Feedback 30.1.11

Richard, this is a good start. Don't forget to upload your sketched contents page to the prelim task post. YTou need to work on this more in your own time. You should be starting planning tasks by thursday's lesson to allow you maximum time for production. Work through the list and see me if you need further advice.

Mrs A

preliminary Task

              

The preliminary task was to make a college magazine (above- left). i think that for the first time of using photoshop and indesign, i have done quite well to achieve this. although there is room for improvement as i copied the SMC logo from the Internet and we are supposed to take the photo's our self. the conventions say the the person in the photograph is meant to look up at the camera and not look away. also there is quite alot of space on the page and it should be as covered as possible. apart from that i like it =) 
we also had to sketch a contents page (above- right) i think that i did alright on this as it was only a sketch, but i know that when actually producing my magazine the contents will look a lot better =D

magazine conventions

• All magazines follow the same rules.
• the image of the magazine must fit the content and the target audience.

• the name (heading) of the mag must also do this.
• magazines usually include stars/celebrities.
• stars are admired and are inspirations.
• famous people are conventionally included on music magazine covers to sell the magazine.
• The front cover of a magazine is its main advertisement.
• It should be bright, interesting, and eye catching to entice the reader to buy the magazine.
• The colours should not only reflect the target audience but in music magazines they should represent the genre of the music.
• There tends to be a variety of fonts on the cover to make it visually interesting and eye catching.
• Title/header usually at the top of the page (this logo/header will also create the brand image of your magazine and will make it instantly recognisable for your audience.
• one main model/star photographed.
• The leading caption usually dominates the page.
• Subheadings of the main stories you want to advertise.
• Straplines usually go at the or the bottom of the page.
• The date and barcode and usually now with the web address.
• Magazines are usually expensive monthly 'Glossies' (Q, Marie Claire, FHM) or cheaper weekly magazines e.g. NME, Zoo, Nuts etc.
• The contents page should be bright and colourful.
• Again- as it is typical of magazines images dominate the text (to allow for 'grazing') Image with page numbers included.
• Again direct address is used in all images.
• The title/header usually appears on every page (usually at the top of the page).
• There is a list of contents- usually under usual sections e.g gig guide, reviews etc.
• Headlines and subheadings to explain the story and catch the audiences interest (usually witty, puns base on the star/artist or new album/tour etc).
• Remember artists do not appear in music magazines unless they have something to sell (album/tour/DVD).
• Again the images should dominate- 1 large image and other smaller ones (usually different- location, setting etc..to make the article interesting.
• Dont be afraid of white space- there is a lot of this in feature articles- use it to frame your writing and images.
• The cover price of a magazine does not pay for the magazine to be published.
• The majority of the money that make magazines possible comes from advertising revenue.
• Your magazine has to appeal to its audience to sell well.
• The magazine can then charge well for advertising space, and encourage companies to advertise within the magazine.

initial ideas

I have chosen to do a music magazine article. I have chosen 2 genres but not quite sure on which one to choose. The genres i have chosen are: Rock and R&B.
My age target audience for Rock music is 15- 35. This is a wide audience range because there are quite a lot of young people who like rock music as well as there are quite a lot of adults who like Rock music. My age target audience for R&B is 15-24. i have chosen this target audience because young teens are interested in this genre also students up to 24 are more interested than older people.