Flat Plans.

Front cover: I have used a medium close up shot for my front cover as I think it sets the page off well, without making it appear cluttered. The models eyes are placed in the centre of the page and her face therefore becomes a focal point to the reader.The way in which the sell lines, masthead, insentive and sky lines are laid out allows the text to act as a frame for the models face- this coveys the subjects importance to the magazine. The background of the page will be of a dark, grey scale so that not only the text stands out but also the models make up too. The masthead will be a different, contrasting colour to the background and the sell lines, this will allow it to be the first thing the reader notices. It is on the left side of the page which is also convenient as we read from left to right and also to the way the shops layout the magazines on the shelves. I have made a left alinement of 6mm to make the page have a professional feel (most of the magazines already on the market have done this). Other than the masthead the main sell line is the largest text on the page as it is the most important sell line on the page. The models name will appear in a different font so that it stands out and people recognise her name, this will act as a persuasion to the target audience as will the insentive featured at the top of the page. The insentive overlaps both the skyline and the masthead and gives it a slightly informal feel. Both the insentive and one of the sell lines will have a frame around them so that they stand out from the dark background. 

Contents page: The contents page will be kept relatively simple with lines acting as seperaters inbetween each column and image, this will make the page easier to follow. Each page will have a bold, stand out banner above it so that it is easier for the reader to find what they are looking for, it also makes the page seem fuss free. I have repeated the masthead, yet made it smaller so that the reader will get used to seeing it and therefore be able to recognise the magazine. The colour and font of the text will be kept the same throughout so that the magazine stays professional. Again, the text will frame the image, therefore making it the most important feature on the page. I have included another skyline on this page as I think it sets the page off and draws your eye across the page, it's also a useful way to include extra information without having to make the page feel cluttered. I have kept the left alinement of 6mm to keep up the professional feel.

Double page spread:  The main image on this page is large and takes up nearly a full A4 page, this conveys the importance of the artist and it also makes the text feel less daunting to read with too much text. The text is set out into columns across the right hand page so that it is easier for the reader to read and it keeps the professional feel throughout. The article title will be in a bold contrasting font so that it stands out, it also overlaps onto the right hand page, this immediately draws the readers eye across the page. The article page will be in bold so that the audience will have their attention on that, it will act as a kind of hook to the reader and will therefore make them want to keep reading. The main image will be one of a flirtatious manor so that it also appeals to men aswell as women.

Target Audience

 I have been doing research regarding music magazines' target audience and how it is conveyed through different aspects of the magazine, such as; colours, the certain subject featured on the front and the theme of the articles themselves. Due to this I have come to the conclusion that the target audience of whom will read my magazine are very likely to be a certain way and interested in certain things. 

Age: 14-30
Gender: Both male and females, ideally equal.
Class: Working class- middle class.
Music Interests: House/ Dance/ Dubstep.
Media Influences: Music, advertisements (clubs, CD's etc), YouTube and social networking sites.


Taking my target audience into account I will have to balance the article themes equally so that both males and females are interested in buying the product. The same applies with every other aspect of the magazine. For example if I am willing for both genders to buy my magazine it wouldn't make sense to have the colour theme pink as it would immediately be disregarded by males. The same if I were to have very attractive, half naked females on almost every page in the magazine, females would be lead to believe the magazine is aimed at males only. Class is something that will also affect my magazine- it will be reasonably priced and the target audience can expect to get a lot of read for their money. Additionally, without being disrespectful to the lower/middle class people, the language used in my magazine will not be of a high vocabulary, therefore those of whom don't have the same language ability as those of a higher class will not feel inferior or as if they are not able to buy the product. Due to the fact my audience will be interested in DJ's and of a lower class I will include insentives so that they will be persuaded in buying my magazine. I will also include, reviews of new and upcoming artists and their albums/gigs so that the audience feel that they are recieving useful information rather than just interview articles and photo shoots. Generally, my target audience are relatively young and likely to be interested in social networking sites, consequently I will make sure there are websites that the reader can use inside the magazine. For example there will be a Facebook page and the magazines own website for further information.

Research into a potential target audience - secondary prezi

My audience profile. on Prezi

Research into a potential target audience - secondary

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Q/ 

6.2.12    






 Q magazines audience profile:

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Mojo/
6.2.12


MOJO magazines audience profile:

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Kerrang/ 
6.2.12 


Kerrang! magazines audience profile:

Research into institutions that distribute similar products.

http://www.mediauk.com/owners/88/bauer-media  30.1.12


http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/   30.1.12

Bauer Media Group off over 300 magazines in 15 different countries as well as online websites, TV and radio stations. They range from womens fashion to motorcylcling magazines. Some of the niche magazines that they publish are; Bird Watching, Classic Cars, Garden Answers, Improve Your Coarse Fishing, Max Power, Rail, Spirit and Destiny, Thats Life, Trout And Salmon and Your Horse. The big-selling magazines are; Bella, Closer, FHM, Grazia, Heat, Kerrang, MOJO, More, Q and Take a Break.
As regards to music magazines only, FHM, Kerrang, MOJO and Q are the only ones, however they are listed under "Mens Enterainment" or "Mens Lifestyle". The reasons why one distributor owns several different genres of magazines is that they can appeal to a larger audience range and tehrefore make more money. Also they are likely to be able to share resources and equiptment which saves money.
I believe Bauer Media Group would be interested in investing in my magazine because although it follows certain rules like a left alinement etc, the genre of music I will be including in my magazine will vary from indie/rock pop, alternative, dubstep, different dj's and even some rap. It will be such a wide variety that it is likely to appeal to a large audience. My model (a woman) will appeal to both men and women as males are likely to be attracted to her and women are likely to aspire towards her.




http://www.mediauk.com/owners/38/future    30.1.12 


http://www.futureplc.com/about/   30.1.12


Future have a range of media interests such as; magazines, websites, multimedia content and events. They specialise in allowing people to indulge in their passions and hobbies. Future look at topics from cycling and fast cars to games and photography.  Their range of music magazines are from one extreme to another. I believe they would benefit from publishing my magazine as it doesn't specify to one genre of music only, instead it includes a variety of genres therefore it will appeal to a much wider audience.  Their biggest-selling magazines include T3, Total Film, Classic Rock, Guitar World, and Official Xbox Magazine. However, they are likely to appeal to a niche market as they only specify in one topic. 

Textual Research Influence.

Front Cover:

The magazine covers of which I studied (Billboard, Q, DJ and CLASH) all had an overlap of some sort as regards to the image, logo, masthead and text. I think this allows the page to have a slightly informal feel, as long as it is kept professional and doesn't look messy by having too much overlapping so that it becomes unreadable or cluttered. I like the left alinement as it makes complete sense due to the fact we read from left to right, it will natuarally draw your eye across the page. I don't like the idea of having too much text on the front cover as I find it is likely to put the intended audience off buying the product and I don't think it is a good idea to give too much away on the first page they audience will see. The Billboard and Q (Kings of Leon) covers I looked at are good examples of an un-cluttered, fuss free layout. Additionally I think it looks profesional when the text frames the image as it shows the significance the subject has and they therefore become a focal point to the page.
As regards to the colour scheme, my initial thoughts are a black and white/ greyscale image along with a contrasting logo and text. Billboard is a great example of this. The image is likely to be a medium close up, however, only one of the covers that I looked at included a medium close up but the rest worked just as well, if not better. The mise en scene will have a rock 'n' roll, alternative vibe as this anchors the kind of music that will be included and slso the intended audiences interests and preferances.
Although I dont want the cover to seem cluttered, I do like the idea of including an insentive of some sort as it will entice the reader into buying my product.
To ensure my magazine appeals to both male and females I will include different artists, poses, names, colours and stories.


Contents page:

The main image of the contents page will have a little extra information to it than the one front cover so that it entices and hooks the reader, it will probably be a shot that contrasts with the one one the front cover too. To do this I will add in some props, change the setting or the subjects costume.
I will seperate different apects of the page with lines, banners, coloured frames and bold text so that it is easier for the reader to find what they're looking for. I will repeat some of the things featured on the cover on the contents such as; the magazines logo, insentives and persuasive language such as "No.1", however, I will also add a paragraph indicating what the main article is about.
I liked the idea of adding the magazines website into the contents page (Rolling Stone magazine) as it ensures the reader knows where to go for further information and it also re-inforces the name into the readers mind.
I will keep the colour theme and kind of language the same throughout the whole magazine to keep it looking professional, I will only use one or two colours on top of the black and white/ greyscale images and background.


Double page spread:

Again, I will keep the mise en scene, colours, language, font and alinement ect the same as the previous pages to keep the magazine looking professional. Most of the exaples i looked at had only one large image of the subject taking up a full A4 sized page, however i like the Florence Welch version as the image overlaps onto the other page and therefore the two pages imediately apear to be one. I like the idea of changing parts of the font to allow certain things to stand out. I am likely to go for the minimalistic aproach to the lay out and just having mostly text and image and no distractions from the main article.

Magazine- textual analysis on Prezi

http://cover.mojo4music.com/Item.aspx?pageNo=1832&year=2012 

Mojo is now becoming one of the best selling magazines. They have screamers on the front so that it entices people into buying the magazine.

Magazine survey.

If you were to buy a music magazine how much would you be prepared to pay for it?

£1    £1.50    £2    £2.50   £3    £3.50    None    Circle your answer. If none, please state why on the lines below.

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

How many pages would you expect to be in it?

60-100    100-140    140-220    above

What kind of stories interests you? State your answer on the lines below.

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

If a magazine had a certain theme (e.g. rock, rap etc) to it would you be more likely to buy it? Please state the reasons for your answer on the lines below.

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

What’s the most important thing to you when buying a music magazine?

·         Price

·         How many pages it has

·         Theme

·         Which artists are in it

·         Appearance (colours, fonts, images and layout)

Magazine Portfolio- Research.

Front cover:  I like the way on both magazines the logo and the main story are the largest so that the buyer knows what they are buying and it makes it easier to look for. Both logos are on the left hand side, this is because of how the shops display them on the shelves. Mine will be the same. The laid back, vintage feel of the NME cover is the look i will be aiming for as i find it simple and not 'try hard'. My target audience (students and young people) will appreciate this kind of look.

Double page spreads: I like the colour scheme of the top two example- i find it links with the vintage feel i am aiming for. Also, the font in the first example is really eye-catching and is just enough fuss and colour to catch the reader attention.The use of image in the first two also attracted me too as it has relevance to the music theme and i also love the rock feel they add to the spread. The black and white image is definately something i would consider. However, i like the layout of the third example. I think it looks better and more unusual with an image either in the centre or just off centre of the page. Finally i think it is important to have a quote in large as it gives the reader an example of what is in the article and hooks them so they read on.