Fonts

I have experimented with different fonts from the website www.dafont.com to see which one I think will be the most suitable for the master head of my magazine. I then chose eight fonts which I thought would be the most successful and asked my target audience for feedback. My results showed that font three was the most popular (they're coming to take me away) so I will be use this for the master head. Font two was also popular so I will consider using this for other text on the magazine for example subtitles or names of bands.

Title Of Magazine

This list shows the 6 title names which I think will be suitable for my magazine . I got the ideas by looking at existing products and then thinking of words which are associated with indie bands for example the word spin features in many indie songs. I then asked my target audience which they preferred and the majority of people said wired. I have decided to take this forward as my title as I also believe it is the best out of the six.

• Wired
• Audio
• Wave
• Distortion
• Spin
• Inspired
  

Questionnaire Results

I printed out 40 copies of my questionnaire and handed them to my target audience of 14-20 year olds: I have added all of the results together to get an average score on each answer, my results showed:

1. The images used on a front page of a magazine were what attracted most people. This suggests I will need to concentrate on taking an eye-catching photo graph on my front page.

2. My results show people prefer one large image on the front cover rather than a few smaller ones. However 17 people chose both so I could consider using one large image and a few smaller ones at the bottom of the cover.

3. Most of my audience preferred a magazine to be both full of information but with images as well. I had a few comments saying the magazine shouldn't be overwhelming and the text should be easy to process.

4. For this question i received many answers, however the most popular were dark colours, bold text, bands, artists, logo, large title

5. My results showed that my audience preferred there to be a variety of texts on a front cover.

Overall my questionnaire was helpful and I received many useful answers which will help me when creating my final project. I will need to consider the answers given and use them when planning my project for example using a larger image on my front page.

Questionnaire

I have created a quick questionnaire which I have given to my target audience of 14-20 year olds. Hopefully the questionnaire will give me some more ideas for my magazine and will give me an implication of my audiences preferences:

Questionnaire

Could you please take a few minutes to fill out this questionnaire, it will be very helpful when creating my final product :)

1. What grabs your attention the most when you first look at a magazine cover?

The title
Features
Price
Images
Colours used
Other:

Please specify: _______________________________________

2. Do you prefer for there to be one main image on the page or a few smaller ones? Why?

One large image
A few smaller ones
Bit of both
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

3. Do you prefer a magazine to contain lots of information for example a front cover containing lots of information around the images and the master head?

Yes full of information
No less information and more visually filled e.g. images and logos
Bit of both

4. What images would you expect to see on an indie magazine? For example a band or a single artist?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

5. Would you prefer there to be a variety of fonts used on the page rather than just one?

Yes
No

Do you have any more ideas or comments which you think will be useful when creating my final project?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Thank you for your time!

Letters To Kerrang And NME Magazine

To find out more about music magazines and what methods are used to attract the audience’s attention I have decided to send emails to successful magazines in my chosen genre (Kerrang and NME). This will allow me to find out why the methods are used on the magazine and could possibly give me some ideas about different methods I could use for my own magazine.
I have decided to ask questions which I think will benefit my own magazine, for example why are certain fonts used. Below is a copy of the letter I have sent to Kerrang and NME. I hope to receive feedback from the emails and will update my blog with any information I receive.

Dear whom this may concern,

I am a year 12 student from Biddulph High School, studying AS media studies. As part of the course I have been asked to create a music magazine as my final piece, which consists of a front cover, contents page and a double page spread.
As research for my final product I have been carrying out analysis on existing products, with Kerrang being one of the main magazines I have studied. As Kerrang is the genre of magazine I am considering for my own magazine, I have found it very useful when looking at mise-en-scene, layout and fonts.
I was wondering if you could answer the following questions to give me further knowledge for creating my own music magazine.

Who is your main target audience and how do you attract them?

What makes an interesting feature?

Why are certain fonts and a colour scheme chosen?

If there is any more information which you think would be suitable when creating my own magazine I would be very appreciative. Thank you for your time, I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Nicola Chaddock

Brainstorm Of Ideas (front page)

I have created this quick brainstorm to show a few ideas about the front page of my magazine. I also plan to do this for my contents and double page spread.

How useful was it?

I found brainstorming my ideas was a good way to think about what neeeded to be included on the front cover of my magazine. It has also helped me in finding out what else I need to consider for the overall project for example types of font, colours and how many images I will use.

Problems?

The ideas I have included are very basic and are not very specific. To develop them further I will need to carry out more planning such as experimenting with fonts and colours. I may do another brainstorm similar to this when I have carried out more planning to show which ideas I am taking forward.

Planning

In order to cover everything I need to when planning my final project, I have created a quick list of ideas which I will need to consider:

• audience's requirements
• genre
• name
• colours
• fonts
• images
• editing
• layout
• features

I will plan the above items using a variety of methods such as questionnaires, mock ups, and research from my existing products.

Preliminary Project (contents page)

This is the contents page to my preliminary project.

The contents page took less time to create than my front cover as I had better knowledge of how to use programs such as publisher and fireworks. I also had more ideas on the colour and fonts I would be using.

I created this document in publisher, however I did create certain items in fireworks such as the title. For my final project I think I will be using fireworks as it has better features and I have now had more experience using it.

Images: I have only used two basic images on my contents page. I think i could have improved the page if I had used more pictures which had related to the articles featured. I did not do any editing of these pictures as I wanted them to look natural. For my final project it is likely I will need to do quite a lot of editing to create the image I need.
On the background of the contents page I used a blue “fire” image which I downloaded from the internet, I think this has given the contents page a more professional and unique look. I am considering using a similar image on my final project.

Colours and fonts: I have used a colour scheme of blue and white as I think they work well together and they also link with the blue used on the school’s logo. The fonts I have used are basic and are easy to read by the audience however I think it would have looked better if I had used a different font as the text in the boxes looks very plain.

Layout: I have used a conventional layout for my contents page with the title at the top of the page and the articles down the left hand side. I think the layout works well for a school magazine as it is easy to process the information, however for my music magazine I think I will be using a more unique layout.

Preliminary Project (front cover)

This is the front cover to my preliminary project.

Doing this project has allowed me to experiment with different programs such as publisher and fireworks and has given me a better understanding of how to use them when creating my final music magazine .
I created the front cover using publisher and although the program was easy to use I think if I had used fireworks it would have given me a more professional looking magazine due to more variety of features available.

Images: I decided to use just one image on the front cover, I did this to attract the readers attention, it is also conventional of a magazine to have just one main image. I took a number of pictures but decided this one was the best as the lighting was better than in the other ones I had taken. I decided to take the photograph on a plain background to avoid having to edit the background, it also allows the two students to stand out more.
The only other image I have used on the front cover was the school’s logo, I used the logo so the magazine could be easily recognised by the audience.

Colours and fonts: I decided to use a colour scheme of yellow blue and black on the front cover as I thought they worked well together and they also fit in with the colours on the school’s logo. I have used quite basic fonts which are easy to read by the audience, for my music magazine I think I will need to have a bigger variety of fonts which are more original.

Layout: The layout of my front cover is quite conventional, for example the mater head is at the top of the page and the main image is in the centre. I think the layout is good for a school magazine front cover, however on my music magazine I think a more unique layout would be likely to attract the audience better.

Double Page Analysis

I have decided to analyse this magazine as it is in the genre which I am considering for my own magazine. However at the moment I am considering doing an indie themed magazine whereas this is based more around R&B music.

Genre: R&B music

Images: there are two large images of Jamelia used over the double page showing clearly what the article is about and could give an indication of her importance in the music industry. The image on the right is in colour and the one in the right is black and white (apart from where the title is cut) these images contrast and could be symbolic of her two different sides of life. The photographs look natural and the way the bed is shown on one of the pictures could suggest she is in her own environment so may feel more relaxed and likely to open up to the public.

Colours and fonts: the three main colours used on the double page are red white and black which work well together. The questions asked to Jamelia are in red and the answers are in white (which also relates back to the colours used on the image) this helps stop the reader from becoming confused and makes it easier to read. The fonts used separate the text and also help the reader understand the article more easily, for example bold text is used to introduce the interview.

Layout: The title for the article is ”Jamelia” showing the importance of her. The way the background from the first page is shown through the title adds interest for the reader and makes it more appealing to them. Everything on the double page is spread out and doesn’t look crammed together, this allows the article to be read easier by the audience. The bold white text at the top of the first page explains what the article is about and could encourage the reader to read the article to find out how she found her voice for example. The double page flows and text is used on the middle of the page to add uniqueness to the feature, it also highlights important parts of the interview and as it is in a bold red text. The audience may be attracted to the middle first encouraging them to find out more by reading the whole article.

Double Page Analysis

I have chosen to analyse the double page spread from a motorbike magazine as even though it isn’t what I’m basing my magazine on, it can still give me ideas on the layout, images and colours used etc.

Genre: sport

Images: three main images are used on the double spread, each one relates to the article and easily shows what it is based around. The images used are large and vibrant with two of them covering the majority of the page, this attracts the readers attention and also helps break up the text. The image of the three men holding trophies could encourage the audience to read the article to find out what they have won.

Colours and fonts: the double page uses basic colours (black and white) with the images and logo adding brightness to the article. This focuses the attention of the reader to the images and could suggest the importance of the visual aspects in motorbike racing.

Layout: the title of “Bobby Idol Says!” is quite small in relation to the article and the way it is positioned in the left hand corner of the page could suggest it is a regular feature of the magazine.
The text is broken down into eight columns so it doesn’t become too tedious for the reader. The font and size of the text also help the reader as they’re quite plain and are of an average size making the text easy to process.

Contents Page Analysis

I have chosen to analyse the contents page of this magazine as it is in the genre I am considering for my own magazine (indie). By looking at this magazine I will be able to get a some ideas on layout, images, fonts and colours used etc.

Images: The genre of the magazine is made clear by the images of bands used around the text with none of them particularly standing out as they’re all in the same colour scheme. The images used are all related back to the articles featured with numbers used to allow the reader to access them easier.

Colours and fonts: The main title used (Kingsize) is in the same font as used on all front covers of “Kerrang” magazines. “Kingsize” may have been used to suggest the magazine is larger and more important than other issues enticing the reader to read further . The colour scheme of the text (red and black ) attracts the reader’s attention with the names of the articles highlighted in red.

Layout: the page only has one column of text in the left hand side of the page, with images surrounding it, this could suggest the bands are well known by the readers with the large images creating a strong impact. The features in the magazine are in red capital letters with some of them containing a couple of sentences about what each feature is about.

Contents Page Analysis

I have chosen to analyse the contents page from this photography magazine as even though it is a different genre, I can still get ideas on the fonts, layout and colours used etc.

Images: The images used on the contents page easily show what the magazine is based upon and allows the reader to recognise what may featured for example “Nixon D3”.The images used are quite large and attract the readers attention easily especially the image of the eye.

Colours and Fonts: a basic colour scheme of black, red and white is used; the colours work well together with the bold fonts allowing the reader to easily see what is featured in the issue.

Layout: the page is set out into three main columns and broken down into five different sections .The two sections which stand out most to the reader are “Your pics, our opinions” and “Tested”, this could show that these features are the most important to the magazine and are more popular with their audience. The way the sections “Technique”, “Win Stuff” and “Your Digital Photo” are segmented may allow the reader to easily recognise which parts of the magazine they want to view first.

Front Cover Analysis

Kerrang

I have chosen to analyse the magazine cover of “Kerrang” as it is the genre I am considering for my magazine (indie)

Genre: Rock and indie

Masthead: The masthead “Kerrang” is at the top of the magazine, written in the black conventional font. The way the writing looks cracked could be symbolic of how powerful rock music is. The name “Kerrang” is partly covered by the main image which could suggest the magazine is well known and does not need the full name on show to be recognised by its audience.

Mise-en-scene: the mid-long shot of the band “You and me at six” covers the majority of the front cover, which could show that they’re the main feature of the magazine especially as the yellow text says “Rock’s new hotshots”. The band members’ are dressed in black clothes which links to the magazines’ genre as rock music is often associated with black. The overall layout of the magazine has no particular order and the cover is quite full. Promotions such as “free poster special” entice the reader to the magazine, grabbing the readers attention easily.

Colours and fonts: The colours used in the magazine are strong (black, yellow, red and green) which catch the attention of the reader. The fonts also attract the readers attention as they’re bold and stand out from the background colours. The colour black is used as it links in with the rock genre of the magazine.

Front Cover Analysis

Clash

I have chosen to analyse the music magazine “Clash” as it contains fashion, which I am considering including in my music magazine.

Genre: pop

Masthead: The masthead “Clash” is in the top left hand corner, this is conventional to this particular magazine. The image of “Duffy” is behind the masthead, which could suggest the magazine is not that well known and needs the title to be fully shown for the magazine to be recognised. However the title of “Clash” is not that clear with the A and the S linking together, this could symbolise “clashes” in music or be linked to what the magazine is based upon.

Mise-en-scene: The close up of pop-star “Duffy” fills the majority of the front cover, this is probably due to the fact she is described as “The NEW first lady of soul” and the magazine aims to promote her. However, the large box in the left hand corner containing other band names for example “Son of Dave” could suggest she is not as recognised as other pop-stars and is not as relevant to the magazine.

Colours and fonts: The colour scheme of pink and purple used on the magazine are typically known as feminine colours which could suggest the magazine is aimed at females rather than males, however these colours may just be used because the main image is of a female. The fonts used are also quite feminine especially the subtitles.

Front Cover Analysis

NME

I have decided to analyse the music magazine “NME” as it is the genre I would like to design for my own magazine (indie)

Genre: Rock and Indie

Masthead: the masthead of the magazine is in the top left hand corner, this is conventional to “NME” magazine. The title is also quite small in relation to other items on the cover which could suggest the magazine is well known and does not need a large title to attract readers. The colour of the masthead is a dark red which blends into the other colours on the page which could also suggest the magazine is well known. Another feature of the magazine which could suggest it is well known is the way the main image covers the text underneath the title “NME”

Mise-en-scene: The image of “The automatic” fills the majority of the front cover, showing that the main article in the magazine is based around them. It could also have been used to attract readers who are interested in “The Automatic” as currently they are a popular band. The boxes which outline the subheadings for example “My Chemical Romance” are not straight and ordered, instead they are “cut” roughly which could suggest a different view on the subjects in the magazine. The costume and make-up of the band in the image are natural, with three of the band members wearing black which is often associated with rock and indie bands.

Colours and Fonts: The colours used on the front cover are bold and bright and attract the readers attention easily, especially the large yellow title of “The Automatic”. The magazine uses a colour scheme of 4 main colours (yellow, red, black, white) this is an interesting choice of colours as they don’t match together very well instead they clash

Introduction

Hey, my name is Nicola Chaddock and I am a year 12 media studies student from Biddulph high school. I have created this blog for my AS media studies coursework and it will show pretty much everything involved in the project such as my research, analysis and planning. I will need to update my blog regularly to show the progress I am making throughout the course.

Print or Film?

I have chosen the print option for my coursework as I am interested in photography and think this would be the better option to show my creative skills and help improve my computer skills.