Research

Task One

The music magazine that I have decided to produce is:
Based on R&B genre such as Vibe, Blender, Scratch, XXL, and also Q.
The target audience is not very specific, and is defined by interest in the R&B genre.

Task Two

There are not many music magazines which focus on the R&B genre, so I am going to use magazines of a similar nature to help me with my research in order to produce a professional looking R&B magazine.



Q
Price: £3.90
Frequency of publication: Monthly
Issue Size: 162 pages
Regular Content: Access all areas, Soap Box, New to Q, Q Hero, My record collection, Cash for Questions, A round with, Q50, Quiz, Last Requests, Q Review
Feature Articles: Gig Guides, Interview with Artists




Blender
Price: $4.99
Frequency of Publication: Monthly













Vibe
Price: $3.99
Frequency of Publication: Monthly
(Hip Hop, Urban music. Targeted at 18 – 34 year olds)








XXL
Price: $3.95
Frequency of Publication: Monthly
Issue Size: 140 pages
Regular Content: Reviews of up and coming artists
Feature Articles: Hand it down, Time to build, World Play, Back for the first time, My Time, ‘Bout me






Scratch
Frequency of Publication: Monthly









Task Three

Price: £3.00
Frequency of publication: Monthly
Average issue size: 152 pages
Regular Content:
· Quiz and competitions
· Upcoming Tours
· Gig Guides
· Question and Answers (Readers send in questions to artists)
· Weekly interview with surprise guest
· Interviews with up and coming artists
· Best onstage costume of the month
· Horoscopes
· Artist News
· New songs and album releases
· Top song of the month

Feature Articles:
· World’s greatest RnB star – You decide!
· Aymee- The R’n’B Queen is back
· Top 20 gigs of 2009
· Exclusive interviews
· Ciara and her music career so far
· Jay-Z launching his new album – The blueprint 3
· Chipmunk breaks America
· RnB Factor – Have you got it?
· Who came out on top? -Best album of the year
· Greatest concert sales
· Music Festivals Images
· Music awards reviews
· How we made it (Stars tell all on how they made it big)
· Search for the next hottest girl band
· Impressing Simon Cowell
· 2009s music review
· Unsigned Acts
· What’s hot and what’s not – How to get the best out of your voice
· Under my umbrella – Fans of Rihanna tell all on their idol
· Beyonce – singing or drama?
· Lil Wayne and Jay Sean combine
· Is Tinchy Strider really ‘number 1’?



Task Four


· Few colours used, black, red and white making the magazine cover stand out.
· Bold fonts used not many different fonts.
· Few pictures on cover, makes the main image stand out.
· Creative use of photography
· Title in largest font, main coverline in a larger text than the other coverlines.
· Barcode at top of page.
· Puff included.
· Other artists included within content are shown.
· Not a lot of coverlines.
· Main image over title.

· Not many colours used (White/Grey, Black, Orange)
· Only one image.
· Puffs included.
· Few coverlines.
· Title in the biggest font spread across whole page.
· Limited number of fonts used.
· Strapline included.
· Simple main image, pose of the model is creative as it is different to other magazines.
· Title over main image.

· Limited amount of colours used (Red, White Black) which appeals to the genre of magazine.
· Title in largest font.
· Main image over title.
· Limited number of coverlines used.
· Main coverline in larger font than other coverlines.
· Barcode in bottom left hand corner of page.
· Includes Byline/Strapline.
· More fonts used.




· Limited amount of colours used (Blue, Black, Yellow, White) which appeals to the genre of magazine.
· Main image covers title.
· Main coverline is in a larger font than other coverlines.
· Barcode is n the bottom left hand corner of page.
· Variety of fonts used.








· More variety of colours used although still not lots of different colours (Red, Blue, White, Black, Green)
· One large image stands out.
· Title in largest font spread across whole page.
· Barcode in bottom left hand corner.
· Few fonts used.
· Larger variety of longer coverlines used.
· Strapline/Byline included above the title.
· Title over main image.

