Introduction

Breif explanation

Preliminary exercise: using DTP and an image manipulation programm, produce the front page of a new school/college magazine, featuring a photograph of a student in medium close-up plus some appropriately laid-out text and a masthead. Additionally candidates must produce a mock up of the layout of the contents page to demonstrate their grasp of DTP.

Main task- the front page, contents and double page spread of a new music magazine.

All images and text used must be original, produced by the candidate(s), minium of four images per candidate.

Codes and Conventions of a Magazine Front Cover

• One central image which takes up the whole cover
• Special offers 
• Bold Title 
• Small price printed 
• Issue Number
• One main headline
• Buzz Words

• Singer/band it is usually the main feature article
• Studio photographs (conveys some sort of attitude) 
• Direct address(looking into the lens of the camera)

Trade Mark
Unique Font- usually one word, fills the width of the cover, or is on the top left. 


Mast Head 

• Positioning Statement-usually above or below the title shows the genre of the magazine. 
• Price and issue date by the little (11pt size)
  (sometimes barcode)

• Puff- offering something extra to the magazine (CD, article, clothes)
• Buzz Word- "exclusive" most commen-(illustrating main feature)
• Cover lines-(sell lines)- small snippets of extra stories in the magazine.
• Main Cover line is the largest text on the cover and it anchors the meaning of the image.( names/describes image). Usually a subline in smaller text giving more information about the article . Other cover lines are usually one or two words with sublines. Explaining them. This is consistent across the line.
  First two lines or words in colour/larger font size/different font to sublines.
  Some are used to intrigue the reader.

Barcode
Strip across the top or bottom containing a list of artists names who feature in the magazine. 

• Coverlines frame the image or are down one side of the magazine.
• Small number of colours used. 

Questionnaire.

For My Media AS coursework I am designing a new indie music magazine. Please would you take the time to fill this questionnaire out.

1.       What gender are you? Circle Answer.

Male                      Female 

80% of recipiants were Females, therfore the opinions shown will be bias to females.
 

2.       What is your favourite Colour?                                                           

3.       How old are you? Circle Answer.

16-18    18-20    20-22    22-24

The majority of recipants were under the age of 18, only 30% were above the age of eighteen therfore these results may tend to be the opinion of younger people.

4.       How often do you buy music magazines? Circle Answer.
Weekly                           Fortnightly                       Monthly

Monthly was the most commen answer, this lead me to believe that I should make my magazine monthly

5.       How much would you pay for a music magazine?

6.    Did you attend gigs and festivals in the past year? Circle Answer.
Yes     No

All the reciptants answered yes, so I focussed my coverlines on gigs and festivals.

7.       How do you buy music? Circle answer. 
Download       CDS      Both

8.       What do you like about music magazines?


 

9.       What don’t you like about music magazines?



 

10.   Who is your favourite indie artist/band?



 

11.   On a scale of 1-5 where 1 is the most important and 5 the least, how do you rate the following aspects of a music magazine? Please Circle.

Pictures-           1  2  3  4  5

Competitions-   1   2  3  4  5

Interviews-         1  2  3  4  5

Lists of Music-   1   2   3   4  5

Future gigs and Concert Info-   1   2   3   4   5

Free Gift-  1  2  3   4   5

New music releases-1   2   3   4   5

Reviews-1   2   3   4  5

12.       Name three colours you would associate with indie music?

 13.       Think of Three words you associate with indie music?

The range of prices varied from £2-£3.00