Possible magazine names.

• Blast
• Pump
• Rave
• M
• Mvp
• Flow
• Beat
• Remix
• Juke Box
• Popular
• Rhythm

Above are some of the names i thought off at the begining of my thought process, however i needed to find a name that would match my music genre. Therefore i illiminated the one's i fault did not relate to my mixed genre magazine as rave, pump and blast would suit a dance magazine and popular or juke box would suit a pop magazine. Therefore i considered useing my initials MVP as an idea similarly to Nme or M like Q. However i took a vote around in my class and the most popular name for a mixed genre magazine was rhythm therefore i decided to use this.

Sketches and analysis of my own ideas for double page spread.

I analysed several double pages spreads and then created a few drafts of what I may or may not want my double page spread to look like, here are a few of them:
This double page spread relates to the front cover by using the same headline, “good girl, gone bad” however it does this in a clever way by placing the good girl and the top of the page and the gone bad at the bottom of the page. I particularly liked this as it separates the two conveying she has two different personalities. As it is an interview it contains text in the centre as that it the main attraction of my double page spread. To add colour and texture to the double page there is a row of photos going down one side of the model to attract readers that may like to see pictures rather than read the article. Overall I like this draft however I feel it is a bit plain for a double page spread.

This is the double page spread I decided to use for guidance. I researched in to double page spread interviews and found they normally use a quote from the interview, therefore I followed this convention. I placed the interview itself in the centre however I only used two columns, as too much text can put of the reader. I mentioned the sketch above was too plain therefore I put a main image on the left hand side to make it more attractive and add more colour to make it more eye catching. As well as a main image I plan to put more images along the right hand side in music notes or a film strip to symbolise her role of work. I choose to use this particular one as it fills the page, not leaving many gaps therefore it looks fun and attractive.

The final double page spread is a basic double page spread with very few features on it; therefore this will not catch the reader’s eye as it is dull. It has a simple headline good girl gone bad relating to the front cover, followed by columns of text and one image on the right hand side. Overall I would not use this for my final product as I feel it is too basic and there is nothing on this page that would attract the readers to read it.

Sketches and analysis of my own ideas for contents page.

As well as doing sketches for my front cover I also did them for my contents page, I used other contents pages as guidance and drew several draft sketches to help me construct my final pieces, here are three of them:

This contents page was my favourite layout of all, as it contains a bold plain “contents” text in order for the readers to identify it is a contents page; therefore it is abiding by conventions as it is being informative. It has a small copy of the front cover in the corner; I got this idea from Q as I thought it added a personal touch to my contents page. It contains several images going down one side of the page as a contents page conventionally has more than one image. It is very informative and lists its features and regular articles in the centre making them easily visible to the read. However I decided to use a pug on this page, however this is unconventional because pugs tend to be on a front cover therefore I added my own twist. Overall I think this is very affective and contains all the information a contents should conventional contain.

This sketch is very unalike the one I choose, instead of using the word contents it uses the words “what’s inside…”, this is aimed at a younger target audience therefore I choose not to use this. It contains the featured and regular articles, which are very conventional of a contents page, however they are spread out a placed diagonally to each other, and this also makes it look as though it’s targeting a younger audience. Finally it only contains a few images which may not appeal to many readers as some readers get put of by huge amounts of text. I also choose to contain a small copy of the front cover in the bottom corner as I liked the idea and feel it add a personal touch to the contents page. Overall I liked this contents draft, however I feel as though it does not target the large audience I am aiming my magazine at.

This sketch of a contents page is very plain as it has a simple title saying contents, at the top of the page like many other contents pages. The featured and regular articles are listed in the centre of the page making them the main attraction to the readers. There are images down both sides of the page making it colourful and fun to attract the reader. Overall this is a very basic contents page and hasn’t got anything that would make it unique, therefore I didn’t like this one as it is boring.

Sketches and analysis of my own ideas for front cover.

In order to plan my contents page, I analysed other music magazines to gain knowledge of the different conventions of contents pages, here are some of my draft sketches: This sketch has a plain masthead with a plain title with the website beneath it as it keeps the magazine looking professional. The pug is placed in the centre to catch the attention of the readers as it is normally a free give away or a must read story, it is also very conventional for the pug to look as though it has been stuck on therefore it being placed in the centre will follow this convention.The image is place on the right hand side angling of the page; this could be seen as unconventional because a main image is normal in the centre of the page. As the image is on one side of the page, the text and taglines are on the other side and towards the bottom of the page going across the image. This design looks particularly good as it is conventional but unconventional in ways and keeps the magazine looking neat and professional.

This masthead is plain however the font has some bold design in order to make it look fun and attractive. The website is placed underneath the title as this is where it is conventionally placed. The main image is in the centre like many other music magazines and the tag lines blend in around the image to make it look neat and clear. There is no pug on this design as it may look over crowded but I have placed a bar code on this front cover as most magazine contain one in order for them to be sold. This design is particularly conventional however it still looks professional and attractive.

This design also contains a plain masthead with plain centred font as it keeps the magazine looking sophisticated and simple. The website is also centred directly under the masthead so it is visible to the audience the publishers have a website. The main image is on the right hand side again as I did other designs with the picture on the left and I felt it didn't work as well. The tag lines are neatly arranged on the left hand side, with the barcode placed on top of the main image. This design is very like my first design, however this is the design I choose to follow as it simple but effective.

