Main Task - Research and Planning

In order to create a successful magazine cover, I produced a list which would remind 
me of all of the necessary codes and conventions which should be took in to consideration when designing my cover.

• Clear/bold/large masthead (positioned at the top of the page)
• Consistent house style
• Anchorage text
• Price, Bar code, Issue number and date
• Pug
• Strap lines/Skylines/Sell lines/Bottom Strip
• Genre specific content
• Splash
• Direct mode of address
• Balance between text and images
• Imperative Verbs
• Varying font size
• Rhetorical questions
• Text boxes
• Punctuation
• Box out

The following is an example of how I have analysed two alternative magazine covers. These two examples are a different genre to school and music magazines, therefore it is helpful as it highlights which codes and conventions are necessary for magazines. In terms of the Cosmopolitan magazine, I considered how the cover featured Miley Cyrus as the main image, which would attract their target audience of females aged 16-30. With the GQ cover, Ryan Gosling has been used as the central image which is effective as the target audience would view him as a "gentleman" and therefore will relate to the magazine.

I also decided to do some research on the Institution of Bauer Media who owns Kerrang! Below, I have included the slides which I created on PowerPoint and then uploaded to Slideshare, in order to show how I have become familiar with various technologies since starting the course. I analysed the music magazine industry and then analysed 3 existing Kerrang! magazine covers and their contents pages.

I also decided to create a presentation on Prezi to show how I have selected 3 found images which could be used as my main central image for my mock up magazine cover. Alongside these found images, I have included 3 possible titles which I could use as the masthead for my magazine cover. Additionally, I included a flat plan of my magazine cover and contents page, so it makes it easier for me when designing the layout for my main product.





Here I have included print screens of the questionnaire which I designed on Word. This particular questionnaire was designed in order to gather information on the target audience of my magazine. By doing this, I will be able to find out what type of things the target audience of an RnB magazine would prefer to see on their magazine covers. 

On this questionnaire, I made sure to include various fonts of different styles and different sizes, to emphasise the choices I am free to make when designing my final music magazine. 

   

I then gave copies of my Music Magazine Questionnaire to 12 students in my school of different ages, after gathering their answers, I analysed the results through the use of Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint. Through using Excel, I was able to gain important information such as:

- The majority of pupils preferred Chris Brown as their main image

- "RealBeatz" was the most popular masthead name

- Most people wanted to see the magazine published online

Before creating my music magazine on Photoshop, I had to design a flat plan of how I would organise my cover page and contents page and double page spread.

Below is an example of my mock magazine cover of an RnB genre which I created on Photoshop.

Section B Exam Answer

What significance does the continuing development of digital media technology have for media institutions and audiences?

"Magazine chiefs urge industry change from burning platform to grow" was the comment made by Marcus Rich Chief Executive of Marie Claire. This supports the idea that in order for a media institution to be successful, the institution must fulfil the needs of the audience by having more than one media platform available, which means that the continuing development of digital media technology plays a very significant and important role in the increased revenues of a media institution and targeting a wider audience.

The growing institution of  Bauer Media is a prime example of a conglomerate institution. It proves how the use of different media platforms has contributed to the success of the business and how they have achieved the loyalty and following of their target audience. The Bauer Media website provides us with all the examples of their existing magazines and with over 80 influential brands, the institution is successful at targeting a wide range of audiences, due to producing texts based on a wide range of different genres. These genres include women's lifestyle, men's lifestyle, health, sports and music. This therefore means that Bauer, as an institution, is able to branch out to more and more people, of all ages, with any gender, from any place, as over 300 of Bauer’s magazines are sold in 15 countries. Bauer’s success is emphasised through its 2.4 million revenue, and the fact that they own 6 out of 10 of the top magazines in the UK; they are also Europe’s largest media producers.