Task Five

Codes and Conventions of the studied magazines Contents page

Q Magazine
• Double page
• The title of the magazine is shown in the top left hand corner of the left page
• The word “Contents” is written at the top of the left page, next to the title
• Issue number of magazine shown at the top of the right page
• Image of magazine front cover shown in top right hand corner of right page
• Pages look bright
• List of regulars shown down the right hand side of the right page
• Feature articles are listed down the left hand side of the left page
• Around 10/11 images are used
• One larger image is used showing the artist on the front cover
• Not many colours are used - red, black and white
• Different size page numbers shown on each image – largest page number shown on largest image of front cover artist
• Most of the pages are covered with images
• Text to go with the title of each article, explaining what each article is about
• Some images overlap
• White background
• Number of page is shown in the bottom outer corner of each page, including magazine title and issue date
• Creative photography used

XXL Magazine
• Single page
• One main image is used which is also used as the background
• Page looks dark
• Only a list of feature articles is shown – does not list regular content
• Few simple colours used
• Text is written down the right hand side of the page

Codes and Conventions

Task 6

Codes and Conventions of a magazine front cover

· The title is always one word or letter long, and is the width of the full page.
· Title is always situated in the top left hand corner of the page where the audience begins to read.
· Barcode is kept in the bottom right hand corner, because a paid for advert is on the back page.
· Statements are one line long and above the title across the top of the page.
· All have a plus list of what is contained inside.
· Prices are shown on cover.
· Puffs - freebies included, something extra; gives value for money.
· The title is a unique font, and the largest text on the cover.
· Consistent colour scheme, only few colours used.
· One main image, medium close up of usually a band or singer - image slightly covers title, never title covering main image.
· People on the main image are never smiling - shows attitude.
· Direct address – main image taken so that the person/people are looking at the reader.
· Cover line (main cover line) – always text that goes with the picture. Anchors the meaning of the main image, which is the largest on the page.
· In most cases the main cover line will be two lines long.
· Cover lines are usually two or three lines, showing information about the contents to intrigue the audience and provoke interest. It is kept to as few words as possible.
· Connotations of the front cover reflect the target audience and subject of the magazine.
· Cover lines frame the main image.
· Positioning statement is always positioned either above or below the title.
· Most cover lines are on the left hand side of the cover.
· Title, Positioning Statement, Date, Price – Masthead · Buzzwords – exclusives, inside peek to magazine.
· Strip at the bottom of the cover – gives a list of names, bands and topics included.
· Typography is consistent throughout. Only a few fonts are used. Two types of font - SERIF (Hook) T, a (Most commonly used and traditional) SANS SERIF (Without Hook) T, a (Youthful looking)


Codes and Conventions of a Contents Page(s)

· Editors letter (Editorial included with a picture of the editor and signature).
· Pictures of contents with page numbers.
· Magazine title is placed in the tip left hand corner.
· Main image is alongside smaller images.
· Subscriptions included.
· Date and Issue numbers shown.
· Index list.
· Headings to divide up contents.
· Consistent colour scheme, only a few colours used.
· Page numbers shown on the pictures anchor image to written contents.
· Laid out into around two or three columns.
· Plain/white backgrounds.
· Word “Contents” at the top of the page.
· Page number and then text arrangement.
· Text (one or two words, mainline – bold, slightly larger than the other text).
· Sub line – smaller text.
· Regular content – appears in every single issue of the magazine.
· Features – one off articles which appear only in the one issue.
· Same font used as on the front page.
· Bottom of page – page number, title, issue date, website.
· Contact details, website address.
· NME Magazine contents arrangement differs for bands index, as it is a weekly magazine, so band index is shown as band/artist title then page number – shows what page each artist review is on, makes it easier.


