MEDIA AND READER PROFILE

The magazine I intend on creating is inspired by two of the biggest and highest selling pop music magazines in
the UK, (Billboard and Q). Both magazines provide good direction to the type of content, style and layout a
professional and effective pop music magazine have that are also effective in appealing to a specific target
audience. This target audience is defined using certain visual techniques such as colour scheme, layout of
images and text and the type of images taken. Other techniques that help to define target audience that focus
more on the actual content of the magazine are types of advertisements and articles. The reasons for using
billboard and Q magazine as inspiration for my own magazine are:

Billboard

Billboard describes itself as the world's premier music publication,

therefore suggest that it has become very established, successful
since the magazines first publication in 1894.
Another way in which billboard has become one of the most
successful music magazines of its time is due to the new innovative
ideas it creates to adapts to the constant change in culture, trends
and technologies. In 1995, Billboard magazine launched
Billboard.com so that it could reach target audience through recent
technological discovery's. This online launch was a success and has
gained over ten million readers from over one hundreds countries.
Billboards professional and established brand attracts a very specific
target audience that ranges from lawyers and executives to retailers
and music fans. Therefore generally attracts a target audience
consisting of people who are considered quite wealthy.
Billboard appeals to this target audience through its ideals and the
contents consistently included in their magazines. Including popular
music charts that have evolved into the primary source of
information on trends and innovation in music as well as interviews
with well-known artists and advertisements that would appeal to the
target audience.
The magazine has evolved over the years and now, arguably caters to
a more female audience. This could be proven by the feminine colour
schemes often used in the magazines, the models photographed for
the front cover, also the advertisements included such as women's
fragrance.

Q magazine is the UKs largest music magazine

therefore very helpful in indicating how to advertise
effectively to appeal to target audience to gain
readers. Since being set up in 1986 it has gained a
large reader audience.
The target audience although similarly to Billboard
magazine cater for those who prefer generally the
pop genre, has a much more broad target audience.
Q targets both male and female audience but focus
more on gaining the popularity by appealing to music
fans rather than a more specific demographic
subsection of the population.
The red colour scheme that makes Q magazine so
recognisable indicates how the magazine is universal
to both sexes, this can also be seen through the
model photographed for the covers, as they are
usual artists that have or are dominantly pop music
culture or legends in music. Therefore this appeals to
a large audience.
Q magazine is effective in balancing quality of articles
and the visual presentation of the pages well. The
iconic look of the magazine is a key selling point that
is a good way of advertising the magazine.

Front cover/ Masthead:

DRAFTING
(for masthead, layout, mode of
address, colour scheme for all
pages)

The masthead is important in reflecting the vibe and

intentions of the magazine.
Possible masthead choices were:
Exclusive
Music Matters
Pop Life
The chosen masthead was Music Matters. The masthead
implies two meanings, one, the literal meaning that music
matters; therefore distinctly suggesting to the reader the type
of magazine it is categorised. This mast head does this without
limiting its target audience, music matters does not relate to
a specific genre of music. Therefore there are no limitations as
to the content of the magazine which leaves more freedom to
suggest the more specific genre of the magazine through
other aspects of the magazines such as colour scheme,
typography or layout. This then appeals to a larger range of
people and potential buyers.
The other meaning implies that the magazine
focuses on matters of music therefore more explicitly
underlining that the magazine focuses on the genre on music.
These two denotative meanings are effective and playful, the
alliteration of the m in music matters makes the masthead
more memorable and creates fluidity to the sound of the
masthead.
Possible font choices for the masthead/ Front cover text:
MUSIC MATTERS (DFKai-SB)
MUSIC MATTERS (Microsoft PhagsPa)
MUSIC MATTERS (Trebuchet MS)
MUSIC MATTERS (Tw Cen MT)
Eras Demi ITC

The chosen typography for the masthead is DFKaiSB.This font is edgy, contemporary and playful which
reflects the intended style of the music magazine.

