Friday, 8 May 2009
Evaluation
To create my final product I had to use conventions of other magazines, the magazine I mainly used to create my final piece was Kerrang. I used this because I liked the mastheads, text layout and the overall layout of images and photos used. I decided to use various similar layouts to the ones used in Kerrang, this was because it would make my magazine look professional and stylish. My magazine mainly focuses on rock, so for the front cover page i tried represent the picture I took with rock attitudes, these are mainly aggressive and violent, so the magazine will look effective and professional. Almost every element of media texts (e.g. magazines, adverts)are made to target a specific audience, the target audience is decided by the producer of the media text, the chosen audience will be targeted by using spefici texts, such as car adverts, if a action film is on, this is because mainly men will be watching the film, so they target them using they different texts for different medias. The colours I mainly used on my magazine are black and red. I chose these colours because they connote violence and danger, whic is mainly shown in rock magazines. I have also used bold words for most of my text, this is because it connotes power, and makes the writing stand out.
Here I have annotated my magazine front cover to show the elements I used to attract/address my audience.
During my experience throughout this project, I have learnt quite a lot of skills, with various programs, these included; Photoshop, Quark Xpress, Web 2.0. These skilled have developed and enhanced, the more have used it.
In Photshop I have learnt:
* Using the different layers, to create a better overall look.
* Tools like; Smudge, Blur, Burn, Lasso, Magic Wand - to make the image look more professional, and less like it has been cut and edited out.
* Cropping and Resizing photos.
* Adding text enchantments, such as drop shadow.
Whilst using the programs I came to some advantages and some disadvantages.
Advantages
I was familiar with this program, but with a earlier version, and more complex. so i was familiar with most of the tools, they just worked in different ways. The program was very easy to navigate around, and find the tools you needed.
Disadvantages
New tools have been added, from the previous version I had used, so if i had known this, I could have done some parts of my work must faster and efficient.
In Quark Xpress I have learnt:
* Modifying Pictures - drop shadows, cropping, contrast.
* Scaling the picture to the box size, which makes it easier that altering the image size.
* Creating a house style and save it so its easy to keep using your house style
Whilst using the programs I came to some advantages and some disadvantages.
Advantages
I became familiar with this program quite quick, and was able to use it, to its full extent in a short space of time. It was easy to use, and very user friendly.
Disadvantages
I had never used this software before, so I had to learn it from scratch. I realised that it had some tools, which i did not notice, and i was editing the picture in Photoshop to then copy it back into Quark, when I could have done this all in Quark, so that would have saved time.
During my experience over this project, I think I have become more familiar with http://www.blogger.com/ as before this project I have never used a blog site. So now I understand, how useful it can be, And why it was much easier to use this ratehr tha it being on paper.
Front Page Plan
For my front page i will have a main photo in the background, of 2 people, posing with aggressive attitudes. I also will be adding photos around the bottom of the page, to show the different article in the magazine.
Contents Page Plan
In my contents I will have 6 photos, " main photos and 4 smaller ones around it. The photos will be of people in groups or by themselves.
Double Page Spread Plan
In my double page spread I will be doing a bio on the band "The Widgets", this will include information on the and, such as where they come from, how they got together, previous history at college/university etc. I will include quotes of what they said, to enhance it.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Differences between niche and mainstream
Mainstream - A very popular product, familiar and unthreatening to the masses. Common, usual or conventional.
has a large circulation and readership figures.
Examples of Mainstream magazines - Kerrang!, NME, Q.
Niche - A small targeted audience or specific portion of the population. Not hugely popular.
It will have a small circulation and readership figures in comaprison to mainstream magazines.
Examples of Niche magazines- Guitar & Bass.
Mainstream - A very popular product, familiar and unthreatening to the masses. Common, usual or conventional.
has a large circulation and readership figures.
Examples of Mainstream magazines - Kerrang!, NME, Q.
Niche - A small targeted audience or specific portion of the population. Not hugely popular.
It will have a small circulation and readership figures in comaprison to mainstream magazines.
Examples of Niche magazines- Guitar & Bass.
Practise Photgraphs
Here I have Uploaded my practise photos. I took these in front of a back drop so the background is all the same colour, which makes them easier to edit. I positioned the people in the way i thought would look best, and appealing to others. 
5 Rules Of Photography
Rule #1 : The Decisive Moment - pressing the shutter button at exactly the decisive moment.
Rule #2 : Go Close - getting the right distance from the person/object is vital.
Rule #3 : The Rule Of Thirds - This is where things in your photo should be placed.
Rule #4 : Camera Settings - getting the right focus, and settings on your camera is important.
Rule #5 : Use The Light - The magic hour, the hour around sunrise and the hour around sunset, give the perfect lighting.
