Double Page Spread Draft

Draft 1

After asking my focus group they felt this layout was too blue and boring as I have only used 2 colours. I do not like the drop cap behind the text as you cannot tell where you are supposed to start reading. I also do not like the border as it is to think and blocky. There is also too much blank space at the end of the text.

Draft 2

I feel my target audience will much prefer the range of colours on this draft. I have chosen bright bold colours as they are fresh and exciting. The colours also match the image well, and tie in with the colours of her head phones and her jumper.  I feel this border matches the theme of my magazine. I have added a pull quote to break up the big blocks of text. The drop cap is also in better proportion and you can tell that is where the text starts on this draft. Each column starts with a new question, which is not professional. There is still a lot of blank space on the right page.  I do not have page numbers, or the brand name.

 

Draft 3

I have moved around the text to make it look more professional, by not ending a question and carrying it on to the next column make the reader continue reading. There is less blank space in the page now. I have moved the main feature title to the centre of the page. Having now added a footer, which includes the brand logo, data and page number, I now need to design a header to tie the feature in with the rest of the magazine.

Contents Page Draft

Draft 1

Draft 2

I do not feel the pictures are in the best positions. There is also too much yellow on the page, to improve this I will use my other key colours or bright pink and blue. The pictures and the text about them also need to link together more. The editor’s letter is also in the wrong place and need editing as it is too long, and needs to advertise the magazine better. I prefer the "In additions" box on this draft and it looks more structured.  I need to include my double page spread, and the cover lines from the front cover.

Draft 3

I have changed the colours of the text about the pictures, which I much prefer. I like the structure on this page better than the others. There is quite a lot of blank space on this page which I need to fill in with more stories and pictures. I need to add a signature from the editor and page numbers for the pictures.

I have used the same background as my front cover, so there is cohesion. I need to change the positions of the pictures and give them page numbers and a brief summary of what each feature, and picture are about. I need to add an editor’s letter. The plus sections need some editing as well.

Cover Page Dafts

Draft 1

I want to change the picture and background as they do not fit sensibly on the page, the orange also clashes with the red of the models top. I feel this logo is too big on the page and I will need to make it smaller to make it look more professional. The header text does not stand out from the dark background. The cover lines text is also to dark, and boring. The barcode and information is too big.

Draft 2

This picture is much better suited for my magazine as it has a dark background, with brighter lights on the top, which is almost like a nightclub. I do not like the header on this draft as it does not blend in well with the magazine, I do not like the colour, and the text doesn’t stand out either. The cover lines text colours are not bright enough, and you cannot tell where on feature end and another starts. The white text is also too bright, and stands out too much as this is a key feature. I do not need the extra information next to the barcode as the date and price is under the logo. The logo lines are not all to the left.

Draft 3

I prefer the layout on this draft as you can tell each different feature, although I may experiment with the positions on the cover lines on the top right as they are intruding onto the image. There is also a large empty space on the bottom right of the page. The colours of the logo and the text on the page match as well, the blue and yellow stand out on the dark background. However, I feel the logo should standout more, as it looks like a cover line. The lines are also better on this draft.

Plans for photo images

Plans for photo images

Harley – Mazie Lea

My friend Harley is going to be the feature in my picture. She is posing as a female DJ.

Image 1

She will have minimalistic make up with either dark or bright eyes. I want her wearing a lace top with a bright bra underneath preferably dark pink or red. She will have her nail also be painted either black or a dark colour. She will have lots of bangles, big earrings, necklace or ring.  She may also have a head band on. She may possibly have pink and blue head phone on.

The back ground will be plain, or a brick, street background.

For the cover I want either a close up shot or a medium close up. She will either be looking up at the camera or straight at it with a fierce expression.  I want her to be doing the V-sign with her fingers.

Image 2

She will be wearing big, blue and pink headphones. A short dress – dark pink, pink or blue. She will also be wearing big high heels or high tops or boxing boots. She will have natural make up, with dark eyes. She will have lots of bangles, big earrings, necklace or ring.  She may also have a head band on.

For this shot I would want her looking directly in the camera. It will be a low angle shot or a long shot. She will look fierce but sexy.  

The background will be white.

Image 3

Harley will be wearing jeans – either high waisted or low slung, a bright top/ t-shirt and a hoody. She will be wearing big heels, or boxing boots. She may also have a big ring, earrings or lots of bangles. She may also have on a necklace, ring or headband. Natural make up, with possibly dark eye makeup.

The back ground will be a brick wall or graffiti. This will add to her fierce hard look.

It will be either a long shot, medium long shot or medium shot. She will be fierce. 

Image 4

For this shot Harley will be wearing denim shorts, red boxing boots and a plain baggy t shirt or a leather jacket. She will have messy hair with a red headband, and possibly a large necklace. Natural make up. She may also have sunglasses on. She will be sat on a wall with head phone on with the cord in her mouth, biting it. She will not be looking at the camera but to the side.

It will be a long shot. The background will be plain or a view.

Ben - Benny B 

Image 1

In his shot I want Ben to be wearing a coloured t-shirt, and jeans. I also want him to be wearing sunglasses to give the impression of being mysterious and cool. He will not wear any jewellery or sunglasses. He will be standing with his arms crossed looking at the camera. The shots will be a medium shot, or a medium long shot.

It will be a plain background. 

Image 2  

In this image I want Ben wearing a coloured t-shirt, and jeans. He will also be wearing shutter shades, with no accessories.  He will not be looking at the camera. Several poses will be taken by Ben, such as clapping his hand, or pretending to DJ. I will use medium and medium long shots.

These pictures will be taken on a plain background.

Image 3

In this image Ben will be wearing a NY base ball hat. He will also be wearing a t-shirt and jeans. He will pose with the hat, either holding it or posing with his hands. For most of the shots he will be looking into space in the frame. Most of these shots are close-up or medium close-up. Others will be a medium.

A plain background will be used in these shots.

Image 4

Ben will be wearing a woolly, snow hat, with jeans and a t-shirt. He will not be wearing any accessories apart from sunglasses. In these images he will have his arms crossed. They will be medium and long shots.

I will use a plain background.



Magazine Mastheads

1.

2.

3.

I created my 3 different mastheads in Adobe Fireworks. I then sought the opinions of my focus group. Number 1 got only 1 vote, Number 2 got 3 and the third got the majority with 9 votes. I have decided to follow my focus groups decision and use Number 3 as my logo and masthead. I have based my chosen logo on a speaker. This is relevant as my magazine is aiming at DJs, which use big speakers. The font I use is flowing and rounded which compliments my music genre of dance music.

Double Page Spread - Draft 1

The fiercest girl in the club

Mazie lea is definitely not one to run from a good fight. Causing uproar, this feisty 22 year old has taken the UK dance scene by storm! With super charge beats and deep-sea drops, she if definitely one to keep an eye on. 

Having finally gained respect from the men in the industry, how would you recommend other girls get a piece?

Never take no for an answer! I used to get turned down and not taken seriously because I was a girl. It is a lot harder for females to get in to industry, even though we’re better! (Laughs)

So you would say your better at mixing than the guys then?

Well, a few anyway, technically speaking we should be better, we can multitask!

You have caused quite an uproar being a girl in a man’s world; do you feel you stand for feminism?

I came in to this industry because I love what I do, and I am good at it. I used to wish I was a guy so I could just get on with it and not get held back. However, now I am proud that I am a female, and I have made it!

You recently did a set in Ibiza, should we expect more of this?

Yes! Well I hope so; I loved every second of Ibiza and would really love to go back. Doing a set outside is a whole different level of mixing, the atmosphere is electric. I also think Ibiza has got such a reputation that the people there are there to party, it is a whole county dedicated to my type of music.

How did you originally get in to mixing?

I have always been surrounded by music and dancing, so when my brother got some decks, I had a go and really enjoyed it. I used to be on them more than him, and eventually got better, (laughs) at that point he gave up and gave them to his little sister! Sorry Michael!

Who would you say is your inspiration?

One of the first tracks I mixed all the way though was “Better off alone” by Alice Deejay. I have always loved her, although that might be because she was also a female DJ. I also love DJs such as Danny.B and DJ.Freash. Audiences are also my inspiration; I like to see how they react to curtain beats or songs, and they I develop on that. 

Your fan base has rapidly grown, what gender would you say dominated it?

I honestly would say I feel it’s quite mixed. However, I feel the fan base shouldn’t be about the gender it should be about if they love the music I make.  If they like the music then they are a fan in my eyes. 

Drugs are instantly connected with the underground dance scene...

(Laughs) Why else would I have to do a set till 8am! Seriously it’s not as bad as people make put, the people I make music are there to dance and have fun. If drugs are a part of that then so be it.

Would you say that drugs are one of the reasons the underground dance scene has a bad reputation?

Yeah, it plays a part. No matter what it will always defiantly has a bad reputation, no doubt about it. But the people give it the underground a bad name aren’t even part of it! They just see the side effect of the underground, not the process. In my opinion if you haven’t experienced it you can’t comment on it. 

How do you cope with your demanding work schedule?

It hard work, but I have grown to get used to it. I guess I have turned nocturnal! I normally have to be at a set at 9pm to set up; and they often end at 4/5 in the morning, some bigger sets can carry on till 7/8 am!  It’s very demanding but I love my work and that makes it worthwhile!

You have recently decided to go on tour, comments?

I just want to spread my wings really. London is great but I really want to experience the whole of the country underground dance scene! I’m buzzing to see what goes on up north!

You have had your regular spot at Warehouse in London, will this be continuing?

I have had to stop it at the moment, which I this is a shame. It is too much while I am touring though. But I will defiantly be going back! Everyone there had been so supportive and great. They gave me a big break, and they can’t get rid of me that quickly!

What would you say has been you biggest break though so far?

That’s a hard one! One had to defiantly being my first ever set in Ministry (of sound). People had heard of me from Warehouse and stuff, but I was so surprised by the turn out! It was my first major set.  Another would have to be Ibiza...because it was amazing!

Plans for the future?

I don’t have a clue! (Laughs) I am just taking life as it come.

Is that not a bit risky?

I have always had that take on life. In the music industry you have to have it, one track could make you and another could break you. Not being taken seriously has also added to my attitude towards life.  I’m just waiting to be let down. I don’t think we can plan for the future, no one knows what life will bring.

You have never thought about going more main stream and doing more chart music then?

At the moment I am just enjoying my life mixing. I do make my own songs, but it’s a whole other type of mixing which I do not want to do right now. I wouldn’t cross my name out, but as I said I don’t plan!  

Points from my focus group.

·         The questions are good.

·         The article is interesting.

·         The length of the article and answers are good.

·         Tone and style is suitable.

·         Not in a good order, questions are all over the place.

·         Needs more of an introduction.

Mode of Address Analysis

Do you feel discriminated against personally?

“I think all women are discriminated against. There’s so many examples. When they cut women’s clits off, that the most extreme version and that happens all the time. But even our society, women earn less money for the same work. That’s Crazy.”

·         Discriminated and personally – both complex word.

·         There’s – informal language. More conversational.

·         Cut women’s Clits – shocking, rude words. Less formal more conversational.  Rebellious.

·         But (starting a sentence) – informal, more conversational feel.

·         That’s Crazy. – add emphasis.

·         Varying sentence length makes it more interesting to read.

·         (Brackets) are used to add extra information.

·         Fillers such as – “Yeah”

·         Formal language in first paragraph – obscurity, spawning

·         References to material goods – Marlborough Lights, Calvin Kline.

·         Use of numbers – age, dates, tour dates.

·         Song titles used.

Cover Lines Plans

·         Header – Win an all inclusive VIP clubbers holiday to IBIZA

·         The fiercest girl in the club - MAZIE LEA

·         Highlights of the Ibiza DJ’s season

·         DJ Ruskus – “Drugs, Sex and the Decks”

·         Break the Decks

·         Mr Toy – Hotels to Hot Clubs

·         Best Winter party resorts

·         + Pase Rock 

Jasper

Newton’s Wings

A.I.M

Luke Beat

DJ Lo

DJ Frashen

Cover Lines Analysis

·         Header – Win an all inclusive VIP clubbers holiday to IBIZA  

I have decide to use the cover line as it is in theme with my type of music. It will also intese people in as people are always wanting to win stuff.

