My Double Page Spread in editing.

In my draft drawing of my double page spread I aimed to produce an article with a layout that wasn't 100% typical and boring. This is why I have placed my main image in the middle of the two pages, instead of dedicating a full page to that image. I decided to stick to my colour theme of red, dark blue and light blue which I have used on my front cover and contents page to stick to a theme and make my magazine look as professional as possible. As you can see from my screen grabs, I changed the font of my masthead, as it was hard to read against the blue background, so instead I chose another font from dafont.com and put it against a lighter background (still sticking to the colour scheme.)

My Contents Page in Editing

Summary
As you can see from looking at the draft drawing of my contents page, my ideas haven't changed too much. I've tried to stick to the same colour scheme as my finished front cover product, to set up a theme for my magazine. These colours (red, dark blue & light blue) signify;anger - which indie artists tend to look, the dark blue can signify rock as it's a dark and dull colour, and finally I chose to use light blue as it contrasts the two darker colours I have chosen.

My Front Cover In Editing

Summary
As you can see from looking at my first draft design, my ideas have changed throughout the duration of producing my Indie magazine front cover. This was mainly due to the fact that whilst taking my questionnaire results into consideration, I was also looking and researching into various other Indie magazine front covers, and so therefore adapting my ideas to look more believably like an Indie music magazine, and so therefore would appeal to my target audience.

Double Page Spread Draft Article

How far will you go to support your idols?

Middle aged Colin Parry considers Bono as his hero. After buying 14 albums, 47 singles-even a couple of Vinyl LP’s! And after years of dedication, he still checks U2’s fan club homepage daily to make sure he doesn’t miss out on latest gigs and album releases. Colin looks back at his life as the number one fan of U2, and how the band has made him feel so strongly about their music...

Quotes used on page– “I’m even trying to get together a U2 tribute band.”
“Barcelona concert was the highlight of my life.”

Article:
With a cup of tea in hand, and a U2 t shirt on, Colin Parry seems eager to tell me everything he knows and loves about rock legends, U2.
At 42, Colin doesn’t look like he’s going to stop following U2 anytime soon. When I asked him how he considers himself U2’s number one fan, he seemed thrilled to tell me how he’s travelled all over the world to see his idols perform. “I've travelled to see U2 all over the World, I've bought their music since I was a young boy,” Barcelona was one of the many countries Colin has travelled to. He explained the atmosphere there as “indescribable.” “The weather was beautiful, and it was nothing like travelling in a rush to Manchester or whatever to see a band. I made a weekend out of it, sort of like a mini break with 2 of my brothers. It was certainly a highlight of my life.”
“I'm in U2 fan clubs, and I have all their CDs, posters in my room... All sorts. I'm even trying to get together a U2 tribute band.” It was mesmerising seeing just how dedicated a fan can be. Colin explained how his family find his love for U2 “cute”. He told me how his daughter often uses the social networking website, Facebook. “She knows how much I want to do something special to show my love for U2.” Colin’s daughter, Olivia, showed Colin how the social networking website allows you to create group invitations to events such as gigs, which Colin was hoping to do. “Hopefully, fingers crossed, if I manage to get a few gigs together on there, and have people accept their invitations to attend, it will all run smoothly. A few friends of mine know how to play the guitar and drums. They're all fans too, but not as big as me of course. I've leant them a few of my CDs so they can start to learn the music, and hopefully if this all comes off I will sing for the band.”
Later, as we moved to Colin’s lounge, he guided me to his CD collection. “I've got every U2 song possible. I've even got Vinyl LP's... Some of the first albums I bought were Vinyl LP's. I have between 10 and 15 singles on Vinyl too.” I’d never seen anything like it to be honest; Racks and racks of what seemed to be a lifetime of support and love, but I still wanted to know more. I asked Colin what he thought of Bono, an all time legend as I’m sure everyone will agree. “He's a typical showman, with an absolutely great voice. He does so much for charity as well as always entertaining, which is great. He's my hero.” I know myself from obvious history that Bono has been, and I think always will be, involved in charity events such as Live Aid, which raised thousands for countries suffering severe poverty. “He does a lot of work for Africa, and obviously Band Aid and Live Aid, which is just indescribable.”... And extremely generous which no man can deny!
So when exactly did Colin start following this unfaultable band? A question I was dying to find the answer to... “I was probably 14/15, the first song I ever remember buying is called "Tomorrow", I don't know if you're too young to have heard it.” (I am indeed too young, haha! But after hearing such wonderful stories about a band I’m not completely familiar with, I’m certainly going to check it out!)
To end a somewhat entertaining interview I asked my last few questions of the day about what to expect of U2 in the future, and what exactly will they be bringing to our music industry soon? “I know their website says that they're going to be performing at the Glastonbury Festival next year, so I'm hoping to get tickets as soon as they go on sale.” Stunned again I wondered if Colin knew just how expensive festival tickets were, and with a careless smile he replied “Like I said, I'm their number one fan.”
So guys, you think you’re Indie fans? Would you travel the World to follow your rock heroes? ... Will this be YOU in ten years time?

Planning

As a starter for producing the material for my magazine, I had to conduct and plan an interview for my double page spread article. This included having to plan questions for an interview with a U2 fan, Colin Parry.
The interview I have decided to use as a rough guide is as follows;

1. How do you consider yourself to be U2's number one fan?
I've travelled to see U2 all over the World, I've bought their music since I was a young boy, I'm in U2 fan clubs, I have all their CD's, posters in my room... All sorts. I'm even trying to get together a U2 tribute band.

Me : What do your family think about your love for the band?
They find it cute. I dont actually have the posters up now of course, that would be a little weird, but I still have them, haha.

Me : Oh wow how interesting. How do you plan on making a tribute band?
A few friends of mine know how to play the guitar and drums. They're all fans too, but not as big as me of course. I've leant them a few of my CD's so they can start to learn the music, and hopefully if this all comes off I will sing for the band.

Me: That certainly will be a huge achievement if you guys pull it off... Where will you plan on performing?
Well my daughters always on Facebook and she's shown me how people are able to produce their own group intivitations. So hopefully, fingers crossed, if I manage to get a few gigs together on there, and have people accept their invitations to attend, it will all run smoothly.

Me: Well best of luck with that, you'll have to invite me if it all goes to plan. So have you been to many U2 concerts?
Yes, I've travelled to a few countries to see them.

Me: Gosh, what dedication. What has been your most memorable concert they performed, and why?
Barcelona, in such a terrific stadium. The weather was beautiful, and it was nothing like travelling in a rush to Manchester or whatever to see a band. I made a weekend out of it, sort of like a mini break with 2 of my brothers. It was certainly a highlight of my life.

Me: Sounds wonderful. How long ago was that?
30th June 2009.

Me: Very precise! I'm sure the band never fail to entertain when performing live?
No, never! They're the greatest live band ever.

Me: Well Bono's a living legend, I'm sure you'll agree?
Yes, he's a typical showman, with an absolutely great voice. He does so much for charity as well as always entertaining, which is great. He's my hero.

Me: Anything inparticular that he's done for charity that sticks out for you?
He does a lot of work for Africa, and obviously Band Aid and Live Aid, which is just indescribable.

Me: How old were you when you started to enjoy his music?
Probably 14/15, the first song I ever remember buying is called "Tomorrow", I don't know if you're too young to have heard it.

Me: Can't say I have, I'll have to check it out... Is that a favourite of yours, or...?
Yes, very closely followed by "Sometimes you can't make it on your own." They're both great songs with interesting lyrics.

Me: Can I see your CD collection?
Yeah sure, I've got every U2 song possible. I've even got Vinyl LP's... Some of the first albums I bought were Vinyl LP's. I have between 10 and 15 singles on Vinyl too.

Me: Oh great. What a dedicated fan you are. Do you know what U2 are up to lately? Any new songs coming out soon?
Well I know their website says that they're going to be performing at the Glastonbury Festival next year, so I'm hoping to get tickets as soon as they go on sale.

Me: Really? Festival tickets are quite pricey... and you're willing to pay that just to see U2?
Like I said, I'm their number one fan.

Detailed Decisions About My Magazine.

I have decided that I am going to use photographs that have a range of camera shots/angles. For example.. one close up, one extreme close up, one long shot etc.

I have decided the cover lines for my front cover will be as follows:

• Jack Clarke to perform free gig for charity.
• Unsigned Unwrapped.
• 30 Seconds, Enter Shikari and more inside.
• The Libertines; Live, Loud and Ready To Rock.
• Massive U2 Fan Speaks To Feel.
• Cathryn Appleton - Music Has Changed My Life.

My Contents Page will have several headings with content listed underneath.

These headings will be:

• News
• Reviews
• Interviews
• Regulars
• Extras

I will need the following images for my contents page:

• Image of completed front cover.
• 3 extreme close ups that link to articles.
• Close up of U2's biggest fan surrounded by cds.
• Long shot of Cathryn Appleton playing the guitar.
• Any type of shot of girl listening to ipod.

From my questionnaire results I have decided to base my double page spread article on U2. A fan will describe their love for the band, and for this I will need 3 or 4 photographs of Colin pictured with cds around him, sitting at a table surrounded by cds listening to his ipod and drinking a cup of tea, mid shot of Colin smiling at a cd, and a photo of Colin sitting on his couch, arms out with Bono glasses on.

Publication Plan

Publication Plan

Title: Feel
Positioning Statement: ...The Indie Rocker In You.
Frequency of Publication: Monthly.
Price: £3.00
Distribution: Newsagents, record shops, supermarkets, Indie and rock concerts/gigs.

Rationale: The approach of the magazine will very much be from an Indie fan's perspective. My magazine's double page spreads will often be written by the fans for the fans, on topics such as gig reviews and album reviews. My magazine will be very up to date in terms of new album releases and upcoming artists and bands.

Style: Colloquial style, and very much personal opinions throughout (not afraid to offer strong comments). The magazine will use witty but simple language. Images will be the dominant feature of layouts.

Regular Content
Editor’s letter.
Concert/ Gig reviews.
Album reviews.
Who are we "feelin’". (Who are we liking this month.)
2 minutes with… (Fast interview.)
UK Indie singles & albums chart.
The Feel awards.
Fans' forum.
Feelin’ fine (horoscopes, quizzes etc).
Upcoming gigs.
Competitions.
Following… (Eg. The Killers)

Feature Content
Jack Clarke interview.
U2 fan interview.
30 seconds with 30 Seconds to Mars.
Kings of Leon world tour review.
Artist interviews.
The month in pictures.
Indie vs. R’N’B.
Paramore interview.
Creative artists.
U2 set to tour the world, again!
New and unsigned.
What happened to The Fratellis?
The Killers tour diary.
Snow Patrol write a song about a fan!
Our biggest stars as youngun's.
Feel fashion - New indie outfits.
Interested in producing music?

House Style
Coverlines - font from "dafont.com" called 28 days later. See "coverlines" image.
Standfirst - Franklin Gothic Demi bold.
Captions - Franklin Gothic Demi 8pt.
Features first paragraph : drop capital from "dafont.com" called Birth of a hero. See Drop capital image. Rest Impact, 5 lines deep.
News first paragraph : First two words in bold capitals.
Body text: Franklin Gothic Medium 11pt.
Colour Scheme: Dark blue, light blue and red.

Questionnaire results; Tally of results and Pie Charts.

Tally of Results

Question 1.
16-18 (8)
18-24 (5)
25-30 (4)
30+ (3)

Question 2.
Paramore (6)
Eddie Halliwell (1)
U2 (2)
Kings of Leon (1)
The Smiths (1)
Korn (1)
Biffie Clyro (1)
Libertines (1)
Artic Monkeys (1)
Enter Shikari (1)
Kaiser Chiefs (1)
The Scrift (1)
Jack's Mannequin (1)
Supergrass (1)

15 of my 20 people surveyed answered that the band the chose "Make good music", and the remaining 5 answered that the band the chose use "creative writing."

Question 3.
Weekly (3)
Fortnightly (2)
Monthly (11)
Other (4)

Question 4.
0 (3)
1-3 (13)
4-6 (2)
More (2)

Question 5.
Tour dates (1)
New bands/Artists (4)
Interviews (12)
Top 40/Album releases (3)
Gig reviews (3)

Question 6.
Yes (11)
No (9)

Question 7.
£1.00 (1)
£1.50-£2.00 (4)
£2.50-£3.00 (10)
£3.00 + (5)

Question 8.
Internet (5)
Radio (4)
Magazines (7)
Television (6)
Other (3)

Question 9.
Singles (3)
Albums (10)
Either (7)

Question 10.
Bright and Colourful (6)
Plain (4)
Both (10)

Question 11.
Yes (12)
No (8)



Pie Charts













Using my questionnaire results I can now make detailed decisions about my magazine.
From looking at my results, I can see that the majority of the 20 people I questioned enjoy their magazines to be presented with a mixture of a bright and colourful layout, and a plain layout. They also enjoy music from a wide range of indie artists and groups, the main bands listed were; Paramore and U2. The majority of my results suggest to me that my target audience enjoy music magazines that are released monthly and that are priced between £2.50 and £3.00. I also discovered that my target audience have mainly purchased between 1 and 3 singles/albums in the past six months, and the majority of them prefer to purchase albums. My questionnaire results also suggest to me that my future purchasers enjoy reading gig reviews, interviews and upcoming artists, and they are interested in the production of music.
I now know what feature and regular content to include in my magazine, how high my magazine should be priced, and how often it should be published. I also know which bands/artists to include on my front cover, contents page and double page spread, and I know to include a mix of bright and plain colours throughout my theme.

Questionnaire

I printed out 20 copies of the following questionnaire and handed them to my target audience. Using the results I am able to get information about how my target audience like their magazine presented, what content they enjoy reading, and which colours they enjoy most on an Indie magazine.


1. Please state your age (circle correct answer):
16-18
19-34
25-30
30+

2. Who is your favourite Indie artist/band, and why?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. How often so you purchase Music magazines? (Please circle one.)
Weekly
Fortnightly
Monthly
Other (Please state) ___________________________

4. How many Indie albums on CD or download have you purchased in the past 6 months? (Please circle one.)
0
1-3
4-6
More (Please state.) ___________________

5. What articles do you most enjoy reading in music magazines and why? (Please circle one.)
Interviews
Gig reviews
Album/single reviews
Gig information
New artists
Cover stories
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Do you have an interest in the production of music? (Please circle one.)
Yes
No

7. How much are you willing to spend on a new music magazine? (Please circle one.)
£1.00
£1.50-£2.00
£2.50-£3.00
£3.50+

8. How do you get information about new Indie artists/bands?
Internet
Radio
Magazines
Television
Other (Please State.) _________________

9. Do you prefer to purchase singles or albums? (Please circle one.)
Singles
Albums
Either

10. How do you like a magazine to be presented? (Please circle one.)
Bright and colourful
Plain (Black and white)
A mixture of both

11. Do you enjoy reading about gig reviews? Please explain the reasons for your ánswer.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
__________________________________


VOICE CLIP WOULD NOT UPLOAD.
I asked one male my questionnaire and his voiced his answers.

Codes and Conventions of Double Page Spreads

After analysing several double page spreads from music magazines, I have discovered that they all follow the following Codes and Conventions:

• 1 full page is of just one, large image. This helps attract the readers attention.
• Headline.
• Contain quotes to ask as "juicy snippets" if the reader is skim reading- they catch their attention.
• Interviewer and photographer's names are always printed, to inform the reader.
• Drop capital is used at the beginning of the article.
• Colour scheme of around 3 colours to stick to a printing budget.
• Written in columns -usually more than 2- to make the article easy to follow.
• Name of artist is always presented in bold when contained in a paragraph. This ensures the reader who the article is about.
• Magazine name is printed at the top of every page.
• Page numbers- allow the magazine to be easy to follow.
• Issue date or number.
• Underneath or next to headline there is a standfirst (description of article) eg. "Four years and 2 albums..." Jay Z.
• Informal mode of address to interest the reader.
• Short and snappy headlines are used to catch the readers attention.
  
  Additional Research
  . Other smaller images can be used. In these images rock/indie artists can be portrayed as tough. They are still always looking at the camera to make the reader believe they are involved.
  . Stand first can be presented in a banner.
  . The colours used signify the genre of music the article is about. For example the colour black connotes dark like rock.
  
  

Codes And Conventions of Music Magazine Contents Pages

After analysing several music magazine contents pages, I have discovered they all follow the following codes and conventions:

• Numbers and lists are used, set out in 3/4 columns so the page is easy to follow. Mojo breaks this code and convention by only having two columns.
• Subtitles - order the page and allow the reader to know what are regular features of the magazine, and what is new for this issue etc.
• Issue date, to allow the reader to know how up to date the magazine is.
• Colour scheme of around 3 colours, usually the same or similar to the colour scheme of the front cover. Again this allows the production company to stick to a printing budget.
• Miss out numbers to only highlight key articles.
• One main image of a band, potentially the main story, to attract the readers attention.
• The contents page is always useful, to inform the reader.
• Some may include an editorial. This allows the editor to welcome new readers and specifically address the reader.
• All relate to the front cover, so the readers are not confused and can easily find what they are looking for.
  
  Additional Research
  . Editorial is not always at the top of the page, as in Kerrang the editorial is towards the bottom half of the page on the left.
  . Subscription banner is sometimes presented on the contents page, to attract the readers attention and persuade them to get the magazine delivered monthly, to make more money.
  . "Cover story" stickers can be used in certain columns to inform the reader of where they can find the stories presented on the front cover. This is useful for the reader.
  . Cover photo and contents photo photographer can be printed.
  

Codes and Conventions of Music Magazine Front Covers

After analysing several music magazine front covers, I have discovered they all follow the following Codes and Conventions:

• Masthead at the top of the page. The font chosen usually allows the masthead to become recognisable to the target audience, and is nearly always black in colour, large, and sometimes bold.
• 5-10 coverlines are usually used. These always link with the genre of music and content of the magazine.
• A colour scheme of around 3 colours is used. This is to stick to a publishing budget.
• Barcode, price and date is printed on the magazine to give the audience information.
• 5 cover stories are used to allow the reader what to expect inside, and try to interest them.
• Tagline, to make the magazine seem fun and exciting.
• A genre of music.
• A main image - usually of an artist or band. Artist is always looking at the camera to allow the readers to know that they have their full attention and they are "interested" in the magazine. The shot is always a mid close up/long shot.
• Mode of address - the way in which the image is shown. For example Kerrang make they're main image artists seem angry to allow and foreshadow what type of attitude you should have if purchasing this magazine.
• Other smaller images are used incase the reader does not like the band/artist used in the main image. It assures the reader what other artists to expect within the magazine.
• Buzz words such as "free" and "exclusive" to attract the readers attention.
• Each layout is different according to genre. Eg. Rock may have a busy layout, and Pop may have a girly layout.
  
  Additional Research
  . Indie/rock magazines tend to have shapes on their front cover, such as stars and circles. These can potentially contain buzz words such as "WIN" or "EXCLUSIVE". They are also usually written in capital letters.
  . There is a use of 1 or more banners on the front cover, to make the front cover appear busy.
  . Most text on the front cover is presented in capital letters to create a theme.
  . Images for cover stories can be presented on an angle.
  

Decisions...

Using my research I have decided that my magazine will be priced at around £3.00, as it isn't as expensive as some of the magazines which I have listed as potential threats. This could make my magazine seem more appealling. I have also decided that my magazine will be released monthly and have regular content of; interviews, concert and album reviews and gig news. My feature articles will consist of interviews.

Main Task Research

Choosing My Genre
After conducting research into existing music magazines I have decided my chosen genre for the making of my own music magazine is Indie, with a target audience of 16-25 year olds.


Research

Possible competitors to my magazine may be:
Q
Kerrang
MOJO
Spin
NME
Clash


Prices and Frequency of Publication for these specific magazines:
Q - £3.90, Monthly magazine.
Kerrang - £1.99-£2.30, Weekly magazine.
MOJO - £4.10, Monthly magazine.
Spin - £4.99, Monthly magazine.
NME - £2.10, Weekly magazine.
Clash - £3.80, Monthly magazine.


I am going to base my magazine mainly around NME, and I am aware that this magazine's issue size is usually around 74 pages.


Regular Content & Feature Articles within these magazines:
Band interviews
Concert dates/reviews
Album reviews
Posters


Images of the magazines I used for my research: