Magazine Planning

Zoë Bulmer

Inspiration from Mood Board

All of the magazine covers I looked at specifically for my mood board are from NME because this is the magazine I aspire to be like through creating my own. A lot of these magazines use block colour in some way either on the cover or as part of the DPS as seen on the HAIM edition. This is something that I would like to adopt in my magazine and work towards with my planning. Here I have been able to focus on particular conventions that NME follow as well as look at the construction which will help me adapt to the style associated with indie music as I am working on due to the audience research. With this I quite like the style of the Lana Del Rey cover whereby the headline and quote are splashed slightly sideways over the studio image. I also like the use of colour co-ordination used on most of the covers on my mood board which link the brand name (NME) with the colour of the cover lines, eg On the Lady Gaga cover the name is written in blue as is her name which I like the representation of similarity and success between the two but also a way of connecting colour to draw attention to the page as well as the image that is on there.

Magazine Name Ideas and Analysis

• IndiePop

• Music4Teens

• #indie

• IndieGo

• Curve

• Music Matters

• Elite Rocker

• Effortless

These are a small list of names that I brain stormed as part of trying to decide what to call my music magazine. IndiePop was something created when I was considering mashing two genres together and it basically is what it says. Although it is simplistic and clear I think that it is too cliché and not creative. Music4Teens is also basic and I think that this one suggests that it is for a very young audience like young teens and preteens which is not what I was going for as it would most definitely discourage my intended audience.

Curve, Music Matters, Elite Rocker and Effortless are all quite disconnected in terms of linking them to the genre because I feel that they would be more associated with peaceful and quiet music, not music that is supposed to be unique and edgy like most in the indie genre. Therefore all 4 of these are ruled out because I feel they are not appropriate to represent the genre I have chosen for my magazine and if I were to use them then I would be creating incorrect assumptions about both my audience and chosen genre.

Therefore my final two choices were #Indie and IndieGo. I though that #Indie was too simplistic and not challenging enough to be able to create a whole marketed product around. I also felt like a magazine name needs to have a ring to it and it would be too long for people to say ‘hashtag indie’ yet just saying ‘Indie magazine’ is boring. You don’t hear of ‘Rock Magazine’ or ‘Dance Magazine’. Instead I chose to go with IndieGo and use it as a play on words in order to associate Indigo the colour as part of my colour scheme – linking to the deep purple and navy colours suggested by Taynie in my interview.

Soopafresh

Ani typewriter

Possible fontsThe following 4 fonts are those that I found using DaFont.com in order to represent the ideas I want for my magazine. They are the most attractive in terms of creating attention – enough for them to be clear when presented on a magazine rack. The font I have chosen to use for my masthead is the first example because I believe it is a slightly quirky, more individual font which will create the link for my magazine – focusing on indie pop/rock. I was torn between the first and second however I don’t think using a thin font would be beneficial for the title as it would not be seen compared to existing magazine covers whereby the masthead is in a bold, solid block colour. In terms of the representation of my decided name ‘IndieGo’ – I have chosen to capitalise the ‘GO’ in order to emphasise the fact that you ‘Grab and go’ with this magazine.

Why I didn’t choose the other fonts? Although I liked the third font as a masthead I think the emphasis on the ‘GO’ is lost due to the capitalisation of the rest of the text. As for the fourth text I think that it is too generic and represents the wrong thing for what I am looking for from a masthead. I think it represents more of a childish, comic like magazine which would be more insulting and patronising to my target audience of teenagers which is not the ideal aim.

Why had the font I had chosen not been used? Looking back on planning

The simple answer to this is that when creating my music magazine fonts could not be downloaded and therefore I had to use the fonts available to me in Indesign and Photoshop. If I were to install them it would have to be done at home whereby I do not have access to the programs. However despite this issue I am happy with the fonts chosen and although they are not as creative as those seen on the website DaFont.com I feel that if I were to change them I would be unhappy with the overall look of my magazine which now works with the fonts I have chosen. *Stylesheet shows the fonts chosen that exist on the Adobe software*

Brief plan: Photography ideas1. Model – LibbyWhy have I chosen Libby? - Libby is my chosen model because not only is she quirky in her style and personality – she also suits my age range for magazine. Libby also suits the title of my magazine because she has blonde hair with purple dip dye which is linked to my title of ‘IndieGo’ which is also linked to my colour schemes for the full magazine.

2. Location – Studio - Studio is the most simplistic area for a photo shoot which allows for easier editing and more space for coverlines and plugs.

3. Background – White- By having a white background it means I can emphasise the ends of Libby’s hair and also any indigo text because it would provide more of a contrast compared to a coloured page. However depending on the outcome of the photographs, I may change my idea and instead have colour fading out at the top and bottom of the page.

4. Lighting –Natural with additional lamp lights- Natural lighting will stop any additional manipulation of the image.

5. Props - potential props – flag, guitar, camera, balloons- These are props that I have thought about, the guitar seems the most likely however balloons may appear as part of the double page spread image.

6. Hair – wavy hair – bottom of hair must be on show- By giving her wavy hair it gives more of an edgy feel to match the representation of alternative type of music.

7. Make-up – minimalistic makeup (possibly bright lipstick – in contrast with her hair)- A more natural look with a statement lipstick

8. Clothing – denim jacket, t-shirt, tartan scarf, converse- This is my ideal look – similar to what Libby dresses in anywhere

9. Accessories – bracelets, rings, sunglasses - This would just be to finalise the look – by creating an overall image for Libby

Magazine Flat Plan

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Plans: CoverFor my cover, I decided that like NME I would place the masthead slightly to the left due to the fact that we read from left to write and because it will be the biggest text on the page it should direct attention to the right place in order to promote the magazine name and what it represents for my intended audience. The image is going to take up the majority of the background with limited white space however some around the head in order to make room for the cover lines to which should help to fill the space but also leave some contrast from the overall colour of the image. I will then use a plug towards the top under my masthead in order to entice the audience straight way by causing them to look at the magazine. The cover lines are placed towards the bottom of my magazine cover with the purpose that everything that attracts the audience in terms of ascetics is seen first, then the content of the magazine is revealed. I think that by having the magazine full with content at the bottom, more so than at the top it balances the quantities of what is there. For example by having a large masthead and image – whereby the head will be at the top it means that there is a limited space around it and if there were to be a large some of cover lines here it would lose the overall effect I am going for.

I think that including a plug is important and by having it nearer the top of the page it shows off what the magazine has to offer in terms of freebies or ways to get connected etc, which again attracts the audience.

I feel that it is important to include alternative images on the cover to include as part of the headline to show the significance of that story to the magazine but it is also what makes it individual to all the other magazines on the shelf at the current time. This is then followed by the use of 3 cover lines predominantly at the bottom of the page, finished with the barcode and selling line in order to draw the whole magazine cover back together as a fluent and consistent piece.

Headline: L1berty:Exclusive interviews and Tour Dates and more

with L1berty

Simplistic and straight to the point to direct the readers attention to my main aim of the

magazine on the subject I have chosen. It then provides that link between splash image and

headline. I think that this is as simplistic as it can get and therefore limits the confusion that could occur. Other then general band

information the second most popular thing to come out of my survey was Interviews and therefore by including these I am reaching the

needs of my intended audience which is 16-20 year olds.

Coverline 1:All the latest IndieGOss

By including the title in the name of the gossip factor it helps initiate that the gossip is exclusive to this magazine and this should make the

audience curious as this is a new upcoming magazine.

Coverline 2:Indies Biggest and Best Quiz of the Year.

Something to intrigue the readers into readingand test their own knowledge of indie music bytalking the biggest Quiz of the year. I think that by having and including this on the cover it not

only acts as a coverline but can also work alongside the plug to be more persuasive.

Coverline 3: • 60 Must Have songs

Giving information as to the latest songs that the reader should know by the best of indie.

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Plug :

Issue 1 Join us This entices the reader to not only buy the magazine but

also to become a part of what makes it successful through the link to social media to which everyone in the target audience is in touch with already. By using this as the plug it instigates a fan base for those who pick up the magazine but also shows the fact that it it

broadening any horizons in order to maximise success.

Selling line: *PEACE, Bastille, HAIM, Vampire Weekend,

Nina Nesbitt*This also entices however in small font so once the

customer has picked up the magazine. This means that this is more for people who have an interest in who is in the magazine each month. This relates to what is in the

magazine as a whole and therefore links it to what is popular within indie as a collective music genre.

