This is the breif look to the evaluation of my Music Magazine. I shall go inot selected questions in more depth on my Blogger site.

1. MUSIC MAGAZINE EVALUATION
Will Walters

2. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE,
DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF
REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?
My music uses a traditional use of a masthead. As my
magazine is in a very competitive market, I wanted to
ensure that my masthead was large and eye-catching. This
is to ensure that it‟s not missed and it hopefully can attract
customers. Also, the title „RAPTURE‟ is specific to the
Electronica music scene as my audience will be the fun, out-
going young adults who enjoy the lively music and crave for
FRONT COVER
euphoric, rapturous feeling. This means that the title of my
magazine will attract them as they associate all the
strengths of electronica with this one word.
The strapline I used was my own take on a famous
quotation by Hans Christian Anderson – „where words fail,
music speaks‟. I thought this quotation really enforced the
significance of music, and the power it can contain. I used
this as it gives the magazine a professional approach, and
that it‟s written by people with a clear knowledge of music
which will attract people to buy the magazine as it appears
somewhat an expert on Electronica.
I thought it was most important to include a barcode as
every professional magazine must include one. If I intended
to retail my magazine, it‟s crucial that it should have a
barcode.

3. This use of a Selling Line is very significant as it‟s one of the first things I have ensured that I have included a date line in order to help those
my audience will see when they pick up the magazine. Therefore it that would collect the magazine. Also, it‟s helpful for reference reasons
must be persuasive and make it more likely for my audience to and to help the magazine collection stay organised.
purchase my magazine. This is why my plug is of an extremely
beneficial nature in that the prize would only appeal to my target
audience, so they‟d buy the magazine in hope of winning this
I was particularly happy with my feature article photo. I believe it
competition.
conveys my music scene perfectly. To begin with, the facial expression
of my artist is that of a joyous, even rapturous nature which is
significant to my music scene and even more so significant to my
magazine! One code of the Electronica Music Scene is the DJ style
headphones. They have featured in my magazine to portray the image
of a DJ in which masters in Electronica music. A convention of my
music scene will be the pose of my artist. First of all, she‟s giving the
audience a direct mode of address which draws them in and makes
them feel involved. Secondly, she‟s posing in a stereotypical DJ stance
with one hand on one headphone- this again portrays nature of my
article and what the audience can expect from this artist.
FRONT COVER
My headline is the house-style which belongs to the feature artist. As
she is becoming more famous, people will recognize this font as a
trademark and fans will be instantly drawn in like bees to honey. The
position of the headline is also important as I‟ve ensured that it moves
around the face of the artist, acting as a kind of frame for the photo.
Lastly, I ensured that the image is in the dead centre of the page so my
audience won‟t miss my main selling point which is, of course, DJ Lady
J.
The anchorage gives a clear indication of the feature article. It gives a
clear attitude of the artist and the fact she‟s confident in making her
mark on the world. This will attract people to buy the magazine as she
is making a very bold statement which would attract people to think
whether she would live up to the hyper or not.
This use of a Plug is well positioned at the bottom of the page as my
customer will have read down the page, and if they weren‟t already
convinced to buy the magazine, hopefully this offer will draw them into
doing so.

4. As you can see I‟ve carried on wit the same house style. I have
kept the same colour scheme of red, white and yellow. This is so
the magazine looks professional and consistent. A have used
the same font which I used for the RAPTURE title in my
CONTENTS title. This is so my customers can recognize this
font as a trademark of the magazine and will look out for it in the
future. I have used the same number system down the left hand
side which is also used on the front cover. This is so readers can
navigate through the magazine with ease and become
accustomed to how everything works.
I tried to minimize the appearance of dead space on my
contents page so it didn‟t look bare and that I could cram as
much information onto it as I possibly could. I ensured that the
Contents Page
magazine looked professional by adding an editorial so the
magazine was effectively welcoming readers to the issue with
open arms. This is great for relations as it helps form a
relationship between the editor and the reader. I included yet
another selling line at the top of the page to entice readers to
buy the issue and get themselves in for a chance to win in our
promotions.
I used this contents page (left) as a style
model for my own. As it‟s from one of the
leading music magazines, it ensures that
my contents page is suitable for a music
magazine. I added my own touches and
house style to incorporate it into my own
magazine.

5. Here is a clear use of Left-side third in which I can convey attractive
features of my magazine and ensure that they stick out once they are
on the shelves. I‟ve chosen topics specific to my intended audience
(such as clubbing and Avicii).
I‟ve used a flash and a menu strip to ensure that my audience know of
extra information that feature within my magazine. This is stereotypical
of music magazines as they always have a flash followed by a menu
FRONT COVER
strip of several artists at the bottom of their page like below-

6. I have used the same three colours to maintain
my house style. This is crucial in making my
magazine look like a professional music
This flash contains information which will direct
magazine as the likes of KERRANG! Maintain the
them to the magazine‟s website. Every music
same theme throughout so you can tell it‟s their
magazine
own.
I included three columns which is a stereotypical
format to display a review.
Double Page
On my double page spread, I‟ve continued my house-style on with my colour scheme. A have also used the same font throughout my
magazine. It is both easy to read yet doesn‟t look out of place on an electronica magazine. On page 71 there is a clear use of white space.
I did this as I didn‟t want to cloud the nature of the photograph as I believe it represents a large part of any music festival. On page 72 I
covered up any dead space as this was going to be a large chunk of this particular article so I needed to include as much information on
this single page than on any of the others. I‟ve used the ERAS BOLD ITC font throughout my pages and used the same RAPTURE font for
the title. This helps me establish a brand as the magazine as I‟ll use this font in every article.

7. HOW DOES YOUR MAGAZINE REPRESENT
PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS?
The target audience for my magazine is young, outgoing adults with a passion for electronica
music. Prior to creating my magazine front cover, I created a readership profile for an
existing Electro magazine – MIXMAG. By doing this, I found out that we shared
the same audience. Therefore I can see instantly what makes my audience
tick, and what to include in my magazine to interest them. I found out that my
target audience enjoy clubbing and alcohol. I combined the two on an article on
my front cover „50 nights, 50 clubs‟. This would appeal to my audience as they
see them selves as somewhat hard-core clubbers. Then, through my
readership profile I discovered that my audience specifically love new electro
yet still appreciate the classics. This is why I included Avicii (new act) and
Duran Duran (Classic Act).
Due to the revelation of finding my target audience for my social group, I
inserted an article into my contents about „Alcohol to Kill‟. This title alone would
bring in the thrill-seekers of my social group as they‟re significantly out-going
and enjoy trying new things.
Also, by creating a readership profile, I was able to find out that my social group
crave the latest gadgets (specifically mobile phones). Through my own
research, I was able to find that the Mobile Phone Market is clearly split
between Blackberry‟s and iPhones. This is the reason behind my article on
„iPhone vs. Blackberry – The Bloody Debate‟. I know my social group are
passionate on this subject so to create a bit of rivalry between them seemed
like a fun idea.
Lastly, to treat my target audience for being loyal customers, I‟ve included a
promotion to „Take 4 Mates to Space Ibiza‟. This represents my social group as
being popular and always keen to have a great time.

8. For my magazine itself, I thought long and hard about
the title of my magazine. I needed something that
would represent the nature of my social group, but I
had to capture it in one word. I eventually landed on
„Rapture‟. I was going to use Euphoria but I believe
that was more suited to either trance or class a drugs
like ecstasy. I believe Rapture represents the concept
of music bringing out a heavenly, spectacular
sensation. I know from my research into my chosen
social groups that this feeling is common with those
dancing on a night out, when a song gets into their
body and brings them alive.
I‟ve carried the nature of the title into my model and
her facial expressions. As she is a DJ, she is
effectively controlling „Rapture‟ within other people.
This is why I thought it a must that she be showing
such a feeling via her facial expression. Both of these
connote the feeling and nature of the magazine and
like cohesively.

