Flat Plans

Front Cover:
This is a flat plan of my front cover. I have chosen to use one image, a medium shot as it allows the viewer to focus on the costume and body language. The 'hands on hips' pose reinforces the genre of the magazine and so will the models serious facial expression. My model will be wearing in trend clothes - a bralet and suede shorts and these represent my target audience so will attract readers.
I have used many conventions from my textual research that are apparent in lots of other indie rock magazines, this makes my product look professional to the potential reader - Masthead, skyline, cover lines, image image, sell lines, puffs, bar code and a special offer. In my focus group my participants commented that they preferred a magazine to feature a sspecial offer because in this harsh economic climate they like to feel they have the chance to win something valuable and desirable.  By the use of my skyline, cover lines, main image and puffs I have created intrigue and teasers for the reader. My cover lines leave the reader interested and eager to read on, because I have used buzzwords such as 'Exclusive'. My captivating skyline 'IN THE STUDIO WITH RADIOHEAD' is positioned at the top of the page as it ensures that a reader will see it quicker than the other sell lines. Most of my text is in capitals, this stands out to the viewer, attracts the eye and screams out to the reader that it is something important. The Masthead is in a display font and most of the other lettering on the page is also, however 'the 50 DARKEST ALBUMS EVER MADE' uses a font similar to Georgia. This adds variation and it suggests the magazine readers are alternative from the mainstream and don't follow the crowd reflecting the genre of my product.  My masthead dominates the top of the page, because it is so large it is very striking and eye catching and draws readers in, this works in parallel with the bold display font.
My models eye line falls on the top third as this creates direct address with the reader and develops a personal relationship. I haven't yet decided on the 3 colour palette I am going to use, with further development and thought this will be determined.  

Contents Page:

This is a flat plan of my contents page. I have separated the page into 3 columns, with a Band Index, a photo teaser column and the Table of Contents dominating each column. A house style is continued into the contents page from the front page creating continuity. I have taken influence from NME for my contents page, for example using their Band Index column, however I have added my own unique twist with the third column and my 'on the cover' bubbles. I have used many conventions from my textual research that are apparent in lots of indie rock magazines - masthead repeated, columns, band index, images, subscription information, teasers and page numbers.
There is room for 4 images in the third column (clearly outlined in the flat plan) these add variation and break up the contents page. The artists and bands will be dressed in appropriate costume and accessories to reinforce the magazine genre and the images will all be shot in apt locations. I will make sure their expressions connote to the genre too and contribute to the edgy image of the  magazine. The images will be exciting and will add a visual desire to read the magazine in contrast with the written text in the Band Index and Table of Contents. In my focus group many participants said that they preferred a contents page that gave them plenty of information and that wasn't dominated by a whole image. All the articles featured on the cover are on the contents page, these are easily seen as I have placed a graphic text bubble saying 'On the cover' next to these specific articles. The teasers from the front page are carried into the contents page and they intrigue the reader into reading the article. I haven't yet decided on the 3 colour palette I am going to use, with further development and thought this will be determined. 

Double Page Spread (DPS):
This is a flat plan of my Double Page Spread. The main image will dominate both pages. My models body language and facial expressions will connote their passion for music unlike many mainstream acts, which reinforces the genre of my magazine and so welcomes the target audience for my magazine. My model will look straight at the camera and so to make direct address with the viewer making them feel more comfortable and on the same wave length as the famous artist. The location will be a run down petrol station which has an edgy alternative vibe to again connote to the genre of music and reinforce that it is miles away from generic mainstream pop. This location also reflects the fun loving personality of the artist. My article will be a personality profile that creates a personal link between reader and artist. It will also include colloquial but sophisticated language to make the reader feels more comfortable and less intimidated alongside plural pronouns to make the reader feel more involved. I'll also be using a drop cap as this adds style and formality and indicates to the reader that it's the beginning of the article.
The quote featured gives the article an edge and is effective as we read from left to right so readers view the catchy headline first. I have used a quotation as it gives the reader a personal insight and injects life and realism into the article.  This page continues on the House Style with the display text and the layout. For my DPS I have been influenced by the magazines I studied in my textual analysis - NME and Kerrang. The DPS I analysed for Kerrang in particular, as the image dominated both pages and featured a quotation. I also haven't yet decided on the 3 colour palette I am going to use, with further development and thought this will be determined.

Photography test shots

For this shot I have made sure my models eye line falls on the top third to create direct address with the audience. The long/medium shot allows the viewer to focus on the costume and body language. Appropriate costume is used to signify that this is alternative indie rock music and not mainstream generic pop. The black outfit suggests the artist is serious about their music and career in the industry. The facial expression is sexy but serious suggesting the artists fun loving and hard working personality. Also the hands on hips pose works in parallel with the outfit to create an image which can be seen as sexual, however in this case it suggests the model is completely in control of her future and is comfortable in her skin. I am definitely going to have a model in this pose in my magazine.

It is likely to appear on a double page spread or front page.

For this shot I have made sure my models eye line falls on the top third to create direct address with the audience. 

I shot this against a grey/white background which attracts the readers full attention to the artist - their facial expressions, costume and accessories.

I have used a medium shot as it is from the waist up so we can see the costume and body language. The costume is used to signify the genre and to reinforce that they are not part of the mainstream scene. Likely to appear on a front page or DPS.

A medium close up is used here to draw readers attention to facial features and the upper body. The serious facial expression reinforces that she is serious about her career and the music she produces, unlike many mainstream pop acts. The black costume reinforces the genre. My models eye line falls on the top third to create direct address with the audience. 

Likely to appear on a contents or DPS. 

Likely to appear on a DPS or contents page, or if It had a block colour background it could feature on the front cover. The costume reinforces the indie alternative genre that my model is part of. The hands on hips pose suggests the artist is confident, completely sure of themselves and totally in charge of their future. A medium shot is used so the reader can view the costume and positive body language. My models eye line falls on the top third to create direct address with the audience.

The costume is used to signify the genre and to reinforce that they are not part of the mainstream scene. Likely to appear on a front cover and DPS. I shot this against a grey/white background which attracts the readers full attention to the artists and they are not deferred from the background - their facial expressions, body language costume and accessories. A medium shot is used so the reader can view the costume and positive body language. I have created a pyramid here placing the smallest member in front of the two other taller members, this creates a structure and is pleasing for the eye. The two taller member's eye line falls on the top third creating direct address with the reader making a personal connection.

My other photography test shots:

Photography Analysis

Photography Research on Prezi

Audience Analysis

Audience Research on Prezi

Focus Group



Continued:



The findings from my focus group have given me many good ideas for my magazine. They have influenced many aspects of my initial ideas, such as using a house style,

a three colour palette, a design font that runs throughout the magazine, a well structured contents page, a medium front cover shot, an interesting article that includes quotations to draw the reader in and appropriate images and costume and accessories that all connote to my musical genre.

What else I've learnt from the focus group:

The main aspects of a magazine when impulse buying that stands out are the fonts, main image and the colours to my participants. They also said a house style is very important as you can instantly tell what each magazine is and each issue can be identified easily. It also adds continuity and style.

In my contents page and front cover I’ll be using teasers and buzzwords to draw in my readers into buying/reading the magazine. On the front cover I will feature an offer as in my focus group all participants said a chance to win something would attract them.

They mentioned that they are attracted to a magazine where the models eye line falls on the top third as this creates direct address and creates a personal relationship. I will make sure of this for my front cover shot. I’ll be using Quotations in the article as these also make the reader feel more involved and create a personal bond between the artist and reader.

I am going to carry out a location shot not studio for my DPS as this adds interest and it will reinforce my genre. I think it also injects realism into the page and the artists are seen as normal people on location rather than in a studio. This also reinforces the indie rock genre and shows they are not part of the mainstream trend. For the contents page I have decided from my research and focus group to have a lots of smaller images that refer to certain articles and 3 columns of information. These will all be carefully composted with appropriate costume and props to meet the needs of my target audience.  

In conclusion from the focus group I was able to further plan my magazine to fit my proposed target audience.

Textual Analysis

Textual Research on Prezi

Conclusion: