Font Research

For my research into font details I decided to look into different types of fonts to see which one was most appropriate to use. I also looked into some magazines to see how many different types of fonts were used and what they were used.

Serif
Sans Serif

The type which does not have serifs the little extra strokes found at the end of the main vertical and horizontal strokes some letter forms are called sans serif (without serif)

Class View on contents page expectations

I decided to ask my class and peers to tick three things they would expect to see on a contents page for a music magazine, after doing my own research I become more familiar in what appears over the majority of magazines.

I decided to ask my class because they epitomise my target audience and some probably read music magazines often, here are the answers of the survey:



Pictures

Gig Information

Quotes

Chart information

Exclusive interview information

Advertisments

Message to reader

Competition

Adverts for upcoming album
Win!
Tours
Upcoming Artists
Poster info
Different sections
Perhaps a dominant photo
Website
Guides

Magazine Price, Addition and Frequency

I decided to research the magazine prices and addition frequency to gain a rough estimate on what I should put my magazine at:

NME Magazine: £2.20

Published NME: Weekly 

Kerrang: £2.20

Published Kerrang: Weekly

Q Magazine: £3.99

Published Q: Monthly 

Billboard Magazine: £5.24

Published: Weekly

Top of the pop magazine: £2.99

Published: Monthly 

Rolling Stone: £3.00

Published: Two Weekly

I decided that I would publish my magazine, at roughly the same price off Kerrang which is £2.20. I would choose to publish my magazine monthly although in comparison to the above magazines that publish them at a monthly frequency the price range is roughly at £3-4 (Rolling Stone and Q) I thought for my target audience perhaps this would be too high, after doing the following research:

After this research of asking twenty people I can see the average person would pay between £2/3 for a monthly magazine, I think the lowest price was the most popular because as teenagers we don't have a lot of money, I saw it was the top end of my age range because they are more likely to have more money to spend on the less essential things such as a magazine.

Therefore I will publish my magazine at £3.00 taking into consideration of the actual magazine prices with the research I have done.

Magazine Front Cover Plan

Here is my a very rough example on  how I will lay out my front cover out. These is a basic example that I could choose to follow:

It shows a rough outline on what colors I will use it also shows what I will include on my magazine, this again links to guidance and it will ultimately help me to chose my house style. Although the layout will change once  I have put it into photo shop this was just a rough understanding on where things would go. I would also allow me to compare with other magazines and there layouts so I could gain a sense of inspiration.

Magazine Front Cover Ideas

I decided for my magazine front cover I decided again to go back to my research and looking at the pictures on their front cover I decided to only go with one picture on my front cover.

There is some magazines with more than one picture such as Kerrang: however I think this can look messy because it takes away the image from the centeral image and main focus off the magazine. However for the magazine Kerrang it works well as it represents the heavy metal rock subculture, it shows the rock through all images such as facial expressions, tattoos on the artist and also the the big bold standout font, which does directly state it is a rock magazine!

However most magazines such as Q, Billboard have a central image which is what I will do on my magazine, I think it will capture the magazine content better, giving it a better portraying of the music magazine. Also with me deciding to have the front image on the magazine this would link nicely with the double page spread example. The reason why I chose to have one photo as I hope this will be enough to engage my reader into the magazine, with the central gaze this will develop eye contact to the reader. Also with having one image it shows that the magazine is a main focus around this person, perhaps an exclusive interview with an new or upcoming artist. 

House style

After choosing the font for my title, I decided that in comparson to the fact my magazine is an indie magazine I decided with the studio shot of white and an outfit that is black I could use almost any colour, however when analysis the colours I could use, which could be any:

However I thought colours that are dark, like black, wouldn't fit the magazine right because it would seem too dark and dull, whereas colours such as pink and yellow wouldn't optimize to my target audience, to find this out I went back and asked my four people from my previous questionnaire what there favourite color was so I could find out and eliminate which colors not to use and which would be more appropriate.

Here are my results:

Person 1: Black

Person 2: Red

Person 3: Purple

Person 4: Red

I decided to do more research for the colours as I felt basing the magazine on four peoples opinion I got a wider data sample of this primary research whereby I asked another 20 Indie people there favourite color I got the following results:

The favourite color out of the sample was Red, therefore I will use Red as my house style color, this wasn't a massive sample to base my house style on however I felt that because they opitimize my target audience and they are indie themself they would know what they would like to see as this is the norm for them and they probably themselves read indie magazines so they know what they have on their magazines.

Background Color

The colour I have chosen for my background is a white studio shot, I decided this because looking and a variety of magazine and through research I analysed that all magazines have study shots for there magazine front cover, this would be easier for me as I would have more to work with, I could chose my own color scheme and this would be easier to follow as a house style. These all show the studio shot, with a white or grey plain background, this shows that the colours with can be more unique because they can chose the house style themselves, this add versatility to the magazine.  

Issue Published

I decided to look at the possible times for my issue to be published:

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

I decided in comparison to my chosen photo for the front cover:

I thought I would use the issue as an Autumn issue due to the lighting being dark and also the dressing of the Model.

After looking at my photo and in comparison to my research I decided to change my front cover photo as it should be a studio shot, rather than the out doors I therefore took more photos off the same model, to link with the double page spread photo continuing the house style, after taking another 60-70 photos I narrowed it down to the final few:

From these I will select which one would mainly fit the 'indie' look at which would mostly likely to appear on the front cover of a magazine.

Carrying out some more research, I decided to change my mind again and stick with an outdorr shot, although the reader wouldnt be aware off the outdoor shot because I used the quick selection tool to just select the outline and put this in the middle of the page this adds dominance to the magazine front cover.

Ideas for Cover Lines Front Cover Music Magazine

After looking at Magazines and analysing what they offer in their magazines for different target audiences, I decided there are many things I could include:

I decided to look at these straplines to see what I should add onto my magazine front cover, this will make the magazine more professional and will ensure that it could fit into the magazine industry.

Fonts for Magazine Title

Here are some examples of fonts for my front page, The font I have chosen to use for my front page title is: 

  

I chose this font because I feel like matches the 'Indie genre' of the magazine, also it represents the alternative side to the magazine, showing the alternative aspect which represents the indie magazine.

Media Photo Examples

Here a few examples of some photos, I decided to put forward these as a front cover especially the one of the model under the tree sitting down and the longer shots as more of a double page spread examples rather than a front page because they aren't close enough to be a front page photo, also some of them aren't portrait. I therefore have to get the Mise-En-Scene right, like not having so many leafs around and ensuring you can't see the brick wall in some of the photos. However after thinking off the cover lines and the angle and how where the model is facing I think there are more appropriate photos. 

 Here is a screen grab of my model ones photo, although I took approx 200 photos I decided to pick the more appropriate ones and screen grabbed to show the final selection after looking through, however I found that some of the photos I did take are more appropriate for a double page spread. 

I then broke it down to the next few photos for a Front page photo I will then chose between the next few and edit them to see which ones are most appropriate :

I will cut out the Model from the photo using the quick selection tool, this will make her the main focus off the page.

For my second Model I again took approx 80-100 photos then narrowed them down to the following photos and took a screen grab as evidence the following photos will be used in the contents page:

Again I edited some of the photos then narrowed them down to the following: 

Here are the my ideas for a double page spread photo, I chose two of my favourites because I felt that they had the best lighting, and would capture the feel of an indie magazine the most: 

Indie Fashion

I decided to use a dress up website to dress people up look like indie characters, I can now use this as a guideline to how I want my magazine model to look like, I covered all aspects of being indie:

I decided to look at what Indies wear that would be classed as casual, going out wear and also work wear. The mix of over sized jumpers, tees, leather and denim jackets, but also the attention to detail such as the added accessories like bow to the shorts, studded jewellery, flower headbands but also the simple things like rolling up the ends off your jeans. This will help me find out more information for what aspects my model should be wearing paying attention to detail.

My Target Audience

My specific target audience for my magazine is aimed at the target market of 18-25 year old both male and female. Although no one would be excluded from the age range as some people would pick it up and choose to read it, the context and information would still be appropriate.  

My music genre of the magazine is indie music,  I decided to look at the genre of Indie because I listen to the genre Indie, so personally I felt I could relate to the magazine and put more information into the magazine because I know more about the genre because I listen to the likes of The Killers, Paloma Faith, Lana Del Ray.  Also as I own a lot of indie clothing and I know the hairstyles and make up I found this would be easier to address the target audience because in a sense I am the target audiences age of other Indie Magazines.

To gain more information about the indie genre I also done some of my own research and particularly looked at the UK Tribes website and got the following additional information about indie: 

Background into being Indie

I decided to look into what makes a person Indie, looking at all aspects of life, hair clothes shoes accessorises and where they shop to how they make their own clothes. By doing this piece of research it allowed me to see what sort of clothing my model should be wearing to ensure people the target audience will be able to immediately tell it is an Indie Mag. Also by doing this piece of research it allowed me to connect with my target audience, so I can see what they are like as a group.






I decided to look into what makes you Indie, so I can see what will be appropriate and who will be appropriate for my magazine to ensure I get the look right, and people will see that my magazine is targeted at a specific genre off music which is Indie.

How Women are presented in Music Magazines

I decided to look into how women are presented on the front page of music magazine's and What they are wearing the mise-en-scene and the props that are involved in the shoot, so I can get ideas from them and put the ideas into my magazine. (As I had previously decided that I was going to use female model.)

This gives me insight to what the target audience could be expecting and what defines a music magazine a music magazine and not just any magazine. I will have to add certain aspects to define it as a music magazine and to fit my genre of indie.

