15/01/09

For this coursework we have been asked to create a music magazine. i have created this blog so that i can document and analyse my work leading up to creating my final magazine spread.

To begin it is important that i can collect as much relevant data and information as possible so that i can understand what successful articles include and what my target audience wants.

so far i have completed an essay based around an article from clash Magazine about an inspiring music director called Kinga Burza. i Will upload this essay onto my blog when possible.

Here is another essay i completed based on the music magazine ' Rock Sound':

By Jodie GuichardMedia essay

In this task I will analyse the front cover and contents page of my chosen music magazine:
Rock Sound is a British magazine which champions alternative music. The magazine aims at being more "underground" and less commercial. The UK edition of Rock Sound was launched in March 1999 by the French publisher Editions Freeway, who had already published the title in France. It managed to establish itself in a very competitive market and was bought out by its director, Patrick Napier, in December 2004.
The name ‘Rock sound’ is in bold font on the top of the page. Part of the word is blocked out by the main image. And this begs the question ‘is Rock sound famous enough to be recognized by theme rather than name?’ the large picture is of the band ‘Fall out Boy.’ it quickly becomes obvious that this is to be the main feature within the magazine. ‘Fall out Boy, come back fighting’ is the title in printed on the photo. It shows two members of the band doing a dramatic representation of the phrase ‘come back fighting’. They are shown wearing boxing gloves which adds to the Mise-en-scene of the photo. The shot is mid-close up and it is the only image on the page apart from two tiny other ones which refer to other stories within. All magazines have a main image but I feel that if a reader is not interested in the main feature they will not buy the magazine even though it includes many other things. That’s why I believe the issue of ‘Rock Sound’ could have benefited further if it had made the other stories more visible on the page.
The cover creates a slightly male dominant impression with its stereotypical colouring (blue ,black ,red) and hard bold font. Female features are rare within the magazine but I believe the target audience is not for men but ‘rock industry’ is just predominantly male.
The magazine makes a big point about its new music status within the magazine society. ‘new music first’ is the phrase captured under the title in each issue. To back up this quote, the cover includes a range of other features. They include a list of up and coming bands which are yet to become mainstream and 2 bold bubbles with the phrases ‘ world exclusive’ and ‘150+ releases reviews’ this all helps to promote the magazine and keep up its reputation.
The images bleed off the page but the over the top a ‘star boarder’ has been printed. This could be a connotation or just simply a design method. The stars could be representing; the many celebrity’s (stars) within the magazine or the star rating which critics use in reviews. Either way it creates a bold appearance and effect on the page.
Contents page
As you open to the contents page of the magazine you can see a follow-on photo from the front cover. It shows ‘fall out boy’ in another dramatic pose, with the same mise-en-scene. Yet again a quote is featured: ‘I have no tolerance for anything right now’. This quote backs up the one on the front page and sort of acts as evidence.
The main features are printed in the bottom right hand corner of the page, which is unusual as you would normally expect the information, rather than one photo, to dominate the contents page.


The titles of each page are:
36 KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES 64 ROLO TOMASSI
54 THE HAUNTED 66 FALL OUT BOY
58 THE ACADEMY IS…. 72 DRAGONFORCE
60 TURISAS 74 METALLICA
78 BLEEDING THROUGH


In the magazine, each title is followed by a small sentence relating to the article. This small sentence is very powerful because not only does it give the reader pre-information it can also decide which pages the reader will want to turn to, or leave.
Also featured on the page is the name ‘Rock Sound’ yet again and the date and issue number 114. I believe that this a tactic to say ‘look how many issues we have had’. Furthermore at the bottom of each page in the magazine, the website ‘rocksound.tv’ is in printed by each page number. This is yet another ploy to jam their company in to your brain.

i have also created a questionnaire to help me find out essential information, i am currently handing it around my 6Th form:

My name is Jodie Guichard and I am studying media A Level. I am currently creating a Music magazine cover and contents page for my coursework. I believe to be able to create an influential design I need to completely understand what my target audience wants. Therefore I would be very grateful if you could complete this questionnaire.

1. Gender: Male / Female

2. Age 14-18 / 19-25 / 26-32 / 33-40/ 40+

3. Please circle your preferred music genres:

Rock / Indie / Drum & bass / Dance/ Hip hop / metal / R&B / Classical / Alternative/ Other…………………………………..

4. Do you currently purchase a music Magazine?

Yes/ No

5. if YES please state the name of the magazine/s………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. If NO, why not? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. What type of article would you most enjoy reading?

Interviews/ gossip/ reviews/ new releases/ charts/ gig guides/ Other………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8. if there are any important features you believe are essential within my magazine please say what: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..



**********************Thank you for your time***************************

Here are a few photos i took around the school, experimenting different techniques for my magazine. i have used Benj Malony the drummer from 'Gravity of the withchmen' within my photos.

These Photos were taken around the back of the 6Th form block up against the Graffiti. i like the urban effect the set creates. and although it lacks mise-en-scene and props, it looks professional and suits the bands 'rebellious' image. i will now go on to edit these photos and will consider using them on my double page spread when focusing in on individual members of the band.

POSSIBLE FONTS!:

After deciding to name my magazine 'PULSE' due to

representation of the beats and vibrations that pulse through the body when listening to loud music , i feel that it is important that this meaning is clearly signified to the potential readers.
so when they first look at the magazine they can distinguish the nature and genre.

EDITING USING PHOTOSHOP: