My Music Magazine Results (Click here)

Magazine ideology

What information did I find out from my market research?

My music magazine questionnaire results show that 77% of the readers are female and 22% are male mostly aged between the ages 14-18 who are young people in education. 50% of these people enjoy listening to R&B and second mostly hip-hop and mentioned more R&B artists influence them more than any other genre. So therefore I decided for my genre of my magazine to be R&B. Also I personally enjoy R&B and think it will be a topic I’d do very well in. Most people would pay around £1.00/£1.50 for a magazine and think a magazine should be issued weekly. I asked how much do you appreciate free music and 48% said free music was ok and 33% said it was good. 59% of people said that pictures were the first thing that pulled them towards a magazine.

Is there a niche in the market for your product and how will my magazine differ from others already in existence?

Although this is my first time producing a magazine, due the knowledge I've taken in I believe I could have a niche in the media market for my product depending on how well my magazine turns out. However, the information that I have taken in such as facts and data can give me ideas on how to change the style of an R&B music magazine into something unique and what people actually want to read.

Which magazines do I find an inspiration?

I find magazines such as vibe and XXL an inspiration as they are rare to be issued from certain places. I personally think that more R&B magazines should be sold as the majority of the magazines are indie which in my opinion, I don’t enjoy reading. Vibe/XXL magazines have what I interest in. They draw my attention as they include things that other magazines don’t.  

R&B Reader profile

My premium plan, tasks and analysis

This tabloid newspaper I decided to use attracts a particular audience such as the working class from the ages 18 to 45, usually the ‘less educated’. They do this by using big and more images with less writing and are more informal, less political and fill their newspapers with advertisements. On the other hand, broadsheet newspapers such as ‘The Times’ are more formal and usually read by the ‘higher classed’ and are more political as they use less images and more writing.

The image I used in my piece of work, both, police and rioters are being represented but mostly rioters trouble making. My image is taken from behind the police guards fighting for protection with their backs facing towards us. This symbolizes the fact that we have the police protecting us and we are helping them by standing behind them (facing the rioters) and also that we are against the rioters causing so much havoc. The reason why only police and rioters are being represented on my front cover is because they are both the main theme of the subject. In a moment like this, this is what the society wants to read about.

The representation in this newspaper is disapproving youths negatively as seen in the picture. The headline also gives readers a sense of disturbance as people are already frustrated and mostly do agree to the headline ‘fed up feds’ (Fed up police). This is also an alliteration which is catchy. The newspaper sun tends to use slang and informal language in their newspapers, so I used the term ‘feds’ which most young people/adults use instead of police.

The ideology in the newspaper refers to the way in which people think about the world and their ideal concept of how to think about the world. The ideology in my newspaper is to be blaming the rioters, representing youths as criminals.

I also used red bullet points to go with the newspaper logo, as it is red and makes it blend in the newspaper.

The subheading ‘third threat of terror’ is an alliteration and is catchy which will then draw the reader’s attention and will hopefully make them purchase the newspaper. 

                                                      Plan of Premium task

A plan of my premium task.

My premium task was to create a school magazine for my sixth-form centre. I decided do use creative colours but at the same time make my magazine look mature. The tone of my magazine is enjoyable and theses colours and the logo represent it as they blend in very well which would attract sixth-form students. I decided to us a powerful headline and call it (Success ‘R-US’) the first thing you see on the page. This is very effective as I used ‘R-US’ from the slogan ‘Toys R-US’. I used this because I believed it was very attention-grabbing, especially in a bold black font. I decided to us a formal and simple name for my magazine and name it ‘News at Negus’. I did this in a blue font to match the blue arrow from the logo and also every arrow in the logo has a matching line used to decorate the setting of the magazine. Right above the page, I used the colours red and a dark blue to separate the school’s name and the school motto. This is done for each bit to stand out, and hopefully be remembered. I’ve used the masthead ‘79% A*-C 2011 GCSE Results’ as the highlight of the story, as ‘Success R-Us’ could mean success in anything. My masthead is very effective as its shows shocking results. This is commanding to students as this is what they want to read, the whole reason they are at the sixth-form, to study and succeed. Another masthead used ‘If I got into oxford so can you’ is something else students would want to read about; as it’s interesting as they may know that person or could be a class mate. I’ve used a mid shot and a group shot image on my page as images are not boring and are one of the first things you look at first. My mid-shot image was taken next to the sixth-form mini bus as you can see the letters N and E, spelling Negus. The students would know this as they would have seen the van parked in the school. My articles are written in columns rather than an essay type. This is done for it to not look dragging and effortless. 

Content page analysis

- Females arm around him grabbing the heart symbolises his passion for women and how women are attached/attracted to him.

- The connotation of the ‘V’ at the back of the page represents the magazines name, ‘V’ standing for VIBE.

-The colour scheme is dull, different shades of greys are used. This is done purposely so the bright red heart stands out so its eye catching and stands out

- Most R&B Vibe magazine content pages have one large mid-shot image and represent one of the top story and who main feature is. This is effective as it sets the tone, and is laid back as an indie contents page could have numerous images confusing the reader and could be distracting.

