Magazine Evaluation

Encore- By Joe Griffith

Conventions- Masthead

• I have used a masthead that is easily identifiable if necessary. However, unlike the two legitimate publications, it isn’t covered by the main image.

Conventions-Main Image

• I have followed normal magazine convention in that I have used a large main image that takes up the space of the whole page.

Conventions- Barcode/Issue and date

• The Barcode is in the bottom left corner of my magazine, similar to that of the third magazine, but the opposite corner. These are standard places to put the bar code, as it is a place that is usually used repeatedly, so the audience know what to look for.

Conventions-Cover Lines

• My magazine follows the convention of using cover lines to indicate what is in the magazine.

• However instead of just listing who is featured, I’ve said what it is they’re in the magazine for.

Conventions-Contents mode of address

• In both of the sample magazines, the models are all focusing on the camera, and therefore the audience, but I did not adhere to this convention, instead, with my main image, the model has his back to the audience, as does one of the surrounding images, and the other, while facing the camera, is not looking at it.

Conventions-Contents mode of address

• In both of the sample magazines, the models are all focusing on the camera, and therefore the audience, but I did not adhere to this convention, instead, with my main image, the model has his back to the audience, as does one of the surrounding images, and the other, while facing the camera, is not looking at it.

Conventions-Contents use of a main image

• In both of the sample contents below, it is seen that there is a main image, relating to the main feature of the magazine, which is often on the front cover of the magazine, a large reason as to why people buy it. I have adhered to this convention entirely, as I feel it would be necessary to keep the audience interested.

Conventions-Contents repetition of the magazine title/issue date and colour scheme.

Conventions- Typography

• My magazine has a typography similar to that of the second sample magazine. It’s a serious typography that is used in an attempt to make the magazine seem more like a serious and legitimate publication.

Social Groups- Target Audience/musical interest

Social groups- Target Audience

The target audience for Encore is males aged 16-25, most likely students. The fonts used are standard and straightforward in an attempt to attract an audience. The masthead has bold typography which, is impactful, and clearly aimed as an attempt to draw male readership.

The genre that is portrayed in the cover is supposed to be that of what is described as the “indie” music genre. The typical follower of such music is those who really feel that they must achieve individuality. However, this pursuit of individuality leads to more conformity in fashion, because in actuality the people who are so desperate for this individuality thrive under groups.

Target Audience- Profile

• Age: 16-25

• Gender: Male

• Ethnicity: Predominantly Caucasian, though not exclusive

• Occupation: Student, or in low income jobs

• Hobbies/Interests: Listening to music, going to festivals and concerts

• Lifestyle: Very interested in fashion and modern life.

• Geographical location: Not strictly exclusive to anywhere, people interested in this music can be found in both urban and suburban areas.

Social Groups- Target Audience

Social Groups- Teenagers representation

• In my product, I have characterised my magazines model as the stereotypical “bad boy”, rather than an accurate representation of society at large. Hopefully this would appeal to my target audience, who, hope to feel unique, and throw teenage rebellions, but in actuality thrive under group. He is seen in the pictures to be openly aggressive and a vandal, and the text connotes to police lines and that he is a criminal.

Social Groups- gender representation

• In my product, I have characterised my magazines model as the stereotypical “bad boy”, that is a kind of a prima donna, show off or diva, rather than an accurate representation of males. As well as mentioned before

Media Institutions- Which would distribute my product?

For the media institution that would distribute my product I would say that Bauer media is where I would have the most success. I say this because as an institution it is already reaching the age demographic I am trying to reach (or thereabouts), but in different genres of music, eg they have Kerrang!, Mojo and Q.

Bauer Media- Promotion of product

• As seen previously, Bauer Media has infiltrated several genres and mediums, with both Q and Kerrang! having their own magazine, TV channel and radio station. As such, it is greatly situated to promote the product and cross-pollination, and media convergence between the brands as opposed to enforced conflict.

Attracting the target audience- Front Cover

In this instance I have tried to take inspiration from an image of Julian Casablancas, who is a famous figure in the genre I am going for.

As with the main image I have gone with a famous figure for the one of the cover lines, again using the band that Julian Casablancas is the frontman for.

Using the artist Ed Sheeran, I can give the impression that the magazine is a part of launching stars, from obscurity. Also, using what is essentially his “theme” colour, I can connote to him.

Using the colour yellow as a constant connotes with warmth and being inviting as it is one of the colours of fire. Yellow is supposed to highlight intellectuality and when used sparingly (as here) attracts attention.

Prizes that will attract an audience of roughly 16-25

Attracting target audience- ContentsLarge typography to attract the audience and a contrast to be more eye catching.

Mode of address- Model is not facing the audience, this expresses the individuality of the model and the desired individuality of the reader.

Using artists that the target audience will be interested in and will appeal to them.

Attracting target audience- double page spread

Pictures clearly showing anger on the face of the model. Which is something that I feel the reader can relate to.

Use of the colour royal blue connotes to a feeling of superiority as well as coldness, which goes with either of the two main quotes.

The two taglines are designed to look like police lines, indicating violence and crime

Learning/Developing ability with new technologies

• In the development of my product I have learned either new technologies or increased my ability with already familiar ones. In the creation of my product, I required the use of several different form of technology and software, of which a few are listed below.

Learning/Developing ability with blogger

• As a requirement for my portfolio, I had to create a blog which documented my evolution throughout the course. I had nor prior experience with a blog, and as such, no knowledge on how to properly utilise its functions and facilities, but since then I have learned how to create/draft/edit posts, as well as uploading images videos and in this case, slideshares.

Learning/Developing ability with digital cameras

• With the use of a digital camera I have learned a multitude of methods in how I prefer to have shots taken, and at which angles along with a suitable mode of address to go with each picture. I also learned how to properly light and compose my pictures.

Learning/Developing ability with adobe Photoshop

• While I may have developed my ability with a camera, I’m still unable to attain perfection in my images, so I had to learn how to use Photoshop. I edited the image so that it would enhance the lighting source and change the saturation of the picture to match that of the magazine’s colours.

Learning/Developing ability with other software

• Picnik- Used initially, but I prefer Photoshop

• Internet Browsers and search engines- I used these so that I could research and investigate sample magazines

What have I learnt from the preliminary task?

• Since my preliminary task I have learned how to properly construct better quality photographs. As such it creates more of an impact on the audience. As well as better structure for the magazine, and maintaining a theme throughout. In hindsight the initial task was extremely advantageous in my development, as it gave me the foresight needed to be able to construct and manufacture a product that would appeal to an audience. It also gave me the freedom to make mistakes and to then learn from them. However, I feel that the only way to get a true, objective view of progress is to compare the two.

What have I learnt from the preliminary task?