Contents Page Evaluation - CLASH

Audience

CLASH is a specific genre music magazine and is not very well known so people that enjoy the genre are most likely their target audience. the images of people like James Blake and Adele connote the audience to be youth. The contents does not appear to be negative towards youth however and so therefore yet again disrupts Halls storm and stress model.

Layout.

The magazine contents page is a double page spread and clearly follows suit. Each page is divided similarly. One column for text and one for supporting images this features on both pages.  Each column has different features that appeal to different audiences the very far left has text regarding the feature articles this would help direct consumers that have only purchased for a particular story that is headlined. The column featured under the blue heading features the common aspects of the magazine in what is normally inside the “bread and butter” of CLASH. The last column however is interesting it is a fashion common which could only connote that CLASH is trying to appeal more to the feminine audience now this could be for one of two reasons;  The magazine its self’s main audience is female and is trying to be a female only magazine, however the more likely is that many females did not originally purchase CLASH and so therefore this is stereotypically what women would want to see as essentially its now two magazines in one.  The location of the “Free music download” is very big and it is bold so stands out now this could have been used to encourage an audience to buy the magazine and is a big selling point of CLASH this use of promotion could connote that the magazine has seen better days. The layout is interesting when applying to audience as it orders to each audience and type of reader.

Colour

The colour used in the contents page is vibrant at the same time as being stylistic. The main colours used are blue pink and black. The black is a common used text colour epically on white background contents pages as it gives a clear distinction of lettering and is a lot easier to read. The interesting aspects of colour is the blue and the pink used it is almost segregating the magazine based on gender stereotypes. The fashion section for example is headed with a pink title connote that it is intended for a female audience as appose to a male cleverly it is tied in further as each image containing a woman also has the pink containing the page number where the article related is featured. The blue is used in a similar way but in the vies versa it is used on the male images instead. The blue is also used to highlight the common features this could connote the magazine is trying to show its not stereotyping however sub consciously it is stating that a male audience would prefer ___ where as a female ______ and therefore pushing certain audience into a stereotypical criteria. The use of colour yet again also disrupts Hall as the majority is bright and not depressed like he stated most teens where.

Imagery

Out of all 7 images the largest of all images is of James Blake and this instantly connotes that he is the main article of this particular issue interestingly his image is the only image that breaks the colour scheme and actually features a red circle as appose to a blue as what would be expected. The colours use connote that it is supposed to stand out and draw a audience’s attention to this article more than any other.  This image its self is fairly “attractive” the image is very clean cut and professional James Blake himself could be described as a handsome man this helps  with the selling of him as a main image. The image to the left which features a close up which could be described as Adele can be applied to Mulvey as she is not being eroticised which disrupts Mulvey this in turn supports that this is supposedly a attractive article to a female audience as she is just pretty not put in any sexual context (even though the mouth open could be described in such way). Each image is neutral colours but features one bright image this gives the almost “funky” feel towards the page and this applies to the audience well as the music mainly featured in this article can be described as funky.

Typography/ Text

The type of font used is simple modern and tall this can be applied to the audience as they are aiming at people with interests in modern music. The height of the text makes for easy reading and a stylistic font which helps the fashion article fit in with the whole magazine.  It is clear that the important aspects of the contents have been highlighted in one way or another, rather with colour or bolding text. The amount of text gives the idea of their being a lot of content which connotes that it is worth the money paid. This applies to gather more audience as new readers are more likely to buy again if they think it is good value for money.

In all the contents is a great example to appeal to and audience and a very neat tidy modern way to deal with mass amount of content.

Contents Page Evaluation - Q

Target audience

The target audience of this Q contents page vary as it is a multi-genre magazine. Ultimately the only people able to see this would be the buyers of Q  which would vary between age of 13-30 as this is the age which would get the most satisfaction out of knowing everything about modern day music.

