AS MEDIA

EVALUATION
MUSIC MAGAZINE

Lucy Williams
 Preliminary Task
Before we began to create our own
magazine, we created a magazine
focusing on The Sixth Form. That
would be sold to students in year
10/11 informing them on why to
choose Chew Valley.
The task was set so we could learn
more about Photoshop, and so we
could get used to the different
techniques and have an idea on
what we could take forward to
creating our own magazine.

Photos.. Chew Valley Sixth Form.
These are the main
images I took, I think
most are good as they
capture everyday life at
the sixth form (work,
students with smile on
their faces, and the
brand new building) but
the image below I didn't
think would work so well
as I think it is to basic
and doesn't say much
about sixth form.
 Final front cover
This is the original image I used for
my front cover. I used this image
because I think it shows the
hardworking student of Sixth Form.
This is the final front cover. I used a
different filter on the main focus
which is the girl, and added different
colour to attract the eye, and like
every magazine I included a bar-code,
and the main features including the
freebees you get with the magazine.
Final contents.
This is the main image I used for my
contents page as I think it shows that
sixth form is laid back.
This is the final contents page. I took the
background out, using Photoshop, so
the focus is all on the boy. I used
different colour font when naming the
pages inside as I think it attracts the eye.
What I learnt
From doing this task I learnt how to use certain things on Photoshop
and gained basic knowledge of Photoshop, like different filters and
adjustments. I enjoyed creating this magazine as it gives me
different ideas to take on to my main examination task, for example
how the front cover has to be bright and eye catching and how It
also has to be clear noticeable what the magazine is based on. It
made me relies the amount of preparation you have to do for the
magazine to come out to a good standard. From doing the
preliminary task I will take all my knowledge I have gathered, into
creating my own magazine.
Original Idea -First Photo Shoot.

My original idea was to create a indie magazine,

looking at Q and NME magazine as inspiration,
so these are the first images I took.
These images were taken by me, there are many different angles
used, which I think adds to the effect of the image, and with using a
prop like a guitar makes it more obvious that the magazine would
be based on music. After the first photo shoot was done, I then
began to create the front cover of what would of been my
magazine and decided on a colour scheme and name, which was
‘LOUDER’.
Original First Front cover.
This is the original magazine I started with, I
created it using Photoshop. I edited the image
so the focus was on the guitar (in colour), as
well as on the girl as she would have been
featured in the magazine. I didn’t like the
image I used because she wasn’t looking
directly to the camera so I thought it wouldn’t
grab the buyers, also I don't have a interest in
indie music, and I wanted to create a
magazine that would be about the music I like
therefore, after doing very little to the front
cover I decided to change my genre/theme to
R&B/ Pop music, so I stopped working on
‘LOUDER’ and went straight into researching
R&B/Pop magazines.
Research on Music Magazines..

Before I began on this magazine I researched

into ‘Music Magazine’ to find out the different
styles of magazines were out their. I used
Google to search this as Google gives a wide
range of different magazines. It came up with
different ones that the target audience is for the
younger teens such as ‘Smash Hits, Billboard’
and others that are targeted for adults such as
‘Q,NME, Rolling Stones, Vibe’. Researching the
different styles has shown me different layouts
(positioning and text). Overall by doing this
research I have decided on focusing on
R&B/Pop genre and have a rough idea on what I
would like my front cover to look like, but I
decided to search more in depth the individual
magazines that focused on R&B/Pop like me, for
inspiration and to see what they are like.
VIBE

I like this magazine because of the

mixture of layouts, also the text is
different sizes and the way they
use different colours for it to stand
out. Most of all I like how the
pages are set out.. Like the one
above, the top strip are different
photos in black and white and the
main images, she's in colour with
the text on the sides.
 RWD
I like this specific magazine
because of the way the name is
set out, how they use a symbol
with a word. Also I like how the
pages are set out, like one below
the photos take up one page on a
double page spread.

As well as that I like most is the

texts background, as the one
shown the background is black
 GQ
Even though GQ is based on actors
and musicians, I like this magazine
because the way the writing is
displayed onto the page it is effective,
like different sizes, colours and
positions. For the first image the word
‘Rihanna’ how it goes across the page
is what I like the most. The title of
‘GQ’ is bold and effective in the top
right corner, and like similar
magazines the images can be played
in front of the text.
Rolling Stones.

Rolling Stones magazine is a very popular,

what I like most is the main image is
centred and the people are mostly looking
at the camera which makes a more strong
image. I like the font used for the title and
how the image is just in front of the title so
some of the text is missing.
 VIBE & ROLLING STONES
From doing the smaller research focusing on the layouts and text, and noting what I like about
the different magazines, I have decided to look more in to ‘VIBE’ and ‘Rolling Stones’ magazine
with more detail as I think both magazines have the same genre to mine and are both
successful out the four I have already researched..

VIBE
• VIBE is a magazine that is based on music and
entertainment.
• It was founded by producer Quincy Jones.
• Quincy Jones launched Vibe in 1993, in partnership
with Time Inc.
• It features R&B and hip-hop music.
• Production was shut down on June 30, 2009. But Vibe
was purchased by InterMedia Partners and is now
currently issued online.
•The magazine's targets 18-34 year olds – the urban
followers of hip-hop culture.
Rolling Stones.

• Rolling Stone is a U.S.- based magazine

devoted to music.
• It is published every two weeks.
• Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in
1967.
• Publisher Jann Wenner.
• First issue November 9, 1967 (1967-11-09)
• Country: United States.
• Based in New York City.
Bauer Media Group
• Bauer media group, a large German publishing
company based in Hamburg
• It was found in 1875 and has been privately owned
and under management by the Bauer family.
• Bauer also operates in 15 countries worldwide.
• Bauer produces and distributes many popular
magazines such as Mojo, Q.
• Worldwide circulation of Bauer Media Group's
magazine titles amount to 38 million magazines a
week.
Rolling Stones publishing group.

Wenner Media LLC

Magazine publisher Wenner Media owns
"Rolling Stone", its flagship publication that
has been covering music and pop culture for
more than four decades.
The main features of a magazine - Conventions.
 Very strong and eye
catching images.
 Bright and eye catching
colours.
 Colour scheme.
 Busy front cover.
 Bold text.
 A focus point of either an
artist/celebrity/band.
 Bar codes
 Eye catching cover lines
 Price.
 Pictures and captions.
 Pages numbers and
what’s on them pages.
Target audience.

The audience I am aiming for is age range on 17-

20, I think this is a good group to aim at as
people of this age are more interested in music,
and have the disposable income to buy
magazines.
Ideas for my front cover.
Front cover of both Rolling Stone and VIBE

By doing research into Rolling Stone and VIBE

I gathered certain ideas from both magazine
that I like, for example these two images I
particularly like the main image being a mid-
shot (head and shoulders) as I think it is
effective and shows clearly the expression on
their face, so therefore attracts the readers
eye and makes the overall front cover look
strong. I like the layout, how it is down the
side of the cover’s and conventions used, like
the bold text. All of these I would like to carry
on to my own magazine.
Ideas for a contents page.
contents pages from VIBE magazine.

From focusing mainly on two magazines, I

prefer the contents page layout of VIBE
magazine.

I like the way ‘contents’ is presented on the

page, in the top right hand corner and how
the words are split up. Also the way the
writing in down the right hand side with the
subtitles ‘Features’ and ‘Fashion’ and the
image to the left, so its not a busy looking
page. The image is basic but intense, I want
to carry this onto my contents page, but
instead of ‘Fashion’ have ‘Music’.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms or
conventions of real media products?

I plan that the outcome of my magazine will be in the style of

both VIBE and Rolling Stone magazine, a mixture between the
two will appeal to a wider range of readers. My magazine will
use conventions, layouts, similar of both magazines, but will
be different in the effect that the colour scheme will be
different and bright.
How does your media product represent
particular social groups?
My magazine will be attracted by the social
groups who are interested in R&b (rhythm and
soul) and Pop. The information inside is of a
upcoming new artist, who’s music is related to
R&B. This particular social group is represented by
the images used and text, as it is to the point and
simple. The ideology of my magazine is the bright
colours of red and teal on the front cover which
follows on through, throughout the magazine.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
There are many different publisher that could publish magazine like IPC media,
Bauer.

As I am using Rolling Stone as a main

inspiration I looked into the publishing group
who published them which was Wenner
Media LLC, therefore I believe Wenner Media
LLC would publish my magazine as I have used
similar conventions and layouts to Rolling
Stone.
How did you attract/address your audience
 I will attract the audience visually by the front cover having a
strong, eye-catching image, the use of different sized text, the
bright colours used, bold and italics used.
 The colours will be continuous throughout the whole magazine.
 The context page I will use simple writing, with an explanation on
the features so they know what is inside.
 The double page I will use a large image spread across both pages
so it attracts the eye, and the interview surrounding it so readers
know that there is a lot of information about the new act.
 Overall I think the layout and conventions will attract my target
audience.
Preparation
1. I researched into different magazines to see what the competition there is
out their.
2. From their I decided on my magazine name that will stand out and be
different to others out their, I came up with ‘PULSE’. I chose this name as I
think it is effective and has a meaning, as it can refer the human body,
you need a pulse to be alive, like music..you cant live without music.
3. I decided on the target audience and wither it will be sold nationally or
global, I decided for it to go nationally, so it will include the new up
coming British act or bands.
4. I then decided on the price of my magazine. After researching other
professional magazines, I decided on £2.99 as I think that is a reasonable
price for what my magazine includes.
5. From their I went too create my front cover, which I chose the colour
scheme which is the use of red, teal, black and white. Also where
everything was going to be placed. Even though I changed the placement
of writing and images a few times.
Proposal.
I propose to create a magazine called ‘PULSE’. It will be a part of a brand
new magazine. This magazine in particular will be issue number 47 and it
will be an ‘exclusive’ issue. This magazine will be published monthly and it
will appeal to both men and women ages 17-20. My magazine will be
published by Wenner Media LLC as they publish a magazine similar to
mine which is ‘Rolling Stone’. I will attract my target audience by using
strong eye-catching images and use bright clear bold text. The price of my
magazine will be £2.99, as I believe this is a reasonable price for my
magazine as it includes 95 pages. The style of the whole magazine is fun
and informal, as my target audience is young adults I believe this would of
been the best option as it is what people of that age are looking for.
 Image for front cover.
I chose this image because..
 The girl is looking directly
into the camera so it attracts
the audience in.
 The way I have captured her
face and shoulders, so
therefore the main focus is
on her face and her
expression, which happens
to be a grin.
 Image for contents.
I chose this image because..
 The image is similar to images
you see in professional magazines
(the way she is posed).
 It is a image that I think will
attract readers to flick through
the pages.
 The way she is posed makes easy
for my idea of the contents page
to work (the image to be placed
on the left with the text on the
right).
 Images for double page spread
I chose these two images because..
 The top image is strong image because
of the way she posed as well as looking
into the camera.
 Also with the top image she will be easy
to crop and placed across the bottom of
the double page spread as she is led
down.
 The bottom image I chose as I think it
defines music, every artist has a
microphone. Especially the hand
gripping the microphone, makes the
image intense.
 Image for advertisement
I chose this image because..
 The way the image looks
professional, the lighting is
strong as he has a shadow adds
to the effect of the image.
 The way he is posed is a classic
pose that most professional
photographers use for
magazines.
Analysis my Final Front Cover.
Sub-title which makes it
clear that the main
feature is on ‘Taylor
Brown’.
Quotation from
the inside
interview.
Bright writing in ‘ Small
Fonts’ making clear what is
inside the magazine. Using
different font sizes so it
stands out.
Website, so the readers can
go online and get more
information about the
magazine and extras.
Masthead – the main
headline/title of the
magazine. Including the
date, issue number and
price of the magazine.
Strong primary image.
Used to attract the
audience. Also, the
model is the main focus
point as she will be the
main feature in my
magazine.
Barcode, like every
professional magazine.
Analysis of my Final Contents Page.
Fancy writing to The title contents is
make it different layered to give a
and highlighting professional look.
the main area in
the magazine.
Bold text, and an
detailed
explanation of
The main focus point. what it is about for
the readers
interest.

Bright use of
colours which
Background too
attracts the reader.
bring attention
to the main
feature of the
magazine.
Quirky rhetorical question, (I did this
to be different as I didn't see many
magazines with this).
Analysis of the double page spread. Quotation to
The faded image gives it a Noticeable Question and answers clearly show the
different but professional look. for it to be clear to the reader reader what the
person in the
feature has said.
Bright, eye-
As well as if the
catching
reader reads the
letters. ( her
quote first, it
initials).
may interest
Head-line. them into
This shows reading the
the reader whole article.
who the
feature is
about, I
used fancy
writing for
effect.

Article/Interview. By-line , it shows the reader

Large image spread across both pages is who the journalist was , who
eye-catching and makes it more visually has written the feature
pleasant.
Analysis of the Final Advertisement Page

Background
attracts the eye, Main focus point,
adds to the the artist, eye-
effectiveness of the catching image.
whole
advertisement.
Background
image makes the
advert stand out
Caption - more compared
advertising the to others.
name of the
tour.

Clear and noticeable heading so

the readers know who the act is.
 Audience feedback
With my final magazine and development, on my blog address already I have
received comments back:-
On my Advertisement page.
Ashleigh monks said... The backgrounds are really creative and
outstanding, it really shows the artist's personality and his genre of
music that he plays, this is really effective.

Rosy Reeves said... The background of the finished advertisement,

looks professional something that would appeal to the majority of
young people.

Anonymous said... This looks professional, it is different from other

advertisements I have seen.
On my Contents page.
Rosy Reeves said... The progression of the
background can be clearly seen and the final piece
looks very affective.

On my images from the photo shoot.

Ashleighmonks said... You've used so many different
camera angles and they all look really professional!

Rosy Reeves said... The photos look really

professionally done, the angles are interesting.
 What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?
When I began AS media I had no knowledge of Photoshop, I knew what it was used for but
didn't no how to use it. Also I had not experienced creating a magazine, from this I have
learnt that creating a magazine takes a lot of time and effort to put it together. I Learnt
how to use Photoshop, in ways such as I now know how I could take the background
completely out. Photoshop has been the only creative programme I have used, therefore
if it wasn't for Photoshop my magazine would look unprofessional.

You will be able to tell the difference in my skill on Photoshop by comparing my

Preliminary Task to my examination Task.
Front Covers. Contents.

1. 2. 1. 2.