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.

Coursework - Contents Page Analysis

After completing my front cover for my music magazine the next stage in the coursework process was to begin looking at and studying contents page's of magazine's, in particular music magazines. The image I have selected on the left, I believe, is a good example of a contents page. The reasons for selecting this image would be because the title "Contents" is displayed in a varied way, yet one that is still easy and clear to read. The use of colour blends well together and the overall silver colour scheme really gives the page an edgy look which leads to an increased interest from the reader.

I also like this contents page due to the simplicity of it, the text layout and text type is kept to a minimum, which may decrease the interest of the reader but on the other hand is less off putting than a large chunk of text.

The image, of course, is eye catching and sets of a 'glamourous' tone to the overall page. I believe having a stricking image will allow for the reader to be less threatened, as such, and want them to read on to the rest of the magazine.

Just by analysing this contents page, It would be a good example to lead from, however previous research has taught me that in order to get a full understanding of magazines it is important to analysis various aspects of certain pages including different styles, such as rock to indie. However I really am drawn to this style and may find myself returning to it in the future when it comes to planning and producing my magazine contents page.

Coursework - Front Cover Analysis

The image above is an example of my finished front cover for my music magazine. 

It is clear to say that the front cover image has been altered to a professional standard and the image is not pixilated in any way. The overall look of the front page appears professional and sophisticated with boxes (puffs) to make certain information stand out and the "20 page special" to really attract the readers eye.  All aspects of my magazine have been used and taken from inspiration from magazines such as "Billboard", where my central image idea was taken from yet altered to create my own style. The use of colour within the front page is kept to a minimal amount which allows those items in colour to really stand out, such as the puff which reads "Confessions of a rising star". Through previous research I knew this would be a successful factor to have on a magazine front cover, too much colour would overcrowd and dominate the central image and more important information / news wouldn't stand out as clearly. As well adding my own factors to my magazine front cover, it was essential to make it look realistic therefore all the obvious features had to be added as well. These were features such as the price of the magazine, the date and the barcode. The masthead of my magazine is called "Outspoken" and I have chosen this for the reason that it is a music magazine and it makes the magazine sound dominant, as if it would 'out-talk' everyone. Again a lot of this is explained within my media pack. Including key names in the music industry within my magazine, such as "Adele, Madonna, Sheryl Crow and Stevie Nicks" really sets the tone for the magazine and highlights my aim to focus on a laid back but sophisticated audience of music lovers. Overall all the features of my front cover have been carefully planned and with the help of my flatplan I was able to produce a magazine front cover in which I was happy to present. 

However, if I had the chance to do this task again I would focus on putting the title of the magazine, "Outspoken" behind the central image as this is what is common for most magazines. I also would try a different effect, prehaps going for a rock magazine or a more specific indie magazine, but I am happy with the work I have produced and I think it works successfully.

Coursework - Image For Front Cover

After completing a successful photoshoot I was able to choose my deciding image to be placed on my front cover of my music magazine. I chose this image for several reasons. My previous research has suggested that all magazine images show direct eye contact, therefore this image shows this and is suitable to use on my front cover.

I also like the pose shown in the image as it is simple and represents that of previous magazines I have researched, particulary the one featuring Adele.

Using this image creates a slight sophisticated effect, a theme I would like to continue to use throughout my magazine. Although the hair hanging down on the right hand side loosens up this effect. Alongside this the plain background allows for all the typography, masthead and puffs to be added to my final front cover. Having the simple 'pose' or postition of the model allows for more interesting and varied images to be added within the contents and double page spread of my magazine.

Overall the use of photoshop has allowed me to alter and change the contrast / brightness of my image in order for it to be presented with a professional standard, and this will be seen within the evaluation of my final front cover piece.