Brief For Ancillary Task

For the ancillary task we were asked to create the front cover, contents page, and double page spread of a music magazine. The genre of this music magazine was entirely up to us.

Front Cover Final Draft

Contents Page Final Draft

Double Page Spread Final Draft

Changes Made after Peer Feedback

After listening to the peer feedback and looking at my music magazine I decided to make some changes to my music magazine. I changed the model who was being the main artist, changed the colour scheme so it comes across more eye catching than eye pleasing. I also changed the font of the masthead and moved some text around.

Front Cover Final Draft Breakdown from kittylantos

Front Cover Changes
For the front cover I used a photo of a different model to the model in my first draft and I paid more attention to the mise-en-scene in the photo and made sure the artist had an edgy hairstyle and her makeup was more striking. I used Photoshop to edit this image where I altered the brightness and contrast and the green/blue/red levels. I then changed the masthead to a font that was more eye catching. I also changed the colour scheme from turquoise to a dark red, I experimented with different colours at first but eventually settled on a dark red. Using this colour scheme I changed the colour of the text and the banner at the top of the page to the dark red colour.

Final Draft Double Page Spread Powerpoint from kittylantos

Double Page Spread Changes
I changed the main image, with the different model, on the left hand side of the article to a location shot. With this change I had to remove the turquoise colour scheme and I used the same dark red for certain parts of text within the article. I also changed the additional images to images of the different model which I edited using the green/red/blue balance on Photoshop. Then I decided to make the artist's name spread across the two pages instead of just one to stand out more, so I increased the size of the font. I then decided that I wanted the image on the page to stand out more so I created a copy of the main image and mirrored it on the right hand side of the page underneath the text but I edited this mirror copy so that it had more grey-scale in it so the text was still visible and legible. I then added a filter to the original main image making it stand out more.

Final Draft Contents Page Breakdown from kittylantos

Contents Page Changes
The first change I made was changing the masthead 'Surge' to the same font as the front cover. I then changed the main image and the additional images on the page to make sure that the contents page looked more like a music magazine. I used a black and white photo of the changed model for the main artist, I then added more grey-scale to the two other additional images. To ensure that I kept in keeping with the colour scheme that was running through the changed Front Cover and Double Page Spread I also added the dark red to the the subtitles on the page, and to sections of the banners on the page.

Peer Feedback on First Drafts

After doing the first drafts for the front cover, the contents page and the double page spread I then asked three people on their opinions on them to see if there were any improvements or changes that could be made. 

What worked well:

Tanisha, 19- "I like how the text on the front cover stands out and grabs the readers attention. On the contents page the layout is the main thing that stands out for me and on the article I like the use of the quote over the picture"

James, 17- "The fonts in all of them are good and I especially like the way the contents page is arranged with all the sections. On the double page spread it's good how the colours match with the contents and the front cover"

Maisie, 22- "I like the whole magazine, I think it all works well together and the article is well written as well. The front cover seems really cool and the bar code and the price on it make it seem more genuine."

Even better if..:

Tanisha, 19- "If there were more edgy pictures I think it would look better and maybe change some of the colours so that they're brighter to go with them. I like the contents page but if some pictures change it needs to go together throughout the magazine"

James, 17- "I think it is quite girly so if it was more for a broader audience with like less girly colours then it would seem more like it was a magazine for mainstream music"

Maisie, 22- "I don't think it stands out to be a music magazine I think it looks more like a fashion magazine and the model in the pictures fits with this as well. So maybe if the model changed it could make the magazine look more like a music magazine."

First Draft's: Front Cover, Contents, & Double Page Spread

How are different social groups represented through your media product?

Analysis

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

I believe that the music magazine I created uses conventions of real media products, in the form of music magazines, throughout the front cover, contents page and the double page spread.

In the stages of research and planning I found that recurring conventions on the front covers of music magazines are: a masthead, a puff, a main image, additional images, main cover line(s), additional cover lines, a bar code, an issue date, a running colour scheme.
On the front cover of the music magazine I created I included the conventions that are in bold.

The front cover can be seen to challenge forms and conventions of real music magazines as the magazine is also tied in with fashion so some of the conventions of fashion magazine front covers can be seen in the front cover that I created but as the genre of my music magazine was mainstream music I believe the layout suited this genre.

