Music Genre

The music genre i have chosen for my music magazine is mainstream pop. I have chosen this genre as there aren't many publications at the moment which cover this genre. I have also chosen this genre as i have a interest it
I will look at artists such as

• Kesha
• Rihanna
• Pixie Lott
• The Saturdays

Liiar analysis of existing magazines (Q)

Q front cover:
Language: I like how the cover line is in two different colours split. Lily is in black, and Allen is in black.
I also like how the red around the logo, links in with the other cover lines on the top right and also the main coverline. The panthers on the cover also link in with the cover line as the cover line says 'Sexy beast' and the panthers are beasts.

Institution: Q magazine is a magazine published by Bauer Media. Bauer Media is Europe's largest privately owned publishing group. The media empire offers over 300 magazines in 15 different countries.

Ideology: The ideology of Q magazine is that you can be whoever you want to be, no matter what age you are. For example in the past Madonna has been the cover star of it, and Madonna is quite old. So it just shows that even if you are old you can still be successful.

Audience: Q magazine is a magazine aimed towards the older generation, such as 25+ i can tell this because the majority of the artists in the magazine are for the older generation.

Representation: The magazine represents that you can be your own person and you don't need to follow a crowd.



Q Double page spread: I like the layout of this double page spread, however i think there is maybe too much text. Although the article may interest some people. It may not interest a lot and others may skip through it. The photographs used are very effective and look good on the page. The colour scheme used is effective too.


Q Contents page: I like the layout of the contents page, the image shows the reader who will be the main feature in the magazine. Also i like how it splits the features of this specific issue and the features of every month.

Analysis of magazines (NME)

NME Front Cover:
Language: The photograph is a medium close up. The masthead of the magazine is red. Which links in with the colour of shirt that Lily Allen is wearing. The coverline looks like the lettering from a newspaper which could also represent the fact that it is gossip, and that Lily will be giving them gossip about her life. The colour scheme is red and white and is apparent throughout the cover.

Institution: NME is a magazine published by IPC advertising.

Ideology: The magazine cover looks very individual, and rebellious. It is like it is telling you you can be rebellious and don't need to worry. The cover line 'Lily Allen takes on the world' shows how one artist can influence the world.

Audience: The target audience for the magazine according to the IPC advertising website is men aged 17-30.

Representation: The magazine is representing that you don't need to be afraid to show you're wild side. There is also special features in the magazine that you wouldn't normally see in other NME issues. The features are specific to this issue.


NME double page spread
I like the layout of the double page spread, i like how the image overlaps onto the other page and doesn't just stick with staying on one page. 'The USA got the love' headline is a good play on words as Florence's new single is called 'You've got the love' and as Florence is taking on America they have incorporated that into the headline which i think works well. When looking to compose a double page spread for my own magazine, i will remember this feature, and try to include a play on words as i think it looks effective. The colours; Grey, White, Red and Black work well together. They are quite plain colours on there own but when they are placed together they work well. I also like how the first letter of the article is larger and in bold compared to the rest of the article. I think this works really well, as it looks sophisticated. This is another feature i will look towards using in my double page spread. The choice of type face is effective too as it is classy and sophisticated but it is still legible.


NME Contents page:
I like the layout of the contents page. The images used represent the artists that feature in the magazine, it gives the reader an insight as to what is going to be in the magazine.
I also like the layout of the name of the magazine, and also the 'this week'. I feel that the capital lettering looks effective, and makes it look like the magazine is something to shout about. Along the right side of the page are the actual contents of the magazine. I like how the headlines are placed in a high lighted box. It makes them stand out a lot. Another feature of the magazine i like is the band index on the left side, this enables the reader to see who will feature in the magazine. I will take all of these features into account when composing my contents page.

Music Magazine Brief

I must produce an original music magazine specific to a particular genre of music that i have an interest in, or will that has a good visual element. The magazine itself has to include at least four original images, no copyright images.

For this task, i have to design:

• A front cover for the magazine
• A contents page
• A double-page spread.

Evaluation

After looking myself at existing fashion magazines, my fashion  magazine for Wyke College follows many of the conventions that magazines have generally. For example the masthead is big and bold, and it stands out from the rest of the cover. The masthead itself covers the whole of the top of the magazine cover, therefore making it easier for the consumer to see when it is stacked on shelves in shops. I have included a price on the magazine, however i haven't included a bar code, as the magazine will be sold in college as oppose to in a shop. If the magazine were to be bought in a shop then i would make sure that a bar code were to be placed on the magazine cover at the bottom right hand corner. I have chosen to have the coverlines rotated a little, which wouldn't maybe occur on real magazines, however i did this merely to make my magazine unique. The main cover line for the magazine is in a bigger typeface than the others, to make it stand out more. I have chosen to only have one image on the cover of the magazine, as a main focus, whereas most magazines you see in the shops will have more than one on the cover to give you a taste of what is inside the magazine. However i didn't feel that my magazine needed extra images adding in as it would detract away from the main image i already have in place. The masthead itself is quite long, however it is a word that will stick in your head, and it is also a very recognised word in this sector of journalism, therefore i do not personally think that the customers will mind. If i could of gotten the same effect from a shorter word, i would of used it. But i think 'Catwalk' works well as it is quite snappy.

One of the cover lines on the cover, is about a fashion show. This could get anyone in the college together, therefore brings a sense of unity to the college environment, and make everyone work as a team. The college focuses a lot on equality and i felt that doing this particular cover line would reflect this as it would bring anyone that was interested in any aspect of fashion or be it textiles, they could join the fashion show and/or purchase the magazine and not be ruled out.

This particular magazine is aimed at students with a keen interest in fashion and textiles, however it is not aimed solely at them. There could maybe be other students around the college that are just as interested but do not study the subjects.

I have placed an image on the front cover of a student putting the finishing touches to a garment she has made for the fashion show. This could attract the audience as they would be intrigued as to what she was doing. Also with the magazine not only focusing on a fashion show for the college, but showing that 20% discount is available at most stores it could be aimed at any one with an interest in fashion. I have tried to include cover lines on the cover that people can relate to and want to pick up and purchase the magazine to find out more about. As i know i do that when i am out shopping for magazines, i always look for the interesting cover lines that then inspire me to buy the magazine and hope for a good read. I have included fashion tips, so not only students that study textiles or have an interest in fashion; but anyone, can spruce their winter wardrobe with the fashion tips. Therefore making my magazine appeal to a fair amount of the college. 

In the process of constructing my magazine, i have used such programs as Photoshop, Publisher and Word. Although i dominantly used photoshop, i realised that Publisher and Word could be used as well to help with layout and fonts. I have had a little bit of trouble with photoshop and found it difficult as it is a program i am not all that familiar with, however i tried my hardest and i have made a magazine cover and draft of a contents page that i am proud of. The skills i have learnt doing this preliminary task will hopefully enable me to gain a better relationship with technology and learn that it is on my side, and come out in the end with a finished piece i am proud of. 

contents page draft

finished magazine cover