I am going to be doing a textual analysis of a music magazine front cover and a music magazine double page spread. This will help me when I am producing my own work which will consist of a music magazine; front cover, contents page and also a double page spread.
I will then move onto doing a questionnaire as part of my audience research as this will help me define what my audience would like and will help me if I get stuck with my ideas for any of my music magazine components.
After I have completed my questionnaire I will comply graphs showing my results which will then point out the percentage of my results and what my audience would prefer. After I have done this I will then start to do my draft layouts, which will consists of my magazine front cover, contents page and then my double page spread, I will get my ideas from past magazines and also things that I am attracted to when considering things such as the font and colours.
After I have composed my draft layouts, I will then start taking photographs which will then be used in my final product. After I have completed my final product I will then evaluate my work.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Textual Analysis Front Page Spread
Front Cover Textual Analysis
The company name VIBE magazine is being shown boldly on the top of the magazine. The masthead of the magazine complements the magazine font and the picture which is shown on the front cover of the magazine. The background colour of this magazine cover is light which also make the title stand out also helps the heading to stand out. On this magazine the photgraph of the ex couple Bow Wow and Ciara who are both Hip-Hop and/or R&b artists. The photo is a medium long shot visibly showing the couple siting comfortably yet poise on a lilac sofa. Both artists are looking directly at the camera, yet Bow Wow’s facial expression is more teritorial whilst Ciara’s facial expression is happy. They clothing that both artists are wearing is quiet casual. Bow Wow wearing a shirt with a vest underneath with jeans and ciara wearing tracksuit bottoms. It also makes it clear that they are a couple as it says Bow Wow and Ciara in red then underneath it says kiss and tell in the same colour as the title. Ciara is also wearing a tracksuit that is the same colour as the title, as is Bow Wow, his shirt has stripes which is the same colour as the masthead.
The colours and the setting of the magazine also shows that the magazine is discussing a couple as the colours are, what is said to be queit romantic, the couple are siting on a lilac sofa which looks, in a girls perspective, pretty. This also emphasises the couples love or lust for one another. The masthead colours and coverlines are either in a dark pink or pinky-red colour, which also emphasises that the issue is focusing on the couples romance and the colours help the readers focus on the romance that is being set in front of their eyes. Bow Wow’s non verbal communication connates that he is the one in charge of this relatiponship
The company name VIBE magazine is being shown boldly on the top of the magazine. The masthead of the magazine complements the magazine font and the picture which is shown on the front cover of the magazine. The background colour of this magazine cover is light which also make the title stand out also helps the heading to stand out. On this magazine the photgraph of the ex couple Bow Wow and Ciara who are both Hip-Hop and/or R&b artists. The photo is a medium long shot visibly showing the couple siting comfortably yet poise on a lilac sofa. Both artists are looking directly at the camera, yet Bow Wow’s facial expression is more teritorial whilst Ciara’s facial expression is happy. They clothing that both artists are wearing is quiet casual. Bow Wow wearing a shirt with a vest underneath with jeans and ciara wearing tracksuit bottoms. It also makes it clear that they are a couple as it says Bow Wow and Ciara in red then underneath it says kiss and tell in the same colour as the title. Ciara is also wearing a tracksuit that is the same colour as the title, as is Bow Wow, his shirt has stripes which is the same colour as the masthead.
The colours and the setting of the magazine also shows that the magazine is discussing a couple as the colours are, what is said to be queit romantic, the couple are siting on a lilac sofa which looks, in a girls perspective, pretty. This also emphasises the couples love or lust for one another. The masthead colours and coverlines are either in a dark pink or pinky-red colour, which also emphasises that the issue is focusing on the couples romance and the colours help the readers focus on the romance that is being set in front of their eyes. Bow Wow’s non verbal communication connates that he is the one in charge of this relatiponship
Textual Analysis: Double Page Spread
On this magazines double page spread the equaled out, one page being writing, that I assume is an interview with the artist who has been photographed on the other side of the spread.The photograph of Bow Wow is a medium long shot and he is looking directly at the camera. This is a connotation that he belives he is at a point in his career where he has to show that he is serious and that he want to be taken seriously as a rapper in this genre of music, which he has been in for a very long time.Bow Wow is posed very confidently which shows that he is in his comfort zone when showing off his mascullinity. He is not wearing much clothing which is casual, and keeps within the theme of Rap, this is shown with the vest or how american would call it, a wifebeater, a hat and a chain, which although it is not incredibly flashy it shows that he is involved in the rap scene and is aware that wearing a variety of different jewellery shows that he has money and status. This picture has a lot of high key lighting and the background is all white, which suggests that Bow Wow is the main issue, that he is the only issue in this double page spread. As said before Bow Wow’s non-verbal communication is very serious and shows that whatever matter he is talking about he is not joking. The text also suggests this theme of Bow Wow wanting to be taken as a serious rapper and not a child, as it is written queit largely in the middle of the text on the opposite side to the photograph of Bow Wow, it also states above his photograph his name, which isn’t a very large font which suggests, that the magazine in which that this double paghe spread is featuring in, that Bow Wow is a well known face and that he is a very distinctive character within the Hip-Hop Culture.
Questionaire
1. What gender are you?
Male Female
2. How old are you?
16 17 18 19
3. How would you describe your ethnic origin?
4. Are you interested in music?
Yes No
5. Do you watch to music channels often?
Yes No
6. Do you listen to the radio frequently?
Yes No
7. Are you interested in music magazines?
Yes No
8. How often would you buy a music magazine?
Weekly Every Fortnight Monthly Not Often
9. How much are you willing to pay for a music magazine?
£1-£1.50 £1.51-£2 £2.01+
10. Do you listen do a large variety of music?
Yes No
11. Do you own a portable music device?
Yes No
12. Do you buy CD’s?
Yes No
13. Do you download music files?
Yes No
14. Would you like a music magazine do include upcoming concert dates and music events?
Yes No
15. Would you like a music magazine to include free posters of music artists?
Yes No
16. Would you like to include what music is in the charts?
Yes No
17. Would you like the magazine to include the latest gossip on music artists?
Yes No
18. Would you like the magazine to include a lyrics column of the number 1 song in the charts?
Yes No
19. Would you like a music magazine to include a section on upcoming artists and where you can watch them?
Yes No
20. Would you like a music magazine to include the latest fashion trends that music artist themselves wear, and recommend?
Yes No
21. Do you normally buy magazines due to who is on the front cover and how it looks?
Yes No
22. Would you like games to be included in the music magazine?
Yes No
23. Would you like the music magazine to include free downloads?
Yes No
Male Female
2. How old are you?
16 17 18 19
3. How would you describe your ethnic origin?
4. Are you interested in music?
Yes No
5. Do you watch to music channels often?
Yes No
6. Do you listen to the radio frequently?
Yes No
7. Are you interested in music magazines?
Yes No
8. How often would you buy a music magazine?
Weekly Every Fortnight Monthly Not Often
9. How much are you willing to pay for a music magazine?
£1-£1.50 £1.51-£2 £2.01+
10. Do you listen do a large variety of music?
Yes No
11. Do you own a portable music device?
Yes No
12. Do you buy CD’s?
Yes No
13. Do you download music files?
Yes No
14. Would you like a music magazine do include upcoming concert dates and music events?
Yes No
15. Would you like a music magazine to include free posters of music artists?
Yes No
16. Would you like to include what music is in the charts?
Yes No
17. Would you like the magazine to include the latest gossip on music artists?
Yes No
18. Would you like the magazine to include a lyrics column of the number 1 song in the charts?
Yes No
19. Would you like a music magazine to include a section on upcoming artists and where you can watch them?
Yes No
20. Would you like a music magazine to include the latest fashion trends that music artist themselves wear, and recommend?
