Category: Music Magazine

To begin planning for my article in my magazine I have decided to analyse an article similar to the one that I may create. I have decided to analyse a Billboard magazine that is interviewing Adam Lambert.

Billboard magazine – June 20th, 2015 Adam Lambert: Don’t look back

This magazine article is about Adam Lambert and a reflection on his career as a whole, he also opens up about the struggles of stardom.

In the magazine, there is evidence of the journalistic techniques 5 W’s and an H. To begin the article, the author begins with ‘Adam Lambert looks like he’s ready to kick ass’. This colloquial casual language portrays Lambert as being aggressive and powerful, yet successful. It also creates quite a relaxed and informal relationship with the reader and gives a sense of empowerment allowing the reader to feel at ease. Furthermore, ‘A sexually ambiguous rocker’ suggests to the reader that he isn’t afraid to challenge gender norms. It highlights that you can be who you want to be without the constraints of society, telling us that Adam is okay with being his true self – and encourages others to explore their identities. This also tells us that the magazine is supportive of a progressive society. 

Moreover, He also explores ‘what’, this can be identified through the quote ‘still trying to find himself and his comfort zone in the music industry’. This informs the reader that even after being relevant in the music industry for many years – he still feels like an outcast and doesn’t know what he’s doing. It also makes him vulnerable and seem ordinary to those who may see him as extraordinary. This allows the reader to relate to his emotions and have a more personal connection with Lambert – this would make the reader want to continue the article as it is a new, interesting perspective on celebrity life. 

The article is laid out in columns telling Adam Lambert’s story in chronological order, it reflects on his career as a whole and allows the reader to understand the struggles of being a celebrity in a pressure fuelled environment. There are several names in bold that are of high relevance such as Taylor Swift and Caitlyn Jenner – this allows the reader to understand the social network you would have as a celebrity and draws attention to the article making the audience more curious. Not only this, there is a central image that encapsulates Adam Lambert as a whole and gives an insight into what it is like to perform on stage. We are also unaware of the journalist’s presence due to the article solely being about Adam’s journey. This interview is also written in the third person. 

Descriptive language is used throughout the piece of writing to present Adam, with most of these being mellow and downhearted with only the ending being particularly positive. These words include; gloomier, loneliness, darker, and disconnect. A rhetorical question is used at the end of the article to reflect on how far Lambert has come and what he is going to do next. By reading this article the reader is able to experience Adam Lambert’s story and how it has affected him. It allows him to open up and seem to us ordinary instead of an untouchable star – this read would have a lasting impact on the individual.

Focus Forward

This task has allowed me to begin understanding the key conventions of a magazine article and how they can be used and manipulated in a piece of text. I have learnt about headlines, standfirsts and how quoting can be used to evoke interest. I have also understood how different language techniques and choices can be used to make an article more exciting and interesting. I will be using these techniques when I come to create my own article.

The contents page in a magazine is arguably one of the most important pages in a magazine. It informs the reader what the magazine contains and what to expect on each page. It helps the reader navigate the magazine and allows them to find articles easily. Your contents page must be easy to understand and read so that your audience can locate certain pages quickly. A contents page needs to draw attention and provide the correct information. Not only this, it should include – page numbers, catchy cover lines, images, and graphic illustrations.

See below 8 contents page designs that I like the look of and take inspiration from. What I like about a few of these magazines is how the image is incorporated into the information. I think that it adds a new dimension and would suit the genre of my magazine – I hope to recreate something similar in my magazine. I would like to make my contents page more simple than my front cover so that it is not overwhelming – I will, however, make sure they fit together well.

I have also hand drawn some ideas of layouts I could possibly use in my magazine. All of these designs incorporate an image that will be apart of the overall design. I would like to make my contents page upbeat and fun which is cohesive with my magazines ethos.

I have also come up with 5 headlines that I could use in my magazine to attract attention and engage my audience. Successful headlines usually use imperatives, hyperbole and alliteration.

Focus Forward

This task has allowed me to understand the key conventions of a music magazine. I have been able to identify key features that I need to include in my magazine and have generated some ideas. When designing my contents page, I will ensure that the information is easy to read so that the magazine is easy to navigate. This research is crucial when starting any task as it allows you to understand the key conventions and what the competition has done. I have gathered some inspiration and now feel ready to begin the design process. I am going to play around with the font design around my chosen images, and use different graphics to make my contents page more interesting.

See below my first draft of my indie pop magazine ‘elation’.

Self Assessment 

Focus Forward

By self assessing my first draft, I have been able to understand what I have done right and wrong. It has allowed me to reflect on my work and make a note of what I need to change. These things include…

• Adding a price
• Making the image bigger
• Adding more cover lines
• Changing the colour strip under the ‘Lana’ text
• Making my masthead bigger
• Adding a punching headline to go with my main cover star image
• Work on the typefaces to make them stronger and cohesive with with the magazine

By doing all of these things I will be able to improve my magazine and make it appeal to my target audience more, and in turn sell more copies. This task has also let me further understand the key conventions of a magazine and how they can work together seamlessly.

To begin the design process, I had a photoshoot with my main cover star. We booked out the white studio and took some photos.

Overall, the first studio shoot was successful. We took some time before to get changed, and ensured that the makeup look was refined and stood out. We took a range of shots from high to low angle and from a long shot to a closeup – this allowed me to have a wide range of different pictures I could choose for my magazine. However, since finishing the shoot, I have found that the pictures did turn out darker than expected even though they were lit well on the camera and in the studio. This is not an issue, as I will use my photoshop skills to improve the brightness and ensure they are the best quality.

My Shortlist

For my magazine front cover, I would like to use image manipulation to create a unique feature that my target audience would like. I have chosen some images on slide 2 that would be perfect to use. I want to create a ‘bending back’ effect to create interest and the eccentric look I am looking for (These images are all also mid shots so that my main cover star can be seen close up, whilst also allowing me to manipulate the images). I also have some other options on slide 1, that I could use on the contents page and other front cover images.

I think that the costume I put together really worked, it would also appeal to my target audience due to it being bright, fun, and unique. The addition of the ring on the bodysuit tied the costume together, and the inclusion of the leather cargo trousers incorporates the grungy side of my genre.

Focus Forward 

This first photoshoot enabled me to learn about lighting and how flashlights and constant lights can be used to create the optimum lighting and the best quality pictures. Not only this I learned how to operate a Canon camera and how to sync it with the flashlights. Another thing I learned was how to make a contact sheet using Adobe Bridge, this was key so that I could display all of my images. All of these skill will come in handy when I get further into the design process.

 

To begin the process of creating my magazine, I began to draft some masthead ideas.

Mastheads are important due to the impact they have on a magazine, they can make or break it. A masthead is the title of a magazine, they are usually presented in a fun or unique way that is appropriate with the magazines’ key conventions. They also tie in the brands’ overall image and identity. The masthead must be impactful, effective, and compelling to draw the audience in and pull the magazine together. For my magazine, I would ensure that the masthead is playful yet has an eccentric touch that would engage my target audience – this could be achieved through manipulation of the typeface and by using clashing colours.

Evaluation

My least favourite design would be design number 1, I used Gill Sans Ultra Bold in size 58. This is due to the typeface being too round and curvy, I feel that this doesn’t suit my magazine and reminds me of the pop genre – rather than indie-pop. However, I do like how the text is shadowed below – I feel it creates a quirky effect. To improve this masthead I would change the angle that the typeface is positioned at, this is because it would be extremely difficult to incorporate into my magazine. 

Another design I am not too keen on would be design number 2, I used Arial Bold Italic in size 72 . I do like the colour scheme and how they go together. I also like the typeface due to it having a curvy touch yet still having some definition. However, I do not like the positioning of the text. I feel that is too spread out and this then looses the impact that it could have on the magazine. 

I like design number 3, I used Gill Sans Ultra Bold in capital letters, it was size 50. I feel the typeface is cohesive with my magazine – it is impactful and draws attention. I also like how it has been manipulated to have multiple layers, thus adding another level of interest. Currently, it is on a black background but this will be changed if I choose to use it in my magazine. 

Another design I like is number 4, I used Century Gothic in size 72. I love the colour scheme and how it subtly adds an effect – I also feel that the text is particularly poignant and has the perfect mix of curves and straight edges. Moreover, I like how the text is layered with the orange being in the center. It adds effect and would fit my genre of magazine. 

Finally design number 5, I used Flowers Kingdom from the website ‘DaFont’ in size 59. I do really like this masthead. However, I feel that it is too bright and I think that the way the text is positioned would be difficult to work with. Other than this, I like the font and the impact it would have on my magazine cover. I will still keep this masthead in mind, even though it is not one of my favourites. 

Final Choice? 

Currently, I am torn between designs three and four, with design five still being an option. I will work on my music magazine and then decide on which of the mastheads fit best with my star image and the overall look of my magazine.

Focus Forward

This task has allowed me to be thinking and generating ideas for my magazine by getting stuck into the design process. I now have a vision of what I want to create, and this task has also let me refine my InDesign skills.

 

 

To allow me to be fully prepared and organised for my first front cover photo shoot, I created a Production Meeting Agenda to ensure that the shoot would be successful.

This above is my Production Meeting Agenda, by laying out all my ideas and visions on a document it enables me to be organised and have a clear set of items I need to bring. This prior preparation is useful so that I can use my limited time in the studio effectively and get the crucial shots I require for my music magazine.

To further understand the front cover of a magazine – I compiled 10 magazine front covers that I liked the look of.

One aspect that I am interested in including in my magazine would be the use of image manipulation. This would allow me to create depth in my magazine and it would let me have a front cover that is unique and appealing to the eye. In particular, I like the ‘Clash’ magazine, this is due to the image manipulation being detailed, well thought out, and put together. I feel that the use of image manipulation to create a collage creates a quirky and eccentric look to the magazine, and this would appeal to my target audience.

Furthermore, I especially like the typeface used in the ‘Elle’ magazine. I feel that not only does the light blue colour give it a playful, youthful look – the addition of the angled text adds to the joyful mood and further uplifts the magazine. Not only this, I like the main cover star’s pose and positioning on the front cover due to it being compelling and not what you typically see. I also like how the model is incorporated into the masthead – as this makes the magazine look more put together.

Another thing I love is the layout of the ‘Aaliyah’ magazine, I feel it is unique and comprehensive with the addition of the four image boxes along the bottom of the page. This adds depth and dimension to the magazine – making it look more intriguing and striking. Moreover, I love the colour scheme of the magazine cover, it is subtle yet still effective.

Focus Forward

This task has enabled me to understand different aspects of magazine front covers that I liked the look of. It has allowed me to recognise why the designers made certain decisions and the impact they have. It has also shown me different ideas I could include in my magazine and helped me make some design decisions. In my magazine, I will definitely include image manipulation and have a unique masthead to create a cohesive magazine that appeals to my target audience.

In this task I analysed how Lorde is presented in the media to understand how a star of my genre uses the media. This helped me understand the key features of how to use the media to promote yourself and your work. I also created a ‘My picture perfect design’ to plan my photoshoot for my magazine cover.

By analysing Lorde and how she uses the media, allowed me to understand that she is both ordinary and extraordinary. This can be supported by Richard Dyer’s Paradox of the Star theory, where we could depict a star’s image through two key paradoxes, such as the star being absent yet present. Furthermore, we can use the metanarrative to portray the star’s presence in media. I found this task extremely helpful as it allowed me to highlight the dos and don’ts for when I will present my cover star. It also let me have an insight into different opportunities an artist in my genre would take up.

On the second slide, I created a mood board to describe my ideal scenario for my first front cover shoot. I came up with a colour scheme and began planning what my pictures would look like. This helped me because it allows me to have a fixed idea and not worry or stress If I didn’t have a particular vision. I will use this slide to help me take my images.

 

To help me further understand my target audience, I created a dating profile of an individual that would be the perfect audience member for my indie pop magazine.

I also used a website called ‘YouGov’ to analyse data and marketing information that helped inform who my target audience would be (see slide 2). I found this website extremely helpful as there are many artists to choose from, and it gives you a deeper understanding of your audience. It allowed me to discover different interests that my audience members had, such as a love for smoothies.

This profile allowed me to refine the demographics and psychographics of a perfect audience member and gave me new ideas for my music magazine to help it appeal to the target audience. Not only this, it helped me understand the different uses and gratifications of why somebody would want to read a music magazine and gave reasons for it. All of this information in the future will allow me to create a comprehensive music magazine that fits all of my audience’s needs.

To understand the genre further I created a piktochart to discuss and analyze the competition that is present within the indie genre. It gives an insight into the general conventions of an indie music magazine and informs me on some things that I will include in my magazine.

Focus Forward 

This task allowed me to understand the key conventions of a indie music magazine. It allowed me to recognize the good and bad features and make some decisions on how I can make my magazine unique and well put together.  I will use this information in the future to ensure I have included the key characteristics of an indie magazine and improve my work.