Magazine Coursework

I am currently creating my contents draft without using images, I have indicated where the images will go using light purple boxes. I have followed my flat plan to create these stages of my draft content page and I am happy with how this currently looks, having a flat plan was a useful aid to visualizing my contents page. Within this draft I have tried to focus more on a colour scheme, as originally my contents was monochrome and this looked bland and plain on the page. I have incorporated the use of paler shades of pink and green to attract both genders and because these colours compliment each other. While doing this I found my colour palette research very helpful and I am following this chosen colour palette. I have not used an excessive amount of the brighter colours as I did not want my page to look busy, hectic or unprofessional- my target audience also prefer a simple layout and design. Only the black and white feature on my cover page which is something I will look at whi...

As I plan to take my test shots at a further date I began creating my draft cover page without these images. At this point I am a using a light purple box to indicate where I would place my images; I am happy to start creating my drafts as these images will be easy to slot into place. My draft image follows my flat plan and I am happy with how this looks currently, I feel that it sticks to the simplistic theme. This draft is currently very black and white that follows the monochrome theme however needs more colour to attract audiences as my target audience prefer monochrome with a pop of colour. I aim to show this colour via the main image however I will also be prepared to incorporate colours in other ways such as the colour of the text for the main cover line of "Double ii".

To enable me to be able create drafts that will satisfy my target audience, I have gathered and asked for audience feedback from people who are part of my target audience. This will help to give me key points of what my audience like and enjoy in my designs and what I could change to improve my magazine. Cover Page: I really enjoy what you have decided to call your magazine and the way you have decided to position it at the masthead of the magazine. The simplicity of the way you have decided to layout your magazine is enjoyable and allows the audiences attention to be directed to the title of your magazine and your front covers image. A simplistic layout is never underrated in my opinion and I believe that you have made a good decision with your layout as it is accessible and advertises the contents of your magazine perfectly. However, the only bit of criticism I may add is that I believe there is too much space below your title-apart from that I believe your magazine clearly shows g...

Below is my flat plan for my cover page of my magazine; as mentioned in previous blog posts I have decided to name my magazine "Blare". "Blare" will be the main masthead and directly underneath this will be small text outlining general information such as issue/edition number and price. The price in particular is a key component of a magazine cover page. My main image will be of the band "Double ii" and they are the feature band for this issue. I have decided to use a duo band as this is quite unique and different, which fits with the indie/indie pop genre. When I take my cover photo I plan to have "Double ii" standing slightly to the right as this will allow me room on the left for the main cover line of "Double ii". I wanted my cover line to match my main image as from audience research I learnt that these are the two most important and eye catching features on the page for my target audience. This is why the main image will have a ...

My double page spread will feature the band that are used on my cover "Double ii". I plan to have the photo spread across the right-hand page partly onto the left hand page; currently my plan is to have the band sitting down crossed legged for this photo however this pose may change once I have taken my test shots. I'm planning to have my article on the left-hand side of the page with each line getting longer until the last lines are the same length. I am using this design to make the text look attractive to audiences. The title for the article of "Double ii" will be in the left top corner of the text and the "ii" part of the name will be lower, as this will follow the same theme as my contents page with the word split into two levels. This will create familiarity across the pages which will satisfy audiences. I have included two quotes from the article on the page: one on the right of the left page and one placed across the top of the right hand p...

I have created one cover page flat plan as shown below. I have chosen this design as I feel it looks sleek and professional and I like the way that this plan doesn't look crowded. I wanted to include three images as images are what attracts the most attention to the page and what inspires audiences the most, which I learn't from my audience research. By using my audience research I hope to satisfy my target audience, I also choose to use three smaller pictures rather than one larger one as I believe this will look more interesting on the page. I wanted to incorporate the title of my magazine "Blare" within the cover page to create a running link throughout the magazine. Currently I am unsure on where to position the title on the contents page and have placed this on the left hand bottom corner for this flat plan; this may change for my final product while I am creating the magazine on Photoshop. I am happy with my flat plan however I am open to changing my idea...

After completing my research, I am now ready to start creating my draft magazine. To be able to do this effectively I will be creating flat plans for my magazine. I will also gain audience feedback from this which will help me in creating a magazine that appeals to my target audience. I have found carrying out the research interesting and this has greatly broadened my knowledge of magazines. From my research I have been able to gain inspiration for my own magazine and have been able to understand the importance of conventions like fonts and color schemes. As I plan to be taking my photos on the 31/01/2017 I will be starting to create my draft magazine using purple boxes to indicate where my photos would be placed. My overall aim for this week is to draw up my draft plans, collect feedback on my flat plans. take my photos and start creating my draft. 

I have created this playlist to show examples of the artists that feature in my magazine and the type music that my audience would listen to.

Draft Article by Anonymous Kha3ZZtnwQ on Scribd

Genre Comparison from Steph2000

Audience Research by Anonymous HQN6FCdZ4 on Scribd

Audience Profiles from Steph2000

Language register from Steph2000

To gather inspiration for my magazine title I looked at other Indie Pop magazines and decided I wanted a title that would link and connotate to music and sound. I liked the idea of calling my magazine "Loud" as because as well as telling audiences that this would be a music magazine, this also worked with the key theme in the Indie genre of truly expressing yourself. I found "Loud" to be too simplistic and un-imaginative, so I decided to use a thesaurus to find similar words; this was how I found and decided on "Blare". I personally liked the name "Blare" as I believed that this clearly expressed that the music magazine would be Indie and link in with the idea expression and being you. I was however, aware that the word "Blare" could carry negative connotations for other people, so was unsure on using it. By asking this in my target research and the majority of my responses liking and believing the title fit reassured me in my choice,...

Overall, after completing all my research I have decided to create an Indie magazine, which is particularly an Indie Pop magazine. I have chosen this genre, as I am personally interested in this specific branch of the indie genre, and I feel that many other people also are which will attract a good audience for my magazine. I particularly like Indie Pop as I feel this is a perfect mixture of mainstream and individuality. I have taken inspiration from other magazines such as DIY and Clash, as I really like the way they look and their style. All of my research has helped me to decide on my genre, as I researched the genre more, the more I was attracted to this genre.

Indie pop magazine, centred around 16-24 age larger female demographic, clear&simple, Blare-connote music&expression, laid back tone, monochrome&pop of colour, affordable&sleek.

Below are photo's of the feedback I received from my teacher (Mr Ford) and how I plan to act on this feedback.

Media survey feedback from Steph2000

Indie fashion from Steph2000

Analysis of Institutions by Anonymous iusUJjrS on Scribd

Photographers, graphic designers and magazine creators from Steph2000

10 colour palettes from Steph2000

10 Example Fonts from Steph2000

Analysis of Magazine Titles by Anonymous iusUJjrS on Scribd

Clash 1975 Double Page Spread by Anonymous SoRtsngeG on Scribd

Rolling Stone Double Page Spread by Anonymous SoRtsngeG on Scribd

Neil Young/DIY Double Page Spread by Anonymous SoRtsngeG on Scribd

Clash Contents Page by Anonymous q9VCVkEinJ on Scribd

Rolling Stone Contents Page by Anonymous q9VCVkEinJ on Scribd

DIY Contents Page by Anonymous q9VCVkEinJ on Scribd

The 1975/Clash Magazine Cover by Anonymous q9VCVkEinJ on Scribd

Taylor Swift/Rolling Stone Magazine by Anonymous q9VCVkEinJ on Scribd

Bastille/DIY Magazine Cover by Anonymous q9VCVkEinJ on Scribd

General Magazines Pictures by Anonymous iusUJjrS on Scribd