Mode of address:
Contents Page:
Possible fonts:
Latha
Microsoft PhagsPa
Double page
spread:
Bold
Britannic
Cambria Math

The presentation and contents of

the music magazine will follow the
music genre, more specifically the
pop music genre. An informal
presentation and style of magazine
will be appropriate for this genre.
Therefore informal use of
language will be used in the text to
follow this mode of address; this
informal style will be relatable to
the target audience the magazine
is aimed at. This target audience is
predominantly females (but also
appealing to males) in the 17- 25
age category.

Colour scheme:
The colour scheme echo the style of other features
of the magazine. For example the layout, masthead
etc. These components need to complement each
other create a theme that runs throughout the
magazine. the style of the music magazine will be
simple yet edgy and modern. Therefore the colours
chosen need to not overwhelm the page but still
stand out. The colour scheme also needs to look
appealing to the target audience without restricting
potential buyers.
Therefore whites, darker cherry reds, teal blues
and some black will be used to create an inhouse
colour scheme. The back and white will break up
the more vibrant colours so that the pages do not
get overwhelmed by bold colours. However the teal
blues and cherry reds will act as a contrast to each
other to add another dimension to the pages
without clashes and confusing the themes
surrounding the music magazines. These colours will
also appeal to the target audience which is intended
to be predominantly female; which will make the
magazine successful in gaining popularity.
Samples:
MUSIC MATTERS
MUSIC MATTERS

Initial emails sent

ORGANISATION OF MODELS/
ARTISTS

Martha Southby
Further details sent to
the models

Amber Healey

Models contact/ profile

Martha Southby:
Age: 17
Location: Flackwell Heath
Mobile Number: 076842749
Amber Healey:
Age: 17
Location: Bourne End
Mobile Number: 0792011254

ORGANISATION OF LOCATION
The location I have chosen for the photo-shoot provides an open space and a scenic background for shots of all different types. The
locations are in the local area and despite being a public areas are quiet and uncrowded. This therefore will allow me to take the shots
without the shot being disrupted by people walking past. Although the location for my shoot is important it only provides the background
to my shots, the background of the picture for the front cover will most likely be changed and edited to a block colour background in
Photoshop and InDesign. Therefore I need the background for the shots to be simplistic and easily adapted to beneficial to the quality of
shots taken of the models as they are the main visual feature of the front cover especially. The location for the image taken for the front
cover is planned to be taken in a flat grass land field (far left picture). Another simplistic canvas background to focus the model against is
the plain white wall. However the images taken for the contents page and double page spread will still have the location as the background
in the picture therefore needs to be considered in regards to composition, angle and positioning in relation to the models. This is why I
have used locations with a little busier mise-en-scene. For example the coloured brick walls with writing on the wall (the to middle images).
This will be included to coincide with the edgy vibe my magazine will follow throughout.

ORGANISATION OF PROPS AND

COSTUMES
The shots I intend on taking
are simplistic and do not require many props. My shots
will focus more on the outfit of the models to portray the vibe envisioned for my
magazine. I need statement clothing that will be atheistically pleasing and
interesting to look at for the reader; this will add visual value to the pages. I will
then use props such as Dr Dre beats to detonate the genre of a music magazine.
These are some other props that will contribute to the appearance of the
magazine:

Prop

Comment/ justification

Dr Dre Beats headphones

These are need to empathise the magazine has the genre of music. The headphones
connatate music and therefore by using them as a prop it will make the images seem
more related to music therefore anchoring the images to the text and other
presentational devices of the music magazine. I will make one of the models wear the
headphones and take shots from different angles to create different impressions. Also
so that I have a range of shots so that they do not all look the same on the pages.

Faux Fur Jacket

This costume item will add to the stylistic features of the images. The jacket will look
dramatic and connatate the edgy vibe I intend for the presentation of my music
magazine to be. The jacket will provide texture to the images and will be an
interesting item of clothing to show that the costume worth by the model is
important as a visual feature of a music magazine. By making the models wear
costumes that a fashionable for the time in which the magazine is released, the target
audience (females) will desire the clothing therefore be more likely to read my
magazine because the images look appealing and aspiring to them.

Purple Lipstick

This further adds to the dramatic and contemporary stylistic features of my music
magazine. Small details that stand out from the page are important in making the
overall quality of the photograph seem more thought through and therefore more
professional.

