OCR Media Studies – AS Level

Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media

Planning & Research

Name: Jack SharplingCandidate Number: 2125Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic SchoolCenter Number: 64135

Set Brief - Print

Music Magazine – Production

Preliminary Task Progression and Planning & Research

Section 1) – Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task Progression– EvidenceFront CoverStep-by-step

Step 1This is my background, the background has a faded gradient effect with the colour yellow which is one of the school colours. The yellow and the blue shown here make up the school the logo so these were the colours I used throughout my magazine front cover and contents page to create a house style. I have put these ruler lines in place to help map out where my conventions are going to go.

Step 2In my step two I added a duplicate of the blue and yellow bars bellow the original blue and yellow bars. I also included my masthead which is in the font ‘Berlin Sans FB Demi’. As I wanted the masthead to be across most of the magazine I chose to have the size of the font ‘111’. To make it stand out and more effective I added a drop shadow, inner shadow, outer glow and a stroke effect.

Step 3In this step I added a duplicate of the masthead and placed it towards the bottom right hand corner. Along side this I added in the price and also an example of technological convergence ‘@mastermind’. Another example of this is the web link I have placed above the masthead. I have also included my date and issue number which is also above the masthead which I have done yellow to make it stand out and to also follow the colour scheme. I have place the barcode in the bottom right hand corner which is consistent with magazine I have researched.

Step 4I have added in a small version of the school crest which is in place to strengthen the magazines identity. I have also added a Facebook and Twitter logo which is other evidence for technological convergence, for both of these icons I hade to remove the white backgrounds in order for them to look professional against my yellow background. The main image was taken by myself with a white background which I knew would help me when I came manipulate it in Photoshop. To edit this photo I used the magic rubber tool, and to also make sure all the hair is shown I used a technique which would make sure all the hair is shown.

Step 5In my fifth step I included a strap line and a give away. In my strap line a used repetition ‘Exclusive Content – Exclusive People’. I used this wording because it is easy to remember giving brand identity to the readers; also because only St Andrews students will be reading it, not everyone outside making the students exclusive to this magazine. Within the give away I included the words ‘FREE’ and ‘SIMPLE’. I made these words in bold and a colour that would standout against the blue background so that readers would notice these words. Also the words are effective as people enjoy free things, also readers will want to know if its easy to receive a chance for the free give away, which is why I made the word ‘SIMPLE’ in capital letters and also in a standing out colour. I also added the schools logo in the top right hand corner for brand recognition.

Step 6In step six I included sub-headings. While doing this I shaped the text boxes around the main image, this is so that the main image is not ruined by text on the front cover. Within the sub-headings I included logos which are related to the stories such as the bus company and the sixth form café company. This is just to give the reader the knowledge of who runs what.

Step 7 - Finished

In step seven I placed in my main head story with my star student story. Within this I included eye catching language such as ‘Exclusive’, this would then help increase readership as it allows readers to think only this magazine holds this information of which I researched to find out.

Preliminary Task Progression– EvidenceContents PageStep-by-step

Step 1

This is my background, the background for my contents page. I have kept it very similar to my school magazine front cover to sustain brand identity and readership. I have also placed my guidelines to help me know where to place all my contents page conventions.

Step 2In my second step of creating my preliminary contents page I have included all my sub headings, sub stories and sub lines. I have also included my school logo in the top right hand corner and also used them as bullet points to which I have put next to my sub stories. I did this to sustain a constant brand identity with the schools logo. I also included page numbers which referenced where in the magazine these sub stories would be.

Step 3In my third step for my contents page I placed in the conventions of my issue number and cover date in the bottom left corner of the page. I also placed in my masthead in the top left corner of the contents page, next to a large piece of text saying ‘Contents’ to allow readers to know they are on the contents page. Lastly in the bottom right corner of my contents page I included the page number of the contents page and referenced the schools website to create cross media convergence and brand identity.

