Category: Music Magazine

Below is draft four of my magazine:

What’s new?

• I changed the main cover star image and added in another image on my contents page to make sure I was hitting the brief of a minimum of four images
• I changed the pug design and colour
• I added in captions under my cover lines
• I removed ‘Liberty’ from my contents page
• I made the ‘RISE” bigger on my dps

Reflection

The preparation for this task began way back in September when we did a lot of research tasks on the forms and conventions of magazines. Some examples of these included; physically dressing up, learning how to use a DSLR & flash kits, blog posts on who our audience is & who our competition is, etc. By doing these tasks it helped us be more aware of what we need to consider when conducting our magazine, and how to create our magazines. Learning how to use a camera to get the highest quality photos for our magazine was vital so we could produce a piece of work that creates a better visual appeal and makes my magazine stand out from my competition for the right reasons. We also did tasks on the software applications which included; Adobe Indesign and Adobe Photoshop. One of the tasks was to create a tour poster based on an allocated genre of music we were given at random, and after this, we dressed up our models and took photos of them from various angles and distances. Editing them on InDesign and Photoshop gave us an advantage when it came to creating our magazine as we roughly knew our way around the software and what tools did what. Dressing up our model also expanded my knowledge of the importance of Mise-en-scene and what message it communicates to our target audience. All of these tasks we did to prepare for the production of our magazines were key as without them it wouldn’t have been as successful!

In my opinion I do think I have fulfilled the brief as I created a front page, contents page, double page spread all by using at least a minimum of 4 images taken by me. My magazine also included a various amount of conventional features found in an Indie magazine, for instance; a masthead, cover lines, star image, price, barcode, etc.

A lightbulb moment I remember having was how I could incorporate my title on my double page spread to make it more suited towards my audience. I played around with the typefaces and finally chose to incorporate the actual meaning of the word ‘rise’ to how it looks.

Some difficulties that I faced was things like making sure I had at least 4 images, how I was going to fit in my double page spread title, and having some issues when it came to photoshopping my images-specifically a white border around it. I learnt from these problems by either being resilient or asking my peers or the teacher for some help.

I would recommend myself watching some YouTube video tutorials on Photoshop and InDesign so I can visually see what I need to do, what tools to find, and how it should look by the end of the tutorial. I would also advise myself to have a clear plan on what information I was going to include so I can work around that when adding in the masthead and images. By having a clear plan I would follow would also enable myself to complete the magazine with no rush so I would allow myself with plenty of time.

Below is Draft 3 of my music magazine:

ScreenCastify Feedback From Teacher

Reflection

After listening to my teachers feedback, I have some changes I can make to my magazine to ensure my final draft is at the highest standard of my ability. I carefully listened to the feedback and wrote down some of the key alterations that will be made, I summarised them below:

• Include a minimum of four photos
• Check spelling (Independence)
• Crop my image on my front cover so it is more of a mid shot
• Enlarge the E on Rise so it is inline with Indie Star
• Add a bit of colour in my star’s lips, eyes etc to make them “pop”
• Add a drop shadow or feather the image on my front cover so it looks more natural

Focus Forward

By considering my teachers feedback it has helped me discover the strengths and weaknesses of draft three of my magazine from an outside perspective. This is extremely helpful as there are corrections I am going to make which I hadn’t noticed until they had been pointed out. For my final draft of my magazine I know exactly what bits need improvement so I can do this productively and have a piece of work to submit for the deadline.

A Typeface is a particular type of a design including letters, numbers, and other symbols used for display. Typeface/ font layouts are important when when attempting to engage the audience as it’s not just the photography that will be the main reason that hooks the audience’s attention. Some examples of typeface categories include:

• Serif– traditional, sophisticated, formal
• Sans-serif– modern, legible, clean
• Script– elegant, formal, difficult to read
• Handwritten– informal, friendly, fun

Below is some visual examples of typeface designs:

Below is four of my existing cover lines that I have redesigned and considered the layout for:

• “Rises To Fame”– I used a sans-serif font and I made each letter a different size. This is because it can be decoded by the audience of my stars journey/process to rising to her fame. I also used a pop of colour to make it less boring and more interesting to look at.
• “The Road To Independence”– I used a sans-serif font again but this time I used a font which had a road design to make it have a more visually exciting appeal.
• “Indie Star”– I used a sans-serif font and also used a font to convey the physical meaning of the word to make it more interesting to look at but also emphasise the word throughout the whole statement/cover line.
• “Your Music Companion Since 2002”– I used a serif font for this cover line. Since I haven’t used serif fonts throughout my magazine it makes it stand out more to the audience and gives it more of a formal approach to show the professional nature of my magazine.

By using a Sans-serif font for majority of my redesigns, it works well for my genre and star image as it is easy to read and conveys a casual, friendly approachable vibe which is what I was aiming for. I experimented with the size of letters, font types, and adding some colour to create a visually attractive appeal so it can be accepted by my target audience.

Reflection

This task enabled me to experiment with the layout, fonts, colours, and sizes of text and the impact of the importance of how the way your text looks can also represent how you want your genre/star to be portrayed. It also made me understand from a piece of text, your audience can decode the meaning from it and not just from images.

Below is my second draft of my double page spread:

What’s new?

• I added a drop shadow to my image to create more of a realistic appeal
• I ensured I used the whole image so the guitar wasn’t cut out
• I added in an official date and changed the page number to suit where it will be according to my contents page
• I included a standfirst to help draw my audience in and sell them the content of the article

What’s next?

• Add in my final draft of my DPS article after the improvements made in response to my teachers feedback and my MP3 recording
• Experiment with the typography of the word ‘RISES’ to make sure it portrays the correct message to my audience, and make it the ‘same but different’ to other magazines as they are my competition and I will want to succeed, but whilst staying within the conventions of my genre
• Try out different effects on my image and edit some aspects of it in photoshop to make it look more professional

Focus Forward

By indicating my targets for my next draft, it enables me to create a stronger third draft which suits my target audience’s preferred readings so it can be successful, whilst also being able to showcase my ability when using Indesign and Photoshop at a high standard.

Below is my second draft of my contents page:

What’s new? x5

• I changed both of the images
• I added in my headlines with their page numbers
• I added in the page number of the contents page
• I changed the black background of the image to white
• I changed the ‘Regulars’ to ‘The Guide’

What’s next? x5

• Discover names for the titles of what is in my magazine, eg ‘the guide’
• Make sure the image in the box and the ‘Also Inside’ box align with each other
• Change the date
• Match the blue background with the advert background
• Add in some information under the headlines/possibly remove some to ensure I have enough space

Below is the first draft of my double page spread:

What I like:

• I like the size of the image as the audience will be able to clearly identify who the star is
• I like the size of the headline as it stands out of what the article will be about
• I have included many conventional features of  a double page spread, eg page number, image, headline etc

What I need to do:

• Experiment with the image, eg editing the image
• Experiment with the placement of the headline and space out the words more from each other
• Add in an official date
• Identify some other ways I can interpret the word “Rises”
• Frame my image well so the whole guitar is in it and doesn’t cut off

Reflection

When creating my first draft of my double page spread I carefully considered the layout of where I was aiming to put my headline, image, information etc. I also had to make sure my image and headline was a good size to ensure I would catch the attention of my audience, and I had to consider a catchy headline that would hopefully get the interest of them too and real them in to reading further. I chose to include an image that used a guitar as a prop so it gives a potential relation between the star and the audience and give them a chance to show their personal identity.

 

Below is my second draft of my front page of my magazine:

What’s new? x6

• I changed the colour of the background to white
• I added a barcode, price and date
• I put some information in my pug and changed the border design
• I changed the main cover image
• I put in my coverline information
• I changed some fonts to suit my genre more

What’s next? x6

• Consider the layout of my cover lines and possibly add more to fill the negative space
• Position “The road to independence” so it is central in the red box (width/height)
• I could make the image a bit bigger to really emphasise my star to the audience
• Fix the gap in the border of my pug
• Consider changing the colour of the red box so it isn’t red against red which may clash
• Centralise the text in my pug

Reflection

When improving my front cover I considered the targets from my first draft, these included; adding in my cover lines, using different fonts which fit in with the conventions of my genre, and I added in my barcode and price of my magazine. By incorporating these aspects in my magazine it makes sure it has conventional features which will make it more succesful. By changing the font to suit the conventions of my genre more, it will interest my audience to ensure it is their preferred reading, and therefore socially interact with it.