9. I tried to make the editor of the magazine
representative of my social group. My intention
was to give a fashionable appearance and make
him look like an everyday person, a person my
audience would be willing to listen to.
This section represents my
social group as being deep
music fans, regardless of its The „NEWS‟ section shows that my social group
origins. It also shows yet again strive to know the most recent news in music and
that the latest technology is try to by as modern as possible.
something they crave so this
would hook them instantly.
These two sections at the bottom of
This sexual innuendo represents that the page indicate the nature of
my social group live a fun, care-free activities that my target audience
single life in which involves may enjoy lively, adrenaline fuelled
different encounters with other festivals or wild parties with exciting
people. lightshows. This is a great
indication that my social group are
very outgoing and are always the
wild ones on a night out.
This section indicates that my social
group of young, out-going fun adults
are always up for a challenge that
many would deem „stupid‟. Fact of the
matter is, a proposition such as this
would never be refused by my social
group as it basically tells us their
nature.

10. WHAT KIND OF MEDIA INSTITUTION MIGHT
DISTRIBUTE MY MEDIA PRODUCT AND WHY?
• First of all, I believe my magazine could be one of the leading magazines such as NME. First of all, as there is a gap
in the market in the Magazine Industry. Electronica music has a huge fan -base that isn‟t being utilised, therefore
having a good quality magazine from IPC could only be beneficial to both parties involved.
• However, after doing research into my target audience, I know for a fact that they would prefer something more
modern than a magazine- maybe a webzine? Having my magazine online would allow ease for editing and cut down
production costs. This would be good for my magazine that is just emerging. Also, my target audience, on a whole,
would have the latest smart phones. Making my magazine available online would allow them to access it via their
phones, and also their laptops.
• As a personal preference, I would think it much more favourable to have a new contending larger magazine on the
block. Like I said before, there is a huge gap in the music for my target audience. For example, there are plenty of
rock magazines. Yet, there are very few high quality electro magazines for my audience.
• Therefore, I think a top magazine manufacturer such as IPC could distribute my media product as it has all the
credentials to be a mildly sophisticated, yet entertaining read which targets all of my target audience‟s needs.

11. WHO WOULD BE THE TARGET AUDIENCE FOR MY
MEDIA PRODUCT?
I have a very clear of the target audience for my magazine. Initially, they will be young adults aged between 18-
25. To be interested in my magazine they must have a passion for electronica music, and a passion for the latest
musical news and the most recent technology. Personality-wise, my target audience would have a very active
social life with a fun, exciting personality. My magazine needs to capture the imagination of such people which is
the reason for some of the basis for my articles- e.g- „Alcohol to Kill‟.
The faint hearted amongst them may not wish to partake in such dangerous past-times yet they‟re not the people
I‟m aiming my product at. I‟m trying to offer an exciting magazine to both male and female party animals of today.
Yet of course, all personalities are catered for in a successful magazine so I‟ve included a range of articles to
tickle everyone‟s fancy.
I‟m aware that times are hard financially, especially amongst students. This is why as a magazine, we‟re trying to
entice our target audience with a low price, high quality magazine with plenty of tickets etc. to be won!
I‟m aware that my magazine seems a bit „laddish‟ and I guess that‟s been the intention. I wanted a kind of spin on
FHM yet it links cohesively with Electronica music. However, I‟m not completely discarding the female gender as
I‟m sure they could enjoy the magazine just the same.

12. CODE FOR AUDIENCE AVATAR
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13. HOW DID YOU ATTRACT YOUR
AUDIENCE?
I have used mise-en-scene here to show the energy created by the
artist and to also to get the audience excited about the article (like Q do
below) I believe this attracts my audience as they‟re getting a direct
mode of address so they wish to be involved with my artist which is
great for attracting the audience.
I used the semantic field of music along with partying. My main picture
shows an artist that represents both of these subjects. This is why my
audience will be attracted to this. The use of the 50 nights, 50 clubs
article and the prospect of winning a trip to Ibiza is very exciting for my
audience.
The phrase „where words fail, electro speaks‟ tells my audience that
this is a custom made magazine meeting every electro fan‟s needs. It
lets them know that this magazine is the „real deal‟. The size of the
masthead is also very significant as it really stand out from the
magazine. The use of the word „Rapture‟ lets them know that having a
great time is something the magazine will try to emulate, and promote.

