Question 7: Looking back at the preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progressions from it to a full product?

I have come to know that my skills in media have developed massively since my preliminary task. One thing I have realised am improvements on is my skills in using Photoshop software. From my preliminary task, using and adapting to the properties and dimensions of Photoshop was quite difficult and I didn’t understand how it worked. This however, I believe affected my performance in constructing an effective desired magazine.

On the other hand another improvement I have noticed is getting to understand the use of codes of conventions. I have understood that following codes of conventions make a monumental transformation. For example comparing my music magazine to my preliminary task(College magazine) there is an obvious advancement between them.

I believe that Photoshop CS5 developed the quality and professionalism of my full product magazine, (Music magazine). Moreover following conventions and constructing Photoshop CS5 gave me the ability of targeting my magazine to a wider and diverse audience as well as targeting a particular type of social group where as my College magazine did not. Although my college magazine also did include a front cover and contents page, I feel that following conventions has given me the ability to produce and construct a full product which includes both front cover and contents page; in addition a double page spread.

Overall, since my preliminary task I have also learnt to use a Canon 400D camera, as I am capable of photographing and directing impressive and quality pictures.

Q6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

From the process of creating a product I have come to know that technologies these days do play such an important role within the media industry especially. Therefore I believe that technology has definitely helped me in making an effective and desired product.  The first process was that I researched example of already existing magazines on the computer in giving me an idea about what I wanted my magazine to be be about. In the same process I used an Alba SL1430 camera with a 14.0 mega pixels for my first photo shoot which were taken during my own time. The outcome of the photos did not look professional and sophisticated enough so after realising that the Alba camera wasn’t necessarily created for magazine images, I then decided to use a Canon 400D camera for all my images which resulted in great quality and effects. Although the features of the camera were hard to be familiar with, I gradually enhanced how it worked and used it in the way I wanted it to.  Most of my images were taken in front of a background which I think emulates real magazines especially music magazines.

Another technology which played an important role in the making of my product was the use of Photoshop. I used a Photoshop CS5 to construct my magazine. Once I was familiar with the way it worked it became very easy to use and handle. I therefore manipulated my image to create astounding effects. For example I utilized the spot healing brush tool into smoothing my model’s face. I also used the image and adjustment tools to affect the brightness and contrast of the image. Through these I came to know that Photoshop was a really scheming software technology which could allow you to do almost anything you desired with an image. I created boxes which were used in my contents page. Over all I realised that Photoshop was very useful in creating JPEG files which helped me in uploading images onto blogger for instance or any other sites requiring JPEG images.

Q5. How did you attract/address your audience?

I believe that I attracted my targeted audience in various ways yet in an unlike manner. I began this process through my front cover which I believe is the most lively part of a magazine. The front cover of a magazine determines whether/if the audience will pick it up aswell as attracting them. I felt that by choosing a a model who is in the same age category as my targeted audience will help in attracting a vast amount of audience as they may relate themselves to. One other tip which I used was ensuring that the model was fairly attractive and good looking which will attract people. The model is wearing clothes which represent the style of youth today and even some of them may desire to be in 'that outfit'. Although the style is quite conformist it means that it has a great possibility of attracting audience and moreover many RnB/ Hip hop artists seem to have a similar style of fashion trend going on since they have a quite specific type of style.

I also attracted my audience by staying on the focus of American RnB & Hip hop since it was generated from there. On the other hand I maintained and included the British culture by including some of the newest and popular British hit makers. In the cover line I included most recent successful  artists like Adele, Bruno Mars and Jessie J as well as offering a a great deal of receiving an album with the top 16 tracks which will call for more attention and audience.  However since Hip hop and RnB are most commonly related to dance, I ensure that I involved the latest, new, fascinating and popular type of dance called ‘Azonto’. It is very well known between young people of today especially in between the African descent youth therefore I am very certain that it may attract a lot of audience since people who do not know what the dance will want to get to know what it is.