Step 4In my fourth step I included conventions of social media logos at the bottom right corner, I did this to remind readers we have social media accounts and links. I also included competition promotions also in the bottom right corner with a page number to tell readers where the completion is in the magazine, I also included the school logo on the competition to remind readers it is the school that is providing the prize. Again I placed in a cover story photo with a page number and a subline in the middle right of the page. I did this as pictures are more eye catching than text in a magazine and therefore readers will be tempted to look at this story. Lastly I also included my contact details such as my editors email and the page name for the magazines twitter.

Step 5

For this step of my contents page I placed in my whole editorial. Within my whole editorial I included my editors photo, drop capital and signature. Within the actual typed up editorial I included text that would build a “personal relationship” (Katz) with the reader, for example ‘you’. This is an example because the text seems as if it is just applying to the reader.

Step 6 – Final StepFor my final step I included the main headline story with the biggest picture on the page; I also used the same font styles and effects as the main story font for the subline on the contents page for the main story. Also I included a page number on the cover story photo, I used the same red to create brand identity throughout the page numbers on this page. Lastly above the main cover story I also placed the magazines strap line to remind readers to this magazine are exclusive (Katz), this was also a technique I wanted to use to sustain brand identity.

Section 2) – Log Book

Music Magazine – Genre researchRolling Stone magazine releases 26 issues per year. XXL magazine releases 6 issues per year. In 1967 the Rolling Stone magazine was created. ‘Kerrang!’ was first published in 1981.“Billboard” is a music magazine that was first printed in 1894, but first became well-know in 1936.“Face” was a music magazine first launched in 1980, but stopped being published in 2004. However this music magazine influenced other magazines such as “Q” and “Mojo”.

Source:http://mentalfloss.com/article/50299/very-first-issues-19-famous-magazines

http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/press/news/article/kerrang-1500-issue-for-anniversary-released

Established Magazine for my Research

MastheadThe denotation of the masthead for this publication is ‘Q’, which is presented in the left corner in a square, where the location and the house colours used are stationary with every issue. As the ‘Q’ is in the same font style, colour and place on every issue this their way of creating brand identity as it has not been changed and the readers will never forget this meaning ‘Q’ magazine will be known for this. The verbal code ‘Q’ connotes that the magazine itself is simple, plain and easy to understand. Also when the letter “Q” comes to mind, readers may think of words such as ‘Quality’. Also, the ‘Q’ may stand for the maker of this magazine, the reason for this is because they want readers to think that every content within the magazine is of a good quality.

Main HeadlineThe denotation of the main headline on this edition of ‘Q’ is of a ‘rock star’ as the font style used to write Jake Bugg’s name is very messy and out of place which is referred to the stereotypes of rock listeners. The verbal code ‘Jake Bugg’ connotes a ‘star appeal’ (Richard Dyer) effect which instantly automatically creates readership as Jake Bugg is famous, this will automatically create an audience for him because he is famous and people are interested in famous people.

Main HeadlineThe denotation of the main image is of Jake Bugg, which anchors the main headline positioned centrally and just below him. The shot type for this picture is mainly a low angle long shot, this is used to capture a lot of Jake Bugg’s style and fashion which may draw readers of his fashion to read the magazine. The non-verbal code of Jake Bugg conveys some important ‘star appeal’ (Richard Dyer) to the reader and will help sell the issue because he is very young, people may find this interesting about how he became so successful at a young age and they should hopefully purchase the magazine hoping for answers inside.

Established Magazine for my Research

StraplineThe denotation of the masthead for this publication is ‘The World’s Greatest Music Magazine’, which is presented in in a black text colour which stands out against the red background of the masthead which also acts as a logo. It is also placed directly above the famous ‘Q’ text within the red square. The text is also short and sweet, which also has a lot of meaning within the strap line itself, this is great because it makes the strapline more memorable to readers. The verbal code ‘Greatest’ connotes that this magazine is the best, there is no other magazine quite like it. This attracts readers also because readers want the best of the best, the use of the verbal code ‘Greatest’ connotes that ‘Q’ is the best of the best.

Cover lines

Special Offer promotionThe denotation of the special offer promotion convention is that they ‘inject’ (hyperdermic needle theory) by making the reader believe that this issue of the magazine is unique, or one of a kind. This draws the readers attention because they believe this magazine has content no other magazine out there contains.

The denotation of the cover lines is that with the band names the change the colour and sometimes the size of the text to make the band name stand out. This is to draw readers in as the change of text colour and size may attract them into buying the magazine as they may recognise the band and want to find out more about why they have been mentioned.

Target Audience – The target audience for Q magazine can be denoted as mainly the male gender as facts say 73.3% of people who read Q magazine are male, with 26.7% being females (Hartley).

The socio-economic group of the readership is around the average of group ‘B’ people and having analysed a cover of Q I can see why it would appeal to this demographic because most issues are presented in a very formal manner and suit more of higher class readers needs.According to Katz’ Uses & Gratifications theory, the readers are going to be ‘informed and educated’ about content such as exclusive interviews and album reviews in every issue of Q, for example in this issue it contains an article about how Ellie Goulding is dealing with her new found fame.Finally, according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, the readers would be defined as ‘Explorers’ due to inclusion and presence of rebellious instruments such as the Guitar, which is being held by a rebellious artist Jake Bugg.

What is the USP of this magazine?

Q magazine includes ‘star appeal’ (Richard Dyer), which makes people think that if a famous, well known person is on the front cover this must be a good magazine. Q magazine also have the artist’s name in bold over the front cover of the magazine, which connotes that they are big in the music industry, therefore it makes people also think that the music magazine is worth buying, as that specific artist must be big to deserve the front cover.Q also have a distinct logo which stays the same through every issue. This is unique as it creates a brand identity, which makes it stand out and noticeable when in-between other magazines in a store as it is like no other logo.

Publisher researchCirculation Figures -

Frequency – The magazine is released monthly which means they will release 12 issues a year

Key people who work on the magazine – (http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/brands/q#magazine_Q)

Conventions of a Music MagazineMasthead – The writing of the title is in white against the black background as it stands out in contrast with the white background. Also the two selected musicians cover the title ‘KERRANG!’ this shows their authority and suggests they are more famous than the music magazine.

Sub-Headline – “THE TRUE STORY” This is used to draw people in making the magazine has exclusive information about the selected musicians. Also in the sub-headlines famous people/bands are in yellow which stands out from the black background, this makes the names stand out showing their importance.

Barcode – This includes an issue number, and website which can act as advertising.

Main Image - This magazine has the main image with the most famous and recognisable musicians out of the band to come forward and act as the main people, and to convey that they are the most recognisable out of their band. This is to attract people as they may recognise them from this very successful part of their musical careers, and because they have acted as an idol to most musicians today.

Exclusive Features – This magazine includes two free posters. This persuades people to buy this magazine as it includes free products which could possibly be exclusive to this magazine.

Target Audience – The target audience for Kerrang! magazine can be denoted as mainly the male gender as facts say 59% of people who read Q magazine are male, with 41% being females (Hartley). As this magazine is stereotypically a male genre (rock) this is quite an evenly balanced amount of male and female readers, due to the stereotype of the genre.

The socio-economic group of the readership is around the average of group ‘C’ people and having analysed a cover of Kerrang! I can see why it would appeal to this demographic because most issues are more informal than Q and suit more of middle/standard class peoples needs. However, over 50% of the readers will most likely be in D and E because they’re stereotypically more rebellious and free spirited – for example students.

What is the USP of this magazine? From the research completed into this media product, I think the USP is that Kerrang! Use star appeal, they do this by placing a famous artist or band on the front of their covers of ever issue. This therefore attracts readers to choosing the magazine as the front cover contains someone famous readers automatically get attracted.Also which I noticed during my research is that Kerrang! Use the same font and position on the front cover where they place their logo. As the font is consistently the same in every issue, and where ever ‘Kerrang!’ is used within the magazine it is also in the same font and colours, this create a brand identity and makes the magazine unique to other magazines.

Publisher researchCirculation Figures -

Frequency – The magazine is released weekly meaning that Kerrang! Release 52 issues a year.

Key people who work on the magazine – (http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/brands/kerrang#magazine_kerrang)