Friday, 9 January 2009
Music magazine Front Cover
Music magazine(Manic Rock) Powerpoint - in video format
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oS_GSob_qIY = Link to video
Evaluation
How does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My music magazine uses many common conventions of the industry as it is a new magazine and not yet ready do begin its own tangent away from the normal. I use a unique masthead which can be easily recognised by customers and a main image that is linked to the primary lead heading secondary lead and keeps with the rule of three. When researching the many different music magazines I noticed that they all only featured famous bands that had record deals and contracts. Seeing as there are many bands that are good but have not become famous yet and all great bands were once not well known, my unique selling point is that the magazine will also include reviews and interviews with bands that are not yet famed. With the magazines publicity the band is more likely to become big, and the bigger the band becomes the more promotion the magazine will get for a good taste in music and being the founder of the next music phase. Magazines, even of the same genre, each had there own house style layout, especially in the contents page and main story pages. I realised that they were so different because of the varied target audiences they had, and that not only what the reader liked in a style, but what the audience could actually understand. If aimed at a younger audience then the content would need to be simplified and be fun to focus their attention. I have taken this into account with my magazine as it is aimed at 15-25 year olds which is a difficult age gap to cover as their is often a major maturity and difference in interests, however this magazine revolves around the interests which to not change easily when growing up. That is taste in music, having fun and laughing whilst maintaining a mature atmosphere to fully inform the readers about the new, old and famous bands featured.
Many of the rock magazines I looked at used a tool in the contents page called a band list that helps the reader not only find articles they might be interested in but particular famous bands too. To keep with forms and conventions of the magazine industry, I saw it necessary to incorporate one of these into my magazine also and help my readers navigate themselves around the pages easier so that they could see the simplicity and continue to purchase it. I challenged the convention of the layout of double page spreads I believe, by using the majority of a page for a main picture and including writing on that page. The introductory paragraphs are viewed on the picture of the band itself, which I have not witnessed in any of my researched magazines so far. This works as a total reminder that this is the band you’re reading about and so aids the audience. The audience would be interested in rock bands I believe as when I handed out a questionnaire 75% of the returned results stated that rock was the most favoured of the music genres.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My music magazine represents people who are passionate about playing rock music and live the lifestyle of being a rock star. Whilst this is its focus point for stories and interviews that will be included, this is not necessarily the audience it will attract. Many readers of my magazine will be young, aged 15-25 and will have access to disposable income though not much but lack of other financial responsibilities will make them able to afford it. A part time job or a money arrangement with parents are likely to be the source of the money, and as many persons over 18 and under 25 a some form of student, they have access to money intended for them to live on. Costing 3.99 per month, it works out, as our target audiences will notice, cheaper then most media entertainment to date. No particular sex was aimed at as this is widely a unisex topic of a magazine, though much of the audience will be expected to be males.
Many young people around this age are either into having a fun time and enjoying their youth, or are worried about something happening in their life, e.g. school work. But both these kind of people can find the people represented in this magazine as inspirational. Much of the attitudes of rockers, especially ones featured in my magazines are those with a zest for life, who are never down trodden and take bad luck in stride. They have fun doing what they do regardless of the consequences, and whilst some can see the irresponsible nature of this, the fans feel the need to do likewise every so often. This magazine is aimed at a younger audience; however a more old school rock audience may be drawn to it as it does commonly feature the legendary bands of the past. This will help to go against the common misconception an older generation believes that all younger people are into hip-hop and rap music. My use of language in my media product shows that although it is aimed at a younger audience, they are educated and intelligent as the word level and vocabulary will not be childish, this will also help to bridge the gap between old and new generations and eventually draw in a massive and diverse audience.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
The pure potential of my magazine would make many media institutions want to take on the job of distributing because not only is their money to be made, but I believe that there’s a gap in the market for this kind of magazine. Many rock music magazines exist, just as there are a huge variety of magazines aimed at young persons, however mine is unique and stands out so because it is a rock magazine aimed at the newer generation with old rock still featured within it. The aim of the magazine is to make a connection with as many people as it can; I believe it would succeed in this when using a large media institution as it has many benefits. Money and funding would be more stable than if an independent one did as it would not be able to provide the additional publicity, which is a key factor to getting an audience. The extra publicity that a larger institution could provide would be an already established link with radio, television and other forms of written media. The Internet will also be vital in drawing in a younger generation, as more and more children become aware of the Internet at younger ages now, and so with the right advertisement on the internet, it could easily attract and draw in our target audience. When researched other magazines and there institutions, I found a strong link between the successful magazines and having a website, radio station and television channel, such as NME. This use of synergy needs cooperation because advertising on a show with a very different target audience would be a waste. The benefit of being a magazine with an independent institution is that you can become known for yourself, not who you belong to, however my magazine will just consider it a means to an end.
Who would be the audience for your media product? (Reader profile)
Males aged 15-25 will predominately be my audience, although it is friendly towards either sex. They will fall into the C1C2D category as, being young; even if they have begun to work they are likely to not have a high income not yet be considered skilled. They are at the awkward age where they are old enough to be told they should be role models whilst being looked down upon my most of the adult world as being inexperienced to mature problems. Therefore, my magazines mode of address will be to provide an escape from these issues by being fun and entertaining, intelligent but without belittling the reader. The audience will be fans of in particular groups, mostly re-appearing bands that are commonly doing something to deserve an article in my magazine. Music magazines will give our audience a new outlook on the world, and a sense of community. The magazine will change the reader slightly, making is language patterns shift as he becomes a common customer, and people will listen and respect his informed opinions about the latest and oldest music despite his age. He has a phycographic of an explorer in the way he is the first to try new brands and typically a student, but yet he’ll still stay loyal to what he loves.
How did you attract/address your audience?
Our target audience, having the phycographic of an explorer, consider themselves individualistic, and is the first to try new brand. We therefore put a lot of thought into the rule of three on the front cover. The magazine name with ‘Rock’ in it instantly tells the public what kind of magazine we are and therefore what genre. The almost psychedelic colours grab the attention of any shopper browsing the magazine racks in a newsagents or supermarket. Being distributed by a large institution, many advertisements will have been put into action for similar audiences that could be potential custom. These advertisements would include, on radio shows and television mentions. Using language to my advantage on the front cover, to attract the right audience I used terminology that only modern music lovers would understand such as “Gig” and “Rocker”. When using the words in the correct context it makes the music lovers feel more at ease with our opinions that we aren’t just trying to get money and do actually have another aim. Using a picture of a band on the front, along with a caption that doesn’t give away the awesome story to accompany it, it makes them curious to buy it and find out. The band featured on the front is called Casino, and they’re not very well known as they have only just signed its first record deal, proving our USP correct. When researching other magazines so that I could decide on a truly Unique Selling Point I noticed that the vast majority of magazines only featured very famous bands that had record labels and deals even though there are so many bands that are good but do not. My USP is that we have feature length articles about unknown bands just as much as the already recognised rock legends. My choice of font was also thought into a lot as it needed to be fit for purpose whilst reflecting how fun the magazine was and could be. I believe it gives of the right impression to attract the right audience for my magazine.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
Prior to the creation of my product I had used none of the technologies involved in the making of a magazine and so it was a huge learning curve for me. Using the digital camera was fairly simple and I grasped the basics of turning it on and taking a picture very quickly. However, soon after I learned these photographs were not good enough to be used, as I had not taken the lighting into account, or my camera angle, and when the pictures were reviewed in full on the computer, it was slightly out of focus. I quickly learned how to use the menu on the digital camera and then when all the elements of the picture were taken into account I had a picture that was of the degree I was after. The settings I took under consideration were costume of the models, their poses, lighting and angle. I believe I took 40 pictures total for my magazine of which 15 were good enough. I learnt that on digital camera’s there are many different settings for taking pictures, each for different photographic pictures. I learnt that auto-focus was the most helpful in taking my kind of picture.
I learnt during this project, how to use Macromedia Fireworks, which is the program I used to do all my picture editing and magazine creating. My skills in this field have always been limited but I managed to develop them greatly in the weeks I took creating my magazine. I needed to be able to use it easily as many features of my magazine are complicated settings of Fireworks. The kind of editing skills I needed to use fireworks for were cropping and editing the picture, e.g. removing background, and inserting the masthead.
I used many technologies during the course of the project, such as the internet to do my research and Microsoft word for my questionnaire to research further; however my knowledge of these programs was already substantial as I have had much previous contact with them.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
My preliminary task now looks, having completed my music magazine, of very poor quality and knowledge. Whilst the type of magazine I did in my preliminary task was very different and therefore had a totally different target audience, the way in which it was unsuccessful in achieving its aims was relevant to all media magazines. At that point I had a poor understanding of Demographics and phycographic’s and did not know much about the forms and conventions of a magazine. I feel that I have grown greatly since my first attempt at building a magazine, as now I understand the Rule of Three and the need for good quality pictures. I have learnt that photo’s need to be carefully planned, especially if you wish to cut the background out of one but the model’s clothes or hair resemble the background colour, or the hair is in a style which is difficult to cut round. Doing the preliminary task helped me develop my skills in fireworks ready for the more serious work, and educated me as to how difficult it was to use, and therefore allowed me to estimate how long it would take to complete each task and plan my work accordingly.
I also had a great deal more research put into what my audience would be and what they would like for my music magazine. Through the use of other competing magazines, internet research and questionnaires I believe I am closer to achieving my aims now then in the preliminary task. This is mainly because, now considering my target audience, the magazine would have had a too childish font and it was too large. I also learnt that certain computer do not have the same fonts, so changing which computer you use can jeopardize the magazine. I found that if you do all the text in a universal font in which there would be no confusion, e.g. ‘Times new roman’ and then changing it all when you’re close to completion then you can cut out many troubles. Once my preliminary task was completed, I could over look it and see all the little details of which I had cut corners were very noticeable, so I learnt to be patient and take your time for the best results.
Music Magazine Questionnaire
20/25 Questionnaires handed back
Please circle your age range
10 – 15 16-18 19-22 23-25 26+
10-15=5% 16-18=75% 19-22=15% 23-25=5%
What is your favourite genre of music?
