Lighting

This video helps me to understand how the lighting and where it is can change the way your face looks. I can consider this within my main image photography as there will be a more appropriate lighting for the different magazine genre. Video sourced from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sgpeoWpO9w

From photos that I have taken I can see the difference of lighting through these two pictures. For my magazine I think it would be better to use dark, hard lighted photos as this looks more appealing to my audience, with the connotation of darkness. I think also using hard dark lighting is better as it is clearer for the audience to see the photo. However I do want to try and experiment with lighting when it comes to my photos. I think that using soft lighting will help if we are in a dark area, or we are under shade, this is so it is clearer to see the models in the shot. And the dark/hard lighting will be used when it is very bright and the camera is less able to see the models in the frame. 

Photo Planning

I have create a collage of different main images of rock magazine front covers. This is so I can start to understand what is the most appropriate angle, position, shot and location in which I should use for my own main image. I have found out that:

• Most of the images are mid shots, with the exception of some close ups and long shots
• Most of them are planned, like they have been put in a studio, not a concert
• There is no smiling or happy expressions on their face, either angry or mutual. 
• Majority of the models are men
• Some have tattoos or different features on their body/face

I can consider these ideas when I complete my photographs. I can either follow or challenge key conventions as it will be down to what my audience want me to include on my front cover, therefore if they disagree to the style and conventions of my photos I can change them as this will be for them. 

Treatment Plan.

Here I have created a treatment plan to understand what I want on my magazine, who it is for and what it will be called. This will help me start to get an understanding of the next steps I need to do to create my magazine. It will also help me be specific about what I want to include to help make this magazine a success.

Drawn front covers/ Contents page-My ideas

This drawing was my first, I tried to include the use of my layouts and ideas for my main image. I think that the headline is appropriate for a headline but the anchorage text could be more clearer. The Coverlines are ideas from existing magazines, but I will come up with my own once I am creating my magazine. I think including thumbnail images are appropriate to advertise freebies and extras to the audience which will reel them in more.

I think the main image is effective as you can see exactly what the institution wants the audience to see. But I think the facial expression could be different as it was supposed to be her shouting angrily, not smiling. Also the background of the main image could be edited to black so that all of the coverlines, main image and masthead stand out.
I feel the banners are effective as they give a little bit more information to reel in the audience.

This design was the second design I drew, I thought decided I should experiment with my designs to see which would be the most appropriate. I used a different designed masthead as I thought using one colour could look more bold. I also like the idea of having the main image cover come of the masthead as it changes the look and follows the conventions of a rock magazine.
I think it is a successful idea to have a thumbnail image on the side advertising a part of the magazine, it can appeal to the audience more as they can see more of what is inside which could interest them. However, using coverlines as a whole I think I did not include enough, as it looks bare and not as realistic.
Using a pullquote as my headline makes the audience feel it is more reliable for the audience as the institution has gone out and found this information.
I do not think using a slogan is going to be effective for my magazine as it is not going to reel in the audience and is not a key convention on a rock magazine. However if the slogan was on the banner it may look better but not a slogan but more of a fact such as 'best rock magazine 2015' will make the audience feel more comfortable picking this magazine up, more than any other on the shelves.
I think having a puff is effective for this, to state it is a special edition, making the audience want to read it as it is limited. The colour scheme is effective as they contrast well and none of the colours dominate each other.

This is my final design in which I think is the most effective design, which I will highly consider to follow the conventions of when creating my final design. I think that the main image will be very effective as there is a clear background to make it more detailed and using more models on my main image is showing creativity and makes it more exciting to look at. I think there are a lot of different coverlines but maybe I should use a few more to make the audience hooked as there is a lot of information for them to read.
The headline is ideal as it is stative and bold, the anchorage text links in well but could be considered unclear to read so I would have a yellow background and black writing for this part of my magazine front cover. I think it is more appropriate using thumbnail images at the bottom of the page as this is where less detail is included on the front cover.

