Sub genre research.

Sub genre research

When looking at different magazine genres, there are different types of codes and conventions that apply when looking at the different genres. There tends to be a very stereotypical look, and each genre has it's own style, here are the typical codes and conventions for different music genre magazines. 

Pop music magazines: 

Pop magazines usually have a specific type of target audience as well as style. The target audience for pop magazines tends to be a young female audience. Pop magazines have a very stereotypical look, and are usually associated with what is trending currently. The magazine on the right is a good example of the typical pop magazine, the bright colour scheme and the type of font, is mainly aimed at a female audience we can see this, as the font has a soft look to it, and has feminine look to it. The magazine also has content that is aimed at a younger audience, it has about music stars that are young and what younger people such as teens, and young adults would listen to. The magazine also has cover lines, and images aimed at a female audience, "George Shelley SHIRTLESS!" is a perfect example of the way the magazine is typically trying to attract a female audience, it sexualises the male in the image.

Another point to make about the magazine cover, is that it is a low production value magazine, the images on the magazine are paparazzi shots or award ceremony shots, this shows and tells us that the magazine wouldn't have high production value compared to magazines such as Q or Rolling Stone.

Rock magazine


Magazines associated with rock also will have a specific target audience, however it depends on the type of rock magazine. Rock music magazines, will have a much more darker bolder colour scheme compared to pop magazines for example. Rock magazines will tend to use much darker colours such as reds, blacks, whites and greys. The magazine to the right is a perfect example of the typical rock music magazine, you would tend to see. 

The rock music magazine has a higher quality look to it, and a higher production value. The main image is from a photoshoot, this immediately shows that the quality of the magazine is much higher, and money has been spent to produce a high quality magazine. Also the artists featured in the magazine, are some of the best rock artists, therefore this will attract a wide audience as they will know and want to hear about them. The content included in the magazines, are things the audience would want to read about and immediately attracts them, when looking at the cover lines, and the banners.

Heavy metal magazines


Heavy metal magazines, have a much darker, edgy look to it. They specifically have a certain target audience, which is typically an male audience. With the colour schemes and the type of content in the magazines, its more masculine and darker. The magazine I've included is a good example of a heavy metal magazine.
The magazines main image stands out, and has a fierce, aggressive masculine look. The colour scheme is dark, and chilling which links in with the heavy metal genre, the cover lines too which show what content is included, shows the type of artists, which are popular in the heavy metal industry.
The main image shows a heavy metal artist, with a bold intimidating look to them, this also associates with the genre of the music, as heavy metal is typically quiet heavy, loud and has a rebellious sound to it. The production value of a magazine looks high, as the quality of the magazine is good, it doesn't look rushed, and has images that have specifically taken for this issue. The way the magazine is represented is also to a high quality, the font and the way the magazine is laid out it looks tidy and good.

Indie magazines


Indie magazines have a soft, chilled look to them, they typically have more neutral colour schemes such as whites, blacks, and pale colours. One of the indie music magazines I found has the typical conventions of a indie music magazine. The magazine has a smart, simple look to it, which reflects on the genre of music its taking about. The main image is from a photoshoot which gives the impression that it is a high production value magazine. Also the quality of the magazine, it looks like a high valued magazine, it doesn't look scruffy or rushed it's got a nice clean look. The colour scheme is nice and simple, using whites, blacks and reds. It reflects the union jack colours, and the artists featured are British, which shows that the magazine is specifically showing the British indie scene and the talent available. The banner at the bottom shows the artists available, and will attract people more to the magazine, if they see the artists they like.



Rap music magazines

Rap magazines, have a unique look to them. Rap magazines tend to stand out, by the style of them the magazine I've found is a good example. The main image of the magazine, shows a famous artist wearing hip-hop styled clothes, this will attract the audience, by looking at the star in the main image and by his style they will know immediately the genre of music this magazine is. The house style of this magazine stands out, it includes colours such as whites, reds, greens and blacks which are bold and out there, it also includes a bold mast head that is easily noticeable and recognised. The cover lines too also would attract the audience, they're big and bold you can easily see them, and they stand out. The main image is from a photoshoot similar to the other magazines I've looked at, this reflects the production value of the magazine photoshoots cost time and money, the magazine overall has a well done style to it, and looks professional. 

Evaluation of preliminary task

Evaluation of preliminary task

When doing research of other magazine covers and contents pages, it helped me develop my ideas, and thoughts on what type of design I wanted my magazine to have. It helped me have some knowledge on what typical college magazines look like, for example how formal they look, or the type of content they have. By looking at differently designed magazines, it gave me an idea of what to include in my magazines, e.g. what type of images, stories, and the type of style of my magazine.

My magazine uses the same conventions as a real media magazines, because of the type of software, and the style of my magazine. I made my magazine cover, and contents page using Adobe Photoshop, many professional journalists, and magazine designers use this type of software, as its easy to manipulate an image, and get the results you want. The way I produced my photos for my contents page, and cover page was also using the same sort of conventions, as I used professional, high quality cameras, to get the image I wanted. 

The type of institution that would produce my magazine, is a company that produces educational magazines, and other types of media. My magazine is a college magazine, therefore it includes things aimed at students, and information aimed at the parents. My magazine also includes different types of articles, that have educational purposes, this is why overall it would be best if a educational type of media industry, would produce my magazine as It would be the same genre.

I attracted my audience, by specifically aiming my magazine at them, when analysing magazines and seeing there key features such as: big main images, bright colour schemes, and interesting cover lines. I also conducted a survey to see what my target audience would prefer, I wanted to see the type of colour scheme they liked, the type of images they wanted, also the type of articles they wanted to be included. While looking through my research I realised that my target audience, prefers the main image aimed at them specifically meaning a image of someone in the same situation e.g. a student. I also realised they would prefer bright colours, and interesting fun articles.

Over the course of doing this task I have developed on my Photoshop skills, taking photos and using new equipment, such as new cameras, lenses etc. I have learnt how to produce a final piece that fits the criteria, however could use a lot of improvement, which I will learn how to over the period of the course.

The strengths of my final product are, the fact I adapted my final piece to my target audience, I made sure I analysed what my target audience wanted for example colour schemes, and the type of articles featured. I made sure my magazine included what they wanted, and adapted to some of the features professional magazines had, like the style and images taken.

The weaknesses of my final product are, the quality of my cover page and contents page, I need to develop more on my Photoshop skills to produce higher quality products, I can do this by using more tools and learning how to use different effects. Another thing I could improve on is, the quality of the images I took, I need to learn how to improve my photography skills so I can take good images, I need to learn how to use the equipment and to develop on my skills.



Contents page for preliminary task

Contents page

Cover page for preliminary task

Cover page 

Target audience

Target Audience of a school magazine

My target audience for my school magazine, is going to be students and parents.
This is because of the type of magazine it is, it's going to aimed at specific audience, and is going to for a specific school. My magazine, is going to have to be suitable and adapted for the specific audience, I'm going to do this by giving it a professional look and a bright, colourful look for the students. The first magazine is a good example of the type of magazine, aimed for the audience I'm trying to attract.  It has a smart professional look aimed at not only the parents, but the students. The magazine cover not only has articles for the parents, but also the students. Which is what i want to incorporate in my magazine. The magazine I'm designing, needs to have articles suitable for both age groups I'm aiming for. The bright colours of this magazine, is also something I want to add to my magazine, this will attract the younger students to the magazine. Another point to make about this magazine, which I also want to incorporate into my magazine is the main image being another student. I would want to add this to attract my younger audience, as they can see someone within the same age range, and same situation as them, therefore it'll make them want to look at my magazine. The magazine overall is a perfect example of what kind of magazine, I want to create.
The other magazine, has a more sporty look to it. The magazine also has the same look I want my magazine to look like, the bright colours and the picture, of another student. However this magazine has a much more professional and mature look to the first one. Which something I'm also considering in my magazine. It has a striking image, and an overall good colour scheme that gives off a bright, warm effect which will also attract the audience. This one of the main features I want to add into my magazine. The magazine cover also has lots of information, and cover lines showing the audience there's loads of information inside and articles, the magazine has a very calm, warm professional look to it, so it will not only attract the younger audience they want to get, but also the older audience (the parents).
Overall, I want my magazine to have a professional look to it. I want it to specifically capture the parents and students as readers, and have articles suited and interesting for them both. The magazine cover overall, should be bright coloured with a smart professional look, and suitable titles with images for the audience. 

