Planning, DPS.

Above is my plan for the double page spread feature of my classical music magazine.

Planning, contents.

Above is my plan for the contents feature of my magazine. I have made certain to use colours, fonts types and images that help create synergy between the contents page and front cover. 

Planning, Front cover.

Above is my plan for the front cover feature of my classical music magazine. I have made certain that i create synergy between the front cover and contents page.

Photo shoot plan for contents page

Photo shoot plan for the DPS

Photo shoot plans for front cover

Planning, research inspiration, model poses.

I found this photo on the internet while looking possible poses that i could ask my model to perform, i like this particular one, the way the model holds her dress which allows it to blow in the wind i think is very effective. I have added this pose to my contents page plan. 

Planning, how my research has influenced my planning.

How my posts have influenced my planning and initial ideas.

DPS

 I like the layout of this magazine with an image between the first and the third columns of text and at the top of the second column, this breaks up the text and makes it appear like there is less. However I think there has been too much white space used at the top of the page. Most of the participants in my survey suggested they would prefer a DPS with less text so the survey has not disproved this idea.

 I like the use of casual register, which I believe attracts a younger target audience. I also like the amount of text used, as what is written is direct but still informative. The text in the box out (highlighted) is also very effective. I believe this will be the most appropriate for my target audience, as most people in the survey said they would like to be able to relate to the text.

I like the use and format of the pull quote, and the way it matches the colour of the drop capital, which creates synergy. I will be creating synergy throughout my magazine.

From my target audience research i have learnt that people want to be able to relate to the text of an article and therefore relate to the artist therefore in the interview that i conduct with the artist i will include stories of their life and how they have achieved their success despite any problems they may have had.

My target audience research suggested that my target audience follow artists on social media, therefore i will include Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts of my artist.

Contents pages

The contents of the magazine does not take up much of the page however this is supposed to be the contents page therefore i believe the page numbers and the stories should take up a larger amount of the page. The pages look too busy and full, the layout is confusing, too many contrasting colours have been used. The majority of participants in my survey said they would prefer a busy contents page, however as i previously suggested i will not be using too many contrasting colours.

I love the layout of this contents page, the collaged effect of the images I think is very effective and I also like the page numbers and the box-outs behind them, which make them stand out. I really like the light blue and white house style. I will use a collage effect, i still like the light blue and white house style.

The use of three images at the top of the page acts as a border, I like this idea. The font style used on the page numbers is also very effective. The questionnaire suggested they would prefer more images than three.

 I love the busy contents page, it makes is appear more interesting, i will use this type of format when creating my contents page. I also like the way the artists that are being covered in the main story have been cut out and standing next to the contents page overlapping it slightly. my questionnaire suggested people would prefer a busier contents page.

I like the way the cover lines are slanted it created the effect of box slanting upwards on the left and downwards on the right allowing the model to appear more 3D, this is a feature i could  use on my magazine because it is unique and breaks convention, on all the magazines i have seen so far the writing it mostly straight.

The prevailing answer when asked if the target audience played a musical instrument was yes, therefore on the contents page i will include a page of instruments and recommendations.

I will include a gossip column on the contents page as my target audience suggested they appeal to them.

 Front covers

This post has given me the idea to possibly include a free CD in order to acquire a fan base for the artist i am introducing to the industry. Most participants in my questionnaire suggested they listen to music online, so this would not be useful.

I love the image that has been created by the photographer on this front cover. The model is holding her violin with both hands, grasping it at the top, this could connote her love and protection of the valuable instrument and its importance in her life. I may use this representation of a model and their instrument on my front cover.

I will not use a brick background on my front cover because i believe it looks to mainstream, it is not original. I also like the simple layout of this front cover.

I like the banner overlapping the name of the artist.

The headline 'kicks off' matches the masthead, it is also very large and written in block capitals. I like this and will probably use these features on my magazine because it draws attention to the masthead and the headline first bringing the magazine together and creating a house style.

I like the synergy created by the constant use of blue, black and orange. I like the faded and effect of the masthead, from dark blue to light, i also like the black outline.

I like the use of pink and purple as complimentary colours, it creates a more feminine appearance and will therefore attract my female target audience. This is an idea I will consider.

From my target audience research i have discovered that my audience would prefer a younger artist so i will represent a younger artist on my front cover, this will increase sales of my magazine to the target audience.

I wont include competitions as my target audience suggested these did not appeal to them.

I will include props on the front cover as the target audience research that i carried out suggested props appeal to my target audience.

My target audience suggested they would prefer natural make up when asked in the questionnaire.

Research, target audience question analysis

            

            

Summary of findings: 

• 80% of people said they did not read music magazines this would suggest i am making them for an entirely new audience and i should oblige with most things the have said they would like in a music magazine. 
• 65% of participants said they do not read them  as an escape however one university student suggested 'i see them as more of a form of entertainment' therefore i should still make the article interesting and exciting. 
• 90% of people said they would like to be able to relate to the article therefore i should include emotive language and stories that people will find comparable to their everyday lives as well as excitement. 
• 95% of people said they would like to emotionally relate to the article therefore in the DPS article i will make sure the artist speaks about her life in detail and uses emotive language. 
• 75% of people said they would prefer a younger artist. therefore I will use a young artist for my star. 
• 70% of people said they would prefer a smaller amount of text on a DPS therefore i will use a minimum amount of text with a short but interesting story. 
• 70% people suggested they would like a busier contents page, therefore i will use a lot of text and pictures. 
• A lot of people use social media to follow artists therefore i will make sure to include the twitter, instagram and snap chat names of my artist in the DPS article to acquire a bigger fan-base. 
• 55% of people play a musical instrument therefore i will include an article on a musical instruments. 
• 75% of people go to concerts and gigs, I could put an article on my contents page that advertises gigs and concerts. 
• I will use make up,concerts, perfume and clothes adverts. 
• 80% of people would like an extravagant theme, however it was clarified by some of the participants that it should not be too cheesy. 
• I wont use competitions in my magazine. 
• Most people who took part in the questionnaire said they would prefer a model in natural make up. 
• 75% of people said they would enjoy a gossip column in the magazine, therefore i will add one with a page number, on to my contents page. 
• Most people said they would like props on the front cover, i think i will use a musical instrument. 
• Most people suggested they shopped online (95%) therefore i will add advertisements for online stores. 
• Most people would prefer a paper magazine. 

Research, questionnaire for target audience (university students)

These are 4 of my questionnaires answered by university students, who are the in the higher age group of my target audience.

I asked a friend of mine who attends university to ask her housemates to fill in my questionnaire, the screen capture above shows the word document i received from her on Facebook containing all of the answered questions. 

Research, questionnaire for target audience (16 years old) with written answers.

These are answered copies of my questionnaire in paper form, all of the participants were 16 years old.

Research, questionnaire for target audience (16 years old) with digital answers

1) Do you frequently read music magazines?

2) Do you read them as a form of diversion, to escape from every day life?

3) Do you want to be able to relate to the text in an article

4) Do you want to be able to be able to emotionally relate to an artist and their stories?

5) Do you like younger or older singers/artists?

6) What kind of colours do you associate with the classical music genre?

7) Do you like to read a lot of text on a double page spread?

8) Do you prefer a busy and full looking contents page, front cover and double page spread or something simpler?

9) Do you use social media to follow artists?

10) Do you play any instruments?

11) Do you go to concerts and gigs?

12) Which type of adverts do you enjoy/find useful?

13) Do you prefer extravagant and fun looking

14) Do competitions in magazines appeal to you?

15) Do you prefer an artist with natural or heavy make up?

16) Would you like a gossip column?

17) Do you appreciate props on a front cover?

18) Do you shop online?

I sent the above questions to people through Facebook messenger and text message, the participants then typed up and sent me their answers. 

Answers below taken from text message:

Answers below taken from Facebook:

Answers below from IMessage:

Research, DPS analysis 3.

There are 3 columns of text, the text does not completely completely fill the page width as there is a border around the edge of the page, about 2 cm wide. There is about 1 cm width of space between each column. The text is left aligned. The text is serif, black. There is quite a large amount of white space especially at the top of the page on the right of the double page spread. 

The headline is serif style, and black, this is synergetic with the entire double page spread as the text beneath the headline is black as well as the main body text. The headline size is about 48. The headline is in a much bolder font and much bigger than the text beneath it and bigger still then the main body text. This therefore means the headline stands out. 

A drop capital appears once in this article it is the same size as the headline font (48) and is also in black, this therefore creates synergy again, throughout the article. The size of the main body text is about 8 this is considerably smaller than the drop capital. 

The shot type is a long shot. This image supports Richard Dyer's theory 'a star is an image, not a real person' because the artist has been posed in a particular stance and arranged by the photographer, in an every day situation he would most probably not be sat on a table in a room that appears to have no furniture in it. In this sense the image is not seem to feel real, true and natural because the background of the image is staged, it is a studio setting however the plainness and lack of colour allows the model in the foreground to stand out and be the main focus point of the viewer. The model is wearing all black, which stands out greatly against the lighter colour of backgrounds, the knowledge that the eye is firstly attracted to lighter colours may have influenced this decision as the black contrasts with the models pale complexion which instantly makes the face more recognizable to readers of this magazine. The model is dressed in very smart attire this is has become a convention of representations of people in the classical music genre. This image however does not support Stuart Hall's theory 'Representations cannot possibly be a fixed, unchangeable notion' as this is a stereotypical representation of an artist in the classical music genre, as he is dressed in smart attire and is an older man, which people tend to associate with classical music, which is also something that i would like to change, making classical music current and appropriate to a younger audience. The image suits the TA for these reasons. 

The article is about a conductor looking back on his successful career, this is shown through this image of the famous conductor over 20 years ago. While the writer looks back on an enjoyable night watching the conductor (Semyon Bychkov) conduct the Philharmonic at the BBC proms. 

This language is specific to the target audience as it is specialized classical genre vocabulary.

This is an example of formal language tenor a higher level of intelligence is required to understand the words used and is therefore more appropriate to an older and educated audience. 

This is an example of a more casual register as the star is speaking from their own point of view, he appears to be free with his words, speaking from his mind and showing to the reader how he felt in response to a situation, a casual register allows the readers to be more connected with the artist. 

This is an example of intimate register, as the star is speaking of a significant moment when he knew that he had reached a commendable  moment in his career.


How this DPS has influenced my planning and creativity:

I like the layout of this magazine with an image between the first and the third columns of text and at the top of the second column, this breaks up the text and makes it appear like there is less. However I think there has been too much white space used at the top of the page.