Preliminary Task

I have created a prelimnary task to practice using InDesign, the programme that I will be using to create the pages of my magazine. Also i have created this to try and get an idea of the style of the front page and also what needs to be included.

TEXT
After doing my research and with general knowledge I know that on the front cover of magazines there are simple sentences indicating what will be included in the magazine. This is a technique that is used to grab the reader's attention. On my preliminary task I have done this on the front page such as 'all sports match updates included inside.'

I have also put the heading at the top of the page like all magazines have. Usually the banner at the top stands out from the rest of the text on the page so that it is the first thing that the reader notices when looking at the magazine. This is what I have tried to create here.

The thing that I would criticize about my preliminary task is that the text on the page isn't very exciting. When I create my magazine I know that will have to use more interesting fonts and colours.

IMAGE
I have taken a medium body shot, I like this image because it is clear and direct to the reader. However I think that the image needs to be a bit more interesting like with the fonts on the page. I know that I will have to get some different style shots for my cover.

OTHER FEATURES
I have also included a barcode on the page which is always on the cover of a magazine obviously so that people can buy the magazine.
Also I have put the issue number and the date at the top of the magazine which I have noticed is used on many magazines.

Analysis of Contents Page

Here is a scan of a contents page from the music magazine NME. I have chose to analyze this magazine because it is extremely popular with it’s target audience and I want to look at the things that they include in the contents page and apply the same conventions to my own.

There is plenty of information on the page which makes the reader want to continue reading which is a good start. The image in the middle makes a focal point and usually it is a photograph of the featured artist, explaining a little about what the article includes. This is obviously placed in the middle of the page because it is the biggest and most important part of the magazine.

Along the left hand side is a ‘band index’. This is a list of the

bands that have been mentioned in the magazine, either in an article or photographs or just a quick mention on a page. Next to the band names are the page numbers so that the reader can easily turn to that page if they are interested in the band. Along the left hand side are sections of the magazine split up with clear headings for the reader such as features, reviews and news. I like the use of this because like with the image in the middle it gives a little snippet of information about what else is included in the magazine.

At the bottom of the page there is a box about subscription to the magazine. Here they include a sentence ‘subscribe today and save over £45’. This is a tactic that makes the reader want to subscribe to the magazine .

The style of the contents of the magazine matches the front cover as always, it is in a clear sans serif front which is popular with magazine and makes it clear and easy to read. Also the color palette from the front page and been carried through to the contents which links it all together.

I chose to analyse this contents page from Billboard magazine because I particularly like the image used in the centre of the page. The bright colours used really make it stand out to the reader and catches their attention, making them want to read what is included in the magazine. Also this is shown my the smaller images used on the right hand side of the other features.

Like in the NME magazine the text on the contents page is split up into sections; 'features', 'music', and 'in every issue'. This makes it clear to the reader as it is easy to read.

Feedback 2.2.10

Good Kate. Continue with this. Please upload your prelim task and evaluate. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the prelim? What have you learnt from the process? What will youtake forward and so on?

You need to have your research and planning complete by half-term really to allow you time to take your photos over half term then you can start prodcution fully after the holidays.

Mrs A

Questionnaire

I have decided to create a questionnaire to hand out to my target audience to get an idea if they like the acoustic genre of music and also there ideas on music magazines. After I have collected the results I will be able to measure them and then work from there,aiming to acheive what my target audience would want.

Here is the questionnaire I have created;

Indie/Acoustic Music Questionnaire

(please circle your answer or write on line given)

Q1.What gender are you?
Male

Female

Q2. How old are you?

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Q3. What is your occupation?
____________________________________


Q4. Is the genre ‘Indie/Acoustic’ the type of music that you would choose to listen to?

YES

NO

Q5. Would you buy a magazine that followed this genre specifically?

YES

NO

Q6. Do you prefer it when a band or artist writes their own material?

YES

NO

Q7. Would you prefer the featured artist of this genre of magazine to be male or female?

MALE

FEMALE

Q8. Do you tend to listen to a mixture of genres or just one?

A MIXTURE

ONE


Q9. Do you tend to listen to music that is featured in the charts or are you the type of person who discovers music online?

CHARTS

ONLINE

Q10.Do you need a magazine with an interesting and eye catching image to grab your attention and buy it or are you a regular reader of a certain magazine, therefore you will buy it every week?

REGULAR

NOT REGULAR/NEED INTERESTING IMAGE