Research and Planning: Photoshoot

This is a possible image choice for my central image front cover.  The colours all create a pop effect as we have incorporated pink into the makeup and clothing. There are lips printed onto one of the models faces which connotes a fun but flirtatious effect which could also connote excitement. I had bubbles as a prop as it creates a friendly mode of address and appears fun. 

This is an image that could be used in either the contents page or in my double page spread. The colours and discs help to reinforce the brand identity due to the musical props and pop colour palette. The colours contrast onto the background which shows that they are the focus point of the image and therefore hide the faces of the models. The medium-close up shot allows the audience to focus onto the discs. In my previous magazine research medium-close ups were commonly used throughout the magazines. 

This is a possible central image for my front cover. It is a medium shot which the majority of magazines feature on their front cover. The use of the colours pink, green and yellow help to create a friendly mode of address as they connote a warmness which invites the audience in. The facial expression is smiling which connotes a happiness. The bubbles connote an excitement and freedom as they fly away. 

This is an image that could possibly be used for my contents page. It shows two people having fun and singing, which pop stars do. The lights create a club-like effect and with the discs in the background it reinforces the brand identity of the magazine. The shot again is a medium close up which is common in most music magazines. The colour yellow connotes a happiness and the red connotes a mystery and flirty effect, which is then transformed onto the pink. 

This image could be used for my contents page or on the front cover. However it appears more model-esque rather than pop star. I could use it to reflect one of my coverlines, which would be about fashion. The expression in the picture is relaxed but posed and it connotes flirtation. By using black and white it contrasts with my other images-although it could be used for 'old school' pop. 

This is image connotes friendship, happiness, girly and gossipy. It can be used to represent the teenage audience as well as the clothing and poise representing two young pop stars or fashionistas. The purple connotes mystery, luxury and wealth. 

This medium close up shot reinforces the brand identity of pop as it incorporates an Andy Warhol pop art theme. The disc stands out again as it is more luminous than the lower half of the photo.

I tried to be more creative with this photo by highlighting a certain section of the image. The colours pink and blue both connote a vibrance and pop art effect-which I took inspiration from the artist Andy Warhol. This image connotes a uniqueness and individuality.

This image is more relaxed and shows the model with a microphone. The chord has been wrapped around to create a more interesting and creative effect, rather than it just hanging down and not looking very professional. The models facial expression is fairly serious and sophisticated which may be unsuitable for a pop magazine as they are more informal.

Research and Planning: Locations

This loaction wasn't very practical as the background would reflect light very easily, which made certain patches very bright. Also the brown textures didn't link in with the pop genre and clashed with the clothing. It wouldn't have been very exciting and if I wanted to edit the background it wouldn't have been very flexible for me to do so.

This location was of a plain white wall which is beneficial for the photoshoot. The white wall would allow for easy editing and to manipulate the background colour. This would help to reinforce the brand identity of the magazine as the background can become any colour and have added effects. The wall would also provide a basic background; allowing clothes to contrast against the white and to make the models the main focal point.

This background isn't very practical as it isn't flattering or relatable to the images. The radiator would distract from the images and would cause the models to jut out from the background. This would not be seen in a professional photoshoot.

Research and Planning: Props and Preparation

I have used microphones as a prop in my photoshoot, The microphones represent someone singing and the life of the pop star. They will be used by my models who will pose with them singing or looking like they're having fun. To make the microphones more creative we decided to try and entwine the chords around each models body and use the microphone in different poses/positions.

I took this image to show the makeup that we used for preparation. We used foundation, blush, mascara and lip gloss for the main effect. We chose to use pink lipgloss and blush as it links in with the pop genre and feminist approach. Pink also connotes a fun and girly theme. 

This is an image of one of my models applying blush. I took this to show the preparation of getting ready and what photoshoots would look like before the final images have been taken.

This is an image of another model doing her hair. We chose to have a mix of up-dos and hair which was down and curly. The curliness would connote a free and girly approach whereas the buns are more controlled but also show off a pop star do. 

An image showing one of my models applying mascara. This also shows the nails have been done too. Pop stars are usually heavily made up so I wanted to show different aspects of this. 

Mock Up of Front Cover

This is a mock up of my front cover. The colours for my masthead are girly because my pop magazine is aimed towards a female teenage audience between the ages of around 16-22. Pink connotes an excitement and feminism so it links in well with the genre. Along with my central image I will include one or two more images from my photoshoot and feature a variety of coverlines. The puff will be located in a corner. 

Research and Planning: Coverlines

I will feature a variety of coverlines and articles in my magazine. My coverlines will be based on ones that I have reseacrhed in other music magazines and from my focus group. My focus group decided that chart music should be featured in my magazine as it is relatable to more people and is interesting . Also they said that I should have a mix of single and double page spreads so that it would break up the magazine.  

