This document outlines the planning and design process for a magazine called "Sound" aimed at young adults aged 16-25. Key details include choosing a name that relates to music, selecting fonts and colors inspired by other magazines, taking original photos to feature, and designing the cover with an eye-catching image and text. Distribution is planned through Bauer Publishing and the intended audience is described as interested in alternative music across both genders. Learning experiences included using software like Photoshop and InDesign, as well as showcasing work through a blog and Flickr.

1. Briony Miller AS Media Coursework

2. Making The Magazine Alternative genre My own Photos Aimed at young Influence from Adults 16 – 25 other magazines Made using Photoshop and Unisex In Design!

3. Using conventions of a real media product - NME- Click NME logo for link to their website.- I used NME as the target audience and genre is very similar to the music magazine I am creating.- I have analyzed a cover to see what makes the magazine successful. - I have researched bands who are popular currently and fit in with my genre, featuring them in my magazine along with fictional groups. - I have used NME layout to assist with my cover, contents and double page spread.- I have looked into their style of photos to see what looks professional and what would fit in with my genre - Fonts and colours which work well together and their connotations.- I looked at the style of writing/articles which will interest readers.- Page layout is very important and therefore I have taken ideas from NME

4. Name Base – I like this name as it relates to the music instrument ‘bass’ but with an alternative spelling, making it a bit different and more interesting. Although I decided against choosing it because its too plain and not exciting enough. Rock Vibe – I think this name has potential, its straight to the point, telling the reader what genre the magazine is; but I am not using it as I don’t want rock to be my main genre of music! Unplugged – The word unplugged makes the magazine sound quite raw and edgy, which I like, but I don’t feel that its music relate enough and therefore I wont be using it. Sound – I have chosen to title my magazine ‘sound’ because the reader will know straight away that its music related and it rolls off the tongue easily. It’s a powerful statement, a bold title which will work well to grab the readers attention! I used an online thesaurus to find words which were music related, inputting a word and finding more interesting outcomes of the same meaning. Looking at real magazines, they all seem to use short, straight to the point titles; and this name fits in well with other magazines out there.

6. Limited colours

7. Readable font

8. Simple designFor my magazine ‘SOUND’ I have chosen a font comparable to ‘Kerrang’, called Base02 as I think it stands out as well as being quite edgy and alternative (like my genre of music). The font looks ragged and rough, almost like a piece of smashed glass, surrounded by its shards which is similar to the Kerrang logo. Its a sans serif type face, which i feel is more suited to a younger audience. I browsed the sitewww.dafont.comIn order to find a font which was original and different from others, choosing from thousands which were all categorised. I have chosen it to be in burgundy as it matches the photo on my cover and also I think its quite bold and unisex! I’ve put it in at 110pt in order for it to stand out and make a real impression on the reader. Also I have edited it in Photoshop, selecting a unique colour and giving it a black 2pt stroke to make it slightly more edgy and bolder. I think it now stands out more and shows up against the rest of the text and background. SOUND

9. Colour Click colours for links Blue Peace, tranquil, water, confidence, sky, summer, sea Black Power, wealth, elegance, sad, evil, death, funerals, fear, scary Red passion, desire, power, love, fire, blood, danger, stop, anger Yellow joy, happiness, optimistic, hazard, spring, summer, birth, unisex Teal Sophistication, money, trust, devotion, spirits Orange Joy, tropic, enthusiasm, creativity, success, endurance Burgundy Wealth, success, mature, power Pink Love, romance, joy, sweetness, affection, devotion White Safety, cleanliness. Purity, light, goodness, virginity These are some common colours and The ones I have chosen to use. For my cover and contents page I have stuck to a three colour scheme using only black, white and a deep red. I have chosen these as it seems a popular option in the magazine industry to use black white and one or two other colours, and I want my magazine to look like a real media product. I chose the burgundy as it matched my main cover image, also I don’t think its too feminine or masculine, keeping to my target audience. I have made a similar choice for my double page spread, using black and white as they are easy to read and I’ve also used a purple. I used this colour as again it matched my images, but also the article is about a female singer and it seemed to suit her style! I’ve used it for headings, boxes and also to break up the large chunks of black and white text!

10. Photos See my photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/48156412@N04/sets/72157623565838884/ I have taken all the photos for my cover, contents and double page spread as required by the exam board. The majority are photos I have taken at college for the purpose of the magazine, but I have also incorporated images I’ve taken from seeing live bands in the past, because they suit the style of the magazine! I created the flickr account especially for the project, as an easy way to store my photos online for everyone to see, whilst using modern technology. I looked at other popular music magazines for ideas on how my models should look e.g. clothing, hair, set, poses, facial expression. I think the main part of the photo is that the model is looking at the camera, and I feel I have achieved this is the majority of my images. Click NME and Q for real cover shoots.

11. Cover Image Original I chose this photo for my cover as my model Sarah is making eye contact with the reader, but also she looks interesting and secretive; as if she has something to tell the audience which could be revealed inside. The clothes she is wearing also works well for my genre, along with her hairstyle and makeup, all quite fashionable and wearable for everyday readers. Edit I have edited this photo for my cover because I think the original was slightly dull and dark. I have upped the brightness and contrast on Photoshop, making the photo lighter, along with enhancing her hair colour and defining the blacks! I think it makes the imager sharper and a lot more fun, the colours now stand out and its generally more upbeat. I think this photo is similar to those seen on real music magazines. Sarah looks like a up and coming artist who is relatable to the readers but also looks very confident like a singer due to the rich colours and cheeky facial expression.

