Target Audience

I have placed my masthead in the middle of a publisher file and around it I have analysed where I have got my ideas from and what my ideas are:

I've included:

1. Different magazines that have influenced my ideas
2. A definition of my genre
3. Artists included inside
4. What is featured inside the magazine e.g. interviews etc.
5. Different photography that I will include and use 

This will appeal to my target audience because they will be used to finding these sort of elements in usual dance music magazine's. If I include these ideas in mine then my target audience will feel right at home. It will be natural for my target audience to look for the exclusive interviews, offers and competitions because magazine's like mine i.e. mixmag include these. Also, the title "MOVE" is very short and simple which creates a connection with the magazine mixmag. The photography will be very similar to the Annie Mac shoot with mixmag. All of the above will enable my magazine to be successful because I'm offering what other magazine's of my genre offer so this will successfully appeal to my target audience of 16-25 year olds as they are in their prime time of wanting to know what's going on in the music industry. 

Drafting and planning

I used a step by step basis to understand how to bring my masthead over my picture without losing some parts of the picture. I will use this when constructing my magazine.

Organisation

When looking at the blog tracker, it became apparent that the posts I am struggling the most with are both Target Audience and Organisation:

To gain extra marks I must have an equal number of posts that balance each other out rather than just having four posts on each and over ten more on the other two areas -

I will now focus my blog posts on Target Audience and Organisation.

Organisation/ Target audience

I researched on how to conduct a 'professional looking' photoshoot at home. I would like to make my photos look very professional as if they had been taken by a real photographer. Having clear, well organised photos will appear to my target audience as the younger demographic are currently living through the 'selfie phase' and photographs are very important.

I found a website which describes how to take good photographs without experience:
http://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Professional-Looking-Photo-Shoot-at-Home

This has four stages which I will be able to follow. I understand that my photographs must be clear, bright and eye-catching. I must follow the guidelines of:

• Use natural and artificial lighting
• Create a professional ambiance
• Gather meaningful props
• Decide on what look to give your model
• Make sure model practices poses before the photographs are taken 
• Prepare the camera
• Edit your photos - ALWAYS KEEP ORIGINAL (just incase)

If I follow these stages successfully, I should be able to produce clear and effective images for my music magazine.

If I follow these stages successfully, I should be able to appeal to my target audience because my photographs will link to professional photographs on magazine's and this means that my target audience will relate to my photographs just as easy as real professional ones. I will successfully fall into the arms of my target audience because I am giving them exactly what they want and they are used to; my work will have the same effect as existing, popular magazines.

Organisation

Linking back to my post on the 6th of November - the double page spread analysis in mixmag of Dillon Francis; I have started to look more closely at the content and detail of the actual interview.

Some of the questions e.g. 'Your new album 'Money Sucks, Friends Rule' is out next month. What can you expect from it?' and 'You also said you'd join the army if fans paid you a million dollars. How long do you think you'd last?'...

These may influence me when writing my article for my double page spread because my artist will be a new popular artist releasing their first album. This means I can ask questions related to their music rather than pointless questions like what is your favourite colour? Along with music related questions, to keep the article interesting to the readers, I can ask more personal questions just like the one about Dillon Francis joining the army... As mine is female artist I could ask them what profession they'd like to go into if the music industry wasn't for them. 

Other questions like 'Dance music's not always considered a great genre for albums. How did you approach making yours?' I could use a similar question because my artist is also a dance music artist and this is very true that a whole album of dance music may not be so successful. 

I have also noticed that the pull quote from the artist next to the image 'I just like to poke at people who take themselves too seriously' may influence me as when writing a quote from the artist it could be really irrelevant to the article but still reflect the artist's personality.

Drafting and planning

I have started to use the page plus software to create a first draft for my magazine. I have purposely used Annie Mac as the cover star to see if her image would have symbiosis with the masthead on top of a white clear back ground.

I imported the masthead first and then I imported the image which was originally this:

I used the 'cutout studio' to erase parts of the image that weren't needed on my front page: I basically just kept Annie Mac's face and body. Here is my first attempt of using the cutout studio to manipulate an image...

