EVALUATION

The front cover of my music magazine has used the similar convention to the Rolling Stone magazine I analyzed, in terms of the colour scheme. I have used a shade of purple continuously throughout the front cover. This is to correspond with the gender of the person on the front cover; purples and pinks usually symbolises the female gender as opposed to the male.

I have used two different fonts on the front cover; this is because I thought the font used for the magazine name (‘Lyrical’) needed to be different from the rest of the fonts used throughout the magazine so that there is an obvious sense of differentiation. The second font I have then used throughout the rest of the magazine for main titles.

There are three main focuses on the front cover, in terms of content, these are: the ‘50 greatest concerts of all time’, a list of music artists and an ‘exclusive interview’ with a famous singer. By using the superlative ‘greatest’, the readers’ could possibly think that they are receiving the best. The second story has ‘exclusive’ in capitals; this word ensures that no other magazine on the market will have the same story and the uniqueness this offers to the reader could increase sales. The third and final feature on the front of the magazine is to the right and it is a list of celebrity names including Madonna and Pitbull which covers a variety of the music genres so that it appeals to a wider market with eclectic tastes.

Though the structure of the front cover may not challenge the usual conventions of the media, the white background is so bright that this will be attention grabbing enough without having to change a normal structure of a front cover. I used the thick bar to advertise the interview with Bailey Rebecca Sholl because this feature is only used on odd occasions by magazines and the bold colour is also quite eye-catching because of the contrast between that and the background. An improvement that could be made to the front cover would be adding more features and stories to the front cover; certain areas look to bare.

The photograph on the front cover is of Bailey Rebecca Sholl to correspond with her interview that is advertised; though this is quite a common convention, I have used it because it is an effective and persuasive selling tool because the photograph will draw the audience’s attention first. The photograph is a front on shot becuase it is important that the person on the front cover is making eye contact with the camera/reader. Saliance has also been used on the front cover meaning that the relative size of the subject reflects the worth; the photograph has the most prominence on the front cover because it is the main feature of the magazine. My inspiration for the front cover photograph was the LP cover for Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline.
Though most magazine audiences read magazines in a non-linear fashion and often flick; a contents page is still important as a staple for all magazines and may include other features such as advertising, editor’s letter or in order to find something in particular that has stood out. For the title of the contents page, I have used the same font as the front cover’s title for a sense of continuity throughout the magazine; as well as using the second chosen font for the rest of the features such as the editor’s letter. I have changed the colours around as a contrast to the front cover, instead the background is now the darker colour of the two and the writing is now white. I have done this because I thought that having white for the contents page background would look dull as opposed to eye-catching like it is on the front cover. The purple colour scheme is continued right the way through the magazine as this challenges normal media conventions because commonly magazines will use different colours throughout. Two framing devices have been used in the form of the purple boxes around the editor’s letter and the photograph; the line from the Bailey Rebecca Sholl interview has also covered the photograph in order to connect both objects.

I have used the title ‘On the cover’ to highlight the features that were particularly mentioned on the front cover; this is a common convention that works effectively because the articles that were publicised on the front cover are what have sold the magazine so that is probably instantly what people want to read once they have brought it. The pages are not listed in order; instead they have been listed if they are focal features in the magazine such as John Legend or U2. Each of them have been titled and put with the page number; tricks of language have been used for some of the titles such as ‘Gorgeous GaGa’ (alliteration) and ‘Every Tom, Dick and John’ (play on the usual phrase: Tom, Dick and Harry). To improve on the contents page, I may have added the conventions of regular features in every issue like Q’s Cash for Questions.
I have used another photograph of Bailey Rebecca Sholl on the contents page as well as a line from her interview. This is so that readers’ are even more encouraged to read the interview and that particular phrase has been used as it seems quite exciting and more persuasive to get people to read it.

I have added an editor’s letter because it seems more personal to the target audience. It gives the editor an opportunity to review and reflect upon the issue as well as the readers’ gaining an understanding of creating the magazine.

At the bottom of the page, there is a list of the ‘Lyrical’ Magazine offices as well as phone numbers to contact certain editors. Usually these addresses and the editor’s letter would be on a separate page; however they make the contents page fuller and look more intense. Also if I was to create a real magazine I would want to use another page of the magazine for something else other than addresses.

