Evaluation

Question 1:
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

My front cover reflects real media products because it has one main image conveying the main headline. This image also shows direct address which means the model is looking at the audience and conveys attitude. Another way it reflects real media products is by having other headlines aside it. The barcode/issue date/price is always on the front whereas advertisments are always on the back. A stand first is also shown underneath the title.

My contents page reflect real media products because it follows a consistent colour scheme which is the same as a front cover. The title is alway repeated and it has a website for the audience to access online. Also, it shows main images and smaller images to reflect the articles. Headings divide up the articles and the arrangement page number is - text (1 or 2 words as the main line then sub line). Finally contents pages sometimes show editors letter.

http://www.kerrang.com/

http://www.qthemusic.com/

My double paged article reflects real media products because the standfirst is always by the headline (largest font) and starts before the article. This introduces the article. Double page spreads are usually 3 or 4 columns. There is a bold quote that stands out from the article. The article will have a creative use of imagery and shows limited use of colour. One large image on the side of the page should mirror the article and the photographer is also credited. Headlines are creative and eye catching. Finally it reflects real media products because it shows the drop capital at the start of the article

Question 2:
How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My media product has helped me represent particular social groups by the model I used. attempted the Indie Chick look with my model. Her style of clothing, for example, would help the reader ackowledge that it was a Music Magazine. Also, the type of language I used on the front cover would indicate it was a Indie/Rock genre by the articles I used and the standfirst I created which was: 'The Voice of Rock'. Moreover, the images on the content page would have presented Indie/Rock social groups as I took images of band gigs.

Overall, the language, style of photography, contents, headlines and implied knowledge have helped my target audience to represent particular social groups such as Indie/Rock bands.

Here are videos that represent the style of the genre:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzfzMF8zzc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev5cb_wwHSg

Question 3:

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

Bauer Media Company - The production of my music magazine would suit this company because firstly the audience profile is aimed for people who are musically experienced and the audience should be defined with attitude. Also, Bauer Company brings the best out in the music target by producing online, TV, Radio and Magazine which would help construct my magazine, Volume, for its target audience. This company own the best brands in the UK and delievers audience feedback whenever and however they want, which would make profit for my magazine.

Question 4:
Who would be the audience of your media product?

This is Jade Ireland, she is 17 years old. She lives in Wallasey and is currently studying A Levels at Weatherhead High School. She has a younger brother who is into the same interests as her. She lives with her mum and her step-dad. Her boyfriend is called Tom whom she has been with for a year. Her favourite thing to do is hang out with her friends and her boyfriend on the weekend. She enjoys partying and listening to a variety of different bands. She's part of the typical rock social group and despises girly stuff. The latest gig she went to was Papa Roach. She is more of a tom-boy and enjoys doing boy things although her favourite TV programmes are Desperate Housewives and 90210. However, her favourite music channel is Kerrang.

Question 5:

How did you attract/address your audience?

I attempted to attract my audience through many ways for example the use of articles I chose. I chose artists/bands that I knew the audience would like. I have done this so the audience would be interested in buyin the magazine, therefore earning more profit. The use of colour is another way I tried to attract my audience with; I have used a consistent colour scheme which my audience chose during the questionnaire. I chose the colours they wanted because it shows that I've listened to the input they had. Finally the use of model - I used someone who had an experience and interest with the genre Indie/Rock. I also chose someone who was in the same age range as the target audience so they could relate to them.

In contrast, I done this for the contents page too. I still used a consistent colour scheme as mentioned before as this is what the audience selected. I have used a variety of images for example; instruments and gigs. This would attract the audience as they have a visual image to the gig of their favourite bands. Throughout the text on the contents page, I have used the word 'you' which instantly involves the reader/audience which makes them feel part of the project.

Finally, the headline on the double paged spread reflects what the article is going to be about which gives the audience an insight already. The use of image is very basic on this article, there is no model. However, it could attract the audience in a different sense as it shows realism towads the band and refers to some people in society today. The use of text I have used could attract the audience because its a biographical article, therefore, people who are interested in the band would buy this magazine and find out more information about them. Also, it gives a personal tone of the journalist.

Question 6:
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Desktop Publishing:

Photographer - Throughout both productions (preliminary and the main task) all photographs were taken by myself. We were told at the beginning not to take copy right pictures, therefore every picture we used came from our own creative ideas. Although I took many pictures I did not use most of them. I picked out the ones which most reflected the genre of my magazine. Whilst taking pictures and coming up with my own ideas I have learnt a lot and learnt from my mistakes which produced my work to be at the best of its ability.

Journalist - As a journalist writing my double paged article gave me creative ideas on my style of writing and how I would catch my target audiences attention. It took me many drafts and changes to get my article at a higher standard from the beginning. Also, as a journalist, I took a look at other magazines that were the same genre to get inspiration. I followed the codes and conventions for this to get the highest mark I possibly could.

Proof Reader - During the whole process of my production the best way I thought to make my work better was to proof read. However, I thought this helped because going through my work I noticed odd things that needed to be altered. Another way I got my work to be better was to get other people such as my teacher and friends to read over my work so they could give me advice on what to change and what to include.

Graphic Design - Another thing I have learnt so far on this course is graphic design such as designing graphics. For example; titles, headlines etc. I can produce a professional looking media text from the desktop at home or in school. It is important to make the graphics stand out and look creative to attract the audience. You can use software such as Photoshop and Quarkxpress to create graphics. This is what professional magazine companies use so therefore it produces the best achievement.

Question 7:
Looking back at your preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Main Task

Rough Sketch - Front Cover.

Screen shots of progress:

Rough Sketch - Contents Page.

Screen shots of progress:

Rough Sketch - Double Page Spread.

I knew from the start my article was going to be a biographical text, however, I was stuck on what my main image was going to be of which was why it's blank on the rough sketch. It was only until near the final production I made a decision of what it was going to be of.

Screen shots of progress:

Picture - Used on my magazine.

Picture - Used on my magazine.

Picture - Not used on my magazine.

Picure - Used on my magazine.

Picture - Used on my magazine.

Picture - Not used on my magazine.

Picture - Used on my magazine.

Results of Questionnaire

Question 1:

Conclusion: My result from my questionnaire shows that people seem to be interested in looking at more images than text. My product will have more images than text as I know this is what my target audience would prefer to see.

Question 2:
Conclusion: After having my questionnaire filled in, I noticed my target audience range spent mostly between £2-£3 on music magazines. To make my magazine the best product for my audience my magazine will be a suitable price that matches this.

Question 3:
Conclusion: The majority of people agreed that they do not have any current problems with music magazines they read now. This can be seen positive as I can use other magazines which are related to Indie/Rock to help me produce my work as effectively as well known magazines.

Question 4:

As shown on the graph, those were the colours people chose as their favourite colours. However, as a whole the main colours my target audience chose was blue and also purple. This means these are the two colours that should be shown as my consistent colour scheme. Moreover, this is not the results I was hoping for, therefore, may alter the idea slightly.

Question 5:

Conclusion: The most popular answer for this question was Indie. However, this is also shared with the popularity of Rock. This connotes that the music genre for my music magazine would be based around the genre of Indie/Rock.

Question 6:
Conclusion: The age ranges I covered while asking my questionnaire was generally between 13 to 18 years old. However, this could be seen as a bad thing as I did not cover a wider range. My results show that the age for my target audience will be intended for 15/16 year olds.

Question 7:
Conclusion: I have concerned both genders within my questionnaire. Moreover, the majority of people who completed my questions were male. This means that my target audience's gender will be mainly aimed towards male.

Publication Plan.


Title: Volume
Positioning Statement: The Voice of Rock
Frequency of Publiction: Weekly
Price: £1.60
Distribution: Newsagent, Supermarkets, Gig/Concerts
Rationale: The magazine is produced from the target audience's perspective. The articles will be on what the fans want to know and ask about rock music.
Style: The style will be informal as this magazine is for people who are interested in music magazines but most importantly Indie/Rock so the magazine will be produced with simple vocabulary with short paragraphs and a consistent colour scheme that the target audience has chosen. Images will also be a major aspect of the magazine.

Regular Content -

• Editors letter
• Fans letters
• Gig reports
• Upcoming evens/performances
• New realeases from bands/singers
• Competitions
• Ask me anything - a different artist each issue gets asked random questions

Feature Contents -

• 50 gigs you must see by the end of the year
• Album reviews
• Tour news
• Top 5 classic rock bands
• Tips for unsigned artists
• How to learn the guitar
• All american rejects on tour
• Kings of Leon speak up about their rivlary
• Blink 182 go wild
• Guns n Roses talk Rock n Roll
• Artic Monkeys: their journey so far
• Lost Prophets: standing on the roof top

House Style -

Coverlines: Arial Black and Arial

Headlines: Britannic Bold

Standfirst: Franklin Gothic Medium, 14pt

Captions: Franklin Gothin Medium, 8pt

Features first paragraph: Drop Capital - Britannic Bold, 3 lines deep

Body text: Times New Roman, 11pt

Colour scheme: Black, White and Purple

Research of other magazines

Kerrang:

Price -£2.50
Frequency of Publication - Weekly
Average issue size - 63
Regular Contents - Feedback, News, Live Reviews, Competitions
Feature Contents - Album Reviews, Gig Guide, Interviews

Q:
Price - £3.90
Frequency of Publication - Monthly
Average issue size - 162
Regular Contents - Access all areas, Record Collection, Quiz
Feature Contents - 50 gigs, Celebrity News, Interviews
A

Codes and Conventions of a double paged spread:

• One large image on the side of the page - pictures often bleed from one page to another
• A bold quote that stands out from the article
• Smaller images at the bottom
• Name of the interviewer and portrait
• Usually 3/4 columns
• Headline across the two pages
• Strapline or boarder often used bleedacross the DPS
• Drop capital at the start of the article
• More than one creative image
• Byline - line of the text that shows the name of the journalist who wrote the article
• Photographer is also credited
• Standfirst is always by the headline (largest font) and before the start of the article
• Design Feature - works witrh headline to tell the reader what the article is about
• Headlines - creative, eye catching
• Artists names are highlighted
• Page number - title of magazine and issue date
• Website address
• Limited use of colour
• Informal style of writing - personality of the journalist comes through to the article - gives you a personal opinion

Codes and Conventions of a Contents Page:

• Page numbers
• Bottom of page - number, title, issue date and website
• Content details e.g phone number
• Colour scheme
• Editional letter - picture of editor
• Main image - one large image, one smaller image
• Website of the magazine
• Use headings to divide up contents
• Page numbers on pictures anchors image to the written contents
• Columns are usually 2/3
• Subscription details
• White background
• Title of the magazine is reported
• Arrangement: page number - text(one or two words as the main line which is bold text then the subline is the smaller text)
• Regular - that appear in every magazine issue. Feature - one off artical that only appear in the one issue of the magazine

Preliminary Task

Final Production - Front Cover.

Final Production - Contents Page

Rough Sketch - Front Cover.

Rough Sketch - Contents Page.

For both of my Front Cover and Contents Page, I kept to the original plan and barely made any changes. I also kept to the codes and conventions.

Codes and Conventions of a Front Cover and Music Magazine:

• Title is always on the top left - usually one word, full paged width
• Issue number/date/cost
• Barcode - always on the front, adverts on the back
• Consistant colour scheme - few colours
• One main image - usually a band or singer, usually a medium close-up not smiling conveys an attitude
• Direct Address - they are looking at the reader
• Main cover line - anchors the meaning of the main image - largest on the page.
• Coverlines - two or three lines, information about the contents, intrigues the audience
• Typography is consistent and only a few fonts are used
• Two types of typography - SERIF(hook): Times New Roman, SANS SERIF(without hook): Arial
• Connotations of the font reflects the target audience and the subject.
• Puff - something additional and extra, usually free
• Buzzwords - 'EXCLUSIVE'