14. The box-out caption on DJ LADY J‟s photo which says- “I don‟t think
I‟m the best, I know I am”. This entices the audience as it‟s a very bold
statement to make. They‟ll want to read on and see if she‟s all talk or
not.
I‟ve again used the semantic field of music and partying with a hint of
music festivals in order to draw my audience in. I‟m playing on the
passion and love my audience has for music which helps me to draw
them in.
For the double page spread, I used a simplistic design in order to give
my image the maximum effect! The picture shows the great side of any
musical festival, therefore my audience will be drawn in.

15. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT ABOUT
TECHNOLOGIES FROM THE PROCESS
OF CONSTRUCTING THIS PRODUCT?
I have learnt to accept new computer programs such as InDesign as they allow you to produce much, much more
professional end products than producing at on the like of Publisher.
I have learnt that the first attempt will never be quite good enough to achieve the highest quality result. Re-drafting
through InDesign helped me adapt to the program, therefore making my final product more professional as I can
use the programme to it‟s full potential.
The photo shoots I did helped me take an insight of the skills of a professional photographer. I liked the fact that I
could plainly see the use of lighting etc. and the impacts it has on the end product.
There is a clear improvement of my magazine
front cover as my skills for using InDesign
improved.

16. LOOKING BACK AT YOUR PRELIMINARY TASK (THE
COLLEGE MAGAZINE), WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE
LEARNT IN THE PROGRESSION FROM IT TO FULL
PRODUCT?
As you can see by the clear difference in quality, I have learnt a significant amount on how to produce a professional-looking
magazine. I now know the significance of the main image, and how it must engage the reader and interest them instantly. I learnt
how to use the left-side-third rule to great effect. I learnt that magazine front covers need to interest you and that dead space must
be eliminated (there is so much on my college magazine!) I learnt that using online text creators such as DAFONT can aid you in
making your magazine like 110% more professional.
Back when I was creating my college magazine, I did not have the photography skills to create such a professional shot that can
be seen in my music magazine. I also did not have the skills to use InDesign to use the program to its full potential. After my skills
improved in time whilst producing my music magazine, I was able to bring it to a higher quality finish!
I have picked up the skills to use lighting effectively in photo-shoots, to remove the background from pictures to a high standard,
to set up a photo-shoot, to use InDesign to a good standard.
I have learnt that there is a lot of depth of thought that goes into choosing an audience. You have to be very clear of who your
magazine is aimed to in order for it to fully meet a specific group of people‟s needs. It requires extensive research to find out what
they need, and a readership profile is a great way to establish the type of person your magazine is aimed at.
I have learnt all the conventions of a magazine page in order for it to pass as being a professional piece that would not look out of
place in the likes of NME or Q. Things such as the large masthead down to the barcode.

17. I have learnt a lot about representation on how different imaged can instantly connote a specific music scene.
For example the photo the left clearly represents the metal/rock music scene with the long hair,
make-up and the gothic style mask. Therefore for my own magazine, I tried to create a cover that
had the exact same impact on the audience of my electro magazine. This is why I used codes and
conventions of my music scene to create an imagine that represents the electro music scene-
The convention of the DJ holding one headphone is stereotypical of a
DJ which is why this is perfect for my music scene. I have used the
codes of the headphones, the glamorous attire and her facial
expression to connote the music scene I‟m trying to appeal to. Much
like the picture below her. That DJ is clearly from the Hip-Hop scene
and clearly connotes that scene. This really makes my image stand out
as the opposite, fast-paced DJ role that‟s needed in my music scene.
Lastly, I‟ve learnt that magazines can not just be created. There is so much preliminary work to do in order for
you to create a professional magazine that is suited for your target audiences needs. I‟ve learnt that
readership profiles can aid you and be used as guidelines for all of the content of the magazine. This is
crucial as you know that your audience will be interested as you‟ve based it on their needs. I‟ve learnt also
that the more information you can fit on to kill the dead space is crucial as your magazine will look very plain
otherwise. Last of all I can confidently say that I have learnt a great deal in this creation process!