Throughout my magazine I maintained specific types of sans serif fonts which were hollavtica, impacted, impact and coolvectica. I used them because I thought they were very unique, dominant, and powerful and pretty much about the chosen type of genre. I generated these fonts from ‘dafont.com’ and overall I used the font hollavetica for my masthead for domination, effectiveness, professionalism and attraction.  The fonts also relates back to my chosen title ‘Bass Down Low’ which connotes to be hardcore, young and quite active’.

For the colour I used a specific chosen colour code which were red, white and blue. I ensure I used these colours in most areas of the magazine because they are conspicuous and very eye catching. The colours also goes in favour for both genders equally and therefore continued to maintain equality for males and females through out the magazine process. For instance the model appears to be very masculine but the colour scheme of the masthead and some fonts used, like in the contents page represent femininity which will appeal to both genders.

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

As stated previously Bass Down Low magazine is targeting a young aged 13-20 British and American audience. The reason for that is that the history of both genres began in the early 1940’s and 1970’s in America and now Britain has helped in developing the popularity of the music genres; so I therefore wanted to include American in my targeted audience.

I decided to target such younger audience because they are more likely to be attracted to the magazine considering the colours, font, and model and because of the type of music it is. Most importantly popular RnB and hip hop artists like Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Eminem and Rihanna all began their music careers at very early stages in their life which has made them so successful. Therefore I wanted to highlight that ‘not giving’ up is very crucial and also that they could also do something with their lives.
In terms of ethnicity: although RnB/hip- hop is usually allied with black people, Bass Down Low magazine targets all races, ethnicity, nationality equally as well as genders. This is to make the magazine seem more reliable, accessible and appealing to people out there.

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

After the making of a magazine product, it is important to find a publishing house which would be able to publish and distribute the product for you.

In research of the publishing house, I have researched a number of publishing house; like Bauer and Conde Nast which might be able to publish and distribute my magazine.  However I believe that Conde Nast digital would be more likely to publish and distribute my magazine for a diverse number of reasons. Firstly, because Conde Nast market do not publish or distribute music magazines. They publish more of fashion, reality or gossip magazines like the Vogue, which is practically aimed at mostly mature middle-class women whereas the standard focus of my magazine is based on music. That suggests that there will be no competition between their magazines and my magazine. Conversely since fashion is also a part of the R&B and Hip hop scene/culture my magazine will therefore be very suitable. Secondly I believe that Conde Nast may benefit financially since my magazine will develop on attracting new customers/audiences. A massive increase of profits will take place as my product would be able to target a newer and wider audience than theirs and forms of advertisements and sponsorships may rise.

After this process I would wish to distribute my product in HMV and WHSmith. Primarily because HMV is one of the largest and popular selling music stores within the UK. Those who visit are music lovers so my magazine will definitely be suitable to be distributed in the store as it is also music based. WHSmith is also a popular retail store where it would be advisable that I distribute my product there as the shop also sells books and magazines so there is a relation.

 

Question 2: How does your Media Product represent particular social groups?

I have decided to target R&B and Hip-hop young fans and spectators probably between the ages 13 years to 19 years. The magazine is aimed at both male and females and I have done this in a specific way. For example I used a guy for my front cover and then used a girl for the contents page. I have done this to prove that my magazine could be read by both genders.  I also represented this type of social group through the colours, fonts and images used in the magazine. As the model is a male, he somehow seeks the attention of the male audiences as well as the females. He wears a black jersey jacket and a contrasting white massive headphone which explains and represents the hip-hop and RnB culture. Normally individuals that listen to these types of music genres like to use big massive headphones; also it relates to young people of these days who enjoy listening to their music in massive headphones.  Not only do the outfits make him masculine but it also reveals the history of RnB and Hip-pop artists and culture. For example Usher. My model has a similar style (casual and street) to the famous RnB artist Usher and that gives me the advantage to attract more audiences. His pose is quite controlling as he stares directly into the camera and he stands very firmly. This however suggests that normally artists of this genre are quite serious yet a bit controlling. I have made him pose in that way so it gives the targeted audiences or the social groups the “in your face” sensation which attracts them into buying the magazine.  The style of the model’s hair was intentionally perceived that way so it gives the magazine a bit of an unserious awareness as most hip-pop stars like to braid their hair, leave it in an afro so it surely links back to the popular culture and lifestyle of the RnB and Hip-pop genre.  I have also used a girl in the contents page to represent the girl audiences. Her outfit is very simple and I have done this on purposely. The necklace and earring that she wears is to represent the ‘Bling’ culture that most RnB and Hip Hop artists wear.

