Introduction

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.

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

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

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

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.

Sketches of front page, contents page and double page spread

I like the first sketch of the front page that i drew, as it relates to other music magazines and it also follows a similar layout to music magazines, whilst being different at the same time.
I like the second sketch of the contents page that i drew as it is very full, and the first sketch looks a little bit empty for a contents page, whereas the second one emphasises the amount of content that the magazine has inside.
I like this layout of a double page spread better than the other sketch of the double page spread as the other sketch follows the layout of other media products a lot, whereas this one has a variety of style as well as being easily distinguishable as a double page spread.
I like this sketch if i was to do a dedication of a whole magazine on an artist, but i feel it follows the conventions of most double page spreads, and doesn't have the look of individuality that i am hoping my magazine will have.

Retake : Final Products

Retake: Q1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

There are certain rules and designs that have been used in order to create a magazine. These have turn into conventions of a magazine. In order to produce a successful magazine, I had to research these conventions in order to help me create successful media products.

The first convention which I followed in order to create my front page, was the most common convention used in creating a magazine. I placed my masthead and my puff line at the top of my magazine. This convention has formed because in order for the audience of a magazine to be able to see the magazine on a shelf, with other magazines in front of it, the masthead and puff line needs to be at the top. The puff line is at the very top of the magazine in order to entice the audience to buy the magazine.

Although I followed the convention of placing my masthead at the top of my magazine, I also challenged this convention, as I did not position my masthead the conventional way. Most mastheads are places horizontally across the magazine, whereas I have placed my masthead at an angle at the top of the page.

The reason I chose to do this was because I wanted my magazine to be seen as different and not just the same as every one else. The audience will also distinguish my magazine quicker. Another convention in my magazine was the type of shot I used for my front page. Most magazines have a close up or medium close up with the artist looking directly into the audience, this is done so the audience can feel as if the artist on the cover of the magazine has a connection with them.

For my magazine, my photo has neither one of these conventions. Instead I used a medium shot and my artist is looking to the left of her, she is also wearing sunglasses. I wanted to challenge this as I thought the image used on my front cover gave not only my artist but also my magazine a look of class.

As my magazine would be new on the market, I would have wanted to ensure that the genre of my music magazine can be easily portrayed by looking at my front cover straight away. Along with challenging conventions of a magazine, I also followed them. Another convention in which I followed was having a running colour scheme throughout my magazine.

For my contents page I followed the conventions of the layout style. I had 3 main images and then the content of my magazine was put on the right hand side.

It also had a continuous colour scheme that was found on my front cover. Although I followed the conventions, I also adapted it, as I did not include as many pictures that magazines include. I also followed the convention of adding an editors note at the bottom, I included a picture of the editor, although this is not common in music magazines, it is a convention in fashion magazines, I done this as I wanted to incorporate fashion and music together, as the design and layout of my magazine shows this.

For my double page spread, I followed the conventions of having my image on one side and on the other side I have the questionnaire. It is also spilt half way through the page, which is also another convention magazines often follow.

Retake: Q2. How does your media product represent particular social groups

My music magazine music magazine is targeted at 16-20 year olds. In order for me to represent this, I used a model who was aged 18.

I think my magazine positively represents this age group. I done this because I thought my media product needed to allow my audience to feel they have a connection to my artist. I also made my artist look very fashionable although she is only seen wearing a plain white top, the sunglasses and her make-up adds fashion to her look, and they are also readily available and are not accessories that my target audience would not be able to afford if they wanted to go out and buy them.

I thought this was important because as my model doesn’t have any connection with my audience through her eyes, they need to be able to relate to her or feel as if they can. Whereas some magazines represent wealth within their image through the clothes and props the artist is wearing. Another way in which I made my artist represent my audience is by wearing braids in her hair, in doing so she was representing not just African/Caribbean girls, but African/Caribbean females as a whole she is showing that her ethnicity is an important part of her character, and also allows other females of these ethnic background to feel comfortable with this. Unlike some other magazines that just boost an artists appeal and look, and does not help their audience feel they can relate to the artist.

