Definitions

Genre

Genre is a form, style or category of art, music or literature. Examples of music genres are pop, rock or indie.

Sub-genre

A sub-genre is a subcategory within a particular genre. Examples of music sub-genres are soft rock, indie rock and alternative rock.

Hybrid genre

A hybrid genre is a genre that blends themes and elements from two or more different genres. An example of a hybrid genre is music and fashion. This would include features about music but also the fashion that band/artists or the audience wear.

Proposal For Music Magazine

I propose to create a music magazine with the genre of rock. The sub-genres for my music magazine will be alternative rock, indie rock and soft rock therefore straying away from mainstream trends such as pop music. NME is my main influence and a good example of what I hope to achieve. NME has a strong headline, it is orangised in a sophisticated way and has more large sections of text which appeals to their older target audience. NME's content is focused mainly on rock and alternative bands with features such as reviews of concerts and albums and interviews with famous artists. Q and Kerrang! are also influences of my music magazine.  

My target audience will be males and females aged between 16-25 that are working/middle class students or young professionals. Rock bands, and therefore my magazine, will mainly appeal to older teenagers and young adults as they are able to start independently going to gigs and festivals as well as being able to buy music on a regular basis. The types of bands/artists my target audience will vary from The Courteeners, The Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, The Vaccines, The Drums, The Kooks to Joy Division, David Bowie, Oasis and The Smiths. The products/brands my target audience will consume are clothes from shops such as Urban Outfitters, Topshop and Fred Perry and will like modles such as Cara Delevingne and Miranda Kerr. They will also have products from the brand Apple such as an iPhone, iPod or iPad and use iTunes to purchase their music. My target audience will also be interested in playing a musical instrument or playing in a band and may want to play gigs themselves. My target audience will like different genres of film/tv such as romance, thrillers, comedy and sci-fi. They will watch films such as The Breakfast Club, Pulp Fiction and Gregory's Girls. The forms of social networking my target audience will use are Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram. These are easy ways for the magazine to always be updating the audience. The forms of social media my audience will use are YouTube and Spotify which are really easy ways for my audience to share and listen to music. My target audience will already read magazines such as NME and Q. My target audience will also like to go festivals such as Leeds and Reading, Glastonbury and Creamfields. 

My music magazine will be published by IPC Media. They claim to be the UK's leading consumer magazine and digital publisher. IPC Media already publish successful publications such as NME, Marie Claire and TV & Satellite so will be well known to my target audience. This also gives off a good impression to the audience as it shows that my music magazine will also be successful like these other publications. 

The features I'm likely to include in my music magazine are: an interview with a new upcoming band/artist with some questions asked by the audience from twitter, a review of an album by a famous band with some opinions from the audience and information on the best clubs, gigs and festivals to go to. I will also have competitions which will feature products such as albums, signed merchandise and gig/festival tickets. I will also include offers for discounts in shops such as Topshop and Urban Outfitters, claiming free products online or in shops and free/half-price iTunes vouchers. I will also have a question and answer feature in my music magazine which will allow the audience to ask the editors of the magazine questions about writing articles and taking/editing pictures.

My music magazine will be distributed as a print version and on the internet. My music magazine will have a website with past articles on there and other frequently updated news. There will also be a chance for the audience to purchase the digital copy of the magazine to have on there phone/tablet to read easily where ever and whenever. 

My magazine will be priced at £2.20. This is competitive with rival magazines such as Q which is priced at £3.90 and NME which is priced at £2.40. As my magazine is priced cheaper than the other two hopefully this will encourage the audience to buy my music magazine.

The unique selling point of the magazine is audience participation. Almost every feature will have some element of audience participation be it questions asked by the audience, the audience giving their opinions or their pictures/moments shared. Also features like competitions and offers create audience participation too as they allow the audience to take something away from the magazine. 

My Ideal Reader Mood Board

Generating Ideas for a Music Magazine

Double Page Spread Analysis

One code and convention of this double page spread is the house style font and colours. The font of the masthead is bold and capitalised so it is easy to read. The colour scheme is grey, white, black and pink. Having a grey background allows all the other colours to stand out from it. The questions in the feature are highlighted in white to indicate that they are the questions and the answers are in black. This also helps the questions stand out to inform the audience of what is going to be discussed in the article. The important information on the page is in pink to allow it to stand out even more. The colours black and white are very basic which shows the artist is revaling all. The colour connotes being fashionable and modern relating to a glamours lifestyle this artist is living. The colour pink connotes calmness so balances out from the look of the artist and the other dark colours. The masthead is at the top of the second page but also goes over onto the first page. The masthead is a pull quote to entice the audience to read the feature but also to anchor the main image. The subtitle gives the audience an incite of what the feature is going to be about. The beginning of the main article starts off with a long introduction to draw in the audience before the questions begin. The answers to the questions are quite long suggesting that the questions are quite in depth which gives more exclusive information for the audience. 

Another code and convention of a music magazine is the main image which is of the star of the feature. This image connotes the genre of music of the magazine. The tattoos, piercings, the facial hair and the clothing show that the music is quite rebellious and loud such as heavy metal or rock music. Also the image is a mid shot so focuses on the artists expression which is neutral to show he is professional and takes his music seriously. The black mini background of the masthead goes behind the image almost to show that the pull quote came from the artist. 