Questionnaire results.

1) Are you male or female?

7 votes in total:
5 = Female
2= Male

This result showed me that music magazines are predominantly read by women although there could still be a large amount are men that read them too. Therefore I decided to include images in my magazine that will aspire females but attract males as they are suggestively sexy. With this decision I am presenting my magazine out to both genders effectively to target a larger audience. Although my results are accurate there could be a flaw in them as this is a tiny amount that will not represent the whole country accurately.

2) What age group applies to you?

9 votes in total:
2= 11-16
5= 17-22
0= 23-28
0= 29=+
This result conveyed that music magazines are dominantly read by teenagers from around the age of 11-22. Therefore I decided to target this particular age when creating my music magazine as they would be the prime buyers. In order to target them I will make sure my magazine appeals to them, using colours, typography and photographs that will attract them. Although my results are accurate they are not consistent.

3) What type of music do you mostly listen to?

9 votes in total:
1= Pop
0= Hip pop
5= RnB
0= Rock
0= Classical
2= Garage/ House
1= Bashment

This result portrays that the majority of people that voted mainly listen to RnB music. However I decided that as this is only a minority if people voted, I will base my magazine on RnB but make it a mixed genre one as it will widen the target audience and boost sales. As I have previously mentioned these questionnaire results could not be the most accurate way of collecting data as there isn't a wide range of data.

4) What's the most you would pay for a magazine?

9 votes in total:
0= Less than £1
4= £1-£2
4= £2-£3
1= £3+

This result indicates that most people would pay between £1-£3 for a magazine and no more. Therefore I choose to make my magazine cost £2 as it is in the middle of both costs and still a reasonable price.

5) Do big pictures and a vibrant colour themes draw you too buy the magazine more?

9 votes in total:
9= Yes
0= No

This result conveys people attract to a magazine that has a vibrant colour theme as it draws their attention to the magazine more, therefore when picking my colour scheme I will make sure it is vibrant and eye catching to the audience.

6) Do you buy a magazine for its free giveaways?

9 votes so far:

5= Yes
4= No

This result portrays a mixed view as many do buy a magazine for its free giveaways whereas others do not. Therefore I will do a free giveaway to keep both audiences happy, as those who do buy for the free giveaways will have one and the ones who do not will still buy the magazine for other features.

7) What information do you think it is vital for a music magazine to contain?

9 votes so far:

3=Pictures
3= Gossip
0= Upcoming events/ gigs
1= Autobiography of stars
1= Real life stories
0= Problem page
1= Posters/ Lyrics pages

This result conveys that people believe the most vital things a music magazine should contain are pictures and gossip; therefore I will capture attractive pictures that will capture the eye of the readers and also make it clear my music magazine contains gossip by using taglines etc.

8) When flicking through the magazine what is the first thing you notice?

9 votes so far:

5= Pictures
0= Headlines/Taglines
0= Articles
0= Giveaways
4= Main cover

This result indicates that people tend to notice pictures and the front cover first when picking up a magazine; therefore I will make sure my pictures are of a good quality and will make the audience curious to make them want to read the article. I will also make sure my front cover is of a good standard, using a strong colour scheme, good images and puns to attract buyers to buy my magazine.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Abraham Maslow developed the Hierarchy of Needs model around the 1940's. The Hierarchy of Needs theory remains valid even till today as it creates a clear understanding for human motivation, management training, and personal development. Maslow's ideas surrounding the Hierarchy of Needs concerns the responsibility of employers to provide a workplace environment that encourages and enables employees to fulfil their own unique potential are today more relevant than ever.The pyramid consists of 5 stages:Physiological, Safety, Love/Belonging, Esteem and Self-Actualization. The media industry of magazines fits into the hierarchy of needs theory in between Esteem and Self-Actualization. This is because people can relate or aspire to be those on the front cover, so they gain comfort and self estem as they feel as though they are not alone e.g. a punk boy may see a punk star on a front cover and feel as though he is not the only person out there that looks like a punk.

This also relates to the Uses and Gratifications theory as it consists of four main components which are, information, personal identity, integration and social interaction and finally entertainment. Music magazines can fall in to all of these categories as they inform you with information as you read them, they make you feel as though you can associate or relate to other people that appear in the magazine, they make you feel as though your part of a group and you have a place in society and finally the articles, gossip, pictures and tour dates offer you entertainment.

Therefore i will bear both theories in mind when creating my magazine so i can make them appeal to a wider audience.

Target audience.

This is Bee, she is 16 years old and lives in Hertfordshire with her family, she is a very loud, laid back individual. She is in to fashion and loves shopping, her favourite shops are River island, New look, H&m, Topshop and small fashion boutiques. Her hobbies are dancing, singing and acting. During her spare time she likes to socialize with her friends, she loves going to concerts, events and the cinemas for a night out but also loves a night in relaxing with a tub of Ben and Jerrys and an enjoyable film. Her favourite films are Mean Girls, Angus Thongs and perfect Snogging, Valentines day and Twilight. In the evening she likes to watch tv, her favorite shows are Skins, Shameless, X factor, keeping up with the Kardashians, the Hills and music channels. Therefore she mainly watches chanel 4, E4, ITV and 4music. She has a wide interest of music and her favorite genres range from pop, hiphop, RnB and indie music, however she dislikes rock and classical. Her favorite radio station is choice FM as they play the latest music she likes to listen to.