Rule #2 : Go Close - getting the right distance from the person/object is vital.
Rule #3 : The Rule Of Thirds - This is where things in your photo should be placed.
Rule #4 : Camera Settings - getting the right focus, and settings on your camera is important.
Rule #5 : Use The Light - The magic hour, the hour around sunrise and the hour around sunset, give the perfect lighting.
demographic analysis of my potential audience.
Male Readers - 57%
Female Readers - 53%
Average Age - 19
Working Full Time - 79%
Working Part Time - 21%
Still Studying - 32%
ABC1 - 54%
Circulation - 26,127
Readership - 120,278
ABCe Unique Users - 1,348,214
Internet:
96% of Unplugged's readership use the internet, and 72% have broadband.
They spend a average of 2.1 hours a day using it.
Games And Games Consoles:
£189 spend of games consoles last year,
total readership spends £26m
73% recieve cable or digital channels.
Unplugged Readers Agree That:
They enjoy life and don't worry about the furture - 43%
Its inportant to be up-to-date - 72%
It's worth more paying for quality goods - 58%
They like to try new things - 69%
It's important to look the part - 89%
Out And About:
Unplugged readers spend:
£134 a year on shoes/trainers.
Total Readership spends - £35m
£398 a year on clothes
Total Readership spends - £215m
£459 on audio equipment per year
Total Readership spends - £145m
32% own a digital camera
£132 on digital cameras per year
Total Readership spends - £860
Buy a average of 8 DVD'S a year
Total Readership spends - £1.7m
spend £67 a year on DVD'S
Total Readership spends - £19m
Female Readers - 53%
Average Age - 19
Working Full Time - 79%
Working Part Time - 21%
Still Studying - 32%
ABC1 - 54%
Circulation - 26,127
Readership - 120,278
ABCe Unique Users - 1,348,214
Internet:
96% of Unplugged's readership use the internet, and 72% have broadband.
They spend a average of 2.1 hours a day using it.
Games And Games Consoles:
£189 spend of games consoles last year,
total readership spends £26m
73% recieve cable or digital channels.
Unplugged Readers Agree That:
They enjoy life and don't worry about the furture - 43%
Its inportant to be up-to-date - 72%
It's worth more paying for quality goods - 58%
They like to try new things - 69%
It's important to look the part - 89%
Out And About:
Unplugged readers spend:
£134 a year on shoes/trainers.
Total Readership spends - £35m
£398 a year on clothes
Total Readership spends - £215m
£459 on audio equipment per year
Total Readership spends - £145m
32% own a digital camera
£132 on digital cameras per year
Total Readership spends - £860
Buy a average of 8 DVD'S a year
Total Readership spends - £1.7m
spend £67 a year on DVD'S
Total Readership spends - £19m
10 generic conventions of a double page spread
1. Colours of the magazine that cannote the genre, e.g. using bright vivid colours for a pop magazine
2. Artists relating to the magazines genre.
3. Synergy - If the companies they work with are relavant to genre of the magazine.
4. Anchorage that connotes artists and genre.
5. Sell lines that relate to the genre, e.g. Kerrang - Life Is Loud!
6. The photos and images that are genre related, like the way they will edit the images to suit it, e.g. black and white.
7. Mode Of Address tells you the particular audience the magazine is aiming at.
8. Advertisements - if they realte to the magazines genre, e.g. T-shirts
9. Masthead that connotes the genre of the magazine
10. Reviews - on bands and artists within the genre of the magazine.
Lesson Objectives
Today I will be adding the final touches to my double page spread, and double page spread analysis. I also will be starting my Evaluation. After these are complete i will be doing a final check of all my work, to make sure it is all in order and correct.
Monday, 27 April 2009
Music Magazine Industry Research
Bauer
Bauer is the largest privately owned publisher in Europe. They distribute their magazines in: Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, UK, United States and Mexico. Bauer was discovered in Hamburg 1875 by Johann Bauer. It started off as a small printing house which shortly changed into a successful worldwide publishing empire, with 238 magazines worldwide in 15 countries.
Kerrang (Mainstream) - £2.20, This magazine is dedicated to rock, heavy metal and punk music. Its main target audience focuses on teenagers aged between 13 and 18.
Mojo (Mainstream) - £4.30, This is a pure music magazine, focuses old/lost classics.
Q (mainstream) - £3.90, This magazine is mainly dedicated towards middle aged adults; I can tell this by the adverts used within the magazine, such as car and regenerative creams.
IPC (International Publishing Corporation)
IPC are the top UK magazine publisher. This is due to distributing a steady source of magazines of different genres, therefore targeting a larger audience with all there magazines. Nearly 1 in every 2 women in the UK and over 45% men in the UK read an IPC magazine. These figures nearly reach a whopping 27 million readers. This is done by IPC having a large range of magazines, and them been priced reasonably. IPC will continue to attract new audiences and continue to display good content for their existing readers.
