Front cover central image editing process

Original image

Edit stage (1)

Here I have removed the background and ajusted the position of the hand to add more balence to the image.

Edit stage (2)

Here I have used a brush that the effect of fire and I have applied them to his right arm.

Central image on the front cover

Here I have applied my central image to the front cover. However this is subject to change. 

Title Designs

In this blog post  I applied four of the title designs. This helped me to compare each of the designs. By posting these designs I will now be able to open a poll to see what design do people prefer.

In design 1 I found a Font style that I felt conveyed a rock genre style. I choose this font as like the use of the uneven blocks with gritty edges. Furthermore, the font style itself enforced this rough and gritty feeling. Later I attached another block on the side with a plus sign. In addition I made the background white and the blocks surrounding the font black. I did this as I wanted the title to stand out as the colours contrast. Finally I added painted these gritty vein-like lines to give this feeling of something that is inside you at the core of the (target audience).

In design 2 all did was inverted the entire canvas. So this made the colours their opposite, making everything black white and vise-versa. The use of more black makes it seem more dark and gothic.

In Design 3 this design I experimented with warm colour yellow and applied it on to the title. I believe it looks messy and the colour tallow doesn’t seem to compliment the other colours in this form.

In design 4 I used a red colour and only applied it in the black areas, so behind the text. I think the red compliments the black and white colours. 

In the poll I have found that most people have chosen Design 4. This shows that this title design has more interest and appeal, so this will be the one used in my magazine.

 

Title block analysis

From looking at the title block I can assume that the genres of the magazine are of music that is bold such as hip pop and R’n’B. However, the name suggests that the magazine follows the genres that are grabbing the attention of the audiences. The colour scheme of the title block consists of: black, white and red. This tells me that the title is bold and imposing. These colours have been used an s they contrast against each other. This there for captures the audience’s eye. The font used in the title block I assume is Ariel black bold and looks urban. This font used tells me that the magazine is targeted to the young audience because it’s urban style. The Title meaning ‘New musical express’ supports my idea of the magazine targeted towards the audience 14+  as the titles meaning suggest that it is an up to date magazine. The title ‘NME’ creates the idea that of not belonging to the system. So therefore creates this rebellious theme.

The genre of the music magazine is from looking at the title block is rock. The colour used which is black tells me that the music is simple. Furthermore, the black title block presented against the contrasting white background creates the feeling of standing out from the main theme. The font has a gritty feeling and the white lines create the effect of cracking through. The connotation of the gritty effect creates an atmosphere of mess and the cracking effect suggests that the sound of music is cracking the title. The title itself tells me that the magazine is a rock magazine as from looking at the effects of the font and the name itself. I get this connotation as the name emits loudness with its explanation mark and the grittiness stereotypically emits the idea of rock. The title suggests that the target audience are people who like rock and are aged from 17 and above.          

From looking at the title block I can’t guess or assume what the genre of music the magazine is about. The colours that have been used are red and black. A simple colour scheme has been used. However, the colours are contrasting this makes it stand out. The font of the title block is sophisticated and elegant. This contrasts from the red simple bold block. This connotes that thinking inside the box but not the same. The title ‘Q’ could mean questions as in the questions the magazines asks the artist. I think the target market would be a large audience such as people who like music but not a certain genre but general audience.

From this research task I was able to analyse and learn about the factors of how font style, name edges and colours reflect the image of the magazine.       

Planning my music magazine

This blog post consists information on the kind of who will be interested in the rock genre magazine and key information that I will follow for the magazine. This will aid me on keeping on track for the magazine.
 
My target audience will be people who are interested in the rock genre magazine, who are interested in the music genre itself and the artists who play the genre. The age range of the magazine will be from 15 and above. Other interests that my target audience will have are: they have an interest in gothic art, prefer T.V shows like Dexter, Merlin and Smallville. The films that the audience will like are films such as the Star Wars series, the Harry Potter series and comic films such as the Dark Knight. The hobbies of my audience may include things like watching films, playing computer games, playing instruments and watching T.V.   

The type of genre my magazine will be is rock. I have chosen this genre as it has a large appeal. Meaning larger sales. Following this genre this will give the design of my magazine an interesting layout, due to the use of typical rock colours like red and black.  

From looking at my survey I have come to the conclusion that my magazine will come out every month as, from the results majority of people picked that they bought their music magazine every month. So this suggests to me that by releasing my magazine every month the magazine will gain more sales.  

The price of my magazine will be £2.00. From my research majority of people choose the price £2.50. However I chose the price £2.00 to still have that premium appeal yet not be too much for my target audience as I wanted it to stay within reason for the target audience. My magazine will have a glossy finish as it captures the audience’s eyes.

Audiences and Institutions

Bauer:

Bauer is a company that publishes a variety of mainstream magazines from zoo to Kerrang. The genres that the magazine produces vary from woman, pets and fishing. Bauer is a mainstream company as magazines like closer, heat, FHM are linked with the company. Bauer has a large target audience as Bauer has such a large target audience as the company has control over many mainstream magazines. The brand image consists of a navy blue background and a small grey triangle tab. The font that says Bauer is bold and in white this makes the Bauer title more eye-catching. The text that says media is grey and contrasts with the white background. There are set of links between radio, television and websites.

IPC Media     

IPC Media  produce mainstream magazines demonstrating the company has alot of popularity. The target audience is varied from mainstream music listeners to daily tv watchers. The brand image shows the IPC in different font styles adding a interesting flare to the company logo. Secondly, I can see a baby blue line has been used to separate the words. Furthermore, due to the colour it makes the company logo stand out. Finally the bit which says media is in one font and is presented simple. There are links between the production of magazines and links between other media as the magazines of the company have links to websites and t.v.

Immediate Media co.

The magazine that Immediate Media co. produce are mainly Niche magazines and have a few Mainstream magazines like Radio times and Top Gear. The audience that is created form the varied magazines that the company owns are therefore varied and so have a mixture from football fans to nature lovers. The brand image consist of two colour fonts Deep blue and a baby blue, which creates a housestyle with in the logo. The font in bold and imposing. In the logo it consist of the company name, which is in a deep blue which stands out from the baby blue font. Furthermore, the rest of the text has information on the properties of the company. Yes there are links between production of the magazines and links with other media as since Immediate Media Co. Has a link with the BBC. Therefore, giving capabilities to have links with t.v, radio and websites.

Development Hell

They produce mainstream magazines which are The Word and Mix Mag. These magazines focus on music and celebrities. Therefore, the target audience of the company is to appeal to people who are interested in music and celebrities. The brand image is simple in its design. The text which says ‘Development Hell’ is displayed in red font. This has been done to capture the viewer’s eye. The text which says ‘Limited’ is set in a small size and is in the hue grey. This hue is subtle therefore isn’t as eye-capturing as the red font text. The font style of the Logo seems gothic due to the sharp edges. This links to the word ‘Hell’ Making the design of the company log compliment itself. There are links between production of magazines and other media as the magazines have websites.

Future

Future publishing is a renound publication company in films and music. And the magazine Guitar world maintains its position as the world’s biggest guitar magazine. Demonstrating their magazines popularity. The way that the company addresses it music magazines through its profile is by the use of modern technology the Future uses the means of apps pre-paid systems & websites. This shows that company demonstrates a way of advertising its magazines and expanding the magazines popularity with audiences. Future produce Mainstream and some niche magazines.   

Survey Monkey Results

Here are the results which I found crucial to consider for my magazine. These results will impact my house-style, costing, promotional feature and other aspects.

Analysis of Article

By analysing the article page I was able to understand the format of the article page by looking at the use of columns and I was able to see how the artist was presented through out the images.

Contents page analysis

By ananlysing the Q magazine contents page I was be see that the the colour scheme of the front cover was similar to the contents page. This conveys a sense of continuation within the magazine. In addition I learned the key codes and convention of a contents page like pictures and text

Analysis of Q magazine

By analysing the Q magazine front cover I was able to understand the layout the colour scheme of the magazine. Furthermore, I was able to look at the codes and conventions of a mainstream music magazine.

My music magazine survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PX9WPGZ

This  survey will help me to obtain information that I will use as reference for my magazine.

Representation of Britney in 3 magazines

The picture is a close up and has a direct mode of address. A close up has been used in this image to emphasise Britney’s facial expression. Britney's facial expression emits sadness. This creates a relationship with the reader that is direct and makes the reader feel like a friend who wants to understand her and help her. Mid key lighting is used in this image to show clearly her facial expressions. The colours that are used are red, black, grey, navy blue and a dim yellow. The pink is used to  make the title block stand out, so the audience recognise what magazine it is instantly. The bright white and dim yellow is used for the puffs to make them stand out from the Central image. The navy blue text and yellow background shape makes the it exclude itself from the overall colour scheme so demonstrates that it talks about a different subject which isn’t to do with Britney. This image of Britney has been used to because it conveys the feeling that Britney feels weak and is sad this might link to a sad moment in life she is going through. The use of the black and white compliments the emotion that is emitted from Britney. This creates a theme of sadness. The relationship created with the reader is supported by the anchorage text as it demonstrates that Britney is in trouble.

The picture has been cropped to demonstrate a mid shot of Britney, This shot adds focus to her upper body area. Furthermore, she is looking at the viewer so has a direct mode of address. This type of image is typical of a lads mag. Britney is topless and is only wearing a ladies underwear. This suggests that her image is very intermit, sexual and revealing. This is appealing to Britney spears fans and likely the male audience. The prop that is used is a bathroom curtain. I believe that the message conveyed through the bathroom curtain is that we as the audience don’t know her well enough to see what is like as a whole. So what the curtain is doing essentially is that it is motivating the reader to find out more about Britney as a whole. Furthermore, the curtain being a tease makes us feel more that we the audience are her lover. The setting that is used is­ a shower room. The connotations of this are that that it is a very personal space and this compliments the way that Britney is presented as we get the overall theme of intimacy and confrontation. This leads to the another connotation which is that she is welcoming us in her own space. The colours that are used are white, red, black and blue. The colours red, white black and blue make the theme of America and that black is used to stand out from the white background.

There is a central mode of address. A high angle mid shot has been used to present Britney in a sexual position as if we were on top of her. Furthermore, the crop to a mid shot makes the image focus on her top body areas. This is type of image is typical of lads mag. Britney’s costume consists of a white shirt which is opened, black bra and a pale pink black poker dot women’s underwear. This suggests her image is very sexual and revealing. This is appealing to fans of Britney spears but mainly the male audience. The props that are used within this image are the teletubbie on the right and on the left is a telephone. The intertexual reference of Britney’s white shirt links to her first music video. The teletubby on her right refers to child like side character. On the left side is the phone this refers to her more teenage rebellious character. The teletubby being on her right might symbolise her good angelic side. Whereas, the left symbolises her bad devilish side. The setting that is used it seems is her bed the connotations of this is that she is sent to her room and feels compressed so is calling an unknown person who I can imagine is her boyfriend. This shows that Britney is showing her rebellious side. The colours that are used are bright and compliment the alluring effect of how the artist is presented. The lighting is high key and amplifies the areas that have captured by the light so will therefore capture the audience.

Music magazine codes and conventions

Here is my analysis of the Q music magazine. In the analysis I was looking a the codes and conventions of the magazine. Furthermore, I looked at the layout style of the magazine. 

Preliminary front cover

For our first task it was to create a front cover and contents page for a college theme magazine. This magazine was created from my initial and basic knowledge of how a magazine would look like.