The document analyzes key conventions found in existing music magazines. It found that magazines commonly use masculine colors like red, blue, and black. Bold fonts are used to grab readers' attention. Different fonts are employed to make each magazine look unique. Images of celebrities are featured prominently on covers. Articles are located strategically in high-visibility areas. Based on these conventions, the author will design their own music magazine cover using bold colors, varied fonts, a celebrity image, and prominently placed articles.

1. Key conventions of existing Music magazines
After producing two radial analyses of existing magazine covers similar to
my own production, I found key conventions which could be seen in both
magazine covers. Firstly, the colour schemes which were generally used
were colours such as Red, Blue and Black. These colours are
stereotypically seen to be “masculine” colours as they are generally
associated with being favoured amongst the male generation, The
connotations of the colours black and red are generally associated with
passionate, strong, something which will provide energy and confidence to
the audience.
The fonts used were generally bold to grab the reader’s attention and
formatted on top of the covers to ensure that the model was the key
object which grabbed main attention. The uses of different fonts were
also used in both magazine covers to make the fonts look different from
one another and almost make them look unique in their own way. From this
observation, I will ensure that my cover will have different types of font
to make the cover look as eye-catching as possible.

2. Title: Font and Language
The titles is ‘Vibe’ and it is written in
bold, block letters, with sharp straight
edges on the V and I.
Firstly, the colour schemes which were
generally used were colours such as Red,
Grey and Black.
These colours are stereotypically seen to
be “masculine” colours as they are Image of Ciara:
generally associated with being favoured On the front cover, there is a picture of
amongst the male generation. Ciara, naked and covering herself with
The connotations of the colours black and her arms and legs.
red are generally associated with This image has sexual connotations;
passionate, strong, something which will Ciara is being portrayed as a sexual
being. She looks confident and
provide energy and confidence to the
comfortable being naked, suggesting that
audience.
she is a modern woman, who is self-
assured and proud of her sexuality.
This would appeal to a male audience,
because she is attractive and nude. This
is representing men as interested in
women’s physical appearance.
Women may also find this image
intriguing, as she looks feisty.
Target audience: This
Article: the main stories
magazine is aimed at
of the magazine are
18-30 male and
located, on the bottom left,
females who are
right and top right.
interested in music,
The headlines are bold
and celebrity news.
which attracts the reader’s
attention.

3. Title: Font and Language
The title is ‘Q’ and it is written in bold,
block letter, below the Title ‘A different
Take on Music’ is written in small letters.
This suggests that it is the slogan for the
magazines.
Firstly, the colour schemes which were Image of Lily Allen:
generally used were colours such as Red, On the front cover, there is a picture of
Blue, Black and White Lily Allen, naked and covering herself
These colours are stereotypically seen to with her arms and legs.
be “masculine” colours as they are This image has sexual connotations; Lily
generally associated with being favoured Allen is being portrayed as a sexual
amongst the male generation. being. She looks confident and
The connotations of the colours black and comfortable being half naked, suggesting
red are generally associated with that she is a modern woman, who is self-
passionate, strong, something which will assured and proud of her sexuality. The
two animals represent her dangerous side
provide energy and confidence to the
or they could also be a protective force
audience.
around her.
This would appeal to a male audience,
because she is attractive and half nude.
This is representing men as interested in
women’s physical appearance.
Women may also find this image
intriguing, as she looks feisty. And it
shows her strong side making women
Target audience: This
feel they can be independent.
magazine is aimed at
18-30 male and
females who are
interested in music,
and the latest in
celebrity real life
stories. Article: the main stories
of the magazine are
located, on the Top right
The headlines are bold
which attracts the reader’s
attention.

4. Secondary Audience Research.
Identification of my Target Audience.
When designing my production, I will need to ensure that my idea is
specifically targeting my target audience. In this case Hip-Hop and R&B
listeners, even though there are a number of other theories, which relate
to constructing an audience. In term, of Graeme Burton’s theory between
socially grouped audiences and media grouped audiences, my age group will
be between the ages of 13 above. As my target audience is amongst this
age group. The most common listeners would be the 13-30 age groups.
They would usually be undergoing education in college or university or
being employed in a part-time job or Full-time. In terms of media grouped
audience, which focuses on their relationship with the media, my target
audience would share an interest in fashion, the latest Music and other
real life situations, which the media highlights.
Burton’s classification of socially grouped audiences, and identify further
subjective which identify more specific regions, which offer motives
appropriate to my audience. For example, my target audience would have
personal interest in, Music, celebrities, real life and other issues which
would appeal to my target audience, and this idea would persuade readers
to buy my magazines as it would personally appeal to their aspirations.
The ethnic grouping of my audience will play a role in my choice of images
and messages. The genre of music I am focusing on (Hip-Hop and R&B)
mainly targets the black urban community.
Richard Dyer suggests that people will respond to a message if it offers
them a positive outlook for the inadequacies of their own lives. In my
case, my magazine will provide energy for those who feel exhaustion, by
providing bold headings, with colour schemes that give of a sense of
energy. It will also a sense of community for those who feel isolated, as I
plan to produce a real life story for my double page spread, which can
help the reader feel involved and can also, in some cases, relate to it
through their own experiences. For example, if my real life story was to
be based around Tragedy, there would be clear motives I could offer
based on this theory such as clarity on facts and a community device as
people who can relate to the story, might feel as if they are not alone.

5. Abraham Maslow suggests in his theory, that everyone has 8 basic needs;
therefore if I target these needs I will have a greater chance of
fulfilling my target audience’s requirements. In my case, the top two
needs in Maslow’s hierarchy apply to my magazine, as humans feel as if
they need to have self-esteem, confidence and a sense of achievement. It
also relates to self- actualisation, as I will insure that my magazine
includes that strategy which enables the reader to accept facts and
creativity.
Results and findings of the questionnaire and interview.
Which of these artists below would you most enjoy listening to?
The Majority of my participants stated that their favourite
artist is Ne-yo. They chose him because they enjoyed his
music and felt they could relate to what he says in his songs.
What do you feel makes a good magazine?
The Majority of my participants stated that a good magazine
should have the following features: Not too busy, longer, in-
depth features, lack of ‘celeb’ feel, and lack of pretention.
These were the main points my participants answered.
How often do you purchase a magazine?
The majority of my participants stated that they purchase a
magazine sometimes. Most expanded on this and stated
they rarely do because the internet is free and easily
accessible. Plus magazines are condensed into a couple
pages while the internets information is endless.
What does your favourite magazine provide for you?

6. The majority of participants stated that their favourite magazine
provided energy through bright colour schemes. Some
participants also stated that they usually read magazines when
they feel bored, and reading about issues may give them
energy. They also stated that their favourite magazine provided
clarity of facts through Celebrity news and problem pages, as
they felt they could relate to some issues and gain some clarity
of facts to help them resolve their personal problem.
How much would you be willing to spend on a magazine?
Most participants stated that they How m uch w ould you be w illing to spend
usually bought magazines whenever on a m agazine?
they feel like it. From my own
7
assumption, this would usually apply if
Amount of people
6
the magazine looked appealing; 5
therefore I will use bright colours and 4
3
appealing stories, which will persuade 2
the reader to buy the magazine. 1
0
0.99p- £2-£2.99 £3-£3.99 £4+
From this, I can establish that £1.99
teenagers are more likely to spend the Price
maximum of £2.99 when purchasing a
magazine. This is understandable, as
most teenagers may not have a part-time Job, so a spending
budget may be visible.
Do you live in the countryside or the city?
Do you live in the Countryside or the City?
From this, I can tell that all my
participants live in the city, and this 12
may affect my understanding of 10
Amount of people
potential participants who may live in 8
the countryside and whether or not, 6
they would also be persuaded into 4
purchasing a potential new magazine. 2
0
Countryside City
Area

7. What would be your interpretation of a “stereotypical” model, in terms
of their image?
The feedback I received from this question, were all fairly
similar to each other as everyone stated that their
interpretation of a “stereotypical” model would be that they
would be glamorous and beautiful usually dressed stylish.
They would have a toned body and look as if they have
achieved something. This reflects back to my target
audience, as the model would presumably influence 13-30,
as he/she would be a device, which portrays some sort of
personal gain.
Which Of these Music Magazines Below Do You Prefer?
The feedback I received from this Music Magazines
question was fairy spread out.
Most of my participants chose 6
NME as their favourite one; they
5
felt that the magazine met their
4
favourite genre ‘Indie’, while
Number
the ones that chose billboard, 3
vibe and king felt that it met their 2
favourite genre ‘hip-hop and 1
R&B’. 0
Vibe King NME Billboard
Name

8. Which of these artists below is your favorite Female R&B artist?
Female R&B
The Majority of my
participants stated that their
favourite Female R&B artist 4
is Beyonce and Rihanna. 3
Number
They chose them because 2
they enjoyed their music and
felt they could relate to what 1
they say in their songs. 0
Plan Beyonce Keri Rihanna Mariah
Hilson Carey
For the magazine I am hoping to use the following ideas
to help me design my magazine.
Title Ideas:
for my magazine cover I am hoping to choose one out
of the following names:
• G.M.: this stands for gifted musicians. Abbreviations
are common these days with magazines. This
makes people feel superior cause they may no
what it means
• Seeing Sounds: I don’t think this would work in my title
but I think it will work well as a slogan.
• Mr Exclusive: this name possesses certain qualities
that give the tale verisimilitude. This is a name that
would be remembered as a good magazine, it
could associate with music legends.
• Shake: is a rhythmic movement, this could target an
audience that is into dance and up-tempo music
Ideas that have been discarded:
• Unix
• Ridely
• Unique

9. • Ballers
• All or Nothing
I after looking at all possible title names; I have decided
to choose Mr Exclusive. Because I feel it is easy to
pronounce, it’s also a common word used, this could
also appeal to my target audience for example, and
their favourite artists can be considered legends in their
main genre.
Colour Schemes:
for my magazine I am hoping to use a range of two to
three different colours to:
After reaching other magazines and what colours they
use, I narrowed my list of colours down to 6 different
colours.
White: is the colour that represents purity, neutrality,
sterility and youth.
The reason why I chose white is because White is a
neutral colour that will continue to be the preferred
backdrop on websites and the “colour” behind the
colour. This suits the audience I am targeting cause it is
associated with Light, reverence, purity, truth, peace,
innocence, cleanliness, simplicity.
Black: It has an ominous characteristic, symbolizing
death.
• It has an air of intelligence (graduation robes),
marked with rebellion (the bad guy), shrouded in
mystery (space).

10. • Black’s evil symbolism complements the good in the
world. Whatever the social, economic, political
environment,
I Chose Black because; it will always be a popular
colour in all industries including the music industry which
would target my audience.
Red is the color of celebration and good luck (China),
purity and integrity (India).
I chose Red Because It is so bold and audacious; it
usually dilutes the colours around it. That’s why it’s
used to accent and highlight objects of importance.