I also found in the stages of research and planning that recurring conventions of the contents pages of music magazines are: a main image, additional images, page numbers, main features, and features that are in every issue. I believe that on the contents page of the music magazine I created I included all of these conventions.

In the stages of research and planning I also found that recurring conventions on the double page spreads inside music magazines were: a main image of the artist, additional images, an introduction, a masthead, page numbers, and the text. I believe in the double page spread that I created I included all of these conventions.

Music Magazine - Double Page Spread Breakdown

Double page spread stages powerpoint

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Music Magazine - Contents Page Breakdown

Contents Page stages powerpoint

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music Magazine - Front Cover Breakdown

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Audience Profile

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Music Magazine: Sketch

This is sketch is how I plan my music magazine to look. My main image will be of a female, being the main artist featuring in the double page spread. In the left hand corner there will be a review section, and then surrounding the main image will be additional cover lines.

Teacher Feedback

Kitty, well done for meeting last week's target - you just need to add the Preliminary task as a separate item.
Targets: 1) Upload evidence of your magazine production work in progress with commentary
2) Complete draft front page and contents page by 16/03/12

Vox Pops

I recorded vox pops of 3 people within the appropriate target audience of my magazine and asked them three questions relating to music magazines. This information then helped me make certain decisions while constructing music magazine.

Akila
Age 17

What do you expect to see on the front cover of a music magazine?
I expect to see the main artist, and basically whats going to feature in the contents page.

What would you expect to see within a music magazine?
I expect to see the artist, like an interview from the artist, um background information, and how she started.

What would stand out to you if you saw a music magazine on a shelf and make you want to buy it?
Vibrant colours, I think they should fit the genre of the music magazine.



Annabelle
Age 17

What do you expect to see on the front cover of a music magazine?
I'd like to see a lot of colours, strong images, and um really good cover lines.

What would you expect to see within a music magazine?
Um more additional pictures, stuff thats going to be related to the main artist and also other features

What would stand out to you if you saw a music magazine on a shelf and make you want to buy it?
Most probably the artist thats on the front cover.




Tyrone
Age 17

What do you expect to see on the front cover of a music magazine?
Um I expect to see the artist, the main cover stories, yeah um the main cover stories and the artist is the most important things.

What would you expect to see within a music magazine?
Inside a music magazine, well it depends on your audience but I would like to see some competitions, some discounts like maybe like um a voucher for ticketmaster cos i like to go to concerts, um i like to see the actual


What would stand out to you if you saw a music magazine on a shelf and make you want to buy it? The colours and the font for me, I just love the colours and the font. And the image.

Teacher Feedback

Kitty you have provided sound evidence of research and planning. Your textual analysis is detailed and insightful. Your quantitative audience research is well presented. You are up to date with the production work and you should aim for a level 4 given the current quality of work produced. Well done.
Targets: 1) Upload your vox pops
2) Upload the preliminary task as a separate item (i.e. in a separate slide share presentation)

Contents Page Analysis: Vibe Magazine

The masthead 'Contents' is written in the same font and layout that is seen in every issue which adds consistency to the magazine. The composition of the contents page is also consistent to the magazine as a main image being the focal point is seen in every issue, with text pushed to the right or left of the main image. 

The main image is of a rapper reinforcing the genre of the music magazine which is predominantly hip hop and rap. The artist is topless and covered in tattoos connoting masculinity, confidence and wealth as tattoos are known to cost a lot of money. This also ties in with the amount of jewellery the artist is wearing which has connotations of 'bling' culture.


The red background connotes power, and anger which is often seen within the lyrics and music of some hiphop/ r&b songs.


There are two subheadings illustrating the features of the contents page which are 'Features' and 'Fashion'. The way this is laid out makes it easier for the reader to navigate through the magazine. The font of these headings is softer than the masthead 'contents' giving this contents page a more traditional feel. The font of the text is written in white which makes it stand out against the red background, and this background also has masculine connotations as red is often seen to symbolise power and masculinity.

Contents Page Analysis: Q Magazine

There is a running colour scheme of red, black and white in this contents page and the 'Oasis Special' is the only piece of text in a gold/cream font to illustrate it is a feauture that isn't typical of the magazine.