The double page spread had the most developments out of the whole magazine. This is to ensure that I could make this page really powerful and keep the readers’ gripped; as opposed to them quickly scanning over the photos and not properly interacting with the media, like so many consumers have a tendency to do.

The magazine uses conventions by keeping the same colour scheme throughout, but challenges them with the use of the paintbrush I used. The splatter look and the smoky look both make a great impact on the page and I thought they were different to what I’d ever seen before in a magazine. Despite being continually going back and forth between the smoke and the splattered look, I eventually decided upon the smoke for a few reasons. Firstly, the double page spread’s main focus was meant to be ‘Bailey’ and the splatter look may have made such an impact that it actually stole some attention away from the close up of her. Though the splattered look may have added a playful element, it was far to compact to even make out the detailing of the brushes unless at the very edges. Whereas, the smoky one was very clear and also it allowed the darkness of the two pages to be viewed more. By experimenting with these two brushes, it has allowed to realise that you can download and buy new brushes and use them in Photoshop.

I think that the white writing on the dark background is not only powerful but also challenges the conventions of black, mundane text. The layout of the photographs may be viewed as too similar to some conventions used by other magazine, but it is important to realise that these are conventions because they work so well. There is a large close up of the close up which takes up at least a quarter of the double page spread, with three photos underneath which are not actually of Bailey but are relevant to her style and type of music. The connotations of the Ray Bans are that they are stylish now in the indie and alternative sector, and the headphones connote music.

The effects that I have added to the title of the page and the writing make them stand out more, even the drop shadows behind the borders of each photo make a difference. The white of the title makes it sounds out a lot more than using the lighter shade of purple for both the writing and the title. The use of three columns also makes the magazine seem more professional and fits well with the structure of the page.

FEEDBACK

ALICE REID

You can tell with the colours and bold writing that it’s simple and easy to read. It’s quite similar to magazines such as top of the pops and smash hits, yet targeted at a slightly older audience, therefore targeting a niche market where not a lot of magazines have been made for that audience. I liked the colours and the photos. It’s aesthetically pleasing and fun to read. The images are clear and of high quality. I personally wouldn’t buy it because I’m not interested in that type of music, but for slightly younger people it would be idea. I think it could be priced around £2.50. To be improved you could make the front cover more ‘busy’ looking to make it look more professional, but the contents is really good.

POPPY ADAMS

I think the magazine is aimed at girls in their mid-teens with an interest in mainstream music. I don’t think the magazine fits conventions, but still manages to look different. It’s purple theme is distinctive and makes the magazine stand out. I like the photos a lot, I think they are very good, and I like the editing of the magazine. I would not buy it because I’m not a fan of the music style, however I could imagine it selling well to fans of mainstream music. I think it could be improved with more subjects in the pictures, however I don’t think this is really important.

HOLLY DIBDEN

I think this magazine is aimed at teenagers with an interest in music that is currently in the charts. In terms of music covered it is similar to magazines such as Smash Hits, but it is more sophisticated and targeted at an older audience. I really like the purple theme that runs throughout, I like it stops the magazine looking childish and implies that it is for an older audience. I think the pictures of Bailey in the double page spread are very good and look very professional. I think the magazine looks intriguing and I like the look of the cover star so yes I would buy it. It also mentions some artists on the front that I am interested in. However, I think that it is over priced. I’d be more willing to pay in between £2.00 and £2.50 for it. I think the front cover is the ‘weakest’ part of the magazine (only because I think the other parts are really good!) as it looks a bit plain and less professional than the other bits. Maybe a background colour would help?

PHOTO SHOOT

Photo Shoot

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QUESTIONNAIRE

Age? With the questions I gave the following options of: 12-16, 17-22, 23-27. This is because these ages link main groups; those in education, those who may have started their working life or are in higher education and those who are beginning to start their own life. Age is a vital factor when considering a target demographic. I wanted to see if all the people who were of a similar age answered in the same way.

