Foundation Portfolio Evaluation

Before beginning my research and planning into music magazines I decided to look at other types of magazines. One magazine I looked at a lot was Cosmopolitan. It is a magazine aimed at women ages 20- mid 30s. The features which show it is aimed at females are the pink colours used which stand out, the female on the front as the target readers would desire to look like her as she is flawless and very pretty. The type of language used such as '52 sex tips' this gives a representation of the reader as one who likes to gossip about guys and enjoys fashion and dressing up in the latest styles.

By looking at a magazine like this it showed me the main features which are used over all different types of magazines. There is always a Masthead which is the name of the magazine. It is always big and bold which stands out. The main image will always be of the main feature in the magazine. This image will make up almost all the space of the front cover and will be a medium shot. There is a Strapline which will be a offer or chance for the reader to win something. There will also be a bar code for when it is bought in a shop.

Once I had got myself familiar with magazines in general I started to look at music magazines. I decided the genre of music I would like my music magazine to be was indie rock/rock as I listen to music and know the bands of this genre of music very well. I also felt as a fan of this music myself I know what other fans of this genre would want from a rock magazine and what kind of bands and features they would want to see. I also looked at music videos from the bands of my chosen genre to give me an idea of what my target audience would like to see in my magazine. Although the band You Me At Six is an all male band they inspired how my band Chained Confession would be.
This is You Me At Six' music video to their song Lover Boy.




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

Magazines which were similar to the kind of magazine I wanted to make were 'NME' and 'Kerrang!'. Being a music fan of this genre myself I read Kerrang magazine. I noticed the main target audience of this magazine is males, this is shown through the dark colours used and the males featured on the front covers. Usually on rock front covers it is a band rather than a solo artist. As there is a gap in the market for music magazines which are aimed at females who enjoy rock music I decided to invert this convention for my magazine and celebrate the talents of female rock artists. On the front cover of my magazine I featured two females and a male however the clothing they were wearing still suggests their rebellious personality. There is also a male in this band which shows their genre of music. Their clothing  is dark in colour this shows their music is of rock genre. Rock music is commonly associated with having a dark feel to it, in most music videos it is very dark lighting and the behaviour of the artists is very rebellious, smashing of guitars and fast cuts through scenes, I used their dark clothing to convey this. The main female of the band who is the closest to the reader is wearing a red shirt over her black t-shirt. This makes her stand out from the rest of the band showing she is the lead singer. Most rock bands are all males, although my featured band is two females which is a twist on the genre having a male maintains the rock aspect and adds variety within the band.

There is one female who is commonly featured on Kerrang is Hayley Williams. Hayley inspired me to invert the conventions on my magazine.
Each magazine have their favourite artists which commonly feature in the magazine. Hayley is on of Kerrang's favourites. When Hayley Williams is featured on the front cover of this magazine bright colours are used to show it is slightly more feminine however they still show she is part of the rock genre of music. I followed this when featuring females on my magazine cover but made sure through the clothing they were wearing and their facial expression to show they still belonged to that genre of music.

The front cover of my magazine I have followed the conventions of how the models are standing. The models on the front cover of rock and indie rock magazines used a status triangle. This is when the lead singer of the band who is the highest status will stand forward and towards the reader. The rest of the band are standing further back and more into the background.

This is my front cover of my magazine. There is a scratched effect on the masthead which is similar to Kerrang but not the same. Other conventions on the front cover I have followed are the bands name in bold in front of the bands image and a small summary of words about the feature in the magazine. I also included a plus section at the bottom showing the reader what else is included in the magazine. There are also photos of the posters included within the magazine. The band is also layered over the masthead to show their importance.



I have followed the conventions and layout of Kerrang's content page for my own content page for my magazine. I looked at different content pages of  Kerrang magazine. The conventions were there is a image of the featured band which is on the front cover is used as the banner of the page however it is a different image. There is always an image of the Editor so I put an image of myself and a Editors paragraph addressing the readers. The name of the band their page number is also written over their image. There is also a screen shot over their image of their article so I put an image of my double page spread. On every content page there are subheadings which make it easier for the reader to find what they are looking for.



Each double page spread in rock music magazines have certain similarities but they all look slightly different because they exaggerate the band has its own identity. I used a pull quote as a title. A convention I used in my double page spread is the questions as subtitles in coloured writing. This makes it clear to the reader what has been asked and helps them to understand what the band is talking about. Another similarity between my double page spread and Kerrang's is the image is on one side and the writing is the other however the pull quote is over both pages. There is also a subheading showing which section it is from in the top right corner this makes it easier for the reader to find it.
I also used a introduction paragraph like the one in Kerrang magazine. This introduces what the interview is about and gives the reader a little insight about the band and how they got famous.

I challenged the conventions of rock magazines by featuring a rock band which consists of two females. Hayley Williams being an exception, females are not usually featured on the front cover. This is because women are not usually associated with rock genre of music. I decided to challenge typical conventions as there isn't any rock magazines highlighting female rock artists or targeting female lovers of this genre of music in the market, therefore my magazine is for a niche audience.
Other conventions such as the layout I have maintained. All music magazines have common features which help to make up the magazine. On the front cover a mast head is used, the main image is large and fills the space, there are also smaller images which give the reader an insight into the magazine. On the content page I have used page numbers and sub headings this makes it easy for the reader to find their desired article. I also decided to put an image of the double page spread next to the main image of the band who are features on all three pieces of my media. I have maintained the typical conventions for a double page spread, the title is a pull quote which engaged the reader more and gives them an idea of what the article is going to be about. The main image is different to the others seen by the reader and fills one of the pages. An introduction is commonly used with feature articles, this is to give the reader an idea of what the article is about and also gives them a introduction to the band. I broke the conventions of the typical rock stereotype. My models are of different races. On indie rock magazines the artists are commonly white. This is also a break in conventions as she is female. This is different as would attract the reader because it is for a more niche audience as there is a gap in the market for it. The models are all British, this is typical of indie rock genre as they are usually American. As my magazine is much different to an other on the current market this will make it much more successful.

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My three media pieces gives the representation that not all females are part of the stereotype such as liking the colour pink and into pop music and in love with cute boys which is portrayed in pop magazines such as top of the pops however it shows not all females are sex objects for males which is portrayed in magazines such as Vibe and XXL. My magazine shows females as strong and independent and hard working towards their music. It portrays them as quirky and original. Both females on my front cover are slightly more forward on my front cover which shows they are more dominant.  I decided to use my magazine to represent female rock fans and celebrate the music which is made by female artists from that genre. I decided to represent this social group because I am apart of this group.
Dominant representation to people who listen to rock music;

• Loud
• Disrespectful
• Depressed
• Dark clothes
• Self harm
• Tattoos/Piercings
• Withdrawn from reality
• Males

Alternate representation to people who listen to rock music;

• Happy
• Helpful
• Love family
• Group of close friends
• Tattoo/Piercing free

Most representations of people come from stereotypes. These stereotypes are made through the media. Music videos create very strong stereotypes as the music is playing along to the video. Rock videos usually consist of fast cuts between scenes, dark lighting and very depressing. The artist usually have tattoos or piercings and consist of violence. This is then automatically associated with that genre of music.


It is music videos like this which create stereotypes.
For my magazine I have used an alternate representation of the social group. I have decided to challenge the dominant ideology of the stereotypical social group of rock music fans. There is both genders on the front cover, this will attract the audience as it is different to see a mix on a rock magazine however the females are represented in a much more dominant way, they are both standing more forward and the male is slightly more back. This shows they are a lot more powerful. The male is presented in a cool, laid back guy. Both males and females are presented in a positive way on my magazine giving a positive light on rock fans.
My models look similar age to my target audience. This makes it easy for the reader to relate to them and look up to them for inspiration. They may also aspire to be them or have their success, "if they can do it at my age then so can I". The bands featured within my magazine are from varied class. Some are very successful and have won Grammys while others are only just starting to become well known. They are also from different backgrounds. Some are from America while others are from England. My main featured band 'Chained Confession' are a new upcoming band. They began by covering songs on YouTube until they were found by a record company, this shows the reader they can achieve anything if they work hard enough for it. There is a variety of race within the main featured band. This shows anyone can achieve their dreams as long as they want it, it is not about their skin colour it may be more challenging due to stereotypes however that does not mean it isn't possible.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

The media institution which owns and distributes my magazine is Bauer media group. Bauer are headquartered in Germany and work multinational. This company own magazines such as Kerrang, Q, Take a break and Bella. Click here to view all the media Bauer own. They own a variety of different media, magazines, radio, television and websites. I have chosen this particular institution because they own Kerrang magazine which is very similar to my own magazine. Kerrang is very successful in ensuring their target audiences needs are fulfilled. This shows Bauer know the rock genre well as Kerrang is multimedia, it has a website Click here to view Kerrang' website. It also had a TV channel ad Radio station. Having Bauer distribute my magazine will increase its popularity because it is a world wide media group with is very successful and own very popular well known magazines. They will successfully fulfil my target audiences needs because they know all about rock genre because Kerrang magazine has been running since 1981. Bauer have a lot of experience publishing this kind of magazine therefore will be able to promote it better. A way in which they could promote my magazine and make it as successful as some of their other magazines is by promoting it with one of their more successful magazines which is similar to it. For example they could sell Kerrang and Smash together for the first couple of issues of Smash. This will get the reader reading it, they may enjoy it as the two magazines are similar to each other.
Bauer are owners of lots of different media. This varies as it is multimedia. They own television channels, radio stations and websites. This shows they know exactly what their target audience want and are very successful in fulfilling their audiences needs. They own a lot of music related media. This shows they know a lot about music and music fans. The type of company that distributes a magazine tells the reader a lot about the type of product it is. It also tells the reader the values and message of the magazine and what sort of content it contains.