Double Page Spread

Double page spread

Similarly my double page spread also trailed after the conventions. I divided the article into columns so that it gives the page a professional impression, whereas the image located at the other side of the page. I included a headline and stand-first which I believe is an important convention to include since it may determine whether the audiences will read because a tedious headline won’t attract attention.  It is critical that you start with a conventional headline or title yet an influential image which tells the story of the whole article or what the article is going to be about.

Contents Page

 Contents page

In order that my contents page also followed conventions of real magazines I made sure that I divided the issues that magazine is going to cover into two categories which are ‘features and every month at bdl’. I also arranged all the issues or the features vertically to one side so that I look neat and organised aswell as it will be easier to find a page you’re searching for.
I positioned the image on the right and below it were other basics of the magazine aswell.
 I personally thought that there was no need for me to use two or images in the contents page so I decided to use one image which is ‘influential and interesting’. The font used in the contents page is separate to the front cover.                                                                         

Main Image

Main image

Another widespread convention that music magazine companies tend to use is a medium close up image. A medium close up image is an image which embraces the face, shoulders and chest of the model.  I capture and use a medium close up image because I believe it is dominating and manipulative. “it creates an illusion of being in close proximity’ with the model which gives the feeling of ‘in your face’! I directed my model into looking directly into the camera which I believe engages the audience in what the story the model is trying to portray.

cover-lines

Cover-lines

Cover lines are one of the most popular and used conventions in magazine. If you want your magazine to look appealing and professional then you must include cover-lines; and that is what I did. I included cover lines which basically outlines what some points and information that the magazine was going to focus on. I used an eye catching and different font and colour from the masthead so that it attracts my targeted audience.   One particular line will catch the attention of my audience is the one of ‘free 16 tracks from the top 40 albums’ this might definitely encourage audiences to buy the magazine once they know that some of their favourite artist and albums may be included.

 For the main cover line, I used a sophisticated font, colour and size so that it seeks attention more and therefore sells the story or focus of the magazine.

Barcode and dateline

I wanted my magazine to have the very professional look and appearance and I did this by using one of the conventions which is a barcode.  I believe that having barcode will attract audience. I placed the date in the selling line. I didn’t want it to be seen on the main cover or be a part of the cover lines. I also placed the barcode at the left bottom, as the existing magazine which I followed did.

Selling lines

A magazine selling line is briefly a small line that acts in a way of promoting the magazine or briefly explaining the focus of the magazine. This was used in my music magazine as it’s another convention that mostly used in music magazines.  Since my magazine is mainly based on R&B and hip-pop I generated a line that will sell and promote my magazine. It wasn’t necessarily a line about r&b or hip-pop but I only outlined how popular the magazine is. I mentioned what type of deals the magazine maker (bass down low) is capable of achieving.

Question 1: in what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Masthead

At the start of the project I researched a number of already existing and professional made magazines to give me an idea of where to start from. I also analysed how the products were presented and how conventions were used in order to attract the targeted audiences.  I followed and imitated the codes of conventions used in a real magazine so that my magazine I will obtain the appearance of a real magazine, which is the ‘Professional’ image.  I have come to know that the most popular convention that existing magazines have is having a large and unique masthead and also a large image of the character/model so I applied it when producing my magazine.  Dafont.com is a website where I generated my font from. I downloaded a unique yet a sans serif font so that it will stand out from others and will also proceed in catching the attention of my targeted audience. A sans serif font was used because it gave my magazine a touch of contemporary look as other existing magazines have. The only convention I didn’t use was placing my model behind the mast head because I was certain on producing a fresh distinctive magazine.