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.