Feedback.

I've also attached a power point with all the feedback that I received for my magazine.

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0BxKLKsQUugutNzZkNjU4MjktMTg4Ny00YjhjLWJjZTUtZjk3YWY3OGQ2OGE2&hl=en

Evaluation of the Finished Magazine

Below are links to my final magazine; the first link will direct you to the contents page and double page spread and the second is the front page. https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0BxKLKsQUugutMGUxOGM4YWItNTNjZC00ZTE2LTkzYzctZmY4YjU3YTZjYTFj&hl=en

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0BxKLKsQUugutYzY0N2I3MDAtYjgxNy00NDg0LWJkNTUtYmM0NmY4MDg0NzYx&hl=en

I am really happy with my final magazine. I have stuck to my flat plans and only changed a few minor details, for example I planned to have the girl group sat down on a bench instead I just have a long shot of the girl group. All the models of the girl band were making full eye contact and smiling to connect with the reader/ buyer. Also pop is a very happy genre that is mirrored in the images. I chose the title 'I ♥ pop' to follow the theme of the popular iconic new york t-shirts that allot of young people will be able to relate to. I used hearts as much as I could in my magazine to elaborate the title of the magazine and add cohesion throughout the magazine, for example the photos in hearts on the contents page and the heart around the text 'contents'. From my feedback the only thing I would change is to add more colour to the backgrounds, possibly add more larger images and if there was possibility's to make more pages to the magazine include some double page spreads on latest pop music releases, other artists as well as pop fashion and celebrities.

This is my evaluation on a power point https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BxKLKsQUugutYzRhYWY1OWItOWQyZS00MDAwLTk4M2QtNjE5MTljMTllYjRj&hl=en&authkey=CKLL3vQG

I have also video recorded a self evaluation of my magazine which at the end also includes video feedback from my target audience:

Planning and evaluation of the article

The first article is a interview with Mcfly. They have included columns for the question and answer response and also pink bubbles with key quotes that would be immediately eye catching for the reader as the open the page. The main image of the band is a wide shot that has been spread our across the whole top half of the page. The writing has then been fitted to the bottom half of the page and has different colours for the interviewer and also the interviewee. The title of the magazine is in a larger font to make t

The Camp Rock article is a interview with the cast members, but also a review of the film. It has a group picture of the band and columns from the dialogue. There is also individual pictures of other cast member at the bottom of the page to give even more information about the film. The language is kept very informal to give a laid back tone to the magazine 'Its time you found out what the fuss is about!' The language is also very directional to make the reader feel involved.

Photo Editing

Because my images were taken out side in the evenings, the back ground was dark which didn't make the main image of the pop group stand out. I edited the images on photo shop to add a white backdrop, and increase the brightness. The main image is now more striking and coloured texts will also stand out more against it.

I have edited the images of the Christmas tree to also add brightness to them and by editing the decorations on the tree it will add a more traditional and fun effect to the Christmas tree and also the double page spread.

Where I edited the images the edges of the main image looked sharp and ridged, I used a blending tool on the outline of the photo to make the picture look more aesthetic.

Photo

some the mise-en-scene used in these photos consists of consideration for costumes, make-up, lighting and setting. For the individual photographs of each band member i followed a theme of black and white t-shirts, the similar costumes adds continuity bet tween the individuals so when pictured separately in the magazine they still can be seen to be part of a group. Each member has also been photographed wearing pearls to add to the girl group feel, and matching outfits.

Apart from red lipstick, glitter eye liner and mascara, make-up was kept minimal to try and portray a natural image as the target audience for this pop magazine would be around the ages of 11-15; around these ages young girls are experimenting with make-up and appearance, this presents the girl group as good role models.

I have taken individual photos of the girl group and group photos, this way I can use many different images for different pages of my magazine and the reader will engage with the magazine wanting to turn the page to see more photos. I have taken six individual images, two of each group member. The first ones are natural close ups, this is a directional photo and shows the reader exactly who is in the band. The other individual shot is a more relaxed one, consisting of different props and poses to add a more fun and 'pop' effect. Some props are the aviator sunglasses and applying lipstick in a over the shoulder shot captured in the reflection of a mirror.

Because the magazine issue is around Christmas time in the group pictures I have used a Christmas tree as a prop. By editing the photo and adding lights I can make the image more fitting with the genera of pop.

