Coursework - Double Page Spread

The magazine headline on this double page spread is written in bold to make it stand out, not only is it purposefully composed like that but it is set to be positioned on a slant in order to create an effect that isnt average or boring. The most successful feature about the headline on this page is that the writers have incorporated it within a quote from one of the band members, "We're being the best MCR we can be", this adds a catchy feel to the page wanting the reader to read on.

Amongst the title on the left hand side of the page the header, "world exclusive" suggests that this magazine interviews people artists and bands from around the world which helps with its unique selling point and allows for the reader to trust in the brand.

With magazine prices and sales failing this magazine has become up to date with including a web address to link readers to an online site, where more information can be provided. Placing it on the popular page of the magazine ensures more readers will see it thus upping the ratings online, which is esstential in this technology growing world.

This double page spread is consistant in presenting various images of the band to help the reader visualise and connect with the text they will be reading. Most of the images are representitive of the title of the piece "The best we can be" as it shows the band hard at work, adding to their growing list of fans.

Lastly in the top right hand corner is an informational box about the band, providing key facts, new song titles and tour dates for the reader. This is vital in showing the magazine takes an interest in the band to provide such background information, again allowing for the audience to trust in the brand.

I would say that this is a successful part of a double page spread, the colour scheme is consistant and they have shown a personal interest in representing a band of importance.

Coursework - Double Page Spread

This image is a clear example of a double page spread featuring a well known artist which inevitably adds to the selling point of this magazine.

The large image on the right hand side of the page is down to cut down text blocks and to fill up most of one page. The effect of this being that it immediately grabs the readers attention and the 'dressed down' look of the artist makes it appear more average and reader friendly. The colour of her outfit (red) also determines the specific colour scheme for the rest of the double page spread, for example some of the smaller words are written in red. Amongst this the plain background allows for all colours, pictures, and text type to stand out. It keeps the page simple and thus allowing the reader to focus on the title which in itself should make them want to read on, "people think i'm an attention seeker but i'm just honest".

The actual text is kept to a smallish font - perhaps a little offputting for those who don't find reading easy, but may have been the only option for the writer due to the fact that the image takes up one whole side of the complete double page spread. The writing is positioned in four seperate colomns which is representative of most magazines and newspapers. The enlarged letter "I" is suggestive of what the first sentence is going to begin with, another common feature in most or all magazines and newspapers. The subtitle text is used as a separation technique between the title and the main text, it involves a more detailed description of the title in order to boost the reader into wanting to read more.

The title for this text is in a large font, its primary purpose is therefore to attract the reader. It also takes up a wide space of the page in order for less text to be needed.

Overall this double page spread of a magazine is quite successful and holds a quirky but laid back and average feel to it. I would however look to adding more text in the double page spread and working towards making it varied in order for a more colourful and exciting effect.

Updated Magazine Front Cover

This image is an example of my updated music magazine front cover. With the previous research on the articles of the decreasing sales in music magazines I thought it would be best to show my understanding of the matter and portray it in my own music magazine. The only alteration I have made in this image of my front cover is that I have merely changed the price. Orginally standing at £2.00 for the issue of the magazine I have decided to make the option of changing the magazine to sell it free. This of course has been put in colour in a clear font and has more emphasis put upon it as I made it bold. Lowing the price, or dropping it completely in this instance shows my understanding of the demanding market for the world of music magazines. Making my magazine 'Free' allows for the audience to not feel the pressure of spending money in which they could easily access the information online if needs be. Inside this I will try to incorporate a 'puff' or notification box that makes the audience aware that there is a subscription avaliable online where they may have to pay but will be allowed more access and details to specific stories.

Decreasing Sales Of Music Magazines

Recent reports printed in the previous three weeks have shown a steady decline in the sales of many of Britain's popular music magazines (Q and Uncut). Reports from 'The Guardian' stated that sales of music magazines decreased in the second half of 2011, with 'Uncut' magazine losing most sales, with 'NME' showing a 14% decline in sales, dropping to just 27,650 sales. However on the more positive side, 'Mojo' still remains the best-selling paid for title in the music industry, although like others, losing some sales. Other reports from Ben Cardew have presented us with the information that "just nine years ago Britain had a thriving music press and music industry that was defying the worldwide trend for falling sales." This shows that decrease in sales is mainly due to the use of technology and certain music business coming up to speed on the use of online access. This digital access has grown singlally in the UK by 24.7% just in 2011. With regards to my coursework on producing a music magazine, I need to ensure that my knowledge on the music industry and its figures are apparent in my own work. This could be shown in several ideas, some being that I could add information on subscribing to an online channel to guide the readers to keep purchasing my magazine. I could also allow for easy access web links to be shown at the bottom of certain pages for 'more information' to be recieved online. This shows that I would be engaging with the reader and keeping involved the current transition of the music industry from paper to digital access.

Coursework - Final Contents Page

The image below is a JPEG file of my final contents page for my music magazine. I have been successful in creating and composing this contents page through the use of Photoshop and have been able to present a piece of near professional standard due to my previous research.

Thus the image above is the complete presentation of my final contents. In contrast with my previous contents page research I found that the use of text boxes to divide up the page is a common feature and one that I was particularly drawn to. As a starting point, I divided my portrait page into half with the image positioned at the bottom and all the text in one large chunk at the top of the page. Through assisting help I was offered the advice that as an overall view it didn't look like a professional contents page. Therefore I re-read my research and began the idea of dividing my page in separate sections. I believe the image is still the main feature on this page, but as noted, it is not an image of the band that are going to be featured in the double page spread. I believe this opens the readers eye into seeing that this magazine is about varied and worldwide music and not just the focus on one band/artist per issue. The image itself was placed into photoshop where I was able to alter the brightness and contrast to achieve a 'studio shot' looking image, which I believe bodes well with the image on the front cover. 

The editor's box is simply a small message which the reader can read in order to boost their knowledge on what to expect within the magazine, "you can sample Jack Hall's new album, and no ladies this one isn't for the bin" really address the audience and the use of personal pronouns really engages the reader. I found that this was also a common feature in the composition of contents pages.

My contents page also offers "357 reasons to update your music" which is an exciting feature headlining next to the heading of "contents" which allows for the audience to realise that this is something largely important.

Research has shown me and built upon my knowledge that many contents pages do not header their page "contents" however some do. I decided to include this in my page for the main reason that without it may not be clearly something to pick up on that it is a contents page. This therefore could be noted within my skills on improving realted pages. 

Overall I am pleased with the consistant outcome of both my magazine front cover page and contents page. I see that the colour designs, and presentation styles of both pages bode well together and therefore I can be satisfied with the concluding result. 

Coursework - Contents Page Analysis

In a second analysis of content's pages I have specifically picked out this image from 'Q' magazine as the image really attracted my attention. From this and background knowledge on 'Q' magazine I am aware that the contents page fits well with the overall scheme of the magazine, therefore I will need to incorporate this idea within my own magazine.

I really like the style of this contents page. The block sets of text are an idea I would like to use within my final contents page although the lack of colour on this image suggests I should add more, but stick to a particular colour scheme.

The main or central image of the band engulfs most of the page which suggests they are a cover or feature story within the magazine, which inevitably attracts the reading into reading the article.

The articles and features of the magazine are laid out well and therefore easy to locate and the numbers are highlighted in red which suits and connects well to the overall colour scheme.