The layout of the double page spread is another code and convention of the magazine. The main image takes up almost the whole of the first page showing it's importance and to catch the audiences attention. Around the edges of both pages are bright white circles which resemble light bulbs which usually go around dressing table mirrors. This connotes the Hollywood and famous life that singers lead suggesting that this artist does. The text on the second page is divided into three columns which makes it easier for the audience to read and understand. The amount of text suggests that the target audience is mature and likes reading so interested on what the artist has to say as there is only one image. The banner in the top left hand corner of the mise-en-scene categorises the feature into a 'News' section. This then relates back to the contents page as the audience can decide on what they want to read and find it quickly.

Aquinas Magazine Contents Page

The two back ground colours carry on the house style of the publication. Using white and red as the background colours helps break up and organise the page to make it easier to read. The mast head is similar to the front cover as 'Aquinas' is the same however 'magazine' is replaced with 'contents'. This informs the read of what the page is. The date and issue number on the right of the masthead is to inform the reader of which issue they are reading. It is coloured white to stand out against the red background.

On the left is the content of the magazine indicated by the subtitle 'in this issue'. The features are then divided into categories with subtitles: 'on the cover', 'regulars' and 'features'. These are indicated by red rectangles to differentiate the subtitles to the features. The features title is in black and then the subtitle relating to that feature is in red to contrast so it is easier for the audience to read. The page numbers are in a larger font and are in a brighter shade of red to stand out for the audience to read. The These are structured in a list so it is easy to read and understand. 

On the right there is a picture to promote the main cover star. This picture is anchored by the page number of the feature and the pull quote from the cover. This entices the audience to read the feature. Below the cover image is the editors letter. The editors letter is an informal introduction to the magazine and it directs the audience to read certain features. It is in one of the house style fonts and the features titles are in italics to stress them. The sign off from the letter is in a font which looks like handwriting as if the editor has signed it.

Underneath the editors letter are three other images relating to features. The first image is related to the 'Exclusive Offers' feature. The image shows to friends looking a phone, one friend supposedly showing the other the offer. This tells the audience that there are offers for everyone. The second image is related to the 'Aquinas Latest' feature which is about news. The image shows the main Aquinas college building which tells the audience the news is all about Aquinas. The third image is on the 'How to prepare for Uni' feature and the image shows a former student. All three images are anchored by the page numbers of the features.

I changed some the layout from my original plan. I didn't include a 'News' category as there wasn't enough features to fall under that category. Also, I didn't use the auto-shape as there was no room because there were lots of features to include. I also swapped the position of the editors letter and the main cover start in order to break up the pictures and text. I also only included three images rather than four like on my original plan to promote the other features. As well as this I didn't include a banner at the bottom of the page because there wasn't enough room.

To improve my contents page I would make the text more striking through the use of brighter colours or different fonts. I would also anchor the pictures with extra information to persuade the audience to go and read the feature. 

Aquinas Magazine Contact Sheet

• I decided not to use picture 1 because the position of the person doesn't create a good gaze
• I have decided to use picture 2 as my cover star because the position of the person is suitable and creates a good gaze, follows the rule of thirds and it is a midshot
• I could use picture 3 as a cover star because it is a mid shot and follows the rule of thirds
• I have decided not to use picture 4. It is a mid shot but there is a lot of white space at the top of the picture
• I have decided not to use picture 5 as the positioning of the person isn't very striking and it doesn't have a very good gaze
• I will use picture 6 on my contents page for one of the features because it is a mid shot, fits the rule of thirds and the positioning and gaze of the person is suitable
• I could use picture 7 as a cover star because the poistioning of the person is sutiable as well as the gaze
• I could use picture 8 as a cover star because the positioning and the gaze is suitable and the image is a midshot
• I have decided not to use picture 9 as a cover star because there is no gaze but I am going to use it on my contents page for a feature
• I could use picture 10 as a cover star because it is a midshot, the positioning of the people and their gaze is suitable and it follows the rule of thirds

Aquinas Magazine Front Cover

The banner at the top of my Aquinas magazine advertises the 'Win' cover feature. It headlines the magazine, making it one of the first features the audience notice. The prizes it advertises will appeal to the audience as from my audience research questionnaire I found out that my audience like modern technology, shopping and sports. The mast head, a code and convention of a typical magazine, of the publication is in the house style colours and font. The font is bold to stand out and clear so it is easy to read. The house style colours are red, black and white. These are the Aquinas colours so the audience can create a link between the magazine and the college. Red is also a bold colour and brings text to the foreground allowing important information stand out. Black and white contrast each other so allow the other text to stand out. Below the mast head is the tagline, another code and convention for a typical magazine. This informs the audience that the magazine comes out weekly and the purpose is to update them. The word 'your' creates a personal, informal feeling for the audience. Underneath the tagline is the issue number. This informs the audience of what they're reading. These code and conventions are important information so are grouped together for the audience to understand. 

