Contents Page Analysis- 1. NME

Blog 12:
In the next few blogs I will be analysing 5 contents pages from music magazines (2 NME, 2 Q and 1 MOJO). As NME is my style model I will start by analysing the 2 NME contents pages.

1. NME

In this issue of NME the layout used is the 'blocky' look. This makes the contents page have a clear, neat finish and each section is clearly defined. The title is centred at the top of the page and is in capital letters, making it stand out and easy to read. The date is positioned underneath the title in a much smaller italic font. There is a range of studio and on location photographs on the contents page. This gives the page variety and suggests the the reader that there will be a variety of articles throughout the magazine. Each of the photos has a quote and description underneath. The quote gives a taste of what the article is going to be about to the reader and helps the reader decide whether or not to read the article. Also on the photos, is a page number. The number is bold and black and it is larger than the surrounding text. This is effective as it looks neat and as it is bold stands out in front of the white background. There is a 'Plus' box with the regular features. This box is separate from the others and for regular readers is easy to spot. There is a special offer in the corner in red. The red makes it stand out from the black and white colours. The special offer's font is in capital letters and entices the reader to make the most of the offer. 

Overall, I think I will use the blocky look in my magazine. I think the different sized boxes look effective and the quotations by the photos allow the reader to grasp the article without skimming the magazine. I may  use the idea of a 'plus' box with the regular items in and the special offer box as I think they are a convention of the magazine and look striking on the page. 

Magazine Analysis- 5. Kurt Cobain Kerrang

5. Kurt Cobain Kerrang- 

Blog 11:

Today I analysed the December 1993 issue of Kerrang! Featuring Kurt Cobain. As with the other magazines, this issue has a date and price. It also follows a similar colour scheme to the other magazines as a predominant colour on this cover is red. There are many smaller articles advertised on the cover as well as the main article on Kurt Cobain. This shows that the magazine covers a range of stories inside. This cover uses exclamation marks on the titles to grasp the attention of the reader by demonstrating that the articles inside are shocking. The image of Kurt Cobain is a mid shot of him sitting down, smoking. This has been used for a few reasons. Firstly, the mid shot shows his clothing- a furry jacket and shirt- which is an 'edgy' outfit that hints of his 'wacky' personality traits. He is shown smoking, which could suggest that he is a 'rebel' as smoking can be seen as a taboo subject. It also hints that the target audience may be in their early twenties onwards. He is looking directly into the camera which draws the reader in as it feels like a personal image, and that the article inside has been directed specifically at the reader- like his gaze. 

I may use the colour red on my cover as this seems to be the norm for a magazine cover- it is a bright eye catching colour. I will also use the idea of having a few smaller articles advertised on the cover- which may mean I have to find more models to be in those photos. 

Magazine Analysis- 4. Lana Del Rey NME

Blog 10: 
Okay so after that slight Pinterest detour heres the next magazine analysis!

Lana Del Rey NME-

Today I analysed NME's Lana Del Rey front cover. I found that like the other magazines it has a date and price and is in capital letters. I also found that this artist is also looking at the reader- therefore engaging with the reader. This front cover uses words like 'new' and 'free' to entice the buyer as it is an incentive to get a bargain or an exclusive. The colour scheme also links to Lana Del Rey as it is the American Flag and colours of the flag- as Lana Del Rey is American. 

I may use the 'FREE' offers on the front cover of my magazine to make it more appealing. I may also use the quotes from other artists on the front, as I think it makes the reader more interested and wanting to read on. 

Pinterest

Blog 9:
This post was supposed to be another magazine analysis but I decided that I needed to tell you about a website that has inspired my magazine planning process(and preoccupied a vast amount of my time!!!)
...
So recently I have been using Pinterest- a pin board style website that allows you to 'pin' pictures and things you like and give you inspiration- to gain ideas on the style of my magazine. I have made a pin board 'Ideas for Media Magazine' as another starting point for the planning of my magazine.

A screenshot of searching 'magazines' on Pinterest

So here is the link to my Pinterest board of Ideas 

Magazine Analysis- 3. Lykke Li SPIN

3. Lykke Li SPIN-

Blog 8: 
Today I analysed SPIN Magazine's front cover with Lykke Li. The SPIN title is in a red rectangular box, separating it from the rest of the cover and making it stand out. The image is a mid-long shot and shows Lykke Li's body, making her look feminine and appealing to wide range of people. A 'FREE!' advert on the front gives the reader a reason to buy the magazine. 

I will use the bold title convention on my magazine. I may also use font size and colour to indicate importance like the 'BIG' used in the top right hand side of the issue's cover. I will think about using a mid shot or long shot on the cover also. 

Magazine Analysis - 2. Damon Albarn Q

2. Damon Albarn Q-

Blog 7:
Today I reviewed the 21st Anniversary Issue of Q Magazine, featuring Gorillaz creator, respected solo artist and Blur frontman, Damon Albarn. 
This issue, is in monochrome colours, apart from the title of the magazine. This makes it stand out as the bright red contrasts with the black and white of the photograph. There is a list of artists names- therefore appealing to a wide audience range. There is a barcode and a date. The close up of Damon suggests that his interview will be 'up close and personal' and may have exclusive content in. 

I may use the idea of a close up on my cover as I think in this circumstance, with the minimalistic black and white photo, intrigues the reader. I may also mention more artists on the front of my magazine, like Q, to draw in a larger audience. 

