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