My Final Production

Audience Feedback

I decided to get feedback from a few people from my target audience. I organised a focus group of five 18-22 year old white males. I first showed them my final pieces, then allowed them to have a general dicussion before asking them to right down their views and personal opinions. Here are some of the following quotes that where suggested:

On my front cover, I recieved comments such as:
- Well constructed, with a good layout design
- Its looks very realistic and professional
- Nice use of colour, well matched
- The front page is clear, simple yet sleek

On my Contents page, I recieved comments such as:
- Easy to read font, good as it's important to not confuse and feed too much information to the reader at once.
- It's a Simple and understandable layout
- The Style is quirky and unique, it's also quite funky which appeals to the younger audience.
- Theres a Good colour co-ordination, makes it looks stylish and fresh.

On my Double page spread, I recieved comments such as:
- I used a good idea for font, which is very unique and suits the topic on my page well as it relates to the article.
- The matching colours looks good, and the red suits the word "hell" its a good link to the header.
- Background is natural gives a stylish yet sophisticated look
- Good use of images, they look really professional, excellent quality

Distribution Methods

Beats Magazine readers will see the magazine attracting an even larger audiences through a wide range of different multi-media platform with methods like TV, radio and the traditional newsagents. Now with the technology of web 2.0, beats can now attract more readers, through the internet, running a website, iphone and blackberry apps, sms update messages, newsletters sent to your email and also a mobile internet site.
A well established company such as vibe magazine run by th VIBE media group in association with the Wicks group of companies. Is an american publisher first launched by Quincy Jones and Russell Simmons. Russel Simmons is a well known name in the hip hop industry as he was one of the first hip-hop artists.

Useful websites:
www.vibe.co.uk
http://www.vibelifestylenetwork.com/

My Radial Analysis Of My Final Pieces

My Radial Analysis Of My Final Pieces

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My Use Of Technology

My Use Of Technology

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From preliminary to final production

Since making my final production, my skills have dramatically improved. My school newsletter I created was a simple and basic design, with not much planning, details and not very targeted towards my audience, however over the last few months my skills have excelled to create a professional music magazine. I have improved in my photography skills, for example I used a phone camera for my photos for my newsletter but used a professional camera for my music magazine as the photos came out at a much high quality and looked a lot clearer. I have also improved my photo editing, for example cropping, erasing and light changes in software programmes such as macromedia fireworks and adobe Photoshop. Where as before I was using paint and publisher, which are basic graphic design programme where as fireworks allows you to create a very detailed production with many different tools available. When creating my magazine I learn new media language and touched on my journalism skills improving them with more intellectual words and more detailed media terms. When we made our music magazine we used blogs to keep track of our work, this was the first blogs I used and after working with it for a few weeks with it, I found it quite simple to use. Also using slide share help make my blog better, and I could feature my media planning for my magazine on slideshows to upload to the web then to my blog.

Applying Audience Theory To My Magazine

Blumier and katz suggest that media consumers select their media because how it gratifies them in certain ways for example it offersinformation and education, the audience need to been tertained, feel they can escape and also some social interaction. And most importantly identify, and be able to relate to the characters so they can learn more about themselves. I decided that on my front cover one of my headlines known as 100 greatest places, things this was a mixture of inform and escape. I'm informing the audience with my choice of 100 hottest places, people and must haves and they can feel escape as they tend to think of themselves being there or having the products and escaping from their reality at the time.

On my contents page their is a headline "Dress To Impress" where there's an article about what to wear and what looks good. This is not only inform but also identify as the audience can relate to what they like fromthe product range provided. There is also another headline called "Magnet's Message" where previous readers have sent in question asking the artist Magnet. This fits in with Blumier and Katz theory as this is social interaction as well as education as you can ask and then learn about the artist. I have placed the website on the contents page which can allow you to go online and take part in polls, blogs and quizzes engaging the reader more and allowing them to chat and share views with other readers.

Richard Dyer's theory of utopian solutions suggest that the users of media find a solution for something missing in their life. For example if there bored they look for excitment, I tried to make my magazine exciting as possible, with fun colours, fonts and intresting stories. I add fresh, young photos appealing to my target audience to gain as many buyers as possible. Another inadequacy by Dyer is isolation, and the solutuion being community, by having a interview as my double page spread, I felt I have engaged the audience by getting them to relate to my interviewees. Also, I have arranged for a website, which will features blogs, chat rooms and forums where other readers of the magazine can share their opinions on different topics.

