Evaluation - Question 7

7. Looking back at your preliminary task (the school magazine task), what do you feel you have learned in the progression from it to full product?

This is my print prelim cover page compared with my magazine cover for my actual coursework.
My prelim is very unprofessional compared to my full product, as the page is not busy enough and needs a lot more information on it for it to look effective - this has caused big gaps on the page that should have been filled. It would also be better if it had more images as this would make it look less bland. I don't think the main image is big enough for a front cover, as a lot of the grey background can be seen. I think the use of many different fonts also looks unprofessional as this shows the magazine to be inconsistent. When I created my prelim, I had done no research into magazines, therefore I didn't really know what features to include to create a professional-looking product. I have learned so much through my on-going research, and I think this shows through the difference between my prelim cover and my actual coursework cover. My actual product looks more slick due to the consistent fonts, the colour scheme and the overall busy look of the cover.

This is my print prelim contents page compared with my magazine contents page for my actual coursework.
Again, my prelim contents is very amateur, as there are many gaps on the page and not enough images for it to resemble a real magazine. It was created on Publisher, which was a mistake as it would have looked a lot more effective if it was done on Photoshop like my cover page. I think there is too much writing on my prelim, and the layout template can still be seen which makes it look unfinished and messy. The images on my actual contents page look a lot more professional which shows that my photography skills have developed, and shows I know that using the right equipment can help a lot. I believe my actual product is a lot better and shows my progression from my prelim to my finished coursework. It shows how my research into existing magazines really helped me, and I think it mirrors what real magazines are like.

Evaluation - Question 6

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

Evaluation q6 slideshare from alice_faz

Evaluation - Question 5

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

Evaluation q5 slideshare from alice_faz

Evaluation - Question 4

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

This is a member of my target audience: her name is Mollie Corrish and she is 17. She is an accurate representation of many people within my target demographic due to her overall look and interests.

Mollie's favourite shops are Zara and Topshop which are both very popular with my demographic. These are both seen as quite up-market and sometimes pricey high street stores which sell sophisticated, classy, edgy and on trend clothing - this could reflect the rest of my target audience. Some of the clothing from these shops can be quite lavish, which reflects the confident personalities of my demographic and could mirror the lifestyle they lead.

Mollie listens to music by Beyonce and Bruno Mars, who are two artists that would fit well in my magazine as they represent sophistication and mature music. I have mentioned Beyonce in my magazine (X Music), so Mollie and many other people within my target demographic who are similar to her will be attracted to it. I also researched into Rolling Stone magazine and saw that Bruno Mars was on the cover - this magazine resembles mine in many ways, therefore if he was featured in X Music, it would again appeal to the audience.

Mollie's favourite programmes are Gossip Girl and Keeping Up With The Kardashians - these are two programmes that are very popular at the moment with young women/teenage girls, therefore could suggest that my target audience likes to keep up to date with popular culture, and likes to watch the shows that have a buzz and interest surrounding them. According to my Q magazine research, Q readers are more likely to influence their peers, therefore if a few people are watching a programme, it is likely that their friends will be too. This is similar to my magazine as the two target audiences (Q and X Music) are closely related.


Project Phoenix 2008 was research done by Bauer Media to find out more about the audience of music magazines. They conducted 1800 interviews with consumers aged 16-45 to find out which category people would fit into. The categories are:
- Pace-setters who take up 17% of the 16-45 population
- Background Listeners who take up 39% of the 16-45 population
- The Headliners who take up 20% of the 16-45 population
- Track Hunters who take up 24% of the 16-45 population
I believe that my target demographic would fit in The Headliners category, as they like music, but are no more passionate about it than the average person of the same age. They are into music which has a lot to do with what's hot at the moment, such as big name artists, people in the press a lot and big summer anthems.
Headliners are more likely to be under 30 which fits well with the age of my target demographic. They are more likely than other categories to place emphasis on whether the artist is well known or whether they think the artist is cool. Fame and celebrity are important factors to them - sometimes the face of the artist is more interesting than the music.
For Headliners, when out clubbing, socializing with friends is more important than seeing the DJ. It is about the overall experience and not just seeing the act; it's about having fun and and seeing friends.

Evaluation - Question 3

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

Within my research, I looked into different media institutions that distribute magazines.

 

I looked at IPC Media, which is the UK's leading consumer magazine and digital publisher. It has more than 60 iconic media brands, and it creates content for multiple platforms, across print, online, mobile etc. They engage with 26 million UK adults; almost two thirds of UK females and over 40% of UK males. Their brands include NME, Look and Now magazines, but this does not include an up-market music magazine like mine, which is why IPC Media would be a good institution to distribute my magazine as there is a gap in the market. Furthermore, IPC engages with more females than males which fits my target demographic (males and females aged 16-35, but more predominantly females). 