Yes No
21. Do you normally buy magazines due to who is on the front cover and how it looks?
Yes No
22. Would you like games to be included in the music magazine?
Yes No
23. Would you like the music magazine to include free downloads?
Yes No
Audience Research Results: Graphs
this is a certain yes that i must include free downloads in my music magazine as their is not a single no answer, it also shows that my audience like the sound of something free so teasers is a must for my music magazine.
this is nearly an equal answer, this helps me as i can now decide to include games sometimes in a certain edition of my magazine, but not always.
this shows that my music magazine must have to look very good and also very interesting or my magazine may not be very successful.
this is another example of how up to date and interested my audience is in the latest trends and fashions.
this shows that my audience is not particularly interested in music lyrics so me including this would be a waste of my time.
this shows me that my audience is interested in what is happening within the music world.
my audience are interested in whats new, this shows that including old music or bringing back a story that has already come up would not do my music magazine much good. this shows that i must keep my music magazine not only just up to date but also shows me that i have to set trends with my music magazine.
this shows that my audience are interested in music events and shows that it would be useful including some of these dates on my magazine.
Alot of my audience download music files so i can include free downloads on the newest song in my music magazine.
this shows that the newest CD releases or single releases are not very important to my audience so i will not be concerning myself with including new CD releases in my magazine.
this is useful so i can include in my magazine free downloads for music devices and include information on the latest upgrades or gadgets. this also shows evidence that music contributes to the lives of my audience.
this helps as this means i do not have to base my magazine on just one genre or sub genre of a particular kind of music.
this shows that my audience are not willing to pay too much for a magazine which would if i was to publish my magazine affect the quality and quantity of my magazine. As i will not be able to include too much big music stars.
this helps me so i would now how regularly my audience buy music magazines, with this i would chose to publish my magazine every 3 weeks, and i also now know how up to dt my audience is with music magazines.
this shows that a new music magazine will not go amiss and should be very much appreciated.
this also shows that people are genuinely interested in music and also know what is happening within the music world, and are also aware of upcoming events and upcoming artists.
this shows that my audience is up to date with music and that the latest in music trends is vital to include in my magazine.
these results show that a music magazine will be widely appreciated and i also now know not to fully include just music storylines as they may not appeal to everyone, but the majority of my magazine will be based on music artists and music stories
My magazine will be unisex as it is almost equal in the number. So i will represent both male and females and not aim my magazine that are towards a particular gender.
As a result, i will aim my audience at older teenagers, and will try to include artists that men and women will appreciate, and include artists that are within that age group also.
Profiling Your Audience
Profiling the audience.
THE SOURCE.
RATE BASE 2008: 300,000
READERS PER COPY: 5
READERSHIP: 1,500,000
MEN: 58%
WOMEN: 42%
MEDIAN AGE: 24.9
MEDIAN HHI: $41,384
AGE 18 – 44: 84.7%
MEN AGE 18 – 44: 50.3%
AFRICAN-AMERICAN: 50.2%
WHITE: 26.9%
ASIAN, AMERICAN INDIAN, OTHER: 17.3%
LATINO: 24%
*Note: Total may equal more than 100%
As respondents were allowed to select more than one
HHI: $30,000+: 60.1%
HHI: $40,000+: 47.4%
HHI: $50,000+: 39.8%
ANY COLLEGE: 50.3%
CURRENTLY IN COLLEGE: 19.8%
EMPLOYED: 73.9%
SINGLE: 75%
The Source provides a uniquely diverse audience that cuts across all
lines. Regardless of sex and race, The Source captures the attention of
Hip-Hop fans period. This includes:
• Aspirational readers from urban inner cities
• Readers in the suburbs seeking relevance
• International readers that enjoy the freedom of expression showcased and
covered on a monthly basis.
Our multi-generational (primarily 18 –44 year
olds) audience has consistently proven to be:
Our readership is full of leaders in their respective professions and
motivated self-starters that are being groomed for future success.
• Style Makers
• Forward-Thinking
• Technologically Savy
• Upwardly Mobile
• Entertainment Junkies
• Highly Social
• Road Warriors/Traveler
• Prime Time TV Viewers
• Highly Social
• Fully Accessorized
• Rabid Gamers
• Restaurant Connoisseurs
The SOURCE is a magazine that states it captures the attention of all Hip-Hop fans regardless of race. Although over 50% of the readers African-American. This suggests that the magazine is not specifically aimed at an African-American audience, the magazine just captures more African-American readers then any other race.
This relates more to my audience as my audience is more African/Caribbean. Although I am not targeting my audience to just one specific race its just the majority of the people where my magazine would go out to is part of this race.
The SOURCE magazine is fairly equal where the gender is concerned as it is 58% male and 42% female which it more male, but it is almost equal in the gender. The age range of readers that mostly purchase the magazine is in the range of 18-44.
The Source readers are at least three times more likely than the
average consumer to spend money on:
• Fashion Accessories
• Snack Foods
• Movies, Video Games
• Automobiles
• Tailored Clothing
• Athletic Shoes
• Grooming Products
• Pay-Per-View (WWE, Boxing)
This means that the sources audience are more likely to be interested in the latest products that either be used to look after them selves or for entertainment purposes. This will be good for me when I am doing my contents page as I will be to include little luxuries that my readers may be interested in purchasing.
Although the SOURCE may be similar to what and how I would like my magazine to appeal to my audience, there audience differs in two ways to how I have based my audience. Only around 20% of their audience attends college, whereas most of my audience is still in full time education even though they are above the age where full time education is compulsory. Also the majority of the SOURCE’s audience are aged at 18-44 years old, where my audience are mainly 16-19. Another factor of the SOURCE’s audience and mine is, is nearly ¾ of their audience are unemployed, whereas with my magazine employment is not an issue. It also states the SOURCE’s relationship status in their audience and 75% are single, that also is not an issue were my music magazine cover is concerned.
http://www.thesource.com/media/2008/12/2009-source-media-kit2.pdf
THE SOURCE.
RATE BASE 2008: 300,000
READERS PER COPY: 5
READERSHIP: 1,500,000
MEN: 58%
WOMEN: 42%
MEDIAN AGE: 24.9
MEDIAN HHI: $41,384
AGE 18 – 44: 84.7%
MEN AGE 18 – 44: 50.3%
AFRICAN-AMERICAN: 50.2%
WHITE: 26.9%
ASIAN, AMERICAN INDIAN, OTHER: 17.3%
LATINO: 24%
*Note: Total may equal more than 100%
As respondents were allowed to select more than one
HHI: $30,000+: 60.1%
HHI: $40,000+: 47.4%
HHI: $50,000+: 39.8%
ANY COLLEGE: 50.3%
CURRENTLY IN COLLEGE: 19.8%
EMPLOYED: 73.9%
SINGLE: 75%
The Source provides a uniquely diverse audience that cuts across all
lines. Regardless of sex and race, The Source captures the attention of
Hip-Hop fans period. This includes:
• Aspirational readers from urban inner cities
• Readers in the suburbs seeking relevance
• International readers that enjoy the freedom of expression showcased and
covered on a monthly basis.
Our multi-generational (primarily 18 –44 year
olds) audience has consistently proven to be:
Our readership is full of leaders in their respective professions and
motivated self-starters that are being groomed for future success.
• Style Makers
• Forward-Thinking
• Technologically Savy
• Upwardly Mobile
• Entertainment Junkies
• Highly Social
• Road Warriors/Traveler
• Prime Time TV Viewers
• Highly Social
• Fully Accessorized
• Rabid Gamers
• Restaurant Connoisseurs
The SOURCE is a magazine that states it captures the attention of all Hip-Hop fans regardless of race. Although over 50% of the readers African-American. This suggests that the magazine is not specifically aimed at an African-American audience, the magazine just captures more African-American readers then any other race.
This relates more to my audience as my audience is more African/Caribbean. Although I am not targeting my audience to just one specific race its just the majority of the people where my magazine would go out to is part of this race.
The SOURCE magazine is fairly equal where the gender is concerned as it is 58% male and 42% female which it more male, but it is almost equal in the gender. The age range of readers that mostly purchase the magazine is in the range of 18-44.
The Source readers are at least three times more likely than the
average consumer to spend money on:
• Fashion Accessories
• Snack Foods
• Movies, Video Games
• Automobiles
• Tailored Clothing
• Athletic Shoes
• Grooming Products
• Pay-Per-View (WWE, Boxing)
This means that the sources audience are more likely to be interested in the latest products that either be used to look after them selves or for entertainment purposes. This will be good for me when I am doing my contents page as I will be to include little luxuries that my readers may be interested in purchasing.
Although the SOURCE may be similar to what and how I would like my magazine to appeal to my audience, there audience differs in two ways to how I have based my audience. Only around 20% of their audience attends college, whereas most of my audience is still in full time education even though they are above the age where full time education is compulsory. Also the majority of the SOURCE’s audience are aged at 18-44 years old, where my audience are mainly 16-19. Another factor of the SOURCE’s audience and mine is, is nearly ¾ of their audience are unemployed, whereas with my magazine employment is not an issue. It also states the SOURCE’s relationship status in their audience and 75% are single, that also is not an issue were my music magazine cover is concerned.
http://www.thesource.com/media/2008/12/2009-source-media-kit2.pdf
Publishing house case study
The Publishing house called IPC Media publishes 90 different magazines. The IPCs magazines reach almost two thirds of UK women and 44% of UK men – almost 27 million UK adults – while their online brands collectively reach 20 million users every month. They are known for some of their most famous magazine titles such as, NME, Wallpaper, Look, TV & Satellite, Marie Claire and Country Life. This publishing house has a wide range of magazine genres including celebrity/fashion, film, gardening, photography, sport, men’s lifestyle and women’s lifestyle.
The IPC targets almost every kind of audience there is as it has so many genres of magazines; but it mainly targets adults with all its magazines in four key audiences. Mass Market Mums & the Family, Men & Music, Upmarket Enthusiasts and Upmarket Women. There are also specific reasons for these key groups of people: -
· Mass Market Mums & the Family: - Mothers are the hub of the home. And in every home multiple purchase decisions are made by her every day. This makes mums an ideal advertising audience.
· Men & Music: - Today’s young and affluent men are discerning, media-elusive individuals who take their media on their own terms, both by content and delivery platform. IPC Media is a leading content provider for today’s man. Operating across multiple platforms and experiential events IPCs iconic brands truly connect with young men offering what they want, when they want it and provide advertisers with multiple contact points to connect with and influence, the 18-34 year old male.
· Upmarket Enthusiasts: - Enthusiasts are adventurous, busy energetic people. They embrace life for its highs, they follow their passions habitually and they seek out information and advice to enhance their enjoyment of it.
· Upmarket Women: - Confident, selective and exacting in all they do, upmarket women have a wide variety of interests. IPC Media caters for them through a portfolio of famous media brands, printed and online.
The IPC would most likely find it more efficient to target more than one audience as it has a very wide range of magazines on the market, and with so many magazines on the market IPC is able to address many different types of audience in a different and unique manner. By distributing so many magazines that meet the needs of different groups of people the IPC are able to contest with many different publishing houses in all genres of magazines, and are also able to make money off every genre of magazine.
In terms of business Microsoft portal MSN has joined forces with marieclaire.co.uk, the website from upmarket fashion glossy Marie Claire, to create a new content partnership. Through linking up with one of the UK's leading fashion brands, MSN will provide its users with expert fashion and beauty editorial directly from the desks of Marie Claire's beauty and fashion reporters. The partnership will in turn drive traffic to Marie Claire's website.Marieclaire.co.uk's content will feature in MSN's Life & Style channel, within new Marie Claire branded beauty, fashion and news sections. In addition to news, visitors to MSN will find Marie Claire's buys of the day, revealing the latest must-have beauty products and on-trend fashion.
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