- The Title ‘Contents’ is laid out in a certain way to show that their different and creative. It is written within three lines which represents that they are different. They do not have to be like everyone else.

- This is only 1/3 of the contents. There are still another two pages remaining. The contents information is laid out on the right hand side which is used to direct the reader as they read left to right.

- In the contents, the page numbers are used on the left side of the article description in bold black as the article description is in grey. This shows that the page number will appear first as the reader will skim through the description. This is effective as there is more chance of the reader turning to the page.

- In the contents, the page numbers are used on the left side of the article description in bold black as the article description is in grey. This shows that the page number will appear first as the reader will skim through the description. This is effective as there is more chance of the reader turning to the page.

- The mise-en-sence used (jacket/glasses) go with the brackets in the headline and the magazine logo at the bottom of the page. This is effective as it makes the page look lively instead of dull.

- The brackets symbolise ‘b.o.b fills in the blanks’ as him filling in the blanks. This gives us the hint of what his article is about and therefore keeps the reader keen.

- A full body shot is used on the left side of the page, representing its importance. The singer is crouching down. This could be to show off his clothing/style as it clearly shows his watch hanging off his wrist, representing his wealth.

- The use of the ‘V’ at the back of the page stands for the magazines name ‘VIBE’. Also the singer’s legs symbolises the magazines name as her legs are in the shape of the letter V.

- In the contents, the page numbers are used on the left side of the article description in bold black as the article description is in grey. This shows that the page number is will appear first as the reader will skim through the description. This is effective as there is more chance of the reader turning to the page.

- Sexual connotation is used as the female singer’s legs are used to attract audience. Also her clothing/footwear is worn to look sexy and to become eye catching. 

- This is only 1/3 of the contents. There are still another two pages remaining. The contents information is laid out on the right hand side which is used to direct the reader as they read left to right.

- The Title ‘Contents’ is laid out in a certain way to show that their different and creative. It is written within three lines which represents that they are different. They do not have to be like everyone else.

3 Double page spread analysis

- The colours white, black and gold, reflects back to the mise en sence of the singer. For example, looking at his gold watch links to the headline and text. This makes a nice and settled completion on the tone of the page. His jacket reflects to the black background and the gold design on his jacket to the gold text, his white top and glasses. All of these features are used to represent the tone and layout of the page.

- The denotations of the words ‘struggle, god loves, being, humble’ are all in white text standing out on a black background. This is effective as its highlights the key words of the article, giving the reader an outline of what’s in the article.

- A mid-shot image is used on the left side of the page which is usually done on a double page spread. This is effective as the reader will open the page start to read from left to right. Therefore the image is on the whole left hand side of the page which represents its importance so the audience will see it first.

- The Image faded into the right hand corner gives the reader a hint of what role the person plays or who they are. By fading it into the background is very effective as it keeps the tone settled and calm.

- The use of the ‘@’ meaning ‘at’ tells us the article is aimed at young people who understand the meaning of ‘@’as it’s a shorter way of the word at. This could depend on the amount of technology use.

2 Double page spread analysis

- The images across the top of the page are almost like an animation which represents what she does, (model/dancer/performer) it represents who she is. It’s in grey as it’s not the most important image. A full shot image is used and is in colour which is really effective as it symbolises how she stands out from the rest.

- The colour scheme used (red blue and grey) are very feminine as they represent soft and sophisticated colours. The image of the girl shows her as a girly/Barbie person. This indicated why the font colours are so girly, as they represent her personality.  The connotations of the colour red represent sexiness, love and passion.

- Her name is written is blue bold font, which stands out very clearly and represents her importance and what/who the main feature is.  

- Quote used in bold black capitals which is something different to everything else on the double page spread. This is effective as the article is written in small grey font allowing the quote to stand out.

- The mise-en-scene used on the pop star, (red party dress, fur shrug, heels and necklaces) tells us she’s a young party person who loves fashion and herself. Also her moves in the above pictures represent her confidence of her body with the clothes she’s wearing.

- The denotation of the verb ‘forget’ used in the heading is very powerful as its telling us to put behind a very big pop star ‘beyonce’ and focus on her sister who created one of the years ‘best’ R&B albums. 

1 Double page spread analysis

- The arrows used on the page to direct the audience which has a successful effect as there is more chance that the audience will read the article.

- The text is larger here highlighted with a black background representing its importance; this is effective as it’s pointing out the key piece of the article.

- The headline ‘Will he wont he?’ is in the colours grey and gold, linking back to the colour of the groups outfits which is also grey and gold. This makes a nice and settled completion on the tone of the page.   

- The large image is on the left hand side. It’s the first thing we see as we read from left to right. It’s almost like a cycle, as the image directs you to the arrow and the arrow directs you to the text very smoothly.

- The connotation used in the heading, ‘Will he, wont he’ Represents the lead singer (Will I am). The ‘Will’ is used very effectively in the headline, as it’s the name of who the article is about. It also uses denotation to represents who it’s about as the rest of the group are faded into the background as Will I am is sharp and stands out.

- The men of this group are dressed formally in suits as the female in the group is dressed provocative as a sexy woman directing the audience to her. The males hand/arm gestures in the picture are very sharp which represents their masculinity and the female (Fergie’s) gestures are very relaxed and calm, representing her femininity.

3 R&B Front cover analysis

-The colour scheme used (Yellow, black and whitey) are very effectively as the yellow is very bright and stands out on a dark black background which makes the magazine look sharp and eye catching. This will then attract the reader straight away which will pull their attention to reading ahead and hopefully purchasing the magazine.

-‘Free CD’ will also pull the reader’s attention as its giving away something worth more than the magazine. The do this to attract customers to purchase the magazine and hopefully start to listen to the music on the CD.

-The flash is the way of grabbing the reader’s attention as is usually something exciting and is placed on the left side of the magazine. This is done because the left side is first pulled out when magazines are stacked on shelves.

-The masthead is very simple but bright. This is very effective and doesn’t look dull. They have also added a word on the last letter going up sideways which is very creative and isn’t boring

-The tone of the image is very laid back and ‘cool’ as the rapper’s body gestures show this.

His clothing such as his hat, ring and chain, show he’s ‘cool’. His facial expressions are very calm and not tensed which represents his behavior and personality.

-The skyline is used to inform the reader of what’s in the magazine and who is in there. They do this to show their range of artist in an easier and effective way. That’s why it is laid out at the top of the page as it’s difficult to throw everything all at once as cover lines.

-The cover lines are brief information of what’s in the magazine. This is here because it is more effective than having just one topic on the front page. Each artist’s names/stories are in color coordination such as yellow and white which doesn’t make the magazine cover look so dull.  -Looking more closely into the cover lines, the title of the cover lines s are in bright yellow, and below is a description of the stories in a smaller white font on a black background. They do this to keep the reader interacted with their stories.  

2 R&B Front cover analysis

- The ‘XXL’ logo is in a big bold white font and has a red rectangular background which allows the logo stand out extremely well. This is done to make the logo noticeable, so every time you were to see this logo, you would notice what magazine it is straight away.

- The phrase ‘The king and his royal court’ used in one of the puffs corresponds to a certain artist and represents his power by symbolising how important his album ‘PSC’ is. This is done question the reader and hopefully directs them to reading about the article.

- The cover lines, also known as ‘puffs’ outline what’s in the magazine. This is here because it makes the magazine more interesting and effective than having a little information. The magazine uses mise-en-scene by using the same colour font as the puffs to blend in with the rappers hat, scarf, watch and tattoos.     

- Denotation is used to represent danger. Red and black represent threat and darkness.

The design of the page is very clear as its most important information is in big font and is laid out on the left hand side of the page. They do this because as the reader pulls the magazine out of the shelf, the first thing appears is what’s on the left hand side. Therefore all the important information will convince the reader to read ahead.

- The colour scheme used (red, black and white) are used very effectively as they stand out on a grey background which makes the magazine look sharp and eye catching. This will then attract the reader straight away which will pull their attention to reading ahead and hopefully purchasing the magazine.

- The tone of the image is very vicious and threatening as the person in the image is screwing up his face and fists. The rapper is known as ‘the game’ and underneath states a code and convention ‘troublesome’ which represents him and reflects his personality. 

1 R&B Front cover analysis

- The colour scheme used (red, black and grey) are used very effectively as they stand out on a white background which makes the magazine look sharp and eye catching. This will then attract the reader straight away which will pull their attention to reading ahead and hopefully purchasing the magazine.

- The skyline is used to inform the reader of what’s in the magazine and who is in there. They do this to show their range of artist in an easier and effective way. That’s why it is laid out at the top of the page as it’s difficult to throw everything all at once as a cover line.

- The design of the page is very clear as its most important information is in big font and is laid out on the left hand side of the page. E.g. they do this because as the reader pulls the magazine out of the shelf, the first thing appears is what’s on the left hand side. Therefore all the important information will convince the reader to read ahead.

- The page uses strong nouns such as names of drugs (Vicodin, valium and methadone) and underneath it quotes ‘I literally almost died’. This represents shock and danger as it’s denotation by surrounding it by the colour red.

- A mid-shot image is used and in front of the mastered and other text which represents how important he is and is a direct mode of address as the rapper’s eyes are directly looking at the camera which then has and automatic eye contact with whoever looks at the magazine. This creates a personal interaction with the reader and encourages to buy.

- The tone of the image is very serious as the rapper’s facial expressions show this. At the same time it also creates a sense of danger as his arms are full of tattoo’s and has muscular arms, hence why they use sharp colors such as red and black to show power.

- The cover lines are brief information of what’s in the magazine. This is here because it is more effective than having just one topic on the front page. Each artist’s names are in color order such as grey, black, grey, black which doesn't make the magazine cover look so dull.

- The connotations used e.g. ‘The best rapper ever?’ You decide’ creates a sense of feeling where the audience feel that they have a chance to have their say which makes customers feel welcome and a part of it.