Layout

The layout feature two columns of text each pushed to either side of the double page spread . The main image is a cartoon image of the well known band Gorillaz suggesting this is one of the main bands featured in this issue. The right hand page features plenty more images of people groups and other information. The uncommon convention of this is the fact I t is a double page spread this is interesting because most magazine contents pages are one page however when taking into account Q is a monthly based multi genre magazine it makes the most sense as they have a lot of area to cover. It is interesting how they divide the text and applies well to the target audience. The left hand Column features the names of the artist that are the “head lines” of the magazine its self this is good because if someone is literally picking up the magazine because it had their favourite band they can find the information they wont quickly. This still does not make the right column any less important as this indicates the common features featured in the magazine so a avid reader would more then likely use this to find their favourite assets. In  all this type of layout which focuses attention towards the centre of each page and then uses two separate columns for two separate readers (New readers, avid readers) is very clever and helps the magazine steer the audience in the correct direction for them.

Colour

The main colour scheme featured in this contents page is red and black. Black is used to show the main headings and text associated with the imagery this is good considering that black is a very defined colour and shows well especially on a light coloured background , like what is use, black would also help them with audience as it must be hard appealing to a large array of people and so therefore using a shade as appose to a bright pink (which could  appeal more to a famine audience) is a clever idea as it is neutral and not stereotypical to either gender. The red used is interesting, red is a fairly bright colour that normally connotes lust and anger I doubt the magazine wished for these normally connotations to be applied to context as the main emblem of Q its self is featured with a red background and so therefore by having red text and borders a common suit is being created causing the magazine to be fluent .which is good. The colour scheme selected in all fits purpose well as no “gender bias” colours are used and simple colouring to tie the magazine as a whole is used this helps meet the requirements of the audience.

Imagery

Many images are used the largest is a mid-shot of a member of the Gorriliza this conntoets this to ebing the largest story featured in this edition, its unknown what gender this is however using denotation of clothing and frame it could be depicted that it is female this brings in Mulveys (1974) of the male gaze as it barley dressed this in turn with the red connotes come sort of lust for this cartoon image. Most of the other images used are of men this may not be seen as suiting to either sex however none of the men shown could be instantly catergorized as ugly so common stereotypical of women gawping over “rock stars” could be applied ( these however are only stereotypes ) and the fact their men mean that guys can just look and enjoy their favourite bands. So in turn use of image appeals to the audience as it keeps a level playing field and features artist that the audience will enjoy.

Typography/text

The typography used is simple, clean but effective. The text used does its job it easy to read and neutral to either sex. All attention to the text is drawn from either content or the use of colour and this is very interesting but reasonable and applies to most magazines. The text only really differs in the large headings that seem to have spaced lettering giving the interest to the brain and making it appear larger. The clean simplicity gives and directs readers where they want to go or what they want so therefor works well.

In all this is a perfect example of a magazine catering to the needs of its audience in the contents page.

Music Magazine Evaluation - CLASH

Target audience

CLASH is a specific genre music magazine and is not very well known so people that enjoy the genre are most likely their target audience. the image depiction of James Blake connotes a mid class audience based on the type of clothing worn (shirt)  and applying marxist James Blake could be depicted as common media as he is white and depicted to be straight. The colouring of yellow connotes fun and happy and in turn connotes youth, however it shows youth in a nice light as their is no depressing colouring this disrupts Halls storm and stress model.

Masthead

The masthead is a stereotypical masthead large visible font with the main image integrated in to draw it all together. The masthead is exactly how a masthead should be it takes up about a third of the page and draws the eye to it. This applies to the audience because it is simple and not too flashy which connotes and more adult grown up feel which should apply to the target audience of middle class. The typography of the CLASH supports the genre as it is clean cut and modern, like electric music.

Layout

The magazine features one large image in the centre (which is a close up) with text featured around the side and then their main article centred in clear view. The barcode however is not in stereotypical suit as it is closer to the masthead then commonly done however still in clear view. The layout is relevant to audience as it simple and not overdone and should sell its self with the a star vehicle of names like Adele and James Blake.  The layout is clean cut and not over full yet still has allot of information suggesting that the magazine is good value for money. The clean-ness connoted yet again disrupts Halls theory as it is clean not messy. 