Codes and Conventions of a double page spread

• All start with a drop capital
• There is a summary of the article at the top of the page
• Bands names are in different colours
• Date of the article
• Limited amount of colours used (Black or white text)
• Editors name. Photographers name (credit) and Author – Journalists name can be included in the introduction, above or the end, whereas the position of the Byline varies.
• Access to further details (websites)
• Main image normally takes up most of the page
• Quotes on pictures are different sized texts, linking image with text
• Few if any smaller images
• Pictures often bleed across from one page to the other (Headline and Borders are also usually across two pages)
• Strapline or border often used to bleed across the Double Page Spread – links it all together creating a coherent design across the page.
• Drop Capitals used, shows where to start reading and draws the audience in
• First paragraph in a slightly larger font than the rest of the text, also border
• Smaller images used to break up text, making it more inviting for the audience to read. (e.g. Panels, boxes and quotes)
• By-line usually positioned in or by the standfirst or at the end of the article
• Photographer is credited
• Introduction – Standfirst (larger than actual title) stands first in layout, always by headline and before start of article, introducing article) Design feature helps to break up the layout, works with the headline to tell the reader what the article is about.
• Headlines are creative and eye catching, but do not tell the story
• Artists names picked out – Highlighted
• Magazine title at the bottom of the page along with the page number and issue date (Title font identical to front cover)
• Laid out into columns, usually 3 or 4
• Page number, Magazine title, issue date and website address at the bottom of the page
• Strapline – heading/tab
• Using quotes in articles breaks up the layout
• Creative use of photography
• Informal style of writing revealing the personality of the journalist, which is shown through the text in the article, sometimes including their own opinions.

Questionnaire and Results

Task seven, eight and nine

Q1.





When surveying 20 people for my questionnaire, I realised that the number of females surveyed was much more than the number of males, meaning that my results may be biased towards women.















Q2.




I have covered the full area of my target range and also collected data off people younger and older than my intended target audience, meaning that the results collected will be suitable to use in order to make my magazine appealing to its target audience. However the data shows that the majority of the people surveyed are between the ages of 17–20 years old, meaning that the results will be favoured by the lower end of my target age range.






Q3.

When 20 people were asked to list their three favourite colours, I was given a wide range of answers which showed me which colours are most popular within the age ranges asked. However I must take into account that the data collected is mainly from women and 17-20 year olds, which may have affected the results.









Q4.




Through collecting the results from my questionnaire, I have found that the majority of people surveyed think that the colours white, black and red stand out most on a magazine front cover, even though white and red were not the most favoured colours chosen in general. Originally I was not going to use white and red on my front cover, however after collecting this data it shows that it will be best if I use the colours black, white and red, as this will make my magazine stand out and draw audience to it, meaning that there will be more of a chance of them picking it up and buying it.









Q5.






From looking at the results collected for this question, it shows me that the majority of favourite artists chosen were American soloists, meaning that it would be more suitable for me to include a cover line about an American solo artist. This way the magazine is more likely to attract the audience, making them want to read the articles and so buy the magazine.







Q6.

When asked what is the first thing people look at on a contents page, I received a variety of suitable answer which will be useful to me with my work, as I can then include these topics on my contents page to make it appealing to the readers.
It shows that the majority of the people surveyed look for images on a contents page, meaning that although my original idea was to use few pictures on the page, I will now have to either include a wider variety of images or use few photographs with creative photographic skills to attract readers.






Q7.







The results from this question have given me guidance when designing my front cover, as I now know what makes an eye catching magazine front cover. In order to attract my target audience I will use striking images and bold colours, as well as including well known artists to make my magazine appealing; however I must be careful when deciding which colours to use, as the data was collected from mainly women.








Q8.




The results from this question show me that in order to make my magazine front cover stand out and attract its target audience, I should use a short and catchy title which is relevant to the genre of magazine and easy to remember.






Q9.

When recording the results from my survey, I found that the majority of people who read magazines bought monthly issues. This meant that if I am to produce a successful magazine then I should make it a monthly issue, as this will be more suitable to the needs of my target audience, which will make them more interested in buying my magazine.








Q10.



Initially I decided to produce a magazine which is to be sold monthly, however I decided to make a questionnaire before my ideas were final. From doing a questionnaire I have found that people are willing to pay a lot more for a magazine sold monthly rather than weekly, meaning that in order to get the best sales possible I should make my magazine frequency monthly.








Q11.

The results show me that most of the people surveyed have already read at least one music magazine, meaning that although not all of the results collected from each of the questions will be as suitable, the results collected from people who do read music magazines, will help me to create a quality product that can be sold alongside existing magazines.




From looking at the results collected, they show me that most of the people surveyed have not read many RnB magazines, however the ones that have are American which has persuaded me to maybe include American artists on my cover; I also decided this after looking at the results from question 5, as most of the people surveyed preferred American artists.






Q12.


The results from this question will help me to decide what contents to include in my magazine. If I am to use these results I must make sure that I include interesting images and interviews, as people will be more likely to buy the magazine if the content appeals to them.






Q13. List three words which you associate with the RnB genre



The results from this question will help me when coming up with a title and contents for my magazine, which appeals to RnB music fans. It is important for me to come up with a catchy title and contents which attract the magazines target audience, as this will help me to produce a successful product.

















Q14.


These results will help me when deciding what front cover main image I am going to use, in order to make my magazine stand out. Initially I was going to use a group as my main image, however after recording these results I have found that a magazine front cover would look more striking with a solo artist on it.







Q15.





The data shows that the majority of people questioned look forward to reading interviews and news about existing artists; this means that although the rest of the data has given me ideas about what content to include, I should definitely include reviews and artist news to attract the magazines target audience.





Q16.

Initially I thought of using a puff on my front cover in order to attract more consumers, however only 55% of the people surveyed said that the use of free gifts persuades them to buy a magazine. Although the use of free gifts does not have a significant impact on magazine sales, it would still be useful for me to include one anyway to capture people’s attention, and make them want to buy the magazine.






Q17.


My first thoughts were to produce a magazine which is to be sold monthly, however I decided to collect data surrounding the issue of magazine frequency so that I could base my ideas around the thoughts of other people. After looking at the results collected, I found that a magazine which is sold monthly is by far the most preferred issue frequency, which is why I have decided to make my magazine a monthly product.

Publication Plan

Task Ten

Title: KRIB
Font: (Blackoak Std)
Positioning Statement: Discover your inner beat
Frequency of Publication: Monthly
Price: £3.00
Distribution: Newsagents, Supermarkets, Music Stores, Music concerts and gigs.

Rationale: The contents of the magazine is all based on audience research, focussing on what the readers want to know more about and things that appeal to them; it will not all be based on existing music magazines of the same and different genres, as it will be produced using the target audience opinions.

Style: The magazine is produced for RnB music fans, so the language used will be informal. The text will be separated into short paragraphs so that the reader actually wants to read the articles, instead of just skipping through the pages; however it will still follow a professional magazine layout including creative and striking images to attract the target audience.

Regular Content:
· Quiz and competitions
· Upcoming Tours
· Gig Guides
· Question and Answers (Readers send in questions to artists)
· Monthly 2 minute interview with surprise artist (Back page)
· Interviews with up and coming artists
· Best onstage costume of the month
· Artist News
· New songs and album releases
· Top song of the month

Feature Articles:
· World’s greatest RnB star – You decide!
· Aymee- The R’n’B Queen is back
· Top 20 gigs of 2009
· Exclusive interviews
· Ciara and her music career so far
· Jay-Z launching his new album – The blueprint 3
· America are you ready? - The arrival of Chipmunk
· RnB Factor – Have you got it?
· Who came out on top? -Best album of the year
· Greatest concert sales
· Music Festivals Images
· Music awards reviews
· How we made it (Stars tell all on how they made it big)
· Search for the next hottest girl band
· Impressing Simon Cowell
· 2009s music review
· Unsigned Acts
· What’s hot and what’s not – How to get the best out of your voice
· Under my umbrella – Fans of Rihanna tell all on their idol
· Beyonce – singing or drama?
· Lil Wayne and Jay Sean combine
· Is Tinchy Strider really ‘number 1’?

