Magazine layout practice

I practiced making a mock up of a simple magazine layout to get to grips with the general skills i will be required to use later in the creating of my own magazine cover.
Firstly, I used the graphics software programme 'Paint.net' to put together and manipulate the images. This included the removal of white unnecessary background and the rearranging of layer to place one image above another.
After this, i exported the file to another software programme of 'Microsoft Publisher' in order to add more text to the image.
The developing of these skills will make my future use of the programmes easier and less demanding.

Q magazine cover analysis

I have analysed this magazine cover to become comfortable in identifying the features of a music magazine cover, in order to ensure i include them in my own magazine.
Although previously i analysed a cover for the main features of a magazine layout, these feature go more in depth of the thought process behind a magazine setup, including the models body language and shot set up.

Student magazine audience research questionnaire analysis

I conducted a questionnaire in order to find out what the target audience of my Student magazine would expect a STACS magazine to look like.

The first question I asked was what they would expect to see on the cover of a STACS magazine. Many would expect it to reflect the school through the use of the school badge, containing important news for the school and to be set out in a bold and formal manor. However, 20% of those questioned did suggest they would like the cover to be bright and interesting, containing images of students and 'fun' story lines. 

Another one of the initial questions asked what colour scheme they would expect to be used. 100% of people who completed the questionnaire thought that red black and whites should be used with the majority also expecting the house colours to be incorporated.

On the questionnaire I decided to ask if students were enjoying sixth form so far as this would give me an idea of how they view the sixth form, if the majority view it positively, it is more likely a positive portrayal of the school in the magazine will be accepted. It was pleasing that every single student admitted to be enjoying sixth form so far.

When asked about the improvements, the students all gave positive feedback, with most enjoying the change into one lunch that lasts an extra 10 minutes than previously. The positive feedback can assist me in decisions for the magazine as it gathers information of what the students like.

Although 60% of those asked were unable to think of any further improvements for the school, of those who could, more variety of food available in sixth form was common, for example: pot noodles. Another good suggestion for improvement was the idea of harsher punishments for bad behaviour to enable a smoother running school. These suggestions could be ideas to be spoken through the magazine and possibly campaigned for, if enough people got behind them. It gives an idea for a feature of  'Student voice' where students will be able to express their views and ideas.

To give me ideas for features for a school magazine, I decided to enquire as to what their favourite part of school life was.
I have presented the results in a bar chart as it accurately shows the divide of opinions, as well as making clear that sport is a winner amongst many students. This suggests that regular sports features would go down well.

As I thought a feature on teachers would be enjoyable to readers, I decided to gather information on the favourite teachers within the school so I would know which ones would be a popular choice to include in the magazine.
I've presented it as a pie chart to divide the percentage of those mentioned in a clear manor.


'What features would you expect/like to see in a STACS magazine?' was another of the questions asked. A variety of answers were provided with the most common including:

• Upcoming events
• Features on students and teachers - staff profiles
• Gossip sections
• Competitions, prizes and give away opportunities 
• House updates
• Surveys to discover what the students and parents think of changes 
• Interesting facts
• Trips
• Sport results

Then when asked what would encourage them to read a STACS magazine they said that competitions would play a main part in them reading. Other ideas included their being parts of the magazine that suited different social groups. It was a popular idea that if they were allowed to read it during form time, they would be more likely to do so.

Billboard music magazine analysis

The Masthead of the magazine is 'Billboard' which suggests that the magazine has a large audience due to a wide range of people seeing it- as they would a billboard. The masthead is also partially covered by the main cover image, which is of the star of the issue of the magazine. As the image of Katy Perry is an irregular feature it takes priority over the masthead as all readers can acknowledge it immediately despite only seeing part of it.'Billboard' is written in strong bold letters to ensure it is recognizable as the masthead, any other text, even if large or bold, is written in softer lettering.

Above the masthead, there is a 'skyline' to advertise one of the features inside the magazine, in this instance it is 'Sheryl Crow' and only a small amount of information about the feature is revealed. To those interested in her work, as most of the readers would be (due to being in the target audience), this is enough to interest them to buy the issue.
In the main coverline of the magazine our attention is immediately drawn to 'Katy Perry' written in large letters to ensure that the readers are aware this issue of 'Billboard' is centred around her. In the quote of 'Inside the court of the queen of pop' we anticipate revelations about her inside which intrigues readers to find out more.

The main cover image is Katy Perry covered in flowers, these could symbolize her genre of music, which is mostly pop, as well as that the issue is the 'spring' edition. Katy Perry's outfit is also flowery and young, which relates once again to her music style as well as her bubbly personality. We are drawn towards her through her eye contact with us but through her facial expression we see a vulnerability that links to the promised revelations within the issue. It seems as though she is opening herself for people to discover what her lifestyle is like.

Often, colours can be used to reflect the personality of the cover star. By using a pink background it can connotate that sweetness and nurturing side of Katy Perry. One of these connotations can also be 'Pink is a non-threatening colour seeking appreciation, respect and admiration, we could relate this once again to the main cover line and interpret that her revealing parts of herself are in order to be accepted and looked up to.

There are four sub feature headlines, to give insight into the contents of the magazine. These are designed to excite the reader and encourage them to buy the magazine. In one of these sub feature headlines a chance to win a prize is offered, but details will be inside only. A rhetorical question about Taylor Swift is also present, posing questions in the minds of the readers.

Another feature also has attention drawn towards it through the circling of it in a bold colour. It is also placed on a slight angle in comparison to the rest of the text, making it appear to be an 'added extra' or even 'breaking news'. In this case its 'Chart heat' that is the 'splash' of information provided and the readers believe it to be a bonus feature.

Olly Murs website link

This is a link to Olly Murs' official website. He's one of my favorite artists as he is dedicated to his music and performs brilliantly live.
http://www.ollymurs.com/gb/home

My First Post

Hello, I'm Rian Doherty and this is my AS media blog.