Down the right of the mise-en-scene are the cover features. The first cover story appeal to the audience because it is about social networking and from my audience research questionnaire, I know that the two main social networking sites that my audience use are Facebook and Twitter. Using two different shades of blue (the official colours of Facebook and Twitter) draws in the readers attention because they contrast with red. Below this cover feature is a giveaway to the buyers of the magazine. From my audience research questionnaire I found out that the two most popular bands are The Arctic Monkeys and One Direction. These bands are different genres so the magazine appeals to all types of people. This also encourages people to buy the Aquinas Magazine as the word 'free' will attract them because they are getting more for their money. The secondary images to show what is given away for free also encourages the audience to buy the magazine. Underneath this is another cover feature advertising the news feature in the magazine. Emphasising 'Aquinas' shows the audience that the news inside is based on the college so is an easy way to be updated on what is going on. In the bottom right hand corner of the mise-en-scene is the date and the barcode, two codes and conventions of a typical magazine publication. The date tell the audience when the information, such as news, was relevant and the barcode allows the audience to purchase the publication. The four cover stories on the left hand side of the mise-en-scene appeal to the audience because from my audience research questionnaire I found out that they are topics my audience are interested in. Some of the text is capitalised and/or coloured red to emphasise the information to the audience.  

Below the left hand side cover features is the main cover feature. The text is alot bigger and bolder to jump out to the audience. The pull quote and extra information encourage the audience to read the feature as it is an exclusive. Again the important information is in red and the word 'before' is in italics to stress the word. This also anchors the main cover image. The cover star is 'Rachel Brown', who is supposedly a famous celebrity. However, to ensure the audience know this, the text anchoring the image is on the actual image where as the over cover stories fall round it to show they have no relevance to that feature. The colours in the image are neutral so the text can stand out around it. Below the main cover feature is an auto-shape. The rigid edges and bright colour of the shape helps the text stand out from the rest promoting the offers advertised.

I changed some of the layout from my original plan. The tagline of the publication is on the right hand side of the masthead rather than the left like on my plan. Rather than having two cover features on the left hand side of the mis-en-scene I have four in order to make sure there is no white space. My finished front cover is full and there is hardly any white space to connote to the audience that the magazine is full of information and features. There isn't a feature in the bottom left hand corner of the mise-en-scene as the auto shape has moved to the bottom of the page rather than about the main cover feature. The issue number is at the top of the page rather than the bottom like on my plan so it is easier for the audience to understand the chronological order of the magazines. The house style colours have stayed the same but are used in different ways however the main house style font has changed to one that is more bold.

 

To improve my Aquinas magazine front cover I would make the text on the left hand side of the mise-en-scene bigger to get rid of the white space and to make the text easier to read. I will also make the tagline bigger and the issue number to stand out agaisnt the other features better.

Aquinas Magazine Contents Page Plan

Contents Page Analysis

Contents Page Analysis

One code and convention of a contents page is the colour scheme. The house style colour scheme for the NME is red, black and white. Also, the pictures used on this contents page are quite bold rather than bright which connotes the bold genre of music: soft rock and alternative. The use of bright red on the contents page allows the important information stand out to the audience. The page numbers of the features presented with pictures are also in the house style bright red colour to contrast against the black text and white background. Another code and convention of a contents page is the masthead. The masthead on the NME contents page is in the house style font, colour and is the biggest text on the page in order to stand out. This house style font is then continued through out the contents pages as well as others. Below the masthead is the issue date of the magazine. This reminds the reader of the issue they have bought. The rest of the contents page is separated into three columns almost, to make it easier for the audience to read and make sense of. This also helps the audience to understand which anchorage text goes with which image. Each image is accompanied by a pull quote, page number and the anchorage text (information of the image) to encourage the audience to read the full article. The artists in the images all have serious expressions and wear smart, simple clothes to connote their genre of music and to show they take their music career seriously. Most of the images are mid-shots to clearly show the facial expressions and allow the audience to easily identify the artists. Despite not being the main cover feature, the article on Miles Kane is situated in the top center third of the mise-en-scene to show it's importance, when in fact the feature of David Bowie is the main cover feature but this is situated on the left of the mise-en-scene. The three columns are then split into four parts which are then sectioned off by thin lines. In the bottom center section of the mise-en-scene are the other 'Plus' features. All that is shown is the titles of the articles and the page numbers, in a way enticing the audience to find out more by reading the articles. This section of information is much smaller compared to the others, showing they are less superior and should be read after the main features. All of the mise-en-scene is covered leaving no white space or gaps showing that the magazine will also be full of information for the audiences’ enjoyment. A banner promoting a subscription offer takes up the bottom right hand corner of the mise-en-scene. This banner is coloured bright read to immediately attract the audiences' attention as it stands out from the black and white on the page. The large capitalised text is clear to the audience making sure they don't miss the information too. Usually, a typical magazine has an editor’s letter on the contents page making an informal connection between the audience and the magazine as they use phrases such as 'don't miss' and 'check out'. However, the NME doesn't provide an editors letter to show a high minded, formal approach to its subject. The NME expects its opinions to be taken seriously by its audience.