What I shall include on the contents page

Just like I did at the end of my front cover analysis, I'm going to list what conventions I want to include on the contents page.

• The contents title to be in a circle
• Multiple pictures from photo-shoots and live shows
• Large page numbers accompanying each picture
• Yellow font for the subheadings
• Blurbs underneath the article title
• Artists names for article titles

Contents Page Analysis #5 Rock Sound

 Today I am going to be analysing my final contents page, this Rock Sound contents page is similar to the Classic Rock contents page as it is also image dominated. However it does have elements from the blocky style such as the black box which surrounds the text on the left hand side of the page.The colour scheme of this page is black, blue and white; the blue boxes titles stand out against the black background and link in with the colour of the artists top in the picture. The white text in a variety of font sizes again stands out against the black background. At the bottom of the page there is a quote from the artist on top of the large picture and this makes the reader spark interest in the related article.
The conventions I would consider using from this contents page would be the use of the issue number and date of the issue being on the page and below the title of the magazine. I would also like to include the use of a blurb underneath the article, but I don't think I will use it for every article title as I want to have room for small pictures. The conventions I wouldn't consider using would be the quote at the bottom of the image, I would much rather use that space for a caption. I also wouldn't use such a large photograph, so I shall use lots of smaller ones to create a blocky look.

Contents Page Analysis #4 Classic Rock

Today I am going to be analysing my first Classic Rock contents page. This one has an image dominated style unlike the other three, and while I think this is effective here, I much prefer the blocky look for my own magazine as it fits in with my genre better. I like the use of the page numbers being in a different colour, it really makes them stand out. 
The conventions I would consider using would be the different coloured numbers so this really emphasis the articles. I would also consider using lots of smaller images which link in to the articles. I also like the line at the top of the page as this makes the page look a lot neater and organised. The conventions I would not use would be small title, and having such a large image.

Contents Page Analysis #3 Kerrang

Today I am going to be analysing my final Kerrang contents page. Unlike the last one, the larger header reads 'Kerrang! This Week' unlike the simple 'Contents' header. This is effective because it emphasis the purpose of the page. This contents page is effective because the image at the top takes up about half of the page, which attracts the readers eye and the artists featured are ones that have a large consistency. There is also lots of features which are included in the previous blog posts. 
The conventions I would consider using would be the large image at the top of the page, but probably make this a bit smaller, so the bottom of the page isn't too crowded. The conventions I wouldn’t want to use would  be the 'This Week' header, because while I think this is a good idea, I feel like I could do something better for my own magazine

Contents Page Analysis #2 Kerrang

Today I am going to analyse another Kerrang contents page. This contents page is quite similar to the previous contents page, as they both has a blocky look to them with each article name is sorted into categories. However, this issue doesn't have the circle at the top of the page which had the title name in it. I like the use of the thick black box but I think the circle is more effective. This issue also has the editors column and the page numbers being large on the pictures. The pictures are a lot more dominant on this page, but I like the use of multiple ones rather than just one main image.The large numbers link to the rock theme as they stand out and the colour scheme links.

The conventions I would consider using from this contents page would be the idea of having non photoshoot images such as the photograph from a live show. However I would have to mimic the live show feel in a photo shoot as I wouldn't be able to get a good quality image at a live show. Again I would include the blocky look as it looks professional and neat.. The conventions I wouldn't consider using would be the style of the large numbers, I prefer them being a plain white and without a circle around them. I also wouldn't use the subscribtion advert as it would not only be difficult to recreate but also I feel like I could fill the space on my page better.

Contents Page Analysis #1 Kerrang

 As you know I have analysed 5 front covers of music magazines, and I am going to be doing the same for contents pages. Over the next few days I am going to analyse 5 contents pages; 3 Kerrangs, 1 Classic Rock and one Rock Sound. These are the same magazines I analysed for the front cover.
Kerrang has chosen to create a blocky style contents page. Although there are several large images, the text dominates the page, and all the text has subheadings in a black box. This is affective as it keeps the articles separate but also makes the page look neat as it is in organised sections. The use of a brief sentence explaining the article for each artist underneath their heading gives the audience a sneak peek at what the article is going to entail. The title of the Kerrang contents pages isn't just “contents” in a bold font; it's in a circle and has a subheading in a red box underneath. This challenges the conventions of other music magazines and is more individual which is exactly what this genre of music does. So by playing the strengths of the genre the magazine really appeals to its target audience. This is the typical style of the Kerrang contents pages so keeping it consistent makes it recognisable. 
The conventions from the Kerrang contents page I would consider using would be the ‘blocky look’ it’s neat and clear but also nothing is seen as more important than another. I would also incoperate the use of the three distinct images, as that shows the reader the variety of articles in the magazine. I also really like the title being in a circle. Also I like the large bold page numbers, they stand out against the images, even without reading the blurb someone might see an image of an artist they like and see the large number and immediately turn to that page and read about it.The conventions I wouldn't consider using would be the editors column and advert plug and I think they are only there to fill the page, so instead I would use bigger pictures and more text.

What I shall include on the front cover

After analysing 5 different covers of rock magazines I decided I needed a precise list of all the things I wanted to include on the front cover of my own magazine. This will make it easier for me to look back on later on in the project.

Things to include:

• Only a couple of artists (three maximum) for the main photo.
• The title of the magazine behind the main photo.
• Picture plugs.
• Plugs that feature other artists names.
• Bar code and price.
• A banner at either the top or the bottom of the page.
• Posters
• Large heading featuring the artist/s in the main photo

Analysis of front cover #5 Classic Rock

Today I did my final review of a front cover. I reviewed the Guns n' Roses issue of Classic Rock. On this front cover there is a large picture of the artist and the picture slightly covers the Classic Rock title. This shows the magazine brand has confidence in itself and knows that readers will still buy it even though you can’t clearly read it. This cover is quite different from the other covers I have analysed; as it uses quite a dark photo while the other magazines mainly used a light grey background. However I think the use of the dark background and dramatic lighting are used well here; but it is quite a tricky thing to get right so I won't be using it for my own magazine cover. 

The conventions from this cover that I would consider using would be the lists of artists in a quick clear list down the side. I like this because it appeals to a wider audience and makes the reader want to know more about what’s happening with other artists. The way I adapt this is I wouldn't have a subheading below the artists name, and I would just have the list down one side of my magazine rather than both sides as shown here.The conventions I wouldn't use would be the use on only one colour throughout most of the cover; I would include more colours like in my other reviews.

Analysis of front cover #4 - Rock Sound

Today I reviewed an issue of Rock Sound. This cover was different to the other 3 I have reviewed as there is a medium close up of the two artists; whereas in my other magazines it is usually a mid-shot on the front. There is also a larger variety of fonts on this cover, but I feel like this is too crowed and messy. This is also the only magazine cover so far to have the title of the magazine in front of the artists. I like the use of the bottom left plug, how it mentions lots of different artists and how the colour scheme links into the rest of the cover.
The conventions I would use from this cover are, having a picture plug of another artist because it means that the cover isn't too bare. Also I like the idea of having a medium close up on the cover, especially if it's just one or two artists. The conventions I wouldn't use would be to have the title of the magazine in front of the artists, I think it looks more professional if it is behind, as you pay more attention to the artist then. 

Analysis of front cover #3 Kerrang

 Today I reviewed my final Kerrang front cover. This issue has a large picture of Jenna McDougall from Tonight Alive on it. This issue is slightly different as it has a gradient background rather than the plain coloured background in the other two issues I have analysed. This orange and yellow gradient links in with the dynamite McDougall is holding and also the subheading above the headline which states that she is going to 'set the world on fire' Also the Kerrang logo is doesn't stand out as much as in the other issues; the black doesn't stand out as much as the bright yellow banner above it. This then effects the reader by making them focus on the subject of the photograph, and also the stories within the magazine. This is a really good technique as it shows the reader that the magazine brand itself isn't as important as the content. I like the use of large yellow font that says her name, as its bold and eye catching and unusually high in saturation. Usually colours high in saturation are hard to look at, but the use of monochromatic colours in this issue (yellow in background, clothing of photograph subject, and  text) make the high saturation bearable.The conventions I would consider using from this cover, is having the main focus be the photo subject and the main story the largest. The conventions I wouldn't use is the large poster advertisement taking up nearly half of the cover page. While posters are a good way to get more readers, I think in my own magazine I could use the space to introduce more plugs.

Analysis of front cover #2 Kerrang

    Today, I reviewed another Kerrang magazine again this cover has the bold Kerrang title and a large picture of the main artist(s) of the issue. This cover has a lot more plugs compared to the last one. However the photo still stands out and their faces look bold against the white of the background and the red of the title. Most of the members of the band (Bring The Horizon) are on a equal level, but Oli Sykes (the lead singer) is slightly larger and further forward than the other band members.This conveys that Sykes is a more popular member of Bring The Horizon.

 The conventions I would consider using from this cover would be the idea of putting plugs of other artists along the bottom of the cover to attract a larger audience. Also I liked the idea of having the main story headline on a slight angle to bring attention to it. The only thing I wouldn't include in my own magazine would be the colour scheme, but as this is different in each issue, this isn't really a convention of rock magazines.

Analysis of front cover #1 Kerrang

   Over the next week, I am going to be analysing some magazine front covers; to get ideas for my own. I will be looking at 3 Kerrang's, 1 Rock Sound and 1 Classic Rock. I am looking at a range of magazines in the same  genre to get inspiration for my own. Today I analysed my first Kerrang which was a special edition 'New Music' issue. This issue included a large variety of band members as the main picture and an extremely large headline (almost as big as the title of the magazine).The front most band member; Austin Carlile from Of Mice and Men is one of the most famous faces from the rock genre is positioned in front of the other people on the cover because of his larger constituency. I personally like this cover because even though it has a large amount of people on it, the text is quite sparse as not to seem too over the top.The cluttered look makes the text stand out, instead of the people which is quite subversive. The use of all the band members looking into the camera appearing to be staring at the reader is affective as it draws the reader in as they feel like its personal to them.

The conventions I would consider using from this cover would be the idea of a large bold headlines because I think it focuses on the article rather than just the image of the band.

I also like the idea of having a consistent colour scheme, as there is so much going on on the page, the consistency of the reds, yellows, whites and blacks make the cover seem a lot more organised. The conventions I wouldn't use from this cover would be the use of multiple band members. While this is an effective technique to include a large audience, it would be hard for me not only to find multiple models, but also to create the perfect balance between organised and cluttered which this cover illustrates. Apart from that I think this is a good style model to use for my own magazine.

Conventions of rock magazines

To create my own rock magazine, one of the first things I needed to do was research. I started looking through magazines similar to my own genre. These magazines included; Kerrang!, Classic Rock and Rock Sound. Below is a list of the codes and conventions I found in them.

• Eye catching fonts
• Poster giveaways
• Swearwords in articles
• Contrasting colours
• Cluttered layout
• Language techiniques used to anchor articles
• Continuous colour scheme throughout
• Images of artists performing
• Unique title
• 2 or 3 columns of text in an article

Preliminary Work

Before I could start on my music magazine, I was asked to create the front cover and contents page of a school magazine to get the hang of the programs that I will be using (PhotoShop and InDesign).
The only requirements for this task was a mid-close up on the front cover.

I started off by taking photos for the front cover. My model was a year 9 student from my school and I thought she would be the best choice for the cover as she has the conventions of a typical school magazine (e.g is wearing the school uniform and is an example of what type of students the school produces).

I then photoshopped the photo I wanted to use, just to get rid of any flaws.
























I also needed photos for my contents page; so I went around my school taking photos of students working and I eventually decided on these two photos.

This photo is of my friend Stella and it shows her working on a piece of art in my school's art department.

This photo is of one of the library staff working at the computers.




I then placed these photos into InDesign and added title's, headlines and plugs in a variety of fonts and colours, but keeping the colour scheme blue overall as this is the school colours.

This is my overall design.

Inital Ideas

Here are my initial ideas for my magazine. This mindmap got all my first ideas down, all in one place. I will then develop from these ideas throughout my coursework.

Introduction

My name is Lucy Teoh, and this blog will be to document the evolution of my AS Media Studies Coursework.
The final product of my coursework will be a front cover, a contents page and a double page spread of a music magazine, which I will have created.
I will be posting regular updates on this coursework, and will show all the steps I take to achieve the final magazine.