Who would be the audience for your media product?

The target audience for 'SMASH' magazine is mainly women however it may appeal to a small percentage of men. My target audience are fans of rock music and enjoy going to concerts and gigs. The age range of my target audience is 16-25, there is a variety within age as this is not important it is the taste in music which is. There will people other ages who also read my magazine however it is mainly targeted at this age bracket. My target audience is people who like to stand out from the crowd and be notice, they are not part of a typical stereotype because they like to be different and original and this is what rock music is about also.

A band named Slipknot are a rock band who wear masks. To most people who do not listen to rock music will think the masks are just to scare people and match their music however this its not just the case. Slipknot wear masks all the time and not until recently have been seen unmasked. This is because they do not want people to judge them on themselves only their music. They believe when making music the world is taken away and it is purely the artists and their music putting their souls into it. This shows rock music is different to other genre, it is more realistic and pure.

My target audience will be in the category of E,D,C2 on the Jicnar scale. These categories are defined as skilled or partially skilled workers. They have not fulfilled their full potential yet which shows the magazine could help them to do so. This links to Maslow who was a media theorist. He created the pyramid of hierarchy of needs.

 

The category which my target audience will fall into is esteem as my magazine will make them feel good about themselves. This will make them feel confident. Love and belonging could also be a category which the readers of Smash fall into as they love their family and friends. They enjoy spending time with their family. It could also be used in a social as the reader could talk to other readers about articles and stories. They could also make friends at gigs promoted in Smash. The main category is Self actualization as it is bout being the best you can be and fulfilling your potential which the magazine helps them to do.

My magazine is suitable for my target audience because it fulfils all their needs. It features all the latest artist and fills the gap in the market for a rock magazine which highlight females more than males. As I am a female myself my target audience can see this on the content page from the image of myself and this shows I have made the magazine with them in mind.

How did you attract/address your audience?

My magazine is successful in appealing and attracting my target audience.
On the front cover it features all the conventions you'd expect to see on a music magazine front cover. The female models on the front show that females can be part of the rock genre and that it is not about their genre only the music they make. The colours used are bright and eye catching but only a few colours are used so it doesn't look to much or over the top, there is an even balance. There are other females at the bottom featured also. One of the other models is wearing a rolling stones top, this shows she is quirky and different which symbolises the target audience of this magazine, and stands out from the crowd like the reader. There is at the bottom, standing against a brick wall, this is raw and realistic symbolising the genre once more. Her looks serious and direct. The female audience of this magazine may find him attractive which makes them want to buy the magazine for the poster. The smaller image of the two girls shows a poster within the magazine. They look feisty and cool and they look as if they shouldn't be messed with. The models are looking directly at the reader, this attracts their attention. They look around the same age as the target audience therefore is much more relatable.
The mast head i have used is very different and unusual. It is big, bold and distorted. This  is very unique and attracts the attention of the audience. It is mainly black with white parts where it is cracked. This is very eye catching and makes it easy to recognise.

My content page is also successful in attracting the audience as it shows another image of the main featured band Chained Confession. It shows the reader a small image of the double page spread and shows the page number. This shows the magazine knows the reader well, making it more personal to them. Once again only a few colours are used as it direct to the point. The sub headings make it easy for the reader to find what they are looking for. The editors paragraph addressing the reader makes it much more personal to the audience and this would make them want to read on as it shows them the magazine was made with their needs in mind. The content which is presented reflects on the results which i recieved from my questionaire. i included free posters because it makes the reader feel like they are recieving a gift from the magazine. There are also gig dates which promote touring artists and encourage the reader to go to festivals to see their favorite bands/artists.

My double page spread appeals to my target audience. There is a pull quote which gives them an idea of what the interview is about. The subheading marker in the top left corner links to the content page and makes it easy for the reader to go through sections to find the article they wish to read. The questions are written in red writing this makes them stand out and they are easy for the reader to read. At the bottom of the page it tells the reader when Chained Confession' new album will be released because it is what the interview is about. The box around it is distorted and makes it stand out. This links back to the front cover as there is a similar distorted box for 'Tours, Tracks And Tormented pasts'.
The way in which I addressed the reader of my magazine was informal this will attract their attention as it is like talking to a friend. It is very chatty and how the reader would speak. This makes the magazine relaxed and easy to read. Slang words would be used as they are commonly used with people within the age bracket of my target audience.

I posted my three media products onto my Facebook page for some feedback from people I knew, these were people of the same age as my target audience. This helped me to see if I had been successful in fulfilling my targets audiences needs.
Click on the images for a clearer view of the comments.

From the feedback i recieved from some people on facebook who are around the same age as my taregt audience i found my layouts were very good and clear. This makes me feel confident mine is laid out well like other magazines such as Kerrang. To improve my three media pieces I was told to brighten the main images of 'Chained confession'. Also to improve my double page I need to put the article im collums. This will make it much easier for the reader to read.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Since beginning this project I have learnt a lot of technical skills. Before starting this project I had some knowledge on how to write a blog as I have a personal one which I write on in my own time however I was unaware of the things you could put on a blog. I thought you could only add images and write on it however since starting this project I have learnt how to use embedded codes and how to embed YouTube videos and slide share documents into my blog without just putting the link in. This makes it look much more clearer and it is easier to use and also makes it look much more presentable rather than a hyperlink which the reader has to click on and wait to open before opening. I also learnt a bit more about Photoshop. As I took media studies as a GCSE I had knowledge of how to use layers and Photoshop but since I have done this project it has helped me with different canvas sizes and dimensions. I have also learnt how to correct errors in Photoshop as at one point in my project the computer glitched and took parts out of my work, I learnt how to fix this. Another skill I have learnt is how to import new fonts into Photoshop. I used a website http://www.dafont.com/  here i learnt how to download and install new fonts.
Throughout the creation of my media products i have learnt a lot about the technology I used and how it helped me to improve my work.
The technologies i used in this product were;

• Computer
• Blogspot.com
• Adobe photoshop
• Camera
• Microsoft powerpoint
• Microsoft word
• Internet explorer
• Youtube.com
• Slideshare.com
• Authorstream.com
• dafont.com
• facebook.com

I found using blogspot.com was very easy. It was quick and easy to move around my blog and find different parts of my work. The tools were very easy to use as there were small icons at the top showing what each did. I could also easily change different formats to enable me to embed videos and files. I found this was a better way to store all my work because it was all in one place and very appealing way to present my work.
I used slideshareshare and authorstream to upload my work to, once uploaded i copied the embeded code into my blog under the HTML format.
I use youtube quite regularly to listen to music and watch videos. I decided to embed music videos into my blog, this made it much more appealing and shows the kind of music my band 'Chained Confession' makes. I also used youtube to upload videos of my focus group onto one of my accounts.
Da font played a major role in my three final media pieces. I downloaded fonts which i liked, these then automatically saved into Photoshop which made it easy for me to use. This was simple and gave my magazine a real rock feel. This website offered lots of different kinds of font therefore i can use this website again for anything else.
Throughout my research and planning and my final pieces and evaluation the internet was very important. I used it to gain feedback on  facebook.com from my target audience. This helped me to improve my three final pieces. It also enabled me to do lots of research on existing magazines, types of bands, and different stereotypes. Without the internet i would not have had very good research it played a very important part in my project.
Overall i feel technologhy really helped me to gain new skills and helped me to improve my work, without it my work would be a very low standard and i would not have been able to provide my target audience with a magazine filled with excitedment and made with all the features they require.

Here is an image of my front cover in the photoshop program. To the right is all the layers it is made up of. Every piece is a different layer which build up on top of eachother. This makes it much easier to use. On the right side shows all the tools I used to edit my work.




I also used microsoft powerpoint to make some slideshows to present my work before uploading to slideshare to put onto my blog.

Here is how my blog looks within my account. Here i am able to organise my work and edit posts.






Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

My preliminary task was to create a school magazine. Looking back on the front cover I did for that magazine and comparing it to my three pieces of media for my music magazine I can see how much I have improved.  By doing a lot more research and planning this helped me to improve my skills and knowledge of how a magazine should look and the features which are used to attract the reader. My preliminary features to many different colours and the model is not making direct eye contact with the reader however the layout is good. I am glad I made a preliminary piece before my final three pieces because this helped me to improve on my work and make it look more realistic and appealing to my target audience.

Looking back at my two front covers comparing my preliminary with my final front cover there is a very big difference. The image on SMASH stands out, is bright and clear. This looks realistic and professional however Break Time magazine looks very messy, as if there is no particualr reason as to why each feature is placed there. There is also not a variety of fonts therefore it is not appealing. I think my research and planning really helped me to improve as it helped me to learn more about what my target audience want and what features and colours are included.


By doing this project I have learnt a lot about the magazine industry.  I learnt my favourite magazine Kerrang is distributed by Bauer media group which also distribute other magazines I read like Q and take a break. I found out Kerrang has a radio station which I now enjoy listening to. I have learnt a lot about conventions of magazines and what makes them appealing and I have very much enjoyed making and researching magazines. I am very happy with my final three pieces and the research and planning gave me a lot of knowledge and I am very happy with the feedback which I received overall.