Drafting and planning

I have been researching different kind of fonts that are on my computer already, rather than from a website. When looking to design my masthead I discovered that the font 'Segoe UI Semibold' will be very effective as it is bold and has clarity. This will suggest that the my masthead will be eyecatching as the font is very plain yet in contrast, in your face.

Here's an example of how my masthead could potentially look if I use 'Segoe UI Semibold':

I researched into this because the use of fonts on all magazines seem to be different depending on the genre. I am inversing the stereotype of a rounded font by using Segoe UI Semibold because mixmag and DJ both use curlier fonts... However, I like this font as it is straight cut - it makes the magazine appear like it'll be straight to the point. This font is more of an NME type style rather than DJ...

Using this style will make my magazine seem like a world wide sensation because it has a connection to this majorly popular magazine. On one hand this is good because it shows that I'm following the conventions of one style of music magazine. However, by not following my music genre could evoke problems when I go to construct my magazine. I may need to further research into fonts. 

Drafting and planning/ Research into similar products/ Target audience

For my magazine, I think the images on the front page, contents page and double page spread will be very important. I will need to use four different images for my artist as I'd like two on the double page spread - one taking up a page and another secondary image in the middle of the text.

My images will need to vary from feminine, girly poses to ones with attitude and passion. To inspire me, linking to my post from Sunday the 23rd November, I will use this image to influence me.

I am going to hopefully mirror this image to have the attitude and mystery reflecting in the photographs I take for my music magazine. It is important I make a connection with this artist and my own artist so that they appeal to the same target audience which is 16-25 year old males and females/ linking back to my post on Sunday 16th November.

16-25 year old girls may be attracted to the magazine if it has an image like this because of their aspiration goals, Annie Mac (artist in image) looks very beautiful and edgy in this picture and she may be a role model in their appearance.

16-25 year old boys may be attracted to this magazine if it has an image like this because of Annie Mac looking so attractive. The direct mode of address is quite seducing to the readers and will entice and interest them in this magazine.

Drafting and planning

Annie Mac the DJ will influence how my artist poses for my music magazine. This is because she is exactly the same sort of character with a distinct and similar personality that I will exhibit through my artist.
When researching Annie Mac images, I have found 4 that I think will be very effective in a music magazine:

I like the way image one provides a sense of mystery - a pose like this will engage readers and make them interested as to why the artist seems so secretive with attitude.

I think this is a beautiful shot of Annie Mac because of her calm look, she appears that she is relaxed which will make my magazine seem less tense like a kerrang magazine and more chilled with positive vibes - the soft, direct mode of address will invite readers in.

This is a very powerful shot of Annie Mac because it shows her edgy, typical DJ appearance. She doesn't seem like she's dressed 'girly' or 'feminine' in her clothes as they're quite plain yet casual. However the hair, facial expression and use of jewellery gives her a sort of distinction from other female artists and somewhat foreshadows what kind of music artist she is.

This is a fabulous close up of Annie Mac and it provides a sense of attitude and power. She looks as though she's owning the shot. The red lipstick is dominant in the image and shows that she's very feminine however the leather jacket creates a contrast and implies that she's quite sharp linking to the style of music she produces.

Organisation/Research into similar products

I have been looking at different contents pages of mixmag magazine:
I have noticed that there are many different kinds of shots/images - they range from close ups, to medium shots, to long shots...
This provides me with the choice of which kind of shot to choose as my magazine has the same target audience as mixmag.

I think however, my favourite use of shot is a medium close up because not only does it draw attention to the artists facial expression but also surroundings. It is important for me to recognise that many of the images for mixmag magazine are taken with the background of what looks like to be a concert or club. I will use this as an influence in my contents page images.

Target audience

The main target audience for mixmag music magazine is:
A person with the median age of 24, single and living in a city.
Mix mag readers are 72% male and 28% female.

I found this information on the website: http://issuu.com/mixmagfashion/docs/mediapack2013

This is similar to my target audience for my music magazine; linking back to my post on the 12th of November, my target audience is predominantly ages 16-25. I think my target audience will be 50-50 aimed at men and women as the music is not preferable to either gender.

I have successfully chosen a magazine to mirror as it has the same demographic as mine.

