Evaluation: Audience Feedback Form

Click here to complete an audience feedback questionnaire for my music magazine

Production: Editing Double-Page Spread

I added the text to the double-page spread once I had written the article. I chose to layout it out in columns to follow the main conventions of a magazine, and I also chose to use a drop-cap at the beginning of each section of the article. I chose to make the masthead a quote from the article, using the same fonts as the rest of the mastheads in the magazine, to make the house style of the magazine consistent.

But I thought that it would add some effect and more dimension to the article if I enlarged some of the quotes from the article to form pull quotes which would make them stand out on the page. This would also immediately attract the attention of the audience when they initially saw the page, to draw them in to read the article. 

Production: Editing Front Cover

Before finalising my front cover, I asked a few members of my focus group to see if there were any final improvements that they would make, and they suggested that the masthead didn't really seem like it fitted in with the rest of the layout of the page. They said that I should keep the same font, because it was relevant and appropriate to the house style of the magazine, but I just needed to edit the colours or how it appeared on the actual page.

So I experimented with various tools on Photoshop to try to improve the appearance of the masthead, and with the help of my focus group, we chose the following masthead:

Production: Editing Double-Page Spread

Initially, I was only going to use one image on my double-page spread with a neutral background, which would have looked like this:

However, I felt like that even once I had put the text on the page, it would look quite boring, so I asked my focus group for some suggestions as to how to improve the page. They liked the picture that was already on the double-page, and had the idea of having a selection of small pictures of the main artist on the other side of the double-page. 

As I felt that this would be a good idea, I organised another photo-shoot and took some more pictures of my artist in different clothing. I chose to take the pictures in an interview style, so it would be like having the pictures complementing the text, as the article would be an interview with the artist. I also liked the idea of having more natural-looking pictures of the artist, as the magazine already had posed pictures of her, and this would engage the audience more and break down the barrier between them. 

I organised these pictures into a column, so that it would appear as something resembling a photo-strip on the other side of the page. After editing this 'photo-strip' according to the style and appearance which my focus group agreed with, I chose to have the main layout of my double-page spread like this: 

Production: Contents Page Font Choices

I experimented with several different font types when choosing how to present the title for the contents page:

I liked the first one, as it continued the theme of the font from the front cover, however, this also meant that the two pages maybe looked too similar. So I used the same font, but instead of using the same colours to fill the letters, I chose to use the design which I used for the background of the contents age, but increasing the opacity of the design to make it stand out more. I tried having the whole word in the same font, but I still wanted a similar theme to the front page, so I chose the second option rather than the first, because this carried the same style through to the contents page.

Production: Editing Contents Page

I made a basic layout of the contents page which ended up looking like this:

However, I felt that the page looked quite boring, so I chose to use some of the pictures from my initial photo shoot and use them to anchor some of the articles:

Although this improved the appearance of the page, I still felt that it was missing something. So I experimented with some font and background designs and, using the 'Magic Selection' tool n Photoshop, I was able to give the masthead and the article headings are more aesthetically pleasing appearance, which also complimented the rest of the page:

Production: Editing Contents Page

For my contents page, I had narrowed my choices down to three pictures which I think suited the page:

After speaking to my focus group, we decided that the first image was the best one to use for the contents page. This was because we thought that the second picture took up too much space on the page, and the third image was too similar to one of the pictures that I was using for the double-page spread. 

Production: Front Cover Background Choices

I wasn't sure whether the background of my front cover should be a spotlight on the model, or the model leaning against a bridge:

    

After speaking to my focus group, the majority preferred the bridge background. this was because they said that, although they liked the spotlight background, it was a bit simple. However, the bridge background was brighter, and therefore gave the front cover a lighter tone and happier atmosphere, and even though they knew that the model was photoshopped onto this background, it still seemed more natural than the other background. 

Production: Editing Front Cover

After speaking to my focus group, they told me that they were unsure whether the picture that I had used suited my magazine front cover, and that if it was a real magazine, they would probably not be drawn in to read it.

So I decided to show them different pictures that I had taken as potential front covers, and they chose this picture:

They chose this picture, as they said it engaged the reader more, mainly because the model was using a direct mode of address. 

Planning/Production: Title Font Choices

I experimented with different fonts for the title of my music magazine as I wasn't sure what kind of masthead I wanted, so I shortlisted the fonts down to this selection:

However, I was indecisive as to which font I liked the most, so I decided to use two of the fonts together and add a bit of colour to make it a bit brighter, as the black and white seemed a bit boring. After swapping around different fonts with each other, I ended up preferring this for my masthead:

Planning/Production: Editing Photos

 

I chose to change the colour of the dress on the front cover of the magazine, as I was using similar pictures on my double page spread and therefore wanted to make the two slightly different. So I used the hue/saturation tool on Photoshop to experiment with different colours for the model's dress, and felt that this shade of pink was the best choice. 

Planning/Production: Editing Photos

Before: 

After:

I chose to zoom in on the photo, so that the image consisited of less of the background and more focus would be on the actual artist. I also edited the lighting in the image, as although the first one has quite good lighting, I wanted it to be a bit brighter, so that the colours would be enhanced and she would stand out more. 

Planning: Artist Profile

My artist is a 24 year old female R&B singer-songwriter. Her main musical influence is Alicia Keys. She used to write songs for small artists. She was discovered by RCA Records, where she was given the opportunity to work with artists, such as Labrinth and Leona Lewis, for whom she wrote the songs 'Let The Sun Shine' and 'Happy'. But now she has finally got her big break and is writing songs for herself.

She has just released her first album, and this will be her first interview with the magazine. The main purpose of the article will be to encourage the audience, but also inform and entertain them. This will be encouraging the audience in terms of encouraging any singer-songwriters who have not yet reached their full potential, and giving them the confidence and motivation to keep moving forward in terms of their career. The article will also have the purpose of promoting the artist's first album. The article should try to make the audience aspire to be like the featured artist, but also some members of the audience may be able to relate to her. 

Regarding the layout of the magazine, I am planning to have an image which covers the whole double page spread, and text which will be in colour blocks and that cover the majority of one page. 

Research: Audience Feedback on Proposed Free Download

Usher - 'Yeah'

Audience Feedback

The audience immediately recognised this song as R&B, however, some people said that it sounded a bit "rappy"

People also said that the song was quite "classic" for this genre, so for the magazine, it would be expected for the song to be a bit more modern and "cutting edge"

Research: Subcultures - Geek Chic

Subcultures - Geek Chic by

Research: Music Magazine Analysis - Q Magazine

Q Magazine

Publisher: Bauer Media Group

      

           Also publishes: Kerrang!

       

           Other media interests: Bauer Radio and Box Television

           Has a 50% stake in Box Television (other half owned by Channel Four) which produces music television channels, including:

–                    Q TV

–                    4Music

–                    Kiss TV

–                    Kerrang! TV

–                    The Box

–                    Magic TV

–                    Smash Hits TV

Cost: £3.99

Published: Monthly

Website: www.qthemusic.com

Total Circulation: 64, 596 (Jan-Jun 2012)

Readership: 411, 000

Analysis of Front Cover

·      - The conventions of the magazine have been broken, as the date line, the price and the website have been printed at the bottom of the page instead of at the top

·   - The cover lines are all down the right hand side of the page

·   - The main cover line is on the left hand side of the page – this separates it from the other cover lines, suggesting that it has more importance on the page

·   - The masthead is in the top left corner of the page, which means that it doesn’t cover the majority of the top third of the page like most magazines – this therefore allows the main image to take up more space on the page

·   - The strapline/selling line is directly under the masthead – it describes the magazine as “THE WORLD’S GREATEST MUSIC MAGAZINE”

·   - The main image shows the artist standing with purpose, with his arms folded, which separates himself from the audience, but he still engages with the audience by using a direct mode of address. The artist is also leaning against a loud speaker, which could associate with his music, as it suggests that it’s loud and quite powerful

·   - The conventions of the left third is kept, as the main feature article of the magazine is seen here

·     

·      - Drop-caps are used within the magazine

·      - In-House: red, black and white are the house colours of the magazine

    - End marker are used at the end of articles

·      - Pull quotes are used

·       

Research: Focus Group Questionnaire - Music Magazine

Please follow the link below to fill out my questionnaire:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHJHemYxV2JrSHU1ZTd1VUZLS2Rnb0E6MQ#gid=0

Development of Sixth Form Magazine

Completed Sixth Form Magazine Contents Page

Completed Sixth Form Magazine Front Cover

Flatplan of Sixth Form Magazine Front Cover

Focus Group Questionnaire for Sixth Form Magazine

Name: 
Age: 
Gender: 
Hobbies and Interests: 
How often do you read magazines?: 
How much money do you usually spend on a magazine?: 
Does your school have a magazine?: 
What are your favourite features of a magazine?:

School Magazine Textual Analysis Example

Image Analysis

 This image could be found as a screen shot from a mystery or thriller type programme or horror movie. The reason for taking the picture is unknown, but it could be assumed that it was taken to create a sense of tension and uncertainty within the audience. It could even have a purpose in order to make the audience think about how this may relate to them in some way – as if they are being watched. If a historian in the year 2400 looked at the picture, he/she might think that this picture represented a higher authority having control or breeching human rights over people.

This picture could be found as the cover of a greeting card or on a calendar maybe, or even in a children’s book. The reason for the picture being taken is unknown, however, it could be assumed that it was taken to create a fantasy or dream world, as a means of escapism. If a historian from the year 2400 looked at the picture, he/she might think that although people were quite practical and sensible, they still had a sense of imagination and creativity, as the image can be seen as quite surreal.

School Photography Task

This image is representing the school in a positive way. It is a bright, sunny day and the sky is blue, creating a positive atmosphere. With the more dominant subject being the tree and therefore the nature surrounding it, the school is seen as less of an urban setting. The students in the picture aid the school aspect and can either connote a hard-working tone or a more relaxed tone.This shot is similar to an establishing shot, as it makes clear to the audience the initial settings.

This image represents the school in a negative way. The litter shown is in the foreground, drawing more attention to it. The connotations of leaving litter around is that of a less disciplined area, which is the opposite of what is expected of a school environment. This image also creates juxtaposition, due to the content analysis; in the background a person is seen walking away from the litter, which could imply that they had been littering.

By themselves, both of these images can be seen as polysemic and maybe even be cause for negotiated reading in some cultures. Especially the bottom picture, as this just looks like a pair of aliens or robots of some sort. However, when seen together, both these images aid each other in their meaning and therefore aid the audience when decoding them.

Therefore, when seen together, the two images connotate the London 2012 Olympics. This is recognised through the content analysis showing the London 2012 logo and the Olympic Rings, which anchor the image, therefore implying that the 'aliens/robots' are the mascots for the Games.

This image connotes anger and irritation, which is created by the mid-shot of the subject. His body language and facial expression are the main elements of the picture which have been encoded to give this effect and make this the dominant preferred meaning for the audience. For example, the subject's body language is very tense, showing that he is clearly not relaxed. The fact that he is wearing smart clothing and has one hand on his hip and the other pointing at, what could be assumed as an inferior subject, gives him a sense of authority and control over the situation.  

This image is a complete contrast to the previous one. Both subjects have a direct mode of address and both look happy, creating a more positive tone compared to the other image. Although the man still has his hand on his hip, he is in a more relaxed position, which is also complemented by his happy facial expression. Overall, this two-shot creates a more friendly atmosphere to the image.