Blog 3 - Analysis of existing front cover.

A well constructed front cover of a magazine can make a huge difference in sales, increasing on average sales by 15% per month. Therefore it is important to lure possible buyers to the magazine.

I have analysed the front cover of NME issued in October 04. This cover is a brilliant example of layering pictures with text. The play on word text refers to the problems the band had with instant success following their first hit single "Monster" this overlaps the picture of the band, The Automatic, and gives the impression that one of the band members is holding the text. I thought this was a very effective technique to relate the picture to the text on the layout of the front cover. I liked the play on words’ How their monster hit nearly killed them’ which follows on to a full story featured in the magazine. NME's brand logo is a fixed design and is the same every week. Their masthead is like a signature to the magazine and it registers with the buyer instantly as they are very familiar with it . The size may vary, however the typeface remains the same. The typeface which is used for the front cover of NME reflects the personality of the music magazine. The letters are loud, eye catching and distinctive, therefore easily noticeable for regular buyers.

The main flash to this front cover is about The Automatic, it is in bold san serif, which is very eye catching so the buyer will notice that specific text first. There is a pull quote underneath the title of the band, to hook the buyer in to wanting to know more. There are pictures, details of stories and of course a drop list of artists and teasing statements about band rumours which entice the readers to know more. The main sells of this front cover are the; new album review of My Chemical Romance , details about artists, new music information, rumours and a drop list of band names featured in the magazine. This technique gives the buyer lots of information quickley, makes the magazine appear full of interesting items and gives the idea of lots of value for money. The NME's title stands for New Musical Express, which indicates that the magazine is a useful read if you want to know about new up and coming bands which are trendy to know of. NME is aimed at the youth market and the layout expresses lots of personality. They have done this by making the sells unordered and made the main sell slanted. The photograph taken of The Automatic for NME's front cover is very playful. The head shot of the band members are photographed from above, with the lead singer flicking the title of the band. This immediately connects the viewer to the lead singer, which is usual for a band image. The image has eye contact wuth all of the band members, so the viewer feels connected with the image. It gives out a personal persona to the image rather than the band members looking away. The vivid use of colour indicates the magazine is aimed at youth. It grabs the attention of the buyer without having to look sophisticated as the intended buyer would not appreciate it.

Blog 3 - Analysis of existing contents page.

This example of a contents page from the famous music magazine NME shows how the masthead stays the same. It may have changed in size but the typeface and the colours will stay the same in each issue, as it is a signature to the magazine, which the buyers identify with. This contents page has been designed on a grid, with three columns, which insures consistent placement. The contents page is made of display type and body type. The drop list of main features of the magazine are in body type, which is small text normally used for captions or page numbers. The heading, subheadings and pull quotes are in display type. The variation in text means the buyer is not delushed. The headline is in capital letters, 'This week' which informs the buyer not only the magazine comes out every week, but also makes it significant what the page is going to inform them. The subheading is about Oasis kicking off their world tour, with images to support the heading. The subheading advertises one of the main articles in the magazine. At the bottom of the page their is a promotion for subscribing the magazine weekly, which the buyer can save 33%. This is a great technique so the buyer doesnt buy the magazine on impulse, but is hooked into a deal which is more beneficial finacially for NME. The colours which have been choosen for the page layout matches the same red as the title. The choice of three colours for the page layout, means the page is made neat yet interesting, without it looking too kaotic.

Blog 4 - Flat Plans.

https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B1BO-FWOJbyLZjBhMjI2MDYtMDJiOC00ZjVjLWI1NTItODJhNzY2ZWYwMDQ3&hl=en

FRONT COVER

I did two flat plans for my front cover, as I was undecided upon the layout and how I should present the features, included in the magazine. The first flat plan I drew rejected the conventions of magazine design, This was because the layout was uneven as there was more text on one side of the page than the other. The headlines caused this affect as they were written in a clump, if they were spread out the composition would be made more even making the text easy on the eye. If the text is written too close the reader can struggle to read it. However in the second flat plan of the front cover, I made the headlines and sub heading have an even distribution on the page. I found that if the layout on the page is balanced it is more eye catching. There is a section on the bottom of the page with more features which are included in the magazine. This is commonly seen on music magazines as it looks neat and factual. The display and body text are written in a sans serif typeface which stands out more than a serif typeface, further more the sans serif typeface is direct, clear and distinctive unlike a serif typeface. Most magazine will use a sans serif font for the body text to give a visual balance against the title of the magazine. I used a font which looks hand written with a felt tip. I wanted this affect to make the magazine have a personal feel, and mirror the individuality of the font to the buyers of the magazine. Overall the layout conforms to a typical magazine design, as i have two different style of fonts, which increases readability, as it makes the text more interesting yet not hectic.

