience expects.
My questionnaire results showed that 'Indie' is the most popular form of music magazines bought, so for that reason mine will be Indie based.

My questionnaire also revealed that aspects such as the headline, colours, images and articles etc. are critical; as these are what attracts the audience. Therefore I will try and make mine as creative as possible in order to attract peoples eye. I will do this my making sure that my text size, colours, font and layout are all to professional standards.

I will also have to ensure that it is aimed for my target audience (13-25yrs) in order to know just what I will need to include, such as types of stories and the tone of the writing.

Looking at other magazines, I have also learned that the house style is very important to connect all the pages together; so things such as a particular phrase in the corner of the page must be continuous throughout the magazine.

I have also learned that using photoshop is quite difficult. In order to present my pages I must know how to edit pictures, and change things around in order to make them into the style that I want. There are many different options that it offers so I can even make my pictures settings change to make them seem more glamorous, which I will definitely take into consideration.

Also, by taking my own pictures and explaining things that are wrong with them, I can see how to and how not to angle them. I must make sure that the image is clear and people know who the artist actually is. It must also be creative in order to set the tone of the whole magazine.

Furthermore, by looking at the NME contents page I have discovered how a good layout is set. I know that I must use a good amount of pictures, and it's not essential to use a lot of writing because this can sometimes make the page seem cluttered. I will also edit the pictures I take to make them seem more professional and different. Looking at this I will use the idea of putting a subscription advertisement in the corner, so that my audience can see they have the chance to purchase each magazine as they come out for possible a % of the original price.

In addition, my articles will include pull quotes in order to try and interact with the audience and make it seem more personal. I will also ensure that my headlines are striking towards my audience to make it seem interesting enough to want to read.

Now that I have completed my first round of research I must consider the name of my magazine, its house style, its images, its topics and its layout. I plan on coming up with these over the half term in order to make sure i'm up to date with all of my work.

Cohens moral panic

A moral panic is an intense feeling expressed in a population about an issue that appears to threaten the social order; and is when something that could affect society in the wrong way is published like it is nothing.


An example of this is when the artist Chris Brown was put on certain magazines front covers to make people want to read about the situation between him an Rihanna. Some would of seen this as wrong as they don't believe he should be given publicity for what he did.
Also, the fact that it isn't portraying him as doing something wrong can seem insensitive and could offend certain people.

Analysis of double page spread

Kerrang Article

 

NME double page 

 

 

 

NME front page

 

This front page is similar to its double page spread. It has the same house style such as colour and text font, as well as a quite dark lighted image. It also uses a different title and image, in order to maintain variety; because if they were to repeat themselves on the double page spread it wouldn't be as creative or interesting. Furthermore, the image they have used on the front is of only one person, wheresas the double page spread has the whole band so this means that he is obviously the most important band member as he is used to attract the audience.