Doube Page Spread 3 Analysis

 

On this double page spread, the two pages are split almost in half. On the first half on the double page, is the band being interviewed. The band have a whole page dedicated to themselves because they are the ones being interviewed, and it is important that the audience is fully aware of this. On the same page as the band, there is a small box which says 'need to know.' This box has information about the band and because they are a new band and not many people have heard of them, these facts are interesting and will grab the audiences attention. Across the middle of the double page, is the name of the band. It is the biggest text on the page because it is important that the name of the band being interviewed can be easily seen, because it is vital that they can be recognised. On the other side of the double page, is the interview. It is written in black text on a white background which makes it very easy for the audience to read. One of the quotes from the interview has been singled out from the rest of the interview, and has been given a blue box around it, so that the audiences eyes are drawn to this. This quote will make the audience interested, and it will make them more likely to continue to read the rest of the interview. At the right side of the interview, is a separate column with the title 'everyone's talking about.' This will interest the audience because they will want to know what everyone is talking about, and they will therefore want to read the rest of the magazine to find out. The colour scheme for this double page spread is black, white and blue. The text is written in black and white because these are the easiest colours for text to be seen. The blue is used to create a bored around important pieces of text, and this gets the audiences attention.

Double Page Spread 2 Analysis

 

On this double page spread, the band members take up most of the two pages. This is because the interview is about them and they are what the audience will be focused on most. The lead singer of the band is standing so he is slightly in front of the other band members and this is because he is more popular and well known and people will recognise his face, whereas they may not recognise another one of the band members. Due to the fact that they are wearing bright colours and the photograph has been taken on a white background, they stand out a lot more. On the right side of the page there is an interview with the band. The interview has been written on a black background, and this contrasts with the white background and makes it easier to read. At the top of the page is a quote from the interview and this creates an enigma and makes the audience want to read the rest of the interview. The text is written in a red/orange colour and it looks very bright on the white background.

Double Page Spread 1 Analysis

On this double page spread, Davey Havok is featured on one page that has been used just for a photograph of him. This is because he is being interviewed and the audience can see this because of the picture. On the other side of the double page spread, there is the interview. The interview questions are highlighted with a white box so that they stand out from the rest of the text and so that they don't get mixed up with the answers to the questions. The interview takes up more than half of the page because the questions are the most important part of the double page spread. A quote from the interview has been used to get the readers attention and is the biggest text on the page.The colour scheme for this double page spread is grey, white and black. These colours work well together because the interview questions have a white background to stand out. Specific words in the quote are pink and this suggests that they are key words that are important to the interview.

Time Management

Since I have started this course around six months ago, I have completed my preliminary task, my flat plan rationale, analysis of magazine covers, and the redraft of my contents and front cover. I have also completed my magazine cover and contents page and I am currently working on my double page spread. I have posted a blog update on January 31st , and I posted updates for my magazine cover and contents page. Overall I think I have managed my time effectively and I will continue to do so.

Contents Page Draft

 

This is my completed contents page. I have used my own images that I have taken at various concerts and I have put them in my contents page. I also have the magazine advertised at the top corner along with a quote from a celebrity from the magazine. My contents list is at the side and I have used sub-titles and bold fonts to make them stand out. I have also used a bold font for the page numbers so that the audience can easily find what they are looking for. It has taken me two lessons to complete this task which means I am working at a good pace and my time management is good. I am now ready to start planning my double page spread. 

Contents Page 3 Analysis

 

This contents page is very different from the second contents page that I analysed. The second contents page has a lot going on, whereas this contents page is simple. The pros of this page being simple is that the audience can easily find anything they may be looking for. The main sell line is an interview with Bon Jovi, and this is why the biggest photograph is a photograph of one of the band members. Near his photograph, there is the page number for the interview so the audience can easily find it. At the left side is the contents with the sub headings and the page numbers. The text is black and easy to read and has it's own part of the page and doesn't get mixed up with the rest of the page. At the bottom, there is a separate section for another interview with another band and their photograph is also included. However, the photograph is smaller because it isn't the main sell line. The colour scheme used on this page is orange, black and white and these colours go well together and because of this, it makes the audience more likely to look at it. The biggest text on the page is the 'Q contents' at the top of the page. This is at the top of the page because it is clear to the reader that this is Q magazine and that this is the contents page. The Q has an orange box to stand out from the rest of the black box

Contents Page 2 Analysis

 

This contents page is structured so that there is a lot going on for the audience to be interested in. The main and only photograph on the contents page is a photograph of a band which are featured in the magazine as being the biggest sell line. Because the picture is the only picture on the contents page, it informs the reader that this band are going to be featured in the rest of the magazine. The list at the left side is a list of other bands that are also featured in the magazine. It is good to have this list because it informs the audience of other bands that feature in the magazine. If someone reads the list and notices that one of their favourite bands is mentioned, they are more likely to buy the magazine. Having the same three colours, red, grey and black make the layout look more professional. However, at the bottom, there is an advertisement to subscribe to the magazine monthly. This text is yellow and therefore stands out from the rest of the colours on the contents page. Because the background is very light grey, a black box has been placed around this advertisement so it is easy to read. The biggest text on the page is 'NME this week.' This is so the reader is fully aware that this is NME magazine, and that the following information is in this weeks magazine. This also has a black box around it to stand out from the rest of the page. The actual text of the contents page is at the right side. There are subheadings which are bold with a black box so that it is clear to the audience what is going to appear in the magazine. Under the subheadings are the page numbers and titles.

Contents Page 1 Analysis

The contents page is structured so that there are photographs of the main stories and headlines of the magazine. The biggest picture on the contents page shows a band member, and what page of the magazine he is on. He is one of the main sell lines because his picture is bigger than the others. There are other pictures of other bands and their page numbers and they are surrounding the main picture, which suggests that they aren’t as important as the main picture. The contents page has the same three colours, black, yellow and white. The important text is written in yellow, and has a black background to make it stand out. Any other text is written in black. These colours have been used in this way because black and yellow go well together and these colours stand out and are easy to read. At the top of the page, the title ‘contents’ is the biggest text on the page, and this is because it is important that the reader knows that this is the contents page. Under the contents title, there is the issue number and date. This text is written quite small because although it is necessary information, it is not really important to the reader. I think that this is a good contents page because it is easy for the reader to see, and the information is clear.

Progress Review

So far I have analysed magazine covers and I have wrote about how they attract the audiences attention. I have also finished my first draft and I have received feedback from Kaye and my class on how to improve it. The feedback I received was mostly positive, with some comments telling me how to improve, for example, having clearer pictures. The positive feedback included my use of colour, and the style of text that I had used. I took this feedback into consideration and it helped me to improve my magazine cover. For the past few weeks I have been making the draft of my contents page. This morning I am hoping to complete the first draft and upload it to my blog. When I complete my contents page, I will then receive more feedback next lesson for how I can improve it. 

Feedback

This is feedback that I got from my classmates for my first draft of my magazine front cover. The feedback was good overall, however some comments said that I could improve by using different and more professional looking fonts. 

Time Management

This week I have completed my music magazine front cover. Personally I think that my time management was good because I have completed it within the time given and the time that I expected to finish. The task was time consuming and I managed my time well so that I did the things I needed to do.

Magazine cover draft

 

This is my finished magazine front cover. I have used my own image and I have also come up with my own title for my magazine. The colour scheme of this front cover is black, white and red because personally I think these colours go well together, and the white and red text stands out on the black background. I have also used more of my own images to advertise other interviews and such in my magazine. I have included a bar-code, issue number, and the date as these are all vital things that need to be included on a magazine front cover. I have completed my front page in the time that I was given, and my time management for this task is good. I plan on starting my contents page next lesson. 

Potential Problems

One of the main potential problems I could have regarding my work, is that my work could get accidentally deleted or lost. This would mean that I would have to start my work again and I would fall behind on my other tasks by doing this. However, to ensure that this doesn't happen, I have backed up all of my work onto USB sticks, and I also have copies of my work at home so that I can also improve my work outside of college.

Another potential problem, could be that the person I plan on taking photographs of, is unable to do it. This would mean that I wouldn't have a photograph on my front cover, or an interview on my double page spread and this would create a problem. However, I have more than one person that is willing to model for my photographs so that if for some reason the original person I wish to use cannot do it, I have a plan B so that i will not fall behind. 