Colour

The images main colour scheme are black and red for the teasers and side information but then yellow and white for the title and the head lining story. This colour choice is very vibrant and happy and connotes a light hatred view. This should appeal as most of the colours are liked colours and the red and black works well with the colours of the main image shirt and ties the magazine all in together. this suits the audience as it is a teen friendly. yet again disrupting Hall

Imagery

One close up image of artist James Blake is used and centred looking serious in turn this connotes with colour that he may be fun and enjoy life but music is passion and he is serious about it. Like afore mentioned the image of James blake does support Marxists theory as he is the stereotypical media producer.

Typography/text

The typography is very neutral no real audience theme can be depicted all the text seems to be of a similar type of font. This works well with the magazine the different colours are what give the magazine variation and ultimately this is what also links the magazine all together. They have puffs and teasers used such as Exclusive and talking about knowing Adele’s secrets. Uses and gratification can be applied to this (Blumer and Katz 1974) "Self escapism" is common and would apply to CLASH well.

This entire magazine is a great example for common conventions it has everything and follows suit of most magazines on the market it works well and integrating everything in and should appeal to the audience.

Music Magazine Evaluation - Q

Target Audience

Q is a magazine which caters to all type of music and ages because of this it is hard to depict what group specifically the target audience is. A lot of people from working class probably read this as well as middle class this is what makes it the most known music magazine. In particular I think this edition will appeal more to people that enjoy Coldplay’s music. 

Masthead

The masthead is stereotypical Q the large letter in the top left. The masthead does not follow common conventions of mastheads as it does not fill the top of the page howver the main image is incorporated into the masthead. Personally I feel this works well, particularly with “Q” as their iconic title is not covered by any image yet the image is still present at the top of the page bringing the audience in.  

Layout 

The layout is common to convention a mid shot of the focal point is used and is cantered with the whole image over the page text then runs down the two sides of the page.

Colour

This edition may at first seem as if it has no scheme of colour because of the vibrant pinks and black background with the rave feel. However it is also very clear by text the main colouring of white and yellow

Imagery

The main image features the lead singer of Coldplay (Chris Martin) dancing in a room full of colour this connotes a rave feel which in turn connotes fun. The graffiti style art work is interesting because from this the audience could be derived. Graffiti is an illegal action and is supposedly something common for youths to do , according to Hall this is exactly what youth are supposed to be as one of his points from the storm and stress theory was that criminal activity increases before and equilibrium in adult hood is achieved. 

Typography/Text

An initial denotation shows there is all the common conventions used these are thing s such as puffs teasers a bar code big bold text etc. The typography of the magazine is interesting the text to the left of the page looks as if it has been hand written like the drawings in the picture this should appeal to a younger audience and fits in very nicely. The text on the other side is big bold easy to read yet neutral no real audience can be depicted from this type of typography.

In all I think this magazine is a great music magazine that is very interesting and all ties in well.

The Main Task

Now that I have created a prelim and have some experience in using equipment such as cameras and programs such as Photoshop in a effective way for a magazine I will now start my full brief.

Evaluation

By way of evaluation, I feel that the prelim task of creating a suitable college magazine front cover and content page was fairly easy because I have previously used Photoshop for my GCSE media so this task just gave me the opportunity to develop existing skills. Before I began the task I looked at existing covers, from the Bodmin College Magazine and Napier Magazine, in order to establish what the common conventions were I needed to follow because as Bentley (1997) says, “The making of the new the re arranging of the old.” The main conventions I needed to follow were a large masthead, teaser, appropriate typography, issue/term and appropriate colour scheme. I followed these conventions in my work to try and recreate an original product that would represent my target audience and their needs. The Bodmin College cover I looked at had a lot wrong with it, it did not follow many of the conventions of professional covers and was very hard to read and on top of all none of the typography and the pictures where not relevant to the audience. So, I broke the conventions I observed on this cover in order to make my magazine of a much higher standard.

