Market research - Questionnaire

As the results are published it was improtant that the questionnaire was published to show that my questions were accurate and nessarcy to the creation of my magazine.

Questionnaire


Q1. What band/artist would you like to see featured in a rock magazine? (E.g. New or iconic)




Q2. What colours do you associate with the rock genre?




Q3. What aspects of a music magazine do you dislike in terms of design and content?




Q4. What aspects of a music magazine do you like in terms of design and content?




Q5. How often do you buy a magazine?
 Weekly
 Biweekly
 Monthly


Q6. How much do you spend on a magazine?
 £0 - £1
 £2 - £3
 £3 - £4
 £4 +



Q7. Is there anything missing from the Rock Music magazines you currently read that you would like to see?





Q8.  Male
 Female



Q9. How old are you?
under 16
16-18
 18-25
 25+

Market research - Questionnaire results

By creating a questionnaires and allowing 20 people to complete them it highlighted the changes and development into my music magazine research. I have cosoladated the results in bar chart and analysed the results in order to gain a full perspcetive of my target audience's needs -

Due to theses results I will include the favourites but also take into account that the gender and age group are biased.

It became apparent throughout my research that the majority of people favoured the use of iconic rock stars in a magazine but also ranking as high was the combination of both new and iconic rock artists. This is important as it highlights a gap in the market that in terms of the rock genre music magazines fail to adapt finds the balance between new and iconic bands. Moreover, an example of this is through ‘Classic Rock’ which features predominantly iconic but as the title suggests it is its aim hence its target audience being to some extent the older generations. Then on the other hand there are magazines such as ‘Rolling Stones’ which combines modern artists such as Paramore and Shakira with the likes of Merle Haggard. As this is American is shows this is lacked in the British magazine industry. Therefore, I am to appeal to this gap in the market by combining iconic and new but unlike ‘Rolling Stone’ simply for the music industry rather than including a movie section. However, due to the biased age range in favour of 18-25 year olds I have to take into account the older generations appeal in that the magazine cannot be dominated by modern artists. But I believe to appeal to the mass majority of my target audience my front cover will be of a young band and then contain articles/tour dates/gigs of more iconic artists for the older generations.

This was an important question in that it allowed me to establish what would attract an audience by defining the genre by colours hence attracting those who enjoy rock. I did not give options as I wanted to see the audience initial feel for the genre. As hoped I gathered a district range of colours thus allowing me to see the popular colours associated with rock. It appears that the colours that appeal mostly to the target audience of the rock genre are as followed; black, red and white. This is why I will encouporate the latter colours on my front cover and coherently throughout my design layout. Even though the age range biased towards 18-25 years old is vital to remember, perhaps in this section it is not as such. This is due to the fact the predominate colours associated with rock have been influenced by magazines such as ‘Classic Rock’ and ‘Uncut’ who appeal to all age ranges and include the colours that have appeared most commonly in questionnaire.

This was a controversial question to ask in that it was expected that the main dislike the audience find with magazines is that they contain adverts but as theses are vital to the funding of a magazines. The predominate criticisms that was felt with magazines was not enough images and the pointless filler of posters. Therefore I will adapt this to my magazine by limiting the amount of writing or so that it looks more appealing to read. In context to the double page spread I will break down the writing with quotes and columns so it looks more appealing and easy to read. Also I will include a large image on my double page spread and in my contents I will have a main image alongside smaller images to satisfy the need for pictures. To address the other issues such as too masculine, again referring back to the gender biased of the audience I asked its it important I take into account that this is due to the majority of females answering the questions. Therefore I will address these issues by taking in to account female influence by using both men and women balanced throughout my magazine. Other factors such as colours are not applicable as the chosen colours are unisex stereotypically.

The vast majority of the people I asked wanted a monthly magazine in compared a weekly of biweekly. This follows the likes of ‘Classic Rock’ and ‘Uncut’ hence allowing us to know that we are following the correct conventions of a rock genre. Moreover, it shows that the audience wishes to have a magazine with more in as weekly magazines lack detail and content due the frequency of publication.