Fonts

I have chosen the fonts for my magazine from the website: http://www.dafont.com/. This website has hundreds of different fonts in different themes that are available to download and use. The first three fonts are examples of what would really work in context to my magazine design. Using hearts in the font would further stress the title of the magazine 'I ♥ pop'. I have left a space between the 'I' and 'Pop' as I plan to photo shop in a heart like in the final example. The last example would not work on my magazine as it is not in keeping with my genre and would give a formal, classic theme to my magazine. The existing magazines below have sparkling star shapes on the corners of some letters, this makes the font appear sparkly and will attract attention, a similar thing could be done with my font however instead of using stars I could use little hearts around some of the letters, for example: the last font above, to re-enforce the name of the magazine.

I have uploaded two examples of master head fonts from two already existing and widely popular pop magazines.

Both 'Smash hits!' and 'Top of the pops' have a curvy, easy to read font rather than something that would be considered formal, for example Times new roman. This is something I would like to include in deciding my chosen font, by making my font clear yet fun and appealing to the age range will create a first impression with the buyer and encourage them to buy it.

'Top of the pops' magazine have the models on the cover of the magazine slightly covering the master head, because this is subtly done and the rest of the master head remains clear the reader will still be able to read the name of the magazine yet this also draws more attention to the main pull of your magazine.

Both magazines also use colour to reinforce their fonts, and either black or white as a border to the font to make it stand out from the page. The combinations of font colours are also tied into the rest of the front page, for example: background colour, text box colour, any images, picture or logos are all in keeping with the colour theme to add continuity to the front page.

Either above or below the master head, both 'Smash Hits!' and 'Top of the pops' have a tag line. This is something I will include on the front page of my magazine also as it is catchy and will encourage the buyer to buy the magazine 'squeezing stars juicy bits' as it will make the buyer want to read the gossip, and will also remain in the buyers head.

Flat Plans - Double Page Spread.

My double page spread will be based around a interview with a girl band called 'Girlz'. I have linked my chosen double page spread article to my target audience that states 87% of readers are girls. The interview will include questions about a talent show that the group recently won, becoming a new pop star and releasing a single. I will use the same logo on my double page spread for the girl group as I have on my front cover. I will include a brief introduction before the article and then lead onto the interview. I will use a column style for my writing and have relative pictures of the girl group around the page. I will lay out my interview with a question from the interviewer followed by the response/ responses from the interviewees. I will use different colours for the different names of the group members to make the magazine easy to read for the target audience and to make it easily apparent when someone different is talking. I will use bright colours in the text and increase the brightness and contrast in my pictures to follow the pop genre. Any group photos will be edited to have a white background that blends in with the page. I will space random facts/ information and quotes from the interview in explosion or love heart bubbles around the page, this will mean that the reader will open the double page spread and immediately have a idea about the article and will want to read more.

Flat Plans - Contents Page.

On my contents page I have included 'contents' in the love heart of my magazine main header for an aesthetically pleasing look. One of the main purposes of a contents page is so that the buyer can open the magazine and instantly see what this issue is about and includes. I have used a contents strip which lists all the featuring articles which will also be accompanied by there page numbers. My main sell is also surrounded by love hearts with individual images of the band mates. Again to add to the continuity I have added a slogan underneath my main header. I have then added a double strap line to the bottom of my magazine where I will include what is to come in next weeks issue and then in the other there will be other exciting article that will be included. I will include a ‘kissing’ celebrity image, as celebrity relationship gossip is always popular in magazines.

Flat Plans - Front Cover

I have chosen to call my magazine ‘I Love Pop’ but I have decided to develop the title to have a heart where the ‘love’ is to replicate the Iconic ‘I Heart NY’ slogans that are widely available on a huge range of merchandise and has been adapted to many different things, not just NY. The symbol of the heart will then be the centre of my magazine and I will theme everything form the text and text boxes, to the magazine’s slogan to stay fitting with the title.

The overall theme of my magazine is a winter/ Christmas addition. I have included snow, snowflakes and the pop group that is advertised as my main sell will be dressed in winter clothes. My articles also contrast with the winter theme ’50 Christmas list essentials’ ‘Winter What’s Hot!’ ‘Cheeky Christmas Kisses!’ ‘Secret Santa Prizes’ but using a Christmas theme I am adding continuity throughout the magazine making it more personal and a base to work my other elements of my magazine around e.g. the contents page and elements of my double page spread.

The magazine also includes a barcode, price, date and issue number. I have included a slogan under the main header ‘At the heart of pop!’. As I am following the theme of Christmas I will be keeping to a colour scheme of white, red and green real winter Christmassy colours that are instantly recognisable.

