Music Magazines in shops

Distribution of Music Magazines: 

I have taken a picture of a selection of different music magazines in a shop, I have looked at the way they are arranged and conclude that the main, popular music magazines and located at the top of the shelf, so that they are easily noticeable to their target audience. they have also put magazines with special promotions (such as a free cd when you buy the magazine) at the top, or at eye level.

It is important to make magazines stand out to the public because they are quickly being replaced by the internet, social and other forms of media.

Institutions/companies continue in trying to make their magazines stand out by using bright colours and large fonts. The magazine which particularly stands out is the 'Rock' magazine on the top shelf on the right hand side, this is because the use of the colour yellow is vibrant against the other colours.

By analyzing this image and researching into the layout and colours of magazines, I can get a good understand on what is appealing to music magazines audience.

These magazines have been distributed into various news-agents (ie. corner shops and  this is a common place to find magazines as it is where the target audience expect to find them, however nowadays large chains of supermarkets such as Asda and Tescos are selling the products.
Magazines are also distributed in different forms of media, for example online copies using the internet, this is becoming increasingly popular as technology is changing. And by having magazines online means expanding and anchoring a younger audience.

Mood Board

Analysis of my Mood board 

I have chosen various of images to put onto my mood board ranging from album covers to concerts and writing. I have chosen to use Indie style bands as that is what my magazine is going to be based on mainly because this is quite a popular style of music for both males and females of different ages, which features in the top music charts. The majority of artists that I have chosen are stereotypical bands that contain males, which are typically younger adults from the age of 18-28 and even though my magazine is aimed at teenagers and above it will still appeal to my target audience as they are creating upcoming and popular songs and albums. Often they will have 3-4 band members, that looked polished and clean however with a rough or average masculine look. For example Mumford and sons contain 4 band members, dress in smart clothing like suits that give them a down to earth look. however all together they give an image of a adult band. And even though they don’t have a bold, different, out standing look, they are famous for their music, and their image links with the indie/rock genre.

I have also selected different album covers as this is what my main story in my music magazine will include . I have chosen images from different genres such as indie, indie rock, soft rock, alternative rock and pop rock because this gives a greater spread of variety my music magazine can/will include. 

Thinking of a Concept

Fonts

I have gone to the website dafont.com and played around with different fonts that would suit the masthead of my magazine. I have chosen different fonts from serif to sans serif, this is to show variation and ideas.

Name of Magazine

I have come up with a many different names for my magazine. I have chosen these as they are all related to music. I have highlighted 5 main names that I think would work well as the name of a music magazine.

Features

I have also come up with different main story ideas. I will then choose the best story, and this is what my magazine will be based on, including information, pictures and quotes, etc.

Colours

I have chosen to stick with a 3 colour theme to show consistency. By using bright and bold colours, for example using red will stand out and anchor my target audience.

Target audience

I have aimed my magazine at a younger audience, I have does this as I think magazines will mainly be bought my young adults with a fixed income, this is because even though magazines are popular, it is slowly being replaced by the internet (mainly used by 16+) therefore my target audience would range between 18-21.

Timeline

Timeline of Music Magazine Front Covers

2012 Music magazine 

Bliss- 2011 music magazine

2010 Music Magazine cover 

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2008 Music Magazine

2005 Music Magazine

HMV Choice- 2002 Magazine Cover

Music magazine from 2000

90's Music Magazine

80's Music Magazine

60s Magazine

1947, Music magazine 

Front Page Analysis and Research

Masthead- 'Vibe', big and bold, however is covered by a large image of a celebrity (Usher) which suggests the magazine is a success. For example, they don't need the full name showing to make it stand out and have celebrity contacts that are interested in the institution, which will hopefully anchor fans and their target audience.

Fonts- This magazine uses a range of different fonts and colours, this is common to see on a magazine as it makes the key information stand out and appear bold and eye catching. The font used is Sans serif because it is aimed at a younger audience and using a serif font may not appeal the magazines target audience.

This magazine has a large image on the front of its cover. The picture is of a famous musician, by using a musician promotes what the magazine and will appeal to fans of the artist.

This Magazine quite neat (writing is straight, and in columns) which suggests it it to the point. By having a neat layout suggests it would appeal to an older audience as it is easy for them to read.

Colours- The colours of the font reflect on the large main image. They have chosen similar colours (white, and grey) which keeps the magazine simple by still bold and interesting.

They have used the same font throughout (capital letters) similar to the masthead/magazine title.  They have also put the main stories etc in a larger font. For example by having 'THE BEATLES' in big, bold, capital letters in the middle of the page, lets its target audience know what the main story  is going  to be about.

NME- This magazine uses the bold colour of red. The colour red, is bold and eye catching among the large background image of the band. the main image overlaps the masthead, which suggests it is a top magazine that most people are aware of.

The layout quite basic and centered. The 'ARCTIC MONKEYS' is in the middle of the page in big capital letters, by doing is implies the magazine is going to be about them.

They have used a constant colour of red (and white) they have most likely done this because it is the colour of the masthead; NME.

For the strap line they have used a rhetorical question to make the audience feel involved with the magazine.

Underneath the masthead 'NME' they have institutional details, this helps promote the magazine.

Menu strip- this is at the very bottom of the cover, it is used to identify the main features in next pages.

This magazine, clearly shows the masthead,simply by having it in a large font and bold colour background (white against red)

The main colour used for the font is white as this also stands out agains the full background image of the celebrity.

The magazine has chosen a close up picture of  Florence (celeb in the background) in the centre of the magazine to take up the entire background. They have also chosen her eye makeup (blue) which is used also used as a font colour in various places on the magazine.

They have chosen the main points about the magazine (what it will feature) and used a bolder and larger font to get the audiences attention.

My Evaluation

My Evaluation

I have created my own magazine (cover and contents page) for Epsom and Ewell High School.

The best parts of my front cover include a title 'Exclusive Magazine' which is important to show the audience what the magazine is based on and what it will be covering. Another key part of my magazine cover and contents is the fonts and colours, I have used blue, yellow, green and white which are the main colours of the school logo and also makes different parts of the magazine stand out. By having a sans serif font suggests it is quite casual and aimed at students.

Finally, another good feature of my magazine and contents page is the images, this is because they show the schools achievements and hard working pupils. 

On the other hand the worst parts of my magazine include a less professional outcome, and not enough information about the magazine. 

My magazine includes many codes and conventions such as the masthead/title, feature stories, images, text and a barcode. I have done this so it is easy to identify I have created a magazine that will appeal to different audiences. Also by using a barcode suggests the magazine is for purchasing, either by students or parents.

If I could change my magazine I would make it look more professional by including more information and better images. 

By creating this magazine has help me to understand the layout of a magazine cover and contents page. It has helped me to think about how to layout my music magazine and how to give it a professional appearance.

Overall I found this project to be easy because we have looked at different magazines to give a understanding on how they should look and how they will anchor its target audience.

Magazine (cover and contents page)

My School Magazine 

My Contents page 

Presentation image

We presented our analysis of the magazines to the class.

Other Students Magazines

The magazine has a bold, bright and colourful title/masthead in a creative font. By doing this, it will hopefully anchor its target audience. By using a plain white background makes the colours of the information stand out.

The large image is typically of a student which suggests the magazine is aimed at a younger audience

Feature stories- On the front cover there is bright green, red and white which links with the masthead and images. By having what the magazine is about on the cover makes it clear what type of audience it will appeal to, this magazine is to discuss 'sing alongs, canteen menus and after school clubs.

This particular magazine includes rhetorical questions, this is so the audience feels involved.

This magazine doesn't include a barcode however includes a 50p price tag, which shows they do not necessarily have a target audience with a large income, otherwise would charge more.

Page Numbers- this magazine addresses page numbers to turn to, so the reader will be intrigued  to find out more about the main stories.

There are smaller stories in the bottom area of the page, it does not over power the main larger images however gives the audience an idea of what the accompany featured stories are, in comparison to the main story.

Magazine name- the title for this magazine is called Student times, which gives a clear view the magazine is for a school (Benton grammar school)

The large image is across the entire background, it shows 2 students in a library, this suggests the main feature story is about a new and improved student library. 

Magazine tagline or Phrase- 'Educating for Life' is shown on the bottom of the cover, suggests it is the schools slogan 

Feature stories - this magazine is clearly based on a new school library for students

Barcode- this magazine has a barcode which shows it may be on sale to students/parents, suggests that it is a more recognised magazine.