Due to the results in my questionnaire the most poplar price to market my magazine was at £3.50. However, monthly magazines vary in price in comparison to weekly/biweekly magazines; this may have to be taken into account. As the likes of ‘Classic Rock’ and ‘Uncut’ are marketed at £4.50 and £4.99 (both monthly) and due to the results of the frequency of publication in my questionnaire asking for monthly I am going to market my magazine at £3.95.

The photography, cluttered layout and reviews were ranked as the most popular aspect to a magazine. Hence I will attempt to maintain the way in which popular magazines use the latter favourites so that they attract the rock genre audience.

Due to the fact that I have asked mainly women during my survey I have to take into account the biased opinions that may be seen through the rest of results.

Again I have to take into account that my results will lean towards the needs of the 16-18 year olds. Therefore, I need to balance the opinions that were expressed through the questionnaires.

Question 1

Question 3

Question 5

Question 7

Based upon my research...

Based upon my research I have come to a number of conclusions in context to the production of my magazine, however it is important to note they theses are liable to change after market research -
Price - £3.50
Frequency of publication - biweekly
Average size of issue - 130 pages
Regular content -

• Reviews on new bands
• Reviews on albums/songs/gigs
• Gig listings
• band listings
• posters

Features -

• Interviews with the legends of rock - to appeal to older generation
• Up and coming bands celebrated each week
• Exclusive insights - backstage at gigs and festivals
• Cover stories - young artiest/new to appeal younger audience

Research into exsiting magazines

Research into exsiting magazines



'Rolling Stone'

Price - £3.75

Frequency of Publication - biweekly

Issue size - (average) 98pages
Regular content -

• Reviews - new bands/Albums/gigs


• Q&A


• Sport


• Movies


• 'Correspondence' section (public opinions)


• Chart updates - music/movie
  

Features -

• Cover story (e.g modern stars such as Megan Fox)


• Interview with iconic stars (e.g Merle Haggard)


• Celebrity giving a personal review (e.g Jay-Z)


• 'National affairs' controversial article based on a vital issue facing America (e.g. Free Health Care protests)

This magazine will be the predominate source of my magzine influences as it has the right amount of iconic and new artiest to attract the rock genre audience. However, I will differ it that I will not appeal to the whole demographic that they do with the movie and sport sections. As I feel this is too wide ranging for my target audience.

'Classic Rock'


Price - £4.99


Frequency of publication - Monthly



Issie size - (average) 146 pages





Regular Content -

• Reviews - albums/songs/gigs.





• Q&A





• News - music associated





• New releases





• History of an aspect of Rock and Roll

Features -

• Countdown of Rocks greatest aspects (e.g. 'Top 100 greatest guitarist')





• The best of the up and coming bands





• Iconic Rock stars reviewing other iconic stars
  
  


• Interviews with the most iconic stars (e.g. Aerosmith)



• Coverstories
  

'Classic Rock' is a great example of the rock magazine genre and examplifies all the codes and conventions brillently. However, the failure to appeal to a younger audience is an issue in that my magzine will be for the whole of the rock genres target audience, rather than the percific nature of 'Classic Rock' to the older generations.

'Uncut'

Price - £4.50

Frequency of publication - monthly

Issue Size - (average) 130

Regular content -

• Reviews of gigs/albums/bands/films




• Film news




• Music updates




• 'Film, DVD and Books' section

Features

• Cover stories




• Iconic bands - 'The Velvet Underground'




• Unseen before exlcusives such as photos.




• 'Nearly 200 reviews'




• Free gift - CD




• Interviews with icons - e.g. 'The Clash'

Uncut is a great magazine in appealing to the rock genre as it includes all the iconic bands and stars that make the rock gerne. However, much like 'Classic Rock' they narrow there target audience by appealing to the older generations of rock rather than the whole demographic.

'Kerrang'

Price - £2.4o

Frequency of publication - weekly

Issue size - (average) 68pages

Regular contents -

• posters



• Reviews albums/bands/gigs/festivals



• gig listings



• Band listings



• Interviews

Features -

• Cover stories 'Bring me the Horizon'



• Free CD



• Exclusives - new songs/new bands/ interviews



• 'poster special' even more posters from iconic gigs

Kerrang is a icon in itself and sells the most magazines weekly in conext to rock hence showing its popularity. So I will use this a strong influence throughout my creation of a magazine.

Type of production/target audience of Magazine

In order to create a music magazine a number of decisions have to be made such the genre/type of magazine creating and the target audience.

The type if magazine I am going to create is based around the Rock genre. This is due to the fact it is has a limited market as there are only a few that appeal to a wide target audice. This meaning that the likes of 'Rolling Stone' include new and iconic rock artists so therefore appeal to a wide demographic. Whereas magazines such as 'Classic Rock' appeal to the older generations.

The Target audience is defined by the rock genre itself. This meaning that there is no definite age group as it is the music that appeals to the audience. However, with the usage of 'Classic Rock' as a aid to my research it could be argued that my target audience leans towards an older generation due to the major influences of rock on the modern world its unescapable not to include iconic artist that attract the older generations.

Main Task - Codes and Conventions of Double Page Spread

The codes and Conventions of a DPS are as followed -




-Strapline, heading/tab which tells you what the artilce is about




- One main image that take up the entire page




- The image bleeds accross the page




- Other smaller images which are used to break up the text, quotes are also used to do this aswell as it makes it more inviting to read.




- The latter is also done with; panels and boxes.




- Byline includes jounislist name which is usually positioned in or by Standfirst of at the end of the article.




- Standfirst is an introduction which is positioned by headline and before the start of the article in larger text size with the purpose of introducing the article.




- It works with the headline to inform the reader what the article is about.




- Quotes are sometimes used implaced upon the image




- Headline covers the two pages usually.




- The Headline is usually abstract, creative and eye-catching in order to intice interest.




- Strapline or a border often bleeds accross the the DPS to create a coherent appeal.




- Drop capital at the start of the article which acts as a visual que for the reader and is the most common feature of a DPS in a magzine.




- Actual design features of text include; bold text in first paragraph, slightyly larger font upon the first paragraph aswell.




- The article is laid out in columns consisting of 3 or 4.




- The colour scheme is limited in order to create a sophsiticated appeal




- Page numbers appear with the title which will be identical to the title on the front of the magazine. Also the issue date goes alongside the page number.

An example of a music magazine's DPS -

Main Task - Music Magzine codes and conventions.

Codes and Coventions of music magazines.

In context to my previous codes and conventions of a magazine there are only a number of alterations to adapt them to the music genre -

Front cover -

- The models convey attitude via direct address as this alludes to the attitude that is felt through music steriotypes.

- Usually a low angle shot of the artist/s as this creates a sense of power and imposing nature.

- Hence, showing that music magazines use more creative methods of photography, quirky and imagaitive.

- Small numbers of colours are used to create a sophisticated and elegant appeal.

- Usually on there is a list of contents via a strip in order to intice the audience into buying the magazine e.g. on 'Q' -"All The Month's, Albums, Gigs, Films and DVDs Reviewed & Rated".

An example of a music magazine -

Contents -

- Perhaps the most notable change in context to code and conventions would be the catagorisation of contents, such as in 'Kerrang'- the contents is divided in to a number of sections such as 'Reviews', 'live reviews' and 'Gigs'

- Again, the use of creative photography is notable alongside smaller action picture - meaning that the pictures depict bands or artists playing.

An example of a music magzine's contents page -

Evaluation

Whilest creating my School magazine I followed the genral codes and conventions of a magazine.

Concerning my front cover I used a medium close up picture taken with the subject using direct address. Moreover, I used one main cover line with a tagline to anchor the story to the reader and this was in context to the main image. Additionaly, I had 4 other stories on the cover in order to highlight in contents and intice the audience. The Masthead was made up of the title of the magzine, the date and issue number, which were placed in the top left. Furthermore, a barcode was placed in the bottom right corner. In context to my contents page, I used images that related to my cover stories and regular feature. It contained, regular features and cover stories. The images had page numbers on them in order to anchor them to the story and allow easy access for reader. The top of the page had 'contents' in large text and the title of the magazine above it. Page number were on the left of the story with a subline beneath the main story line.

However, I did deviate from the usual codes and conventions of the magazine genre. Seen promitely through the title and colours used on my front cover, the colours are uncoodinating and lack boldness that most magzines contain. In additon, the lack of oringnality in my font in my title is apparate, as although I changed it to some extend it does not stand out so it would be difficult to associate this font with a magazine.

Using technology such as Photoshop and Quark express haved allowed us to create a proffessional and oringinal appeal to the preliminary exercise. Photoshop, although at first difficult to use it becomes a brillent tool to creating a front cover. Furthermore, Quark express being a proffessional journilsim device allows us to reach a excellent standard to our work. More so in that it is very easy to use and having used it for our preliminary exercise it will prepare us for using it in our music magazine.

Having completed the exercise, it has highlighted my strengths and weaknesses with useage of design and production of a magazine. For example, my photography skills and photoshop skills needed improving and this exercie has helped me build upon skills. Moreover, by using my creative strengths I think this will estblish a good foundation for creating a music magazine in my coursework.

Final production...

Front cover

Contents

Preliminary Exercise

After the reseach (below) we were able to sketch basic ideas of what are magazine would look like.

Research

Codes and Conventions - Magazine Front Covers (music magazine).

• Title; one word, top left hand corner (due to western culture - reading left to right), full page width, unique font (so that the audience relates it to the magazine).
  
• Picture e.g a band; direct address (not smiling as this conveys attitude which connotes music), medium close up.
• 
  
  Main cover line - it anchors the meaning of the main image, largest text after the title, coverlines relate to the contents - inticing and teasingt he audience in order to provoke interest.
  
• Typography (style of the font); consistent with few fonts (Sans Serif and Serif {most commonly used, eg Times New Roman})
  
• Connotations of the font reflect the target audience and subject - the words frame the main image.
• Positioning Statement - by the title; above or below and imples the need of the magazine.
• Masthead is usually made up of; Title, postioning statement, date and price.
• Barcode - postioned usually bottom right (avoid abstrauction of advert on the back page)
• Buzzwords - eg. 'exclusive'
• Puff - 'something for nothing'
• Strip at the bottom or top of cover - list of names, eg. bands, aritist that are included in the magazine.
  






















• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Consistent colour scheme - few colours are used as this creates a proffessial effec
  






















• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Snap shots of other artists/bands to allude to content.
  
  

Codes and Coventions - Contents pages (music magazine).

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Editorial letter - picture and signiture.























• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Pictures of contents, with page numbers - anchor to contents. Usually there is a main image surrounded by smaller images.
  






















• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Conscription offers























• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Index list
  






















• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Magazine name - top left. Alongwith; date, issue number and 'contents'























• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Uses headings to divide contents.























• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Consistent colour scheme - few colours, sometimes similar to that of the cover.























• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Colums - 2 or 3 is standard.
  






















• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  White background























• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Page number then text - one or two words bold or larger text, subline in smaller text.























• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Regular contents and features.
  






















• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Bottom of page - page number, title, issue number and website.
  






















• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  An example of a music that breaks the conventions - 'NME' as its weekly it has a regular contents whereby there is a index of artiets that changes.
  
  






















• 
  
  Contact details.

Production

Used

Used

Used

Used

Used