As I have chosen a double page spread to be of a girl band called ‘Girlz’ I thought It would be a good decision to make them the main image and sell of my magazine. I have put them on a park bench so I have the opportunity to super impose some snow and possibly Christmas lights in the trees – other things we create links with to the Christmas festive period. Their clothes will be wrapped up warm to mirror the winter weather.

Analysis of existing magazines.

Top of the Pops magazine is a classic, iconic and prevalent choice to when considering evaluating a pop magazine. Its genre is suggested in the main header and people are customary to the name of the magazine due to the music program in which it has been created around. This particular magazine cover has followed a theme of purple; From the research I have previously done it has showed that the main buyer of this magazine is young girls. However if I was hoping to widen my target audience I would stay away from colours that are commonly associated with a certain gender. The yellow has also highlighted and drawn attention to the other articles, and is also complimentary to the purple. The text of the main header has been given a sparkly font, this theme has also been tied into other areas on the front page; such as sparkles dotted around the page and a sub-header ‘You’re a STAR!’ by putting ‘star’ in capital lettering we consciously are a wear of the theme. The use of ‘You’re’ is direct address to the reader and makes the issue feel personal. They have included: the TOTP logo in the top right corner, barcode, issue number and price, the BBC logo, website address and a tag line ‘more gossip...’ They have also combined music articles and news with other articles highlighting celebrity music ‘secrets’ or any ‘hot’ gossip. They have cropped the image in able to see the background behind and around it. They have also assigned the image to the right and have placed sub-headers to the left. There is also information over the image at the bottom of the page, making the front cover look busy and crowed. This invokes the thought of a jam packed magazine; this is also implied by the large number 56.

Another example of a popular media, music magazine would be ‘Smash Hits!’ This magazine has a lot of similarities to ‘Top of the Pops’ but also many differences so comparing the two will only give me a better wealth of knowledge when thinking about creating my own. Unalike ‘Top of the pops’ the colour scheme is a lot less gender specific, if anything has more of a male dominated theme with the heavy blocked fonts and a black and grey colour contrast of the t-shirts and the white back ground. Also the main image is of a popular boy band who is again is arguably less gender specific and less age specific than High School Musical. I think the main image works well with a dominant figure in the foreground and the rest of the band in the back ground; this draws our attention the front of the magazine but also has the appeal to pick up the magazine to take a closer look at the photo. Yellow and white sub-headings and the text of the main sells have again been used to mirror ‘Smash Hits!’ logos. The magazine also includes numbers e.g. ‘10’ and a busy front page to imply the impression of a jam packed magazine and again the basics of a logo, barcode, issue number and price, website address and a tag line ‘squeezing...’ and also has a tag line along the bottom to show other sells that the magazine has.

I have also have analised a contents page. As part of my task I will have to create my own so looking at a magazine where the pop industry has influence its layouts, launuage, images, fonts, colours, articles and much more will further increase my knowedge of what i should think about/ enclude in my own.

To break up the contents page list of articles they have used busy, bright colours to enhance the energy and enthusiasm that the pop genre portrays. Images that are associated with the articles have also been given relative numbering with the corresponding colours that link with the contents numbering system so the reader can easily navigate though the magazine; contributing to ‘easy reading’.

The contents page also includes the name of the magazine ‘Mizz’ with contact details and credits listed below. This has all been positioned on the right hand side in a red text box to separate the magazines articles and information from the important information about the magazine which is included in every issue. In the top right corer the words ‘Welcome’ are presented in a decretive, bright font along with a message about what to be expecting from this issues. The bottom left corner along with iconic logos such as the recycling symbol and other relative ones, there is a advertising sell about Dyslexia, to add a sense of seriousness and understanding to the magazine or something that may have a dramatic effect to many readers.

As my magazine will include a double page spread, again by reviewing one from existing pop magazine will give an idea about how to construct and arrange articles, what fonts are used and how colours are integrated. From the large image we as the reader can instantly tell what the double page spread is about and what to expect from the article. The main image is kept left with the introduction directly underneath and the interview to the right with relative pictures surrounding it. By tying in greens and pinks with neutral colours the interview look unfussy yet bright and enthusiastic. The colours chosen tell that this magazine is aimed at girls. Also the way they have highlighted the interview question creates easy reading.

Target Audience.

I have done some research into my chosen genre; in particular the target audience of Pop.

http://www.bbcmagazinesadvertising.com/Magazines/Top_Of_The_Pops.html

I have copied the above table from the 'Top of the Pops' website, it shows us that the majority of the buyers are female and the dominant age range is aproxately 11-15years.