Target Audience

Referring back to my blog post on the 6th of November - the analysis of a mixmag double page spread:

To appeal to the same target audience I created a similar spread for my draft:

By using the mixmag spread as inspiration I attempted to reflect this when constructing my draft. Hopefully this will appeal to the same demographic and I will use this as a basis when producing my final double page spread. I also put my artist image on the RHS of the DPS and added a space to include a quote. Similarly to the mixmag DPS, I put the heading on the top left corner and the article underneath. I also wrote the article in columns like all magazine's do. 

When using this I will be able to create a successful DPS because I'm sticking to the generic conventions of double page spreads and using a magazine of the same genre for influence. I think my magazine will be a success if I follow this basis. The only thing I'd change is the image of the artist and the white background - I'd make it a more lively colour. 

Tracker Progress

When looking at the tracker progress, I have noticed that I am beginning to cover all areas of 'research into similar products', 'organisation', 'target audience' and 'drafting and planning'. My main target for improvement on my blog posts is addressing my target audience more regularly; I also need to post more about my organisation. I will now focus my posts on these two areas.
But overall I am happy with my number of blog posts so far as I am currently on 32 according to the tracker.

Drafting and planning

From my draft of the contents page and double page spread somebody in my class assessed what I did well and what I could do to improve in the future:

My peer assessor said that 'you understood how there can be great cohesion throughout a magazine through coverstars, fonts and the attitude of the articles'... 'I like where you have placed the pull quotes and how you have put the coverstar in the centre of the contents'.

To achieve marks my peer assessor said that 'you can draw ideas from the positioning of the coverstar and distribution of text and image'.

To improve on my drafting, my peer assessor said that I should 'keep in mind how mixmag lays out their magazine, think about proportions and maybe use a different font that's more dynamic for the pull quotes unless it goes against the ethos of the magazine'.

To improve and achieve on my final music magazine I will think about how typical mixmag magazines use the codes and conventions so they will be reflected in my magazine. I could also stick to the ethos of my magazine and take better quality images and edit them to make them distinctive to all secondary images in my magazine.

Organisation

For my drafting of my contents page and double page spread I had to take many different images and chose the most successful ones. I made sure that I wore the same outfit to make a connection to the front page image. I used many different poses so that I'd have a wide range to choose from. This ensures that I make a consistent, coherent and holistic approach.
Here are some of the photographs I took:

Drafting and planning

This is my publication plan:

My publication plan will be a huge help when I'm constructing my magazine because it will act as a guideline. In this way, if I go off track it will lead me in the right direction. For every step I undergo in the making of my magazine, I will refer back to my publication plan because it will act as my advocate. It will offer reminders of what my magazine is all about. 

I am happy that my publication plan will help my magazine to be a success because everything included in it sticks to the generic conventions of music magazine's e.g. the frequency, price, distributor, rationale, style etc. 

Target Audience

I conducted a survey on Survey Monkey and collected 7 responses.
Q1:

My main target audience for my music magazine will be from the ages 16-25 as they are the ages that answered my survey the most.

Q2:

Even though the preferred genre of music for my target audience is rock music, I do not think that  my dance music magazine would suffer because it is the second favourite. It would also still be a good choice because dance music is what most people in my target audience would listen to in their free time or if they went to parties or in nightclubs etc.

Q3:

Here I discovered a very varied response, all of the people that answered my survey mentioned different things that they'd expect to find. I will ensure that I include these on my music magazine cover as that's what most people would expect to find.

Q4:

Once again, the answers are all very different except from some addressing the pose of the cover star - this shows that when I construct my magazine the main image will be very important.

Q5:

£2-£3 is the most common price chosen that people would be willing to pay for a music magazine. As it is a monthly edition I will need to take this into account rather than charging 50p for something that's only available once a month.

Target audience

After my construction on remake remodel task of a mixmag magazine, I discovered that my artist image was very similar to a mixmag cover of annie mac.

This is significant as Annie Mac is a DJ just like my artist. I will use this model, just with different ideas in my photographs when preparing for my final task as there's a nice connection between the two artists. This will appeal to my target audience that are likely to buy mixmag as this actually looks like a real mixmag cover. I'll use this edition of Annie Mac to influence all of my decisions - then the audience will really like my artist and she will appeal to them fully. The target audience are young adults so the male category will be especially attracted to the attractive female artist used on the cover - I can use this to an advantage to attract my target audience when I take new photos of the artist. Also, the female category of my target will be inspired by the female artist and want to be like her. On both accounts, the target audience will like my artists image if it's like Annie Mac. 

