1. MAGAZINE PRODUCTION
EVALUATION
Chloe Welsh
Chloe Welsh

2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media
products?
This is my web link and subscription ad. I placed it
here to ensure it was out of the way yet visible for This is my date and price line, a vital convention of
readers to see as it would be important for the any magazine regardless of the genre.
advertising aspect and also reminds the audience this
is a professional magazine that also offers things to This is the masthead of my magazine, I used upper
do online. case text in a clear font to provide a clear and tidy
illustration. I feel that with the font being easy on the
eyes and not too over the top it keeps it professional.
By using a black outline around the white text it
stands out amongst the main image colour tones but
without clashing.
The sell lines are in a font I
This is one of my downloaded from the internet
magazines banners as This is anchorage text to the kickers. I used upper
site dafont.com (Kg I love you) I
case text so that it remained clear and easy to
such although it is more chose this font because it is
read. I tried to keep the wording straight to the
clear, feminine and fun without
of a slogan. I think the point but without giving too much information
being too messy. I think it stands
choice of words is out against the darker tones of
away so that the audience is more liable to want to
enticing and would purchase the magazine.
the feature image and highlights
appeal to those with a exciting categories of the
This is the plug, where I have highlighted celebrity
magazine.
particular interest in gossip that is new and what the public are all
pop. It also highlights This is the flash, where I have talking about. This way it suggests the magazine
used a different text and font to holds exclusive information that will answer any
the genre of the
make it clear it is something questions that are in the news etc. The plug is
magazine and gives exciting and of the readers visually easy to see but without having that ‘cheap’
people a clearer interest. look I kept the colours similar throughout to
message of what they maintain a professional house style.
can expect to find inside.
The barcode is one of the crucial conventions to
any product that aims at selling.
This is the front covers main
image, it illustrates a direct mode
of address and therefore would This is another of my banners that also appears
This is the cover line to on my contents page. I think its quirky and
catch readers attention and draw my magazine, this memorable and gives a brief explanation of what This is the headline connected to the cover line. It gives
them in to reading what the illustrates the main the magazine is about. the audience a brief insight to the article that is
magazine has to offer. The image feature article of the included inside. Iused the same choice of font as the
magazine. I used the sell lines so that my house style wasn’t all over the
isn’t too busy and the colours same font as my place. I wanted my front cover to look fun but without
blend well with the house style. masthead because I feel looking messy.
this way it links well and
creates a more
professional style.
Chloe Welsh

3. For my masthead ‘contents’ I also used
I used the same banner as on my front cover again to www.dafont.com and downloaded a text that wasn’t
create a sort of ethos for my magazine. I think that available on the InDesign software. I like the font
because it’s short and catchy it will stick in readers because even though it appears bitty, it still stands out
minds. I used a different colour font for ‘IN DEMAND’ well against the block coloured background whilst
just to reiterate the magazine name and so that it adding a fun element to the page. I played around
stands out above the other text that’s all in white. with my contents page a lot, especially the positioning
and layout of the word contents, I thought that having
the word at the top of the page would seem
predictable and boring however when I did research in
This is my editorial- where I wrote a short introduction to other magazines I noticed not so many have it there
as such to the audience explaining what they can so I felt happy to risk it and have something unusual
expect to find throughout the magazine. I am pleased I on my page.
included this because I feel it adds a friendly and This is one of the main images to the contents page, illustrating a band
that has a dedicated page inside that provides the audience with an
welcoming element. I used a different text for this just
exclusive interview to a ‘new’ girl group. Yet again it provides the reader
so that it appears slightly different. I also included my with a small idea of what they can expect to find throughout In Demand.
own signature that I scanned in to add a realistic and
professional illustration. This is a quote that links to the image above. I included this just to
give the readers a taste of the kind of conversation they can
Here are some secondary lead images that highlight expect to read. I chose something that related to music to simply
what else the magazine has to offer. This way not only highlight the genre of magazine.
is it all down in words but also gives the readers
imagery to connect it with. I didn’t want these images
to appear too large and bulky because it would lose
the professionalism. Beneath the picture I placed the
page number and a few words to describe what it’s
about.
Here are some logo’s for the popular social networking web sites
Twitter and Facebook. It lets readers know they can also be a part
These are the head lines to each of the magazine by adding them as a friend online and finding
category I created. I tried to make more exclusivities from the web. I think this is an important part to
them a little bit different by adding a This is the subscription logo that my magazine because it shows it is up to date with society and
bit extra to the category. Eg, THE gives the necessary information to reaches out to the target audience I would hope to attract.
MUSIC- The latest low down… I think the audience. Its down to the point,
it can be the little details that make not overloaded with details and easy
the difference and I am glad I made to understand. I used a thumbnail
this choice. I used a black text box and image of the front cover due to
white text to ensure it was clear and inspiration I found on published
also stuck to using magazines.
Chloe Welsh