I have also emailed one of my magazines to receive more information about that genre, how they have adapted their magazine to make it more contemporary and also to ask for any old issues that they have that could help me with my studies. They replied:

Dear Emily,
Thanks for your interest in our mag! There’s some info on this site: http://www.bbcmagazinesadvertising.com/Magazines/Top_Of_The_Pops.html
Rather than being just a music magazine, TOTP now has more focus on celebs, beauty, fashion, as well as having plenty of music news, new releases, that kind of thing.
I may have a couple of copies strewn about my desk so if you’d like to send me the address of your school/college, I’ll pop some in the post for you!
Many thanks,
Anna Thompson
BBC Youth & Children’s Magazines

I have looked into another pop magazine 'Smash Hits'

I have also created a quick questionnaire to find out what people look for/ want to see in a pop magazine. I gave out the questionnaire to people in the target age range. I have kept the questionnaire short and concise so that participants are not put off by answering too many questions. These results will help me when choosing: What my main flash and sells will be, what to include on my front cover and contents page, give me a guide on photos, images and colours and also a realistic price for my magazine. For example everyone circled that the wanted to read about Celebrity Interviews, New and upcoming artists, Top 40 charts – best songs this week and Celebrity gossip. They also look for in magazines exclusives such as new song releases etc. along with easy to read and bright colours also being popular choices with the people that did the questionnaire. The mean price that people thought was reasonable, once rounded, was £2.00, so this will be the price of my magazine. This is a PDF version of the questionnare:

Introduction of main task.

My task is to create a music magazine for a particular genre. My magazine will consist of a front page, a contents page and a double page spread. These will all have relevant images, colour schemes and information that is particular to my chosen genre. The genre I have chosen for my main task is Pop; i think that this genre is particularly versatile and I have scope to be creative with my images/ photographs and the aesthetics of my magazine. It also appeals to a huge target audience such as age gender and social status. My double page spread is a interview with a new girl group and i have also included 'EXCLUSIVE' on the front cover to make my magazine more appealing and exciting.

When considering the demographics of the magazine i think it is difficult to classify which Socio-economic group these magazine's belong to as they are all children's Pop magazines and are bought by their parents, or a older figure in their interest, I could however classify who would buy this magazine for their children. The target buyers wouldn't be A high ranking professionals; lawyers, doctors etc

Mock-up contents page

Contents Page.

This is a mock-up of my contents page. I will separate the information in two different triangles, this adds not only to the ascetic look of the page but also makes the information clearer to the reader. I continued with the blue and white theme to add continuity to the magazine. I will put the main article of the magazine in the first triangle, and then the other minor articles, information, and pages in the other. I Will accompany both with relevant and suitable images. Page numbers will also be included by each article making 'easy reading' for the reader.

Preliminary Task Final Front Cover.

This is my final front cover for my Student College Magazine. The Master head is bold in a decorative font make a striking first impression. The name of my magazine I have settled on is SDC - Sussex Downs College, which accompanied with the tag line 'essential for ever student' explains exactly what the magazine is about. The other fonts on the magazine are a plain Arial font which is easy to instantly read and a more detailed font underneath. I have kept to one font for my title and then two different fonts for the text on the page to avoid confusion.

I have also followed the theme of blue and white, which resembles a sailor theme, relating to the main sells. The photo I have used the model is wearing a black t-shirt; on my main task I would consider dressing the model fitting to the theme of my magazine e.g. In a sailors or pirates outfit to really invoke the theme.

I have also included the price, issue number, bar code and date all in the top right corner. Other improvements I would make to my main task by evaluating my preliminary task would be:

More text, images, boxes on the page to make the magazine look full of articles.

• Include large numbers like '50' or '100' would also make the articles look full but would be eye catching.
  
• The background of my magazine should be brighter, more enthusiastic to employ the Pop theme. It would also be targeted at younger children so the brighter the colours the more appealing it would look- appose to a dull grey background.


• Like I have already mentioned, dress the people in my image fitting to the theme of the magazine issue.

To summarise all of the above points - inject more fun, excitement and enthusiasm through more interesting colours and images. And more information on the front page to make the magazine look full of gripping articles.

Front Page Photos.

The first image I took for my front page was a closer shot but I had consequently cut off his head.

The other image allows me to fit text in the spaces around him making the image more striking and this will contribute to the magazine being more eye catching.

I have chosen a white backgound which is going to make the back image stand out as he is dressed in black, but it will also make my text stand out.

Emily Bridgman AS Media Preliminary Task

The following task is to design and create a magasine which would appeal to student who attend Sussex Downs College. My target audience is studnent and the age range of interest would averagely be 16-19.