Evaluation

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

I did my research on other popular indie/rock magazine. The ideas I chose from them were things such as, having the masthead in the top left hand side of the cover. Most magazines do this as it looks unusual to have it anywhere else. Another idea was having the main cover line sitting directly infront of the picture to show people that they are linked. If the cover line was in another place people might mistake it for something else.
 
Another idea was on the contents page, where there is not a lot of details about less important things in the magazine. The contents page only focuses on the main features, therefore people don't have to look at things that they don't need to. I only used three pictures on my contents page, from my research some magazines don't have pictures at all or only have a few. Other magazines had loads of pictures on their contents page but I thought it looked a bit much. Again I put the title contents in the top left hand corner of the page just like any other magazine would. I also used the same fonts and colours to make them match and to prove that they are featuring in the same magazine. I placed the pictures next to headings that they are featured in. For example there is a heading that says 'The Cutouts win surface festival, and next to that heading is a picture of the band 'The Cutouts'. I thought this would be useful to people and show them who some of the band/solo artists are and what they look like. I also took another idea for the contents page and that was to advertise a competition to win tickets to some great gigs and concerts. The fonts for the headings I used were the same every time. In professional music magazines the headings and sub headings are always in the same font to show to viewers that these are all connected.
On the double page spread I used a lot of ideas from other magazines such as having one giant photo taking up one of the pages. A quote was placed infront of picture, some magazines do this to show to viewers what gets said in the magazine. If it's an eye catching quote then that makes the audience want to read on and see why they said what they did. At the top of the second page of the article there is the name Ruby Daze in large writing. This informs readers that the article is about that person. Also the font is like a trade mark to the artist. I added a small paragraph that will then lead onto the interview. Magazines do this to give you  an inside of what is going to be talked about in the article. I used columns in my article as it's the easiest way for readers to follow. Last of all on the double page spread three pictures sit at the bottom of the page. They are the same size and are of the same person. This is an idea of a magazine as pictures don't always need to be so big.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

When I designed my media product I focused on a particular target audience. The age was 14+ and the particular genre of music people were interested in was indie/rock alternative. Therefore my magazine was represted for both male and female. I used a female artist on the front cover and on the double page spread therefore the magazine mainly focused on women.
I didn't focus on ethnicity as I didn't really think about how it would affect the readers. Using a white model does not exclude out any race. It just simply means that the model I chose was the first person I approached to do the photo shoot.
Nor did I focus on disability. I wanted my magazine to look like another professional music magazine such as NME. Music magazines don't normally have people with a disability in them as no one in the music industry are disabled. Not having a person with a disability on the front of the magazine doesn't stop someone with a disability from buying it. It just means that wasn't the look they were really going for.
Sexuality didn't seem important to deal with. People who buy the magazine can be of any sexuality they want. There is no rule to say that just because they are for example gay that they can't buy the magazine.
I focused on age more than anything else as a 60 year old person would not really want to read a magazine like this. So I focused more on the younger generation.

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

After looking at and reading through the websites I have come to a conclusion that Bauer Media would advertise my magazine. The reason why I think that this particular website would distribute Blur is because Bauer Media mainly focuses on representing and distributing music related magazines. This media distributer is responsible for the very famous 'Kerrang'. Kerrang was one of the magazines I focused on getting inspiration off. As my magazine is exrememly similar to Kerrang I most likely thought that Bauer Media would be quite happy to distribute a indie/rock alternative magazine.

Who would be the audience for your media product?/How did you attract/address your audience?

The audience for my media product would be people from the age of 14 onwards who like music in the genre of indie/rock-alternative. After analysing my front cover I decided that no one outisde of the specific genre of indie/rock-alternative would actually like the magazine. On my front cover to attract the particlar audience I wanted I used cover lines that included bands and events that the specific target audience would know. For example I used the band The Cutouts and the event Surface festival. I also used another popular event called The Split Festival. These would attract the specific target audience straight away.
On my contents page to attract peoples attention I used popluar bands in the features and news such as The Wombats, Muse, Blink 182 and Thriving Ivory. I also used a picture of a new band that would catch the audience's eye. Attracting a target audience can be tricky, so I even thought of using specific fonts to see if that will catch their eye too.
On the double page spread I used a quote 'Music is my religion'. People who love music would most likely want to read on after reading the quote. Also articles and interviews get interesting when they are about music therefore people in a specific target audience would be happy to read about music.

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

From starting Media in sixth form I have learnt a lot. For starters I didn't really know how to make an image better on macromedia fireworks but after playing around with some images for my magazine I now know how to make pictures look professional. I already knew how to work a camera but I never used to pay attention about the lighting and posing. Now I know how to take a decent picture as I know that such as the glare on cameras is not good at all. Also When taking a close up, I know that the image would look terrible if the model is in a bad position.
I know how to create a double page spread using publisher. I've never done that before, for example putting the article into columns and adjusting pictures and words to make the whole page look better. Also on the bottom of the article I made the three small photos look better than what they were as I grouped them and made a border around each photo. Therefore they look connected.

Music Magazine Double-Page Article Audience Feedback

After finishing the contents page I presented it to the two volunteered target audience. I asked them four questions about the double page article, this was what they answered with.

What do you think of the colour scheme used?

Holly: I like the different shades of blue as it continues from both the front cover and the contents page. Also the way Blur talking is done in dark blue and Ruby Daze talking is done in light blue.

Emily: The blue goes really well with the large black and white photo. It makes both the photo and article stand out.

What do you think of the pictures used?

Holly: I like how the black and white photo is the main one and how it fills a full page. Also I do like how the other three pictures are all the same size and are sitting nicely next to each other.

Emily: The way the pictures have been positioned gives the magazine a professional look. The black and white image is my favorite as you don't normally see black and white images as the large, main photo.

What do you think of the layout?

Holly: The layout looks like it has been professionally done. The way the writing is in columns and is different colours when each person speaks is a excellent idea as it helps the reader understand what is going on.

Emily: I think the way the picture is on one side and the writing is on another gives it that professional look to how magazine articles should be. I like the way the three smaller pictures sit under the columns instead of over lapping them.

What was your first impression of the double page article?

Holly: My first impression was how professional I thought it looked. The colour scheme caught mu eye straight away. The blue stands out so much against the black and white photo.

Emily: My first impression of the article was I loved it how there was a lot of shades of blue and how the pictures go together so well.

I then asked the chosen target audience to give me two good points and two bad points about the magazine. Here's what they came up with.

Holly:

• The blue colour scheme goes together really well with the black and white photo.
• The fonts look like they have been thought of carefully as they don't clash.
• There could have been more writing in the article.
• The little pictures at the bottom of the page should have a description.

Emily:

• The text is easy to read, therefore it's not difficult to follow.
• The introduction paragraph isn't too big and is a nice way to start off an article.
• The test is a tiny bit small therefore you have to squint a little to read it.
• The large photo should have a description  next to it as it's the main photo.

Music Magazine Contents Page Audience Feedback

After completing the contents page I showed it to the two people I chose from my target audience. I asked them to analyse it and tell me what they thought. I firstly asked four questions about the contents page and they told what what they thought about it.

The first question I asked was. 'What do you think of the font?'

Holly: I think the use of the same font is good as it shows that the contents page matches the front cover of the magazine and proves that the contents is for 'Blur'.

Emily: The use of the same font for each heading shows that they are the main sections and that the audience don't get confused.

The second question I asked was 'Do you think the pictures represent the magaine's genre?'

Holly: Yes, the magazine's genre is indie/rock-alternative therefore having those type of bands on the contents page represents the genre very well.

Emily: The genre is represented pefectly as using specific bands and solo artists pictures on the contents page gives it that edge where you know what your getting yourself into if you turn the page.

Third question was 'What do you think of the layout?'

Holly: I think the layout has been thought of very carefully. Nothing is squashed together and it looks very neat. Not too much is on the page therefore it's easy to read and follow.

Emily: It is unusual to other contents pages as they normally just go down in columns. This one has been scattered out and gives it the effect of individuality.

The fourth and final question that was asked was ' What do you think of the colour scheme?'

Holly: I like it because it continues on from the front cover. It makes the contents page and front cover connect as they are featured in the same magazine.

Emily: I like how the main headlines are in colour and the other headings and pages are in bold/black therefore it helps them stand out.

I then asked Holly and Emily to list some good points and bad points about the finished contents page.

This is what they came up with.

Holly:

• The contents page is different to other contents pages , therefore it makes it stand out and want the viewer to read on.
• The pages are put in order with the headings. This helps people not get confused and makes it easy for them to follow.
• A lot of space has been left. This makes it look a little unprofessional as normally contents pages are filled to the brim.
• The list of features gets a bit messy towards the bottom where the space is limited.

Emily:

• The way the pictures represent some of the features in the magazine is a good idea as it shows what is inside.
• The way Ruby Daze is the biggest font shows that she is the main feature in the magazine. This catches peoples attention really well.
• There could of been more pictures on the contents page, made smaller so there arent any big white gaps.
• The vip writing is a little hard to read. This could have been made bigger therefore easier for people to read.

Music Magazine Cover Audience Feedback

I asked two people out of my target audience some questions about the magazine. In order to get some feedback and help me make some changes to my magazine pages. By asking these questions I am able to see if my magazine matches their standards.

The names of the people I asked are Emily and Holly. The first question I asked was 'Does the picture go well with the masthead and cover lines?' These were the answers.

Holly: I think the way the background of the picture has been brightened up to stand out more helps the masthead and cover lines blend well together. The different shades of blue match well and don't clash! Which in my opinion is very important on a magazine front cover. The way the person stands in the photo is done very well as she fits perfectly around each cover line and her head sits nicely next to the masthead.

Emily: I like how the masthead is a different shade of blue to the cover lines. The bright white background helps the cover lines catch the audiences eyes. The way the picture has been taken is great as non of the cover lines ruin the main part of the photo for example, the face. Also another good thing is how the main feature is spread across her body to show that she is the one to focus on.

The next question I asked was ' Do the fonts go well together?'

Holly: The fonts do go well. I like how you have changed the font for the main cover line to let people know that it's the most important. Also how the other three cover lines are the same font but different to the main cover line. It helps that stand out.

Emily: The way the fonts are different and the colours are the same makes it all fit together really well. Plus the fonts don't clash and that is very important.

The third question was 'do you like how the picture is presented?'

Holly: Yes, the picture is positioned very well in the centre of the cover. Therefore cover lines can sit nicely beside it. It is also a good size for when it levels up with the masthead 'Blur'.

Emily: I like the way the picture is centered. And how the cover lines around it don't disturb the importance or the picture, mainly the face. I also like how a couple of the cover lines lap over the picture.

The fourth and final question I asked was 'What did you think of the layout?'

Holly: I think the layout has been put together very well. The way the text over laps the picture makes it look professional.

Emily: I think the layout if very carefully thought of. The text goes together really well. The colours were a really great choice as they don't clash with anything and match the picture.

I also asked them to sum up two good points and two bad points about the magazine cover.

Holly: 

• The shades of blue is a really good choice as it goes well with the background.
• The picture size catches the audience's attention as it stands out.
• The cover looks a little bare as there are only 4 cover lines, but no more information on them.
• There's a little bit too much blue on the front cover.

Emily:

• The colours are good because they mix together and make the picture stand out. So if it was on a shelf it would catch someone's eye.
• The cover lines are intriguing and stand out.
• Too much space has been left, therefore it makes viewers think that there's not a lot in the magazine.
• The 'r' of the 'Blur' masthead would have looked better behind the model's head instead of over lapping.

Music Magazine Double-Page Article Production

This is the double page spread without the photos. The quote 'music is my religion' is in the font pristina and is size 36. The colour is blue on he top and black on the bottom of the letters. The quote has been stretched to make the writing much bigger than what it naturally is. The 'Ruby Daze' title is pristina font and is size 36. This has also been stretched to make it look bigger. Below the title is a very brief description about what is going to be in the article. The font is times new roman and is size 26, the colour of the writing is bright blue to make it stand out to the audience. Below the brief description is a paragraph that leads into the article. It is written in black times new roman and is size 14. The article is done in two columns. It's like a conversation between the interviewer and the interviewee. When Blur speaks the writing is dark blue, and when Ruby Daze speaks the writing is sky blue. The font is times new roman and is size 10.

The pictures were then added to the double page spread. On one half of the page the picture of the singer and her guitar is in black and white to let the quote stand out. The next three pictures are on the bottom of the oppocite page. The first picture is of the singer playing her guitar, the second is a close up of her and the third is when she is reading her music and listening to her ipod, for that image an over the shoulder shot is used. These three images are in a row and are al the same size, below the article.

Music Magazine Contents Page Production

The title 'contents' is in the font pristina and is size 36.  It has a shade of blue and black to the colour. The features headline below the contents title is again font pristina and size 12. The black and blue are again used for the two colours in the writing. Below the features is page numbers and what is going to be on them specific pages. The numbers are in the font times new roman and are size 12. The colour of the numbers is light blue. The page titles are in font times new roman and are size twenty. These titles are black to be different from the numbers. News and Radar headlines are the same font, colour and size as the features headline. Below the 'news' headline are three articles, these articles are in size 20 and font times new roman. again the numbers are colour blue and are size 12. The headline 'Music Mania' is in the font pristina and is size 12. This word has been stretched to make it look bigger than the rest as below it, it has important articles. The listed articles below are done in times new roman. 'Ruby Daze' is size 48, 'The Cutouts' and 'The Split Festival' are size 26 as Ruby Daze is the main article in the whole magazine. The little description below each article title is size 18.

This is the finished contents page! The pictures that have been added are of v.i.p tickets in the top right hand corner. In the centre of the page there is a picture of Reverend and the Makers, as part of the upcoming bands. On the bottom left there is a wide shot picture of Ruby Daze, as she is one of the main features in the magazine. And last of all next to Ruby Daze there is a wide shot picture of The Cutouts, who won the surface festival.



Music Magazine Cover Production

This is the front cover of the magazine without the picture.

The masthead 'Blur' is written in Pristina font and is size 36 and then has been stretched to make it bigger. I used a shade of blue and black for the title. The main cover line 'Ruby Daze' is in times new roman font and is size 66, this has not been stretched as it fits perfectly in the middle of the page. Ruby Daze is used in two shades of blue, light and navy. The 'exclusive interview' cover line below Ruby Daze is again done in times new roman and is size 20. This has been stretched to make it bigger than 20 but smaller than the Ruby Daze cover line. 'The Cutouts win surface festival' cover line is written in the font ariel black and is size 24, the font has been stretched to make bigger and wider to fit the page. Again this is done in two shades of blue, light and navy. 'Gig Reviews' cover line is done in ariel black and is size 28. The cover line has been stretched to make it look bigger on the page, as gig reviews is important to the magazine. This is has the navy and light blue shades to the letters. 'Split festival kicks off in sunderland' is done in ariel black font and is size 24. This text has been stretched to fit in the bottom right hand side of the page. All of the text on the front cover is done in two shades of blue. Navy and light. The bar code is placed in the bottom left hand side of the page in the corner. The price and issue number is positioned at the top right hand side of the page in times new roman font, and is size 18.

This is the front cover without any changes to the photo! The only change that has been made is that the photo has been enlarged. I decided that the background of the photo was far too dull for the type of magazine that it is.

This is the finished front cover.

Music Magazine Double-Page Photo Shoot

This is a mid shot of the singer. She is facing away from the camera to set the mood of playing the guitar. She is wearing a navy blue t-shirt with blue jeans. The model is playing a red and black Falcon Acoustic Guitar. Her fingers are in chord D.

This is another mid shot of the singer. Her head is tilted down to concentrate on playing the guitar. Again her fingers are in chord D. She is wearing a nazy blue t-shirt with blue jeans. Also her long blonde hair is wavey instead of being straight or flat for the magazine. This was one of the chosen photos to put on the double page spread.

This is a mid length shot of the singer. She is sitting down looking away from the guitar with one of her arms wrapped around her knee that is not straight. Her facial expression is happy as she is sat with her guitar. I chose to have this photo in black and white to make non of her clothes clash with the colour of the guitar. This was a good idea as this is the main photo on the double page spread in large.

Another mid shot! She is now looking at the neck of the guitar. I asked her to look at the guitar, as though she is looking for inspiration!

This photo is a close up. It shows the expression on her face which is happy. Her long blonde wavey hair, and the navy blue t-shirt. I added a close up photo to place on the double page spread as a small picture.

This is an over the shoulder shot of her listening to her iPod and reading her music! I thought doing a couple of over the shoulder shots would be better that just mid shots and close ups of the front of her body. This was one of the chosen photos.

Again another over the shoulder shot of her reading her music and listening to her iPod.

Music Magazine Contents Photo Shoot

These four images were taken for the contents page! The first photo is of the singer 'Ruby Daze', using a mid length shot of her full body with her hands on her hips. Wearing a navy blue t-shirt to go with the writing and blue jeans. Her brown boots are also in the shot. Along with her long wavey blonde hair.

This is a photo of 'The Cutouts'. A three peice rock/alternative band from the northeast! This photo is a wide shot of the band in action. The photo shows the drums, electric guitar and bass guitar! All three being played. This photo was taken at The Cluny in Byker at the surface festival,where they got into the next round!

This photo was taken at the evolution festival on the quayside in Newcastle. In this photo is 'Reverend and the makers' an indie pop band from Sheffield! This is a wide shot of the band on stage taken in 2009.

This photo is a selection of tickets, flyers, leaflets and a badge put together to pose as 'vip' tickets to win in the magazine. This is a wide shot as it shows everything in the picture. I chose to put them together as a collage as it would look much better than them being in line with each other.

Music Magazine Cover Photo Shoot

These are the five photos I took for the front cover of the magazine! The photos are very similar as the model is wearing the same outfit which is a cream leather biker jacket. A white plain t-shirt and pale green jeans. The model has long blonde wavey hair. She does similar poses for each photo by kneeling down with her hands in her jacket pockets. Apart from one photo when her fingers are resting through the belt hoops on her jeans. The photos are mid shots as you can only see half of her body.

The first photo at the top of the page was actually the chosen photo for the magazines front cover! I chose that photo because the model has a slight smile to her face, therefore she does not look extremely serious for the magazine. After all it is a music magazine and no one wants to see serious faces! The photo also goes well with the mastheads and coverlines on the page. It's the perfect heigh for the main cover line to sit nicely infront. Also for other cover lines to be placed below and next to the photo.

 This is the chosen picture for the front cover. I made a few changes to make the back ground brighter than what it is to the left, a dull colour.

I worked in macromedia fireworks. I changed the contrast to 46. And the brightness to 32 to make the model stand out more than just having a plain dull background.

The front cover looks much better now than what it did before the change.

The picture below is what the result was of when I changed the contrast and brightness of the photo. As you can see the results are much better. And the model stands out more in the picture than what she did in the old picture.