I also decided to research Bauer Media, which reaches over 19 million UK adults every week.They have more than 80 influential media brands including Heat, Kerrang, Grazia, and Q magazines, and their business is built on millions of personal relationships with engaged audiences. This is a larger institution than IPC, and produces over 300 magazines in over 15 countries, as well as TV, online and radio. Q magazine was one of the ones that I chose to research heavily as this has a similar target audience to my magazine, and a similar music genre; it is one of the more up-market, mature music magazines which mirrors mine. Therefore, it would not be effective for my magazine to be distributed my Bauer Media as it would be difficult to compete with Q. Bauer also distributes up-market and sophisticated fashion magazines such as Grazia, which could also be competition for my mature music magazine.

 

I also researched into whether Q or Rolling Stone magazines have apps available on iTunes because I think this would be a good feature of my magazine. Both these magazines do, and I think the age of my target demographic (16-35) would appreciate if my magazine had an available app, as people of this age group are likely to have iPhones or Apple products that my app could be downloaded onto. Q magazine's target demographic are interested in and knowledgeable about technology (as discussed in my previous target audience research), which suggests that similarly, my audience would like to use my magazine app also, as the two audiences can be closely compared.

Evaluation - Question 2

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

Evaluation - Question 2 from alice_faz

Evaluation - Question 1

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

My magazine follows the conventions of real, up-market, mature music magazines (such as Q and Rolling Stone) as this ensures that I have appealed to my target audience, and created a magazine that fits this genre. Here are some examples of this:

The layout of my magazine cover and the layouts of existing covers from Q and Rolling Stone magazine can be compared due to the positioning of the text, masthead and other added features such as extra images and boxes of text. The way all of the main images cover part of the mastheads are similar, and also the positioning of the people on the covers. The features of my cover follow the conventions of existing covers which is what my target audience is used to seeing.

The layout of my contents page and the layout of real contents pages such as in Q and Rolling Stone magazine are similar, due to the majority of the writing being on one side of the page with the images on the other. Also, the way the main text is broken up can be compared, and the poses of the celebrities against the pose of my model. I believe my contents page fits the usual conventions of existing contents pages due to the features included, and I think it will appeal to my target audience.

The fonts I have used fit with the style of fonts that existing magazines such as Q and Rolling Stone use, as they are all quite simple but effective which I believe adds professionalism to the magazines. It also creates even more of a mature vibe as an older demographic would be more drawn to simple but tasteful fonts, as opposed to more fun, bold fonts.

My main double page spread image fits with the forms and conventions of real magazines, as my model looks similar to celebrities that are featured regularly in music magazines. This will appeal to my demographic as this is an image that they would be familiar with, and would attract them to the article. All the images displayed from existing magazines have been edited in some way, as has the image of my model. This fits with the conventions of real media products as the editing of photos is done frequently, so my image appears just as professional as the ones from actual magazines.

My main contents page image follows the conventions of sophisticated and up-market music magazines, as my model's pose can be compared to those of real, more mature magazines. This will appeal to my audience as my image is similar to ones they are used to seeing in real media products.

My front cover image follows the forms and conventions of real music magazines aimed at an older demographic, as my model is posing similarly to the celebrities featured on the cover of existing magazines like Q and Rolling Stone. This type of image is popular for this type of music magazine where the celebrity is made to look pretty and what others could aspire to be like, therefore will appeal to my target audience.This suggests that young women are represented to be beauty and fashion conscious, perfect and glamorous despite the fact they are posing for a music magazine and not a fashion one.

My masthead follows the conventions of existing magazines such as Q, as it is similarly a one letter masthead which I think is an effective aspect of a more mature music magazine. This will therefore appeal to my target audience as it is something they are used to seeing with the likes of Q magazine.

The layout of my double page spread fits with the forms and conventions of real, up-market magazines as they all seem to contain a large main image with the majority of text on the left hand side. The fonts are varied on existing double page spreads, as they are on mine. The images don't necessarily have a musical feel to them which I think is acceptable in a more up-market, mature music magazine.



More Audience Response/Feedback

I decided to interview two people from my target demographic about my magazine, and asked for some feedback regarding what they think of my final products.

Audience Response - Questionnaire and Results

What do you think are the most effective aspects of my final products and why?

-Colour scheme works well, images stand out

-The graphics, very eye catching

-Colour scheme, artist images

-Colour and design, photos of models

-The photos are professional looking and are very aesthetically pleasing

-Pictures stand out

-Neutral colours, photography, fonts

-Colour scheme and layout of double page spread, amount of pictures included

If anything, what would you change about my final products to make them better and why?

-Some images are similar

-Big double page spread, image in colour

-Nothing

-Nothing

-Maybe have the model's hand in front of the "too young" box, nothing else

-Make it more appealing to men

-Magazine masthead could be more dominant

-Change the size of the font on the cover regarding the main story

I conducted a questionnaire to gather audience feedback. I gave it out to people within my target demographic so I could get an accurate representation of what people think of my magazine. Overall, I am very happy with the results. It seemed that people within a younger age group (16-21) feel like the magazine appeals to them more, but this is okay because someone in the 22-27 age group felt like it appealed to them also. Only two people said that they don't feel as if  my magazine appeals to their gender, and these were both males; my magazine is mainly aimed at a female demographic anyway, so I still feel like my magazine appeals to my chosen target audience.