Some examples could include:

• This weeks top 40!
• Chart Topping Tunes!
• Lights, Camera, Action 
• How to get my style 

Colour Palette and Font Style Sheet

Research and Planning: Time Management

I am now up to date with all my work and will now start working on my font style and colour sheet. This will help me to decide which fonts I will use for my masthead and will help to develop my colour scheme. With the research I have already carried out on pop music magazines, I will find fonts of a similar style and colour. This will reflect the work that I have already carried out on researching pop magazines.

Style Sheet: Fonts and Images

These are some ideas for my pop magazine. The fonts need to be young and fresh due to my chosen genre and audience. The images in a pop magazine are also bright and bold, so I have searched for images which stand out and reflect the genre of pop.

Research and Planning: Time Management

 

Now that I have completed my pitch and have gained some audience feedback on my music magazine idea, this week I will continue developing and creating my magazine and consider techniques which make a successful magazine. I am currently up to date with my action plan as I have presented my pitch and have gained enough feedback for me to move on to the next step. Next week I will concentrate on photography and the types of images that I will include in my magazine.

Research and Planning Pop Magazines

Analysis of 'Top of the Pops' Magazine on Prezi

 There are a range of different fonts used for music magazines with a pop genre. They appear to be quite girly which suggests that the magazines appeal more to a female audience. The most common colours used for pop fonts or headings are pink and white. This connotes a fun, light and girly effect.

The images featured in pop magazine all appear to be bold and bright. This fits in with the genre of pop. Many of the central images are of girl pop stars, such as Avril Lavigne, Chery Lloyd and Jessie J. This may be because teenage girls look up to them as idols and it will persuade more people to buy the magazine. It is made unisex by featuring some boy pop stars and boy bands. The majority of images appear to be medium-close ups or close ups.

Research and Planning: Pitch Feedback

I will present my pitch to a small target group- although there are parts of the magazine which will be targeted to unisex teenagers, most of it will be targeted to girls . I will then ask them a range of questions to do with the pitch. 5-6 questions. I will present my pitch to a small target group. The target group will mostly consist of girls as my music magazine will mostly be target girls, between the ages of 16-22. However, some parts of the magazine will be unisex and I will do this by using unisex colours and incorporating male images. After I have presented my pitch I will ask the target group a range of questions, consisting of around 5-6.

1) What name do you think you be most appropriate for my pop magazine?

POP
Mix
Mix It Up
Starburst
Spin
The Edge of Pop

2) What sort of content should I include in my magazine?

3) Do you think my magazine should have a range of single and double page spreads?

4) What sort of images should I include and should they be unisex?

5) What colours should I incorporate into my colour scheme?

6) What should the mode of address in my magazine be like?

The feedback for my video overall was sucessful and very helpful. The majority of the feedback decided that Mix It Up would be a suitable name for my magazine; however, one person said Spin as it is different and unique. The focus group said that my content should include chart music as it is relatable to more people and is interesting. Also they said that I should have a mix of single and double page spreads so that it would break up the magazine. All of them agreed that my magazine should have unisex colours, however, they should be bright. One person said to stay away from blue and pink as they're stereotypical. Lastly, they mode of address should be chatty and informal due to the chosen choice of my genre.

Research and Planning:Pitch

Pitch presentation from Cfrazer101

Analysis of Kerrang! Magazine (Front, Contents and Double Page)

Analysis of Music Magazine (Front, Contents and Double Page)

Analysis of Q Music Magazine on Prezi

Initial Ideas

Initial Ideas for my Music Magazine 

For my music magazine, I want to be able to make it relate to an audience between the ages of 16-25, this is because I can relate to this audience easily as I'm in that age bracket. The sub-genre for my music magazine would need to relate to that audience bracket as well. For example, classical music and folk music may appeal more to an older and sophisticated audience. Whereas the younger generation relate more to R&B, rap and pop. Therefore I think I will choose pop genre as it holds a larger variety of artists; including, Jessie J, One Direction, Nicole Scherzinger, Ellie Goulding, Carly Rae Jepson, and Justin Bieber to name a few. This could also come across as more mainstream, rather than niche. I will also use unisex colours and incorporate both male and female images into my magazine so that my magazine will appeal to both genders.

Introduction to the Main Task

Now that I have completed the preliminary task I must now move onto the main task, which involves me creating a music magazine with a certain target genre. The music magazine must consist of a front cover, contents page and a double page spread. All images must be primarily sourced.

Week 1:

Complete and post initial ideas and develop and create a pitch to present. Analysis of music magazines that we did for homework must be posted. Post research on institution.

Week 2:

Post pitch and audience feedback and gain audience research. Begin to take photos and create a mock up.

Week 3:

Develop a front cover and a photo shoot on ideas.

Week 4:

Develop front cover design and gain audience feedback, make adjustments and complete a draft for my double page spread.

Week 5:

Begin designing a contents page and gain audience feedback.

Week 6:

Begin designing a double page spread and gain audience feedback.

Week 7: 

Finalise my magazine design and start an evaluation.

Week 8:

Develop evaluation

Week 9: 

Complete evaluation and check through my blog.