Artist Profile

Name: Hazel Grace

Music Style: Vocal, acoustic, quirky 

Influences: Kate Bush, Fanfarlo, 'Almost Everything I wish I'd said the last time I saw you' by Wakey!Wakey!, 'Lungs' by Florence and The Machine.

Album: Her debut album 'Where the arches used to be' came 2nd in the charts on the week of it's release. Her second album comes out in April. 

Her voice has often been compared to Birdy and Gabrielle Aplin's.

Cover star:

Light make up, natural, basic foundation, subtle eye make-up, lipstick.

Either flowing hair or pinned up, vintage 20's style.

Floral/vintage style clothes - her fashion inspiration comes from Stevie Nicks, Marrianne Faithfull and Pattie Boyd. 

Likes shopping in charity shops as that's where she started with her wardrobe as a young teenager. 

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With this magazine i have used contrasting colours as the green background doesn't relate to the models clothes or make-up, and i like the bright colours working together.

I have cut the cover star (Dianna Agron) out and then overlayed her onto the mast head, which means part of it is hidden. I like this effect as most well-known magazines do it due to their popularity, as everyone can recognise the magazine from the font used. I also like the black contents in the right hand third, as it stands out more than the white font on the STATE cover staring Lady Gaga. However the 'Follow' from 'Follow the Horizon' doesn't stand out enough due to the shadowing of the image. 

When completing my real magazine cover I will need to ensure the text is bold and can be easily read, as the cover page is what the reader first looks at, as they judge whether to buy it, or even pick it up. 

Analysis of an Institution

Bauer Media group

Bauer is a multinational institution based in Germany, and it operated in 15 countires worldwide. Around 38 Million magazines are sold per week worldwide and they employ around 6,400 people. Since the company was founded in 1875, it has been privately owned and under management by the Bauer family. It was formerly called Heinrich Bauer Verlag KG, abbreviated to HBV and usually shortened to H. Bauer.

Originally a small printing house, The Bauer Publishing Group has grown into a worldwide publishing and media company. The Bauer Publishing Group comprises 282 magazines worldwide in 15 countries, as well as TV and radio stations. Bauer started in the UK with the launch of Bella magazine in 1987 and as H Bauer Publishing became Britain's third largest publisher. Bauer further expanded in the UK with the purchase of Emap Consumer Media and Emap Radio in 2008 to become the UK's biggest publishing group.

They produce womens magazines such as Bella and Take and Break, as well as Q and Kerrang!, two very well-known music magazines.

Q Magazine was first published in 1986 and it has set itself apart from other magazines due to the higher standards of printing and photography, with an emphasis on style.

Bauer Media also has a radio group, and has a 50% stake in Box Television. Channels of the company include 4Music, The box and Smash Hits.

I feel that Bauer Media Group would be an ideal institution to publuish my magazine, as they are successful and have created two well-known and liked music magazines already. Also, by publishing a newer and more indie magazine, the company are targetting more genres and therefore a larger audience, which would result in catering to everyones likes.

Reader Profile

A Typical member of my target audience would be Saskia Rodriguez. She is 16 and is completing a-levels in Textiles, Photography and Art as well as socialising with friends and listening to her favourite bands and music artists. She likes finding out about new and upcoming bands as she can then introduce them to her friends, and go and see them in concert. Her favourite indie, less known bands are Imagine Dragons, Wakey!Wakey! and Bastille, although she also enjoys listening to well known, mainstream artists such as Lady Gaga and Coldplay. 
She also has a Saturday job and spends the money she earns on clothes, CD's and magazines. She usually buys magazines such as Q and Clash as they feature information on upcoming bands and have interesting articles on artists she likes. 

MARKET RESEARCH SURVEY

Click here to take the survey
RESULTS OF THE SURVEY(01/02/13):


The survey was put on twitter, i asked my followers to fill it in:



1)Because of the ratio of female:male, i can judge that females are maybe more likely to buy the music magazine i am producing, as they seem to be more interested in the process. This means i can aim my magazine at 16-24 year old females, as they will relate to the fashion side of the music industry, due to the female model on the front. I am not going to create a model who will be viewed through the Male Gaze as my music magazine is not aimed specifically at men, however, like all magazines, men can purchase it if they wish to.