My magazine is targeted at more urban social groups who appreciate the r&b music genre. My contents page also has another girl and a boy who also represent this ethical background with the way in which they look.

They do not represent wealth, but health. I decided to do this as there are not many magazines that don’t emphasise the meaning of good wellbeing and health, and this is shown in my magazine, as well as showing a passion for music and fashion. Although the boy featured in my contents page is not seen to be wearing a lot of chains or have grills in his teeth which many rap artists do, he is representing those who have a passion for music and people with talent, without expressing his success through his wealth.

Retake: Q3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why

The publishing company I chose to research into was IPC Media.

This publishing company publishes over 90 different magazines. IPC Media is known for magazines such as NME, which is a rock genre magazine, and many other very well known

household magazines such as LOOK and Marie Claire.

I believe that my magazine would do well for this publishing company as it is not within their already wide-set audience. I would think that NME’s target audience would be that of university students who come from the middle class family. My magazine has a target audience for urban youths aged from around 16-20, with no set class of the family of which they come from, and as the age gap is not very big.

I think this will benefit the company as it will have a more selective target audience and can then be based within one county of England, I would chose my magazine to be based in London as it is the capital and the youths within this county have a very diverse sense of style.

Another reason my magazine would benefit IPC Media, is my magazine is based upon new urban UK music, with a bit of American music chucked in. This would be a good investment for IPC media as it will connect to the other big music magazine that they publish NME without taking any of their audience. I say this as they would both be magazines on UK music, but they would have two completely different genres within UK music. As NME is more a rock/metal kind of magazine with features of different genres, my magazine is based on urban music, such as UK Grime, Funky house and some Hip Hop and R&B. So this would enable IPC Media to reach out to both ends of the UK music spectrum.

Also IPC Media say that there target audience for there men and music magazines are aged from 18-34. NME is also targeted for more the men audience, whereas my magazine is targeted towards both genders, so although my age group is smaller I am targeting both genders so it then opens up the audience more.

I would distribute my music magazine in newsagents and WHSmith’s within train stations and hospitals. I would also distribute my magazine within selected youth clubs and colleges which would change every month. I would do this as I believe it would come across to my target audience strongly. The reason I wouldn’t distribute it in WHSmith stores other than in train stations and hospital is because my target audience wouldn’t really go there on a regular basis, and a corner shop or newsagent is much more accessible to my audience that a WHSmith store.

I would also distribute in different youth clubs and colleges as I believe it would receive more interest and would then capture the audience much more quickly, well in comparison to giving the magazine time to distinguish a strong audience

Retake: Q4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

My target audience is aimed at 16-20 year olds who are genuinely interested in: music, fashion and getting somewhere in their life, such as those who are attending college, or are doing an apprenticeship or have a job which they are aiming to specialize in .

The reason I have decided I wanted these type of people as my target audience is because I would like to believe my magazine would be inspirational to the readers my magazine acquires. Also as it would be a great opportunity to give those who have something they are aiming for in life, the help that they need.my target audience also have to be interested in music, and for 16-20 year olds, music can be a major part of their lives, for example in my target audience there will be some students who are undergoing the stress of exams and also doing work for school/ college or university, music could be a way for those who are undergoing these stresses to relieve themselves, and that’s where my music magazine comes fits into my target audience, as I will be providing them with the latest news gossip and music events, that will help them enjoy their leisure time.

I have targeted my audience towards those more urban Londoners, this is because London is a multi-cultural city with a high interest in fashion, and as fashion is incorporated through music, I thought it would be a good idea to ensure my magazine held this for my target audience, as they would have an interest in this especially due to their age group.

My target audience doesn’t have a set gender that my magazine is targeted at, and due to the fact that I decided to that my target age group would be relatively small, so in order to capture as much of an audience as possible I thought having a unisex magazine would be more beneficial for my magazine