Evaluation Of My Double Page Spread

On my double page spread layout there are models on the full left side and text and smaller picture on the right hand side of the page. The models on my double page spread featured on the left are two young girls which attracting the male viewers. Where as the interview questions on the right hand side attract more of a female audience where they may take an interest in the celebrity lifestyle or they desire to be an artist themselves and there question they wish to know the answers to. The girls have been styled to her simple, pure make up as they giving a simple, powerful look. However, the clothing is different, for example on the main image one girls Is wearing a white dress which co-notates purity, innocence and gives the saint look where as the other girl is wearing a red dress con-notates her being more outgoing, dangerous and gives the sinner look. I styled them like this as the artists are known as the sisters of sin, but in the interview they very friendly showing their 'saint' side.

As my magazine is quite open, and relax I wanted to give that affect by making my magazine, easy to read with a nice flow. So I choose a simple, warm text which is quite welcoming. I also wanted my magazine to have a continuous flow through out keeping the same hip-hop theme. I was constantly reminding the audience of what hip-hops about, other artists in the industry and latest news. I decided to add a white border at the bottom of my spread, I choose white because it’s a quite calming but sleek colour, making my product quite professional. The reason for the border was to connect both pages, and inform the audience that the picture on the left and the text on the right are linked together, also it relates back to my idea of a “flowing” magazine.

The title of my spread is spread over the two pages, with “the sisters of sin…” appearing on the bottom left on top of the Image, is in a white colour font. The font I used looks like the font your find for the bible or in a church and I thought this related well with the word “sister” and being the opposite of “saint” both commonly known words when associated with church. Then on the top right of my page above the text “are back raising hell”. This font is written in black which co-notates death, mystery and violence. These connotations also relate to the word “hell” featured in the title, which is a good loop back. Also the font I choose is also a font that can be associated with the church, but it has harsher edges, looking more powerful, which links well with the powerfulness of the word “hell” I used an exclamation mark at the end of my title, to signify the importance and statement I was trying to say. It also, shouts out to the audience grabbing the reader’s attention when looking through the magazine.

For added effect, and to make it look more like a real magazine, I added the page number in the bottom of the right hand corner next to the website address which is commonly used in music magazines.
I decided that as this interview is with two girls, it will be more likely to attract female readers. So I decided on the font being purple, white and black. This is a unisex theme but I gave it a light purple giving it more the subtle, feminine affect.

I used Blumier and Katz audience theory with used and gratifications. I added inform and educate for example, where the reader is being informed of what is happening in the artist’s life musically. Escape, as the audience is reading this article then they feel like they wish they was leading their life, and you tend to build a picture up in your head. Also, I used identify, the reader is someway can relate themselves to the issue, maybe through the style of the models, some answers of the questions, often getting the readers thinking how there in a similar situation and what their answer would be.

Evaluation Of My Contents Page

On my contents page, I stuck to a grey, black, white and purple colour scheme. The grey, black and white colours are quite simple and clear but as my target audience is quite young, I wanted it too look more fun so I added in a purple touch, with the model wearing a purple jacket and some purple text.
I styled my model so he has his jacket open this is so he offers a welcoming touch to my readers, making them engage to the magazine and want them to read more. I also kept him in a simple white t-shirt with added bright colour to make him stand up. This works well as I have a graduated grey to white background, he is a great eye-grabbing image.
One of the headers is “Features” this automatically informs the reader what the sub text is about, I also used language on my contents page such as Beats Exclusives as another header. This suggests that the articles are exclusive and the reader is personally gaining information that cannot be found elsewhere.

I made my contents page have a big title “contents” with the month and year underneath. We can automatically tell when this issue was published but also made it targeted at my audience yet again by abbreviating the 2010 to just ’10.

I tried to show my stories being positive; as this is the way I am trying to approach my audience. I added a plus sign, not just to show what else is featured but as the + sign is a positive sign. I did this so it would try and give off a good, happy vibe when reading my magazine.

Stories such as “got the money” and “rags to riches” are all about money and getting more money. This is a big fascination with young male in this society, and these target my audience, it also links in with Blumier and Katz gratifications of escape.
I also targeted my audience my adding slang words often used by the younger and especially male audience. Words like “frontin fresh” which is also alliteration, is seen as a “cool” word, often used within teenagers and young adults. “They call me Nas” is also another story. Nas is a famous, American, hip hop artist which most of my audience reading this magazine will know who he is and instantly make the connection.

The quote used, was to also grab the readers attention, this is an inside piece of information informing the audience what is featured in the story based behind the picture of the model. This quote used was very inspirational, which many young males need and feel they can relate to. As Blumier and Katz would suggest this is identify, as you can find out about yourself and the person with the story.

How I followed or changed conventions

Conventions of a music magazine front covers are that they have short, memorable mastheads. They tend to have a large, bold image attracting the audience's attention. They always include a barcode, price, headlines and cover lines.
Some include puffs and straplines. I decided to use a variety of headlines, a strong powerful masthead and a puff located on the left side of my image. I included a bright, colour scheme to attract my young target audience yet made the product look professional with a big sense of realism. I located my barcode and price in the bottom right which is often found on music magazines of the same genre.
In hip hop music magazine's, another convention is that they have very dominant, powerful images as the splash. The model(s) are normally dressed in evening/smart wear for males and the females have a very party/glamours look.

Conventions of a music magazine contents page are that they have the page title located at top of the page, a features section, a quote, more than 1 image of whats inside the magazine, columns and various language technique. I included all the following in mine. However, I made my contents looks very funky and fresh to appeal to my audience. I used a bright colour scheme to grab there attention and decided on against the normal basic, column layout. This was because my audience are young and are more intrested in short and brief information.

Conventions of a music magazine double page spread include a large variety of text in coloumns, a large image, powerful headline and an introuduction. I decided to add all of these to my double page spread, but decided to add my own personal touch. I decided against the multiple columns of continuous writing for my interview. I decided to arrange the copy around my models. The title font I associated with the topic and decided to yet again make the colour scheme very bright, bold colours to attract my target audience. I added the necessary page number, and added to my magazines website in the border located around the article on the page.

I decided to use the general hip hop conventions on my magazine, so my production could be easily assoiciated with the genre. I added the typical hip hop conventions for example with the storys featured on the front cover and contents, the images and the whole structure of my production

Evaluation Of My Front Cover

As part of my project I had to evaluate all my production, I looked at the representation I had used, my target audience, conventions ECT. I also looked at my journalism I used and how this attract the audience and also how the text is associated music wise. I had to look at my use of technology, audience theorys and how I have improved from my preliminary to final productions.

My magazine uses very similar colours to a real designed magazine. It is very similar to how a classical type of a hip – hop music magazine will look like. I have added images that signify the hip - hop industry that are dangerous yet glamorous. I have done this by carefully planning the mise-en-scene: including Rottweilers in my photo shoots and costuming the girls in a styled and glamorous way. By asking the models to hold the classic dangerous signifier of metal chains this appeals to my target audience of young males.

I also made my models, in styled make up quite subtle also used the same idea for the hair, I kept it simple with it being down and straight as I want this vibe of calm to relate to my audience. My target audience are ages between 18-26 males.

However, I have tried to make it more female friendly by featuring girls on the cover and using softer colours like blue, also featuring other female artists in the magazine which are clearly stated on the front cover and the contents. One of my headlines on my front cover is “sex, money and the power”. This is desired by many of my targeted readers.

As young males they are interested in making money, getting girls, including having sex and competing with other males to show their more dominant figures emphasising the power. Another headline, “my swaggers on point” in this society, young males believe they have “swagger” and they all competing to look the most impressive. With the “on point” meaning what their doing is right and doing it the best appeal to my target audience as they feel they can relate.

This connects to Blumier and Katz theory and gratifies the audience by identify as they find things out about themselves whilst reading the article. I also used inform and educate to target my readers by posting the headline “the 100 hottest places, people and must haves!” I’m informing and educating them my view on the best 100.I used words like exclusive, to try engaging with my reader as the magazine being quite successful and is well respected and can gain the best information and know of it first. This makes the reader feel like their gaining something

On my front cover, I decided I want my images to be the most noticeable on my magazine. I have accomplished this by expanding my image so it takes up most of the page, and then customised the text to fit around the picture. I also had the models head replace part of the products name, this signifies the importance of the image and also this is use quiet frequently in music magazines so shows the realism I have tried to create. I have used black and a bright blue for my colour of text, this is so it stands out on the white background, but also I wanted my magazine to have a masculine yet clean + fresh look to it. The black and white where kept simple to show the importance and the professional look I aimed to achieve, the reason I decided to use the blue as I wanted a bright colour I always believe that bright colours are very vibrant, dominant and very eye Catchy.