The composition of the contents page is clean cut and within clean lines this makes it easy for the reader to look at and find the features. It also makes it easier for the reader to navigate through the magazine. This easy navigation is also seen by the contents page being split into different sections: 'Features', 'Q Review', and 'Every Month'. This also adds consistency to the magazine, as these sections are seen in the contents page in every issue.

Within the 'Features' section the headings are used to catch the readers attention, such as 'Cash for Questions' which sees the use of alliteration for emphasis.

The main image shows the band 'The Courteeners' in a typical band pose of the Indie/Rock genre, reinforcing the genre of the magazine and the sort of music that the magazine will have information about. 

There is a puff on this contents page next to the section 'review' which says 'the world's biggest and best music guide' and this use of superlatives is used to by the magazine to 'puff' up it's reputation. 

Contents Page Analysis: Vibe Magazine

The main image in this contents page speaks out more than anything as it is the most prominent part of the page. The artist (Beyonce) is in a quirky pose dressed in a fashionable outfit with lots of jewellery on which has connotations of the 'bling' culture, this also fits in with the artist's makeup as she has been made up in a very glamorous style.

The masthead 'contents' is over three lines, and this is a recurring feature of Vibe Magazine's contents pages meaning that the composition and layout can change but the masthead will remain the same keeping some routine with the page therefore it is recognised.

The composition of this contents page sees the contents of the magazine split into categories: features, and fashion. Thus making it easier to navigate through the magazine and through the page itself.

The typography sees more than one font and more than one font size, which could make the page look messy however there is some regularity with these different fonts and sizes as in each section of the categories, features and fashion, the different fonts and sizes are the same for each.

The copy on the contents page is all written in black which, on top of the while background, stands out giving emphasis to the text that is there.



Double Page Spread Analysis: NME Magazine

This double page spread feature not only has the article about the featured band but also a seperate section on the right hand side about new artists who are popular at the time. The distinction between the two sections is clear as they are divided by a pale blue line that sticks with the colour scheme on the page however there is a different background colour demonstrating the change in context.

This double page spread also shares key conventions of a double page spread including a floating quote which gives the reader an insight to what the article will entail making them curious and want to read on.

In the main image the band have been shot on location, in a bedroom that looks like it belongs to a teenage boy- relating back to the band's name: The Teenagers. This keeps the image and the text relevant to one another.

In this music magazine they have kept the text left aligned and also seperated the columns by a dividing line which keeps the page neat and makes it easier for the reader to navigate around the page.

The additional image embedded in the text is in a different location to the main image giving a different point of view to the band. The additional image is also of one of the band members performing in contrast to the obviously set up main image which shows the reader that the band are real about their music.

Double Page Spread Analysis: NME Magazine Florence Welch Feature

This double page spread displays a main image of the artist in question: Florence Welch. The image is in a red, white and black theme similar to the colour scheme for the masthead on the front cover of the magazine which is also red. The colour red has connotations of power and love which can relate to the artist and possibly their music. This ties in with the heading 'USA got the love'. 'Got the love' being one of the artist's lyrics suggesting the article is therefore about the artist taking America.

The main image of the artist is positioned in front of the heading which could connote that Florence Welch is in front of America and is going to start her career there soon. 

The introductory paragraph before the feature uses superlatives such as 'biggest success' to describe the artist, making the reader immediately have a positive view on the artist influencing them into making them want to read on. This introductory paragraph also ends in a question drawing the reader into the feature, making them want to find out the answer.

There are three different types of typography within this doube page spread. Within the heading two different types of typography are seen: The capital, large lettering of 'USA' and the italic, more feminine looking 'got the love'. The latter also used to start the feature. These two types of typography used within the same heading suggesting the two different parts of the article being Florence Welch and her going to the USA. The third type of typography seen in the feauture is within the copy and the introductory paragraph which is more basic font style, however the text in the feature itself is of a smaller size than the introductory paragraph.

Double Page Spread Analysis: Lana del Ray Interview

In this double page spread, feature article the first thing the reader sees is the image on the left of the singer being interviewed: Lana del Ray. As mentioned in the article she looks 'demonic' as the image is a close up of the singer displaying an anguished look on her face and her hand  positioned, with long talon-like nails, on her neck leading the image to have sexual connotations as her lips and her nails are the most prominent features of the image coinciding with the vibrant red hair of the singer connoting passion and power. This primarily gives the impression that the genre of music that the artist makes could be rock or punk, but the images contrast with the image on the front cover of the singer showing her looking more feminine which could be representative of her indie/rock genre of music also mentioned in the feature.

The first feature in the double page spread thats clearly visible is the opening paragraph giving a positive but mysterious description of the artist as photographing 'like a model' and describing her as having an 'epic pout', luring the reader into the article making them want to find out more about the artist and her music.

To the right of the opening paragraph the main feature article begins by giving the reader some background information on the artist 'she posted her self-made clip for a haunting torch song called Video Games onto YouTube last May' giving the reader an insight to how the artist has got to where she is today.

Front Cover Analysis: XXL Lil Wayne & Baby

The masthead on this front cover has a red background which connotes power, it also is a part of the colour scheme throughout this whole front cover including within the styling of the two artists featured in the main image. The masthead sees a different typography from ordinary 'XXL' issues, as the front cover is from a '10th anniversary' issue, as the letters are covered in diamonds which has connotations of the 'bling culture' and the wealth of the two artists who are featured in the main image which sees the two rappers 'Baby' and 'Lil Wayne' showing off their wealth with numerous tattoos, diamond chains, and watches and rings. However, in the background behind the two artists you can see a run down area which could connote that despite the artists newfound wealth they can still stay true to their roots. This is important for artists within the rap/hip hop genre as they still need to maintain a connection with their roots.

The puff on this front cover 'A Decade Of Dominance' sees the use of alliteration to add emphasis on the phrase making this issue stand out from other music magazines.

The typography throughout the front cover sees all the texts capitalised, including texts with different fonts from one another. Having the text all capitalised this comes off as masculine and the main cover line 'Baby & Lil Wayne Survival Of The Fittest' is also capitalised and the font is very large which could suggest the artists are big in the music industry.

Front Cover Analysis: Blender Alicia Keys

This front cover for Blender Magazine shows Alicia Keys as the main image and the artist is seen in front of a white background which is a usual convention for Blender Magazine front covers, however this isn't always the case. 

One key feature in this front cover is tat all the artists featured within the magazine, their names are bigger and are either orange or blue which is part of the typography of this front cover. The additional cover lines are all in black and are in a smaller font than the names of the other artists/bands. 

The main cover line is "Alicia 'I was going to lose my mind' Inside her private break down" and here we see that the name of the artist is in the biggest font on the front cover and is a similar size to the masthead of this magazine.

This front cover has a puff which is 'cougar alert' and as there is a cover line next to it 'madonna and mariah on the prowl' this tells us that this puff changes per issue depending on the features. 


The front cover has a clean layout and lots of features are on this cover but it is layed out in a way that the reader can see easily.

Front Cover Analysis: NME Wombats Cover

This front cover has a prominent main image of the band 'The Wombats' which shows the band doing 'silly' poses which is how the band's success in Britain has been described in the main cover line 'Why Britain's gone silly for the lords of the indie dancefloor'. The styling of the band isn't a main focus and they are seen in ordinary toned colours contrasting to the overlaying text in white and bright yellow. This makes the text and the image stand out as they both contrast one another. The composition of this front cover also sees a blue/yellow/white colour scheme.

There are two banners on this front cover, one on the top of the cover and one on the bottom. The first revealing the contents of the magazine and the latter revealing the new music that is featured inside the issue.

The masthead is an abbreviation for 'New Music Express' which is written underneath the masthead, which almost acts as a puff as it is shows that the magazine is going to be an express for new music and that the readers can rely on 'NME' Magazine to give them the newest music and the latest music news and information


One of the main cover lines is 'Johnny Marr joins the cribs' and then below the image 'the first joint interview' which sees the repeated use of the letter 'j' for emphasis.

Front Cover Analysis: Vibe Magazine

The composition of this front cover sees one main cover line relating to the main image, an additional cover line above the masthead, and another additional cover line to the right of the main image. Underneath the latter we see a list of artists who are also featured in the magazine, which is a recurring feature of music magazine front covers.