IPC Circulate an array of magazines including:
Guitar and Bass (Niche) - £3.95, Guitar is published in the UK and is available worldwide. The magazine is aimed at guitarists of all genders and age. It covers various reviews of guitars and the different equipments.
NME (Mainstream) - £2.20 (New Musical Express) published weekly since March 1952. The magazine is aimed at an older readership (15-24) with a less poppy content. Mainly focuses on Indie rock bands.
Uncut (Mainstream) - £4.30 New and old cult and classic rock, target audience is mainly males aged 35-55.
Bauer is the largest privately owned publisher in Europe. They distribute their magazines in: Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, UK, United States and Mexico. Bauer was discovered in Hamburg 1875 by Johann Bauer. It started off as a small printing house which shortly changed into a successful worldwide publishing empire, with 238 magazines worldwide in 15 countries.
Kerrang (Mainstream) - £2.20, This magazine is dedicated to rock, heavy metal and punk music. Its main target audience focuses on teenagers aged between 13 and 18.
Mojo (Mainstream) - £4.30, This is a pure music magazine, focuses old/lost classics.
Q (mainstream) - £3.90, This magazine is mainly dedicated towards middle aged adults; I can tell this by the adverts used within the magazine, such as car and regenerative creams.
IPC (International Publishing Corporation)
IPC are the top UK magazine publisher. This is due to distributing a steady source of magazines of different genres, therefore targeting a larger audience with all there magazines. Nearly 1 in every 2 women in the UK and over 45% men in the UK read an IPC magazine. These figures nearly reach a whopping 27 million readers. This is done by IPC having a large range of magazines, and them been priced reasonably. IPC will continue to attract new audiences and continue to display good content for their existing readers.
IPC Circulate an array of magazines including:
Guitar and Bass (Niche) - £3.95, Guitar is published in the UK and is available worldwide. The magazine is aimed at guitarists of all genders and age. It covers various reviews of guitars and the different equipments.
NME (Mainstream) - £2.20 (New Musical Express) published weekly since March 1952. The magazine is aimed at an older readership (15-24) with a less poppy content. Mainly focuses on Indie rock bands.
Uncut (Mainstream) - £4.30 New and old cult and classic rock, target audience is mainly males aged 35-55.
Friday, 24 April 2009
A Glossary of Magazine Terms
Masthead – The name and logo of the magazine.The Lead – The introductory paragraph of an article. Usually written in bold or capitals..
Serif font – Fonts like Times New Roman, or Baskerville Old Face, which have little bars (serifs) on the end of the letters.
Sans serif font – Fonts like Impact, or Agency FB, which do not have little bars (serifs) on the end of the letters.
Drop Capitals – Really big letter, which start off an article.Cross Head – Small sub-heading used to split up a large block of text.
White Space – White parts of a page other than text or pictures.
Mode Of Address – How the magazine talks to the audience.
Sell Lines – Text on the cover that helps to sell the magazine to the audience. Kerrang!’s sell line is “life is loud”.
Banners – Text, which stands out because its on a coloured background.
House Style – A magazines distinctive design that distinguishes it from its competitors.
Borders – The gaps at the edges of the page.
Gutters – The gaps between the columns of text.
Leading - The space between lines of text.
Kerning - The space between letters.
Strap Lines – A smaller headline, printed above the main headline.
By-lines - Name of the person who wrote the article.
Picture Credits - where did the photos come from, or who took them.
Anchorage – The way in which text helps to pin down the meaning of a picture and visa versa.
Serif font – Fonts like Times New Roman, or Baskerville Old Face, which have little bars (serifs) on the end of the letters.
Sans serif font – Fonts like Impact, or Agency FB, which do not have little bars (serifs) on the end of the letters.
Drop Capitals – Really big letter, which start off an article.Cross Head – Small sub-heading used to split up a large block of text.
White Space – White parts of a page other than text or pictures.
Mode Of Address – How the magazine talks to the audience.
Sell Lines – Text on the cover that helps to sell the magazine to the audience. Kerrang!’s sell line is “life is loud”.
Banners – Text, which stands out because its on a coloured background.
House Style – A magazines distinctive design that distinguishes it from its competitors.
Borders – The gaps at the edges of the page.
Gutters – The gaps between the columns of text.
Leading - The space between lines of text.
Kerning - The space between letters.
Strap Lines – A smaller headline, printed above the main headline.
By-lines - Name of the person who wrote the article.
Picture Credits - where did the photos come from, or who took them.
Anchorage – The way in which text helps to pin down the meaning of a picture and visa versa.
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Photshop Editing
Here I have used photoshop to edit an image to make it look suitable to go on a magazine. I used various tools to complete this, such as: lasso tool, maic wand tool, smudge and burn tools.
The first picture in the sequance is the photo i took.
The second photo; I used the magic wand tool to select the wall in the picture, I then changed the colour of it to black.
The Third photo; I then selected the bottom half of the wall, I then also changed this to black, the photo background is now all black.
The last photo: I sharpened the edges and smuged round his body, so you cant notice the background colours around the person in the picture.
Font Exmaples
Here are some exmaples of fonts, that i could use for my main magazine. I picked these fonts from a large selection. I found these fonts at www.dafont.com
Lesson Objective
In this lesson I will researching different fonts, that I can use for sell lines, main headline etc. I also will be showing in stages how you can edit pictures, using photoshop.
Friday, 3 April 2009
Treatment
Synopsis: Unplugged - This Magazine will be released on the 1st of every month, the magazine will mainly focus on the rock and pop genres. It will contain the latest news on these 2 genres, to keep the readers up-to-date, along with exclusive interviews, pictures and information.
Detail of target audience: This magazine will be aimed at 16 to 21 year olds. It will be targeted at males and females. The magazine I am designing will be for a niche market.
Photography Design: The pictures I will be taking will be mainly medium close-ups, either of single members, or a group of members. I will take single pictures mainly for the front page and contents page. For groups I will be putting these pictures of my double page spread. This makes the magazine look more effective and less cramped. I will get the people to dress appropriately for the magazine genre. The pictures will be taken Portrait for front cover and contents page. And landscape for the double page spread. The photos will be taken behind a backdrop to make it easier to cut the people out. When taking the photo, I will use the screen on the camera, to get an overall better view of what the photo will look like when I take the picture.
Research: I will be looking at several magazine, to see how the layout their; Front page, Contents and Double page spread. Also I will be looking at what style they use for each of the pages. To make my magazine look effective I will be using similar styles and layouts to the magazine I will be researching.
Initial Recce considerations: When taking the photos I will have to take into account health and safety rules, for example if I was taking a high angle shot, and someone had to stand on the table, I would have to make sure he is secure, and wont fall. Also I will take note of the first aider closest within the section of college I am in.
Detail of target audience: This magazine will be aimed at 16 to 21 year olds. It will be targeted at males and females. The magazine I am designing will be for a niche market.
Photography Design: The pictures I will be taking will be mainly medium close-ups, either of single members, or a group of members. I will take single pictures mainly for the front page and contents page. For groups I will be putting these pictures of my double page spread. This makes the magazine look more effective and less cramped. I will get the people to dress appropriately for the magazine genre. The pictures will be taken Portrait for front cover and contents page. And landscape for the double page spread. The photos will be taken behind a backdrop to make it easier to cut the people out. When taking the photo, I will use the screen on the camera, to get an overall better view of what the photo will look like when I take the picture.
Research: I will be looking at several magazine, to see how the layout their; Front page, Contents and Double page spread. Also I will be looking at what style they use for each of the pages. To make my magazine look effective I will be using similar styles and layouts to the magazine I will be researching.
Initial Recce considerations: When taking the photos I will have to take into account health and safety rules, for example if I was taking a high angle shot, and someone had to stand on the table, I would have to make sure he is secure, and wont fall. Also I will take note of the first aider closest within the section of college I am in.
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Ideas for main Magazine
1st Idea
Targeted Audience: Age 16-21, Male/Female, Niche Market.
Sub Genre: Rock/PopMagazine
Title: Unplugged
Ideas for Front Page Image: Medium close-up of someone with a instrument.
Ideas for Double Page Spread: A exclusive interview with the person on the main page.
Ideas for contents Page: A series of pictures followed by a short sentence and a page number.
2nd Idea
Targeted Audience: 18-25, Male/Female, Niche Market
Sub genre: RockMagazine
Title: Fussion
Ideas for Front Page Image: Medium close-up of a group of people
Ideas for Double Page Spread: Band Interview, with relevant image
Ideas for Contents Page: A series of pictures followed by a short sentence and a page number.
Targeted Audience: Age 16-21, Male/Female, Niche Market.
Sub Genre: Rock/PopMagazine
Title: Unplugged
Ideas for Front Page Image: Medium close-up of someone with a instrument.
Ideas for Double Page Spread: A exclusive interview with the person on the main page.
Ideas for contents Page: A series of pictures followed by a short sentence and a page number.
2nd Idea
Targeted Audience: 18-25, Male/Female, Niche Market
Sub genre: RockMagazine
Title: Fussion
Ideas for Front Page Image: Medium close-up of a group of people
Ideas for Double Page Spread: Band Interview, with relevant image
Ideas for Contents Page: A series of pictures followed by a short sentence and a page number.
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