Music Magazine

Music Magazine Analysis.

I think my magazine relates to other magazines in the way that it is interesting and original. It is not simplistic. For example, the contents page has a very complicated background which took me some time to develop and create one I liked. However, I think that a complicated magazine is better than some of the more simplistic ones which are around, though others may say different. I think that a complicated one is more likely able to catch the attention of someone than a simpler one. My magazine gives information but also takes into account some of the more complicated aspects that link to magazine editing.

Most of the work I did was put together using an editing program called ‘Xara’. The program allowed me to be able to edit pictures, text, layers etc. However the program was mainly used for the backgrounds for each page as I was able to use various applications to get the work done to my exact liking. The language used in the magazine was not very simplistic. The magazine was created for older readers, 20-40 year olds; so I used language that would appeal to them, which would be the more complicated style of writing. The images I used were original pictures some had been taken previously, before we had been presented with the task, and others were taken for the task. For example, the background on the double page spread was taken especially for it and the sunset on the contents page was in August.

I approached the tasks in order; I did the front page first, and then came the contents page and then finally the double page spread. I think this was the easiest way to do the work as you always know where you are and what you have to do. I was presented with ‘Xara’ at the beginning of the coursework, as well as ‘Photoshop’. These two programs were the main primary tools in which I used to develop and finish my coursework.

One example of a problem I faced while developing the work was the double page spread. At first I had overestimated how much text could fit on the page without it looking too overcrowded. What I decided to do was to half the text and keep in the most important text, the questions which most people would be interested in knowing about a DJ. This then reduced the quantity of text on the page and therefore made the spread look much more appealing and readable. I feel that this experience with these programs have given me a lot more knowledge and I have learnt that the tools are not as easy to use as you may expect.

In my production I did not use any arranged pictures as I wanted to keep the work as real as possible. I used my uncle, as he is a DJ and plays where I am from, I decided to interview him. I thought this would be the best thing to do, instead of making it up, as it will be correct first hand knowledge.

In my coursework I did not arrange pictures, I wanted to keep the magazine as real as possible as it is easy to spot a staged picture and, therefore, would turn down potential consumers. Many of the pictures that have been used in the magazine had been taken before we had been set this task.

Drafting, within my projects, helped me a lot. For example, the background on my contents page is very complicated. This, therefore, took up a lot of my time getting it right. Firstly, I had to fiddle around with the pixels on the ‘Party till sunrise’ banners. I needed to allow as much of the sunset to be shown as possible but I also wanted the writing to be shown as well. Also, for the double page spread. First I had to find two decent speakers that would look nice molded together, this took time as I wanted to pick the best two. I also wanted to allow the background to show, but there was a lot of text. I wanted the background to show because I thought the picture was very calm and went well with the text, coinciding with it. In the end, I had to delete some text of the page to allow space for the background to be seen. This, obviously, took me along time to construct and match everything to both pages.

I managed my time by working on at least one part of the coursework at night. This gave me time to complete the work to a decent standard. We also had lessons in which we would do it in so I would essentially get double the time to do it in which was a very big benefit to me. I did not start for around 2 weeks after being set the work as I was collecting pictures and planning out my ideas.

We were given ‘Xara’, which is a tool that allows you to be able to edit pictures and basically create the magazine for you. The utensils that we were able to use on the program gave us everything we needed to complete the work.

I do not think that there were examples of technology obstructing the creative process in my case as the program I used gave me everything I needed.

The ideas came from previous experience. I have worked, lived and relaxed with people of all ages and I began to build a general insight into how they work and what they would enjoy and read in a magazine. In my opinion I believe that I have created a magazine with articles that my target audience would read. I feel that comparing to the school magazine I have learnt a lot more about what would be attractive in a magazine and wouldn’t. I have learnt that there is much more you can experiment with and use to develop the magazine.

the audience feedback was surprising, some of the articles that I was planning to use did not go down too well with the audience. Some of the people that had done the questionnaire gave me some example to use in the magazine and told me what would be a good idea to incorporate. However, I personally feel that this is a good thing and that I could expand on this and change my magazine to suite the likes of the audience.

I think with this magazine I have appealed to certain social groups. For example, techno lovers could be part f one group and rock lovers apart of another.

My magazine has excluded the much younger and much older generation. I have done this because I feel that those types of ages will not understand or really be bothered about the kind of articles that are in the magazine. My magazine has been created for 18- 35 year olds. I chose these ages because these would be good ages for potential DJ’s to begin their careers.

Double Page Spread.

How does your music magazine relate to existing examples of these media forms?

I think my magazine relates to other magazines in the way that it is interesting and original. it is not simplistic, foir example, the contents page has a very complicated background which took me some time to develope and create one which i liked. However, i think that a complicated magazine is better than some of the more simplistic ones which are around, though others may say different.

contents page

front cover