The development of digital media technology also plays a role in creating a symbiotic relationship between the press and other industry’s. For example, a Bauer Media magazine such as Kerrang! successfully meets the needs of their target audience by creating benefits for the music industry and the music press. The target audience is drawn in to the music magazine as it promoting all aspects associated with the latest music. Realistically, the music industry would be non-profitable without the music press due to the fact that if the music was not advertised and promoted properly, then it would not be successful as audiences would not know where to find the latest updates and information on the music industry. In addition to this, the live streams on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have also allowed Bauer to gain more revenue and even more audiences as it means that people are pleased to be kept up to date with the latest news regarding their media product. Even more so, in 1996 Bauer’s 50% ownership with Channel 4 on Box Television meant that the target audience has access to their media product on television, as well as radio, websites and magazines. This multi platform approach to the production and distribution of media products is significant as it has contributed to Bauer’s success of reaching at least 22 million adults in the UK, further highlighting how much of a beneficial impact the digital media technology makes. According to the Bauer website, their institution « creates and curates entertaining media content that audiences love whenever, wherever and however they want through a multi-channel strategy and a focus on product excellence and audience insight. » reinforcing the importance of conglomerate institution and the use of digital media technology.

Article for my magazine: Chris Brown Interview

You would think that public fights with Drake, a roller-coaster relationship with Rihanna and a career damaging jail sentence would be enough to shoot someone straight out of the R’n’B lime light and into the biggest, darkest black hole within the entire music industry, right? Not for this upfront, hard faced superstar. In fact, it seems to have had completely the opposite impact. The constant attention has only attributed to his ascension to the top of the most recent charts and has resulted in his A-List antics being the topic of everyone’s conversations. Real Beatz brings you an exclusive interview with one of the world’s most controversial artists, Chris Brown.

So Chris, it has, without a doubt, been a hell of a year for you. How would you say you have learnt your lesson ?

 At the end of the day, I've realised that I am human just like everyone else. I will make mistakes, I’ll screw up and I’ll always have a negative reputation which will stay with me for the rest of my life. Serving time inside definitely taught me to cherish and appreciate the most important things in life…family, friends, food. It was truly a humbling experience. A burger also tastes a lot better on the outside. (Laughs) But honestly, it’s the finer things in life.

You say that you will have a negative reputation for the rest of your life. Yet recently, your fan base has been growing more and more, your popularity is sky rocketing. How have you been able to maintain such a loyal fan base ?

 I feel lucky and blessed to have the fans that I do. I make music to please myself personally, but also to create something which inspires and entertains my fans. The people who support you mean everything in this industry, without fans I would be a nobody. I put my music out there for people to like and love, and I always try to stay consistent with my talent. It’s important to not get confused and caught up with all the things they say in magazines. I like to think of myself as someone who gets straight back up after being knocked down, and i suppose that message is something that the fans can appreciate.

We have seen a lot of controversial drama going on between you, Rihanna and Drake in the past. How are things within the love triangle ?

 (Laughing) The love triangle? That is non-existent. I think it was a lesson for all of us and I have learnt the value of time and space. With regards to the both of them, it’s their business, not mine. I honestly think that as long as you’re doing something good, people will always bring up old stuff or negative stuff because they don’t want you to surpass a certain level or elevate. But as long as you have your head on straight, it shouldn't matter what people want to say.

What would you be doing with your life if you couldn't be making music or dancing?

 I am a very creative person so I think that I would still be somewhere in the industry. I have interests in all areas so I could be useful with fashion design, or a manager even. It’s hard to say when you feel so at peace with where you are and what you’re doing right now.

In your opinion, what is it like to be in the limelight and public eye 24/7 ?

 It is very difficult, anyone could tell you that. Nowadays it takes 3 seconds for something to be uploaded online and then suddenly millions of people all over the world can see it. I can still engage with Twitter and Instagram, but not participate in the negative side. Not everyone in the world is going to particularly love me. But I'm cool with that. As long as I love myself and my music, I'm fine. People are going to say what they want to say. I don’t look over my shoulder or wish I could turn back the hands of time. Life is a learning experience, so I'm learning as I go. I'm not walking around angry about anything. So you just have to let it be. 

So finally, what can Real Beatz readers expect from you in the near future ?

 I've been spending a lot of time in the studio recently working with a number of talented people. I am hoping to make the new album go off the chain and I truly believe that the fans will love it. I've also been asked to play a short role in an upcoming Hollywood blockbuster, which will be exciting for me and the fans too. Most of all, I am planning on becoming bigger, better and louder.