2) The main music genre the audience i surveyed is Indie, with Alternative and Pre 90's coming second. This has helped me to decide that the music genre i am aiming my magazine at is the indie/alternative scene, however the layout and vintage feel of the magazine will link to the Pre 90's music members of the target audience listen to. I also gave the participants an option to specify a music genre not on the list, and folk has also been identified as a common genre, which means i can also attempt incorporating that genre into my music magazine too. I don't feel i will stick to one specific music type, as i feel that it will target more people if it focuses on new and upcoming artists of the main genres listed in the survey, as more people will find the magazine interesting, and new bands will be promoted and advertised. 

3) Because the majority of the audience have never heard of Clash Magazine, this means in their eyes my magazine will be unique, and will differ from the others out there. However, i am still basing my magazine on the simple layout of Clash, as i think it ties in with mu music theme as well as allows me to develop ideas about the model and fonts on the cover. Also, one person who was surveyed said they buy Clash Magazine when someone they like is on the cover, and this emphasizes the importance to have an appealing and bold image of a model that stands out. 

4) I included an image of my earlier Lady Gaga attempt, as that is the basic outline of the layout i will use for my final version, but i will change and improve it to make it more appealing. The opinions on the magazine have also been collected, as i asked the people surveyed to justify their opinion. The most common things mentioned is that there needs to be some form of text in the left hand third as it is too empty, and the writing on the right is too place and doesn't stand out from the background enough. To improve this, if i chose a pale background that compliments my image, i am going to use a darker shade of text such as black or dark grey, as the content of the magazine will become clearer. To make use of the left hand third i am going to include an anchored piece of text similar to the captions often used on the cover of Clash magazine. I will choose an appropriate text and make sure it stands out and is easy to read, and i am also going to choose a unique font, that won't be used anywhere else on the cover.



5) Only one person said they would spend more than £5 on a magazine, which means in order for the magazine to be successful, it would have to cater to the low budgets of the target audience, as most teenagers either have a small Saturday job, or none at all. Based on these results the amount most people pay is between £2-£3, however, most music magazines such as Kerrang! and NME are a lower quality and less high-end in comparison to the type of magazine i wish to create. I have decided to release my magazine monthly, which means i will make it more expensive, but the quantity of pages will be greater.

I am going to set the price of my magazine as £4 as £3-£4 was the second highest answer in the survey, and it also ties in the the professional, indie style i am going for.




6) I asked the audience what kind of things they want in a music magazine and these were just some of the responses. Some of the people surveyed said they wanted posters, gig information, information on new and upcoming artists, interviews on bands and new albums. When designing the contents page i will make sure to include information on the details mentioned, as these are the things that people want to read, and it will make my magazine more popular. When creating the contents page i am going to highlight these magazine features and advertise them, so the readers will know what to expect, and because the market research has told me what people like, i can incorporate these into the headings, making it appeal more to the target audience. 

Also when writing my article, i am going to use on side of the double page spread to place an image of my artist, as the readers can then cut it out and use it as a poster, which is something i have found they want from the magazine.




 

7) When asking the people surveyed what they liked and didn't like on the cover of magazines, i have found they they prefer less text and images, due to the fact they don't like a messy or overcrowded layout. However, they do want to know what they will get inside the magazine, for example a small amount of writing briefly explaining some articles and features inside. I think by using the list effect i have explored on both the Lady Gaga and Dianna Agron magazines, i will be able to provide enough information on bands and articles inside. 

Also when creating another piece of text on the left hand side to explain the cover artist, i can write in a smaller font underneath what sort of things the magazine covers, in regard to their life, music, style etc. I can either use a quote from the article, or i can use brief words to sum them or the article up.