Photography planning: Cover Images Ideas

Photography Planning: CoverIn terms of the location, I would like my photographs to be in a studio because this is a common convention of a cover image and therefore to replicate this I will do the same – plus it will mean I can control variables such as lighting and the overall environment. For the front cover I would like my photo to be a medium long shot and central to the page – however any props used may go outside the guiding lines for where the cover lines will appear on my cover. The image will be completely focused with lighting influencing the overall look given. This would include lighting directed at the face – providing a contrast from the rest of the image. The image itself will appear in full colour to allow for the link between my model and the magazine masthead to be clear however effects will be used to improve the quality of the overall image. Although through the majority of imagery on the covers I have looked eg Kerrang, MixMag and NME – I want the direct focus to be on the face – and eye contact should be maintained. However due to my audience I would like the image not to be serious because I feel that the interest would be gained through more of an enthusiastic and entertaining cover – as it would be somewhat relatable to my female audience 16-20. When doing market research I found that NME in particular has a variety of serious and non-serious covers and so despite not being a niche in the market as such, it would be taking a style in consideration of the market research to which lead my intended audience to say that the cover is how they are attracted to a magazine, over the cover lines or plugs.

In terms of terms of the cover my model will be wearing clothing representative of what is classified as ‘indie’ in todays society. The type of clothing I had in mind would be a denim jacket, with shorts or leggings with a rucksack wearing Dr Martins or Converse with a quirky t-shirt. My chosen model is Libby and I believe the way she choses to dress is an accurate representation of what I would like my music magazine to be all about and therefore I would consider her a suitable model for the cover, particularly as she is also in my target audience age range – making my magazine further relatable. For the cover I would like the use of props to be minimalistic because the attention would be diverted by the use of this. I think that the one prop I would certainly use would be the guitar to provide a more individual look to match the type of music she is representing.

Plans: ContentsAlthough the majority of existing magazines use predominantly images on the contents page this is one convention I would like to challenge. This is because in order to create a page with 6 different models for completely different things would be too time consuming considering the constraints. Instead I will use my own images taken in a studio scenario and possibly some images from gigs that I have been to in order to conform by using live performance photographs.

Like all magazines I have decided to include a title without making reference to the work ‘contents’. I also aim to include the masthead on the contents page because I feel it draws in the name and the use of repetition for a new magazine will help create a stable recognition with the name.I then decided to have the text with page numbers on the right hand side in a column to suit the style of my dps which should have 2 columns. I would like to focus mainly on odd numbers for the page numbers included because I feel like having some continuity in the flow of numbers will be more suited than a just a random variety of numbers. I am also thinking of following the convention of having some numbers bigger than others to differentiate the text and also to help fill some of the white space that will be at the top half of the page.

Towards the bottom of the page I am planning on having a block colour which according to my style sheet should be either red or yellow. In this I am planning to include social networking links which helps link my audience of 16-20 year olds who will be in touch with these forms of media. I have also decided to have either a mini article or editors letter like some teen magazines, making it a slight look back at the past for the reader. I will also be including a picture and possibly another selling line like subscriptions or a competition.

Contents Page Photography PlanningFor my contents page I have decided that there will be 2 feature images, the first will be of Libby, my model to establish the article about her. The second will be an image I have collected myself from a Kodaline gig. As well as an image I may include copies of other covers by my own magazine ,eg ‘what’s new next month’ in order to further entice and suggest but not give away as to what may be in the next issue however this is dependent on the amount of time I have left to complete my contents. The examples below have helped me analyse what would be the best way for me to organise my contents page. For example, the first image includes only one large image and a sample subscription. I think that this is how I am most likely to do my magazine contents page because all of the content will be my own and in the time space it would be very difficult to get photographs of the other people I would want to write about in my magazine. I have therefore decided to use only 3 images on the contents page and the rest will be colour space or white space. In order to minimise space and avoid the page looking empty I am going to use the masthead down the side of the page and the bottom of the page will either be a yellow or red box. So although they are not images they will determine the overall positing of the images.

The studio images of Liberty will be the same style as those on the cover and the DPS and therefore it allows for continuity. The Kodaline picture is that taken from a gig and is therefore unplanned but works well to give the live look which makes the music seem more realistic. This is following the convention set by 3 of the 4 examples below.

Plan: DPSFor my double page spread, I have changed my plan quite a bit because at first I was wanting to have the image take up the whole page however after starting to mess around with Indesign it became clear that the quality was lost so I recreated the plan in order to have the one image, vertically on the left hand page.

I am thinking of including a quote as the title in order to follow conventions but also to engage the audience into the article. It gives some ideas as to what the text it about and should help develop reader interest as well as creating some balance between text and images on each page.

I would also like to either have block colour on the alternate page or to work on having it so that the colour can fade indigo on each side.

As for the right hand side of my double page spread I decided to go with 2 columns which in theory should make it easier and clearer to read. I also decided that within the article I would try and include a drop cap if possible. Later on the dps, there may also be a plug related to my artist and therefore creates that element of enticement to fame. Another idea that I am thinking of for my double page spread is the use of a fact file in order to meet some of the needs to learn about the artist taken from my audience research.

Photography planning DPS Ideas

Photography Plan: DPSFor my double page spread I would like the photos to be more fun and almost messing around – getting more involved with the props to create an overall exciting image. I have decided to do this because it follows conventions of the magazines that I have analysed as part of my textual analysis. I have decided to follow the conventions of a music magazine by having the artist as a more real – linking again to my intended audience. Below are some examples that I would like to base my double page spread photo shoot on. Starting from the left, this photo is black and white, something I have decided not to do because by using no extravagant colours I would be loosing the effect of my model and the links this has to the title. However I do like the positioning of the models in the shot because they are facing the camera on an angle which gives a almost cold look to match possible connotations of this associated music genre but eye contact is maintained which means that the reader still feels the level of involvement they somewhat require in order to maintain interest. The second photo, I chose this as an example because although it isn’t an inside studio shoot the use of props eg the balloons is similar to some of the ideas I have had about the photos I could include for my own magazines. From this image I can also gather ideas about what would be classifies as ‘indie’ fashion and considering the style variety within the one photo magazine. The third image is an example I chose because it is not a serious photo – something that I have thought about when creating my own photos. I like the use of a block colour as the background as an alternative to white which is something that I am still unsure of at this point – having not taken my photographs yet – however if they are successful and will work with a block colour background this is something I will consider changing. The final photo and my main inspiration is HAIM – despite the fact that there are 3 models compared to my one however I think that the seriousness used is portrayed as more of sarcasm through imagery – as 2 of the 3 look more happy than serious. With this photograph I can also take some of their style as a more modern indie band – influenced by fashion.

Article plan • Interview• About the artist– Introduction • Image• Quote• Drops cap• Colours• Plug? Meet Liberty

The initial decision to write an interview stems from both my interview and audience research to which there was an equal balance between about the artist and an interview however I chosen an interview because I believe it is the best way to learn about someone new by asking their reaction to it all. It gives the ‘are they or are they not big headed’? Which often leads to creating an opinion to which everyone needs to about Liberty because she is a new artist on the indie scene. I think that it gives Liberty a character by giving her a voice, rather than focusing on a boring article about the majority of stuff people don’t care about. I have then decided to go with a fact file to go along with the dps which will help determine who she is and acts as the about the artist part that people in my target audience also voted highly for. In my article I am to use some exaggerated and yet emotive language in order to portray the excitement of the situation but also to show off the nervs that come with it which help clarify that my chosen artist is new to the industry. By showing nervousness I believe that it builds up the character but also gives her human feelings to which the audience can empathise with her – which makes her even more inspiring to the young women who read it. I want my article to show that everyone can achieve so not only providing an insight to a music career, I also want to show a positive female role model who although hasn’t had much success so far, is well on the way to being a successful singer song writer and therefore challenging society and the media who set out a certain image to young women to look and be a certain way. At the same time I don’t want my article to be controversial because it is a first edition and so by slated anything greatly it will not be well publicised but it’s about showing people that talent can be shown in a realistic light. With the language I use, there will be some light expletives to help engage the audience with the sort of language they would use in an informal setting and therefore exemplifies the fact that Libby is still a normal young woman just like the audience and therefore reader.