The main image is a medium close up of a rapper, Kanye West. The image dictates that he is the most important part of the cover as part of the image is on top of the mast head and there are no other additional images.

The styling of the artist in the main image sees him in what looks like a casual baseball jacket and he has no visible jewellery. He also has a long beard that suggests he hasn't been groomed or styled for the photo. This has the connotations of the artist being all about his music as he doesn't need any gimicks or to partake in any of the things associated with the 'bling' culture to be on the cover of this magazine.

The colour scheme running through this front cover is a white background with fuschia, blue and black text. The blue, which is also used for the masthead, is also the same colour as the collar of the jacket the artist is wearing creating a subtle link between the magazine and the artist. The different colours used means that the magazine can reach a wider audience as colours deemed more feminine/masculine have been combined to create a wider target audience.

Music Magazine Treatment

Genre of magazine and target audience (age range, interests):
Hip Hop/ R&B genre, aimed at a target audience of an age group of 16-28.

Possible title ideas (masthead/ title block):
"SURGE"

Main Image:
Medium shot of female.

Main Cover Line:
Livv Redmond Reveals all

Additional Key Images:
Image of a male artist

Additional cover lines/ sell lines:
Up and coming bands for this year
Readers choice awards: Who are you going to vote for?

Typography (style, size, colour of copy):
Straight and narrow fonts, and a font that is script like.

Background colour/ image:
Main image on location or studio image with white background.

Teacher Feedback

Kitty you have shown some good evidence of research and planning work so far. Your textual analysis is thoughtful and interesting and you have used key terminology accurately. Well done.
Target: 1) Upload the remainder of your analysis as per the checklist in order to ensure full marks in this aspect of the production work.

Peer assessment on Preliminary Task

For the preliminary task, which was to produce a school magazine front cover and contents page, I was peer assessed and this is the feedback I received:



Front cover-


Medium close up of student?


Student uses a medium close up of a preston Manor student


Text and images clearly laid out?


yes/no


What has worked well?


The information in the and quality of the main image.


Even better if?


The text colours were the same and there was less, and if not a range of font sizes instead of all large


Contents page-


Images and text appropriately laid out?


yes/no


What has worked well?


The detailed information and the page numbers


Even better if?


The images related to the preston manor

Kitty questionnaire powerpoint

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This slideshow shows my results from my questionnaire and how they have influenced my decisions on my music magazine.

This is my questionnaire that I created using Microsoft Word. I asked 18 people in total, and there were 3 from each of the age categories I asked. Within these 18 people 9 were male and 9 were female as I tried to make my Questionnaire as reliable as possible.

Stages of Production for School Magazine

Kitty powerpoint

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School Magazine Stages of Production

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Acknowledgement

This is the original image, before editing using Photoshop.

School Magazine Front Cover Proposal

Target Audience:
School all year groups - 11-19 years old
Not necessarily aimed at adults.

Possible title ideas:
"PMHS Monthly" Running along the top of the page.

Main Image:
Someone in a school uniform or someone with a prefect badge.

Additional cover lines:
Canteen information, Lesson times, Subject options.

Typography:
Purple and white colours

Background Image/Colour:
no image in background just colours.

School Magazine: Front Cover Sketch

This is the sketch for the front cover of my school magazine for my preliminary task. I decided to go for the name 'Preston Manor Monthly' and to use one main cover line and three additional cover lines. I wanted to use a banner going diagonally across the top of the page with part of the masthead inside.

Preliminary task

For the preliminary task we were asked to create a front cover and a contents page of a school magazine to develop dtp skills in preparation for the main task which is a music magazine.




My first idea was to call the magazine ‘Preston Manor Monthly’ with ‘Preston Manor’ and ‘Monthly’ in two different fonts. I want ‘Preston Manor’ to be on a banner and ‘Monthly’ to be slightly to the right and underneath this banner.



From this preliminary task I hope to learn how to use Photoshop effectively and to improve my skills on Photoshop. I also hope to make m yschool magazine look as realistic as possible




I think this task will go well but I am apprehensive about using Photoshop as I don’t have a great knowledge on how to use this program. I think I will eventually get the hang of using the program and be able to use it with a fair amount of ease.