Double Page Spread - Final Product and Personal Response

This is my final double page spread, and I am pleased with the way it has turned out. I think it definitely fits with a musical genre and appears mature and sophisticated. I think it links nicely to my contents and cover page as the colour scheme is the same throughout. I decided to alter some of the fonts for my double page as I wanted to distinguish for the audience that it is definitely a double page, and certain features need to stand out (for example, the heading and sub heading). However, I kept some of the fonts the same because I want all three of my pages to link together as much as possible to keep the professionalism of the magazine.

Contents Page - Final Product and Personal Response

This is my finished contents page, and I like how it has come together. I believe I have included all the features necessary. I think by including images of a band with a guitar and photos from a music concert, I have successfully made my contents page look like it is from a music magazine and not a fashion one. I think the layout looks effective, for example, the majority of the writing is on one side and the more important images are on the other, so there is a nice divide down the middle of the page. I like the fact that this page is not too chaotic, but is busy enough to resemble a music magazine.

Front Cover - Final Product and Personal Response

This is my final front cover, and I am very happy with the result. I think I have successfully created a cover that fits with a musical genre, and appeals to a target demographic of people aged 16-35. I believe I have included everything that is required from a magazine cover, for example a masthead, selling line, cover lines, images, bar code, price etc. I believe it has come together effectively, and looks like a real magazine cover.

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Album Cover - Final Choice

After much thought, I finally decided on this cover for the album as I think it looked the best when the text was added, and I like how the microphone can be seen clearly. I also think that the position of Francesca on the cover (for instance you can see her shoulders then everything above), looks the most professional as the image is in the perfect place.

Potential Album Covers

I added the text to my favourite pictures from the shoot to see which one would look best on an album cover. I made the text pink because I like how it is similar to the colour of Francesca's lips - I think this brings the whole look of the album cover together and makes it look very professional.

Potential Album Covers from alice_faz

Edited Album Cover Images

I edited my favourite images from the photo shoot for potential album covers on Photoshop - again, I changed the brightness, contrast and vibrance of the photos as I think this is the best way to make them look as professional as possible.

Edited Album Cover Images from alice_faz

Album Covers

I did another photo shoot with Francesca because I wanted to gather some images to create an album cover for on my double page spread. This will fit with my article story as it is about her releasing a new album. I wanted her to use a microphone to show that she is a singer and not a fashion model, and this will also confirm to the audience that my magazine is a musical one and doesn't have a fashion genre.

Album Cover Images from alice_faz

Contents Page - Image Alteration

I have decided to only use one photo from the shoot with Lee and Declan for my contents page when I initially wanted to use three, as I think it looked too crowded with three photos and it was pointless when they all looked very similar. I can now also make this picture bigger so it will stand out more on the page.

Edited Images - Francesca 2nd Photo Shoot

I edited these two images on Photoshop of Francesca's 2nd photo shoot as they were my favourite ones; I think these will look the most effective. I again changed the brightness, contrast and vibrance to make them look more defined so they will stand out more on the double page.

Edited Girl Band Images

I chose my favourite images from the girl band photo shoot and edited them on Photoshop to make them look more professional (I changed the brightness, contrast and vibrance). I may not use all of these images in my magazine, but these were my favourite so I decided to edit them all and then I will decided which ones will look the most effective. 

Edited Images - Helena, Isabella & Martha from alice_faz

Photo Shoot - Double Page Spread Extra Images

I conducted yet another photo shoot with Francesca to gather extra images to add to my double page spread. I took the pictures in the studio to create the impression Francesca was recording her album, which is predominantly what the article is about. This will also give my magazine a musical vibe because the images distinguish for the reader that Francesca is a singer and not a fashion model. I plan to place these images inbetween the text, however this idea may change.

Francesca 2nd Photo Shoot from alice_faz

Photo Shoot

I conducted another photo shoot to gather images for my front cover and contents page. I decided to use a 'girl band' as I think this will make my magazine look more musical as opposed to fashion, and I have only used one other girl so far. The girls I chose to be in the band are Isabella Hennessy, Martha Leeming and Helena Smith. They are 16-17 years old so fit with my target demographic, and I believe they all have a cool, edgy look that fits with the genre of my magazine. I think the fact they all have blonde hair links them so they look even more like a girl band. I decided I wanted them to pose with a guitar as this will give my magazine even more of a musical feel, and really displays them as a girl band as opposed to a group of models.

Photo Shoot Isabella Martha Helena from alice_faz

Double Page Main Image

I chose this photo for my main double page spread image as I think it looked best in black and white, and Francesca's pose reflects the cool vibe of the magazine. I like how she is looking directly at the camera because it will help the reader to engage further with her. I think this image was the one that looked best on a double page spread as I think it looks the most professional. I also think a black and white image fits perfectly with my colour scheme, and makes the image look more slick and polished.

Edited Front Cover

I decided to edit my front cover slightly by adding a box to the bottom to break it up. I think this gives it more of a look of a music magazine as it has allowed me to add more images of my girl band, and I believe that music magazines tend to look more busy than fashion magazines which this added box helps to do.