Target Audience

The target audience for my magazine is teenagers and young adults. This means that my magazine will feature things that interest this age group. They will be interested in celebrities that are a similar age, and they will have a big interest in music.This will influence my magazine because I will have to put things in it to please this target audience. Because of this, I am going to take photographs of people that are of a similar age so that the target audience can relate to them. I am making a music magazine so that my magazine is suitable for the target audience of music lovers, and it is going to include interviews of singers, and posters of bands that the target audience will be interested in. Teenagers and young adults attend more concerts and festivals so therefore they will be more interested in this. They also spend their money on new albums and CD's and I will make sure that my magazine mentions new albums that are going to be released. Because of their younger age, the target audience will be more interested in an informal magazine with bright colours and bold texts and this is what I am going to include in my magazine. 

Magazine cover 3 analysis

The advertisement of the free magazine is shown twice on the magazine for emphasis of it’s importance. It is written at the top of the magazine cover, above the masthead and the band. Because it is written like this, it suggests that it is more important than the rest of the magazine. The audience are fully aware that the CD is free because the words ‘free CD’ are written in a different colour to the rest of the text. The main image on the cover is a picture of the band Kings Of Leon. This suggests that there will be interviews with them inside of the magazine and it creates and enigma for the audience, as they want to know why this band is on the cover. People that like this band and similar bands will be likely to buy this magazine after seeing the band on the cover. The lead singer is stood in front of the other band members, which suggests that he is more important. The lead singer is more popular than the rest of the band, and more people will recognise him. Additional sell lines are all together on this cover. They are in a separate box so they do not get mixed up with any of the other information. The magazine cover has the same three colours, black, white and red. The sell lines are written in black and white and are in a light pink box so that they stand out. At the bottom of the magazine cover, is another sell line written in a red box. The word plus is written in white, and the rest of the sentence is written in black, and is difficult to read. Because it is difficult to read, it creates and enigma and it makes the audience want to read more. The main sell line on this magazine cover, is the free CD included. We know this because the picture of the CD is covering some of the picture of the band, which suggests that it is more important than them. The picture is also very large, being half the size of the whole cover. The words ‘free CD’ are written in a similar style to the masthead. Both texts are white on red backgrounds, and this shows the CD’s importance. Because the style is similar to the masthead, it draws the audiences attention to it first. The name of the magazine is ‘Q’ and because Q are a popular magazine, they don’t necessarily need to have their name visible at all times because people are aware of what the magazine is called. Because the band are covering some of the title, it suggests that they are more important than the name of the magazine. The title is in the top left hand corner which is where mastheads are typically placed.

Magazine cover 2 analysis

There are posters advertised that are inside of the magazine. The word ‘free’ is written against yellow, which makes it stand out compared to the rest of the text. There is also two pictures of the posters on the cover so that the audience are aware of what the posters look like. Because the posters are advertised on the top of the cover near the masthead, it suggests that it is important. The main picture on the cover is a picture of the band My Chemical Romance. The lead singer in the band is standing in front of the rest of the band, which suggests that he is more important than the other members. Because the band members are standing behind one another, it suggests that they are in order of importance, with the lead singer being at the front. Because the band are on the cover, it will make fans of the band more likely to purchase the magazine. The cover sticks to the same colours, which are white and blue. These colours are bright and are very easy to see and read. The additional sell lines are all similar to bands like My Chemical Romance, and typical things that would be found in an NME magazine. There is important information on the cover such as the date, issue number and barcode. These are inconspicuous so that they don’t take away attention from the main features of the magazine cover. The main sell line is an interview with My Chemical Romance, the band on the front cover. We know this by the way the text looks. It is written in black text unlike the rest of the sell lines, and it is also the biggest text on the cover. After the picture, this sell line will be the first thing that captures the audiences attention. People that like the band will see this sell line and will be more likely to want to purchase the magazine. The masthead on the magazine cover is on the top left which is typically where mastheads go on a magazine cover. It is the only text written in red, and it stands out a lot from the rest of the text. The red text also has a white outline to stand out even more. This makes the audience well aware of the name of the magazine.

Magazine cover 1 analysis

 

The main image on this magazine cover is a picture of Chris Brown. He is a popular artist  and this will attract people to the magazine that are fans of his. It will make it more likely for someone to buy a magazine if there is a popular artist on the cover. Because Chris Brown is covering the masthead, this shows that he is more important than the magazine cover. It suggests that the magazine is popular because it doesn’t necessarily  need to have it’s title on display. The pose is invitational, his mouth is shut and he looks very mysterious and this makes the audience curious. The magazine cover  sticks to the same colours, white and green. The text is very bold and bright and is clear enough to read from a distance. Certain words are written in yellow and red to make them stand out from the rest of the text. The background is dark and this makes it easy to read the text. At the bottom of the magazine, there is information written in a read bubble with white and yellow text, which suggests that it is important. It suggests this because the colour yellow is barely used on the cover, only for important titles. It draws the audience in and makes them want to find out more information in the magazine. At the top of the magazine, there is an additional sell line. Because it is written above everything else, it states its importance. It is also the only text on the front cover that is written in it’s own box. At the top corner of the magazine, there is a red bubble with text inside it. The text says that the magazine is the ‘mega music’ issue. This will attract members of the public that are interested in music, and it will make them more likely to buy the magazine. ‘Mega music’ is written bigger than the rest of the text in the bubble, and is also written in yellow which suggests that it is more important. Separate sell lines are used on the magazine cover for other stories in the magazine. The sell lines are stories that are similar to Chris Brown’s music, and the type of magazine. This will also draw the audience in as the sell lines  are enigmas and they make the audience want to read more. There is important information on the cover such as the date, issue number and barcode. These are inconspicuous so that they don’t take away attention from the main features of the magazine cover.

Moodboard

Foundation Production Portfolio Proposal

For my AS media coursework, I have decided to create a magazine. My magazine is going to be a music magazine and the genre of music is going to be pop. Stereotypically because of this, the target audience is going to be teenagers and young adults. I aspire to make my magazine have the same appealing factors such as magazines like Vibe, NME and Q. On my magazine cover, I am going to have a main sell line that will intrigue the audience and make them want to read further. I will also have additional subheadings that are linked to my magazine, and the target audience. I will make sure that my masthead is bold and in bright colours, so that it stands out and so the audience are fully aware of what the magazine is. I will have a main image on my magazine cover, and it is going to take up most of the page. Therefore it is important that I have a picture of someone the target audience can relate to, such as a popular or new music artist. If the audience are a fan of the person on the cover, they are more likely to buy the magazine. Overall I intend to satisfy the needs of my target audience with my music magazine.

Flat Plan Rationale

Flat Plan Rationale

Colour usage:
I used the same three colours for my magazine cover. I made the masthead red because it is a very vibrant colour and it stands out on the background. I also used red and blue for the sub-headings because these are also colours that will stand out on the background. I used blue for the title on the contents page because this is different from the title on my magazine cover. These colours are bright and therefore will easily catch the audience’s attention and it is easy to read from a distance.

Image Used:
When I add my photographs, I am going to take them inside of college, and of different students. I am going to take photographs of different things around college, and different activities that are going on. I am going to use long shots when I take my photographs so that I can get more than one thing in the image. For some photographs however, I am going to use close up shots of things that require more detail so that I can focus on the subject I am taking a photograph of. My main image is going to take up the majority of the magazine cover, as this is the main part.

Text Usage:
The masthead on my magazine cover is by far the biggest and boldest text. This is because the name of the magazine will be the most important thing on the front cover as it informs the audience the name of the magazine. I have named  my magazine ‘College News’ because students will be aware that the magazine is about their college. My main sell line is about making money on campus. I made this the main sell line because students will be interested in making money while they are at college. I also have other headlines, such as information on activities and competitions.

Layout and Font:
On my magazine cover, I used the font Adobe Caslon Pro. I used this font because it stands out compared to other fonts such as Arial and Calibri. For the masthead and title of the contents page, I made this text bold and because it is the most important text. I also have other headlines on my magazine and I have positioned them to the sides of where the main photograph is going to be.

Mock Up

Flat Plan