Do you currently buy a magazine regularly? If people are already loyal consumers of a magazine it makes the task of getting them to buy your magazine even harder. As a new magazine going on the shelves, customers may already be wary of the product; they will not want to part with their hard earned cash for something that does not meet their needs. The magazine has to be bigger and bolder than ever in order for it to sell. An initial marketing campaign is also crucial for the magazine to not only exist but also to survive and flourish alongside other main magazines on the shelf.

What do you view as vital in a music magazine? Though I’ve offered a range of options that will most definitely feature in the magazine I want to see what the consumers view as a priority. From this I can then see where time should be spent most. It would be pointless to emphasise on one feature that consumers don’t want; when the readers’ have brought the magazine once, it is important to keep them gripped so that they continue to purchase it.

READER PROFILE

FOCUS GROUP

NAME: Amy Fry

AGE: 16

LIKES: My new Links bracelet

DISLIKES: Boring Psycology lessons

PREFERRED MUSIC STYLE: 'I rarely buy CDs now. I just download my music from iTunes which is so much easier. I'll usually buy albums off there that are in the charts because that is what everyone else is lsitening too and I like knowing the songs from the album before they are released. I get to know new songs that are released through watching the music channels on TV; rather than listen to the radio, I'll have the TV on MTV. I'm constantly borrowing your (Brooke Rayner) Hed Kandi CDs too and I put them straight on my iPod.'

NAME: Poppy Adams

AGE: 17

LIKES: London

DISLIKES: Open doors

PREFERRED MUSIC STYLE: 'Although I do listen to a bit of everything (from Bob Dylan to Beyonce), I think Florence & the Machine is better than anything. I think she is a brilliant singer and I love her music! I brought her debut album - "Lungs" - as soon as it was released. I've seen five of her concerts and gigs now and really want to see her while she it touring Europe too. She has also released a new 4-disc album that I waited for ages to buy in HMV which includes her debut album, Live in Abbey Road and a DVD too.'

NAME: Holly Dibden

AGE: 17

LIKES: One Tree Hill

DISLIKES: Clouds and the rain

PREFFERED MUSIC STYLE: 'I listened to whatever is in the Top 40 and I listen to mainstream music (nothing of the a particular genre). I do buy quite a lot of soundtrack albums, either One Tree Hill stuff or movie soundtracks. Although I have an iTouch I usually listen to music through my laptop on YouTube.'

NAME: Alice Reid

AGE: 16

LIKES: River Island

DISLIKES: Mushroom Soup

PREFERRED MUSIC STYLE: 'I like dance music as well as garage. Most of my music I listened to, I hear becuase of my older brother and sister. I've got loads of Ministry of Sound albums, and love Dizzee Rascal!'

ANALYSIS OF ROLLING STONE

Rolling Stone is an American magazine that features music, politics and popular culture and is published fortnightly. The magazine was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner – who has remained editor and publisher ever since - and music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was named after the Muddy Waters song and is well known for its controversialist manner. In the 1990’s, the magazine changed to appeal to a younger demographic by focusing more on younger popular culture. One example of the magazine’s obvious success having The Beatles (whether is be together or individually) on the front cover over thirty times.

The main feature on the front cover is of Britney Spears, one of the most famous icons from the music industry; Spears’s status in itself will immediately grab the readers’ attention because she is so well-known. This is clear when the headline next to her is ‘Britney’, even without her last name being featured most people is the Rolling Stone demographic will still know who she is. The story accompanying her photograph says ‘that kiss’; this is referring to the kiss between herself and Madonna at the last VMA’s. It has been written in this way because it is assumed that readers’ will be aware this kiss due to the publicity and media focus it received straight after.

Britney is in the centre of the photograph with the other cover stories surrounding her. Her head is covering the title of the magazine this is a usual convention for most magazines as the photograph may be ruined if the title covered it and regular buyers of the magazine will know what the magazine due to its format and style without having to see the entire title.

Britney Spears has been dressed in a pair of knickers with a shirt in front of her as she leans into the wall. Her positioning is side on to the camera to make the image compatible for both male and female readers; however if this was a magazine purely designed for men (e.g. FHM) she would most probably be directed to face towards the camera. Sex sells, so by having Britney Spears dressed this way on the front cover Rolling Stone are almost bound to have successful sales for the issue. She is in between two walls, which in the layout of the front cover, act as an ideal backdrop for the cover stories.

In each issue of any magazine, the front cover will usually include a colour scheme; the chosen scheme of this issue is blue. This may challenge expectations because blue is usually used to represent the male gender but Britney Spears, a well-known singer and possibly sex symbol, is on the cover. This might have been done because the main target audience for this issue will be from the male market.

On the left side of the cover, it publicises Spears’s interview with the words ‘on Justin, that kiss and being alone’ as well as listing celebrity names such as David Boiwe and Bill Murray. It does not explain how they have been featured in the issue, for example interviews or photographs, Rolling Stone have just depended upon their names selling the issue; this why they have probably used the more well-known names in the magazine. Below both of these, there is the cover story: ‘Martin Scorsese’s history of the Blues’. Taking in account the fact that Rolling Stone is considered music magazine, this is the only specific story related to the musical industry. Although Britney Spears is a renowned figure and is famous through her musical ability, her interview is advertised as talking about her personal life as well as recent publicity stunts.

On the right side of the cover, there is a ‘2003 Hot List’, this (similarly to the part of the left hand side) just lists names of celebrities, bands and other artists; in the hope that just the names of the names of the celebrities will sell the magazine. This may seem rather risky but our culture has now become very celebrity orientated with media being almost central in teenagers and young adult’s lives’. The last story on the front cover is about politics another regular feature of a Rolling Stone magazine.

ANALYSIS OF Q

For my music magazine analysis, I have chosen a magazine called ‘Q’. This is published by the Bauer Media Group and has been since 1986. The founders (Mark Ellen and David Hepworth) began the publication because of their dismay at the music press at that time.

The double page spread is taken from an interview with the remaining band members of the Manic Street Preachers; it covers ten pages out of the 178. This textual analysis will be mainly focused on the fifth and sixth pages of those ten pages.

The fifth page consists of a photograph, part of the interview in the question and answer format as well as a feature in the form of a hand written piece of paper. There is also a top border saying ‘Manic Street Preachers’ and the generic page number and issue date. A photo shoot had clearly been organised for this piece of editorial and the photograph is take from this collection of photographs. Nicky Wire (the man photographed) has been represented in a rather dull light in comparison to his usually loud and bold persona and lifestyle. The magazine may have done this for two reasons: to either show that the band has past its time and they are no longer young and wild, or it may purely be to challenge people’s expectations. The clothes he is wearing show that he is still into that particular sub-culture.

The next feature on the page is a ‘self-penned 14 point list to Q in full’. The list has been written by one of the band members and by putting an exact copy of the list on the page makes the readers feel as if they have seen something secretive. The hand writing makes it more personal. The list makes the interview more interesting as there is something else to read other than just the interview. The list creates a less formal structure to the 10-page article.

The writing in this page is mostly a question and answer style interview. It uses swearing in the interview (f**k it); mostly probably because the magazine’s demographic uses this sort of language, the editors are trying to publish the interview as real as possible and also for the shock value it offers. Facial expressions are also described such as ‘colossal cringe’. This relaxed feeling makes the band seem much tamer compared to how people may have previously perceived them; they seem more approachable. The interview has been written with the questions in red and the answers in black. It has been put into two straight columns and the photograph is also straight; by putting the list in a slanted position it makes it seem more casual.

The second page of the double page spread is not attached or linked to the first one in any way, meaning that there is no photograph, graphics or writing crossing over from one to the other, the photograph is of Richey Edwards (the most prominent member of the band), after he famously carved the words ‘4Real’ into his forearm. Despite the fact that it is only one photograph, the magazine can take this risk because the photograph is so powerful and effective. Usually a page would not flippantly waste on one photograph but it has done because of the impact this photo has. Another reason for the effectiveness is because of the mystery of Richey Edwards.

The interview benefits both the magazine and the band. ‘Q’ have managed to sell more magazines because they have the Manic Street Preachers featured in it, and teh band have received good publicity from it as well as a full page at the end of the interview to promote their upcoming CD that was talked about throughout the interview.