8) When creating my double page spread i have decided to go for the interview technique as i feel it is the best way for the readers to understand and get to know the artist, and when researching and asking the audience, i have found they enjoying reading interviews. When interviewing my artist i am going to ask questions about their new and previous albums, festivals and concerts they've played, how they got to where they are now, style icons, what music they like personally, their influences, how they wrote the songs, personal life and childhood - what makes them who they are.

I am also going to include a "If you like (insert artists name) listen to (insert different artists name) as this is one comment from the survey that has inspired me to include something different like a recommendation in the article, making it more fun and also bringing other artists into it. At the end of the article i am also going to tell the readers where they can buy the artists latest single, EP or Album, and also include a picture of it. (For this i am going to create a CD cover on Photoshop and customize it to suit the name and style/genre of my cover artist, giving the magazine more depth as i am exploring the artist and their work, as well as making it look professional.

Magazine Pitch

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I have based this magazine on Clash and have attempted to use the two tone affect by using the pink background to match Lady Gaga's pink hair.
I like the simple list of contents on the right hand side and i like the name 'State' for my final music magazine as it has connotations of 'Statement' and adds a bold element to the cover.
However, after receiving feedback from an Online survey i found people thought there wasn't enough content in the left hand third, and the text on the white was too faint. 

CLASH COVERS

I like these covers because they're stylish and simple, and they use coloured background that compliemtn the image of the artist on the front. The artists images are close ups, and i love the white font that tells the readers what's in the issue. The list is classic and small, making the magazine look high-end and it also creates the vintage/classic look i want to portray in my magazine.

The magazine covers adhere to the rule of thirds, however the small amounts of text on some covers means it is more simplistic and not crowded, which is essentially what i want STATE magazine to look like.

I like the mast head and how it stands out but is still white, due to the fact the letters are bold and thick. The barcode is smaller and thinner, therefore less obvious on the front cover, and the proce and issue number are displayed underneath.

I like the use of an achored title, as 'Bombshell' and 'Soul Bearer' are catchy, and the font is unique and stands out as it is used on every cover, giving Clash magazine an individual style.

The close up of the model on the cover is also breaking conventions as usually a Mid-Shot is used, and this is why i like the cover, as it is more fashionable and model, and stands out against other magazines coveres, because of both the fonts, models and covers.

The colours are also toned and pale, yet some coveres feature contrasting colours that are bold and bright in comparison to the others.

Examples of double page spreads:

This double page spread features a large A4 image of the singers on one side, and the article on the other. A large title runs along the bottom as it relates to both pages, and the white and black fonts have been used to stand out against the background and photo.
'Sing out Sisters' uses alliteration and makes the title stick in the readers head; it is also short and sharp, giving the reader an overview of the singers. 
A caption of the photo has also been used on the left hand side, to explain who the singers are and what they're called. 
The article itself is set in clear columns that makes the format of the page easy to see. There are also inset photo's that have been used to break the page of text up, they also give the reader more information about the band, as well as something to look at other than reading the text. A colourful dropcap has also been used as the 'I' in the blue square shows clearly where the article starts. 
I like the simple layout of the pages, as the columns of the article make it look professional and also means it's easy to read, which means the audience will enjoy it more. The large photo also gives the reader something to either cut out and keep, or look at as the read the article.
The sisters have been shot in a natural pose, adn we can see they have not been viewed throught the Male Gaze, as they are younger and less mature than celebrities such as Scarlett Johansson. It also adds to the style of their singing, as they're sisters it's clear they're united and together all the time.

