Magazine Proposal 1

Describe your idea for the brief:
I am creating magazine based around the Contemporary R&B and Indie Rock Genres, of the name of Velvet. I have chosen this name as music can often be described as of a velvety texture. This creates a feeling off class and beautiful music, which is how I want the music and their artists to be portrayed through my magazine. Velvet will aim to provide it's readers with various information, on areas of the music world, such as new and upcoming artists, up to date charts and typical interviews with current artists who fit into the genres that Velvet is based around, whilst also adding an element of professionalism and class. I will add this element by ensuring that the artists I use are dressed in a way that fits to my magazines theme. 
My magazine will take on a theme of red, with the majority of it of its pages in black and white. I believe the back and white will add a fresh new look to the presentation of music rather than churning out the all too often normal coloured photos. This will stand out against other music magazines, with the black and white theme portraying feelings aimed at the dark side of human nature, for example pain and depression. This connotes the way that my magazine will aim to give the audience every aspect of an artist that it interviews, due to their stories of rising to fame often being slightly dark, The addition of red paradoxically creates a sense of joy, symbolising the way music can bring a lot of joy into people's lives. I have chosen red due to it's connotations of power and prestige (e.g. the 'red' carpet), as that is the element of class that I want my magazine to have. Another reason for my choice of red, is due to it's association with being alert (e.g. code 'red'). The music world is all about being alert and finding some great new tunes/artists. This colour will portray my magazine as a magazine that is alert and will provide the audience with up and coming stars that they will be sure to love.

Genre/Sub-Genre: List similar texts which have inspired your thoughts throughout

As mentioned, my genre will be based around Contemporary R&B and Indie Rock. I believe that my main genre out of the two will be Contemporary R&B, with Indie Rock being left as more of a sub-genre, but I will make efforts to ensure that one genre does not fully dominate the other. I believe that more than one genre will give my magazine that extra something, creating a variety within the magazine and also bringing in a wider audience. Inspirations in terms of theme include billboard magazine, through the way in which their front cover image also portrays whatever artist they have chosen in such a good light. The image they use is more than likely always eye-catching and flattering towards the artist. I would like to use an image in my front cover that is attractive, eye-catching and portrays my artist in a positive light, even if it is particularly dark due to my black and white theme. In terms of contents page, I really like the magazine 'Vibe', especially it's contents page of Kanye West because they have a similar colour theme to the one I aspire to have with a black and white image of West, along with a red heart, as the only area of colour, pressed to his chest. I aim to have a contents page of this quality and colour scheme. 

Target Audience: gender/age/class/characteristics/behaviour
My primary audience are teenagers ages 16-25, and will be both male and female. In terms of the audience code, readers of Velvet will fit into the E bracket due to the majority of them being students. I believe that students are the the perfect target audience for my music magazine, as they are generally the type you'd see living their lives with their headphones in. They are the majority of those who build up statistics that decided which song is #1 in the UK. This means they will be wanting to know the up and coming artists and the hit songs, and are generally those who are interested in the contemporary R&B and indie rock genres. I'd imagine that my audience generally goes to festivals, studies (whilst listening to music), hangs out with friends, for example at parties, and also goes shopping due to my high class, more expensive aspect of the magazine. 
This leaves my secondary audience, being those outside of this age range. This means that I must fit various attributes of my magazine to that age range, for example, the language used and the price range and it's affordability. I also believe that a main secondary audience could include an audience below 16, who are interested in my genres and can afford this magazine. Although, I have not included an age below 16 due to the use of language by some of the artists I incorporate into my magazine and some of the songs that are featured.

Major Conventions: I will use...
...an effective main image, within my front cover, of a celebrity within my genre. This celebrity will be generally popular and recognisable. The image would be printed in black and white but I would make small details in the photo red, but only a small amount of areas to prevent it from looking unprofessional. An example of this could be making the model's lips red (female celebrity) or covering the model in blood that would be coloured red (male celebrity) and leaving the rest of the image black and white whilst the headline is also red along with the various words in the cover lines. This means that the audience's eyes are immediately drawn to important details of the cover; the image, the name of the magazine, and the words that will strike their best interest in the cover lines. My front cover will employ the typical qualities, such as a price, barcode, along with the main story's cover line being enlarged and slightly covering the model in the front cover image. This makes it clear that this is the main article whilst the other cover lines are worked around the model, but never in front. This main article will also link to the image as the main article features an interview with the model in the image.  The image used on the cover will also portray certain feelings and perceptions of the model. For example, their facial expression may show sorrow along with a high camera angle in order to make the model look small and belittled by the world which gives ideas as to what their feature article may include and what they may have been through in their lives. The clothing they will wear should be something they would normally wear, or something that relates to the music they create, as this creates a certain mood in the same way their music does and portrays them in a way that allows the audiences to figure out their character. Also, the celebrity endorsement on the front cover will bring in a wider audience from the celebrity's fan-base meaning more magazines sold and more that could be potentially sold in the future if those who have purchased enjoyed the magazine.  
Within the double page spread (main article) I will continue to stick to the theme of black and white, but this time I will add more red into the images and into the article itself. As my article is a double page spread, I will be using one page to place an image of my artist which will be printed in black and white, with additions of red. The other page will be filled with the article but I will add the first initial of the artist in the background of the text, filling the full page, in a faded shade of red so that the text is still visible. I will also use puffs once or twice throughout the article. These will be in red and in a bolder, larger text in order to stand out and draw the reader’s attention into the article. The puffs will be extracts from the article that are interesting and will encourage the reader to read the full length article. The celebrity I will use will also be the celebrity that is on the front of the magazine cover. This is because the main article celebrity will be the celebrity that I am focusing in this issue, and most likely will bring in a wider audience due to celebrity endorsement.
In terms of images,I will try to relate the model's poses/stance/facial expression to the article's feeling, for example, if the article is portraying the artist as a strong fierce woman, who has overcome so much within their life, I will place then in a stance that connotes this. This could be anything from the look on their face (strong, and expression you wouldn't mess with) to the way they are standing (clenched fists, feet shoulder-width apart, leaning forward as if to show they are not afraid) or even the way the camera is angled (lower than the model to make the look larger and better, relating to the article).

In terms of the article, I will cover as much of the artist as possible give my readers the best insight possible into the artist’s life. If my magazine portrays itself as one which gets every bit of information possible on its celebrities, more reader will be encouraged to purchase further issues in order to find out as much as they possibly can on their favourite artists. Not only this, but knowing this information can make listening more enjoyable. For example, if you are listening to one of the artist’s songs and you have read the article and you know certain aspects of their life that you hadn’t before, it can make the listening experience a lot more enjoyable as it makes the song relatable to their own problems as well as your own. This could also make readers want to purchase further issues and is also good for the celebrity that is endorsed, as readers who may not have listened to them before may check them out, as well as those who already do listen receiving a better listening experience due to their ability to relate their life experiences (spoke about in the article) to the music they are listening to. 

Conventions that I may change/subvert/decide against using:

I think that within my front cover, I will decide against using more than one image/sub-images, and just stick with using one main image. I believe this focuses the attention onto whatever celebrity I choose to use and enhances the features of that image, solely. Also, the main examples I have focused on through my inspirational texts have used only one image, making them more effective. I will also avoid using a interview style double-page spread. Not only have I made this decision because I received feedback associated with this within my target audience research, but because I feel that a story-based double-page spread would add a more elegant and classic feel, making the article slightly more artistic. 

Original Images: what/where/when?

When taking my original images, I will be using a professional photography studio. I am aiming to book the photographic studios within the University of Sunderland in the near future. If I do not take all my images then or find I am unhappy/need more images, I will re-book the studio within the University, or book the studios at the college campus in the Arts building. I will vary my shots and use suitable ones for a music magazine, for example, medium shots and medium close-up shots etc. This means I have a range of images to choose from, which are different. In terms of a model, I am going to use a female model in my images as I believe they visually attract both genders through the physical attractiveness to males and through the aspirations of women. Also, the female artist will be generally popular within the genre that my magazine is based around, meaning both genders will view the magazine and pick it up if they are interested in that artist (meaning they enjoy my chosen genre, resulting in the correct audience targeted). The clothing of the model should be elegant and preferably black, although colour doesn't particularly matter due to the magazine being printed in black and white. I will however be using props, such as a rose in order to incorporate areas that can be printed in red. All of my images will follow a certain theme, in order to create a running theme throughout the front cover, contents and double page-spread and to create a recognisable feel, relating back to the feature article and also creating the idea that this is the main article of the magazine. 

Potential Difficulties:
One problem that may arise, is the inability to gain use of the photographic studio at the times I would like. If this problem occurs, I may need to take time out of my own to book the studio and ask my model to spare some of her own time to meet me. 

The Recce

Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place (trailing cables/traffic/other objects )? 
When visiting the studio before booking my slot for the photoshoot, I assessed the studio for hazards and found little to none. All cables were kept away so that no trailing cables were visible, creating a safe and professional environment. Due to the road around the studio being a one-way system, the traffic was generally busy in this area.

What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised?
To avoid having to get caught within the traffic, I set my time at 10am, when rush hour (8am-9am) was over, and I decided to travel to the nearest metro station and take a 5-minute walk from there.

Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of your photos? Have you allowed this?
As my photos will be taken in an indoor photography studio with artificial lighting, the time of day and weather will not affect my photos.

Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if take outside? How will you ensure you get the background you want?
The background to my photos will simply be a backdrop due to my main focus being placed on the model. I do, however, want the background to be a dark shade of grey, in order to emphasise the pop of colour (red) in areas of the image. To do this, I must use low-key lighting, which I will ask Colin (studio technician) to do for me/help me with. 

Have you considered lighting? What about the 'problems' of natural lighting, either outside or streaming through a window? Will you need to use a flash? Have you considered reflective objects that may ruin the effect?
At my chosen studio, they have professional artificial lighting, therefore, I do not need to worry about the problems of natural lighting. The flash used within the studio, will emit from the professional bulbs and shades to create a natural, high quality effect. Reflective objects such as high-shine nail polish, and the glitter used may reflect the flash, but this may depend on the angle of the image, and if I cannot seem to get rid of the flash, I could simply edit the reflection out.

Do you have permission to take photos in the place/venue you have in mind?
Yes, I got in contact with Colin to check the availability and to book a slot that fit around mine and my model's timetables.

Are other people/crowds likely to be an issue for you? What have you done to ensure they will not spoil the effect?
The studio is booked for my use only, and it follows a schedule that notes when the studio is in use, meaning I will have no trouble with the being in my image.

Are you reliant on lifts/props/friends equipment/models? How have you ensured that these things will come together at the appointed time? Do you have a Plan B?
I am reliant on public transport to make my way to the studio, but will be leaving with plenty of time in case of any struggle with this. As my model is a friend of mine who lives nearby, she will be using the same public transport as me, therefore we will be travelling together, ensuring that she too will leave early and be at the studio on time. I have also arranged the time of the shoot around both of our scheduled so that we are both guaranteed to be free. I am not using any props, however, the hair/make-up will be provided by me, so I will carry them with me. The costume as directed, is being provided by my model, however, I trust that she will impress me due to her fashion-conscious character. 

Finally, have you thought of every eventuality?
I feel as though I have considered all eventualities through my Recce post, and I am feeling confident and excited about the shoot and it's outcome.

Location Scout

Location 1: Sunderland College, Student Photography Studio

Due to this studio being available for myself as a student in my own college, it would be ideal to use this studio due to it's easy access and good facilities. However, there may be some trouble finding a way for the model to come into the campus. Furthermore, the facilities aren't as good as some of the other potential locations and the times are slightly inconvenient with the studio being closed on weekends, so I would have to work the shoot around both mine and my model's timetables.









Location 2: University of Sunderland, St Peter's Campus, David Puttnam Media Centre

This studio belongs to the University of Sunderland who my college have links to. The studio is available to book and has some of the best facilities. It is also a perfect distance allowing me and my model to both be able to travel by foot, bus or metro. However, it can be quite difficult to find if you are not exactly sure on where you are going, which may be a problem for my model (and we do not want to miss our slot).


Location 3: BANANAStudio, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

BANANAStudio in Newcastle-upon-Tyne advertises itself as a studio that can be easily booked for amateur photographers or hobbyists. This therefore, may be ideal for my photoshoot due to me photographing my model with only some experience. However, again it may be difficult to find due to it's postcode signifying that it is not exactly in the centre of Newcastle, meaning that buses and metro's may be considerably difficult to navigate in order to get there and transport may be quite costly, which will be inconvenient for both myself and especially my model.







Overall, I believe that my College photography studio does not have the facilities to the standard I would like, and the BANANAStudio may be very difficult to navigate. Therefore, I will make the efforts to book the studio in the University of Sunderland.

Enrolment Task Feedback and Response

When I first enrolled on my AS Media Studies course, I was given an enrolment task which would give my teachers a general idea of aspects of my knowledge within Media Studies.

The enrolment task was composed of two sections, one of which required me to research into 3 current music magazines and to observe and analyse their primary target audience and what aspects of their products proved and portrayed this. I received positive markings throughout this task, and was fairly pleased with the outcome, therefore, I am considerably pleased with my ability to analyse target audience etc.

The second, and more lengthy, task involved completing an essay-type magazine proposal for a company of the name of Natmags. I have included images of my response to this section of the enrolment task. As you observe these images, it is clear that a lot of detail went into this task as I looked at the task from a fully realistic perspective, writing the essay as if it was a general piece of coursework. 

Overall, the teacher who marked my enrolment task believed I have 'some excellent ideas about both the content and design of [my] magazine' and that I 'understand the connotations of both [my] text and [my] image which is excellent at this stage of the course'. I 'also understand the concept of a target audience'. I was really pleased with these comments and felt they slightly boosted my confidence and made me feel more prepared for the course. I achieved an A* in my enrolment task, which I am thrilled with and hope to achieve grades like this throughout my Media Studies.

Time Management

I believe that within my work, I pride myself on going into thorough detail, prolonging the period of time that I require to complete tasks. I also believe that this is why I have slightly fallen behind within my tasks. For example, my Preliminary Task (including evaluation) and my Target Audience Feedback are both posts that were composed of detail, causing them to be lengthy and time-consuming. Nevertheless, I am quite happy with the outcome of these posts, and believe that the slight fall-back is worth the extra detail I try to apply.

To overcome this problem, I am continuing to use my own time both inside and outside college life to ensure that all tasks are complete to the best of my ability (until marked and improvements are suggested).

Target Audience Feedback

In my previous post, I interviewed a girl of my specific target audience on various aspects of a music magazine to gather information on what she would like to see in a music magazine and what qualities would convince her to buy a music magazine etc. Within the video, a two-shot was used throughout the handheld footage. I used this type of shot as I believed it would suit an interview's purpose best. It gave a clear view of the interviewer and interviewee whilst involving the audience in the full communicational exchange between the two subjects. This means that facial expressions, reactions and movement is clear to the audience when viewing this video of both subjects, accompanying the dialogue of the video. Within this video, I did believe that some of the dialogue was particularly difficult to hear due to the filming taking place in a public area. To overcome this problem, I added subtitles to the video, meaning that the audience can read along with the video if they are unable to grape what a certain one of the subjects is saying.

The first question I asked was, 'What is your favorite music genre and why?'

The interviewee, Layla Cairns, is of the female gender and fits within the age range of 16-30, whilst also fitting within the targeted audience code, rating E on the audience code as a student. Cairns comments that she 'enjoys Contemporary R&B because [she] really loves that style of music and also prefers the artists themselves'. This not only applies to the proposed genre of my magazine but gives me the idea that my interviewee (target audience) regularly use social media to follow the artist they enjoy. I will definitely continue to use the genre I have chosen in order to target my primary audience, but it also gives me the idea that my target audience as a whole will be of social media users, suggesting that my magazine should have accompanying social media accounts in order to interact with my argot audience and my magazine's artists, for example, a Twitter page. This also means that celebrities can share articles featuring them gaining a larger audience from their fan base, whilst also spreading the word of my magazine over the internet.

The second questions I enquired was, 'How much would you be willing to pay for a professional music magazine?'
Cairns replied that she would pay approximately '£4.00 for a monthly magazine', of which mine is. As the magazine will be professional, with a gloss finish and exclusive aspects, I believe that £4.00 is a generally good price and will allow my magazine to compete with the more classic, high-end music magazines. I will take this information and apply it to the considerations of my magazine price.

Thirdly, Cairns was questioned, 'What encourages you to buy a magazine?'
I asked this question so that I could gain ideas as to what would catch my audiences attention when looking for a magazine. My interviewee answered, 'I think there needs to be a attractive celebrity on the cover that I am interested in, then cover lines that will appeal to me.' I will use this information t consider what will be featured on the front of my magazine as these will be what draws my target audience in. I want to ensure that a popular artist of my genre is featured on the cover as a use of celebrity endorsement, in order to attract my target audience who will more than likely be fans of that particular artist, encouraging them to buy the magazine and find out more about this artist. Some find that this gives them a more enhanced understanding of the lyrics that the artists use and provides a better listening experience, also encouraging them to purchase future issues of my magazine as they will desire this enhanced understanding of artists that will be employed in my magazine in the future.

Next, I asked, 'Do you prefer a text or image led double-page spread?'
My interviewee replied with the answer, 'probably image, I think it's important to have at least one page filled with a image as it looks really attractive. It would make me want to read it.' From this reply, I have gathered that due to her indecisive tone, the subject would most likely enjoy a bit of both, whilst preferring the image. Her comments on how attractive it would make the double-page spread look make it a factor that I would seriously consider using within my magazine. She also comments on the way it would encourage her to read the article, and I believe that if the larger image was a photo of an artist of her genre, based on her previous answer of 'What encourages you to buy a magazine?', an artist of her genre who she enjoys would more than likely encourage her to read the double-page spread.

Furthermore, I went on to enquire, 'Would you prefer a question and answer (interview) style in your double-page spread, or would you like a story?'
Cairns answered, 'I think, probably a story.' This short and simple answer gives me a idea of what my tarot audience would like to see in the magazine. This adds to the way in which I would like my magazine to provide a more enhanced understanding of the artist. The use of a story as my double-page spread will most likely cover a range of aspects of the artist's life and personality, giving an idea behind the lyrics.

I then asked, 'Do prefer several images or one main image?'
My interviewee answered, 'One main image' in a very certain tone. I believe that one main image will fit my target audience very well because of this definite answer, whilst also ensuring that my magazine maintains the classy and high-end feel that I want it to employ.

Moreover I questioned, 'What colors are you most attracted to?'
Cairns replied, 'Black and white, I think, really contrast well and if I was to add a pop of colour, it would be red.' I was really pleased with this answer as it completely matches the look I want my magazine to have. I would love to employ this black and white theme to add an element of class to my magazine and I believe the color red would be very striking and adds connotations of strength, power and class, relating to things such as 'the red carpet'. These are feelings that I'd lie my magazine to employ.

Next, I asked, 'Would you prefer a hard copy of a magazine or would you refer to read it on something like a tablet?'
My interviewee commented, saying, 'A hard copy, I think it's better to have it in person'. When embarking upon further investigation, I also gathered that people are more likely to want a hard copy of a magazine, despite technological advancements, due to them wanting to keep and collect copies. I will definitely sell my magazine as a hard copy due to my target audience preferring this, but depending on the progress my magazine makes, I would consider selling it online to be sent to, for example, the Newspaper app on the iPhone.

Lastly, I asked, 'What sorts of contents and articles would you like to see in the magazine?'

Cairns informed me that she would like, 'trending music, up and coming musicians and maybe some celebrity gossip'. I will certainly use trending music and up and coming music as I am planning on creating a magazine that will be published a month in advance of the music it will be based around. This creates a feel with the audience that they are setting the trends within music and that they know everything before the majority of people.

Audience Profiles

Potential Competition

Time Management

I have successfully constructed my preliminary task flat plans, so am now working on my final practical task. I am planning on creating a product that will suit a particular target audience and continuously provide new and impressive music a month prior to when they will popularise. I believe this will be a desirable effect due to those around the age of my target audience 16-30 wanting to maintain a trendsetter effect, enabling them to be among those who are first to have the newest hits in their music library.

I am planning on composing a magazine proposal that will cover all of the details of my magazine as well as areas of what my front cover, contents page and double page spread will feature. Before I do this, I must gain more knowledge of my target audience. To do this I will create some audience profile providing examples of people from my target audience. I will also interview an example from my target audience and analyse this video and upload it to my blog. With the analysis, I will compose another post that will feature feedback on the interview and what I found from the interview.

This is a brief plan of my week:

Reader Profile

Response to Pitch Feedback

In response to the feedback I receive from a member of my target audience, I was really pleased with their view on my Magazine Proposal. The subject seemed to like various aspects of my ideas, especially the colour theme, the celebrity endorsement and the way in which my magazine will be published a month in advance, in order to give the audience the hits a month before every other magazine.

The only thing that arose in the dislike section was the negative connotations surrounding the artists, possible within their interview articles. This may be down to personal preference, however, it is important that I follow guidance from the consumers of my magazine, therefore I will ensure that my magazine does not focus too heavily on negative aspects of the artist's lives, and rather will place focus on positive elements of their lives/careers.

I feel like having a member of my target audience reviewing my proposal gained another/an important perspective on the ideas for my product and feel like from here I can progress and produce a product that my target audience will love and hopefully want to purchase.

Pitch Feedback

To gain some target audience feedback from my magazine proposal, I printed off a copy of the post and gave it to a member of my target audience and asked them to highlight what they liked in blue, what they disliked in orange and then to give some pointers at the end. This is what I received:

Target Audience Surveys

I have created several surveys on SurveyMonkey.com to gain more information about my target audience and what they want. I believe this is one of the most important aspects due to my magazine's success depending on how many magazines are distributed to and bought by this audience.

Survey 1.) This survey explored the artists that my target audience were interested in. I created a multi-choice survey with various artists for them to choose from and these were my results:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-NQRMDR5S/

From this survey, I became aware of who should be featured in my magazine, and if I were to include up and coming artists, what category of artists/music my target audience enjoy, tailoring the magazine to them and therefore designing a product that they will enjoy and hopefully want to purchase.


Survey 2.) The second survey I created, questioned how much my target audience would be willing to pay for a professional music magazine. Here are my results:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-M8XKYT5S/

This survey told me that the majority of my audience would be willing to pay £4+ for a high quality, professional music magazine. Therefore, I will take this knowledge on and use it to adapt my final product.


Survey 3.) The third survey I created was centralised around my Double Page Spread. Here are my results:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-FP2TRN5S/

From this survey I gained knowledge about the kind of DPS my target audience would want. From here I will ensure my single image takes up one page, that it is balanced (50/50) with text, and that the article itself is story based.

Time Management

Recently, I have struggled to post my blog posts before the deadlines set within class. This has left me needing to make extra time in order to ensure of my work's completion. This is anything from time spent in the college learning centre, to emailing myself work to complete at home. In order to ensure that I don't fall behind, I have set myself a personal deadline to ensure everything is completed and up to date buy the end of this week.

By selecting this deadline, I am fully self-motivated to catch up and be on top of my coursework.

National VS Regional Magazines

National vs Regional Magazines from Olivia Wallace

Target Audience Research

I have interviewed an example of my target audience to answer some questions that would allow me to gather information for my magazine. This ensures that my magazine not only caters to what I believe will suit my target audience, but these answers will allow me to employ aspects that my target audience want.


Below I have embedded a final video that I edited together using iMovie and posted to my AS Media Studies YouTube channel. Within the video, I have use a two shot. This is because I believe that this shot was the best way to add a conversational interview feel, and it easily displays the interviewer and interviewee. The two subjects are turned towards each other in a polite manner and have a chatty, but slightly formal exchange of conversation. The camera is taken through a handheld shot. This was partly because I felt like this added more of a conversational feel and will make the audience feel more as if they were there with the interviewer and interviewee. 

If you cannot view this video, please click this link: 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSKkaDxXXvE

Target Audience Research Questions

'What is your favorite music genre and why?'

'How much would you be willing to pay for a professional music magazine?'

'What encourages you to buy a magazine?'

'Do you prefer a text or image led double-page spread?'

'Would you prefer a question and answer (interview) style in your double-page spread, or would you like a story?'

'Do prefer several images or one main image?'

'What colors are you most attracted to?'

'Would you prefer a hard copy of a magazine or would you refer to read it on something like a tablet?'

'What sorts of contents and articles would you like to see in the magazine?'

Deconstruction Feedback

As I have recently annotated, analysed and deconstructed 3 Front Covers, 3 Contents Pages and 3 Double Page Spreads, I have gained various ares of knowledge surrounding the layouts, conventions, images and text of these particular pages in magazines. This has really helped me within this course and gives me a good base of knowledge surrounding what to include in each page and how to go about setting out my product. This will help me to create a professional outcome and gives me aspects of inspiration in order to prepare me to make my practical product.

In terms of a front cover, I have learned various conventions that are typically used, for example, a masthead is very important in order to inform your audience on the name of your magazine as well as what they are currently reading. I will definitely use a masthead in my final product. An image generally covers the whole of the front page, with it's focus (e.g. artist) covering at least two thirds of the page. I feel that this is an extremely important part of my front cover. Cover lines, I found, were also very common on front covers in order to inform the audience of what is in the particular issue in order to persuade them to guide it. It is apparent that not all magazine covers have as many cover lines, with some having none. I believe these types of magazines would be those that does necessarily have to make the magazine look worth buying, due to the name selling itself, for example, Nylon. From this, I am not sure whether I will use cover lines. For the purpose of the place in which the magazine is sold, most magazines have a barcode and price on the front cover (unless the magazine is free), which I see as a highly important convention of the front cover, so will most definitely be using.  Another convention used frequently, I found, was a sell line, a one statement/sentence summing the magazine up and putting it forward in a positive light. I believe that a lot of these were very punchy and self-proud, and would certainly convince me to buy the magazine if I spotted it in a shop, therefore I will be using a sell line. Issue number and date were also found on most front covers, both being extremely informative and organised, reminding the audience of which issue this is and when it has been published, in order for them to ensure they are purchasing/looking at/reading the correct issue. I will be using both of these conventions. Finally, on the front cover, some magazines placed their website address on the front cover. This was used so that the audience can be reached on the most frequently used platform by the magazine; the internet. The magazine will reach a far wider audience by using the internet and various aspects of social media. However, the website URL was printed several times on almost every page on the magazines I looked at. I believe that using a website URL would be a positive aspect of my magazine, so I will include it, although I don't believe I will be using it on the front cover (rather on contents, articles etc).

The contents page was one of the other pages that included a website link. I believe this would be a more suitable place to have a website URL, so I will be including one in my contents page. One of the main aspects of the contents page is the page title, informing the audience of what page they are on. I will be using a page title in my own product. Alongside this, there is the date and issue of the magazine to inform the audience of the time and issue they are reading. Predominantly, the contents of the magazine are placed on the either side of the page, with the page number and a brief summary of what article is on the page. I will be using this in my product as it is the sole reasoning behind a contents page. Other than this, there is a pull quote taken from the main article, giving a hint as to what will be in the article, and causing the reader to want to read on. I believe this is a good convention, I am not sure whether I will use it, though.

In relation to the double page spread, there is an article title, usually something creative, which I will certainly be using, as well as the artist in question's name at the top of the page in order to inform the audience of who they are reading about. I believe that this is also a key convention and will be using it in my own product. In the bottom of each page, there are page numbers, a vital convention, as well as the name of the magazine to reiterate to the audience, what they are reading. Alongside this, there is sometimes some social media links to reach a wider audience on a different platform, and a subscription link, in case the reader is enjoying the magazine and wants to be automatically sent each issue, whilst paying in bulk. I will certainly consider using the social media links, however I will not be using the subscription link as I feel that if I do use it, I would rather feature the information on a more suitable page, for example, the contents page. The double page spread is another page that features the issue number/name, often also featured at the bottom of the page and will be a feature I will be using in my product. Moreover, the text is in a column (traditional) layout. I believe using this layout will make my product look realistic and professional. It is evident that at the beginning of certain paragraphs (especially the first) a drop letter is used, which is considerable larger than the rest of the text, and is usually printed in a decorative font. I believe that this encourages the readers eye to the text and therefore causes them to want to read on, so I will be using this convention. Finally in the double page spread, text and image credits are often used in order to identify those who put effort into bringing the article to the magazine and its readers, so I will most likely use this feature within my magazine.

Overall, the deconstructions enhanced my knowledge surrounding various aspects and conventions found in the pages of magazines that I will be creating. From here, I feel that I will be able to create a more realistic and professional product, and this research has allowed me to explore ideas that will guide me when deciding what I will/will not include in my final product.