As we can see, over time the presentation of Women has changed dramatically, from a girlie magazine such as 'Top of the pops' which target audience is aimed at 10-14 year old girls, so the images that are shown on the magazine are less raunchier and revealing than the target audience of Q because Q's target audience is higher than Top of the pops, this means that the target audience could reflect the image and the explicitness of the image. 

The type of image used a front cover, all depends on what age the target audience is aimed at. 

Target Audience

Referring to the UK Tribes website which has been published by Channel Four, they were analysis and grouping the different types of people. They done their research by:

The output was categorising the youth of the United Kingdom into social groups, they made constant updates because new tribes were made and remaining ones differed.

Get paid crew, DIYers, Blingers, Trackies = Urban. 

Overall Channel four categorised the Urban group consisting of the above four categories, they said they are members that are influenced by what they see around them in their 'urban environment' in clubs and social network, YouTube and Facebook are most effective to them. They also enjoy music with their friends. Hooded tops could be seen as intimidating however they are conversation friendly and their personality is laid back and open-minded. They mainly choose the American style of music genre and style icons, they do like big label brands such as JD Sports and Adidas.

Ravers,  Townies, Chavs, Boy Racers, Sports junkies, Street Rats, Casuals = Mainstream.

Channel four  put the above groups into a big group of mainstream, they wear clothes from the likes of Primark and Sports Direct. Mainstreams go against the celebrity dominated fashion world by perhaps choosing the less expensive and 'in' clothes. They spend most of their time listening to the Radio Stations, they also spend a lot of their time on the internet but using it for socialising and interaction. Keen YouTube watchers. They read the likes of OK Magazine, The Sun Newspapers and lad mags. They are also keen on sportswear, football and drinking. Although chavs come under the mainstream category, they have a more tacky fashion sense and anti-social behaviour. Ravers are the most party loving and fashion leaders. Boy Racers love cars and bass music.

 

Hipsters, Geeks, Craft Kids, Indie Scenesters = Leading Edge. 

'Classic hit makers, and youth marketing' is how channel four describe them. The leading edge are act older than they actually are. With the age grows knowledge and understanding of the leading edge group, in particular the geeks and craft kids. They also learn the wider cultural influences in fashion and also music. The craft kids are a small 'tribe' but a influential on fashion, food and creativity. They may alter there clothes through their own ideas. Have love for knitwear and art. Geeks, Indie Scenesters and Hipsters are the youth market, they have a influence of the popular culture, however personality can be hard to predict. Indies like music particularly with guitars involved, hipsters stay on the fashion trends and are often ahead with fashion, they like the newest and best selection in music media and fashion. 

Trendies, Rahs =  Aspirant Mainstream.

Open minded and willing to socialise and willing to interact with anyone. This lifestyle is mainly for girls, the Rahs are mainly free with their money. They will browse designer clothes but won't wear it, they spend their money mainly in H&M and Hollister. In terms of magazines they read Billboard and Vogue.

Members also spend big on the basics like jeans, bags and makeup. The Rahs are either loved or hated, there isn't an inbetween, they follow celbrities at the like of Peaches Geldoff.  Rahs are easy to spot with their showy fashion and shouty, braying voices, and they tend to move in big clans, dipping into urban and indie trends.

Skaters, Metal heads, Emos, Young Alts, Scene Kids, Gamers =Alternative

Members of the Alternative tribes are vaguely rebellious but don’t yet have a specific focus to rally against their parents may well have helped shape their Alternative views. They are influenced by their peers, they are open minded about fashion, they are determined to be different.They are extremely passionate about music, and spend a huge amount of time online. For them to be contacted is through social media such as facebook.

Magazine Title Ideas

To discover what I will name my magazine I decided to look at some indie female artists and look at there song titles, which I have arranged above. My next idea is to pick the top four which I think will be appropriate for a music magazine title and for the 'Indie Genre'.

 Best title ideas:

1. Body Eletric
2. Brite Lites
3. Smoke&Mirrors
4. Broken Doll 

I selected the above four out of all the contender which were all posted in the posters above, I chose the final four by me thinking which ones would fit best with the Indie Genre.

FEED BACK: However when asking people what they thought they felt because they were all songs of well known Indie musicians they thought the magazine would become to focused to a well known artist and it wouldn't be unique or individual.

I then decided to Google 'Musical Terminology' and use

thesaurus to look up 'Indie' and I then narrowed it down to two:

1. Headliner
2. Flipside 

I decided to ask my class which are around the target age of the audience that I will focus my magazine on, so they all had to tick one out of the two suggestions and the majority wins the name title:

Therefore, the title of my music magazine is Flipside.

Initial Planning



This shows the research and initial ideas that I have for my whole project, this gives me guidance in which I will follow, it will be a step to step guide on what needs to be done. This allows me to follow some research pattern so I ensure that every aspect that needs to be covered is covered. Also should give me a rough idea on what needs to be done first in order to do other things in the later part of the project. It also creates time management skills in order to show what needs to be done by a certain deadline. Overall it should prioritise  things.