 
The large USA behind the image of Florence is eye catching and subtle, as it is only a few shades darker than the background, but it makes a statement about the article. The title, 'Got the Love' links to one of her songs, and fans of her music will already be enjoying the article. A small introduction has also been used, which may explain to the reader what the article is about, as well as giving extra information about the artist. A dropcap that matches the title font has been used to make the article look professional, and also it adds to the layout of the page as the readers know where the article starts. 
The article is then written in columns that are easy to read and look professional opposite the cut out image of Florence. Her black outfit matches the black title, and the red flag stands out due to the monotone background and colour palette of the page.
I like this double page article because there is a clear contrast between the dull and bright colours, and i think it is laid out professionally, and i would find it easy to read. 
Florence is sitting in quite a seductive way, as you can see her legs, and we begin to view her through the Male Gaze as the high heeled shoes and pose make her look like a sexy woman that men would prefer to look at. However, her style and look is also idealised by females, as they would want the sex appeal and look of Florence.

This double page spread features an A4 picture on the right hand side, and columns of text are on the left. A large pull out quote has been displayed over the double page spread, which reads 'I could be playing to 15,000 people at Madison Square Garden and i'd stil have a chip on my shoulder'; and this makes the readers want to find out why he would and what he is on about.

The article has been written in columns and the pull out quote separates the text and makes it easier to read.

The use of the red quote also adds colour to the page, and ties in with the colthing the artist is wearing. This adds to the colour scheme and adds an element of brightness in comparison to the black, white and grey tones on the page.
The member of the band pictured on the right hasn't been photographed in a usual studio location as the background of the photo seems like he is standing on an old car, adding to the edgy look of both the band and the style of the article. His pose has connotations of Elvis Presley (Jailhouse Rock) and this emphasizes his love for music, and possibly his inspiration for his career and life.

Music Magazine step by step:

I have used this image of Florence Welch from Florence and the machine, as it is a natural pose that reveals something about her personality,

The Header text type is Franklin Gothic and the other text on the page is font type Freehand575 BT. I have chosen the masthead font as Franklin Gothic as it uses thick lines to create a bold title that can be seen easily against the pale background. I have then used a handwriting type font to add to Florence's natural picture, and make the magazine more vintage/quirky.

Example of Contents Pages:

I like this contents page, as it is spread over two pages, meaning it is less cluttered, and more images and text can be used to show the readers what is inside the magazine.
I like the right hand page better than the left, at the images are structured and mainly parallel, not collaged - however, i think the collage suits the magazine style. 
The title of 'Contents' isn't very large, and the images stand out more, however it is clear that these are the contents pages because of the text explaining about the reviews, articles that relate to the front cover's stories and regular writers/ features of the magazine. 
There are images of singers and band members that relate to the headers and articles they are promoting, which attracts the reader to a particular article, as they know it includes and artist etc that they enjoy. The contents page also gives the readers a chance to subscribe to the magazine if they like it, which is also a common feature for most magazines. 

I like the bold title of 'Contents' on this page, as the font style is dark in comparison to the rest of the page, and this creates a focal point, letting readers know what page it is. Images are placed on the page in places where they are easily seen, and page numbers relating to articles about the artist are also shown using coloured bubbles that make the page more colourful and exciting. 
I like the list of what's in the magazine as it's easy to read, and it's also broken up by the blue and pink tabs on the page. A larger title of 'Free music downloads' grabs the reader as by reading and buying this magazine, they can get more out of it, courtesy of the article.



I like the unique layout of this contents page from Dazed and Confused as it's unconventional and simple. The reader is instantly drawn to the images in the middle, and the text surrounding the images show what's inside the magazine and the page numbers. 
The black sticker tape effect works well in contrast to the pale images and background, as it creates an edgy/arty feel. There are also small pieces of writing explaining the headers which allow the reader to find out more about a certain article or feature of the magazine. The font for this writing is similar to handwriting, adding to the uniqueness of the contents page. 
The two images of the artists/models on the page splits the text up and makes it easier to read as it is in two distinct columns; which also allows the photo's to be big enough to see and look at closely, much like the usual image on the front cover of a magazine. 

FONT STYLES

http://www.dafont.com/bebas-neue.font?text=STATE

(Masthead font)

http://www.dafont.com/neou.font?text=STATE

 (Top font for the cover lines)

http://www.dafont.com/code.font?text=STATE

(Bottom font for the cover lines)

http://www.dafont.com/ever-after.font?text=STATE

(Anchored writing)

http://www.dafont.com/basicl.font?text=STATE

(I would use this for either the large anchored writing or the small cover lines expressig what's in the magazine)

Colour Palette

These were my first ideas of what colours I should use within my magazine as they are stereotypically feminine and tie in with the initial thoughts and feelings about the audience for my magazines - females 16-24. 

I would use these colours as a background for my front cover, as I can ensure it is eye catching and bold, as well as appealing to the audience. I realise the view that it is possible to attract females with the colour pink/purple is stereotypical and outdated, however I only mean to use the background as a bright and bold canvas in which the photo of my model will either contrast or compliment. 

I will then use another colour within my models make up and/or outfit to add to the 3 colour palette, adding more tones and shades to my front cover. Skin tone will also add to the colour palette, due to my intention to include a close up mid shot of the model, so their face is the focal point of the front cover. 

White text will then be used on the front, as it will stand out against the dark and bold background, ensuring the audience can read the text and can find out what is in the issue.

Vintage/British Mood Board

BRITISH:

• Focused on British Artists 
• Colour's of Red, White, Blue - Patriotic 
• Features setting of gardens, fountains, police boxes, taking photos of a model in London, props such as teacups, old fashioned phones

VINTAGE:

• Old Fashioned clothes in the style of Florence Welch
• Aged colour's such as browns, creams, greys

Possible layout/idea for photos of model, either front cover or inside pages:

ZOOEY DESCHANEL FOR ALLURE

Examples of Magazine Covers

This cover is bold and bright due to the colors used, the limited amount of text on the cover means the focus is on Scarlett Johansson, in the style of Andy Warhol's work. By using a white masthead that isn't parallel to the image, or the text which adds to the artistic feel of the cover. I like this cover because it is unusual and the image is only of her face, not a mid shot like most other magazines.
There are no clear thirds used, however the piece of text at the bottom is off centre, but is placed on her neck so it is visible and easy to read. Not having adhered to the rule of thirds, this makes the arty image stand out, and make it seem like a piece of artwork, not a magazine - which means it's unique.
This photo suggests we are seeing her through the male gaze as her lips are slightly parted, adding to the sexual nature of the actress.

The main colours used on this cover are Red, White and blue, as Florence's hair fills up most of the background, due to the fact the photo used is a close up. I like this as it provides an alternative base colour, and the white writing stands out from the page. I like how the writing frames her face and how the title 'Q' only takes up one corner, and text about what the issue contains and the star on the front is easier to see because it is bigger.
The writing is set in the rule of third position, as it frames her face, a puff is used in the right hand third and it draws the attention to it due to the blue contrasting with the white text.
The piece of writing anchored to Florence says "i feel so alone" and this makes the reader feel sorry for her, but also we want to find out her story and understand why she is alone.
The magazine also tells the reader what else they can find in the magzine, which adds to the appeal of buying it, if they like bands or artists also mentioned on the cover. The different pieces of text on the front cover are separated by several blue lines, that tie in with the singers make up, and the puff used to market Zane Lowe. This breaks the text up more and makes it easier to read, and it also structures the page so it is neat and not messy, and the audience doesn't think there's "too much going on". 
The bar code is small and doesn't attract attention, as the eye is drawn to the image and the text.

The image of Lady Gaga stands out against the pale writing and grey background, as her hair is brightly coloured and has been placed over part of the masthead. I like the small amount of text that seems to be in the background in comparison, and i like this as it makes the image stand out even more, it almost looks 3D.
The main body of text is in the left hand third and the large plus side draws the reader in as it stands out against the background.
The masthead is covered by her hair, which doesn't matter due to the fact the magazine is well known and established, therefore readers can recognize it from only a few letters.
'How she writes pop hits' is displayed next to the image and this draws the reader in as aspiring artists may gain hints and tips for the future, or fans of Lady Gaga want to know she she works and writes her songs.