Also my copy is written in upper case, this is so we can clearly attract to our audience, and it grabs the attention as it looks like where shouting at our audience trying to bring them towards the magazine

I added a barcode so it looks more like a magazine and I decided on the price being £3.99, this is fair, average price for my music magazine. It’s not too expensive as I wanted it to reach out to my target audience, who are properly on no or low income and would not be able to afford something to expensive.

Planning - Research Into Similar Products

Front Covers


















Contents Pages













Contents Page 2 - Source Magazine
The Contents page is split into 2, there is the “Features’ ”content’s and then after the next page there is the contents telling us where to find departments, ear to the street, power moves and Reviews. Features contents tell us the main stories featured in the magazine, where as the other contents involves more repeat articles in magazines also featuring other stories Both contents has kept to the black and white theme used through out the rest of the magazine. The theme is seen as masculine and appeals to their target audience of males. The font is quite urban, which represents their audience as they are looking for young adults, male preferably from an urban area.

On the features page there is a picture of a well known artist who features on the front page. It is a picture of a extreme close of his face, closing in on his eyes and nose. He looks determined and have listed the contents below representing the power this artist has. On the contents page, the stories listed are based on hip-hop artists, gangs, sports and a big growing industry for the hip-hop world, fashion.

On the Other contents there are pictures listed to the side of the contents of games, cars, artist and gadgets all particuly attracting their audience, as they tend to show a common interest to the other items as well as hip-hop. On the this page in the departments stories listed are music, hip-hop 100, automotive, events calendar, travel, video games, All very masculine subjects appealing more to the readers and they can have more than just music to relate to in the magazine.

They have kept both contents quite simple, with the same fonts, borders, and color scheme. It looks quite professional which suggests they have a older target audience, possible 18-30. We can tell this is quite a popular magazine as they have managed to get a famous artist to appear on the front cover, the contents and a spread in the middle of the magazine.

As part of my planning, I completed radial analysis of similar music magazine of my selected genre. I ananysed front pages, contents and double page spreads. I looked at how they took audience, layouts, language, fonts, colour schemes ECT. and took it all into consideration when creating my magazine. I referred to the exsisting magazines contents pages and their features and based my stories on them so its more realistic. Also, I stuck to the same conventions that where used to help create my magazine, to really help me bring my magazine to a high satisfactory level.

Contents Page 3 - XXL Magazine
The Contents page is split into 2, there are the “Top Billin’”contents and then after the next page there is the contents known as “the b–side”. Top Billin’ contents tell us the main stories featured in the magazine, where as the b-side involves more of the audience side of the magazine featuring the audience own letters. Both contents has 8 subtitles featured for their magazine however together they both don’t include what’s featured in the magazine this is so the reader can read on and find out what’s occurring and gives the magazine a slight mystery.

“Top Billin’” makes a reference towards 50 cent standing in the center of the page. He is holding a briefcase full of American “bills” which is overloading and surrounding him. This tells the audience that he is very wealthy man with money to spare. The money is representing the power and authority he has. The briefcase shows us the business side of the man as his profession and with a plain silver secure briefcase tells us he is a professional of what he does.
“War Games” and “Pimp Juice” are all known phrases in the rap/ hip – hop industry as the industry is all about violence, sex and most important money. Which all 3 have been included in the “Top Billin’” contents. This will excite the reader because this is what they want their life to be like.

On the page certain words such as “How To Rob” “Snoop Dogg” and “Best 100 Hip-Hop Sites” this is because the reader will relate to these words. Crime is involved in the typical “gangsters” life, which many readers probably believe they follow. Snoop doggt5rt a very well respected and idolized rapper in the industry which has a huge fan base and attracts fans to the magazine to read on him and then the best 100 hip-hop sites is a good way for the advertising as it will promote websites, this will encourage readers to access the best voted sites for the latest music, downloads ECT.

The b-side contents is layed out quite differently everything is not surrounding a picture and giving the picture the most focus instead of the writing. The b-side has 1 big picture including a subheading for page 98 called “the cool”. There is 3 smaller pictures with a picture of fresh new artists wanting the reader to find who they are and what there like. There’s a picture of “eye candy” attracting the guys towards the ladies and finally there’s a big face for hip-hop Gucci Mane known as “X Rated” In XXL. In the right hand corner they have featured some other hot stories for the reader to read and attract. If the audience sees a familiar face or for something there attracted to such as a young, hot women then this wants them to look further into the magazine for further information and pictures. Both contents have used a plain black simple font for their titles, they have made it very “masculine” with nothing to fancy and girly and left it plain as this is not what they want their audience to be attracted to first.