Organisation

For my double page spread, I have decided that when I construct it, there will be my artist image taking up half of the double page. I have not yet decided whether I will be using an MCU or a long shot or decided on which camera angle I am going to use. In my photo shoot I will use lots of different shots and angles.

The colour of the text for my double page spread will be all dependent on the colour of the artist's clothing and props and the background colour. The colour may link to the magazine's main colour scheme however, to keep a consistent flow to make it seem  and look professional. 

The text on my double page spread will be bold and clear to entice the audience. It will provide clarity so that it's easy to read and will keep people interested. This may have a connection with the font in the magazine's masthead or the font on the main cover stories on the front page - like the colour scheme, the type of font will have to appear consistent so it doesn't look tacky or unrealistic.

Research into similar products

I have analysed a mixmag double page spread.
I used this magazine specifically because it's a magazine that matches the philosophy/ethos of the magazine I want to create. (Dance music magazine).

Remake, remodel feedback

After peer assessment, my peer assessor commented that:
'The cover lines are laid out well around the face of the main cover star and the house colours comply with the ethos of the magazine. This can be used for your final magazine because the template is very successful in matching with the style of the magazine.'

My peer assessor also said that I had successfully included the conventions of layout and design:

• Masthead
• Pugs
• Puffs
• Dateline
• Main image
• Cover lines
• Bar code
• Selling line

I have successfully included elements of music mise-en-scene:

• Costume
• Hair
• Makeup
• Facial expressions
• Lighting
• Colour

My peer assessor concluded the framing of the shot (the close up) worked really well and is a typical finding of music magazine covers.

In my next draft of my front page I will need to take all of the above into account and use it to my advantage because it's good advice and I can now see that there is room for improvement. I am happy with the criticisms because it'll make me look at my work more closely in the future.

Remake, Remodel magazine front page task

I used the mixmag masthead because that is what my final magazine cover will be a reflection upon...

I used a skyline which mixmag use on most of their magazines which gives an offer and enlightens the reader that mixmag is 'the worlds biggest dance music mag'. I kept consistent fonts throughout the whole of the cover being 'Arial Black' and 'Arial Rounded MT Bold' - magazines don't usually have numerous fonts going on, but in this case I used two because it wouldn't make the cover appear too plain. There is anchorage text; bigger than the rest to highlight that it's a link to the cover star. I used a bright eye-catching oval shape as mixmag usually have an offer like this standing out in a bright shape on their magazine front covers. I used the colour scheme of black, white and red because the masthead was black, the clothing the model is wearing is black and finally red because of the contrast with the white background and the colour of the model's lips. I also included various cover lines which link to ethos of the magazine... they are similar artists. I made sure I added the dateline and a bar code. I specifically chose an MCU with direct mode of address as it'd entice readers and on most magazine covers, the cover star usually makes eye contact with the reader.  

In my real construction of my own magazine I will be able to use the skills I have learnt from this remake remodel task and have a real, professional looking magazine. I'll need a masthead, selling line, cover lines, anchorage text, pug, date line and bar code if I want to stick to the generic conventions. I'll need a consistent colour scheme and 2/3 consistent fonts to keep my magazine looking fresh and coherent. I now know that rather than a BCU, I should use an  MCU on my front page for the best effect - I will also make sure that my artist is facing forward, rather than holding her head at an angle... to create direct mode of address to entice the reader and make my magazine successful. I have decided that my artist appearance needs to be more wild to link to the genre of music. Therefore in the real thing I am going to ensure that the artist tones down her makeup but has wild hair - this will link to a cover of Annie Mac on mixmag - 

If I do all of the above, my magazine will be successful and look real. My artist has a strong connection to Annie Mac. I will use her to influence my later decisions - she will act as my artist inspiration as mixmag and DJ act as my magazine inspiration. 

Organisation

I am going to conduct a photoshoot within the next week. It will be of a number of my female friends individually, after the shoot, I will decide on which images I like best and which images I think could pass for a female DJ. 

The images will be of them all holding different poses, possibly with different outfits to give me a wider range to choose from when deciding on the final images I am going to use on my magazine.

Here are three ideas of models: