After looking at double page spreads I have found that many were in a Q & A format. This allowed the readers to submit their own questions to ask the artist, thus including an interactive feature in the piece.
The questions asked involved ones about the artist's personal life, their song style/content, and what they were planning to do next.
The Q & A format allows the reader to skip to a question they want to read, and it means that the reader get a more direct answer, rather than the artist rambling on about things that the audience isn't interseted in. It also means that I can set out the page in a neater fashion, question by question, with the answers written underneath.
I will write a Q & A interview article for my double page spread as I belive it is the best way to ensure that I can keep the page neat, and there will be something for everyone, as there are bound to be quite a few questions for the readers to sift through.
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
Layout
I'm going to analyse the layout of 'Q' and 'Spin', to help me decide how to layout my own magazine cover.
First of all; the masthead. Both have bright red mastheads with simple white writing, and both are in the upper left-hand corner. I like the simplicity of this, and also of the one letter title which Q has.
The featured article titles are both in the upper right-hand corner. This places these articles at paramount importance for each magazine, as they are at the top of the heirarchy that is the magazine cover, and makes it look like the title for that particular magazine issue.
They each use the red, white and blue colour scheme (it's more of a mint blue but this could be hinting at the British flag), although 'Spin' also includes black. I like the cohesion of these colours, and I think that it makes the magazine look neat and clean, so it is easier to read.
To separate the articles the magazines use small bars, this increases the spacing between titles, making it clearer that they are different articles, and adds to the neatness of the magazines.
I like the use of the button on the front cover of 'Q'. It looks as if it has been stuck onto the magazine as an after thought, that it is so new that it wasn't included on the cover for the first print. It also draws more attention to the preview (helped by the brightness of the blue), so more people are encouraged to read it.
The cover picture for both magazines is aligned in the centre of the page, so it is the first thing that the reader will see. Both artists are in enticing poses, 'Spin's Duffy is reaching out to pull the readers in, and 'Q's Florence fills up the entire page with her face (and hair) making the cover look like it has more to offer, and she is looking directly at the reader (as is Duffy), and eye contact makes it more likely that they will buy the magazine, as there is a connection between the artist and the audience.
The barcode is non-existent on 'Spin' and it has been shoved into the lower left-hand corner on 'Q's cover, showing the unimportance of the barcode, as it contains no insight to the content of the issue, and is only there for payment. However, it is still tastefully placed, and fits in with the rest of the cover's colour scheme.
In my cover I will include:
-A simple white and red masthead, in the upper corner of the page
-A red white and blue colour scheme
-A button like the one on 'Q'
-The main article title in the top corner
-The barcode in a lower corner
-A picture of the artist, in the middle, making eye contact
-Little coloured blocks to separate the titles
First of all; the masthead. Both have bright red mastheads with simple white writing, and both are in the upper left-hand corner. I like the simplicity of this, and also of the one letter title which Q has.
The featured article titles are both in the upper right-hand corner. This places these articles at paramount importance for each magazine, as they are at the top of the heirarchy that is the magazine cover, and makes it look like the title for that particular magazine issue.
They each use the red, white and blue colour scheme (it's more of a mint blue but this could be hinting at the British flag), although 'Spin' also includes black. I like the cohesion of these colours, and I think that it makes the magazine look neat and clean, so it is easier to read.
To separate the articles the magazines use small bars, this increases the spacing between titles, making it clearer that they are different articles, and adds to the neatness of the magazines.
I like the use of the button on the front cover of 'Q'. It looks as if it has been stuck onto the magazine as an after thought, that it is so new that it wasn't included on the cover for the first print. It also draws more attention to the preview (helped by the brightness of the blue), so more people are encouraged to read it.
The cover picture for both magazines is aligned in the centre of the page, so it is the first thing that the reader will see. Both artists are in enticing poses, 'Spin's Duffy is reaching out to pull the readers in, and 'Q's Florence fills up the entire page with her face (and hair) making the cover look like it has more to offer, and she is looking directly at the reader (as is Duffy), and eye contact makes it more likely that they will buy the magazine, as there is a connection between the artist and the audience.
The barcode is non-existent on 'Spin' and it has been shoved into the lower left-hand corner on 'Q's cover, showing the unimportance of the barcode, as it contains no insight to the content of the issue, and is only there for payment. However, it is still tastefully placed, and fits in with the rest of the cover's colour scheme.
In my cover I will include:
-A simple white and red masthead, in the upper corner of the page
-A red white and blue colour scheme
-A button like the one on 'Q'
-The main article title in the top corner
-The barcode in a lower corner
-A picture of the artist, in the middle, making eye contact
-Little coloured blocks to separate the titles
Monday, 28 April 2014
My Target Audience
My target audience is people aged between 18 and 21, as this was the age range which most people buying music magazines were in. However, as I feel that this is a very exclusive and small range, it will be extended to a secondary audience of 16 to 25 year olds.
This is a younger target audience than most music magazines (Rolling Stone's being 18 - 30 and NME's being men 17-30), and as well as this I feel that the magazine will be mostly gender neutral, with a slight lean towards women as many music magazines are aimed towards men.
I am doing this because I feel there is a gap in the market for a younger, fresher magazine, and because of this, I feel that it would sell well.
The typical 'M' reaader will be young, fun-loving, up to date, and alternative (as this is the sort of music which will be featured in my magazine).
To attract this audience I will include a wide range of artists and music in my magazine, both oldies and debuting artists. Because of this wider range, I believe that more people will buy 'M', as people who are familiar with a certain artist may see them on the front page, and because of that recognition, buy the magazine.
There will be a large picture of the featured band or artist on the front cover of each issue, in order to draw in fans of them, and a bright masthead will help to attract attention to the magazine.
This is a younger target audience than most music magazines (Rolling Stone's being 18 - 30 and NME's being men 17-30), and as well as this I feel that the magazine will be mostly gender neutral, with a slight lean towards women as many music magazines are aimed towards men.
I am doing this because I feel there is a gap in the market for a younger, fresher magazine, and because of this, I feel that it would sell well.
The typical 'M' reaader will be young, fun-loving, up to date, and alternative (as this is the sort of music which will be featured in my magazine).
To attract this audience I will include a wide range of artists and music in my magazine, both oldies and debuting artists. Because of this wider range, I believe that more people will buy 'M', as people who are familiar with a certain artist may see them on the front page, and because of that recognition, buy the magazine.
There will be a large picture of the featured band or artist on the front cover of each issue, in order to draw in fans of them, and a bright masthead will help to attract attention to the magazine.
Title
The masthead of the magazine is one of the first things the audience will see. If the magazine's name is bad, then the audience isn't going to buy it.
Other magazine names, 'Q' for example, are short and simple, and the use of only a single letter leaves the audience asking what it means. This trigger of thought can help ensure that your magazine is on their mind, and as they are thinking about it they are going to be much more likely to buy it.
As the masthead is short, it can fit into a top corner, leaving more space to advertise the contents of the magazine.
The colour of the masthead can also draw attention to the magazine, many music magazines, including both 'Spin' and 'Q' have a red and white title, which definitely helps to draw the reader's attention.
Taking inspiration from titles I have seen, I have decided to call my magazine 'M', which stands for music, an obvious choice, I know, but the simplicity of the masthead means that the reaader has more time to enjoy the magazine, rather than pondering on the title.
I also think that the white writing on a red background works really well, so I shall use this, however, I think a simple font should be used.
Other magazine names, 'Q' for example, are short and simple, and the use of only a single letter leaves the audience asking what it means. This trigger of thought can help ensure that your magazine is on their mind, and as they are thinking about it they are going to be much more likely to buy it.
As the masthead is short, it can fit into a top corner, leaving more space to advertise the contents of the magazine.
The colour of the masthead can also draw attention to the magazine, many music magazines, including both 'Spin' and 'Q' have a red and white title, which definitely helps to draw the reader's attention.
Taking inspiration from titles I have seen, I have decided to call my magazine 'M', which stands for music, an obvious choice, I know, but the simplicity of the masthead means that the reaader has more time to enjoy the magazine, rather than pondering on the title.
I also think that the white writing on a red background works really well, so I shall use this, however, I think a simple font should be used.
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
Evaluation: Question 3
3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
Having a distributor for the magazine is really important, as they will determine whether or not the magazine will sell.
I will compare two magazine distributors: Bauer Media and Gold Key Media.
Bauer Media:
Advantages -
Bauer media has over 300 magazines in over 80 countries, and has more than 80 influential brands, this is more market leading brands than any other media owner. Bauer also owns 'Q' magazine, one of the influences and potential competition for my magazine.
Due to Bauer distributing 'Q', the UK's biggest monthly music magazine, it will have a good grasp of what is needed for my magazine to do well, as the genres of magazine are similar.
Disadvantages -
Although it is an advantage that Bauer distributes 'Q', it is also a disadvantage, with 'Q' being my main competitor. Due to 'Q' being the UK's biggest selling monthly music magazine it is likely that Bauer Media will put this magazine before my own, not putting in as much effort to sell as many magazines as they could, and instead spending money and time on 'Q'.
Gold Key Media:
Advantages-
It is the largest newspaper supplier, magazine distributor and targeted media placement company to the travel and leisure industry throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Therefore it is a well experienced company, and will sell my magazine. They place quality magazines and newspapers in over 3000 hotels across the world meaning that people staying in a hotel could pick up my magazine, like it, and continue to buy it. It also means that the magazine would probably be spread across the world.
Disadvantages-
It doesn't specialise in music magazines so, although it does have experience selling magazines, it does not have the specialised experience for selling music magazines.
Weighing up the advantages and disadvantages from both companies I have decided to go with Bauer Media as they have much more experience in the music magazine industry. Although there is the chance that Bauer will favour 'Q' over my magazine, I feel that they will do a better job in distributing my magazine as they have much more experience in that particular field.
Having a distributor for the magazine is really important, as they will determine whether or not the magazine will sell.
I will compare two magazine distributors: Bauer Media and Gold Key Media.
Bauer Media:
Advantages -
Bauer media has over 300 magazines in over 80 countries, and has more than 80 influential brands, this is more market leading brands than any other media owner. Bauer also owns 'Q' magazine, one of the influences and potential competition for my magazine.
Due to Bauer distributing 'Q', the UK's biggest monthly music magazine, it will have a good grasp of what is needed for my magazine to do well, as the genres of magazine are similar.
Disadvantages -
Although it is an advantage that Bauer distributes 'Q', it is also a disadvantage, with 'Q' being my main competitor. Due to 'Q' being the UK's biggest selling monthly music magazine it is likely that Bauer Media will put this magazine before my own, not putting in as much effort to sell as many magazines as they could, and instead spending money and time on 'Q'.
Gold Key Media:
Advantages-
It is the largest newspaper supplier, magazine distributor and targeted media placement company to the travel and leisure industry throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Therefore it is a well experienced company, and will sell my magazine. They place quality magazines and newspapers in over 3000 hotels across the world meaning that people staying in a hotel could pick up my magazine, like it, and continue to buy it. It also means that the magazine would probably be spread across the world.
Disadvantages-
It doesn't specialise in music magazines so, although it does have experience selling magazines, it does not have the specialised experience for selling music magazines.
Weighing up the advantages and disadvantages from both companies I have decided to go with Bauer Media as they have much more experience in the music magazine industry. Although there is the chance that Bauer will favour 'Q' over my magazine, I feel that they will do a better job in distributing my magazine as they have much more experience in that particular field.
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