 These images are my two contents pages which I will consider for my magazine. I think having a writers commentary underneath will show that this magazine has a more personal touch to show that the writer really wants to be a part of the social group. Depending on which colour I pick for my front cover I will continue with for my colour scheme of my contents page. I have put all of the contents on the side as it will look boring having just words in the middle of the page so I decided to include an image on the side to make it look more interesting. I will also make sure there is a theme creating throughout the pages, therefore the masthead fonts must be the same.

My magazine layout ideas- Front cover and Contents page

 I think this could be considered an appropriate layout for a rock magazine, as there is a lot going in, which is similar to many rock magazine front covers. I also think that many rock magazine front covers consist of thumbnail images which promote freebies such as posters. This will attract my audience more. I have also added a slogan which could be more appealing to the audience as it is catchy and helps the public to understand what type of magazine genre this is. 

This font cover I thought was creative and would appeal to my audience as it would include a lot of information. Having the headline to the side will help the audience to be able to see the main image better which is the main attraction for my audience. I also think having this banner will be able to promote features inside of the magazine in which the coverlines can't. Also I have shown that the main image will cover some of the masthead which is a common convention within rock magazines. 

I think is the most organised layout between the three front covers I have created, it will show a lot of different features but will all be in appropriate places in which fit the conventions of a rock magazine front cover, whilst being able to see every feature. This front cover will look the busiest and includes a lot of different conventions which will attract the audience in a different way. The headline and anchorage text will show that it is clearly linked to the main image but will still be easily visible. Also having different coverlines will help to show different information without the audience thinking it is linked with the other coverline.

This coverline obeys many conventions from a rock magazine as it will also be enhanced due to the colour scheme and images. However having a busy contents page, carries the connotation of rockers (the audience) have a busy life. Also having other images such as bands will help show what is yet to come within the magazine issue. I think what could be improved on this contents page is to add more subheadings as this is not giving enough information to the audience of where certain parts of the magazine are located. 

This contents page has a slightly different approach to the conventions. This is because not many of the contents pages have synopsis' of the coverlines. This I feel will excite the audience more as this may be a major piece of information that the audience have been waiting to read, which appeals to the audience more. I also think that the main image should not be covered as much as it would on the front cover, this is because the main image is more likely to be detailed and could contrast badly to the colours of the subheadings, making it hard to read. 

The contents page has been inspired by the image on the right. This is because this is a very well laid out contents page as all the features are clear, easy to read and interesting as the headings are larger than the text below to reel in the audience. Also using a quote can help to appeal the audience due to the quote being linked to the image above, giving more information on the chosen article.

 This is a layout of my double page spread for my magazine. I think this is the most simplistic layout in terms of conventions as the main image will dominate the whole two pages but the text will go in a bolder colour over the top to make it easier for the audience to read it. I think this is a good layout as it will make the audience think there is a lot of information where as it is actually spread out over 4 different columns.

This is a double page spread which I will highly consider with my magazine as I think is the most creative and helps me to be able to experiment with photography and camera shots to see which is most appropriate. However I think it would look better if I included another column or two as I think my target audience would not like it as much if there is little information about the article. 

 This double page spread is one I can consider if I have a very large story or if it is an interview as there will be a lot to write. I could also change the quote from being at the top to the middle of the columns to change the visual for the audience. I think this is less likely to promote a rock magazine as it is not that creative but with the right images and text could look very effective.

Improved Masthead design

From my audience research and feedback on my masthead designs, I have created a new masthead which should appeal to all of my audience. People thought that the style of the font should consist of this style but I feel they preferred a grey and red coloured font. This is because it could connote blood. Which is a word linked to the genre and audience. When I create my magazine I think I will use this font but make it sharper using fireworks.

Survey/Audience response

After creating my masthead I have decided that it would be a good idea to have some feedback of my audience on what masthead they prefer. Therefore I will show my audience my masthead ideas, both from the computer and the drawn ideas and ask them the following questions or similar:

• Which masthead do you prefer?
• Why do you prefer this masthead?
• What colour would you prefer this masthead if you do not like the present colour?
• If you do not like any of my ideas, could you give me an idea of the masthead design you would like?
• Would you like more than one colour on my masthead?
• How big do you think my masthead should be on the A4 front cover. 

I will then voice record or video record their responses so that I can use this permanent work to develop my masthead further.
Here is my 4 audience responses in which I completed on soundcloud:

From this response I have realised that there is a variety of different opinions and not a preference of which masthead they would like as an audience. Therefore I will incorporate a few different of the designs preferred and create an improved magazine masthead. I think I will include two colours in my masthead so that there is a level of 3D and detail into this.

October Feedback

Masthead Drawings

I have decided to take my research further and create some drawings of the my masthead, I have chosen the masthead UNPLUGGED as I feel this is the most appropriate name, but it is up to my audience when I create a survey I will find out if this is the most appropriate name.

I feel this font is not as appropriate as I would connote this as being more suitable for a rap magazine. However I feel this is the most appropriate with the colours, I think having a black outline to my masthead is effective and makes the red stand out. 

I think this font is more appropriate. This is because it is slightly strange and slightly Gothic to represent the genre but using the black font makes it look bold, and stand out to represent the feeling that the audience feel. However with the probability of my background being dark I may use a white backing of the masthead so you can see the outline of the masthead, being able to read it clearly.

House Style Ideas

From doing my research I have started to think about my own house style for my magazine. From this I have been onto www.cooltext.com and found some fonts I think would suit my magazine. This will help me to get an idea of the tone and mood of the magazine, which I can reflect within my coverlines, masthead and font of my headline.
I have used the name 'unplugged' for my example of how it would look as this is an idea of what I would like my magazine to be called. This is because it connotes the loneliness of the target audience and how they feel an outsider to society, and also that you can unplug a wire from a sound set, therefore it relates to music.

Types of fonts I am considering for my masthead:

 This font is similar to the font you would find from the band Iron Maiden which is a band which could be found within rock magazines and the rock genre. I have used the red to show that there could be dripping blood to represent violence and the grey would help to stand out. Also the font is clear with a slight twist so the audience will be able to read the masthead. 

This font I feel does well with my magazine as it would contrast well if I was to have a white background. The use of the rigid look is to help connote the irregular life of the targeted audience. The texture looks on the for that it is the skin of a reptile. This could represent a cold blooded creature in which some rockers like to feel, cold blooded= careless with their actions. 

I have a feeling that the background of my front cover will be dark therefore the white font will contrast well and be able to stand out. The use of the bits off the font are to show blood or wilting which can be referred to in rock magazine songs. This writing I think looks well on a music magazine, it is similar to the font used on the 'Rolling Stone' magazine which I think looks sophisticated and represents classic rock more. The website did not let me try this font in white but I would prefer this in white or red. The font is clear and slightly in italics to make it look smooth and sophisticated. Which maybe does not represent the tone and representation of my magazine. 

 I think this font is really good at representing my magazine, it is detailed, like the music you would find within the magazine, as there are a lot of instruments involved. Also it looks similar to the font you would see on tattoos of the models or band members in rock magazines. I would prefer to have the font red to contrast better with my main image.
This font connotes to me a gothic style which is more enchanted and dark, this could be a font which I could use for my masthead, It is clear to read but has a slight twist to the look. However I would think this font would need to be thicker so that I could change the colours to have a black outline with a red/white/yellow inside of the font. 

This is a good font for my magazine, it is clear to read and bold to be able to edit. This font is slightly 'damaged' which could be considered a feeling that the audience could connote and relate to. It also might help to represent the music as being violent as this looks 'damaged'

Other ideas for names of my masthead.

• Impact 
• Misunderstood
• Tombstone 
• voodoo
• Mosh
• Curable
• JUST ROCK

Colour Schemes

The colour red is a main attraction when it comes to rock genre, this is because it connotes violence, danger and blood. I am considering for my magazine to have the same font on each magazine issue but to change the colour scheme. I think that majority of the dark colours will go well but some bright reds will take away the depressing tone to slightly violent.

The two colours yellow and green are going to be less likely used. However if I were to create a Halloween special issue I would more likely use the colour green as it is a representation of the occasion. Also the colour yellow is a colour I would use but slightly as I feel it compliments black the least out of the colours due to the colour yellow being the most bright colour. I would consider using the dark colour to outline my masthead or on some of the coverlines. 

Media Theories

After thinking about my magazine, I thought I should take some of the Media Theories into consideration, which could change my ideas on certain features of my magazine. The most commonly used and dominant theory is Uses&Grafitications Theory

• Personal Identify- Being able to recognise the product infront of you. This includes the feautres that influence you, such as role models on the front cover as they might have a mutual feeling as you. 
• Surveillance - to be able to give the audience information and knowledge and them take it in and understand it. In my magazine this could be considered new albums, concerts and interviews that give new information so that people can know what is going on.
• Diversion- you should be able to enjoy the product you are using and to divert yourself from your own life. To lose yourself within the magazine. I can make my magazine enjoyable for the targeted audience by including things that they want to read about and 'lose' themselves in.
• Personal Relationships- Using the product and the information it has to create social convention of small talk with someone which then can be created to a full conversation about the same topic. If my magazine is exciting enough, other people will be able to use this product within their conversations

The next common theory for magazines is the Hypodermic needle theory or the magic bullet theory which is known as when the institution shoot or 'inject' the audience with the desired information. However people may see this as people becoming biased and putting opinions into the audience's head. This can be well incorporated within my magazine as I can use information in which the audience would want to know and shoot it all at them, but the use of language can be so strong that they will assume it is correct.

A theory that links into this theory is the 'media dependency' theory where the audience and humans in general desire the use of the media to live. This shows that a lot of the public can be influenced of what certain writers may feel as they believe everything they say.

Other less common theories which can be incorporated within my magazine are:

• Two-step flow- when the media introduces the audience to certain ideas and then can use personal relationships to dicuss this idea and form an opinion of their own. This links into the work we did when analysing a magazine as there were two different issues you could buy depending on the opinion you had. This is a perfect example of how this theory would be used.
• Limited effect- the idea that nothing in the media affects us because we are used to information being thrown at us by previous events. This is less likely to be incorporated within my work but could argue that instead of it being for limited effect it can be used for diversion as it is not for an informative purpose but to entertain.
• Cultivation/ Drip Drip Drip Effect- this is when the audience are given a certain connotation within the text due to the repetition that they are affected and influenced by it. We can use this within the double page spread that we create as we may want the audience to create a certain opinion of this article and through language and the text we can influence them to feel a certain opinion through repetition. 

House Style

I have been starting to think about house style for my magazine, therefore I have created research into house style of a magazine with the same genre of what I am doing for my magazine. What I have found out is:

• The masthead is the same font and style but the colour changes depending on the theme and the main image. The same font can show that this is the representation and it creased familiarity to the audience. 
• Majority of the headlines cover the middle of the main image this is so they stand out just as much as the main image. 
• The main image covers the masthead, majority of the time to emphasise the importance of the main image as this is what the main article will be about. It is the main selling point of the magazine that week. 
• The use of only 2 dominant colours that compliment each other.
• there is always a banner/PUFF
• The two parts of the Masthead area different sizes

Research and Analysis into magazine -KERRANG

Set up of shots

For when I go and take my photos, I have created a male and female chart/table of what photos I am going to take or experiment taking. I feel this is important to do otherwise I could become stuck with ideas when it comes to taking my photos. This ensures me to find different styles and gives me ideas to branch off. I may not end up taking these photos as the models may not feel comfortable but they are a start of what I could include. If I have more than one model I can use both of them in one shot.

Male chart

Female Chart

Below are photos from the internet I found in which I got inspiration from in order to complete my chart. All of these photos are quite likely for you to see within the front of inside a rock magazine as they have the same mean attitude connotation which you associate with rock music.

 This male is stereotypically seen as what you would see at the front of a rock magazine as he has tattos, piercings (Stretchers) a mean attitude and the use of drug abuse. I feel this does reflect well on the stereotype, however I would like to experiment to see if I can get the same perspective whilst having a different shot type, angle and lighting to connote. 

Features of a good photograph

In order to be able to take photos for my main image, I decided that it would be a good idea to find/ do my own research on features of a good photograph/shoot. I have created a visme which is a type of presentation website to help me show my findings.

 

Clothing stereotypes- Both genders.

Stereotypically, rockers have a unique style which is harder to buy on the high street, apart from certain shops such as 'Blue Banana' and 'Oasis Market'. Otherwise they have to result to online shopping such as www.grindstore.com And to become more specific to what I want as my main image I have came up with outfits that both of the genders will wear. However to not advertise specific brands/bands I have included non branded clothing.

Clothing representations - Kizoa Video Editor - Movie Maker

Inspiration for main image- Male

 In case the results of the survey say that my audience would prefer a male in their images, main image for my front cover, I need to prepare understanding with male rocker photos to see the conventions I would need to include. Majority of these males have tattoos to show their rebellious side, some are wearing ripped clothes, or no clothes at all but some juxtapose by wearing smart clothing, to make them look like the 'right man'
Not many of the models I saw have short hair, therefore I need to find someone who has a good set of hair as this will be something I can easily style. Majority of these males are wearing slight make up so they do not wash out their features on photographs. Some are wearing eyeliner on their lower lashes, and other eye make up to make the eyes stand out or just foundation and face make up so that they do not look too pale on the photograph. I will take this into consideration if/when I find a suitable male model for my magazine main image, None of the males are a size larger than a medium to show that they are a slight 'hunk' to appeal to the female audience and to look like an inspiration to males.

Preparation for photos - Make up and Hair

After looking at some photos of rocker female photoshoots I have decided that this would be good for my magazine as the key demographic of many rock magazines is men, therefore I want to appeal to more females therefore it would be in my best interest to have my main image as a female. But to do this I need to get a better understanding of how female rocker chicks look like, stereo typically. Therefore I have found some videos off Youtube of make up and clothing tutorials to make my model look more appropriate for the genre.

From this I have realised that it would be a good idea to get some temporary tattoos as this is what stereo typically a female rocker chick would have. I also could invest in some good dark make up to get a good affect when taking photographs. Finally to find a suitable model and find appropriate clothing for them to wear. In both of these videos, studded clothing is seeming the mode and purple/very deep red lipstick is something which would be better suited to use.

I have created my own make up ideas:

Inspiration and research for main image - Females

I have started to think about my main image and other key conventions of my music magazine. For this I need to find some ideas to branch from, in order to get the most appropriate and suited front cover for my chosen genre. I realised that I should find some photos of female models in 'rocker' clothing as this is an idea that I think would go well as my main image: Here are some photos that I feel will inspire me to with my main image.

I have decided based on these photographs that, the use of dark make up, dark clothing, creative hairstyles and certain urban backgrounds are seemed appropriate for the genre I am routing towards. Many of the photos I found from either google images or www.tumblr.com include only one woman as they want them to look isolated to reflect on their genre of music taste and lifestyle. Hats are also seeming to be popular and different types of accessories or additional objects such as musical instruments, alcohol or drugs such as cigarettes. This is to show they have a unique lifestyle. These are some features that I will take into consideration. However to make a successful photograph I need to consider the setting and background of the photo. Hence I have been online to discover inspiring places in which me and my chosen model (s) may decide to travel to, to trial out the success of photographing in this area.
I have created an Emaze presentation to explain my chosen places in which I could take photographs:

Survey

Independent research: Key conventions

After thinking about my thinglink, I have decided to do some independent research into the key conventions that a rock magazine needs specifically. In my opinion from doing my research I believe they need the following:

• Large Bold masthead
• Main Image of a band/Musician doing a particular action
• Freebies/ Poster giveaway
• A PUFF, for example 'The uk's only rock magazine' 
• Dark colours with the exception of white, red and yellow
• Coverlines
• Taglines
• Anchor text, either of a pun or a bands name.
• Extra Images, could be of bands faces
• Main image looking at the camera. 
• Barcode, issue number, date, price

(The image below is part of my research as this is something I found on Google) 

Improved magazine analysis.

Due to deciding my chosen genre to create a music magazine, I decided I need to understand more of the conventions of a rock music magazine. I have gone away from KERRANG and created a thinglink presentation of the music magazine 'rock sound' This is so I can get a broader understanding of what different institutions believe is needed on a music magazine.