...............(Rock=75% - R&B=15% - Rap=10%)
Do you currently buy regularly or subscribe to a music magazine? If so, which one?
.........................(no=60% - kerrang=20% - NME=15% - Uncut=5%)
What is your most common way of buying music?
Downloaded (=55%) buying CD’s (=45%) Other (specify)..........
Are you, or have you ever been a member of a band?
.....................(Yes=10% No=90%)
Where do you enjoy listening to your music best?
............................(home=40% - School=25% - outside/traveling(MP3)=35%)
Do you watch television music channels?
......................(No=35%) Which ones? ....... (65% = Skuzz, Kerrrang, NME, MTV2)
Would you participate in more magazine competitions if they were cheaper and easier to do?
Yes(80%) No(20%)
Would you consider Music artist your role models?
Yes (35%) No(65%)
Do you feel the media, heavily influences you?
Yes (10%) No (90%)
Do you own a portable music playing device?
Yes (95%) No(5%)
My music magazine uses many common conventions of the industry as it is a new magazine and not yet ready do begin its own tangent away from the normal. I use a unique masthead which can be easily recognised by customers and a main image that is linked to the primary lead heading secondary lead and keeps with the rule of three. When researching the many different music magazines I noticed that they all only featured famous bands that had record deals and contracts. Seeing as there are many bands that are good but have not become famous yet and all great bands were once not well known, my unique selling point is that the magazine will also include reviews and interviews with bands that are not yet famed. With the magazines publicity the band is more likely to become big, and the bigger the band becomes the more promotion the magazine will get for a good taste in music and being the founder of the next music phase. Magazines, even of the same genre, each had there own house style layout, especially in the contents page and main story pages. I realised that they were so different because of the varied target audiences they had, and that not only what the reader liked in a style, but what the audience could actually understand. If aimed at a younger audience then the content would need to be simplified and be fun to focus their attention. I have taken this into account with my magazine as it is aimed at 15-25 year olds which is a difficult age gap to cover as their is often a major maturity and difference in interests, however this magazine revolves around the interests which to not change easily when growing up. That is taste in music, having fun and laughing whilst maintaining a mature atmosphere to fully inform the readers about the new, old and famous bands featured.
Many of the rock magazines I looked at used a tool in the contents page called a band list that helps the reader not only find articles they might be interested in but particular famous bands too. To keep with forms and conventions of the magazine industry, I saw it necessary to incorporate one of these into my magazine also and help my readers navigate themselves around the pages easier so that they could see the simplicity and continue to purchase it. I challenged the convention of the layout of double page spreads I believe, by using the majority of a page for a main picture and including writing on that page. The introductory paragraphs are viewed on the picture of the band itself, which I have not witnessed in any of my researched magazines so far. This works as a total reminder that this is the band you’re reading about and so aids the audience. The audience would be interested in rock bands I believe as when I handed out a questionnaire 75% of the returned results stated that rock was the most favoured of the music genres.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My music magazine represents people who are passionate about playing rock music and live the lifestyle of being a rock star. Whilst this is its focus point for stories and interviews that will be included, this is not necessarily the audience it will attract. Many readers of my magazine will be young, aged 15-25 and will have access to disposable income though not much but lack of other financial responsibilities will make them able to afford it. A part time job or a money arrangement with parents are likely to be the source of the money, and as many persons over 18 and under 25 a some form of student, they have access to money intended for them to live on. Costing 3.99 per month, it works out, as our target audiences will notice, cheaper then most media entertainment to date. No particular sex was aimed at as this is widely a unisex topic of a magazine, though much of the audience will be expected to be males.
Many young people around this age are either into having a fun time and enjoying their youth, or are worried about something happening in their life, e.g. school work. But both these kind of people can find the people represented in this magazine as inspirational. Much of the attitudes of rockers, especially ones featured in my magazines are those with a zest for life, who are never down trodden and take bad luck in stride. They have fun doing what they do regardless of the consequences, and whilst some can see the irresponsible nature of this, the fans feel the need to do likewise every so often. This magazine is aimed at a younger audience; however a more old school rock audience may be drawn to it as it does commonly feature the legendary bands of the past. This will help to go against the common misconception an older generation believes that all younger people are into hip-hop and rap music. My use of language in my media product shows that although it is aimed at a younger audience, they are educated and intelligent as the word level and vocabulary will not be childish, this will also help to bridge the gap between old and new generations and eventually draw in a massive and diverse audience.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
The pure potential of my magazine would make many media institutions want to take on the job of distributing because not only is their money to be made, but I believe that there’s a gap in the market for this kind of magazine. Many rock music magazines exist, just as there are a huge variety of magazines aimed at young persons, however mine is unique and stands out so because it is a rock magazine aimed at the newer generation with old rock still featured within it. The aim of the magazine is to make a connection with as many people as it can; I believe it would succeed in this when using a large media institution as it has many benefits. Money and funding would be more stable than if an independent one did as it would not be able to provide the additional publicity, which is a key factor to getting an audience. The extra publicity that a larger institution could provide would be an already established link with radio, television and other forms of written media. The Internet will also be vital in drawing in a younger generation, as more and more children become aware of the Internet at younger ages now, and so with the right advertisement on the internet, it could easily attract and draw in our target audience. When researched other magazines and there institutions, I found a strong link between the successful magazines and having a website, radio station and television channel, such as NME. This use of synergy needs cooperation because advertising on a show with a very different target audience would be a waste. The benefit of being a magazine with an independent institution is that you can become known for yourself, not who you belong to, however my magazine will just consider it a means to an end.
Who would be the audience for your media product? (Reader profile)
Males aged 15-25 will predominately be my audience, although it is friendly towards either sex. They will fall into the C1C2D category as, being young; even if they have begun to work they are likely to not have a high income not yet be considered skilled. They are at the awkward age where they are old enough to be told they should be role models whilst being looked down upon my most of the adult world as being inexperienced to mature problems. Therefore, my magazines mode of address will be to provide an escape from these issues by being fun and entertaining, intelligent but without belittling the reader. The audience will be fans of in particular groups, mostly re-appearing bands that are commonly doing something to deserve an article in my magazine. Music magazines will give our audience a new outlook on the world, and a sense of community. The magazine will change the reader slightly, making is language patterns shift as he becomes a common customer, and people will listen and respect his informed opinions about the latest and oldest music despite his age. He has a phycographic of an explorer in the way he is the first to try new brands and typically a student, but yet he’ll still stay loyal to what he loves.
How did you attract/address your audience?
Our target audience, having the phycographic of an explorer, consider themselves individualistic, and is the first to try new brand. We therefore put a lot of thought into the rule of three on the front cover. The magazine name with ‘Rock’ in it instantly tells the public what kind of magazine we are and therefore what genre. The almost psychedelic colours grab the attention of any shopper browsing the magazine racks in a newsagents or supermarket. Being distributed by a large institution, many advertisements will have been put into action for similar audiences that could be potential custom. These advertisements would include, on radio shows and television mentions. Using language to my advantage on the front cover, to attract the right audience I used terminology that only modern music lovers would understand such as “Gig” and “Rocker”. When using the words in the correct context it makes the music lovers feel more at ease with our opinions that we aren’t just trying to get money and do actually have another aim. Using a picture of a band on the front, along with a caption that doesn’t give away the awesome story to accompany it, it makes them curious to buy it and find out. The band featured on the front is called Casino, and they’re not very well known as they have only just signed its first record deal, proving our USP correct. When researching other magazines so that I could decide on a truly Unique Selling Point I noticed that the vast majority of magazines only featured very famous bands that had record labels and deals even though there are so many bands that are good but do not. My USP is that we have feature length articles about unknown bands just as much as the already recognised rock legends. My choice of font was also thought into a lot as it needed to be fit for purpose whilst reflecting how fun the magazine was and could be. I believe it gives of the right impression to attract the right audience for my magazine.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
Prior to the creation of my product I had used none of the technologies involved in the making of a magazine and so it was a huge learning curve for me. Using the digital camera was fairly simple and I grasped the basics of turning it on and taking a picture very quickly. However, soon after I learned these photographs were not good enough to be used, as I had not taken the lighting into account, or my camera angle, and when the pictures were reviewed in full on the computer, it was slightly out of focus. I quickly learned how to use the menu on the digital camera and then when all the elements of the picture were taken into account I had a picture that was of the degree I was after. The settings I took under consideration were costume of the models, their poses, lighting and angle. I believe I took 40 pictures total for my magazine of which 15 were good enough. I learnt that on digital camera’s there are many different settings for taking pictures, each for different photographic pictures. I learnt that auto-focus was the most helpful in taking my kind of picture.
I learnt during this project, how to use Macromedia Fireworks, which is the program I used to do all my picture editing and magazine creating. My skills in this field have always been limited but I managed to develop them greatly in the weeks I took creating my magazine. I needed to be able to use it easily as many features of my magazine are complicated settings of Fireworks. The kind of editing skills I needed to use fireworks for were cropping and editing the picture, e.g. removing background, and inserting the masthead.
I used many technologies during the course of the project, such as the internet to do my research and Microsoft word for my questionnaire to research further; however my knowledge of these programs was already substantial as I have had much previous contact with them.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
My preliminary task now looks, having completed my music magazine, of very poor quality and knowledge. Whilst the type of magazine I did in my preliminary task was very different and therefore had a totally different target audience, the way in which it was unsuccessful in achieving its aims was relevant to all media magazines. At that point I had a poor understanding of Demographics and phycographic’s and did not know much about the forms and conventions of a magazine. I feel that I have grown greatly since my first attempt at building a magazine, as now I understand the Rule of Three and the need for good quality pictures. I have learnt that photo’s need to be carefully planned, especially if you wish to cut the background out of one but the model’s clothes or hair resemble the background colour, or the hair is in a style which is difficult to cut round. Doing the preliminary task helped me develop my skills in fireworks ready for the more serious work, and educated me as to how difficult it was to use, and therefore allowed me to estimate how long it would take to complete each task and plan my work accordingly.
I also had a great deal more research put into what my audience would be and what they would like for my music magazine. Through the use of other competing magazines, internet research and questionnaires I believe I am closer to achieving my aims now then in the preliminary task. This is mainly because, now considering my target audience, the magazine would have had a too childish font and it was too large. I also learnt that certain computer do not have the same fonts, so changing which computer you use can jeopardize the magazine. I found that if you do all the text in a universal font in which there would be no confusion, e.g. ‘Times new roman’ and then changing it all when you’re close to completion then you can cut out many troubles. Once my preliminary task was completed, I could over look it and see all the little details of which I had cut corners were very noticeable, so I learnt to be patient and take your time for the best results.
Music Magazine Questionnaire
20/25 Questionnaires handed back
Please circle your age range
10 – 15 16-18 19-22 23-25 26+
10-15=5% 16-18=75% 19-22=15% 23-25=5%
What is your favourite genre of music?
...............(Rock=75% - R&B=15% - Rap=10%)
Do you currently buy regularly or subscribe to a music magazine? If so, which one?
.........................(no=60% - kerrang=20% - NME=15% - Uncut=5%)
What is your most common way of buying music?
Downloaded (=55%) buying CD’s (=45%) Other (specify)..........
Are you, or have you ever been a member of a band?
.....................(Yes=10% No=90%)
Where do you enjoy listening to your music best?
............................(home=40% - School=25% - outside/traveling(MP3)=35%)
Do you watch television music channels?
......................(No=35%) Which ones? ....... (65% = Skuzz, Kerrrang, NME, MTV2)
Would you participate in more magazine competitions if they were cheaper and easier to do?
Yes(80%) No(20%)
Would you consider Music artist your role models?
Yes (35%) No(65%)
Do you feel the media, heavily influences you?
Yes (10%) No (90%)
Do you own a portable music playing device?
Yes (95%) No(5%)
Monday, 3 November 2008
Comparison of reader Profiles
THE READER - the word
He is a very high-earning ABC1 male aged between 30 and 55. While we're blowing smoke up his fundament we shouldn't neglect to mention that our research shows that 44% of Word's readers earn over £50,000 and 11% earn over £100,000. He used to be what the entertainment retailers call the £50 guy but our last reader survey shows that this is out of date. He's now likely to be spending more than £90 a month on music, films and books.
When he was 19 music was his world. Music magazines were his first real print addiction. They gave him a sense of community, a language, a style and a whole new way of looking at the world. You won't find him following the crowd but you might find him leading it. He's trusted by his peers as the person to turn to for an informed opinion on music and media.
Now that he is over 30 with a partner and possibly even a family, he is as passionate about music as ever but his interests have broadened to encompass other forms of entertainment and new technology to enjoy these on. He is still after the sense of community he used to get from music magazines, but until the arrival of Word felt there was no longer anything in the market for him. On one hand he feels too old for what he considers to be the over-heated world of the current entertainment monthlies and on the other he does not want to live in the past with a nostalgia magazine.
He plays loud music in his car and Radio Four at home. He read Ian McEwan's "Atonement" years ago but will obviously laugh at the Simpsons. He has a limited amount of time to devote to entertainment and therefore demands that it delivers something in the way of substance. His tastes and interests have not stood still and he likes to discover new musicians, authors and movies. He prides himself that he is in the know, that he didn't get off the bus back in the 80s. Now, thanks to Word, the magazine, the site, the podcast, the web radio stream, the Facebook group and whatever comes next, he feels more in touch than ever.
Viper magazine - Reader profileThe men and women who read VIPER Magazine have the income and the motivation to follow their enthusiasm to the ultimate degree.
VM subscribers are well known to be car fanatics (73 percent have attended the huge Viper Owners Invitational). They buy aftermarket engine components, interior and exterior accessories, vehicle care products, sportswear, travel gear and much more. These are also readers who own or operate companies and corporations. And because they typically run the show, if they aren't buying for their companies themselves, they strongly influence purchase decisions.
VIPER Magazine's reader base is largely through subscriptions, but VM also performs exceptionally well on the newsstand with a sell-through of 75 percent or greater. In some major bookstores, VM's sell-through is over 90 percent! That means even people who don't own a Dodge Viper are ready to consume every part of the Viper Experience, from our magazine to your products.
The main difference between these two extracts is the amount of detail. The word goes into more personal detail the word goes into. It is orientated around a very intimate generalisation of its audience whist the Viper magazine is much more vague. No statistics are used in the latter reader profile for it seems to have no need for them. It is also obviously aimed at both sex’s and realises quite obviously that it has an audience of both genders for in its first line it states, “The men and women who read VIPER Magazine have the income and the motivation to follow their enthusiasm to the ultimate degree”. In this is clearly demonstrates its knowledge of who is picking up the magazine. However the word refers to its audience as though it is one man. “He is a very high-earning ABC1 male aged between 30 and 55.” This shows they know who their audience is but to new potential costumers, if they read this and did not fit the profile, they may feel uncomfortable or even out-of-place when they wish to become a fan or subscriber.
He is a very high-earning ABC1 male aged between 30 and 55. While we're blowing smoke up his fundament we shouldn't neglect to mention that our research shows that 44% of Word's readers earn over £50,000 and 11% earn over £100,000. He used to be what the entertainment retailers call the £50 guy but our last reader survey shows that this is out of date. He's now likely to be spending more than £90 a month on music, films and books.
When he was 19 music was his world. Music magazines were his first real print addiction. They gave him a sense of community, a language, a style and a whole new way of looking at the world. You won't find him following the crowd but you might find him leading it. He's trusted by his peers as the person to turn to for an informed opinion on music and media.
Now that he is over 30 with a partner and possibly even a family, he is as passionate about music as ever but his interests have broadened to encompass other forms of entertainment and new technology to enjoy these on. He is still after the sense of community he used to get from music magazines, but until the arrival of Word felt there was no longer anything in the market for him. On one hand he feels too old for what he considers to be the over-heated world of the current entertainment monthlies and on the other he does not want to live in the past with a nostalgia magazine.
He plays loud music in his car and Radio Four at home. He read Ian McEwan's "Atonement" years ago but will obviously laugh at the Simpsons. He has a limited amount of time to devote to entertainment and therefore demands that it delivers something in the way of substance. His tastes and interests have not stood still and he likes to discover new musicians, authors and movies. He prides himself that he is in the know, that he didn't get off the bus back in the 80s. Now, thanks to Word, the magazine, the site, the podcast, the web radio stream, the Facebook group and whatever comes next, he feels more in touch than ever.
Viper magazine - Reader profileThe men and women who read VIPER Magazine have the income and the motivation to follow their enthusiasm to the ultimate degree.
VM subscribers are well known to be car fanatics (73 percent have attended the huge Viper Owners Invitational). They buy aftermarket engine components, interior and exterior accessories, vehicle care products, sportswear, travel gear and much more. These are also readers who own or operate companies and corporations. And because they typically run the show, if they aren't buying for their companies themselves, they strongly influence purchase decisions.
VIPER Magazine's reader base is largely through subscriptions, but VM also performs exceptionally well on the newsstand with a sell-through of 75 percent or greater. In some major bookstores, VM's sell-through is over 90 percent! That means even people who don't own a Dodge Viper are ready to consume every part of the Viper Experience, from our magazine to your products.
The main difference between these two extracts is the amount of detail. The word goes into more personal detail the word goes into. It is orientated around a very intimate generalisation of its audience whist the Viper magazine is much more vague. No statistics are used in the latter reader profile for it seems to have no need for them. It is also obviously aimed at both sex’s and realises quite obviously that it has an audience of both genders for in its first line it states, “The men and women who read VIPER Magazine have the income and the motivation to follow their enthusiasm to the ultimate degree”. In this is clearly demonstrates its knowledge of who is picking up the magazine. However the word refers to its audience as though it is one man. “He is a very high-earning ABC1 male aged between 30 and 55.” This shows they know who their audience is but to new potential costumers, if they read this and did not fit the profile, they may feel uncomfortable or even out-of-place when they wish to become a fan or subscriber.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
proposal form
Proposal Form of preliminary task
Stephen Wager
The brief I decided upon was chosen as a result of the targeted audience fitting those who are writing it. Therefore the likelihood of things affecting them currently will also be having an impact on the writers and thus an article on the subject can be written or the audience can relate to the feeling and opinions of the matter. Their connection made with the magazine can only be beneficial, as word will spread getting more people to buy or read one. It will be published monthly and s will be of a fair length but all of it fun so no a single bit will be deliberately unread by the readers.
The core audience profile we plan to target is sixth form. Making a connection with this age range will be easy as (already stated) the age of the writers and audience correspond with one another, as well as the majority of them having been in the school for 5 years. This leaves a wide gap for articles to be written, for example, ‘‘Memories of past events’’, ‘‘what's changed’’ & ‘’who’s gone, where are they now?’’
My working title not only specifies the target audience quite blatantly but also could be seen to attract other audiences such as younger years. They may be intrigued as to what sixth form life is like or what goes on in the common room and then stay reading because it is a fun easy going magazine that can make them laugh.
Generally the idea behind this magazine is to inform and entertain. Having important need-to-know information provides a service whilst entertaining making it fun and getting the target audience actually interested in it. Our aim in combining these two aspects of the magazine will be to keep them as little segregated as possible, the result of this is that the information will blend in and keep the magazines ‘fun’ vibe still going. Information inside it could even be set out like advertisements; these could be for School Plays, rallying help for sports day, or making announcements.
This magazine will in no way condone or encourage violence, bullying or bad behaviour. It will always have life lessons of what the various students have realised now they have reached this stage in their lives and possibly even include their regrets. Whilst it may deal with some of life’s more difficult situations and problems facing teens today, it will only be for support of people in those situations. It will be seemingly normal; the theme we AIM for will be almost sixth form gossip.
The cover I wish to style like the school, an old and rustic feel to it, using textures such as oak to fill in gaps of colour (and to continue this theme throughout, like a house style) making it fun but sensible to captivate the gentle maturity of the sixth form. Other colours shall be used, its got to say its entertaining, fun and in no way dull whilst not looking desperate and over the top to get there attention like many magazines do and almost seem patronising.
The cover will feature a few pictures of relevance to certain articles featured in that month’s magazine put next to the articles titles and a specially written sentence to gather interest, all of which will be in the left third. The cover shot will be the basis of the front cover, a large photograph to do with the main feature article of the month. This month’s main focus is ‘‘BCHS students, where are they now?’’ so a picture of an ex-BCHS student, posing, looking at the camera and giving a hint as to what hey do now, e.g. in front of a college, working in there shop etc.
The front pages left third will be similar to the contents page; it will have a photograph, title and a tiny piece of information about it. It will be different in the way that the picture will be smaller (as well as all the text) and the information on it, or blurb will be a great deal less than it will be on the contents page. Three examples of magazine content which we are planning to use, are, ‘people profiles’, in which we interview different people nominated by the reading audience and publish the results of the questions put forward to the individual. Secondly, a ‘what’s your opinion’ section which simply put people can debate about any and/or all issues they wish to. This will often take place in real life and then our reporter put the results into an article. Although we will of course accept fan mail and publish the more appropriate and relevant letters of the month. Lastly a ‘you were voted…’ article which can be ongoing, people nominate titles (through voting) and then nominate the most appropriate person for that title. E.g. who was voted the most random guy/girl? Find out inside…
On the front cover there will be no use of bad language of improper use of the English language as far as we will be able to tell. We will state properly what is in this issue of the magazine. Use colour and photographs to rally interest. certain phrases on the front cover will be different to make them stand out and noticed. E.g. The title and main focus of it. ‘What’s your opinion?’ and ‘This month: Alcohol’
The alternative this offers to other magazines on the market is that it is fun, light-hearted and not just ATTEMPTING to be these things. It’s main outstanding feature is that it is ABOUT them, they are almost guaranteed to either be about them or someone they closely know, making them interested to see what was written about them, or why. It can feature personal jokes that to someone outside of sixth form would not get/understand. They will read it as though listening to a group of friends have a chat.
Stephen Wager
The brief I decided upon was chosen as a result of the targeted audience fitting those who are writing it. Therefore the likelihood of things affecting them currently will also be having an impact on the writers and thus an article on the subject can be written or the audience can relate to the feeling and opinions of the matter. Their connection made with the magazine can only be beneficial, as word will spread getting more people to buy or read one. It will be published monthly and s will be of a fair length but all of it fun so no a single bit will be deliberately unread by the readers.
The core audience profile we plan to target is sixth form. Making a connection with this age range will be easy as (already stated) the age of the writers and audience correspond with one another, as well as the majority of them having been in the school for 5 years. This leaves a wide gap for articles to be written, for example, ‘‘Memories of past events’’, ‘‘what's changed’’ & ‘’who’s gone, where are they now?’’
My working title not only specifies the target audience quite blatantly but also could be seen to attract other audiences such as younger years. They may be intrigued as to what sixth form life is like or what goes on in the common room and then stay reading because it is a fun easy going magazine that can make them laugh.
Generally the idea behind this magazine is to inform and entertain. Having important need-to-know information provides a service whilst entertaining making it fun and getting the target audience actually interested in it. Our aim in combining these two aspects of the magazine will be to keep them as little segregated as possible, the result of this is that the information will blend in and keep the magazines ‘fun’ vibe still going. Information inside it could even be set out like advertisements; these could be for School Plays, rallying help for sports day, or making announcements.
This magazine will in no way condone or encourage violence, bullying or bad behaviour. It will always have life lessons of what the various students have realised now they have reached this stage in their lives and possibly even include their regrets. Whilst it may deal with some of life’s more difficult situations and problems facing teens today, it will only be for support of people in those situations. It will be seemingly normal; the theme we AIM for will be almost sixth form gossip.
The cover I wish to style like the school, an old and rustic feel to it, using textures such as oak to fill in gaps of colour (and to continue this theme throughout, like a house style) making it fun but sensible to captivate the gentle maturity of the sixth form. Other colours shall be used, its got to say its entertaining, fun and in no way dull whilst not looking desperate and over the top to get there attention like many magazines do and almost seem patronising.
The cover will feature a few pictures of relevance to certain articles featured in that month’s magazine put next to the articles titles and a specially written sentence to gather interest, all of which will be in the left third. The cover shot will be the basis of the front cover, a large photograph to do with the main feature article of the month. This month’s main focus is ‘‘BCHS students, where are they now?’’ so a picture of an ex-BCHS student, posing, looking at the camera and giving a hint as to what hey do now, e.g. in front of a college, working in there shop etc.
The front pages left third will be similar to the contents page; it will have a photograph, title and a tiny piece of information about it. It will be different in the way that the picture will be smaller (as well as all the text) and the information on it, or blurb will be a great deal less than it will be on the contents page. Three examples of magazine content which we are planning to use, are, ‘people profiles’, in which we interview different people nominated by the reading audience and publish the results of the questions put forward to the individual. Secondly, a ‘what’s your opinion’ section which simply put people can debate about any and/or all issues they wish to. This will often take place in real life and then our reporter put the results into an article. Although we will of course accept fan mail and publish the more appropriate and relevant letters of the month. Lastly a ‘you were voted…’ article which can be ongoing, people nominate titles (through voting) and then nominate the most appropriate person for that title. E.g. who was voted the most random guy/girl? Find out inside…
On the front cover there will be no use of bad language of improper use of the English language as far as we will be able to tell. We will state properly what is in this issue of the magazine. Use colour and photographs to rally interest. certain phrases on the front cover will be different to make them stand out and noticed. E.g. The title and main focus of it. ‘What’s your opinion?’ and ‘This month: Alcohol’
The alternative this offers to other magazines on the market is that it is fun, light-hearted and not just ATTEMPTING to be these things. It’s main outstanding feature is that it is ABOUT them, they are almost guaranteed to either be about them or someone they closely know, making them interested to see what was written about them, or why. It can feature personal jokes that to someone outside of sixth form would not get/understand. They will read it as though listening to a group of friends have a chat.