House Style:
Coverlines: Copperplate Gothic Bold
Headlines: Bodoni MT Black
Standfirst: Britannic Bold 14pt
Captions: Britannic Bold 8pt
Features first paragraph: Drop capital, 5 lines deep, Californian FB in bold
News first paragraph: First two words in bold capitals
Body text: Californian FB 11pt
Colour Scheme: Black, Gold, Red and White

Sketches of main task

Sketches



Sketch produced for the front cover of my music magazine





























Sketch of the Double Page Spread
























Image of sketch for the contents page

Ideas for magazine

Task eleven

Front cover image: Long shot of female artist, arms to each side pushing out to the side of the page as if she is standing in a box.
Coverlines:
· Top 20 gigs of 2009
· World’s greatest RnB Star
· Exclusive interviews
· The RnB Queen is back
· Plus: Rihanna, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Ciara
· FREE concert tickets to be won

Contents page text:
· Krib Contents
· Regular Content:
- Quiz and competitions
- Upcoming Tours
- Gig Guides
- Question and Answers (Readers send in questions to artists)
- Monthly 2 minute interview with surprise artist (Back page)
- Interviews with up and coming artists
- Best onstage costume of the month
- Artist News
- New songs and album releases
- Top song of the month

· Feature Articles:
- World’s greatest RnB star
- The RnB Queen is back (The Queen of music returns)
- Top 20 gigs of 2009
- Exclusive interviews
- Ciara and her music career so far
- Jay-Z launching his new album
- Chipmunk breaks America
- Have you got the RnB Factor?
- Best album of the year
- Greatest concert sales
- Music Festivals Images
- Music awards reviews
- How we made it (Stars tell all on how they made it big)
- Search for the next hottest girl band
- Impressing Simon Cowell
- 2009s music review
- Unsigned Acts
- What’s hot and what’s not – How to get the best out of your voice
- Under my umbrella – Fans of Rihanna tell all on their idol
- Beyonce – singing or drama?
- Lil Wayne and Jay Sean combine
- Is Tinchy Strider really ‘number 1’?


Images for contents page:
· Smaller image of front cover, shown tilted at the top of the contents page next to “Krib Contents”.
· Image of front cover artist
· Picture relating to double page spread article.
· Unsigned acts
· Best onstage costume

Article for double page spread and photographs: I am planning to conduct an interview with fans of Rihanna for my double page spread. I am going to include one main image which will take up a whole page of the article, which will be used to go alongside the text. It will be laid out in a simple format so that there is not a huge amount of text on the page, so that the article is more approachable for the reader. As I cannot take a picture of Rihanna for my article, I am planning to take a photograph of an Umbrella covered in Jewellery which relates to one of Rihanna’s iconic songs umbrella, and the jewellery also relating to the R'n'B image.


Task Twelve
Questions for Double Page Spread Article

Q1. What are your thoughts on the current state of R'n'B?

Q2. Having had so much success and an amazing style, how do you think Rihanna has managed to maintain her popularity with fans?

Q3. After being in the music industry for four years now, do you think that it may be her time to quit music and move onto something else, or are you fully supporting her?

Q4. What is your opinion on the songs produced when Rihanna works with other artists?

Q5. Who is your preferred artist or band who you would like to see her work with?

Q6. After creating so many great songs when working with other artists, do you think she would work well as a band? Why?

Q7. Have there been any songs from her career yet that you feel should have made more or less of an impact on the charts?

Q8. How did you feel when you found that Umbrella had kept the number 1 position in the UK Charts for eleven consecutive weeks?

Q9. What is it that makes Rihanna such an inspiration and role model to you and others?

Q10. If ever she decides to quit music and move on to something else, do you think there will ever be anyone else like her?

Q11. Rihanna is idolised and chased by fans wherever she goes. What is it that you think makes her so special and appealing to all generations?