CONTENTS

Content pages in magazines are usually full of different size text, coloured boxes, images to compliment a feature and still have to communicate to the reader which pages the articles are on. I have tried to recreate a contents page which is factual yet visually stimulating. I researched the contents page of NME, it was very readable and exciting with the use of images and colour to enhance the main sells. I will use red black and white colour scheme, which will indicate the mains sells to the other content featured in the magazine. Also the red links in with what the model is wearing on the front cover of the magazine, the black is used on the title of the magazine and the white in the background. It is important for magazines to keep to a colours scheme which the reader can identify and recognise. I will use a picture to attract the reader to the main sell.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

I analysed a double page spread from NME. They used a blue white and black colour scheme; pull quotes, subheadings and pictures. I have followed convention and designed by double page using the same techniques. I have used Sans serif for the body text and serif typeface for the pull quotes and title which makes the text stand out from the article. Additionally i used a serif font on the title and pull quotes to give the illusion that it has been hand written which makes the words more personal and have a deeper meaning. One image is spread across a whole page, giving the article a strong visual aspect. The image demonstrates companionship and intimacy, furthermore it express the personality of the band and the clothes they wear. The smaller picture on the double page spread gives, confronts religious issues in a symbolic way. The layout is formal and is designed for mature readers. Because the layout is simple, the reader will be drawn to the article, and not so much on the visuals. Comparing to the double page spread of NME, my layout is neater,however I have kept to the same techniques to the layout in NME.

Blog 3 - Analysis of existing double page spread.

This double page spread came from the music magazine NME. This magazine specializes in indie music . The double page spread is very successful as it presents a certain lifestyle to the reader, either which they expire to live or curios about. The picture fills up a page in the magazine. The picture captures the readers attention as the band looks relaxed lying on a bed in a bedroom. The picture gives a sense of intimacy with the viewer, as the photo appears to be taken in a personal environment to the band members. Because the viewer identifies a image of a bedroom personal, the photographer has immediately created a bond between the band and the reader. The reader feels hooked into the article, as the band has reveled their personality in the picture, the reader will want to know more. Other visual stimuli's have been included on the double page spread to draw attention to the reviews. However the size of the pictures are small mirroring the importance of the review comparing to the article on The Teenagers. The layout of the reviews is a immediate indication that its separate from the article. The readers are instantly aware of this as the reviews are written together inside a black section of the page. The contrasting colour's of the background adds to drawing attention to both the review and the article. The blue colour scheme, highlights important text and makes it stand out from the page, which the reader will be instantly drawn to. Blue adds to the band looking chilled out as it is a light colour, also because it is a boy band the blue enhances their masculinity. Within the rule of thirds the faces of the band memebers are amplified as the heads are on powerpoints within a grid. The lead singer is defines within the image as he is using the technique of the extra-diegetic gaze, therefor he is breakin the 'forth wall' and gazing into the subject, which is the reader. The font for the article is in a sans serif typeface, except for the title for the article which is the bands name. The serif typeface brings out the title from the plan sans serif, which creates a contrast. The design of the double page spread is tailored to communicate, the lastest news from the band The Teengaers , which brings the readers up to date. The quote ' need to know' is in bold and highlighed, this is to make evident to the buyer that NME is feeding the readers thirst, and giving him knowledge. The language style is informal, which is easy to read. The the reviews have been features on the double page spread to give diversity of topics.

Blog 2 - Target audience.

Magazines exist to make a profit. They create the magazine, aimed to appeal for specific target audiences. The sales of the magazine create revenue as well as advertising. I want research what specific audiences KERRANG and NME are aimed at. This will give me more insight whom my target audience, as the magazine i am going to create is based on indie/rock music. Websites have been created to research in depth, their target audiences. They launch surveys and focus groups to accomplish the research needed, so the magazine possesses all the assets the intended buyer wants. This will create bigger revenue for the brand.

NME - READER PROFILE.

Key statistics of an NME reader:

• Student: 34%
• Circulation: 40,948
  
• Readership: 388,000
• ABC1: 250,000
• C2DE: 137,000
• Age range between 15 - 44: 339,000
• Age range from 45+ : 49,000
• Men readers: 296,000
• Women readers: 91,000

In conclusion, the statistics show that the predominant buyers of NME are male. Therefor NME will focus on presenting the magazine to attract male buyers, they do this by not featuring girl bands, which would not interest the intended buyer. Because males mostly buy this magazine the adverts, the cost of the magazine and the advertisements will focus on, what an average male would want. For example a fashion collection advertisement featured in the magazine will either be a unisex range or for males. I was shocked that only 34% of students bought NME. I presumed the main buyers of NME would be students. However, the median age proves that the readers are in their twenties, left college and either studying at university or pursuing a full time job. Therefore i gather from the fans of NME, that the readers start buying the music magazine as a student and keep to being a weekly loyal reader as they grow older. Amongst the weekly readers of NME, the magazine is known to be 'Honest no- holds barred reviews'. Furthermore the readers feel they can trust the brand knowing that they can be relied upon to deliver what they are expecting every week. Quotes that back this up are 'It's full of facts that we should all know but don't. But we do now thanks to NME'. The lifestyle and personality of an average NME reader will be an Individualists, meaning they want to show the world they are different.The weekly readers of NME are obsessed on having the most knowledge on their favoured genre. On average the readership per copy of the magazine is eight readers per publication. This shows that a wide array of people have a strong interest in music however one in eight people are committed buyers. An NME reader on average has a higher social status than a KERRANG reader. Predominant buyers of NME are in the ABC1 category. This means that they are either fit into the upper middle class status, middle class and lower class. The occupation of the reader whom fit into the ABC1 statistics are thought to be above a skilled manual worker. The C2DE category have a different income, lifestyle and spending pattern than the ABC1's. This is valuable information as the brand can make a decisions upon the price of the magazine and what adverts are appropriate to include in the magazine.

General information on the average reader of NME.

• NME readers are twice as likely to be well informed about the latest gadgets and software.
  
• Reader of NME are music obsessed and read the magazine to have a higher awareness of music.
• NME readers on average buy a new DVD every month. This is higher than national average. This is my NME include Film reviews in the magazine.

KERRANG! - READER PROFILE.

Key statistics of an KERRANG! reader:

• Readership: 417,000
• ABC1: 239,000
• C2DE: 178,000
• Age range between 15-44: 378,000
• Age range from 45 + : 39,000
• Men readers: 290,000
• Women readers: 127,000

KERRANG! has 163,000 more male readers than females, from the total readership data. This insight, the statistics from a survey given out by the NRS, gives the brand knowledge and understanding to whom are their target audience. Because most of the KERRANG buyers are male, the brand will focus on the design, layout, advertisements and fonts to capture a male audience and draw them to the magazine. The intended buyers are in the age range between 15 to 44 yrs. The data shows that KERRANG weekly buyers are below the age 44 yrs of age. The social status of the KERRANG buyers are in the category of ABC1, there is 61,000 people more in this category than in the C2DE. KERRANG has a higher readership than NME as more people my the magazine. Both NME and KERRANG's intended buyers are; in the ABC1 category, are below the age of 44 yrs and bought mostly by males. However the two successful magazines still exist and thrive, as they attract different audiences. NME buyers have a different music taste as those whom by KERRANG. The brand specializes in heavy metal and rock music, NME features indie and rock. The two magazines are distinctive, KERRANG looks 'hard core' supposed to NME, which looks more factual and informative than KERRANG. The fonts and the layout make this distinction.

General information on the average reader of KERRANG!

• KERRANG! attitudes is what makes it the number one selling weekly magazine.
• There is always a generation which want to rebel against their parents through aggressive loud music. There for the magazine becomes a statement of attitude or a symbol of going against conventional music which stereotypical parents listen to.
• KERRANG fans have built up a connection with the magazine, as it has been around from 19yrs. Therefor the fans have witness the consistent standard of the magazine which serves a great purpose to the heavy rock community. This brings trust between the readers and the brand.
• Furthermore, because KERRANG is based on heavy metal, it is a particular music genre which will only attract a certain audience. This makes it clear to KERRANG whom their intended buyers are and concentrate on their requirements.

LIMITED - READER PROFILE.

based on the statistics of the buyers of KERRANG and NME, I am going to create a reader profile from LIMITED to see who my intended buyers are and what kind of lifestyles they lead. This is available information as I can make the magazine suite a niche of people; this will give me a higher revenue, the readers are more likely to be loyal to the magazine and became a weekly buyer.

My estimate is that if my magazine was on the NRS website, i would find out the following results:

• Student readers: 39%
• ABC1: 60%
• C2DE: 30%
• Age range between 15 - 44: 90%
• Age range from 45+ : 10%
• Men readers: 80%
• Women readers: 20%

General information on the average reader of LIMITED.

Buyers of LIMITED are individualists meaning they have no inhibitions, and feel the need to express their individuality to the world. The buyers of LIMITED are well read in the lastest gadget and know when a new product is on the market. They take pride in informing their peers on general information and are likely to give advice on what hardware to buy to their family and friends. LIMITED readers have a great knowledge on 'the next big thing' however the readers are not in the category of the Aspires. Aspires tend to buy products to show of their wealth or status.

Because the intended buyers are almost entirely male, the advertisements will feature a unisex/male clothing range and inbox games. However most of the adverts will promote festivals, gigs and upcoming albums. Because the readers are mostly from the high category of social status the language will have to be easy to read but informative. The median age of the readers of LIMITED is 23 yrs of age, this meaning the layout of the magazine can be of a mature style. Comparing to a music magazine aimed for young teenagers such as Top of the pops.

Blog 1 - Introduction.

The main task is a development of the skills I have learnt from creating my previous preliminary task. My task is to create: a front cover, contents page and a double page spread for a music magazine.I am going to research what is already on the market and learn how the magazine attracts their target audience. My aim is to mirror what I have learnt through my research and mirror the skills and knowledge in my own music magazine. Firstly, I have decided my magazine will based upon Indie music, now a music genre in its own right. Indie is commonly used as an abbreviation for Independent music, which means independent from influences which is given by major labels in the areas of recording, production and publishing. This means the artist will not have to fear the term 'selling out' as the artist are in control. Bands in the past have been known to rose to alternative audiences when their labels have tried to make them more commercial. Bands such as the Sonic Youth have known to have made this decision. The link below is the previous task, which was the preliminary coursework. The brief was to create a front cover and contents page for Sussex Downs College. http://sdcmediaasinnamanapettyll.blogspot.com/