Analysis of two college magazines and content pages

Analysis of two college magazines and content pages

Big bold masthead, with a bright colour to clash with the dull background colour, which will make

the audiences eyes attracted to the magazine.

Bright colour scheme also on the cover lines, to also attract the audience, but to also give a feel to what the magazine is about. The main image is striking and is aimed at a younger audience, because of the way the character is holding themselves. But also by the props and the way the character is dressed, it gives off a teenage vibe, which will attract an audience a similar age. Another point to make is where the character is placed, he placed in front of the masthead, but not in front of the cover lines, which means the main image of the character has some importance and is a key figure to the magazine.  The main cover line is bigger than the other cover lines, which gives a distinctive look, but also indicates to the audience the main story. Another point is that the main cover line stands out and is also copying the main colour scheme which, overall is giving off a neutral , but sophisticated look. Which relates to the fact it’s an educational magazine. 

The right third, is showing all the other cover lines, that are not as important as the other cover line, we can tell this also by the size of the font used. It tends to be the smaller the size the less imported compared to the bigger main cover line.

The selling line is short, and snappy which will instantly attract the audience, but also gives a little taste of what the magazine is all about. The selling line is also copying the same font and colour scheme as the masthead and cover lines, which makes the magazine look formal, and appropriate to the genre it is.The bright pink pug, clashes with the colour scheme, and immediately stands out to compared to the rest of the magazine, and its colour scheme. The font underneath the title in the pug, is much more smaller and finer, meaning that the audience has to come in further to read what it says, making them attracted and drawn to the magazine. The audience for this magazine is clearly a teenage audience possibly at college, this is by its bright colourful look but also its smart look. 

This magazine has a different approach, compared to the other magazine. This magazine has a much more formal, neat look. It has a very professional and suits the audience it’s trying to attract. First of the masthead has a big bold look, its bright and white, and stands out compared to the rest of the magazine, it also gets straight to the point.

Underneath towards the bottom of the magazine, we can immediately see the main cover line as it’s bigger that any other cover lines on the magazine, they’ve also included to say that it’s the featured story which also helps the audience, understand the important story of this issue. 

The main image of this magazine is of a group and a long shot. Another point to make that the image is used for a reason its to show achievement of the students in the image, also that they’re the featured story.

The image at the bottom of the magazine features the logo of the school, so the audience know whether it affects them or not, as in if they attended another school and didn’t attend this school, they’d know it wouldn’t be relevant. The magazine also feature the date and issue number, this is also good for the audience to know whether this issue is the most recent.                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

This contents page has a very simple but nice look to it. It features images of the college and what takes place there, not only that but it has nice and easy layout for the text, so its easy to read and not confusing, which means you can easily find out what page you want. 
The contents page has a very easy plain colour scheme, but the text and font is bold and stands out, making it easy to read, and nice and formal for the type of magazine it is. 
The school name and logo at the top, is a great way to present the and show the audience what college magazine they're reading. This means it's easy to understand whether the magazine is the right college you are after. 
Overall this contents page has a nice, smart simple look to it. Giving you all the information you need, making it easy to find. 





However, this contents page is much more laid out, and has a lot more information to it. The main image of the contents page immediately relates to what the main story is. Meaning that it shows you the main story and gives you more of an idea, just by showing an image. 
The colour scheme of the magazine, gives of a bright welcoming vibe, but also related the the main story again, by giving off summery colours. 

The text giving off the page number and articles, also includes a little bit of the story giving the reader a good idea of what the article is about, by summarising it using a few lines. The article also immediately gives a feeling as to who the target audience is, we can see that it's a much younger audience for this magazine, also students. 

The text including the page numbers, has distinctively changed the colours of the numbers, to a bright bold red. 
This immediately stands out and shows the audience clearly what page to go to. 

AS G321: Print Brief

PRINT BRIEF

Preliminary exercise: produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce a mock-up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of the programme.

Main task: the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine

All images and text used must be original, produced by the candidate, minimum of FOUR images per candidate.