Below is my first draft of my contents page:

Peer Feedback – From Kate

What type of shots have been used to create a variety of shot distances and how has the camera been used to communicate meaning? There are two images used on this contents page. Both of these images are mid shots taken at a flat angle. The use of the mid shot allows the audience to see the stars face, shirt and jacket. Ensuring the costume is included in the image by using a mid shot helps to reinforce that the magazine is of the indie pop genre as the outfit is conventional.  In the bottom image, the model is in the centre of the shot, with her face pretty much central. Having her face in the centre of the image draws attention to her. When the audience’s attention is drawn to her they can also see that she is staring directly into the camera, potentially creating a form of social interaction as she is subsequently looking at the audience. It also allows the audience to see their factual features and expressions causing the audience to potentially feel closer to the star. 

What choice of Mise en scene is appropriate for the star image and genre? The star is wearing a red one shoulder top, leather jacket and black sunglasses. The pairing of the leather jacket and red feminine top in the costume fits the conventions of indie pop. It shows the star is still feminine and wears clothes that would be conventional to the pop genre but the leather jacket contrasts this creating the idea she is more edgy than other people as leather jackets are typically associated with the rock and heavy metal side of music. Therefore, pairing these items together creates a representation of the star being feminine but edgy at the same time. This representation could be strengthened by potentially including a full body shot of the model. Including a full body shot could also help to reinforce the genre of the magazine. The sunglasses also create a representation of the star being slightly mysterious as they block out her eyes. The sunglasses fit the conventions of the indie pop genre, however some shots could be included for the audience to see her face and emotion clearly.  There could also be the inclusion of some shots with props to link to specific articles within the magazine. These shots could interest the audience and make them invest in the magazine to find out more. 

 

How far is the font used readable and reflects the genre?  The fonts used a very readable. There is a mix of serif and san-serif fonts. This makes it slightly harder to decode the genre. It may be more conventional to use a san-serif font in order to attract the demographic that generally listens to indie pop and convey the genre.  The typeface used for the main headline ‘contents’ is conventional and clear. It is also in black against a white background ensuring it stands out against the page catching the audience’s eye. The same font is also used for the coverline ‘features’. This cover line is over the larger image of the star and in white standing out against the blue, red and black in the image.

What technical conventions of a Contents page are present and used effectively?  This contents page includes: a headline, a place for coverlines, images, an issue date, a pug and section headlines. Overall, this contents page covers the most important technical conventions found on a contents page. As there aren’t any headlines on it yet, there are no page numbers so it’s not possible to judge that. Including the features section will help to attract the audience as it will have names of various famous artists/bands. There is also an area that says ‘also inside’. This will be a useful way to intrigue the audience. 

How has Indesign been used to layout the page to convey a brand This contents page is a single page. On this page, there are various boxes with borders to separate the various sections of the page. This allows the reader to know exactly where to look for the section or article they want to find. The sizing of the headlines is also appropriate to the page as they are larger than the text indicating where the headlines will go. 

How well have the text and visuals been integrated? On this contents page, the majority of the text is black as it is against a white background. This stands out making it easy to read and matches the leather jacket and sunglasses used in the stars costume, linking the images to the page. There is also the use of red in the text ‘december 2023’. As the model is wearing a red shirt this further integrates the images and text to appearing more coherent. The red also stands out against the white background.

Where has Photoshop been used to manipulate the photos to enhance the star image or genre? It is apparent that photoshop has been used to separate the star from the original image and place her against a different coloured background. The colour of these new backgrounds link to the genre of indie pop, reinforcing the mise-en-scene of the star and the rest of the contents page. There are no obvious errors in the cutting out of the star resulting in a smooth appearance, however on the bottom image with the blue background, there are some sections of white around her leather jacket.

How is the language used appropriate for the genre and target audience? The headlines and slogan under the main headline, intrigue the audience encouraging them to buy it. In the next draft, the headlines of the various articles and the artists found within the magazine will help to represent the genre of indie pop and attract the target audience. 

MY 5 TARGETS IN RELATION TO PEER FEEDBACK

• Cut out the excess white background around my models leather jacket to ensure photoshop has been used really well
• Include my headlines in the template I have placed for them
• Add page numbers to make it clear to the audience what page they are on or so they can identify other pages
• Stick to one type of font (sans serif or serif) so my genre can be easily decoded by my audience
• Change the font for the headlines so it isn’t the same as the masthead. I would do this to add a sense of creativity and show my ability on InDesign

Below is my plan for my article:

My first written draft:

Edie Dorian grew up as an only child, and her family experienced many financial struggles meaning she didn’t have much access to things like other children had. She always reminded her parents how grateful she was, knowing that they only wanted what was best for her. On her 8th birthday, her parents gathered together the money to buy her a guitar as she had always had a love for music, and wanted to make her birthday more enjoyable! Things didn’t always go as planned and her dad got fired from his job, which left the Dorians struggling to afford to pay for their bills. By accepting that they could no longer afford to pay their bills, they ended up living on the streets of Manchester. Edie kept her guitar with her and began busking on the streets to see if she could earn a little more money to afford food, water, etc. Over time they had earned some money, but sadly not enough to live off. Luckily, Edie was becoming quite a success and was creating a substantial audience. The big crowd of people caught the attention of many passing people around but one man changed her life drastically. This man is called Paul Epworth and has worked with many famous artists in the past, he stated, “As soon as I heard her voice, I knew she had great potential.”. Paul gave Edie an offer of a lifetime. He wanted to work with her and help her create her own music to release. Edie was thrilled and took him up on his offer almost immediately as she knew if she became a hit, she could earn money to help support her and her family. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I was given, I wouldn’t be here without the help of Paul Epworth.”-Edie. Since this, Edie has become a star which has inspired many others. From busking on the streets to being the headline of magazine articles! Edie states; “Never did I think I would make it this far, from playing my guitar in the streets to playing at Wembley Stadium in front of thousands and thousands of people!” In the future, there have been potential rumors of Edie collaborating with Darcey Hodgson to create a hit, and there’s hope for it to reach number 1 in the charts! This is a huge achievement for Edie because, despite her challenging experiences, she has still managed to become a success and discover her passion for music. As she states; “I believe you should take up every opportunity that gets thrown at you, you never know where it could take you.”

My final draft:

Edie Dorian grew up as an only child. Her family experienced many financial struggles meaning she didn’t have much access to things like other children had. Her mother and father were both dedicated musicians, singing and playing in local pubs. She always reminded her parents how grateful she was, knowing that they only wanted what was best for her. On her 8th birthday, her parents saved the money to buy her a guitar as she had always had a love for music, and had been fascinated by their musical skills. However, owning her own guitar was fundamental to her own growth and development as a musician and was soon trying to accompany her parents whilst they rehearsed regularly at home.

Things didn’t always go as planned and her parents lost their positioning in the pub to perform, which left the Dorian’s struggling to afford to pay for their bills. By accepting their situation, they resulted in living on the streets of Manchester. Edie kept her guitar with her and began busking on the streets to earn a little more money to afford to eat. She covered many songs by The Cranberries, Florence and The Machine, and Arctic Monkeys who were all her ultimate inspirations. Over time they had earned some money, but sadly not enough to live off. Luckily, Edie was becoming quite the success and was creating an audience. The big crowd of people caught the attention of many passing people around but one man changed her life drastically. This man is called Paul Epworth and has worked with many famous artists in the past, and he stated that, “As soon as I heard her voice, I knew she had great potential.”. Paul gave Edie an offer of a lifetime. He wanted to offer her regular slots on a Tuesday night to perform in front of a small crowd at a music hall.  Edie was thrilled and took him up on his offer almost immediately as she knew if she became a hit, she could earn money to help support her and her family. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunity I was given, I wouldn’t be here without the help of Paul Epworth.”

Since this, Edie has become the ultimate indie star which has inspired many others. From busking on the streets to being the headline of magazine articles! Edie states; “Never did I think I would make it this far, from playing my guitar in the streets to playing at Wembley Arena in front of thousands of people!”

In the future there has been potential rumours of Edie collabing with Darcey Hodgson and there’s hope for it to reach number 1 in the charts! You can discover more on page 85. This is a huge achievement for Edie because despite her challenging experiences, she has still managed to become a success and discover her passion in music. As she states; “I believe you should take up every opportunity that gets thrown at you, you never know where it could take you.”