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).