Production- Front cover

Here is the final edited image that I shall be using as my central image my front cover.  The clothes have been removed of creases and any imperfections (e.g acne) have been edited out on photoshop in order to create an aesthetic that fits into the audience's psychographics. 

The following images are screenshots that show some experimenting that I did on photoshop, creating the typography  and some coverlines for my magazine.

Production- Double Page Back Story

Artist Back Story
Name (real name or adopted stage name) General connotations of this name	Queen of Hearts- love, games, Alice in Wonderland, power, spoilt, somewhat selfish
Point of their career	Relatively new but nonetheless successful artist. Teamed up with producers such as Dan Auerbach Label- Polydor Winner of British female solo artist award
Purpose of DPS What is it about?	The DPS is to advertise the release of her new album and she reveals the subject of her album, a lover/new fling. Confirms rumours of her dating lead singer Dan Smith of Bastille. Met while being a support act on one of his recent tours
Audience positioning	The DPS aims for the audience to be in awe of the artist and respect/ come to like her if they didn’t already do so. As coming from a similar middle-class background with restrictions from her parents, she would have had to make it her own way into the music industry and because of this, other the middle-class audience would make a connection to her seeing as she has a similar background however they will aspire to be here due to her current position/success.
What are you encouraging them to do?	Go see the artist on tour/ buy her album/ buy her merchandise
Representation	Gender and sexuality- coming from a conservative and old fashioned background, she was not allowed to explore her sexuality in her teen years unlike her surrounding friends who had much more relaxed upbringings. (However she doesn’t see this in a negative or positive way). So upon discovering artists like Florence and The Machine, Lana Del Ray and Marina and the Diamonds, she was able to explore and learn about her sexuality and what it meant to be a woman through their music. She is not depicted in the magazine through the male gaze emphasising her feministic qualities and her belief of equality. She wants to be a good role model for other people her age and younger saying that you don’t have to have the perfect body/ fit into society’s standard of beauty, instead, one’s creativity and mind is the most attractive and beautiful thing anyone can have. Ethnicity- White woman, not ethnically diverse. This follows the codes and conventions of the alternative pop genre that most artists are white males or females, strengthening the genre/ brand identity of the magazine. Disability- no visible disabilities however she did suffer from anxiety when she was younger and music was her way to get by. Class- comes from a middle working class; father was a doctor and mother was a housewife. She was taught to be conservative and she thinks in a way it was a good thing because without this she would have never really been interested in the artists that moulded and shaped her into the musician she is today. However, she wants to teach teenagers and young adults that there is nothing wrong with exploring the path to adulthood and if anything encourages it in the most playful but dark way through her unique style of music.
Songs/albums	Wonderland, Off With The Head, secrets and lies, forbidden pleasure, joker etc.

In order to create a piece of text that flows seamlessly, I made sure that this backstory would have lexical cohesion and that it would have an appropriate semantic field so that it would fit into the house style of my magazine and gratify the target audience’s expectations of an alternative pop music magazine.

A lexicon of words are groups of words that are associated with a topic. Therefore cohesion is the grammatical and lexical linking within a text or sentence that holds a text together and gives it meaning.

Production- Lexicon of Words

• Musician
• Artist
• Singer
• Band
• Solo
• Art
• Modern 
• Popular
• Trending
• Collaboration
• Indie Rock
• Indie Pop
• Influences 
• Track 
• Album
• Single
• Lyrics 
• Title 
• Record
• Guitar
• Synthesizer
• Drums
• Vocals
• Harp
• Electronic Keyboard
• Beat
• Rhythm 
• Riff
• Chords
• 
  

Research- Billboard Magazine Covers

Billboard magazine's audience has a similar psychographic to that of my target audience and therefore in order to create a magazine that my target audience would identify with, I analysed and emulated their magazine.

Research - genre

To ensure that I was using the correct lexicon of words, (the appropriate producers for this genre of music), I looked up who some of the alternative pop artists producers are and to see what record label that were signed to. I also specially chose artists that resembled the artist that I was going to feature.

I also knew that my artist was going to be a Brit Award winner so I found out what types of Brit Awards there were so that award my artist achieved would sound authentic and believable.

Here I found a record label 

Planning- First Images

These are some of the pictures that I took for my music magazine. Here I was looking through them and deciding as to what sort of pictures produce the best feel for the genre of my magazine. While I was taking these photos, I tried to emulate the codes and conventions that I had observed when analysing other music magazines, for example, using a direct mode of address, using different sets and props so that when I produce my magazine cover/double page spread, it will appear professional.  

After having shown my pictures to my focus group, I found out that my pictures reminded them of early photos taken of The Smiths and in particular, Morrissey. So I did some research and I was surprised to see that I my pictures had unknowingly been derived from The Smiths, a band that is also of the alternative pop genre. 

Research- Alternative Pop Artists

In order to make my magazine look realistic, I looked at other alternative pop artists to see how they are represented so that when I create my own artists for the magazines, they will have similar representations, which will give rise to audience gratification.

After seeing the type of artists in the Alternative Pop genre I chose some artists that somewhat resemble my own artists and underwent some more research to find out the mode of address that is used, so that when I compose my double page spread, I am able to create a realistic sounding article for the target audience. 

Marina and the Diamonds has a very similar personality to what my artist will have and is also an alternative pop artist. So I will definitely be including some aspects from her to my own artist.  

Research- Alternative Pop Artists

By watching this music video by Twenty One Pilots who collaborated with the Suicide Squad movie, it is evident that creativity is highly valued and being different from the usual pop industry in terms of aesthetics is also quite important, as it not only entertains the target audience, but also allows them to identify with the artists and genre of music.

Research- Lighting and Photography

As a consumer myself, I know that the most important part of the magazine are its visuals; if the cover isn't attractive or appealing to me, then I will not buy the magazine. Therefore I knew that it was vital for me to have aesthetically pleasing images, more specifically for my front cover, but also throughout the whole magazine. By watching these videos, I learned how to utilise lighting to create certain effects and different ways to create my own different types of lighting too. 

       



  

Planning- Flat Plans

Research- Q Magazine Textual Analysis

  

Research- Music Magazine Textual Analysis Rock Sound

Language- The masthead constitutes of an incentive and a USP (unique selling point), which not only encourages the consumer to buy the magazine but also illustrates that like the audience's psychographic, they too value being different, for they haven't followed the codes and conventions of music magazines.  

Furthermore, the cover line, "Rehab, Rebirth and Revolution, not only uses alliteration to engage the consumer, but simultaneously, uses a spiritual lexical field, suggesting that the band itself is very unworldly and admirable, and it is the latter that this magazine aims to do.  

The magazine uses personal engagement with the consumer to make them feel more integrated and accepted by that subculture.  

Audience- The typography used is very scrap book-like which creates a fun and personal theme, which suggests that the primary audience of this magazine are 15-24 year olds. This is aesthetically pleasing to the consumer as they are young students who prefer creativity and playfulness over sophistication and professionalism. Cover lines are also very big and artsy, typically representing the theme and brand identity of the corresponding band.  

The colour palette also looks like it is aimed at a female audience, which contradicts most music magazines, even of the same series, as the majority of pop rock/ rock punk's audience consists of white male students. And because music magazines are now a threatened business due to existence of the internet, it seems that using a more feminine colour palette instead of the stereotypical dark colours associated with this genre, the magazine is trying to appeal to a wider audience, not only of gender, but also of people who are not familiar with the subculture and the music.  

Representation- This cover's central image is of the artist, Green Day; one of the most popular bands of this pop/rock/punk genre. All of the members of the band are directly addressing the audience by the means of eye contact, which ensues an engagement with the consumer. This direct mode of address also follows the codes and conventions that are facilitated by acknowledged music magazines of all genres. Although these codes and conventions are loosely followed which is excepted by the audience as it matches with their ideologies.  

The artist's values are represented as very subversive, which is illustrated through their aesthetics being neither up to date with mainstream trends, or conforming to society's beauty standards. This correlates to the targeted demographics’ ideologies. These representations are then anchored by the typography and colour palette that is used throughout the whole of the front cover; for example, the pink, blue and greys oppose the usual dark colour palettes used by this particular genre of music, and acts as juxtaposition of the men's masculinity, challenging the stereotypical representations of gender in today's society. 

Their professionalism, which is nonetheless unique, is portrayed through the midshot and the masthead being situated behind the band, as it follows the codes and conventions used by recognized magazines. This also makes the magazine itself appear established, for by having the artists in front of the title, it insinuates that the magazine is well known enough for the title to be covered.  

The cover lines of this magazine aren’t situated on the left or right of the central image but are instead exist in the bottom third. Furthermore, the cover lines only mention the artists and don’t actually inform the reader of what they are going to include in the features; it’s almost as if the artists themselves are a big enough enticement to persuade the audience to buy their magazine. 

Images are all of white men; this represents the lack of diversity that the music genre has and that even though they claim to be ‘different’ and ‘challengers of society’, the audience and the artist are predominantly, the most privileged people in our society.  

 Colour palette:  black red and white colour scheme imitates tabloid, creating importance for the articles and an urgency for them to be read. The red and black also connotes danger making the articles seem edgy and exciting.  

Denotations: There are three pictures, each of different double page spreads found in the magazine, and these pictures take up half of the page of the contents. The menu is also spilt up into smaller sections by types of articles; 'News and regulars', 'exposure', 'features' and 'albums'. There are then twelve feature articles and then twelve other types of articles, excluding albums.  

Language: The language used is very relaxed and informal for it is to be entertaining for the younger demographic and an imitation of the way artists of this genre speak/act for example, "Ultimate badass". Furthermore, laced throughout the contents, are words such as, "hell", "fire" and "burn", (a lexical field of death so to speak), and these words are used rather easily when describing something, it reflects the themes that run very deeply in their music. This is then their house style of writing.  

There is also a large use of imperatives which not only engages the consumer, but also represents the aggressive nature of the music. This also applies to the common use of declaratives. 

Intertextuality is also used to create humor; for the phrase, "Take my money" titles the merchandise page, and originates from the popular animated series Futurama, which was then made into a 'meme' that went viral across the internet. This makes the magazine more 'current' with the youth culture and therefore more appealing by using a widespread but accepted joke. 

The first image shows a very well-known band that makes the magazine seem accomplished. It also appeals to the demographic as the band heavily uses the stereotypes of makeup, clothes and mannerisms that is shown by rock.  

In contrast to the excessive themes in the first image, the second image is much subtler, but still conforms to the codes and conventions of this genre. The variety appeals to a much wider audience. 

The third image of the double page spread shows similar colour themes to the cover, suggesting that that is the intended article for the new consumer, and tries to bring light onto the alternative types of rock.  

The double page spread sheet is predominantly made up of a picture of the band, that are nearly all addressing the reader through eye contact, and about a sixth of the page is dedicated to the article itself. The pastel and sweet like colour palette is used in the presentation of the double page spread, reflecting the style of the band, which is represented themselves through their hair styles and their clothes. 

The title not only acts as anchorage for this displayed theme, but also illustrates the band's underground views as the words 'sweetness and light' are almost polar opposites of the typical themes that is extremely common in the rock genre of music. 

Placed in front of the picture is a quote from the article, which uses the words, "freaking psychotic", terminology that is very familiar to their consumer. 

Research- Media packs

Media pack 
Analysis 1 - Kerrang
Analysis 2 -
Analysis 3 - Q magazine

Research- Youth Subculture

Research- Youth Subcultures and Death of the Music Press

After having read the two articles linked down below, there are five vital points that I have noticed about change in the media over the recent years.

Point 1- The consumption of print music media has experienced and is still currently experiencing a decline.

Point 2- During the 1950's to the 1990's music choice was more of a lifestyle, rather than, the overlooked yet integral consumption that it is today.

Point 3- There are various theories that provide explanations for this change, such as;
The increase in affordability of clothes means that buying a certain style of clothes is much easier and less of a commitment than it used to be, reflecting on the teenagers' willingness to wholeheartedly follow a music genre/theme and therefore are less likely of buying printed music media.

Teenagers no longer feel the need to rebel by the means of clothing or ritual, as they are simply contented with the entertainment that is on offer.

Teenagers are preoccupied, worrying about their financial future.

It is now more appealing for teenagers to create an identity online than to the outside world; meaning that the consumption of printed media, clothing and accessories that represent one's identity has fallen.

The internet also allows teenagers to be updated 24/7 rather than the weekly printed magazines which is much less limited and more expensive.

Point 4- The invention of the internet has created a dramatic effect on the way in which music is produced, distributed and sold, for a song can now just simply be posted and shared on social media and can be sold on platforms such as iTunes. This results in a much less immersive and dedicated experience by the consumer. In addition, the internet has caused the once very distinctive subcultures to dissipate and merge into one eclectic demographic.
The internet also, 'spawns brief microcosmic' trends- adjacent to the 'mass movements' caused by the previous music media.

Point 5- The idea that creativity and fearlessness that were once ablaze during the 1950's to the 1990's has now been dimmed and that the younger population are becoming older and older before they become independent.

Youth subculture 
Death of the music press 

Third Chapter of Media Studies by Julian McDougall Feedback

Third Chapter of Media Studies by Julian McDougall Feedback- Reading Media

There are multiple ways in which media can exercise power over citizens, some of these ways are mentioned/explained below:

Point 1- Even though the feminist media theory is always changing and varying, there is a general agreement that the average media text represents the male point of view as the 'norm' and therefore female views are seen as 'other'.

Point 2-  A Marxist would say that whoever has control over the media, has the power to create a false consciousness. This is where a belief in ideas and values as truths when in fact they are constructed ideologies which support the power base.
Point 3- Even though a democracy would mean that people are entitled to a free media, with an open ,  access and impartial information flow without gate keeping, it is actually rarely found in practice due to media ownership etc.

Second Chapter of Media Studies by Julian McDougall Feedback

Second Chapter of Media Studies by Julian McDougall Feedback- Reading Media

Point 1- Polysemy is a word to describe the range of ways a text is interpreted. However it can be argued that all media texts are to degree, polysemic.


Point 2- Spectatorship is the way the consumers receive films which is effected by our social and political backgrounds.


Point 3- Auteur Theory- When directors have characteristic traits in the way in which films are produced and therefore become recognizable for it.


Point 4- Conventions- in moving images conventions such as camera angles, sound effects, dialogue all have semiotic meanings that overtime, consumer has learned to associate with certain genres. Therefore to follow the conventions of a specific genre, editing is used.


Point 5- The media is now challenged by digital media as to how much it can be changed to create new concepts, while maintaining mainstream ideas of the current media.

First Chapter of Media Studies by Julian McDougall Feedback

First Chapter of Media Studies by Julian McDougall Feedback

In order to summarise the large detailed amounts of information that I obtained after reading the first chapter of this book, I think it would be a good idea to use the title for this chapter, even though all of the points are very tightly intertwined with each other.


Point 1 (Why is it important to study media?)- It is important to for media studies to exist as an academic subject for not only has the media become a much more integral part of western culture, it is also reached the point that it is creating and forging the views and conventions of society today. Therefore in order for the coming and current generations to 'arm themselves' against the forces of the media, 'achieve a higher order of media literacy', and to 'get on top of new digital technologies', it is crucial for students to study media.


Point 2 (What is Media Studies?)-  Media Studies can be both macro and micro in terms of the topics that students are educated about. For example, media teaches how to analyse all different types of texts whether it be printed. digital or moving pictures, and the effects that the media has on the consumer and how both the production and consummation of media has changed dramatically over time. On the other hand, media studies can also zoom in on more micro topics such as TV dramas, videogames and music magazines and how certain conventions and styles are formed and used for an effect.


Point 3 (How can media be studied?)- Learners can be given pieces of texts to deconstruct and analyse how the media is used. In addition, they can be taught how to create their own pieces of texts whether it be a short film or magazine.


Point 4 (Who are the media?)- Even though media was once owned by persons of high power, it has now become something that is created by the average consumer, (who are now becoming prosumers), via social networking sites such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook; particularly in the western world. However, in other parts of the globe, communist countries like China, the media is heavily owned and censored by the government.


Point 5 (Theories of the media)- Theorists of media suggest that not only can it be used to study the way in which people think and cultures, but can also be a huge influence on these areas.

Analysis Of My Own Sixth Form Magazine

Production- My Sixth Form Magazine

Contents page of my sixth form magazine

Cover of my sixth form magazine

My Sixth Form Magazine Cover (Central image)

Step 3-This is the final edited image. In order to make the image more friendly and aesthetically pleasing, I increased the brightness and smoothed out any imperfections. 

Step 3- This is the original version of the central image that I chose for my front cover. 

Step 2- Here, I have cropped the picture into a mid-shot and then I inverted the picture horizontally. This was so I could put the cover lines on the left hand side for the consumer would read the text from left to right, so by therefore inverting the picture, it would produce a more aesthetically pleasing piece of text.

Research- Adobe Package Review

From reading this article, I learnt that Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are all imaging editing software, and that depending on the task at hand, (whether its print or digital, an image or text, a vector or a raster),  depends on what programme is to be used for they are specially tailored to do specific jobs. In addition, I've learnt that by using each programme where appropriate,  I can achieve a product of a much higher quality, much more efficiently, in comparison to just using one software.

Photoshop is best suited for retouching photos, editing artwork, creating digital images for online use, (e.g social media and banner ads) and website or app mockup, and editing animations and videos. However, if the piece contains paragraphs of text another programme is to be used. Also, one wants to create a logo, due to its ability to use vectors is limited, a programme like Illustrator would be much more suited. This is because vectoring programs use calculations when  it comes to enlarging/ shrinking images, preventing the image to lose quality or to become pixelated.

Hence, Illustrator should be used when creating and dealing with logos, one-page print pieces, (for example posters)or if one needs to set type for a logo (dealing with typography). On the other hand, if the image itself has to be heavily edited, Photoshop is much more suited for it has more tools to achieve a wider range of effects.

For anything that is more than a single page long, InDesign is much more efficient. For example magazines, books, posters and flyers, whether it is print or digital.

Planning- Flat Plans

This is a flat plan for my front cover.

This is a flat plan for my contents page.

Third Textual Analysis of Sixth Form Magazine

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Feedback Sheet of Second Textual Analysis

As the feedback has suggested, I am going to improve my work by including more information about the target audience, for example, the demographics and the psycho-graphics. In addition to this, I am going to also include what the magazine didn't do well as well as what the magazine did do well. 

Picture of Feedback Sheet of Second Textual Analysis

Research- Second Textual Analysis of Sixth Form Magazine

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