Sunday, 5 October 2008
Advert Analysis - Pairs work with Keith Mahoney
LYNX Get Fresh advert
What objects are featured in the ad and what do they suggest?
Snow covered trees, lots of snow and two hills. The two hills and trees are deliberately positioned to appear as breasts.
Where is the ad set?
Somewhere very cold e.g. Antarctica, Russia, Artic circle, we know this because it is mostly pure snow that covers everything
What is the product?
Toiletry, body wash/deodorant
Where is the product placed in the frame?
Bottom right, relatively small
What can you tell about it from the other elements in the ad?
It would be refreshing/cool – have a theme of refreshment
What visual techniques does it involve?
Graphics
Why have these elements been used?
To make the landscape look like female breasts but it also tries to make it look realistic like a photograph.
How has colour been used and what effect does it create?
It uses blue and white primarily to create a cool, calming, refreshing, pure feeling which they want to associate with their product. (Connotation)
How has the ad been lit?
It has been lit from the right hand side to emphasise the shape of the hills and trees through use of shadow.
Where was the camera placed to take the photograph?
From slightly above the hills.
What kind of shot has been used and what effect does this create?
Extreme long shot has been used and this allows everything to fit in thus creating the effect of the hills as breasts.
What is your eye drawn to in the frame and why?
My eye is drawn to the trees, as they are the only 2 objects in the photograph besides the product imagine in the lower right hand side.
Has the image been cropped and if so what might be happening outside the frame?
No and nothing.
Has the image been edited or treated?
The image has been created most likely using image editing software e.g. fireworks or Photoshop.
Has anything been left out or removed if so why?
Any if not all landscape features as this would draw your eye away from the hills and trees and how they are positioned.
Are all elements in the image in focus if not why not?
Yes they are all in focus as they have most likely been created.
Do you notice any other photographic effects used to reproduce the image?
It is very likely that they copied one hill in order to make them both identical.
How does the image fit in with the overall design of the ad?
The design is to create a feeling of freshness using blues and whites and the image is predominately blue and white and so fits in well with the design of the ad. The snow covers everything in the ad, which covers the impurities of the land. Their product might be suggesting it can do the same for your body.
Where is it in relation to the text?
It is where the masthead would normally be found.
How much space does it take up?
It is taking up much of the space of the ad compared to the actual product and selling line of the advert
What objects are featured in the ad and what do they suggest?
Snow covered trees, lots of snow and two hills. The two hills and trees are deliberately positioned to appear as breasts.
Where is the ad set?
Somewhere very cold e.g. Antarctica, Russia, Artic circle, we know this because it is mostly pure snow that covers everything
What is the product?
Toiletry, body wash/deodorant
Where is the product placed in the frame?
Bottom right, relatively small
What can you tell about it from the other elements in the ad?
It would be refreshing/cool – have a theme of refreshment
What visual techniques does it involve?
Graphics
Why have these elements been used?
To make the landscape look like female breasts but it also tries to make it look realistic like a photograph.
How has colour been used and what effect does it create?
It uses blue and white primarily to create a cool, calming, refreshing, pure feeling which they want to associate with their product. (Connotation)
How has the ad been lit?
It has been lit from the right hand side to emphasise the shape of the hills and trees through use of shadow.
Where was the camera placed to take the photograph?
From slightly above the hills.
What kind of shot has been used and what effect does this create?
Extreme long shot has been used and this allows everything to fit in thus creating the effect of the hills as breasts.
What is your eye drawn to in the frame and why?
My eye is drawn to the trees, as they are the only 2 objects in the photograph besides the product imagine in the lower right hand side.
Has the image been cropped and if so what might be happening outside the frame?
No and nothing.
Has the image been edited or treated?
The image has been created most likely using image editing software e.g. fireworks or Photoshop.
Has anything been left out or removed if so why?
Any if not all landscape features as this would draw your eye away from the hills and trees and how they are positioned.
Are all elements in the image in focus if not why not?
Yes they are all in focus as they have most likely been created.
Do you notice any other photographic effects used to reproduce the image?
It is very likely that they copied one hill in order to make them both identical.
How does the image fit in with the overall design of the ad?
The design is to create a feeling of freshness using blues and whites and the image is predominately blue and white and so fits in well with the design of the ad. The snow covers everything in the ad, which covers the impurities of the land. Their product might be suggesting it can do the same for your body.
Where is it in relation to the text?
It is where the masthead would normally be found.
How much space does it take up?
It is taking up much of the space of the ad compared to the actual product and selling line of the advert
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