Personally, I found the biggest challenge was representing the needs of my target audience and acting on the feedback I got from my SurveyMonkey because I had not had to conduct and use research like this before. At GCSE level I had only had to do paper questionnaires and did not have to use as much theory to shape my ideas.

In short, my main findings from my primary audience research was that my target said they wanted art to be featured in the magazine, and to be appropriate to the age range of 17-19. I featured a story about top artist of the week to represent this need and I used images of higher year students to advertise to the audience, I also used relevant typography and colour schemes that would appeal to my youth audience.

When creating a masthead for my magazine my results from my survey showed that the audience preferred the “TIME” magazine so there fore I went for a more block/serious masthead to follow this theme and ultimately what my audience wanted. The text I used was a more modern text that was still “fun” to appeal to the lower years yet still the higher as well.

I represented my youth target audience through using young models in my images I went against theories such as Hall (1904)  who constructed the “storm and stress” model. As my figure was shown to be happy and well kept and nothing of him connoted criminal activity as Hall suggested. In terms of Uses and gratifications (Blumer and Katz 1974) my target audience would read the college magazine for personal identity according to my survey monkey.

The photos used where bright and clear I maid sure to use mid shots or close ups for the main page to make sure that the cover followed conventions. However they would have been better if I could have used a green screen professional set up as this would of allowed better lighting and a artificial background to used giving it a better magazine type of look and a professionalism I personally believe this would have also helped in making it more appropriate to the target audience as people are more likely to read the magazine if they don’t mind being seen with it. And by using a professional feel it makes it more appealing. In creating my magazine I made use of layer masks and the paint tool to insure good erasing of irrelevant objects in shot. The quick select was most likely the toll I used the most as I used it a lot to colour the font add borders and colour where relevant. I used a positive curve to add a more distinguish in colour also this however is not very noticeable.

I think the layout is what should be commonly expected from a magazine with 1 main image and other text around this helps the magazine as it will make the reader feel more able to read it or find it suitable to be seen with it. I do however think the masthead could have been improved as it slightly funny but still looks the part

The contents page featured 4 images two of students (a mid shot and a close up) and one of a suppose dance teacher (long shot) and a group shot. The layout I think appeals to a younger audience with the features of speech bubbles ect. However I do feel that the text layout is more relevant it could be improved but for a college magazine I feel it is relevant. One issue I feel with the contents is the page numberings as 22 may not be enough for common conventions of magazines. The text used is relevant to the audience as it is graffiti styled which is commonly associated to youth (the audience).

When I do my full magazine I hope to have a lot more time when editing and also I hope for a professional shoot so I can replicate pictures in the real world, which have a professional feel. I also hope to take more consideration and time and let my survey go on for more results as the amount I got for my prelim where partial scarce so I feel despite my best efforts it may still not be relevant to the audience. 

Front Cover

Contents Page

Pictures I used and did not use

This is one image that I did not use because the image came out very blurred and this would not have been suitable to emplace onto a magazine despite the positioning and the background being relevant. It is however a mid shot which is a good shot type to use in the application

In did not use this image because of the too busy background it may have been relevant but I personally feel it would have been more of a liability then a pleasure.  The actor is also not very centered meaning it may not be the best shot to use.

I did not use this image despite using a image similar because I thought the positioning and resolution of the image was far greater and so therefor I opted for what in my opinion was the better. The lighting is good considering it was natural lighting however this could have been better.

I used this image because I like the idea of incorporating the background; also the image was clear and had good shadowing the shot (being a mid shot) was also relevant for purpose featuring on my front cover.  

This is the image I afore mentioned I used this image because the positioning of my actor was more relevant to the story I created the image I slightly distorted however this is very hard to notice on the real thing. 

This is a image I also used the background is interesting so is the shadow to the right had side. It is a mid shot and features a male model it also features “fashion” in the bottom right corner which should help appeal to all audiences. 

FLat Plans

Here are my flat plans I created taking what my audience wanted in account according to my SurveyMonkey.