IPod

Similarly, to the headphones, Ipods connatate music and suggest what the magazine
may be about and include. The front of the iPod will display a background of a song
that is within the genre (pop) my music magazine is based around. This will further
reiterate the type of audience the magazine is intending of attracting.

DRAFTING
Layout- Front Cover
STRAPLINE
MASTHEAD
The image will be central
to the page in the middle
third, this shows the reader
that is the most important
visual aspect of the front
cover and is the main
selling point for the
magazine.

The cover lines and

straplines will only
marginally cover the
image to reiterate that
the main focus of the
front cover is the
image. However the
text that is on the
cover will be clear, bold
and easily read in a
sanserif font.

(PUG)ISSUE
NUMBER/
DATE

MAIN
COVER
STORY
MAIN IMAGE
COVER
STORY

COVER
STORY

STRAPLINE

The masthead will be

bold and red in the
serif styled text font,
DFKai-SB. This font
is edgy yet
sophisticated.

COVER
STORY

COVER
STORY

BARCODE

The front cover will consist

of five separate story lines
to convey to the potential
buyer that the magazine
relies of quality of text as
well as the images in order
to sell the magazine.

DRAFTING
Layout- Front Cover
MASTHEAD
The main image is placed on the
left third of the page. This is an
alternative to the usual
conventional layout of a music
magazine, where the image is
usually central situated in the
middle third. This gives a
different dimension to the front
cover and alters the rest of the
lay out of the cover this anchors
the theme of contemporary and
edgy design.

(PUG)ISSUE
NUMBER/
DATE

STRAPLINE

STRAPLINE
MAIN
COVER
STORY

MAIN IMAGE
COVER
STORY

The dominance of straplines on

the front cover would suggest
how the magazine intends on
appealing to the potential buyer
by trying to entice them with
deals and special offers that may
separate the magazine from
competing music magazines.

The typography chosen for this

masthead design is a sanserif font
called Microsoft PhagsPa). This
simple font is bold yet feminine
which fits with the semiotics of
the music magazine style and
design.

COVER
STORY

STRAPLINE

BARCODE

This plan for a front cover only

includes three cover stories
advertised on the front cover.
This suggests to the reader that
the magazine is more focused
on the images and other
aspects of the magazine
excluding the actual features
(text).

DRAFTING
Layout- Contents Page
The title contents
will be presented
in simplistic yet
bold sanserif font
called Trebuchet
MS.

CONTENTS
SUBHEADINGFETAURES
Having different
subsections will make the
contents seem more
organised. Specific articles
or features can be more
easily found and looks
more professional. This
shows the reader that the
content of text in the
magazine is valued as a
priority.

MAIN IMAGE

ACTUAL
REFERENCES TO
FETAURES

SUBHEADINGCOMPETITIONS
ACTUAL
REFERENCE TO
COMPETITION
DETAILS

SUBHEADINGREVIEW

SECONDARY
IMAGE

ACTUAL
REFERENCES TO
REVIEW

Having more than one image

by the way of a main image
and two secondary images, this
will give the contents page
more visual impact. It will
make the page seem more
relevant to the rest of the
magazine

DRAFTING
Layout- Contents Page
CONTENTS
SUBHEADINGFETAURES
This contents page is
primarily dominated by the
main image and secondary
images. This represents to
the reader that the
intention of the magazine is
to focus on the images as
the main visual aspect and
selling point for the music
magazine.

The title showing the

reader this is the
contents page is in a
sanserif minimal and
modern font style.

MAIN IMAGE

ACTUAL
FETAURES

SECONDARY
IMAGE

SECONDARY
IMAGE

By only showing
references to
features and articles
on this contents page
it is a more simplistic
approach compared
to having a section
for other aspects of
magazine contents
such as competition
and reviews.

The main visual focus for this double page spread is the
images this can be seen by the amount of space on the
page there is planned for images to be placed on it. This
suggests to the reader that the quality of the
photography is the most important aspect of the double
page spread.

DRAFTING
Layout- Double Page Spread

This double page spread includes a total of three

images. This will give the reader more to look at and
the page will seem more detailed and therefore
professional like more tie and effort has been out into
the editing and production of the double page spread.

