Final magazine planning and ideas

Masthead ideas

I contemplated several masthead ideas. Names I considered were Base, Mist, and Sound among others. The final decision of the name of my magazine was based on my questionnaire answers. I decided to name my magazine “The Lyric.” The name the lyric contrasts to the theme of my magazine. The magazine’s theme will be acoustic and indie music, therefore it is a niche market. A name like “The Lyric”  could be used for any music magazine, but personally I think it would be well suited towards acoustic guitarists, because their lyrics usually have personal meaning

Double page spread ideas 

This is a clue for my layout of my double page spread, i was going to use one page to use a dominant image and smaller images surrounding it. The text will be on the other page and unlike this one i wont take up all of the room. I text will start half way down and go across the hole page NOT as a newspaper set out. The text itself will probably be news features and maybe also use some interview questions.

Kerrang Front Cover Remake/Remodel

Final product

Analysis

After doing the main picture and Masthead i had to add the codes and coventions to my magazine. Here you can see i have added some Pugs and Puffs to my magazine. The word 'exclusive and 'plus' is used which is a puff. Also the 'poster special' is the pug i have used. I have also used list of three on the right saying ' album rated, see their interview and all within'. Also the there is a list of three on the top of the page, above the masthead. 'green day, blink182, lost prophets'.

The text i have used is constant through out, i have used the same font style keeping to my orignal idea. The colours i have used are red/black and lime green. These are the contant colours ive used through out keeping to the codes and coventions of a normal magazine. If you were to use the different tent font and colours through all over the front cover, it would look unprofessional and messy to the eye. So by keeping to the same font and colour it looks more professional and keeps to your own original idea.

The words 'rocks new hotshot jason dinsmore doing it his way' i have used to cover the main image. This shows that his a new act and seems with the words doing it his way, that his a rebel in a way, keeping to his style. The name jason dinsmore is much bigger than the other writing, so it stands out right to the audiences eye.

I am keeping to a rock theme through out, the colour of the magazine is a rocky style and with the font, im sing a dark colour and bright coloured writing to make it stand out. With me using this theme and also keeping to rock bands ive named i have kept my own original rock theme magazine.

Remake/Remodel task

We were assigned a task where we had to choose an existing magazine. Create a front cover in the style of your choice of magazine and we had to add codes and conventions. This had to be our own photography for the main image and the photography and text has to match the ‘ethos/philosophy’ of the magazine. Also this must include an analysis. 

1st Step

This was my first step on completing my front cover. I have chosen Kerrang magazine for the theme and the masthead for my front cover. I have used its typical Masthead that it uses in all of its magazines. I have also used my own original photography and edited it myself. I have used monochrome styling in this photo as it contrasts between the Masthead which is also black and white. This makes it have a good effect on the front cover keeping to my own original styling. The photo is a medium shot of waist up. The photo itself shows us a clear indication that this person is a musician due to the fact you can see him performing, this is important because if you were not to see this you wouldn't know if he was a musician or not and ultimately you wouldn't know who the person was.

Double page spread analysis (vibe)

Analysis

In this DPS ( double page spread) we see the dominant colour of red. The text and background colour is either black or white. They do this because they want the main image to be the first thing the audience see. Here we see the women again positioned in the centeral of the page, like TI was on the front cover. They do this because the public seem to look top to bottom of the page, as you would reading at a book. So here they have positioned the smaller images at the top, the huge main image in the middle dominating the whole page and the writing small and surrounding the main image. We also see the other smaller images in black and white and the main image is in colour. They do this to show the main images dominance, to show that, thats the picture they want the public to see first, thats what their eyes are drawn to when they turn the page. The text is quite simple in this DPS. Its positioned around the image and seems very small and not very attractive, this is because they want to make the image seem the more important subject on this page instead of the text. Also the writing is the same style and font throughout again keeps to their own original plan and to the typical codes and conventions of a double page spread.

Front Cover Analysis (Vibe)

Analysis

Here we see the masthead positioned on the top half on the magazine. The mast head's font (red) makes it stand out, its big and eye catching. This would be first thing the reader will see noticing the huge bold red letters. The font style as exact same throughout the front page. They have stuck with the same font style keeping to their own orginal idea. If they were to have mulitple styles it could look messy and unattractive.
The main focus here is the main image. Like all the front covers i have analyised they have a main image, dominating the page, but unlike the others this main image really dominates the page. It takes up the whole of the centeral part of the front cover. Also it is in black and white, this makes everything around it, the text, pugs, puffs etc stand out more. The text is little, due to the fact the main image is taking up most of the room. But the text stands out due to its colour, again making it eye catching and colourful. Using a more bigger writing like TI, this is showing the name of the person on the front cover, then the writing gets smaller as it subtracts downwards. Showing the more important information at the start.

Double Page Spread Analysis

Analysis 


The DPS (Double page spread) shown here is again is a very typical design and style as we see the other DPS's to be. First of all again is the main image shown on the left side of the page. We see on most of the DPS's that a main dominant image is taking up one side of the page. This again is to express the band that they are doing the double page spread on and show them off in style.
We also see the colour of the page, the colour is a very dark colour which makes everything thats on it stand out more. This is a good idea for when it comes to my music magazine. The dark colour nicely expresses the other writing because it makes it stand out more. for example the title 'were being the best mcr we can be'. This is very eye catching because of its colour, it draws the audience in and also the font and style of it. The font is very consistent through out the page and the words 'the best mcr' are in a different colour, purposely making those three words stand out more.
We also see the words ' world exclusive' shown on the top of the DPS. This is Puff, they are using this phrase world exclusive to make the reader want to know what the world exclusive is. This makes the audience want to read more. The article shown here is in very small writing and everything else surrounding it making them seem more dominant and stand out more. The article is shown to be small because its not very appealing if the reader is just seeing a whole article taking up most of the page. So this way it makes it look better and theirs more space to put better eye catching images and text to draw the reader in.  

Kerrang Contents Analysis

The kerrang contents shown here is a very typical display of a contents, its got everything a contents would typically show. for example its got its main image, its main image of a musician obviously taking up one side of the contents. We see this image domination on pretty much every magazine and on every page (Front/Contents/DSP). This is sticking to the codes and conventions of a contents page. Also we see smaller secondary images surrounding the main image. They are showing different articles within the magazine. The images take up most of the contents page, this being very eye catching and draws the reader in. The masthead and main title would properly be the contents text in the top right of the page. Now this is different to the front page as we see it across the top and here its in the top right hand corner, this is being original and different. Also its colour stand out and very bright. This makes it different to the other writing making it stand out more and more eye catching.

Kerrang Front cover analysis

Analysis

Masthead- The masthead here is positioned across the top of the front cover, here they are challenging the codes and conventions of a normal masthead, the masthead is usually positioned it the top left hand corner of the page. This makes it stand out more, and more eye catching for the reader. Ive seen a load of kerrang magazine front covers, this seems to be original to them and their own brand style.
puff/pugs - The pugs used here says 'free'. Now putting FREE in huge letters on your front cover is going to attract attention. The puffs used here is a sneak peak look at Paramore's new album.
Main image -The main image here is a great example of a dominant image. The eyes are drawn straight to it. Also we see the band Biffy Clyro blocking a part of the masthead, they have done this purposely, it indicates that the authors can pull it off, they can block part of the mast head and because most of the public would know the magazine Kerrang they can block it out and get away with it. The eye's would just fill out the rest.
Articles- Here we see the articles at the very bottom of the cover instead of at the side. Again they are trying to be their own and original.

Double page spread analysis (NME)

Analysis

The main title - As we see the main title is not your every magazine type. NME magazine are challenging the normal codes and conventions of a double page spread and decided to do something different. Here we can see that the main title is taking up most of the room. They want to make this stand out and an eye catcher. The first thing an audience is going to see when they turn to this page is that title, and most properly read it. Also the style of the text is very original and fits in well with the style of the magazine and the double page spread. The black back ground behind the writing makes it stand out more, eye catching and more interesting.
Main image - Again like other magazines and like their front cover they have used a bug main image taking up most of the pages. A lot of magazines now (like this one) are using this technique as they see its more effective and new. It is about one individual person which is different to a lot of double page spreads which usually have multiple story's and articles about bands.
The article- The article is about the individual's problems in life and her past memories. This is a good idea for a double page spread, this is because most fans wants to get closer to the favorite bands,  this information tells them what they want to know about the bands and general information about them. When it comes to my music magazine this is a good idea for my double page spread but due to the fact that know one would no the band/musician that i am doing, i would have to go into detail about him and what its about. 

Contents page analysis (NME)

Analysis

Masthead - The masthead again is much smaller than the front cover, this is becuase it has know need to display the masthead as they have in the front page. They have still kept it in the top left hand corner keeping to the codes and conventions. They have also stuck to there colour fonts and text of the masthead.
Main images - This time their are 2 main images central of the contents page. This is the usual type of contents page to have more than 1 picture, but due to the commen change of music magazine they now want to be a bit more orignal and have 1 main image instead of multiple ones.
Aritcles- They have the usual articles and titles of a contents page, with a big main title saying 'this week'. Eye catching and attention seeking. The articles and storyies or postioned on the left side of the contents page. This is there own style and way they do there contents. Keeping to there own original way to make the style their own.
Advertising- Here they have added advertisment to there contents. This is make them more money, the problems with this is that it is taking up a lot of space of the contents which can be used for more information and aritcles. Also the audience reading this magazine would not like reading advertisments of other companys and magazine because when you buy a magazine about a specific music brand, you wouldnt like to be reading anything that hasnt got to do with the magazine its self

Front cover analysis (NME)

Analysis

Masthead - The masthead is placed in the top left hand side of the front cover like usual. But instead of the main image covering the masthead instead its cover the masthead. It has used the same type of text and font style than it usually does keeping to its forms and codes and coventions
Main image -Again their is a main image dominating most of the front cover, this is typical codes and conventions of a music magazine to have the main picture dominant of the page. They have done this to show the main article, its shows the main story and whos it about with this main picture. its more appealing to the audience.
Pugs/Puffs- There are more Pugs and Pugs used here than normal music magazines. For example ( WIN/ARITIC MONKEYS SPLIT) these are exaamples of the puffs and pugs used in the front cover of this magazine. They use this to try and entice the audience to reading the magazine. They try and draw the audience in with the pugs and puffs, saying win here and prize, just turn to page .... This is a draw in, getting the reader to read through the magazine. They also show small articles and information for the reader but doesnt explicit to much.

Two page spread analysis (Q)

Analysis

Main image - There is a big main image again like the front cover and the contents. This is very typical of the codes and conventions of a double page spread. They usually show the band that they are doing the double page spread about. It is positioned to the left, next to the text. A lot of magazines do there page spread another way, for example there set up would be different, where text is placed etc. Q magazine would want to keep theirs original and unique to themselves.
Basic Information- There is usually some basic information on the band that they doing the double page spread on. This is for the people who read it the magazine. its usually included within the article it self but here its own challenge to codes and conventions.
Title-  The titles of the double page spread say 'stop drop and roll', 'green day boys get kinky with with their garage- rock alter ego'. Its shown as the same type of writing and text front. They do this to try and keep there image and text the same through out.
The Article - The Article is comparing two bands and giving general knowledge on the main band which there advertising (green day). They are comparing two different bands and the differences between them. This is usually in a music magazine, they are giving information to the public about there favorite bands. When we do our bands we would have to make them up or use a real one but there would be a possibility that know one would of heard of them, so its crucial if we were to use this idea to tell the public about the band and give more information about them. The Article is positioned on the right side on the double page spread sticking to there own codes and conventions to their magazine. Also the style of writing is the same. They have kept the same font and text throughout the double page spread, keeping to their own codes and conventions. It also tells us the bands names and a quote from each of them telling us a little a bit about them selves. This would be good to use as it would draw the reader closer to your band.

Contents page analysis (Q)

 

Q Contents analysis

• Main image- Similar to the front cover of Q magazine, it has the big main image there, covering most of the page, this is done again, showing the similarities between the contents and the front cover. They want to challenge the codes and conventions of normal contents page and go with one main image. 
• Puff- The puff seen here saying and quote of a band and on what page its on. This is to entice the audience and draw them into the magazine, make them want to read the magazine 
• Masthead- The masthead is much smaller than what it is, this is because there is no need to have it standing out as much as the front cover. Because the reader has already established the magazine and what its called, theres no need for an over the top Masthead.
• The Articles - The articles are there to show what events are on through the magazine, it gives a short and small description. There is no more then a short information on what is on. This is because it wants the reader to read the short description and want to read more. It also shows the public's favorite bands and upcoming ones. It shows the basic information of what the public expect in the magazine.

Front Cover Analysis (Q)

 This is a typical front cover of a Q magazine.

• Masthead- The Masthead positioned in the top left hand side of the magazine as usual. This done because it is proven that a reader usually begins looking at the magazine top left to bottom right, as if there reading a book. 
• Main Image- The image is put in its stereo typical position. It is placed infront of the Masthead but behind the text. This is done because the reader is well known what magazine there buying and the magazine knows this so they put the Masthead behind everything. Even if the Masthead is covering it. 
• Pugs/Puff- Pugs and Puffs and put in different ways but both share the same purpose, to entice the audience to buying there magazine. Like for example at the top of the example magazine above it says 'the UK's biggest music magazine'. This is there to attract the customer to but there product. If they saw that they would be very drawn to the fact its the biggest music magazine in the UK, even if it is exaggerated.
• Bar Code- A bar code is used on all magazines 
• Cover line / Article- are also used mainly to entice the audience but are also used in many different ways. They are used to show what is within the magazine, the main and interesting stories would be used. Other band in the magazine, showing interviews and top stories. The most typical stories are usually interviews with a band, or a band member has quit but would only give a hint on the front page just to draw the reader in and overall to buy the magazine.   

Preliminary Task

For my Preliminary Task, we had to create a front cover and contents page for a school magazine. This is what I came up with

Evaluation

Front cover

• the main title (stacs sixth form) is shown as a less of a dominant thing challenging the codes and conventions to most magazines. only shown at the top of the magazine it still draws the readers attention.
• the main image is more of the dominant piece, taking up most of the magazine. It is positioned behind all the text and images. i used the grey to black colour also to challenge the codes and conventions of a normal magazine. usually a main image is set to be colourful and eye catching, but i have done it as the writing stands out more infront of the image to catch the readers attention more.
• I have used the same font all over the magazine so it keeps its image, if you use different fonts it can look a bit messy and untidy. i have made some of the writing for example (newstudent and school robbed) in yellow writing standing out and making in seperate to the rest of the writing.
• also the pugs and puffs i have used drawing the reader in and being unrealistic and a bit over the top. for example the pug (new common room) drawing the reader in. and also (new news) all to get the readers attention.
• rhetorical questions i have also used. asking the questions to the audience maiking them want to answer them by reading on and also making them want to see our answers there verdict on it. this is all used to grap the reader in, making them in a way to buy and read the magazine.
• i have also used the stacs logo in the back ground. This is just to symbolise the school and there logo, an added extra which can be very effective.

Contents

• for the conetents i have changed the font to make it look a bit different and so it doesnt get to repetative. make it look a bit new.
• the use of colour is pretty much the same as the front cover, so i want to keep the image of the magazine to keep it the same.
• the writing shows what is in the magazine and want the reader wants to no about. Its there to entice the reader into reading on through the magazine to see what information it has to offer.
• the main picture takes most of the page up, i have used this again to keep traditional codes and conventions and make it similar to the front cover. i have made sure that the image does not take up all the space, so i have room to add text etc.
• i have used the STACS logo again keeping the style of the magazine.

I used word for the design of the magazine.Using different fonts and colours. Text boxes and original photography 

Codes and Conventions task

We were assigned a task to do over the half term. We had been sent 4 different magazine covers and told to add codes and conventions also fonts and language techniques. This is to improve our skills in trhe magazine field and will also help when it comes to our final piece magazine coming soon. This is my work

This is my pitch magazine.

Here i used codes and conventions for a mass market music magazine.
i used the main title "marilyn manson" in front of the main image, challenging the codes and conventions.
i also used " free cd inside" a puff (an image that would inspire the reader to buy the magazine).

Rhetorical questions i also used like "jasks new band".

This is my freedom Magazine front cover

It was hard to add a lot of information to this front cover due to the fact the main picture trakes up most of the room. i have added its own niche culteral magazine. added small information on what is in the magazine and a pug in the top left. WIN. convincing the reading to buy the magazine. also a personal pronoun "we are watching you". as if you are speaking to the reader.

Codes and Conventions task

This is My film-x project

 I had to add any codes and conventions to the magazine where i thought appropriate

using the Niche market-appealing to a cult film audience, where i think i have appealed to a horror movie type audience. Things i could of used Interviews, reviews, film articles. 

Codes and Conventions task

Photography now

This is my Photography now project

We had to add appropriate codes and conventions to the four templates; including fonts and language techniques.

Here i added main headlines and alot of pugs and puffs.
the prize winner is a puff. and the over exageration of the best cameras in the world would be a pug. also including pictures and annotation

Front cover and Contents mock up ideas

 this is a mock up of my contents

this is a mock up on my front cover, with a different main image