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

Pre-limenary task, cover and contents page. There are many weak areas of the pre-lim, the white font blends with the grey background.

Finished product. I took special care in making all of the font clear and easy to read.

My real product was much stronger than my preliminary task. The colour-scheme of my pre-lim was weak in comparison to my real product although both products were very different. The pale pink and white colour scheme of the pre-lim was perhaps well suited for the intention of the product but was overall too neutral to grab the attention of the intended audience. The lack of different and interesting fonts on the cover made the pre-lim dull and unattractive, though the cover image was bold and clear to the magazine subject. I focused on improving the layout and colouring of the cover, rather than having just one image as my pre-lim did, I used several images and several headings with a variety of exciting fonts to liven up the cover. The colours were bold, the addition of a fourth colour for the background of the one heading “Free Posters” added a more realistic element as found on the cover of “Kerrang”.

Development of my contents page

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This is my final contents page, you will notice elements between this and the contents page of 'Kerrang' are the same but it is not entirely similar.

Similarities include the layout of the editors note and general colour scheme. The layout of the text for the contents page is also very similar, but on the opposite side of the page, this was to accomodate for my background image, the focus on the image is on the right hand side, so I put the text on the other side of the page so you can fully see the image.

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

Having already been familiar with photoshop, there was little I learnt from this particular software although I did use it a lot of it throughout the creation of my product. Other softwares I used included Microsoft Word and Publisher. When I began creating my product I knew only very basic things about publisher, during the creation of my double page spread I learnt many valuable techniques from publisher that helped my double page spread reach it’s maximum potential. I also learnt much about using the camera which was the Nikon DSLR, I learnt what modes should be used in certain settings and learnt much about how to take a good quality picture which I feel is reflected in the good quality images of my media product. I also learnt a valuable amount of how to use a video camera which I have never used much of before, it was very useful in recording how I created parts of my product that have been included in the blog.

Below is a guide to how I editted one of my images for my contents page using Photoshop:

Images for Contents

"Jilly Talentless"

Image 1: Original

Image 1: Editted

Duplicated the layer, increased the brightness and contrast, decreased the saturation by 50%. Then used the eraser to rub out the eyes of the top layer so the colour of the eyes in the original image is shown, making it more prominent. I then used the burn tool around the eyes to make the eye-liner appear darker and more smokey.

Image 2: Original

Image 2: Edit

To edit this image I used the exact same

technique as used in image one.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

I asked a number of students of a similar age what attracted them to my media product, the majority answered that the bold image combined with the urban, interesting colour scheme they found particularly striking and that drew them toward the magazine.

4. Who would be the target audience for your media product?

The magazine is aimed at teenagers and young adults who will get the maximum entertainment from the product due to the prioritising of younger, more modern bands that appeal to this age group. The style of music that is associated with the magazine is a combination of indie and rock, indie being a fairly new, urban style of music that the older generation may not be entirely familiar with. The cover image depicts three young band members wearing very modern, urban outfits that will initially grab the attention of the target audience and may not stand out to an older generation.

These images show some of the teenager that could be interested in such a magazine, you will notice they have a distinct style that mirrors the style of the models in the magazine. Generally a teenagers style will reflect a role model from the music industry who's music they enjoy, there will be correlation between what the teenagers style is and how well they can relate to the magazine.

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

Bauer Media Industry is the distributor for both Kerrang and Q magazine as well as many other popular magazines including Closer, Heat and Empire. It is one of the largest distributors in the UK. Kerrang being my primary style model for my magazine, Bauer is probably the most suitable company to distribute my magazine. It reaches nearly 19 million adults accross multiple media channels guaranteeing maximum distribution for my magazine. Bauer also take charge in local radio such as ‘Key 103’ and ‘Rock FM’, furthering it’s suitability to distribute a music magazine due to the success of the radio stations.

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The style of my magazine focuses on the “Indie” style of music which is reflected in various ways in my magazine. The mixture of neutral black and white combined with the bold mustard yellow is very similar to colour schemes found in recent ‘Kerrang’ and ‘NME’ issues. Mustard yellow, aswell as being a colour that does not address a specific gender, was one of this seasons colours and is seen frequently on the high street and worn by popular music artists, this would be recognised by a young person and helps to make my magazine more current and appeal to the appropriate social group. The content of my double page spread would appeal to the indie/rock social group similarly to ‘Kerrang’, ‘NME’ or even ‘Q’ magazine. Although the music artist I have created for my double page spread is fictional, she has the qualities of popular music artists such as Florence Welch, Hayley Williams and Avril Lavigne.

Development of my front cover

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

For the title of my magazine I wanted a one syllable, innovative and catchy name that would entice an audience similar to that of “Kerrang” and “NME”. “Pulse” therefore became the title of my product. I feel that this was a suitable title as it reflects the theme of the current urban beats and rhythm that are popular amongst teenagers today. Other titles I was contemplating were “Punk”, “Indie” and “The Wave” which I eventually decided were weak compared to “Pulse”. The font I used looked partially eroded and was slightly grungy to mirror the urban theme to my cover
[insert images of fonts]

The background image to my cover was kept minimal, giving the approach a more modern and current look which I felt was appropriate for the style of the magazine. The models I used formed the band “White Noise”, an Indie band which I feel was clearly put across from their clothing and general look. The minimal background makes the focus entirely on the models, drawing the reader into the magazine. The balance of the two male models on one female model that is centred clearly states that the magazine is suitable for a mixed gender audience.

For the written content of my magazine, I used NME as a style model, in my style model uses a combination of articles on one main subject to create a more diverse double page spread. The style model’s articles include a two reviews, an interview, a “favourite act” and a general summary. Hence, similarly , in my own double page spread I did an interview , a “Main hit”, a short summary of the artist and a quote from a member of the audience as a short review. I chose to do a selection of short pieces rather than one long piece due to research results, the majority of the people I asked of a similar age group would prefer to read short, entertaining pieces as they can sometimes lose interest when reading a long article.

The colour scheme I’ve used is made up primarily of mustard yellow, black and white, again a minimal colour scheme for a current urban effect. I settled on an indie theme after it proved to be the most popular music style out of the 100 teenagers I asked closely followed by rock and RnB. The overall layout of my magazine is kept minimal and simple, indie music is generally calm and meaningful, a busy and intense layout would not be appropriate for such a theme. The balance between busy and simple is kept in my double page spread to make it more exciting, the model of my double page spread has a rock style so very simple would not fit her with her image.

I looked at a variety of magazines before selecting my style model. I ruled out a "top of the tops" style model at an early stage, I felt I was more capable of creating a magazine similar to "Kerrang" or "Q" as they interest me more.

I asked 10 students of a similar age group what music magazine they preferred:
NME: 2
Q:2
Revolver:2
Kerrang:4
Top of the Pops: 0

The Indie/Rock magazine proved to be the most popular magazine of the selection, hence, I used Kerrang initially as my style model for my contents and front page and NME was used for the double page spread, I found the layouts of NME's double page spreads more imaginative and interesting.

Feedback

In order to ensure my product had reached it's maximum potential, I asked several people around college what their opinions were, what could be done to improve it and whether it is a magazine they would be interested in themselves.


Jai particularly liked the "Free Poster Special"
area of the cover as he thought is stood out
against the rest of the cover. He thinks the
cover is professional looking.

Tom's opinion of the magazine was similar although
he thought it appealed more to girls as there isn't

enough girls on the cover for it to appeal to teenage

lads.

Jess also liked the magazine and said it was
one she would buy herself. However, she
points out that the "Parma Petit" area of the
cover blends in with the font.

Greg finds the magazine neutral to both girls
and boys due to the neutral colour scheme.It
isn't a magazine he would buy himself however
as he doesn't like to read.

Research: Questionnaire 10

1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
Q or Kerrang
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
Q for the bands, Kerrang for the look and the articles
3. Describe your preferred music genre
Rock, Punk, Indie, Country, there's a few, trash metal...
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
maybe blue, or is that a lads colour? Red? or yellow? or even orange.. black?
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
Eminem
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Lady Gaga, I like Florence Welch too though
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
Yeah there is
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
i don't know, just a good interesting magazine with some good bands.

Research: Questionnaire 9

1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
Q
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
Quite mature, maybe a bit too mature, but it's full of good bands
3. Describe your preferred music genre
classic rock/indie/mild rock
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
Yellow
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
take that have made a comeback.
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Rihanna is everywhere. she's overrated
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
Sometimes.
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
good attention grabbing articles

Research: Questionnaire 8

1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
NME
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
The Bands, it's very indie. But it doesn't look good.
3. Describe your preferred music genre
I like a lot, ranging from old school rock to rap music to be honest. I like indie music.
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
I'd say yellow
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
Eminem or Dizzee rascal are the BIGGEST, take that are quite big again too.
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Lady Gaga. She's alright.
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
Yes, the ones in trackies have the crap music taste.
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
a better looking magazine

Reseach: Questionnaire 7

1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
Kerrang
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
It's just good. Eye-catching.
3. Describe your preferred music genre
Punk. Blink-182, All American Rejects, Sum 41, Paramore sort of stuff.
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
Yellow?
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
No-one I like.
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Hayley Williams... maybe Renot the biggest but she's good.
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
Yeah usually
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
bit of variety

Research: Questionnaire 6

1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
Q or Kerrang
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
Modern, tasteful, looks good.. loads of things
3. Describe your preferred music genre
probably indie music. or alternative. I like folk stuff as well, like Jose Gonzalez or Noah and the Whale
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
Green
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
Michael Buble is fair popular
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Katy Perry or Beyonce or something probably. I like the girl of of Florence and the Machine though, she's a bit different. I like Lady Gaga too.
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
Yes
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
just something a bit different

Research: Questionnaire 5

1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
Don't read them now but I used to always read Top of the Pops when I was a bit younger
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
Well I was young so it was the bright colours and cheesiness
3. Describe your preferred music genre
Ooo would still have to be Rnb/Pop still, quite like some rap too.
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
I think yellow? or maybe blue?
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
anyone out of JLS.
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Rihanna or Beyonce.. No no Lady Gaga.
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
I think so, it depends I think, but if your taste is pretty neautral then your style shouldn't effect it.
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
cheesy pop stuff

Research: Questionnaire 4

1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
Kerrang
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
good magazine, good bands, good style, good way of writing
3. Describe your preferred music genre?
heavy metal
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
green, or yellow.. probably yellow
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
don't like any of the huge ones
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Hayley Williams
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
Most of the time
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
Less of the popular sh** stuff

Research: Questionnaire 3

1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
Q
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
quite mature, it's the magazine that has my favourite bands in
3. Describe your preferred music genre?
classic rock, I like the rolling stones. But more modern ones, I like stereophonics.
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
Red?
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
Michael Buble is big, he's pretty good too.
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Katy Perry, she's fit.
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
Usually yeah
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
bring some more about the old classic bands back

Research: Questionaire 2

1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
NME is alright
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
The cover has a lot of attitude that i like
3. Describe your preferred music genre
usually RnB
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
Yellow i think
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
I love Michael Buble
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Rihanna or Katy Perry
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
probably more for lads than girls, but yes I do
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
a better RnB magazine

Research: Questionaire 1

I asked 10 students 8 questions about their choice of music magazine and what about the magazine appealed to them.


1. What is the name of your favourite music magazine?
Probably Kerrang
2. What about your chosen magazine makes it appealing?
Well it's up to date with all the artists, some of them less well known but still good, definitely the best music magazine going.
3. Describe your preferred music genre
Indie/Rock
4. What do you feel is a neutral colour that is suitable for both male and female magazine readers?
Yellow is pretty neutral
5. Who do you think is currently the biggest male artist ?
Bruno Mars is pretty big, not keen on him myself though.
6. Who do you think is currently the biggest female artist?
Florence Welch for me
7. Do you think certain fashions reflect a specific music type?
Definitely, you can usually see who likes RnB or Heavy Metal through the way they dress.
8. What would you like to see more of in a music magazine?
A bit more diversity.