12. Contents Images Grace: I have chosen to use this image for my contents page because its a clear, natural close up. I've put in on my contents instead of my cover because she is not making eye contact, but I think this can be good sometimes as its more unique and doesn't give her personality away. I asked her to look away as lots of photos in magazines use this style as well as full face shots. Tom: I think this makes a good image for my contents page as he looks like a guy from a band, right hair and image for the style of my magazine. Also he is making eye contact, connecting with the audience. The lighting in the image is nice and bright, clearing showing his features and making him stand out from the background. Pendulum: I took this image in November 2008 at a pendulum gig – Portsmouth guildhall. I have chosen to use it as I think the image is quite clear and shows the bands name as well as a nice atmosphere. Also I think the band and stage show up well in comparison to the audience who seem to be a silhouette, with the band name in bold lettering.

13. Double Page Photo

14. First Second Third Double Page Images

15. Cover Elements Magazines often advertise certain issues as ‘specials’ to draw customers in, making them feel like they are getting something extra for their money or it may specialize in something they are really interested in; therefore adding extra appeal. I have used this technique by including an ‘ultimate playlist from the last 10 years’ in my magazine, I think this will attract a wider age range in the audience e.g. slightly older readers who are more attracted to older music. I have mentioned this again in my contents page, making it clear that it’s a ‘special’ issue. All magazines have a data, price and barcode on the cover, without this it looks unprofessional, it’s a key element of any magazine. I researched the price of other popular music magazines and they are all relatively similar: Mojo - £4.50 NME - £2.20 Q - £3.90 Kerrang - £2.20 I have chosen to keep mine similar to these at £2.45 so its in the middle of the price range. I don’t want too make it any more expensive as I think it will lose out on customers especially in this recession, and I think £2.45 is a suitable price for a good quality magazine.

16. Cover Lines All magazines have cover lines advertising articles inside that issue, usually ones which will attract the attention of readers, therefore I have used this convention and included them on my magazine. My cover lines are as follows: Sarah Bird; Second Album Success This is my main text as it is the largest and fits with the image on my cover of Sarah herself. I have used bold white writing with a black stroke for visual impact, with a contrasting red for the second piece of information. The cover line explains very clearly who the feature is about, as well as promoting her album which is then featured inside the magazine. Exclusive; Florence breaks downs “chaos! Arghh!” The word ‘exclusive’ makes the article sound like its belonging to you as the individual which attracts readers, making them feel unique. Its written in red to grab eye attention as well as caps locks, stressing its importance. I have written ‘full story on p.12’ which tells the buyer there is more inside, encouraging them to make a purchase. The Revolution Starts Here; Biffy Clyro This is my second largest cover line as its about a extremely popular alternative band which I think my readers would be interested in and would want to read the article which follows. There new album is called ‘The Revolution’ which is why I have used this tag line, a play on words (pun) which is fun for the reader as well as being quite catchy.

17. Social groups There are a variety of social groups represented in my magazine, but all based around the same age range; teenagers and young adults of both sexes. I think my magazine represents these social groups in particular ways: Photos The photos I have chosen to use are of people in the same age range as my target audience, which makes it relatable and appealing. The clothes they are wearing and their appearance communicate the alternative genre and also I have used both male and female models to appeal to both genders. They are also quite professional and well edited to make them more mature. Colour Scheme The colours I use represent my social target as well because they are gender neutral, a lot of black and white with colours like red which aren't associated with either guys or girls unlike pink for example. Also they are quite mature, I haven't used lots of bright, miss match shades which make the magazine look younger. A simple selection appeals more to a modern adult audience. Cover Text The bands and phrases I have used represent my social group because they are current, popular artists who fit well with my genre and the alternative style.

18. Distribution I would like Bauer Publishing Group to be the distributor of my magazine because it’s a largely known institution; with over 80 influential brands on its books, including Q and Kerrang which are two of the UKs most popular music magazines. They offer publishing in over 15 different countries, as well as owning a group called Bauer Media which involves TV, radio and internet. This means Sound would not only be a magazine, but could have a website, radio station and maybe be even a TV channel like NME. With the company owning so many flourishing magazines, I think this would give Sound a good chance in being successful. Also they could use the other magazines to advertise Sound and draw in customers before launching it by itself. Link to site

19. Audience The audience of my media product will be young adults and teenagers, 13 – 25 year olds roughly, but of course their will be buyers outside this age range! I have chosen this age category as they are most likely to buy magazines and also I feel that me being this age gives me an insight into what would appeal to the audience. I think the elements I have used fit the target, its very contemporary and young and you can see this by the images and text used on the cover. I have chosen to aim it at both sexes which really widens the audience, drawing in more readers! Again you can see this through the design and the magazines components, keeping it unisex, careful not to rule anyone out! The genre of my magazine will also heavily influence my audience because if you are not interested in alternative music, you are not likely to invest in this magazine. Although ‘alternative’ does cover a lot of styles, old and new as we know from this issue which has music from the last 10 years. I think because I have chosen a broad genre, it should appeal to more people and consequently widening my target audience.

20. How to attract audience

21. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? In design Photoshop Blog flickr

22. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? What layout works Colour Images – light, eye contact, 3rds Attracting audience How to use programs – in deisgn Blog shows progress