Double Page Spreads

My Planning Powerpoint

In This Powerpoint, I show all the planning I did for my production.

Planning Powerpoint

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My PhotoShoot

For my magazine I had to take pictures. I wanted it too look fabulous, so I used props such as Louis Vuitton hand bags to show the wealth, but also had my models dressed smart to show their importance and their power. I also featured rottweilers in my shoot to show the danger side, which attracts to my target audience.

The Production Of My Magazine

Today, I started on my final part of coursework of making my magazine. I had to plan out fonts, titles, layout, colour schemes and ECT. I had to make drafts of my magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread and then gave myself feedback to decided on which one will work best.

Results Of My Research - Questionnaire + Interviews

Primary Data Analysed

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Questionnaire And Interview Questions

My Questionnaire And Interview Questions Finished.

Research

Today, I have learned about Quantative and Qualitative data also, Primary and Secondary Data.
I would like to find out about colour schemes, images, layouts and what my target audience is intrested in.
I have decided to make a questionnaire which i will give out to 10 people fitting my target audience. I decided to do a Quick ,Quantative Questionnaire with tick boxes, as there easy to group for results and give me a clear idea.I will also be asking 5 interviews of in depth Qualitative questions, to help with the extra details needed for my magazine to make it more professional.

Quantative And Qualitative Data - Positives + Negatives

At the start of my research I decided I wanted Primary data to be Quantative data. As I feel I can be making more generalising choices for my magazine. I think it be more reliable as well as I can easily group answers, and expand on what the public desire.

Quantative Data is numerical data, shown in graphs, chart or percentages. In media often used for sales figures, audience profiles, profits, Circulation and Readersh Figures.

Positives :
- Can Group Data Easily
- Straightforward Answers
- Need Little Research And Time
Negatives:
-Results Are Limited
-Theres No Human Emotion Shown
-Helpful Data May Never Be Collected.

Qualitative Data includes written or verbal answers, there in much more depth and expanded on. They give a deeper insight of the audience emotions and reaction to the question. In media, it is often used to

Positives:
- Produce Much More Richer And Indivdual Data
- Enable Human Behaviour To Be Understood More Clearer
- Is Flexible And More Responsive
Negatives:
- Be Difficult To Group Or Show Pattern
- Time Consuming, Reviewing Audience Responses
- Can Create A Huge Amount Of Data

Audience Identification (Secondary Sources)

For My Seconday data I have decided to use Burton's theory on audience identification. However, when using his theory I have to be carful how I use him idea' s in my questionnaire. For example, I cannot ask my audience for the questionnaire what social class they are? as they may get offended. Also, I have to make sure my questions are not biased for my social desirability as this would not make my questionnaire fair and will not be getting honest answers.

Audience Identifcation (Primary Data)

I have decided to use questionnaire's and interviews for my primary data. The effect of using a questionnaire means I can gather information quickly, leaving me time to work on other parts of my projects, also means I can group information making me generalise decisions. I choose to do an interview as I can get in depth answers about what the audience are desiring from a magazine.

Magazine Analysis

Today I finished my 3 analysis of music magazines. I Choose Hip-hop magazines Vibe and XXL. I Choose hip- hop magazine as they are my in my intrest and I have a deep insight to the magazine as I relate to what there talking.

Im happy with my final outcome of analysis as they are up to date with media language and techniques and look professional.

My Preliminary Finshed

My Prelimary - The Woodberry Newsletter

Preliminary School Magazine Drafts Slide

Magazine Drafts Slide

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Creating Drafts Of My Preliminary School Magazine

Today I Finished my drafts, I Decided to make a few as I feel It would give me a better idea of what design looked more appropriate for my style newsletter. I also took pictures for my newsletter. These where to show originality and relate to my two main stories; The Ball and Fashion Show Trip.

Start Of My Project :)

I have decided to choose to create a music magazine for my brief. I decided this as i feel i have an advantage as i have studies GCSE media studies and have produced a magazine covers before. Also, I have studied GCSE I.T and now studies I.t Applied at A Level where I believe I have extra skills to bring to my project for example how to use photoshop and creating new styles.

I Hope to achieve an A grade peice of work as I feel confident and comftable with this project.