Headlines & Pull Quotes

Below is a link to a presentation of Pull Quotes & Headlines.

Model Release Forms

 

Here are copies of my model release forms. These prove that all four of my models agreed to participate in my photoshoots and that they allow me to use the images I take of them in my magazine. This means that I am able to select, edit and use images of them without further consent.

Production Log - 26/22/2013 - Deciding on Names

For my draft article, I needed to consider names for the band members of "Tigerilla", my cover stars.
I have decided on Damon, Dawn, Caleb and Max.

Draft Article

Promotional Methods

Colour Connotations

Production Log 24/11/2013 - Using New Media

In the past week, I have been considering how I would use new media for my music magazine.
I have created both Facebook and Twitter pages. I would also have an Instagram feed and a Youtube channel. These functions need to be clearly advertised in the magazine, along with QR codes etc. To target my magazine at a young target audience, new media is incredibly important to the success of my magazine, as these social networks are used extensively by 18-25 year olds, particularly as they can access it 'on-the-go' in the form of apps.

New Media

Equipment

Image Ideas

Production Log 18/11/2013 - Considering Image Styles

Over the past week, I have been considering what type of images I would like to take (while completing a selection of image ideas). I will use a combination of both studio and location shots, as this will follow the typical conventions of music magazines - that use a variety of images. I will also need various other artists to feature on my contents page.

From magazine research, I have noticed that front covers always include a studio shot of their cover star, therefore I will use a studio shot of my band 'Tigerilla' for my cover.

My contents page shall include a variety of both location and studio shots to portray the variety of my magazine. 

Finally, in my double page spread I am hoping to include a variety of location shots (one double page spread containing a full bleed image). One idea I had was to take pictures of my band 'behind the scenes' (possibly pictures from Instagram), as this follows the conventions of the genre, being laid back and more 'real'.

Production Log 13/11/2013 - Final Masthead & Band Name

Following creating a selection of masthead designs, I have now decided what my masthead will look like.

The masthead works because it is fairly simple, which will give my magazine a minimalist appearance. This will appeal to my target audience, who are fans of indie music because it conforms to the style of the genre. The simplistic look will match the idea behind their costumes (doesn't look like it has been 'styled' or too fancy).


I have also decided on a name for my cover stars. The band will be called 'Tigerilla'. Many indie bands reference animals (or similar) in their name (e.g. Arctic Monkeys, Gorillaz, Of Monsters & Men etc.). Therefore, using a combination of the animals 'tiger' and 'gorilla' will fit into the genre of music well.

Preliminary Task Sketches

Below are my design sketches for my preliminary task. In these, I aimed to get a clear picture of what layout the front cover and contents page would have. This would make it much easier when transferring my ideas onto InDesign, because I would have a better idea of how to proportion everthing so that it fits on the page.

Sell Lines

Feature Article:

• Tigerilla Lash Out
• Tigerilla: A New Breed of Band
• You've Never Met a Band Like Tigerilla
• Evolution Starts with Tigerilla
• Join the Revolution: Tigerilla.
• It's a Tigerilla Revolution

Artist/Band Based:

• The Band Who Conquered The World
• The Artist Whose Hair Made Him Famous
• The Guy Who Threw Up at a Gig
• The Girl Who Plays Bass
• The Band Whose Song Got Banned
• The Band Whose New Album Is Awesome

Other:

• 10 Ways To Wear A Beanie
• 20 Most Heartbreaking Songs
• 30 Songs You've Never Heard Of
• 10 Songs You've Heard Before but Don't Know The Name Of
• Soundtrack: The songs featured on TV this week (TV Drama)
• 5 Festival Moments We'll Never Forget

Contents Ideas

Masthead Design

All of the mastheads are merely the magazine name Indievisual in 2D font. This follows the conventions of current magazine mastheads (Vibe, Mixmag, Q), keeping my magazine looking current and therefore appealing to my target audience. Furthermore, the colour of the masthead can adapt to the colour scheme of each front cover (as is done with Vibe, Mixmag and, until recently, NME).

1 - This is the masthead design I have chosen to use for my magazine. The sans serif font is easily readable and follows the current conventions of a magazine masthead. The masthead is bold, therefore making the name easily readable.
2 - I like this font, however, I think the font is too thin to stand out as a masthead. I like the slightly skewed 'e', as this gives the font a slight uniqueness. Therefore, I will consider using this within my magazine.
3 - This masthead is quite similar to masthead 1, but the lettering isn't as smooth. Therefore it lacks the modern feel of masthead 1. It is important for my magazine to have a new, modern feel because I have a young target audience.
4 - I decided against this masthead as I feel that it looks quite similar to the font used for the brand 'L'oreal'. Also, I think the capitals put unusual emphasis on the wrong part of the name.
5 - This masthead has an art deco appearance which I think my target audience would not respond to.
6 - Again similar to masthead 1, this masthead is bold and would stand out at the top of the front cover. However, I feel the text is too large and slightly too rounded to convey the new, young appearance of the magazine.
7 - Out of the similar mastheads (2,4,7) I think that 7 would probably make the most effective masthead. However, I think 1 would still be a better, easily readable and adaptable masthead.

Props & Costume Ideas

Production Log 09/11/2013 - Observation

In HMV, I noticed that several of the big (and small) posters to buy were Rolling Stones front covers. This shows not only that the brand is 'cool', but that the cover stars are vital to the success of the magazine. 

If the pictures of the celebrities are strong enough to be released as posters, the cover will essentially sell the magazine when it's in stores and make the reader pick up your magazine over another.

I really like the idea of front covers being made into posters and this is something I will consider for my magazine.

Production Log - 05/11/2013 - Attending an Editors Talk

Yesterday, I attended the Hearst Editors Talk at the Millenium Hotel in London.

The talk featured four Editor's, and these were:

Victoria White - Editor, Company Magazine
Mandie Gower - Editor, Zest Magazine
Sarah Bailey - Editor-in-Chief, Red Magazine
Louise Court - Editor-in-Chief, Cosmopolitan
David Moynihan - Editor, Digital Spy (Editor of NME until March 2011)

The talk covered lots of aspects of magazine production, though I found there was a resounding message about how it has changed so much, in such a short space of time.
It seems that new media is vital to anyone in the industry now. Even the editors' personal Twitter accounts have to be carefully thought out (The Company editor feels that posting about her children will use their younger target audience. The Cosmo Editor-in-Chief has been told that she posts too much about the sports team she supports).

Another thing that I felt was important was the mention of "Brand Pillars". I think it's important for my magazine to have Brand Pillars, therefore, I will be considering what these will be.

Proposal Feedback

This highly detailed proposal works well to propose the ideas behind the magazine, to me as a potential buyer. The explanation beind the name leaves me convinced that it could sell to audiences based upon the name alone, as indivisual is a clever play on words that automatically tells an audience member that the writers are clever, funny and related to your favourite Indie genre.

The description of your target audience is detailed, and means that when describing your magazine, it is clearly stating who your target audience is, and then describes your secondary target audience and why they would support the genre.

What you appear to be missing in this proposal however is a quick description of how you will entice your target audience (based upon their gender specifically), and then the same thing with your secondary audeince. This is important as more detail will lead to a more successful proposal.

 

 

Feedback Courtesy of Oscar Perillo

Audience Profile

Primary Target Audience - Male 18-25 - Mainstreamers

Callum is a 23 year old who recently returned home after a year travelling around Europe. He thoroughly enjoys discovering new things, new cultures and can't wait to explore another part of the world.
He likes music because he likes it. He shouldn't and doesn't really have an explanation why. He owns an acoustic guitar and knows a few chords that he's picked up over the years. Sure, he's not going to be the next Ed Sheeran, but he likes the sound.

Callum never goes anywhere without his beanie - half the time it hides his messy hair (the red dye is still a bit visible, despite his numerous attempts trying to wash it out - he thought he'd try out the new trend).
He also loves his coffee - Starbucks, Costa, Caffe Nero (although Starbucks is his favourite). He's become a regular at his local, and they recognize him now, sitting there with his laptop, his android tablet (reading the latest issue of IndieVisual) or listening to music (through his bright red UrbanEars headphones).

Callum loves the city but, though he likes meeting his mates at a bar or pub for a drink or two, he also likes his own space (to play his guitar or listen to music or just chill). He likes to think he has an artistic side - his Instagram is full of photos and his Twitter is updated with every deep thought that enters his head.

The problem is, Callum kind of hates his job. Luckily, Callum has IndieVisual magazine to keep him preoccupied when things get too boring (though he swears he only reads it during his lunch break). He likes reading about Kings of Leon's life on the road and wants to know whether it's worth downloading Snow Patrol's new album. He's also really hoping to win tickets to Ed Sheeran's next gig at Camden Roundhouse.

 

 

Secondary Target Audience - Males & Females 16-30 - Mainstreamers

Proposal

The magazine I propose to create is IndieVisual, of the Indie-Pop genre. I aim to provide readers with a visual companion to their favourite music, and open up their eyes to the world behind the music.

Indie-Pop would seem like an odd combination to start off with. However, as indie music is becoming more and more popular within the mainstream market, I want to create a magazine that targets this psychographic market (mainstreamers).
One of the reasons why IndieVisual is such an apt name for the magazine is that my target audience tend to follow the trends set by the indie artists. For example, the indie genre is largely responsible for the recent vintage clothing trend.

This brings me on to my target audience. IndieVisual is targeted at mainstream males in the ABC1 social bracket, aged between 18-25. I have chosen to target men because they tend to be more likely to purchase music magazines (most music magazines target men, including Q and NME). Indie is popular within this age bracket, also this is an audience that is likely to have expendable income with which to purchase the magazine (particularly in the social bracket selected). Targeting mainstreamers gives me a large audience that is easier to target, therefore contributing to the possible success of the magazine.

My secondary target audience will extend to both genders, aged between 16-30. Indie-Pop is a genre that appeals to both men and women.

As for the content of the magazine, IndieVisual will contain features with bands and artists that will focus on their life 'behind the scenes'. This will focus more on the industry, the music-making process and how this impacts the band/artist rather than their personal lives (who they're dating etc.). However, as an indie magazine, IndieVisual will welcome up and coming artists (who have recently entered the public eye) and will allow their readers to get to know them.

With a young adult target audience, I think it's important to focus on new media and interactivity. Social media will play a heavy part in both marketing and keeping the readers connected. Downloads will be plugged over physical music forms. Also, the magazine will be available to purchase on tablets and smartphones, as it is likely that 18-25 year olds will have a busy lifestyle.

IndieVisual aims to be its reader's go to source of escapism, even when they have only a few minutes to spare, or are out and about.

Representation

Representation of Indie Pop:

Male Artists:

Ed Sheeran

Costume

• Casual and 'dressed down'. 
• Look as if they've just chucked any clothes on and haven't been styled.

Props:

• Usually play an instrument - most often acoustic guitar. 

Poses:

• Natural poses ('unposed'). 
• Often on location or during live gigs (snapshots) rather than in a studio. 
• Look relaxed. 
• Usually don't smile, but not in an aggressive/intimidating way.
• If smile is used, this portrays their casual nature. The smile must be natural, not forced. 

Tracy Chapman

Gabrielle Aplin

Female Artists:

Costume:

• Girly - e.g. floaty dresses, light colours
• Vintage
• Often 'hippie' style - e.g. headbands, flower wreaths
• Long hair
• Individual, unique style - don't follow trends

Props:

• Usually play an instrument - popularly piano or acoustic guitar.

Gabrielle Aplin

Poses:

• Comfortable poses (look natural, whilst still looking posed).
• Can be similar to editorial modelling shoots.
• Don't smile, but not in an angsty way.
• If smile is used, this portrays their casual nature. The smile must be natural, not forced. 
• On location (often in nature)

Birdy

Bands:

Arctic Monkeys

• Male dominated - exclusively female bands are very rare. Generally all male members or predominantly male with one girl. 
• One of the only genres where duos work. Bands in other genres rarely include only 2 members. 
• Most if not all members play instruments. 
• Members have a uniqueness about them - don't follow trends. 

Of Monsters & Men

The White Stripes

Snow Patrol

Overall Representation & Attitudes:

• They care more about the music than the fame (sometimes shown to dislike the fame). 
• Write their own music.
• Neither gender sexualised - genre appeals to both men and women (fan base not dominated by either gender). 
• Though the indie genre can be associated with individualists, its increasing popularity has brought it into the mainstream. 
• The message supported by the genre tends to be "it's cool to be different". 
• Focus is heavily on the music. However, as indie music is becoming increasingly popular with mainstreamers, mimicking their style has become important and has contributed to the start of certain fashion trends (e.g. retro/vintage).