Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

I think that I have made lots of progress through the course of creating my magazines, and this is clearly demonstrated through the difference in quality of my college magazine and my music magazine. The development of my skills is shown through this.


Obviously, the magazines are targeted towards very different types of audiences and I believe that both do cater to the conventions and needs well to appeal to these audiences. However, there is a difference in detail and skill that has gone into the Tones magazine that had not been developed at the time of the creation of my college magazine. When creating my college magazine it was very much about developing my skills and it did. This can be seen through the types of fonts used, the house theme and they lay out. I think that the photo for both was chosen well and depict the correct type of contents, however my photo editing skills have seen dramatic improvement through practise and use of photoshop. I think that I have made my music magazine a lot more sophisticated, with a clearer use of a house style through only a selection of various fonts used and a colour scheme that suits the genre being presented. Small changes connote my development, such as the placement and use of banner at the top of 'Tones' rather than the messy banner placed at the bottom of 'Student'. The cover lines and the way they are presented on the page also show that I have gained knowledge in the music and general magazine industry, of conventions of front covers.I think that I have payed more attention to detail in my later attempt, and my development can clearly be seen through the development of even just my music magazine, and the progression made when designing that front cover.


I think that what shows my progression the most is the comparison of my contents pages. The preliminary task of creating the music magazine allowed me to experiment with design techniques and InDesign. Looking back, I feel I made a lot of improvement compared to the first design. I don't like the coloured background, and feel that a white background creates a more sophisticated look. There is also a lot of blank space on my college contents page, which I would now change after looking at the conventions of contents pages more closely. I feel like now I have the extended knowledge to make a much better college magazine contents page that is up to the standard of my music one and make the various improvements within the photography and positioning of texts. My music magazine contents page does not have an editors note, however I have focused more on providing information on how to access the magazine via social media and online, which will increase publicity for the site. There is also still an introductory paragraph into the double page spread and main feature of the magazine, which would be in the place of an editors note, however there would still be an editors note within the magazine.

In conclusion, I think that I have learnt various skills in terms of software, including how to use InDesign and Photoshop, and even the basic skills on a Mac that I did not have before. I have learnt how a magazine is structured, not just in the music genre but the magazine industry in general, and also about how the sector of media works in terms of business and industry, which helped me make informed decisions on what to include, and how to present my magazine to my target demographic.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

Media Institutions

What Media Institutions Do You Think Would Be a Good Distributer of Your Magazine

In what ways does your product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

media q 10

What have you learnt about the technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Who would be the audience for your media product?

To help answer this question I created a rough mock up of a media pack for my magazine 'Tones'. Media packs are often created in aid to help sell advertising space of a magazine, but to do this the key target audience has to be communicated to the advertisers, to that they know they're placing their advert to the right people, and the target demographic for their own product. For this reason, I think that creating a mock up media pack for my own magazine is a good way to describe the kind of person or the 'typical' member of the target audience.
I've started the page by demonstrating the kinds of products and brands that I think readers will be interested in already. Several festivals, Reading and Leeds festival and Isle of Wight festival have been placed, both by the fact that reading is more of a rock festival which will hold a large proportion of readers, as well as the more 'indie' readers interested in bands features such as 'The Vaccines', who might be more expected to be seen at the Isle of Wight festival. A lot of the pictures are around technology associated with music, as readers will be young and up to date with the latest technology, and wanting the best products to listen to their music with, for example the newest type of headphone, or the best speakers. Readers, as you can see will have a medium age of 16-18, meaning that they will want to be on top of the trends, and setting new ones at the same time. The coolest type of fashion for people as dedicated to music as 'Tones' readers is band merch, so brands such as 'Down But Not Out' and 'Drop Dead' have been included in the pictures, clothing lines run by members of rock bands 'You Me At Six' and 'Bring me The Horizon'. The timeless classic Converse included, and Pepsi and Kit Kat, quick snacks very relevant to the lives of every teenager. I think that the images describe the type of person the key reader would be, spending a lot of spare time and money on going to see live gigs, travelling to see beloved big bands arena tours and smaller bands in local venues. 'Tones' readers are dedicated people in all parts of their lives, be that to certain musicians, TV shows or bloggers, and are not afraid to voice their opinions, taking pride in sharing their love for idols on popular sites such as twitter or tumblr, embracing this kind of social media in the best way.

The Key Stats also offer a better insight into the type of reader that would be the example of 'Tones'' target demographic,predicting the ratio of male readers to female to be 31:69. The magazine would be aimed at both genres however, just as NME has a larger reader genre of males this would have a larger female readership. Also having a median reader age of 16-17 would offer a mature music magazine targeted towards this age group rather than mid 20's or young children would offer this target market the topics that the present music magazines have been lacking. These topics could not only include information about upcoming gigs, but how to get public transport there/back, the way there ect, for example, offering the young adult age group the independence wanted at this age. For this reason I think that 'Tones' is unique in offering readers what they would like to see, including lots more articles like this.

Below is a video demonstrating the type of young people that this magazine will be targeted towards. It features the styles of the readers will be wearing, and interested in, the places they like to go, including places to shop, venues of gigs, and how they enjoy spending their spare time. It also features brand choices, and through this unique technique of presentation will offer a sense of their personality along with just the facts, and their likes and dislikes, allowing a sense of realism about the target demographic, and what the target age range is really interested in. The backing track is 'Song 2' by Blur, a favourite yet not particularly modern, also connoting the personality of those featured, linking with their knowledge and passion for music that is demonstrated within the video, and their style and attitudes towards the world around them.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Audience and representation within the media is a serious issue that is addressed, and the producers of media need to take into consideration the effects of the way social groups are stereotyped and presented within their products. I believe that I have done this within the production of my music magazine, trying to avoid stereotypes, particularly negative, and present my new band in a fair and unbiased way.

The genre of an artist is often depicted through how they're styled and positioned, with more grunge bands being styled with darker colours, and more serious faces, and pop artists colourful and extreme poses. For my front cover, I have styled by band 'The Crows' in almost casual clothes. Both girls wear grey, purple and black colours, and with the limited colours they wear allows the colour theme of the magazine to follow. I think that this is a positive of the cover, as by limiting the colour theme it keeps the magazine from looking messy, and remains mature and  also shows a structure throughout the magazine, particularly connecting the front cover with the double page spread featuring an interview with 'The Crows'. The colours of greys and blake connote a more grunge sort of sound, which is the sound of the band. The addition of the purple connotes the fun that they also show from their music, and that they're a mix and enjoy the girly things, whilst bringing the casual, darker, fun side of them into their music. The casual clothing (t shirts, a top and jeans) connotes that the music industry wont change them, and I wanted them to appear more dressed down on the cover so that they don't seem fake at all. Not particularly wearing much make up, with a t shirt and clear direct address shows them stripped back. I wanted to represent them in this way as they are 'starting' their career, so the representation of them will connote the type of unconventional female grunge band, that at the same time as being career driven, is about having the best time of their lives.
The direct address was deliberately used in the cover to draw the reader in, but also present them as confident, and that they have nothing to hide. The quote 'Simon Cowell hates us..." reinforces this representation of confidence. I've positioned the front cover as a headshot of the band, avoiding stereotypical representation of women by exposing body or dressing them up extravigantly for fear of readers being more worried about the appearance of the band rather than the music. By using the headshot it avoids this, and focuses on the direct address, increasing pull of the reader.
My band is new and young, and has a target audience of young people with no gender specifications, however they do target people that care about music and not just the people that are in the top 10 of the week. I think that this is communicated well through how they are styled and presented, and is also working due to the fact that they are a kind of mirror image of the audience they are appealing too, young people (girls), interested in the same things as them (music, fun, parties at their age ect).
In some senses the representation of the Crows does not support dominant ideas about the social group. I think that young people are often perceived in a very negative way, with the idea that they do not care about anything serious, and are interested in breaking rules and making life harder for people around them. Associations with crime ect are often brought about with the subject of young people, teenagers in particular. 'The Crows' are presented to have the best balance between the fun of rule breaking whilst you're young, which will attract a younger audience, representing them as exciting and also real as the target audience will be able to relate to this and the frustration at the restrictions of youth, but also being able to be looked up to as a music artist through their manners (example of this through offering to buy reporter a drink and apologising for being late), sense of humour and how to stay responsible (mainly) whilst being in the spotlight of fame.
My band covers the social groups of females and young people, allowing the dominant social views to be challenged and met in different ways, however I think predominantly presenting them as respectable role models for the target audience of teenage music lovers.

Evaluation of Front Cover and how it attracts/addresses my audience

'Tones' is a music magazine targeted towards young people, a 15-20 target audience that is not specifically gender targeted. I decided on this target age range due to the research I did previously, which indicated that there was a gap in the market for this type of music magazine. We Love Pop and Top of the Pops had taken the place of young kids magazines, and research indicated that NME and Kerrang!, although bought by young people, were targeted at, and had a mean reader age of 25. This allowed me to start developing a music magazine, based around the indie rock genre, targeted specifically towards teenagers that are dedicated to music, and deserve a magazine for them, and not for older people. The magazine will include articles specifically towards the target audience, such as transport help to get to gigs, and ticket releases and how to get them, as well as favourites from the research such as interviews and music rumours.

The construction of my front cover started with taking my pictures. My band was a female due, and they were styled to represent a band that was authentic, down to earth, and genuine. They were to be as dedicated to the music as the readers and fans are, and I think that this is portrayed through the clothes that are not over dressy, and also the location. Their effortless glamour is contrasting with the background, connoting their mix of personality and the new lifestyle they're living, as well as their ability to remain grounded, original yet stylish and carefree. When taking the pictures, I was sure to take care about taking camera work into consideration. I used the third rule of photography, which positioned the girls eyes on the upper third line, as this is the place most readers eyes gravitate to first, adding to the direct address effect. This allowed me to target the reader directly in the best way possible by drawing them in. Various shots were taken as shown in the development and considered for the front cover, however the one that was decided on I am happy with. I chose this one as it offers clear direct address. It is a close up shot of the two girls, offering a relationship to be made with the reader through the eye contact. They are a new band, so when considering between the shots of them sat down and standing ect, I believe that by placing this shot in the front cover will be more effective, and noticeable. The shot allowed me to work around it, and fit my headline, masthead, plugs, and cover lines within the picture, and work with it creating a front cover that I am happy with. I think that this was the best picture that allowed me to do this, as the other two would have caused obstructions with the masthead, and may not have allowed the appropriate space for the remaining features. This picture (Alice sitting) was my second choice, as it follows the line theory of camera work, and could have highlighted the headline of the cover, and offered a longer shot of the band. However, I am sure that my decision is the strongest, as it allows a clear view of the band, and presents more of their personality than the other options did. It shows the contrast in their characters, but also their relationship.
Their styling also works well with the colour scheme, as the top that Alice is wearing matches Amelia's hair, which present the opportunity for a colour scheme. The purple/pink can offer the opportunity to add other colours, whilst keeping a base colour of black, grey shades. This has worked well as it then allowed me to work other colours into the front cover without a colour clash/looking too messy, for example the well known Reading and Leeds festival logo. The colour scheme allows this logo to stand out more, which is good as it is a well known symbol which could attract further readers through the chance to win tickets to such a famous festival.The clashing, vibrant colours of the yellow and red are loud against the fairly fixed colour scheme, adding to the commercial effect, and this has also been added due to the research survey results; people said that they would be more likely to buy a magazine if something was advertised to win, or a free gift was being given. Taking this into consideration, I added the chance to win free tickets to this festival, a prize relevant to the target audience of 'Tones', which would hopefully add to the selling points of the magazine. Adding this give away also provided more article ideas, through reviews and articles about previous festivals. The banner that the competition is advertised in allows me to further frame the magazine, intensifying the colour scheme through the background of the banner being the purple running throughout the construction. The darker background allowed me to colour the text white, which I think had a positive effect on the cover in allowing me to not consistently place the text in black or purple due to the white background. Next to the banner, I added a plug which draws attention to the article that was in relation to the competition.  The plug 'PLUS R+L the ultimate review', overlaps the banner, which would clearly indicate to readers that the two features are connected, the colour of the text and outline of the circular plug following the colour theme of the rest of the cover.

The text in the plug follows the theme of the rest of the cover lines, as I wanted the magazine cover to look professional and tidy. Often, children's magazines have lots of colour, cover lines and images on the cover, and a mixture of fonts and no clear theme. This is to create the connotations of excitement that children feel, and to engage with them through the business and attract younger people with colours and pictures. However, due to my magazine being aimed at young adults, I wanted the magazine to be music orientated, and for that reason I did not want it to appear untidy, and the colour scheme is used to create the look of maturity and also be able to make easy connections to articles with the use of anchorage throughout, as well as interacting with the image of the band featured on the front. This follows through to the fonts and text on the cover. The 'Plus' is in a dark purple which matches the banner, and also the titles of the other cover lines featured, which draws the readers eye here. It is larger and bolder than the rest of the text beneath, and this is the same with the remainder of the cover lines. The titles, for example 'Florence' or 'Foo Fighters', are in the same text, as they are the titles and main part of the article. By simply placing the name of the band as the title would draw the attention of readers, particularly fans of the artist. Just using the name also emphasizes the importance of the artist, as it shows that they need no introduction and that they are important enough already. The text for each title remains the same, keeping the neat and professional image, and distinguishable, easy to quickly identify what the article is about. The text beneath the titles of the cover lines is the same font and size, however it's also slanted slightly into italics, which I think makes it more aesthetically pleasing, as well as making it easier for the reader to see the clear title quickly, and then read more into what the article is actually about, through the brief insight beneath. The words beneath are not revealing on what the entirety of the article is about, which will entice the reader more.

Font and text is an important feature of magazine construction and can have lots of connotations associated with it. For example, a magazine with a mast head that is swirly italic, will have the connotations of a female target audience, with articles about home life and beauty. The mast head I've chosen is a block font, making it easy to read, and identify on a shelf. In this font, each letter is capital, and it is also in black. I think that I have made a successful mast head due to the fact that it is recognisable as a brand name, and the 'O' has made it particularly unique. For the second letter of my mast head, I have filled the centre of the letter o, with the purple colour of the banner and text. I've then layered the 'O' with several circles, offering the image of a vinyl record. This connotes that the magazine is about music, not just completely modern and the readers will understand this. Readers of 'Tones' appreciate all kinds of music, and it will not only feature modern music but old as well. It is also a magazine about the generalisation of music, so will target all kinds of aspects of the music industry, gigs, venues, album art, and of course the actual sound of new albums. By adding the symbol of the record with in the mast head, I think this is implied. It also makes the magazine unique, and the middle circle (purple bit) will change with each issue to meet the colour scheme of that weeks magazine. The word 'Tones' I think also works as a mast head, and magazine name through the musical connotations of the word tones. It is monosyllabic, which makes it memorable and easy to identify on a self, as well as having the connotations of different types of music that can be good or bad, through the different tones, which is in reference to the kind of articles and reviews that will include opinionated young readers. The tagline connotes the success and reliability of the magazine, and underlines the 'Tones' in a way that adds focus to it.

The cover lines I have chosen to place on the cover I think are particularly effective through the variety of types of features, which cater to the requests of my survey. I have included an interview/gossip feature (Florence), a review and insight into a new album (Foo Fighters), and an excessive interview with a new band (the crows). I think that the listed names of bands also have a good effect on the reader, intriguing them as they don't know what all of the names are about, just that there are a lot of artists included, and the variety will appeal to lots of different readers. The names in the list are in alternate colours that still fit the colour scheme allowing them to fit in with the cover, and are the same length, making them aesthetically pleasing. The white + sign pulls them all together, enclosing all of the artists and separating the cover line from the main image, as well as emphasising the fact that there are so many more features, with the size of the plus sign. The headline is simply 'The Crows', and I have made the font the same as the mast head, in the connotation that the band is just as important as the actual magazine itself, and it also ties the magazine together, almost framing the main image due to the masthead being at he top and the headline being along the bottom of the page, which adds more focus to the main image. Both are also in black, which then forces the colour in the main image to stand out against the dark colours but also allows the boldness of the masthead and headline to stand out without overshadowing the main image, or darkening the page too much. The pull quote references to Simon Cowell, which I think is effective as it is incorporating other well known personalities fem the music industry, which could cause some controversy, and would maybe entice further readers that have a particular interest in him, which could as a result create further interest in my band. Simon Cowell is famous for being a harsh critic, and is also known for creating a lot of manufactured bands and artists through the 'X Factor'. For this reason, an argument might intruige people into where the feud has come from, but by following that fact that he 'hates them' with 'and we love it', also connotes a lot about the band in that they don't particularly care about consumerism and the 'X Factor', or even what influential people like Simon Cowell think of them, which would also be the views of many of the target audience, who would be fans of alternative music, rather than One Direction and the 'X Factor'. The effect of using a pull quote is also positive as it gives readers a preview into the actual interview, which will make them want to buy it and continue reading.


In conclusion, I am happy with my magazine front cover as I feel that it depicts the contents of the magazine well, and clearly targets the target demographic through colour scheme, quotes and cover lines. If I were to do this again, I think that I would take a different type of picture, maybe a longer shot that would allow me to use body shape and positioning more, which would draw readers in a different way. However, in terms of this type of band and the fact that they are new and not overly known, the close up works well, and the direct address is clear, attracting readers. Here is my final cover, after adding a price beneath the date and issue number. I have decided to market my magazine at £3.10, taking into consideration my market research, competitors prices and the target demographic and age bracket, and the regularity of my issues (monthly).