Magazine Genre

I have decided that my magazine genre is going to be Indie. This is due to my knowledge towards the artists and style of music within the genre.
The genre of indie is usually based within the age group of 14 - 24 year olds, and so I will base the questionnare that I intend to create around readers of that age, and will also ask 14-24 year olds to answer it.

Commencing The New Project

I have begun research regarding my new project; creating a music magazine cover, contents page, and double page spread. This will require a mass amount of research, including both online research and physical reading of music magazines. I will study my chosen genre in depth and take appropriate images to match the house style of my magazine, including the perfect models.

School Magazine Cover and Contents

 

 

For my preliminary task, I was told to create a school magazine cover and contents page. This is preparation for our main project; the creation of a music magazine.

 

I decided that it would be appropriate if I stuck to a colour scheme that remained within the realms of the regular school colour scheme.

The school has recently introduced new colours into their scheme, such as the turqoise which I have used in the background of half of the cover, and for some of the text and borders on the contents page. There is also the gold that has always been a part of the school logo in some way, shape or form.

 

Front  Cover

 

This is my front cover. The house style shown is what would be continued throughout the entirety of the magazine, from a few repeated fonts to colour schemes.

 

Although it is not set out in the regular magazine format (articles around the side, small photos beside them, with a main article photo in the centre), I feel that it is indeed a creative layout, and I personally like it.

I have inserted three article headings on the cover, all of different themes. I've given a small synopsis of the article that would be inside the magazine. Tgis attracts the consumers attention and reels them in, ultimately making them want to read more on the subject.

 

My main article photo is of the "head teacher" and a student by her side. I cut the two out of a photo on a background of two block colours, then using several tools in Photoshop, managed to make them look natural on the background of the cover. I also inserted three smaller photos onto the article, one of which is featured on the contents page. The other two would be inserted on other articles within the magazine, once again, serving the same purpose as the article synopsis's; allowing the consumers to feel the urge to read more.

 

I have also added three images that were taken from the internet. These are the three logos; Twitter, Facebook, and the Heworth Grange Comprehensive logo. Having these three logos on the cover gives a much more realistic effect and feel to the magazine, overall, giving the magazine a large sense of authenticity.

I like this front cover. I feel that it is quite mature for the target audience (those aged from 11-18). There is nothing too mature for younger readers, and it still has a more sophisticated aspect for the older side of the target audience.
However, I also feel that it isn't extremely interesting. Although over cluttering is a negative, I feel that my magazine is slightly too bare. If I were to improve my magazine cover, I would perhaps move the articles around, and add some smaller photos or articles.

 

 

Contents Page

 

My contents page is a continuation of colours that i included in the original house style. I have also added lighter golds and blues, in order for them to stand out, however, still keeping within the realms of the house style.

 

If I was supposed to meet the criteria of, per say, a music magazine, then I certainly would not use the text borders that I have. However, since this is a school magazine, I feel that this gives a more entertaining and interesting feel to the magazine, especially when considering younger readers with possibly much shorter attention spans.

 

 I have also included a background image of the school, and a student to the left of the image, who is partly hidden by other images relating to the contents. I have included the school image because I feel that it adds more interest and attractiveness once again, and also gives a much brighter feel to the page.

 

I have included lots of photos on my contents page. I used appropriate images to match the articles that I 'created'. For example, the "I overcame the bullies" article, matches the photo of the slightly shy looking female; in my opinion.

 

I have also included a "quote of the month", on the gold bar underneath the contents title. My reasoning behind this is because throughout the school, there are actual weekly quotes. I felt that this added a literal sense of realism to my magazine. The quote I used was also one of the quotes, which happens to be my favourite; hence my usage of it.

 

Personally, I feel that this could be much better. I would match this to more of a primary school, rather than a secondary school joint with a sixth form, due to the slight comical "art club" and "anime club" advertisements.

If I were to improve, I would restructure the articles completely. I would make columns with the articles, without the borders. This way, it would perhaps stay within a more similar house style to the magazine cover, giving a better and much more realistic feel overall.

 

Who Am I?

My name is Eden Hall and I'm in my first year of Heworth Grange Sixth Form. I am currently doing my first year of Media Studies. I have created this blog to log in my progress throughout the two years of my course online.

I will use this blog to update works in progress (magazine covers, short updates on my work etc.), and I will record videos of myself explaining which section I am up to on my course.