Evaluation of my Media Product - Music Magazine

Final Music Magazine Product

Front Cover

Contents Page

Double Page Spread

Double Page Spread - Third Draft

After looking at my focus group feedback, I looked at my double page spread again and adjusted some parts to it. Though I didn't make many changes, I changed the main square image to one of her looking more happy and fun, in contrast to the one I used previously. I also changed the colour of the interview questions to the same colour as that of the 'Molly Booker' text which is on the front cover. I also wanted to make the text wrap around the image on the right page, however, I was unable to do so. 

Contents Page - Third Draft

After looking at my feedback from the focus group, I again, edited my contents page in InDesign, though I have come to a result of having two designs, which I am unsure as to what one I prefer.

For this design, I firstly added another article on 'Tour dates' and made the magazine website address bigger. Secondly, I added boxes around the text frames, in order for it to be read clearer. However, because of this, I didn't think the balance was right, so I moved the social networking icons. However, I didn't really like the look of the articles in boxes, so I decided to make one without boxes around the articles, though still keeping the other changes I made previously.

I have decided that to find out which one I want, I will ask some of my target audience on their views.

Focus Group

This is the feedback from my focus group. However, to have gained the most helpful feedback, I should have used a wider range of people, though the ones I chose still fit into the target audience, I could have participated more males.

Double Page Spread - Second Draft

Looking at both of my double page spread designs, I decided to go for the second design.

I think this second draft of the design is much better, though I'm still unsure as to the amount of images on the dps. However, I'm happy with the change of the font and pull quotes. 

Contents Page - Second Draft

Though there are not major adjustments, I have made slight changes, by adding the social networking icons and some of the text.

Front Cover - Second Draft

This is my second draft of my magazine front cover. For this one,  I looked at the feedback from my focus group and made necessary changes, which were to make the text more clear and to consider the colours I've used when thinking about my target audience. The changes are subtle, however, changes nonetheless, and include making the 'Music's Hottest' text larger, and changing the colours of 'Foals' new album' and 'You Me At Six' to a darker purple. I have also moved the price of the magazine above the bar-code to make it look neater. 

Second Design of my Double Page Spread - First Draft

Although I already have a first draft of a double page spread, I also did this design. I am happier with the result of this double page spread rather than my first double page spread, though there are still improvements to be made, such as with the empty space in the corner. I am also wondering about the number of images, and whether it's too many, as well as the typeface of 'Molly Booker', and the box (pink) it stands against.

First Design Double Page - First Draft

This is my double page spread first draft. I definitely need to make improvements to this, as I am unhappy with the results. This layout design (as seen from my flatplans) needs to be reconsidered in my opinion, as I think the text looks messy, and in particular, I do not like the way the photo stretches. Also, there seems a sense of emptiness, and the overall look of these pages does not fit to my genre of magazine. 

First Draft of my Contents Page

This is my first draft of my contents page. I like this page as I like the use of colours and images. There are definite improvements to be made, such a clearer reading of the articles. However, I really like the image of article 13, and the way that some of the empty space I had before has been filled with a mixture of images. 

Hot Desking Peer Feeback

Critical Evaluation of First Draft of Front Cover

Critical evaluation of first draft of front cover

For my magazine, I am aiming it to be in the genre of rock and indie music. I think this front cover represents the style of an indie music magazine more than it does for a rock magazine. I think this is due to the colours, however, I think the masthead of ‘Riot’ does bring it all together and tie in in the fact that this magazine both incorporates rock and indie music. I think it also represents the aim well as it gives you information about what’s in the magazine and the type of articles you’ll find inside.

Some of the coverlines are easier to read than others due to their brighter and more vivid colours, compared to some of the other dark colours used. However, the additional text (coverlines) on the front cover could be made easier to read, as well as fit in more with the main house style of the magazine. The coverlines overlap my main image of the artist, however, she is still clearly visible and the coverlines that surround her do not obscure the main overall look. The font of the coverlines are plain, simple and easy to read, which makes it easier for the audience. They also contrast to the masthead’s font, and I think this gives the magazine a unique edge, making it stand out. The masthead is very prominent, placed in the centre middle of the cover and stands out with its bold use of colours, as well as keeping in with the overall look, though this doesn’t keep in with magazine conventions, as usually, they’re placed in the top left corner. However, I don’t think this makes my music magazine unprofessional or any less like a music magazine, and with the use of a barcode, date, price and issue number, it really pulls together making it look more like a real music magazine.

The colours used all tie in together and link with the main house style, as well as the main image itself, and I think this makes it and effective front cover. However, I think it could also be problematic, as the colours of the coverlines may not stand out against the image and draw in readers. Also, the colour of the dark red used on the coverlines of ‘Molly Booker’ and ‘Molly’s first official interview’ link back to the colour of the artists lipstick and so those particular coverlines are recognisable to the main story of the girl on the cover. The background has turned out to have a gradient effect due to the lighting during the photoshoot, though I think there is a nice and even balance, which does not affect the front cover in a negative way.

Aimed at young people aged 16 to 20, I think this magazine front cover is appropriate for my target audience as it fits in with the conventions of a magazine for young people. It attracts more of a younger audience, than an older one, which is what was intended. However, when thinking of my design intentions, this front cover draft is not how I intended it to be, it has warmer, pink, purple tones to it than intended, though I still think I have achieved a reasonable cover in comparison to my initial designs.

All about me

My name is Hannah and I'm a Media Studies student at City College Norwich.
This blog is for my Foundation Portfolio in Media Studies.