Prelim, planning & research

1. OCR Media Studies – AS Level
Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media
Planning & Research
Name: William Hennegan
Candidate Number: 3057
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number:35421
Set Brief - Print
Music Magazine – Production
Preliminary Task Progression and
Planning & Research

2. Section 1) –
Preliminary Task

3. Preliminary Task Progression–
Evidence
Front Cover
Step-by-step
To start, I changed the
colour of my
background by
creating a new shape
and using the gradient
tool to change the
colours at the top of
the page to white at
the bottom of the
page.

4. I then added the masthead
(Friday Club) and strapline using
the text ,resize and colour pallet
tool. The font was ‘Market Deco’
and was taken from dafont.com. I
then coloured it yellow and added
a Black stroke around the outside.
http://www.dafont.com/market-
deco.font

5. I then added my main image.
I used the quick selection
tool to take a basic outline of
my subject. I then pressed ‘Q’
and used the brush tool to
select a moor accurate
outline of my subject to
maintain a higher quality
image.

6. I then created a circle,
filled it in yellow, added a
black stroke and then
added text using ‘Market
Deco’ and filling the text
in with the same Navy
blue used in the
background.
http://www.dafont.com/
market-deco.font

7. I then created a barcode. I
created a white square, filled
it in with an image of a
barcode. I then added two
social media logos after
resizing them (Twitter and
Instagram). After this I
added three text boxes with
black text (Issue 1, Dec 11,
£3.99). Finally, I added the
mast head above the
finished barcode, coloured it
yellow and added a black
stroke.

8. I then added a stripe in the
header to create a banner
and coloured it in the same
yellow as the mast head. I
added the school logo to the
top of the page, using the
ruler tool to make sure it was
central. Finally I added the
Magazine’s URL address to
the magazine’s website.

9. I then added a slogan to go
behind the main image and
in line with the masthead. I
made the font the same
colour as the masthead. I
then added a rectangular
shape, made it the same
colour as the mast head and
added a black stroke and the
navy blue text expressing
“exclusive” and gave it a
black stroke.

10. I then added a group of
cover lines on the left side
corresponding with the
content expected inside the
magazine. I coloured the
text in with yellow, gave a
select few of the texts black
strokes. I then added
smaller images relating to
these coverlines.

11. Preliminary Task Progression–
Evidence
Contents Page
Step-by-step
I first started by
creating a gradient
effect over the
background. I then
changed the colour
to Navy Blue,
transitioning to
white.

12. I then added a mast head by using
the font ‘Market Deco’. The text
reads “Friday Club Contents”. I filled
the text in yellow and added a black
stroke effect. I then created my
editorial using the shape tool to
create a yellow rectangle with a black
stroke at it’s edges. I then added my
details at the top using the same font
as my mast head and it consists of my
name, job (Editor), magazine I’m
associated with (Friday Club) and my
email address. I then added the date
of release and the issue number in
the same font as the masthead. I
then added an image of myself, using
the ruler tool to measure were I
placed it and then created a short
written editorial explaining the
purpose of the magazine. Finally, I
added my signature. At the bottom
after the text.

13. I then added the website and
social media links at the bottom
of the page as well as the page
number. I then added another
rectangular shape, coloured it
yellow and gave it a black stroke
so it matched the editorial. I then
added another rectangle,
coloured it the same navy blue as
the background’s upper left-hand
corner and with a white stroke. I
then duplicated this layer twice
and added text boxes, using the
Market Deco font and coloured
yellow.

14. I then filled the yellow bow on
the left with the contents of the
magazine using the font Market
Deco, coloured navy blue. Using
the ruler tool, I was able to place
this text in line. I then used the
same font and colour and added
the page numbers using the ruler
tool to keep it in line with the
previously mentioned text on it’s
left. Finally, I added an image of
the mast head in the space above
the editorial, using the ruler tool
and added a black stroke to the
out stroke.

15. Section 2) – Log Book

16. Music Magazine – Genre research
• The most popular music genre currently according to
https://www.statista.com/statistics/276213/genre-distribution-of-music-
album-unit-sales-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/ is pop music (35.1% of all
sales). The second most popular genre however, was Rock (32.6% of all
sales).

17. Established Magazine for my Research
Mast head: the
magazine’s, official title.
Usually placed at the
top of the page. This is
the most recognizable
item on the page.
Sub Headings:
larger titles that are
eye catching and
appealing to the
target audience,
using recognizable
names and
captivating language.
cover lines:
smaller titles
that connote
the content
inside of the
magazine.
Main image: the
image in the centre
of the magazine.
Usually a medium,
close-up shot.
Barcode: includes the
price, issue number,
serial number and a
specific barcode. This
information is vital to
the magazine.
Puff promotion:
gives collectors and
readers a reason to
purchase multiple
copies of the
magazine, creating
more profits for the
magazine's
publisher.

18. Target Audience – this magazine is aimed towards capturing people in their mid twenties to
thirties, who recognize the artist on the front cover. The genders of those who buy can be either
as Noel Gallagher was a part of oasis, a band with multiple men and women following their
influence. The people who purchase this issue are assumed to be from the UK as although oasis
was famous, the majority of there recognition comes from English fans. These features are under
Hartley's seven subjectivities, these are seven key factors that can determine who will read the
magazine.
The magazine informs its readers that oasis or Noel Gallagher is still active and that they are
being interview or mentioned in this edition. personal indication. The magazine cover can show
the target audience what they want to see, creating a distraction for the reader and giving them
comfort and more reason to purchase the issue. The reader builds a personal relationship with
the audience and makes them more likely to purchase the magazine. These features are known
under Katz’ uses and gratification theory, these determine the priorities or personality of the
target audience.
The fans and target audience are assumed to be “explorers” rather than care givers or survivors,
although, the indie rock scene has had performers and artists who were considered “social
climbers”. These features are known as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, these are used to create a
stereotype for the company to follow and market to.
Target audience

19. USP
The USP is the unique selling point, this is the main factor that
decides whether or not someone purchases your magazine, it
also decides what makes it stand out from the other magazines
of the same genre. For example: Q magazine’s Noel Gallagher's
cover showing a well recognized icon to attract target audience
members. The colour scheme is also effective, the calm blue
mixed with bold reds and black create a specific, abstract
atmosphere and style to the front cover. There is also a small
icon saying that there is another cover for collectors to purchase.
This adds another unique selling point as fans of the magazines
may attempt to purchase more than one copy of the magazine,
increasing profits.

20. Publisher research
http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/brands/q
A commonly recycled quote on the website is “Q is the ultimate guide to
modern music, distilling it down to the good stuff. Well respected by artists
and labels, we have unrivalled access to modern music’s biggest names.”
Readership profile of the magazine – C1 (supervises, nurses, etc.), C2 (manual
workers blue collar and maintenance) and D (semi-skilled and unskilled
workers). Noel Gallagher is also featured on the front of the magazine in a
mediums shot, attracting more oasis fans and perhaps younger high flying
birds fans.
Their magazine is featured in most good corner shops and news stands,
however, these retailors are unspecified.

21. Conventions of a Music Magazine
Mast head: the
magazine’s, official title.
Usually placed at the
top of the page. This is
the most recognizable
item on the page.
Sub Headings:
larger titles that are
eye catching and
appealing to the
target audience,
using recognizable
names and
captivating language.
cover lines: smaller
titles that connote the
content inside of the
magazine.
Main image: the
image in the centre
of the magazine.
Usually a medium,
close-up shot.
Barcode: includes the
price, issue number,
serial number and a
specific barcode. This
information is vital to
the magazine.
Puff promotion:
gives collectors and
readers a reason to
purchase multiple
copies of the
magazine, creating
more profits for the
magazine's
publisher.

22. The magazine I am studying is uncut and the cover features Kurt Cobain. The
assumed age of the target audience are late teen agers and adults through
there twenties, majority male, C2 D and E class. The target audience are
assumed to wear vintage style clothing and charity finds.
The USP on this cover is the photograph of Kurt Cobain, because he is so well
known amongst rock and grunge fans and became the face of rock in the
nineties it will attract fans of the genre to buy the magazine.
http://www.uncut.co.uk/

23. Publisher research
http://www.uncut.co.uk/
The publisher for this magazine was time ink UK industry that focus primarily
on uncut magazine and the head of publishing was Mr Jo Smalley. Their
slogan is: the home of great, timeless rock music.
The assumed Socio-economical status of the target audience is C2 (blue collar
workers and) at the most, D (low pay) and E (unemployed and students).
Current global offices are stationed in: New York city Metro, Amsterdam,
Bangalore, Birmingham, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Seattle, SF
Bay Area, Stamford, Tampa and Farnborough to name the highest prioritized
offices.