HEADING
The side bar
although
placed away
from the
other text is
still included
in the double
page spread
as it is an
important
feature of
the layout of
this page.
Placing the
side bar here
could suggest
that the text
will relate
directly to
the image
which will be
effective in
anchoring
the side bar
to the image
as well as the
actual article.

SUB HEADING

MAIN IMAGE
DROP CAP

ACTUAL ARTICLE

SIDE BAR

SECONDARY
IMAGE

SECONDARY
IMAGE

This double page spread layout plan focuses a little less

on the image on the left hand side of the page and more
on the text content of the article, as text is covering
some of the image showing that the text is valued higher
in this article over the image.

DRAFTING
Layout- Double Page Spread

HEADING
SUB- HEADING
DROP CAP

SIDE BAR

ACTUAL ARTICLE

MAIN IMAGE

The presence of only two images in total for

the double page spread will suggest the style
of the magazine well. This simplistic and
minimal approach will anchor the rest of the
magazine and make the magazine seem put
together as a whole.

SECONDARY
IMAGE

The side bar is

included as is it
a convention
of a double
page spread. It
provides
additional
information for
the reader to
look at and as
a result
increasing the
visual
impression of
the double
page spread.

STORYBOARD OF SHOTS
The story board of shots show a variety of different types of shots
varying from more conventional magazine shots to more different and
modern angles and types of shots. The close up shots against the brick
wall with focus more so on the aspects of the models expressions and
appearance. However the brick wall is still an important feature of the
image to convey the urban and contemporary theme that is anchorage
throughout the planned music magazine. The planned shot (top, far
right) has been planned for a less typically taken shot for a music
magazine. The side on angle allows the prop of the beats headphones to
be seen and implies an element of mystery as the reader cannot see the
whole expression of the models face. This is important in making sure
that the main visual aspect of the image is the headphones and not the
models conveyed emotion.
More conventional magazine shots have also been planned, a mid shot
in the field (bottom, middle image) has been included in the story board
to illustrate good structural image that could be used potentially for the
front cover. The three illustrated body shots have been planned with
the chance of being altered as I wanted to be playful with different
types of backgrounds that the models could be photographed against.
Taking images against the mise en scene of a field, river and tree would
provide enough variety for me to choose the most effective and
successful background for my shots; considering my target audience,
themes and genre of magazine.

TIMETABLE/ SCHEDULE
(The Gantt Chart)

This chart allows me to keep

good time management.
Tasks that need to be done
by a certain week or day can
be identified quickly and
clearly. This keeps the
process of creating pages for
a music magazine organised.
The gantt chart can be
arranged to fit deadlines I set
for myself and can altered
accordingly, therefore is very
adaptable in keeping me
organised to do the right
work at the right time but
still give me enough flexibility
in my time management to
make sure the work I do is up
to the standard that is
requires.

TARGET AUDIENCE RESEARCH

(mood board)
From my research I gained the overall result that the general demographic the magazine should be intended for is the female
audience. Although mostly and more specifically aiming the magazine at the female demographic, aspects of the magazine such
as the images of certain adverts and articles within the magazine should also appeal to a male audience; so that the range of
potential market is bigger and has the potential to relate to more readers therefore giving the magazine a better chance of
becoming more popular over competing magazines.
From my research I can also see that the preferred genre of music magazine read by the people in the sample was the pop
genre. Therefore the magazine created will focus mainly on meeting the demands of the target audience; being the people
whos favourite genre of music is pop. Narrowing the genre to one specific genre, the magazine will empathise on is important
in making sure the magazine is organised and appeals to a definite audience so that the market can categorise the magazine
also.

Something's to include within the magazine to appeal the target audience chosen are:

FLAT PLANNING
(for my magazine)

DPS= double page

spread

Front
cover

Guide to
festival 2015
(DPS)

Images of
artist

Upcoming
concerts for
2015 (DPS)

Interview with
that artist
(DPS)

Advert
for
perfume

Contents
page

Reading
festival
(DPS)

Interview
with artist
(DPS)

Upcoming
concerts for
2015 (DPS)

Win a day
with that
artist advert

Top 20
songs of
2014 (DPS)

Interview with
artist (DPS)

Advert for beats

headphones

Glastonbury
Festival (DPS)

Wireless
festival
(DPS)

Interview
with artist
(DPS)

Competitionwin tickets to
see
interviewed
artist (DPS)

Gift guide for

music lovers
(DPS)

Ticketmaster
advert

Images of
behind the
scenes of a
concert of a
particular artist
(DPS)

Upcoming
concerts for
2015 (DPS)

Review on new
realises for winter
2014 (DPS)

Review on
latest albums
of 2014
(DPS)

Review of
festival of
2014 (DPS)

Review on up
and coming
artists of 2014
(DPS)

Most popular
festival (title with
images)

IPhone
6/6s
advert

Music
speaker
advert

Competiti
on- win a
iPhone 6

Adve
rt for
o2

Interview with
that artist
(DPS)

ITunes
advert

PERSONAL LEARNING AND

Through this task I have furthered my knowledge of how to construct a magazine.EVALUATION
Not only has this process taught me the importance of layout, presentation of music magazines and effective use of
programs such as Photoshop and InDesign, it has also taught me how to manage my efficiently to completely each task. The planning section of the main task was definitely more challenging than the
research section, however both gave me an opportunity to use media jargon and put into practise media techniques.
The research section was helpful in discovering the genre of music magazine that would be most popular and interesting to create. By doing research I could learn from existing music magazines front
covers, contents pages and double page spreads, to provide inspiration for my creation of a music magazine. I primarily used Q and Billboard magazine as my main inspiration (once I had finalised the
genre of music magazine id like to pursue) as to the type and style of music magazine I wished my own magazine to follow. Therefore I found the tasks of analysing and annotating fronts covers, contents
pages and double page spreads from these magazine very beneficial. Although I did annotate many of these pages of these music magazine in depth, in reflection, I could have used more media
terminology in order to explain presentational and visual techniques used on the magazines.
The questionnaire provided a different way in gaining data and information on the popularity of certain genres of music magazine. Interpreting the data found into charts was helpful in being able to
identify clearly the options most popular amongst the people asked. However a fault in the process was the type of sampling I took for completion of the questionnaire. The samples taken were from a
specific demographic of those aged 16-18. As the magazine being created is target for 17- 25 year olds it would have been more helpful to have a more random sample taken from people throughout
this age category. This would have made sure the data gained was as accurate as possible, this would have allowed me to adapt the presentation of the magazine to the potential customer needs and
wants more effectively.
The planning section of the main task allowed me to organise more specific the details that would make the magazine appear professional and well thought through. From the flat planning which
provided an opportunity to describe plans for the entirety of the magazine to the planning of the finer details such as the font for the masthead and the colour. By considering each element that goes
into creating a music magazine it allowed me to break each component down and question why it was appropriate for a magazine categorised in the pop genre.
The gantt chart in the planning section would not only be important to the organisation of the planning section but the sections that followed. This task was effective in making sure there was a detailed
schedule in place so that time management was effectively kept. It was a different way of presenting and organising tasks and provided a logical process of working through each task. Therefore the way
I presented the chart was helpful in the way I carried out other tasks therefore was a successful section to complete to better other tasks.
However I found the planning for the specific props and costumes used in the production harder as the props used could change. Props and costumes still relevant to the style and genre of my magazine
would still be used however smaller details especially in the costumes may be changed therefore it was harder to complete this task expressing the importance of each individual prop where some of the
props could be altered due to other external influences (such as weather on the day of the photo shoot.) planning the storyboard of shots was also difficult as I was not sure which shots would be most
successful against a variety of different backgrounds. This maybe due to the lack of photography knowledge I have, despite this planning the shots did help in illustrating ideas I previously had and
considered in my mind. Although on reflection, after taking the actual images in my photo-shoot used for my magazine, the planning of the storyboard of shots was not as useful as when I was actually
taking the pictures I discovered that slightly different locations and types of shots worked better to get the most professional looking image that connoted the atmosphere of my music magazine to the
best standard I could.
Overall, I feel as though the planning has given me a better insight into details that need to be included in a magazine in order to make it look professional that I may have over seen and ignored if not
having done these tasks included in the planning section.