4. This is one of the quotes I used inside the interview on
the opposing page. I chose to use this particular choice of
sentence because I feel it adds excitement and interest
for the readers. I kept the font the same as what is used
on the page on the right hand side. This is to maintain a
neat and tidy house style. I feel by placing it in the right
hand corner of the page (horizontal to the one in the
bottom left hand corner) it creates a sense of border for
These small banners relate to sign posts that the photography and keeps the page in balance.
basically let the reader know where they
are, what they are reading. I thought it was
important to highlight that this interview is
exclusive because this adds a special element to
the magazine’s reputation. It also seemed
I feel that the feature image of this page is effective
necessary to include a page number.
in the way that it isn’t predictable. Just because the
magazine genre is pop music shouldn’t mean the
right sort of image was someone stood with a
microphone or instrument. I think the image
portrays class and sophistication but captures the
artists friendly nature.
The reason I chose this particular sentence is because it
adds a bit of cheek and is something that readers look for
when reading an interview. I think it is appealing because This banner gives a small description of what the
the target audience for this magazine are more likely to image is about. Because this photography doesn't
want fun comments as opposed to hard facts and portray a clear music connection, I felt using a banner
statistics. was an effective way of giving a reasonable
explanation to the choice of image. I used the same
block colour background as the 2 small banners at
the top left hand corner and also the same as the one
used on my contents page and front cover because I
was aiming for a thorough house style.
Chloe Welsh

5. This beginning piece of text is basically an introduction to I wanted to ensure it was clear to tell the difference
the interview and gives a small bit of background between both the interviewer and the interviewee,
information on the artist the audience is soon to read I accomplished this by using black text for the
about. I felt this was necessary because it provides the interviewers questions and green text for the artists
reader with a description if they are unaware of the artist responses. I think this is very effective for the
and even if they are familiar with the artist, it might readers because it easily distinguishes the
refresh their mind of some of the success they have differences in a way that can be understood and is
achieved. easy on the eye.
I included this small image because I found that in real
magazines they would often include a thumbnail print of
a picture that linked with the subject. I ensured the text
wrapped around the image properly so that it looked
neat and tidy. I think it was a good choice of image
because its not over the top with loads of colours and fits
in well with the related subjects being discussed.
I created this small logo to remind the audience this is
the interview that is represented as the main feature
on the front cover.
Chloe Welsh

6. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
My media product represents social groups who enjoy listening to the music in the weeks charts. My aim was to portray pop in a respectable manner to contrast with
the on-going controversy of pop artists so called ‘inappropriate’ style due to their choice of clothing etc. and also the lyrics they sing. The way pop is publicised has
recently began to illustrate the idea that it is raunchy and in decent; when really the artists are just searching for ways to stand out to the audience and have their own
appeal that hasn’t already been done. It was these factors that interested me in creating a pop magazine because I feel it isn't as talked about anymore due to peoples
misconceptions of it. I felt that by using sensible photography but still including the real gossip and information it would hopefully reflect a more suitable
understanding of the pop world. In particular, R&B is been endlessly aggravated due to artists behaviours in music video’s and in some cases live performances not
only for their own tour but on family programmes such as The X Factor. Prime examples of these are Ciara- who’s video featuring Ludacris was banned by BET due to
apparent unsuitable content however regardless of this, ‘Ride’ is still the sixth best selling music video on Itunes.
Another R&B/pop sensation who caused controversy in British papers is Rihanna, although the singer is entitled to performing as she pretty much pleases on her own
touring concert, many members of the public were outraged with her performance on The X Factor 2010. It was said that “Rihanna put on an extremely provocative
pre-watershed performance…Rihanna thrust her way through her solo performance in pants and strapless bra” this was considered unaccountable, leading to Twitter
and internet forums being flooded with comments from outraged viewers.
Christina Aguilera is another one of the stars who disappointed viewers with her failure to act appropriately on a family orientated television programme. Her
performance from the film ‘Burlesque’ was considered much too raunchy, “Aguilera wore a very low-cut black dress as she cavorted with an army of lingerie-clad
dancers.” There were thousands of complaints lodged with the regulator making it the most moaned-about show this year, with no other programme coming close to
talent show
Although the above may seem to highlight the reasons pop may appear to be going down hill, I believe that artists are simply looking for a new way to stand out of the
crowd- no music artist is going to get anywhere by blending in to the background. It was this that made me opt for more sensible photography, I felt that because so
many pop and R&B artists have chose the approach of wearing very little, that to stand out of the crowd now artists need to be portrayed as someone who is a
respectable person who appreciates that their image and persona will reflect on the minds of young children. Even the British Prime Minister David Cameron is
backing a ban on racy music videos like the ones released by American pop stars Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera.
Chloe Welsh

7. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
IPC Media produces over 60 iconic media brands, with print alone reaching almost two thirds of UK women and 42% of UK men – almost 26 million UK
adults – while their websites collectively reach over 20 million users every month (Omniture). IPC's diverse print and digital portfolio offers something
for everyone, with a focus on three core audiences: men, mass market women and upmarket women. Their mass market women's division (IPC
Connect) comprises famous women's weeklies including Look, Now, Chat and Woman; TV entertainment brands including What's on TV, TVTimes and
TV & Satellite Week and, online, the goodtoknow network.
Their upmarket women's division (IPC Southbank) comprises luxury fashion brands including Marie Claire and InStyle, lifestyle brands including
woman&home and essentials and home interest brands including Ideal Home, Livingetc and housetohome.
• Dennis Publishing was founded in 1974.
• It is now one of the world’s leading independently owned media companies with a turnover in excess of £95 million a year.
• 700,000 people visit one of Dennis’ 35 websites every day.
• Its first successful title was Kung-Fu Monthly. Dennis now publishes over 70 magazines, digital magazines, websites and mobile sites throughout
the world.
• Dennis brands include The Week, Monkey, Auto Express, Men’s Fitness, evo, PC Pro, Kontraband, Viz and Octane. It also publishes The Week in
the US and Australia.
• It posts over 25 million subscriptions copies to paying customers every year.
Bauer Media is a division of the Bauer Media Group, Europe’s largest privately owned publishing Group. The Group is a worldwide media empire
offering over 300 magazines in 15 countries, as well as online, TV and radio stations. Bauer Media is a multi-platform UK-based media Group
consisting of many companies collected around two main divisions – Magazines and Radio - widely recognised and rewarded as being industry
innovators. Their business is built on influential media brands with millions of personal relationships with engaged readers and listeners. Their
strategy is to connect audiences with excellent content through our broad multi-touch point brand platforms, wherever and whenever and however
they want. Their wide portfolio of influential brands gives us advantages over pure play magazine or radio competitors. In 1994, the company bought
a small magazine called For Him Magazine which is now the core of the best-selling international multi-platform brand FHM. In 1996, they acquired
digital music TV channel The Box, as a route into the small screen business, which has grown into Box Television, a seven channel joint venture TV
business with Channel 4. Continuing its history of magazine launches, Closer was launched in 2002 and Britain’s first weekly glossy, GRAZIA, was
launched in 2005. Today, Bauer Media spans over 80 influential brand names covering a diverse range of interests including heat – the must have
weekly celebrity title, Parkers, MATCH!, CAR and Yours. For a full list our powerful brands.
Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation, is one of the world's largest publishers of monthly magazines, with 20 U.S. titles and more than
300 international editions. The Company also publishes 23 magazines in the United Kingdom through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hearst
Magazines UK. The Hearst corporation esponsibilities include overseeing the publishing side of Hearst titles: Car and
Driver, Cosmopolitan, Country Living, ELLE, ELLE DECOR, Esquire, Food Network Magazine, Good Housekeeping, Harper's BAZAAR, House
Beautiful, Marie Claire, O, The Oprah Magazine, Popular Mechanics, Redbook, Road & Track, Seventeen, Town & Country, Woman's Day and
Veranda.
Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one
magazine, today they have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are
passionate about their interests. They hold market-leading positions in games, film, music, technology, cycling, automotive and crafts. Future sells 3.2 million
magazines each month; they attract more than 23 million unique visitors to their websites; and they host 27 annual live events that attract hundreds of
thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports or syndicates publications to 90 countries internationally, making them the UK’s number one exporter
and licensor of monthly magazines.
Chloe Welsh