·         The fiercest girl in the club - MAZIE LEA

This is going to be my main headline. It is exciting and people want to know more about her. I will also use a pull quote from the interview. “I just don’t let people get in my way.”

·         DJ Ruskus – “Drugs, Sex and the Decks”

I do not feel this cover line is strong enough to be a main story.

·         Highlights of the Ibiza DJ’s season

This also ties in well with my theme of the DJ magazine. Ibiza is a very important place in this type of music and I feel it will bring it together.

·         Best Winter party resorts

This is another main cover line in my magazine. It will draw in my audience with the reference to all the things associated with the dance music scene.

·         Break the Decks

I will not use this cover line as it is boring, it also does not explain what the story is about.

·         Mr Toy – Hotels to Hot Clubs

This story is also boring. It will be a good story on the contents page I don’t feel it is exciting enough to be a cover line.

·         + Pase Rock 

Jasper

Newton’s Wings

A.I.M

Luke Beat

DJ Lo

DJ Frashen

I am going to use this as a cover line as most music magazine I have looked at has had a plus box. This will make my magazine more professional, it will also make the audience know what is inside and want to read more.

Double Page Spread Layout

Contents page block layout

Contents page block layout

Coverpage layout

Magazine titles

Elle – She in French. Aimed at women

Kerrang – Guitar term, reflecting sound of a guitar

Look – Take a look at celebrity’s lives

Closer – Getting closer to the celebrities

Grazier – Thank you, sounds posh and exotic.

FHM – For Him Magazine, key gender

Vogue – High Fashions, designers.

Take a Break – Telling you what it wants you to do.

NME – New Musical Magazine

Mizz – Youthful, Rebellious with the Z Edgy

Bella – Young Beauty, aimed at young girls.

Woman Zone – Selected gender, instantly know there target audience, older women

Smash Hits – junior audience, they only write about top music hits.

Good Housekeeping – Very clear on what it is about

County Living – Aimed at people in the country, probably upper class. About lifestyle.

Horse and Hounds – Aimed at upper class people as it is related to hunting.

Cosmo (Cosmopolitan) – City woman, 21st century

Soup Weekly – Know it’s about soups, and it happens every week.

Q - Started as Men’s quarterly, now more unisex. Single letter is individual.

Men’s Health – instantly know what it is about.  Aimed at men.

Private Eye – heretical view, nothing obvious, political

Punch – Quick, fighting

Diva! – Strong, independent woman

Nuts – Very clear, outrageous, mad and crazy

Glamour – more tacky than Cosmo, glamour models, Girly, Glamour as in expensive.

Hello – Saying hello to audience, and or celebs.

Changes to original proposal

 

I have decided to change my proposal as the audience was also very broad and I feel I will be able to achieve more if I have a smaller, niche audience. The magazine I was planning to make was also more of a teen magazine than music, I am therefore more confident with my new idea.

Genre

The new genre of my magazine is going to be house/dance music. My magazine is going to represent the DJs behind this form of music. It will tend to feature young DJs as my target audience is older teenagers/ younger adults. However, it will occasionally feature older artists as you get a wide range of ages in this form of music. It will also inform the reader about up and coming events, review on past events and the best places to go to find the best atmosphere and music.

Audience

I am going to aim my new magazine at older teenagers to young adults, preferably ranging from 17 – 25. This is the age most people go clubbing, and to dance events so they are my key market. However my magazine could appeal to a range of dance music lovers. As they are mainly students and want to save their money for clubs, and might not be earning a lot, therefore I am going to keep my price low. My audience might be aspiring DJs, working DJs or just enjoy the music.

Intuitions

 I want my magazine to be sold as newsagents and local stores in student area. It will also be avaliable in music stores. It would also be available for subscription, or able to download on the internet.

Colour psychology

Colour psychology is the study of the effect colour had on human beings.

Colours such as red, rich colours are known as warm colours and include red, orange and yellow. These warm colours stimulate emotions and feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and passion.

Colours such as cool blue colours are known as cool colours and include blue, purple and green. These colours are often described as calm, but can also evoke sadness or indifference.

Red – Red brings text and images to the foreground. It is an accent colour, which can be used to stimulate people to make quick decisions.

Yellow - Yellow is used to promote children's products and items related to leisure. Yellow is very effective for attracting attention, so it can be used to highlight the most important elements of your design. Light yellow tends to disappear into white, so it usually needs a dark colour to highlight it.

Green - Green suggests stability and endurance. Green is used to indicate safety when advertising drugs and medical products. Green is also directly related to nature, so you can use it to promote 'green' products

Blue -Blue can be used to promote products and services related to cleanliness. Blue should not be used when promoting food and cooking, because blue suppresses appetite. When used together with warm colours like yellow or red, blue can create high-impact, vibrant designs

Purple - Purple is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. Light purple is a good choice for a feminine design. You can use bright purple when promoting children's products.

White - In advertising, white is associated with coolness and cleanliness because it's the colour of snow. You can use white to suggest simplicity in high-tech products.

Denotative and Connotative Analysis - NME double page spread

NME music magazine

Denotative

·         At the top of the left page from left to right is the title. It is in yellow and yellow, and is the biggest text on the 2 pages. The title over laps slightly on to the right page.

·         Under this is a subheading in a smaller font. The names are in bold, but the same sans serif font, the same text as the title.  It is in white.  There is no full stop at the end of it.

·         The text starts on the left with a large yellow “i” the same text as the title as well.

·         The text in the columns is small, in size 9 and white it is a different text. There are 4 columns, 3 on the left page and 1 on the right. 3 of them have a drop cap, the same size, font and colour.

·         At the bottom of the 2^nd column is a pull quote. It is in capitals and the same font as the columns but in size 18.

·         At the end of the whole story, underneath it is some text advertising the magazine. It is in the same font the text above it but bold. The website address in the text is in capitals.

·         In the centre of the right page taking up half or portion of the page is a picture of Robyn.

She is in a large thrown like chair. She is wearing a blue and yellow sash, which is held together by a large gold heart broach with pears on, large earrings and a big, lace bracelet, like  queen would wear. She has a cream corset, blue and white shorts, thin lace tights, long thing back socks, a tartan coat, and large maroon clumpy wedges. She has one hand on her hip

·         On the right of her is some yellow text, which is still small. It takes up the whole height of the page.

Connotative

·         The title is the biggest text, and is big and bright as it captures the audience when they are flicking thought the magazine. It is white and yellow as it stands out on the black background  It over laps the gutter to pull the two pages together, this is a good use of cohesion.  

·         This is introduction to the interview. It introduces the artists and what the interview is about. The names are in bold so they stand out so if you like that artist or writer you will want to read the article. There is no full stop so the audience will read on.

·         The text starts with a drop cap so the reader knows where to start and it draws there attention to it.

·         The text is in columns to break it up and make it easier to read. The font is in white as it has a black background and it makes it standout.  All the text is the same as it makes the article look neater.

·         The pull quote also breaks up the text; it also makes the reader interested as they will read it and wonder how it came up, and what it means.

·         The advertisement is at the end of the text because the reader will have read the interview and might want to find out more about the artist and the magazine. It is in a bolder font to make it stand out, the website is also in a capitals for this reason, and it helps the reader remember it, or find the website address easily again.

·         The picture is very big as the audience looking at the magazine may get drawn in by the picture due to likening the artist or wanting to know more about it.

·         She is sat in a thrown and dressed as a queen to tie the picture in with the title

“Queen of cred-pop”.  She also looks important and glamorous.

·         The text to the right of the page is just to fill up the page and to add extra information.

Denotative and Connotative Analysis - NME contents page

Denotative and Connotative analysis of a contents page

NME music magazine

Denotative

·         At the top of the one page, in the middle is the pages title “Inside this week”. It is in a sans serif font, it is the biggest font on the page, and is in bold. Under this in a much smaller font, but the same style is the date.

·         There are 7 main stories on the page, each has a picture. The page number covers the bottom right corner of each picture, the number is a serif font, it is bold and the biggest text in each story box.

·         Under the picture and number is a pull quote from each artist started in the story, the font is different for each story. Under the quote is some more text about the article, it is in a smaller serif font and is the same for each story.

·         There is also a plus box with a list of other stories and regulars in the magazine and page numbers.

·         Each story has a thin line around it.

·         At the bottom of the page in the right corner is a big res box with red font. In it says “ WANT TO GET NME FOR THE BEST POSSIBE PRICE?” and then details on how to subscribe to the magazine.

Connotative

·         The title of the page is the biggest thing on the page as it lets the reader know what the page is, how they can find out what is in the magazine, and also how to find it.

·         The 7 main features have pictures to draw attention to those stories, but they also break up the page.  The page number is also clear; this is so the story is easy to find in the magazine.

·         The pull quotes draw in the audience, they are quirky and odd things to say and therefore the audience want to know why the artists have said it. The text underneath is also to draw in the audience, the comments are very informal which then make the reader feel more included to the magazine, and makes it easier to read.

·         The plus box is to let the read know what else in in the magazine, but there regular features in the magazine and do not need advertising as much. They are also put on the contents page so the audience can find them if they need them.

·         The thin lines around the story make the page easier on the eye, and look simple, yet stylish.

·         Other than the pictures the red box is the biggest thing on the magazine. A main criterion in media is the interest in making money, and getting people to subscribe to the magazine is a way of doing this. For this reason they have made the box big and bright to instantly draw the reader’s attention to it. It is on the contents page because if the reader likes the look of what is in the magazine they are more likely to sign up, it is also an easy place to find if they reader just want the details. The editor have asked a historical question to make the reader think, and most people want value for money so this question grabs the readers attention.

Denotative and Connotative Analysis - NME cover page

Denotative and Connotative analysis

NME music magazine

Denotative

·         The one main image in the centre of the page taking up the whole space, all the writing is on the top of if, around the edges.

·         The image is of David Bowie, it is his face. It is in black and white with odd shades of yellow, pink and blue. As if the lights are on him.

·         In the top left corner is the title of the magazine NME in a serif font, this takes up about half the page width wise and a fifth in height. Above it is that date and the price in a much smaller font. Under NME is “NEW MUSIC EXPRESS” in capitals, these are both in sans serif fonts.

·         There is then a gap and then “Ultimate hero” This is in a sans serif font and if quite a large font. Under this in a Serif big bold font is “DAVID BOWIE”, there is some writing under it in the same font but smaller.  Under this is a list of names, they are in the same sans serif font as the ultimate heroes but smaller.

·         On the right side of the page right at the top is “MGMT” in the same serif font as David Bowie but smaller, under it is a quote in the same font but smaller and not in bold.

This is carried on for 3 other artist/stories underneath this.

·         In the bottom right is a + sign, next to it is some more artists names in the same font as the quotations.

·         In the bottom right corner is the bar code it also has the price ( in bold in English and then smaller in other currencies), the date and the website which is also in bold.  It is not overlapping the picture and has its own white square.

Connotative

·         The main image is in the centre of the page as it is the most important thing on the page and will draw people in.  As it is in unusual colours it makes it more interesting to look at.

·         The NME is in the left top corner due to the “Z” reading rules.  The reader will look at this first and probably recognise the name.  The date and price is in a smaller font so it is less noticeable.  “New Musical Express” shows what NME stands for, people may also know it as this name.

·         You can tell that David Bowie is the main feature in the magazine as he is the image and his name is the second biggest font on the page, (other than the title). They have done this so the audience know what it is about and may buy the magazine for this reason.  The sans serif font of the text above and below his name link them together as you can that

“ Ultimate hero” and the lists of names are related.

·          MGMT is at the top of the right side of that page as it is the second best story.  Their name is the key thing that sells so that is bigger, the quotation then tells the audience what to expect and incites them in.  This is the same for the two other stories, the key point is big and bold and then the information about it is underneath.

·         They have got old artists and new such a David Bowie and MGMT, this makes them appeal to a wider audience. It also suggests that NME is aimed at people that are passionate and have music knowledge by filtering such a music icon.

·         The + sign is at the bottom right as it is one of the last thing the reader will look at. The + stands out as it is saying “there is lots more inside”.

·         The bar code is not on the picture as it needs a white background which the photograph isn’t. It is a legal requirement and is small so it isn’t noticeable and wont ruin the magazines image.