Magazine Analysis- 1. Noel Gallagher NME

Blog 6 
So in the next 5 blogs I will be analysing 5 different magazine covers (2 NME's, 1 Q and 1 Kerrang). I have chosen these magazines to give a contrast of how different magazines use their codes and conventions to appeal to their target audience. I have chosen to do 2 NME analysis as this is the magazine nearest to the genre I would like to create a magazine on. 

1. Noel Gallagher NME-

This issue of NME had a red logo/title in the top corner, which made it stand out even though it was partly behind the image of Noel Gallagher, from Oasis and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. There was a medium close up used to focus on Noels facial expression. There is a date and a barcode on this issue and smaller articles down the side gives glimpses of what's inside without making the cover look cluttered. 

I will consider the medium close up convention for my magazine, as I think it lets the reader see the artist clearly and see their facial expression. I will also use the idea of a bold and bright title and much smaller sub articles promoted on the cover. 

Initial Ideas- Music and Fashion Moodboards

Blog 5:
So carrying on from the mind map of my initial ideas, I decided to create two mood boards, expanding on key features of the magazine. 
The first of these mood boards is a general mood board of Indie Solo artists and possible scenes and 'vibes' I would like to capture in my magazine.

I have used images of indie solo artists such as Ellie Goulding, Miles Kane, Jake Bugg, Whinnie Williams, Lana Del Rey and La Roux to inspire ideas for my possible artist. I also used images of outdoor scenes and festivals, to give me ideas of the location of my article- perhaps in the woods or fields? I found that most of the people in the photos wear either 'mod' style clothing or vintage indie fashions(wearing feathers, flowers, sunglasses). 


Therefore I made a second mood board, dedicated to the fashion element of my magazine. 

For this mood board I specifically searched for mod and indie fashions, I found that celebrities like Lana Del Rey, model Suki Waterhouse, Cressida Bonas, Ellie Goulding and Vanessa Hudgens pull off this vintage look. I found that Suki Waterhouse wore modern day versions of clothing that Twiggy would wear in the 60's and therefore included a signature Twiggy photo. Suki Waterhouse has a look I would like to replicate with my model, Hilly, as she is an 'everyday beautiful' rather than covered with make up. The clothing worn has a shabby chic influence and I believe this would work well in a festival driven magazine as it follows the 'go with the flow' atmosphere a festival would bring- Cressida Bonas particularly shows this with her dungarees and scrunchies. I realised that there was a lot of bold and floral prints on the clothing and shorts were also worn regularly- so I might use that as a possible fashion choice. 

I believe these mood boards have open my eyes to many different paths I could take with the aesthetics of my magazine and I will hopefully use these ideas in my final piece. 

Initial Ideas

Blog 4: 
I have thought of some initial ideas for my music magazine. I have decided that I would like to make an indie style magazine, as this is the genre of music I listen to and I believe I will feel the most comfortable replicating and interpreting. 

I have created a mind map of possible ideas for my magazine front cover, contents and double page spread. 
I have decided to base my main story on a solo artist, as when I have researched indie magazines, artists such as Noel Gallagher, Miles Kane, Lana Del Rey and Lykke Li have made a striking impression on the front cover. I have decided to have a female artist as it will appeal to both a male and female audiences. I am going to use my model Hilly Hannam as the featured artist. 
At the moment I would like to make my magazine a 'Festival Edition' as I believe it would stand out and would comply with the 'indie' appearance of the magazine. It also means the magazine will be more casual and laid-back and could feature a range of smaller articles on the same topic. 
I haven't decided on the title, however I have picked up a few ideas when researching into indie music. I have also found that most indie bands and artists have followings of young adults of both genders, and these fans are very passionate about music. 
These ideas may or may not be used in my final magazine but they will hopefully be useful in the development of it. 

Task

Blog 3: 
My AS Media coursework task is to create a professional Music Magazine front cover, contents page and a double page spread. The magazine must follow the codes and conventions of a music magazine and its specific music genre. My Preliminary task will help me in this task as the Adobe skills will apply to this coursework. 
My blog will be updated daily (hopefully!!) and will track the journey into the making of my Music Magazine!!!!! 

Preliminary Task: Codes and Conventions

Blog 2: 

So for the Preliminary task we had to use the 'Codes and Conventions' of a School Magazine. 

As a class we researched School Magazines in order to see the rules they follow by. 

We found that most School Magazines have: 

• A medium close up of a student(s) 
• Bright/Primary Colours 
• Alliterative Headline
• Range of Students
• Informal 'feel' 
• Range of Stories 

Therefore on my magazine front cover I took a medium close up of Sixth Form student, Hilly Hannam Seymour, and to the side had photos of two Year 9 students and teacher Miss Britland. They were all smiling to show that Whitley Bay High School has a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. In the contents I used a photo of students from all years having lunch to show a united, community representation of the school.

I used a mostly purple and blue colour scheme as they apply to both males and females and they are bright and eye-catching.

The magazine title 'The Whitley Winner' and its stories use alliteration to follow the conventions of a school magazine and phrases such as 'vs' help give the magazine a informal read. 

Introduction

Blog 1:
My name is Beth Richardson, and this blog is to record the process of creating my Music Magazine, as part of my AS Level Media Course.


 I have already completed my Preliminary Task, which was to make a front cover and contents page for a School Magazine. I used Adobe Photoshop and InDesign to develop my school magazine and to generate a professional finish to the product.The Preliminary task enabled me to feel comfortable and confident with the Adobe programs and the camera equipment. In addition, the task prepared me for the final magazine and will help me learn from the mistakes I have made and avert from these in the future.