8. Who would be the audience for your media product?
The target audience I have aimed for my music magazine are most probably the younger generation.
Teenagers that are aged 15+ perhaps. I feel this is suitable because the magazine contains features that
you can only relate to once you’re around this age so I wouldn’t say it was for anyone younger although
it is probable that it would be appropriate for readers in to their twenties purely because not only does
it contain information on music but gossip as well. Naturally, with In Demand being a pop magazine, it is
likely to attract audiences who are a fan of the particular genre. I think the product is more likely to
attract a female audience because of its look and style but that doesn’t mean its solely aimed at women
alone. It does include features that are appropriate for both genders.
I would hope that people weren’t turned off from the fact In Demand is initially a pop magazine
because that doesn’t mean it is going to be cheesy and irritating. I would like to think people of all ages
would be interested in the magazine, the front cover alone illustrates some of the competitions and
offers that are inside and I feel this could be an advantage in the marketing of the product. I think that
the predominant audience who would be most likely to read In Demand would be teens who are
interested in pop solo artists and bands and also celebrity gossip.
How did you attract/address your audience?
The way I addressed my audience was by presenting them with plenty of enticing elements on the front cover, I illustrated to the audience the possible things that
could be theirs if they entered into competitions, special offers that were for In Demand readers only, and exclusive music gossip that hadn’t been heard of
anywhere else. I made the magazine low cost because I feel this would be an ideal factor to draw in a wider range of readers. I tried to present my front cover with a
fun yet laid back attitude. I felt that by including offers such as free tickets to festivals, once in a lifetime opportunities with celebrities and exclusive vouchers, as well
as all the up to date news with popular artists, it would be hopeful to attract a large range of people. Also I’m hopeful that the choice of headlines will be effective for
the right audience e.g. O.M.G furthermore I think that the banners could have an effect on the audience because they’re catchy and fun and illustrate the magazine
as something you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
Chloe Welsh

9. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
The biggest lesson I have learnt from the whole construction of the product is coming to terms with Photoshop and In Design software.
Before this, I had only heard of Photoshop and wouldn’t have known where to start. In Design was a completely new programme for me and
there were so many new functions and effects I am now able to work that I had no idea existed only a few months ago. An important lesson I
have learnt is to always save my work, even after the smallest changes have been made to any detail, this way I can compare to previous
drafts and appreciate what looks better. I found that at first Photoshop was very difficult to control, however this was due to never working
on it before and I now feel comfortable with the software, it allowed me to edit many things including removing backgrounds from images
and text that was unnecessary, crop and re size photography and adding certain effects. I enjoyed working on In Design, I think it’s easy to
operate and understand; it allows the user to move and re arrange things at ease as well as offering a range of editing tools.
I found that similarly, www.blogspot.com was relatively easy to come to terms with and I understood it well. I thought it was a good way
of illustrating the stages I have taken to getting to the final product and displaying my thought and feelings of the process. Blogspot
allowed me to publish posts about my work and also go back to them and edit them if I wished to. It allowed content from other websites
using HTML codes so that I was able to include slideshares and photography. It was also very useful because it was an easy way to find
out what I needed to do next as my teacher would post this information on his blog, allowing the students to follow this.
During the production of my work I learnt that not everything has to be permanent, things can be changed and altered as you please. It took
me many attempts to feel happy with the content and layout of my contents page, I must have had at least 3 dramatic changes, but I am glad
I went ahead and started from scratch because it allowed me to feel pleased with the outcome. A lot of things that I had planned to do on my
paper flat plan were not included in the actual production, this is because things appeared different on the computer.
Although In Demand did offer a variety of font choices, I used dafont.com to look through what they had to offer. Dafont.com is an
online website that has thousands of font styles that are available to be downloaded for free. I found this website very useful as it
allowed me to choose fonts that haven’t been seen much. The font I chose for the sell lines was called Kg I love you- I believed this
to be nice and clear with a touch of pop. Because the process of downloading the font and converting it into a different sort of file
was a lengthy process, it was a lot easier to simply print screen it. However this did mean I had to transport it into Photoshop
where I could remove the background using the magic eraser and also alter the colour of the text by using a colour overlay.
Chloe Welsh

10. Looking back at your preliminary task (the College magazine), what do you feel you have learnt in the
progression from it to full product?
‘College Link’ my first project using completely new software and programming seemed impressive to me at the
time, but now when I can clearly compare the differences between the College magazine and my music magazine I find
it remarkable to see how much I must have learned due to the dramatic difference in quality and style. It is more than
obvious to recognise that the college magazine was created by someone who had never approached In Demand and
Photoshop before, alternatively I do feel as though In Demand (music magazine) appears to look much more
professional, I appreciate that it is very much unlikely to appear as the same quality as magazines that actually get
published; however I am pleased with the final product. Throughout the progression I have learnt many more
techniques on both programmes and looked into research in more depth as to how the layout should be presented in
hope for a look that seems relatively realistic and professional. I have learnt about the importance of layers and
background removals on Photoshop, as well as using colour overlays and effects that I had no idea how to work on the
previous occasion.
I also learned other techniques to increase the professionalism such as text wrapping around images so that it looks tidy and in position. Also the tiny details that I
didn’t think would make much difference actually did, for example the small banner on the main image of my contents page- although it doesn’t look much it really
does add to the over all image and reflection of the hoped for professionalism. The use of website www.dafont.com was also something new that I picked up and
found it very helpful as it included fonts that were more original and inspiring. Research into other pop magazines lead me to the idea that not everything had to be
over the top about pop, and because of the general belief that pop is constructed, I wanted to create an image that wasn’t so predictable. For example having a
feature image of a boy band in co-ordinating outfits sat on stools with microphones would completely justify the whole idea of pop being controlled by someone else.
Other things I learned include camera techniques and how they can have a huge effect on the message that an image
portrays for example mode of address- the feature image on the front cover of In Demand highlights a direct mode of
address, I thought this was useful to attract readers and to come across slightly more serious than other pop magazines
appear to because the idea of making a pop magazine appear silly could be one of the factors that lead to criticism of
the genre. I learned that pop music isn’t as favoured as it used to be due to peoples perceptions of the construction and
also the reputation pop artists have because of their style choice and behaviours in music videos and also in front of the
public. An important lesson I learned is that nothing is set in stone and this can be used as an advantage as long as you
remember to save your work religiously. I had so many idea’s that I was unsure on which one would look best and also
had the worry of spending too much time on one page. For my college magazine it looks rushed and thrown together
particularly in comparison to my music magazine. However I did have a lot of layout changes on the music magazine
because I was unsatisfied with it on several occasions and did not want to settle for a poor quality.
Chloe Welsh